Dubbed Kai, the tablet reference platform pairs Nvidia's Tegra 3 quad-core system with lower cost components. It could also make its way into a much more compact form factor, MyDrivers.com speculates.
There is not much detail available and there is no information on whether this move is geographically limited. According to the article, however, Nvidia is apparently working with a "number of Chinese mainland manufacturers." That said, if were Nvidia able to bring down the cost of a smartphone from the current contract-less $599 and $699 devices, the company could have an opportunity to branch out into markets that its rivals such as Qualcomm, Samsung and Intel cannot reach at this time. Additionally, a rather unique platform approach could accelerate cooperation with Microsoft for Windows 8 phones.
The good news for the consumer is, of course, that there seems to be plenty of competition and traction for innovation in the smartphone market.
Because people are dumb and view the contract price as the actual price. They don't realize that the other $450 of the cost is baked into their contract.
Subsidized phones are a terrible, terrible thing for consumers. It results in people grossly undervaluing their phones, happily accepting $100 for a one year old phone that actually cost them $650. It also encourages people to treat their phones as disposable. Further, it locks you into a contract and allows carriers to get away with murder, because it's too expensive for you to go anywhere else.
Margins on phones, especially Apple's phones, are stupidly high because the carriers hide the cost from you. The 32GB iPhone 4S costs about $200 to make, but costs $750 from Apple.
Subsidies are only good for the manufacturers. The sooner consumers figure this out, the better.
Because people are dumb and view the contract price as the actual price. They don't realize that the other $450 of the cost is baked into their contract.
Subsidized phones are a terrible, terrible thing for consumers. It results in people grossly undervaluing their phones, happily accepting $100 for a one year old phone that actually cost them $650. It also encourages people to treat their phones as disposable. Further, it locks you into a contract and allows carriers to get away with murder, because it's too expensive for you to go anywhere else.
Margins on phones, especially Apple's phones, are stupidly high because the carriers hide the cost from you. The 32GB iPhone 4S costs about $200 to make, but costs $750 from Apple.
Subsidies are only good for the manufacturers. The sooner consumers figure this out, the better.