Monday, July 19, 2010
Tag Heuer Meridiist Mobile Phone Is Official
Vertu proved that at least someone was buying super expensive phones, and LVMH (Tag Heuer's parent company) felt that Tag Heuer was probably the best bet for the endeavor. About three years ago, Tag Heuer teamed with a company called Modelab, which helps companies build branded mobile phones. Tag Heuer could likely offer lots of input and engineering as to the materials and construction of the phone itself, but the actual electronics inside and software were things Tag Heuer has had no experience with. Better leave it to the experts.Think of how ubiquitous mobile phones are. First of all, for those who do not know we call them mobile phones now, not cellular phone, because they no longer work via interaction with cellular towers. Because mobile phones today use a digital and not analog signal, the term "cell phone" is not correct any longer. I just wanted to make that clear in case you thought the European lingo was rubbing off on me (as mobile phones there are often called, my "mobile"). Returning from our tangent, the ubiquity of mobile phones have taken them from being a mere tool to an accessory. Like a watch (which also started) as a tool, having this required peripheral means you have many options about which to own. Because of this, the status conscious seek ever more interesting mobile devices with to impress and feel good about owning.This could be an answer to a question the market did not ask, or it could be a great device that is (economically) ahead of its time. When Vertu came out with their ultra-high end phones, the mobile phone enthusiast world scoffed. A) why pay so much money for a phone that is going to be obsolete before I can finish paying it off, and B) why again am I paying $5000 for a phone that isn't solid gold (and even if it were...). The answer to these questions is probably obvious to most people who like cell phones, but that isn't who the Vertu or the new Tag Heuer Meridiist phone is aimed toward. Didn't see a Vertu at your local AT&T dealer? That is because you can only find them at high-end watch stores, and the same will be true for the Tag Heuer Meridiist phones.I will spare all the marketing hype and tell you what is important to know about the Meridiist. Tag Heuer decided it wanted a mobile phone. Finding success with other branded products such as eyeglasses, it felt the brand was strong enough to enter other markets.