Cartoon: android vs apple vs blackberry

Tip: Here’s a great cartoon that will generate a lot of discussion about a topic of interest to everyone: smartphone platforms.

http://andranon.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/androidvsapplvsblackberry.jpg

Background

Last month I posted a site with some infographics to discuss Google. In the same spirit, here is a very funny (and very true) cartoon that acts as a visual stimulus to discuss the three smartphone platforms: Android (developed and owned by Google), Apple and Blackberry. Just like the previous post, it’s a topic that everyone is interested in and can discuss.

In class students will probably begin by talking about whichever platform they personally have and why they chose it. Try to develop the discussion to look at the wider themes of marketing:  aiming at specific market segments, product features, pricing, distribution, advertising etc.

Another obvious topic that follows on, given Steve Jobs’ ill health, is the future of Apple. The issue here is: what happens to a company after the strong, visionary leader leaves? There is an article on this subject here:

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2011/tc20110118_348390.htm