The Scallion: Cell Phone Madness

By Dan Estabrook - October 22, 2008 The economy is in the toilet.  Our mutual funds have dropped in value to the point that our retirement age is now 82.  Our future could go in any direction based on the outcome of the upcoming elections. What a perfect time to launch a $2,000 cell phone! Motorola has announced its new Motorola Aura. It contains a 62-carat sapphire crystal lens -- "one of the most scratch-resistant materials on earth." It also contains the world's first circular display with 16 million color display.  The company compares it to our need for high-end watches -- because we are refined, sophisticated and want people to point at our phones and say "Are you @#$*%^&$ crazy?" No need to wait in line as many of us did for the iPhone 3G.  Motorola is now taking pre-orders for the Aura (you need to say Aura in a whisper over 5-6 seconds whenever you discuss it with your friends). So, with your investments, savings and mutual funds all down 40% from where they were when you took that expensive summer vacation to the next county, order it today! I am also willing to test drive one of these babies for Motorola.  I am happy to write about it.  Please send to: Dan Estabrook Tonic 480 Lytton Avenue - Suite 8 Palo Alto, CA 94301 Speaking of phones, let's talk about the "green" iPhone.  The one about which I received the following email the other day: OK - so Apple is doing a much better job of reducing packaging, utilizing more environmentally-friendly materials and conducting product recycling programs.  Unfortunately, this ad, from some third-party online ecommerce sales site, reeks of greenwashing.  This is the exact same iPhone that one can purchase from Apple but with a green case. After reading the email, I couldn't figure out how to make the Reward Offer Purchase, nor was it clear who the company is behind this spam.  I did want the green (only in color) iPhone, though. Of course, I received this lovely invitation "because you have opted in to one or more of our partner sites." Differentiation is important in product marketing.  Of course, timing and truth are important as well. Unfortunately, I won't be one of those consumers choosing between the green iPhone and Motorola Aura.  I am perfectly happy with my Blackberry, thank you! “The Scallion” is Editor Dan’s weekly column (sometimes twice a week, sometimes once every other week) written in the spirit of “just having fun.” As we’ve said before, this column is cheaper for him than actual therapy…and the Motorola Aura.