Love the data, hate the graphic

One of the key themes we're focused on at the moment is the multilateral asymmetric contest amongst major platform players (Apple, Google, Microsoft and Nokia in particular), device vendors (Apple, RIM, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, Motorola, HTC in particular), service providers (Google, Apple, Amazon in particular) and network operators (Verizon, Vodafone, FT Orange and so on). There's some interesting data from Silicon Alley Insider illustrating the size of the stakes...

The cash resources of some of the major players

While the numbers are interesting, I have to confess I hate the graphic... It looks like an area chart, but it's actually a line chart. Tufte's head would explode...

And I'd love to see the analysis extended to include Nokia, RIM, Samsung and so on. And in this context, who cares about Intel, other than ARM and Qualcomm?

LG's ambitions

It seems that LG has ambitions to be the #2 (by volume) mobile phone vendor. Their plans seem, however, to be focused on hardware, rather than software:

• in Q4 LG will launch a new “Black label” series phone, which will be positioned to compete with the iPhone


• LG is pretty happy with their luxury “Prada” phone line and is working on another Prada handset


• LG also has a plan to move even deeper into a luxury cellphone market, by creating it’s own extreme premium brand,  “similar to Toyota’s Lexus and Nokia’s Vertu”

The big unanswered question is about software and services. If the 'Black Label' is going to compete effectively, then great aesthetics alone won't be enough; LG will need to deliver on the complete user experience, which means software and services. These have not been its traditional areas of strength.