Why flip the Flip

GigaOM posted this morning a suggestion that the Flip Wins For Now over the Nano:

Since I don’t own a Flip, I thought well maybe this might be a good option. I tried out the device and within a few minutes I realized that this is not for me. Why? The camera is positioned in a really awkward position which makes usage very unintuitive. I guess someone wasn’t quite thinking. Any how does it stack up against Flip? Chris and Liz did a side-by-side comparisonof the new iPod Nano with Flip SD and are underwhelmed by the new Nano

We said earlier 'Flip the Flip' and we still think so. Why? Because in making this evaluation you need to consider two key things:

1. what's the job that the product is being hired for, what's its function or functions


2. what else does the potential customer already own

There's only very limited scenarios under which the Flip is the best choice:

• only want video capture, not music playing


• do not own a 5G Nano

If a customer is evaluating a Nano against a Flip, then it's only if the only criterion is video capture that the Flip wins. For many customers, the Nano's music playing function will tip the balance in its favor.

And if a customer already owns a 5G Nano, then it's going to be really hard to justify $150 or $200 to overcome the problems of poor camera placement. There's just not enough value going to be available to sustain the Flip...