Lenovo Sisley shows what the iPhone 6 should have looked like

Lenovo is working on a new Android smartphone called Sisley, which has just had its photos leaked. The company seems to have been heavily inspired by Apple when designing the Sisley, as it resembles the iPhone 6 as close as phone we've seen.

According to the source of the photos, the phone is just 6.9mm thick. Coincidentally, that's the same waistline as the iPhone 6. However, whereas Apple has chosen to place plastic inlays all over the back of the phone in order for the antennas to work, Lenovo has altered the design a bit and moved most of them to the top. It looks notably better that way, too - having a straight line go along a sloping edge always makes it look awkward. Not to mention the non-protruding rear camera.

In terms of specifications, not much is known for the Sisley as of now. The display is reported to be 5" with 720p resolution. At the back, there's a 13MP camera with LED flash, while at the front sits an 8MP snapper. Processor, RAM and battery are unknown at this point, but we expect the chipset to be made by MediaTek.

We don't know if the phone is going to be available outside Lenovo's home market China. It's going to be quite interesting to see how Apple reacts to the existence of the Lenovo Sisley. It has certainly gone a lot more aggressive for less in the past.

Credit: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_sisley_leaks_with_an_iphoneesque_design-news-9904.php

BlackBerry Passport review: World's best QWERTY in a uniquely functional form factor

Summary: BlackBerry needed to go back to its hardware QWERTY roots. With the Passport they did just that and a whole lot more

By Matthew Miller

BlackBerry Passport

In a world of black slabs, one company dared to be different. The design seemed rather ridiculous at first, but after a week with the new BlackBerry Passport I am convinced BlackBerry is serious about competing for the enterprise customer.

BlackBerry has always been known for its hardware QWERTY keyboards and when the company moved to the BlackBerry 10 OS, consumer-focused all touchscreen devices were launched first, with the QWERTY Q10 coming a few months later. Enterprise and government BlackBerry users continued to use older QWERTY devices. (I still see many government employees using BB 7 devices.) Now they can jump to the Passport and stop carrying around an iPhone to satisfy their modern smartphone needs.

Specifications

• Processors: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.2 GHz quad-core CPU and Adreno 330, 450MHz GPU
• Display: 4.5-inch square Gorilla Glass 3 LCD display with 1440 x 1440 pixel resolution (453 pixels-per-inch)
• RAM: 3GB, the iPhone 6/6 Plus have just 1 GB
• Storage capacity: 32 GB internal with microSD card slot
• Cameras: 13-megapixel rear with optical image stabilization (OIS), and 2 megapixel front facing
• Radios: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, near-field communications (NFC), GPS, FM radio
• Battery capacity: 3,450 mAh with advertised 24 hour UMTS talk time and 91 hours of audio playback
• Dimensions: 128 x 90.3 x 9.3mm, and 196 grams (6.91 ounces)

Look again at the list of specifications above. The BlackBerry Passport is not lacking in any single area and the only other smartphone we have seen with such industry-leading specifications in a single handset is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

On the hardware

The display and keyboard are unlike anything you have ever seen before; and it turns out they work together to provide an experience unlike anything else out there.

I was skeptical when I first saw the rumors and thought it was all some kind of joke. It turns out that the BlackBerry design team was able to deliver one of the first modern smartphones targeted primarily to the business user — while everyone else focuses on the consumer.

Square 4.5-inch display: The display is advertised as being 30 percent wider than average 5-inch slabs with the capacity to show 60 characters across. Most devices show 40 characters across the display. It's a joy to use spreadsheets, read eBooks, browse web pages, manage communications in the Hub, and more with the wide display.

QWERTY keyboard: BlackBerry has always had the best hardware QWERTY keyboards. BlackBerry took it to the next level with the Passport and it is easily the finest hardware keyboard ever created for a mobile device.

When I first saw that the Passport only had three rows of keys, I thought it was destined to fail. Once again BlackBerry showed me the error in my initial impressions: Additional characters show up in one to four rows above the hardware keyboard, based upon the context of the text entry field. This behavior is absolutely brilliant and I was able to figure out how to enter text quickly in no time.

 

The Passport is clearly a two-handed device, but the era of single-handed smartphone use is over so that is not something to worry about. The width allows BlackBerry to provide you with ample key sizes, angled to perfectly support thumb typing. The space bar is a bit small — the width of two typical keys — but I haven't had a problem missing it or anything.

There are some awesome shortcuts to make the keyboard useful and efficient; look for my follow-up post covering these in a day or two. The keyboard also has touch-sensitive functionality to make predictive selection simple and provide you with a way to scroll quickly through web pages and lists without ever touching the display. It's simply a brilliant approach to hardware QWERTY keyboards.

Battery: I used to be satisfied with devices that could get me through most of the day, like my original Moto X, but am not buying another phone that requires me to charge up a device to get through a full long day. Long battery life is a major reason I bought the iPhone 6 Plus over the iPhone 6 and is why I put up with the size of the Nokia Lumia 1520.

The BlackBerry Passport has been able to carry me through each of my long days, 4:30 am to 10:30 pm, without a problem. I typically still have 30 percent or more left to carry me into the next morning before I have to worry about topping off.

BlackBerry users are used to having removable batteries, but with such a massive capacity and solid performance I think they will be satisfied with the Passport.

Design: BlackBerry is known for solid hardware and the Passport continues that legacy. The Passport currently retails for $599 as a GSM SIM-unlocked device and exceeded my expectations for quality.

The glass display curves into the edges and down into the keyboard. The keyboard is rock solid with excellent tactile feedback and angular design so that the keys are easy to press. Two substantial metal rails line each side with thin strips of metal connecting the two halves.

The back is covered in black soft-touch material to make it a joy to handle the Passport. The top eighth of the back is removable to provide access to the microSD card slot and SIM card. Centered on the back is a 13 megapixel camera with flash centered above the lens.

Stereo speakers are positioned along the bottom and sound great. They are not as good as the HTC M8 speakers, but good enough for typical usage.

The power button and 3.5mm headset jack are positioned at the top with the microUSB/microHDMI port centered on the bottom.

Metal volume buttons and a center BlackBerry Assistant button are found near the top right side with nothing on the left metal rail.

Camera: BlackBerrys are not known for capturing great photos, but in good lighting most smartphones do just fine. BlackBerry did put some effort into the Passport camera and it comes with a 13 megapixel shooter with optical image stabilization.

Some readers commented that my Passport sample photos impressed them in my smartphone camera shootout and so far I have been pleased with the results. I like the way the camera software checks conditions and prompts me to change the shooting mode, for example to include HDR, for optimal shots.

Pros	Cons
High quality design, fit, and finish	Missing native BB10 apps
Best hardware QWERTY keyboard ever released	No water resistant rating
Functional and gorgeous wide display	Wide design may not suit everyone
Long battery life
Outstanding communicator thanks to BlackBerry Hub
Useful BlackBerry Blend desktop connectivity

BlackBerry Passport in hand

On the software

The BlackBerry Passport is powered by OS 10.3 and if you want to learn everything about the features and functions of this newest version of the OS, I recommend you go read all about it onN4BB.com. There are a few key features I would like to point out that were new to me and make the Passport an interesting device.

BlackBerry Hub: This has always been my favorite feature on BlackBerry 10 as I find my communications productivity jump through the roof compared to using different email and social networking apps on other platforms. BlackBerry significantly improved my Hub experience with instant actions. Tapping the top right icon gives you a couple of columns to the right of your items that lets you quickly delete, flag, mark as read, move, and more. I can also now move to the next or previous item in my Hub using the N or P key on the keyboard.

Active Frames: The BB 10.3 multi-tasking page is called Active Frames and lets you view up to eight applications that you have running. The first four appear as large thumbnails with the next four split into two blocks two small thumbnails each in height. You can actually have even more apps running in the background that do not appear on the Active Frames page.

BlackBerry Assistant: BlackBerry's new voice system lets you perform many of the same functions as Siri, Cortana, and Google Now. It is easy to launch with the button between the volume buttons and includes the following functions:

• Set and alarm and change alarm properties
• Change settings and open apps
• Communicate through BBM, email, text, and social networks
• Search the internet for answers to questions
• Find local movie times
• Search for and play music
• Make calls
• Check sports scores and schedules
• Check the weather

I personally still find Cortana to be the best assistant with excellent location and person-based reminders, as well as pushing information related to my preferences.

Amazon App Store is preinstalled: While you can download and install thousands of apps from BlackBerry World, BlackBerry also gives you the ability to install apps from Amazon's Android store front. In addition, it is easy to install Snap and get apps from the Google Play Store. Follow thedetailed instructions here on CrackBerry.com to get Snap loaded on your Passport. There is a limitation on Google Play Services apps, but so far I am rocking 95 percent of the apps I have on Android and iOS on the Passport.

Some apps, such as ESPN Fantasy Football actually give me a Google Play Services error at launch, but I just tap the display and the app continues loading. After loading it works just fine so even though some Android apps may make calls to Google Play Services, that doesn't mean they won't work on the Passport.

I checked my various devices and find I am able to have more apps I need on the Passport than I can get on Windows Phone. I was actually stunned to get Pebble and my Jawbone UP24 working well on the Passport via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection. There are a few limitations, but 90 percent of the functionality is there and I am satisfied with the experiences.

BlackBerry Blend: One reason I used my original Moto X for so long was the Motorola Connect service that lets me send and receive text messages from my desktop computer. BlackBerry Blend takes that experience to an entire new level and reminds me of what Ford Davidson did withDashwire a few years ago.

BlackBerry Blend is one of those functions aimed at making the entire BlackBerry experience better than what others offer just on a smartphone. With BlackBerry Blend you can communicate via BBM, email, and text from your PC through your connected Passport. You can access files on connected devices, view and manage your calendar, and more. It is available on PCs and Macs, as well as iOS and Android tablets. While I have tried other solutions, such as Samsung's SideSync, nothing has been as stable and functional as BlackBerry Blend.

BlackBerry Balance: You might be asking why I didn't try out one of the flagship enterprise features of the BlackBerry Passport. My small business doesn't have a BES and thus I connect to my office via Exchange ActiveSync. BlackBerry Balance looks like a fantastic way to separate your work and personal life, but my BYOD work policy doesn't give me the opportunity to test it out.

Pricing and availability

The BlackBerry Passport is available for $599 from the BlackBerry store and Amazon.com. BlackBerry reported that 200,000 units were pre-ordered in the first 48 hours and it remains difficult to find.

The Passport continues to be out of stock with infrequent availability. I bought my device fromHandtec and it ended up only costing me about $15 more with tax and shipping considered. I see it is now out of stock there too though.

The competition

There is no direct competition for the BlackBerry Passport. There are still a couple of lower end Android devices with QWERTY keyboards, but you won't find any kind of flagship still using a hardware keyboard. That said, people who might consider the BlackBerry Passport may also be looking at the iPhone 6/6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, LG G3, HTC One M8, Nokia Lumia 1520, or other high end smartphone. All of the competition offers a similar large touchscreen experience while the Passport offers something uniquely different. It is a great conversation starter and I enjoy showing it off to curious folks.

Conclusion

I was going to skip testing out the BlackBerry Passport, but my curiosity got the best of me and I am thankful that it did. The BlackBerry 10 OS has always interested me with the fantastic BlackBerry Hub, swiping interface, and app expansion through Android.

Unlike other smartphone operating systems, BlackBerry continues to focus on communications and using your device to be productive. Most of the people working for government agencies I work with as a professional engineer use BlackBerry devices and the Passport gives them the ability to leave the iPhone behind and slap one smartphone on their belt.

BlackBerry took a gamble with the Passport, but going back to their QWERTY roots and innovating is what I think they needed to generate excitement for BlackBerry again. It is probably a niche market for the Passport, but I think it was the best option for them and may turn out to be the device that makes people ask for a new BlackBerry at work.

Contributor's rating: 9.5 out of 10

Credit: http://www.zdnet.com/blackberry-passport-review-worlds-best-qwerty-in-a-uniquely-functional-form-factor-7000034571/

Samsung To Revolutionize WiFi Speed

By: Larry Darrell

An In Depth Analysis of Samsung's Latest Technology

Samsung’s engineers and development lab have been busy. Usually we are amazed by the unrivaled power of its smartphones and microchips. But this time, the smartphone giant has something extra special for us. Samsung recently revealed the new WiFi wireless standard it has been working on: the 802.11ad, which is potentially five times faster than what we have currently.

What’s so special about this new standard? As is the case with wireless standards today, there are always two specs to be aware of. The theoretical speed the standard can reach and its actual performance. Usually the two are very distinct due to a variety of environmental reasons, although that might all change now.  

The numbers associated with the new technology are staggering. It runs on 60Ghz, and will offer up to 4.6 Gigabits per second, translating into an amazing 565 Megabytes per second (5 times faster than the current 866 megabits per second/108 Megabytes per second). The Korean technology giant claimed that in the most ideal conditions, the technology could transmit a 1GB video in just 3 seconds and could easily support multiple HD streams simultaneously.

So how have they managed to achieve this? To understand the new technology, we must first look back at what currentstandards offer. Wireless standards started with the 802.11b, which is now rare and outdated. It was followed by the currently more common g, n, and ac standards. Each of these have a high theoretical limit but perform a lot worse in real world conditions. The answer to that partly lies in the frequency and the number of networks running in the same physical space. “G” operates on 2.4GHz radio signal, “N” operates on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz band while “AC” runs exclusively on the 5Ghz band.

It is common knowledge that the 24 Ghz is extremely crowded—there is a lot of interference from the various networks (WiFi or otherwise) that run on this frequency. While there are 14 channels available, one can only use around 3 to 4 channels and if you have many networks running the same channel, you can safely expect network performance to run like a drunken turtle. This is why when the most common Wireless “N” and later the wireless “AC” was released, they used the 5Ghz—much wider band making it easier to not worry much about interference.

Another factor impeding actual performance is signal loss due objects around us. Theoretical limits are usually tested in laboratories where the network runs in optimum conditions. But when you set up a network at your office, for example, the signal has to deal with walls, halls, bends, tables, chairs, and floors; all this contributes in degrading the signal.

An interesting point to note is that as you move to a higherfrequency band, range decreases severely: so a 5Ghz signal will generally have a lot less range than a 2.4Ghz signal if both are set up as an omni-directional antenna forming a spherical bubble around the transmitting device.

How has Samsung dealt with all these issues?For the co-channel interferenceproblem, as mentioned earlier, the 802.11 ad runs at 60Ghz. So if the 5Ghz network had little inference problem, now the case is even less so. Samsung said, “Unlike the existing 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi technologies, Samsung's 802.11 ad standard 60GHz Wi-Fi technology maintains maximum speeds by eliminating co-channel interference, regardless of the number of devices using the same network.”

But then how will they deal with the short range? Samsung has taken the beam-forming idea from “N” and “AC” standards, and improved upon it to ensure that signals are as strong as possible.

What is beam forming? Well, unlike the idea of spreading signals uniformly with an omni-directional antenna as a sphere , beam forming allows the signal to be broadcast directly from the access point or router to your wireless device and back (without wasting signals in space).

So what does this all mean? For the first time we may actually see real-world speeds come close, at least closer than they have been in the past, to theoretical limits. So while you may not actually have 1GB transfer in 3 seconds, you can expect it to do so much faster than what you currently have. It is important to note however, that a network is only as fast as its slowest component. So unless all your devices work on the new standard, you won’t be able to enjoy its benefits. But Samsung said it is likely that compatible devices will start appearing next year and the new technology will be integral to upcoming gadgets like the Galaxy S6 smartphone and Smart Home device.

Is internet broadband fast enough to keep up with the technical marvel from the Korean giant? That’s the real question.

Credit:http://www.bidnessetc.com/27149-samsung-to-revolutionize-wifi-speed/1/

HTC Desire Eye vs. LG G3 – Specifications, Features And Price Comparison

By: Pavithra Rathinavel

New HTC Desire Eye (aka HTC's selfie phone) has recently been introduced in a special HTC event and the release date is expected to be in November. The LG G3, on the other hand, was released in June. Readers who are interested in purchasing the LG G3 or the HTC Desire Eye should check out this comparison.

(Photo: REUTERS / Han Jong-chan/Yonhap)

Display, Exterior And Size

The HTC Desire Eye comes with a 5.2-inch LCD display complemented by 1,080 x 1,920 pixels screen resolution, while the LG G3 features a relatively bigger 5.5-inch True HD-IPS + LCD display and 1,440 x 2,560 pixels resolution. While the LG device comes with a pixel density of 534 ppi, the HTC handset clocks 424 ppi.

When it comes to design, the Desire Eye smartphone features high quality plastic exterior when compared to the flagship HTC One (M8). The company has put in efforts to improve the front and rear cameras and in the process, the Duo Camera feature seen in the One M8 is removed. Furthermore, the device comes with a physical camera shutter button. In general, the Desire Eye is a worthy enhancement of the HTC One M8, reports ZDNet. Meanwhile, the LG G3 comes with a plastic exterior, however the metallic-effect on the plastic body is convincing enough and it offers the much-loved premium look to the device. The highlight of the G3 is its killer display. The sheer size and sky high-resolution take the viewing experience to another level. Plus, the rear panel is removable, according to Tech Radar.

Speaking of size, the thickness and weight of the HTC smartphone are 0.33-inch and 154 g respectively, while the LG G3 is 0.35-inch thick and weighs 149 g. Hence, the LG handset is lighter but the HTC device is thinner.

Hardware, Software And Memory

Both the smartphones are powered by the same quad-core (Qualcomm Snapdragon 801) Krait 400 processor. Nevertheless, the processors of the LG and HTC handsets are clocked at 2.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz, respectively.  While the G3 is backed by a solid 2 or 3 GB of RAM choices, the Desire Eye settles for 2 GB.

Moreover, the LG G3 runs oikn Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS, whereas the Desire Eye runs on the same Android version as the G3 with HTC Sense 6 UI on top of it. When it comes to memory, the LG handset provides 16 GB and 32 GB of internal storage options, whereas the HTC handset comes equipped with 16 GB storage. Readers should note that, the G3's 16 GB model comes with 2 GB of RAM, whereas the 32 GB variant comes packed with 3 GB. Plus, both the devices support expandable storage up to 128 GB.

Camera And Battery

Quite interestingly, both the handsets sport the same 13 MP primary camera unit with dual-LED (dual tone) flash. Additionally, the HTC smartphone houses a killer 13 MP front-facing camera unit, staying true to the name selfie smartphone. The unique feature, however, is the frontal flash i.e. dual-LED (dual tone) on the Desire Eye handset to capture impressive selfies.

Moreover, HTC's front and back snapper units can capture 1080p videos. Plus, there is a Split Capture feature that can split the captured image into 50:50 by combining the images shot from the front as well from the rear cameras. In addition, there is a Crop-Me-In option that can be used to embed the user's image into any other form of image, similar to photo-shopping the picture. Other significant camera-centric apps housed in the device include HTC Eye Experience and HTC Zoe, according to GSM Arena.

Moving to LG G3's camera features, the handset comes with optical image stabilization (OIS), simultaneous video and image recording and 4K video recording options. Moreover, the G3 is well-known for its impressive camera software features. The unique features include "Laser Autofocus Sensor" and "Selfie Mode," to name a few. According to LG, the laser autofocus sensor is very fast that it demands only 0.276 seconds to focus an object/person. Plus, the G3 camera supports voice activation. Moving to battery configuration, the LG handset houses a good Li-Ion 3000 mAh unit, whereas the HTC device settles for a relatively inferior Li-Ion 2400 mAh battery unit.

Additional Features

1. The LG G3 comes equipped with wireless charging capability, while the Desire Eye doesn't. The HTC Desire Eye, meanwhile, features the well-received HTC BoomSoundspeakers. Moreover, the Desire Eye comes with water- and dust-resistant exterior (IPX7 certified), whereas the LG G3 doesn't.

2. The HTC handset comes with a microphone housed near the selfie camera. In addition to the frontal microphone there is one at the rear and another one on the bottom of the smartphone. This translates to a total of three microphones to provide quality audio reception alongside the noise cancellation feature, reports GSM Arena.

3. While the LG device employs micro-SIM, the HTC smartphone supports nano-SIM. In addition to the standard connectivity options, both the handsets support 4G LTE and NFC. Furthermore, the LG handset supports Infrared port, while the Desire Eye doesn't.

4. HTC's Zoe app offers collaborative video editing feature on the Desire Eye. In addition, Zoe can pair with RE, the brand new stand-alone, action camera from HTC. The good news is that, global Android users will also to get to benefit from Zoe, because this app is not exclusive to HTC smartphones. The company will roll out Zoe to all Android users in future. Adding cherry on top, Zoe's Apple iOS app will be released sometime towards the end of 2014.

5. Additionally, the HTC Eye Experience camera app is not exclusive to Desire Eye. HTC will introduce the app to One (M8), One (E8), One (M7), One Mini, One Mini 2, One Max, One Remix, Desire 612 and Desire 816 shortly.

Price

The LG G3 (16 GB, 4G LTE) model can be purchased for AU$539.95 in Australia. Readers should note that, the price of the LG handset has come down tremendously from the time the device was released. The HTC Desire Eye, meanwhile, will be an AT&T-exclusive device upon release. The handset is priced at €529 in France that roughly translates to US$670 and AU$767, reports NWE.

Credit:http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/569419/20141014/htc-desire-eye-lg-g3.htm#.VDz0V2eSxAY

Huawei Honor 6 Extreme Edition is official with Kirin 928 chip

At an event today in Beijing, Huawei officially unveiled the Honor 6 Extreme Edition packing the company's latest Kirin 928 chipset. Its comprised of an 2GHz octa-core CPU, 3GB of RAM and Mali T628MP4 GPU. We're yet to see how much faster the Kirin 928 is compared to the Kirin 920 found in the Honor 6.

Visually, the phone retains the exterior of its predecessor and keeps the 5" 1080p display. The phone runs the latest Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box and offers LTE-A Cat.6 for the networks that support it.

Internal storage is 32GB and is expandable via the microSD card slot (up to 128GB). At the back, there's a 13MP snapper teamed up with a 5MP front-facing shooter. Under the non-removable back cover sits the same 3,100mAh battery as on the original Honor 6.

The company is also launching a bunch of accessories for the Honor 6 Extreme Edition. Expect specially designed headphones, a 0.2mm tempered glass screen protector, 2 NFC tags and a limited edition "Road and force" protective shell.

Huawei will only make 9,999 units of the Honor 6 Extreme Edition and will retail for $489 (RYB 2,999). Pre-orders start on October 21.

Credit:http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_6_extreme_edition_is_official_with_kirin_928_chip-news-9906.php

The Apple Watch's Achilles Heel is the iPhone

By: Chunka Mui

Now that the dust has settled on the long-anticipated unveiling of the Apple Watch, a major obstacle to its success is coming into view: the iPhone.

The Apple Watch has been the subject of breathless anticipation for years because, as Tim Cook said at its introduction, it represents “the next chapter in Apple’s story.” Conceived three years ago, shortly after Steve Jobs’ passing, the Watch is the embodiment of multiple dramatic arcs and aspirations.

It is the first major new product developed under Tim Cook and Jony Ive outside of Jobs’ shadow—and thus has huge personal and legacy implications for both men.

The Watch is also Apple’s attempt to catalyze and dominate the wearables category. Given the intense competition in the smartphone market and the widespread view that new killer products, platforms and ecosystems will emerge somewhere at the intersection of the Internet of Things and wearable computing, the Watch is central to Apple’s post-iPhone strategy.

It might seem that the iPhone should be the Apple Watch’s greatest asset. Apple is positioning the Watch as a jaw dropping, must-have peripheral to the iPhone. Millions of iPhone-toting Apple fans are sure to queue up upon the Watch’s 2015 launch to buy it. But, do not mistake early adopters for market validation. For billions of other potential customers, the Watch’s close linkage and tethering to the iPhone could be a fundamental weakness.

In the short term, Apple must convince existing customers that they need a Watch in addition to their iPhone. Apple, however, has yet to offer a convincing case for this.

Long rumored groundbreaking health apps built on Watch-mounted sensors have not materialized—disappointing many healthcare watchers (including me). That leaves Apple competing against more narrowly focused wearable devices like the Fitbit and Pebble—but at multiple times the price and fractions of the battery life.

Apple is also touting Apple Pay as a killer app that will attract consumers to the Watch. But, while Apple Pay is an intriguing service-oriented strategy for Apple, there is no need for consumers to buy an Apple Watch to use it. Apple Pay will work fine with just the iPhone.

For now, it seems that Apple has higher hopes for the Watch as a fashion accessory than as a category-defining killer app. But, even that highbrow aspiration has ample skeptics who question the Watch’s fashion chops andbusiness potential.

In the long term, when and if compelling apps emerge for the Watch, Apple will have to convince Watch enthusiasts that they need an iPhone in addition to the Watch.

This might not seem like a limiting factor given that there are more than 300 million active iPhone users. But, imagine if the iPhone were just a peripheral to the Mac, thereby limiting its addressable market to Mac owners. Or, imagine if the iPhone had to be tethered to the iPod. Do not such scenarios, in retrospect, sound implausibly shortsighted?

Both the Mac and the iPod were great products with loyal followings at the iPhone’s introduction. Apple, however, did not limit the iPhone to its predecessors’ market niches. As shown in Figure 1, the result was a blockbuster that lifted Apple far beyond those earlier products. The iPhone has grown to represent more than half of Apple’s revenues and perhaps even more of its profits.

Figure 1 — Apple Device Sales

Now the iPhone has a loyal following but a small share of the smartphone market. Will Tim Cook limit the Apple Watch’s success to iPhone owners, or will Cook free it to dominate the potentially larger wearable devices space?

Freeing the Watch is a strategic imperative.

History tells us that market leading technology products like the iPhone inevitably fade. The companies that depend on them must innovate into the succeeding categories or fade as well. Kodak, Polaroid, IBM, DEC, Nokia, Motorola, Blackberry, Intel, Sony, Dell and Microsoft are among those fading or faded companies.

All of those other companies underutilized disruptive advances in information technology for (at best) incremental enhancements to their dominant products. By doing so, they missed out on new killer products, business models and industries that coalesced around the new platforms enabled by those technology advances.

Thus, Kodak wasted decades trying to deploy digital photography (which it invented) as an enhancer to its dominant film-driven businesses. Microsoft was slow to the web and the cloud and killed its early e-reader and tablet devices because of internecine struggles over how those new categories related to its Windows and Office businesses. The list goes on: IBM did not lead in minicomputers. DEC and every other leading minicomputer maker missed out on personal computers. Motorola and Nokia were killed by smartphones, and Blackberry is near death.

Limiting the Watch to a peripheral role in the iPhone-centric ecosystem would repeat the same mistake made by those earlier market leading technology companies.

That’s not to say there is not a lot of money to be made in the defend-the-cash-cow approach. Just look at the more than $650B in revenue and nearly $250B in earnings that Steve Ballmer delivered in his tenure as Microsoft CEO. Ballmer achieved those impressive numbers by defending and milking Microsoft’s dominant Office and Windows products. Ballmer, Microsoft and its investors missed out, however, on the market value created by Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter and others who capitalized on search, big data, cloud computing, mobile devices and social media. Ballmer’s inability to grow beyond the core products that he inherited stagnated Microsoft’s market value for a decade.

Likewise, Tim Cook could nurse Apple’s iPhone-driven revenue stream for a long time. I doubt, however, that Tim Cook would be satisfied with a value-creation legacy comparable to Steve Ballmer’s.

It is too early to dismiss the Apple Watch’s potential to transcend the iPhone.

We’ll get a measure of Apple’s foresight when it releases the software development kit (SDK) for the Watch. That will show how fundamentally tethered the Watch is to the iPhone and whether Apple has laid the groundwork for the Watch to be standalone at some point.

The real gut check for Tim Cook is further out in time, when technology and creativity enables wearable devices like the Watch to not only stand alone from the iPhone but also to replace it.

Will Tim Cook allow the Watch to cannibalize iPhone sales—as Apple previously allowed the iPhone to eat away at the iPod and risked the iPad doing the same to the Mac? Or, will Apple stagnate as competitors and new entrants out-innovate it? Will Apple fade away as the riches from new killer apps, devices, ecosystems and business models that coalesce around emerging wearables-centric platforms flow to others?

Credit:http://www.forbes.com/sites/chunkamui/2014/10/13/the-apple-watchs-achilles-heel-is-the-iphone/