That's a critical point: neither Apple nor RIM are responsible for Nokia's decline in US smartphone share. Those two simply capitalized on Nokia's failure.

I'm talking about a standard, non-proprietary (although they also have proprietary) aftermarket. Even if you filter out all those APPLE-PORT-ONLY products, the iPhone aftermarket is ENORMOUS (including replacement power cords and adapters, headphones, wireless transmitters, body and screen protectors, replacement parts, etc.). THOSE are the ones that are enormous. The proprietary port is starting to become something of a liability--especially with each new generation of Apple iPhone or iPod product that fails to work with these unnecessarily expensive accessories (thanks to patent licensing on those ports) that you'd expect them to work with.

The better point is: If you had a definite million dollar answer to this question, would Nokia want to listen? It's quite likely they already had many such answers and don't listen. I think that's a BIG part of Texrat's latest lamentations with which I share.

Let's also not forget that what FMS was criticizing was primarily the CHIPSETS that they're all using (the OMAP sets the amount of RAM, for example.. not Nokia or Apple or Palm). I'm as cynical as they come (I'm sure you've all noticed by now, right?) but let's at least recognize that they're all using similar chips in different ways, and most of those ways have more to do with the software and support.

Ah, so you either DO work for Nokia. Sounds like a commanding executive position, from your contextual tone.

So you're implying that by buying something, you're implicitly happy with that product until you've sold it off? You've never been unhappy with something you needed to have... and never disliked some elements of the product or the way they handled support or customers? Are you implying companies can never do wrong despite thin competition in the same segment?

To further bolster your argument..



My 1974 VW Beetle... they don't make them anymore. Yet, I'm fully enjoying it. There it is. It still runs. I have no shortage of places to take it to, parts, support groups, etc. I can still take it to most shops and most people will HAPPILY work on it. (Actually, I've been approached out fo the blue many times in case I want help working on it) People and shops are quite glad to work on such an easy, openly architectured vehicle with standard parts, fasteners and tools to work with.

And there's absolutely no shortage of parts (new and used):
http://www.jcwhitney.com/VW-Parts/10110.jcw
http://www.mamotorworks.com/air-cooled-vw-parts.html
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/

I challenge you to find anything even CLOSE to that extent of support, parts and dedication from Nokia or any third parties for the tablets. :P

Standards and support count for a LOT.. even long after the manufacturer has stopped having a hand in it. Sometimes it's what they did AT THE TIME THAT THEY DID MANUFACTURE them that is just as important for their brand recognition and customer faithfulness.

Remember that it's always easier to keep customers coming back for more of your stuff if you've taken care of them after the fact (even with mistakes, even if it costs the customers money). I hear Volkswagen is doing pretty alright lately.