“Evo 3-D,” Anyone? 

In a world where new cell phone models seem to be coming out daily, how do you tell which one(s) are the real deal vs. a flash in the pan?

I subscribe to what I’ll call the “brand extension” theory — namely, if you want to know which products have a shot at real longevity, watch for the brand extensions and spin-off’s . . . then buy the original (ideally, on sale).

So, in the beginning, there was just “Coke”; now, there is “Coke Classic,” “Diet Coke,” Caffeine-Free Coke,” “Diet Caffeine-Free Coke,” etc.

In cars, there is the “Prius.”

Once upon a time, it was just one model; now, it’s about to mutate into a flagship auto line with more than half a dozen versions.

In technology, the equivalent would be Apple’s iPhone:  with 400,000 (?) app’s and counting, it has become a platform for an entire software industry.

“Latest & Greatest” vs. Tried-and-True

But what if your carrier (Sprint) doesn’t offer an iPhone?  (and many Realtors prefer Android to the iPhone’s software)

Besides lots of good referrals, what ultimately clinched HTC’s Evo for me was two things: 1) seeing it roll out variations for other carrriers (Verizon’s version is called the “Thunderbolt”); and 2) noting that the “3-D Evo” is due to release this week.

You couldn’t pay me to walk around with a 3D anything — but the fact that HTC sees the Evo as a platform for brand extensions is a very encouraging sign for a relative Luddite like me, who doesn’t want to replace their cell phone every six months.

P.S.:  “Lassie” TV fans know that the series didn’t have just one collie over its lifespan, it had more than a dozen. 

In a somewhat similar vein, I’m on my fourth Palm Treo — a veritable smart phone “Model T” which, at least in my opinion, (still) does a better job tracking “tags” and “records” than Android.

I got the last one on eBay for $20 after its precedessor finally gave up the ghost.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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