For those who thought AT&T (NYSE: T) was all about the iPhone, check out its latest product for the holidays: the Tilt.
Manufactured by Taiwan's HTC, the Tilt packs more features than the Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone, including true broadband data access, a full keyboard, and GPS location capability. You may have heard of HTC before: The company has launched similar feature-packed phones around the world aimed squarely at the iPhone audience.
The Tilt is the latest Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows Mobile-based smartphone that appeals to business users and consumers alike. In addition to sporting camera and media services, the device has the capability of supporting Research In Motion's (Nasdaq: RIMM) Blackberry Connect software, essentially turning it into one of those addictive mobile email terminals.
So why would AT&T launch a device that attempts to upstage arguably the hottest consumer electronic product in decades? Just as I argued that Verizon Wireless' -- a joint venture between Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) -- latest "iPhone-killer," the Voyager, won't bury the iPhone, neither will the HTC device. But some customers will be lured away from the iPhone to the Tilt, either thanks to the lower price or nicer feature set.
As far as AT&T is concerned, though, that's just fine. In fact, the company would probably prefer that subscribers choose the Tilt; it comes with many more features that AT&T can charge extra for and not have to share a percentage with Steve Jobs.
Even with all the splashy news about killer devices, I feel the iPhone is still in a league of its own. The powerful brand and buzz behind the product leaves competitors really only nibbling away tiny portions of its dominant mindshare. In the same way many consumers thoughtlessly drop $1.25 for a Coca-Cola rather than pay a quarter for a generic soda, I believe consumers have been won over to the iconic Apple brand.
And just as it has done with iPods, Apple will certainly follow with more phones, priced appropriately, to push more consumers to its brand of products. This will help grow its ecosystem not eat it away, just as the Tilt will drive the adoption and use of more AT&T services.
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