HP launches new Twitter Campaign for the Veer: #PhonesTooBig 77
In another attempt to get the attention of potential smartphone users on Twitter, HP has invested in a day of sitting as a promoted trend in the sidebar with the hashtag "#PhonesTooBig". If the last campaign caused too much confusion for Harry Potter fans and with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), this campaign should do slightly better with keeping the discussions on topic. #PhonesTooBig sets up the discussion well to talk negatively about huge phones, letting people make jabs at phone companies that only make huge devices, and encouraging people to find smaller devices that will fit in your "skinny jeans". All while HP sends out a number of promoted tweets to let people know about the smallest 4G smartphone, the HP Veer.
Are we glad that HP took another shot at Twitter-fame today? Yes, though we aren't sure it's having the large effect on the masses that HP would desire. There is certainly a larger percentage of people talking about the Veer through this trend (and not confusing the trend as meaning something else), but the actual number of people taking part is much smaller than those organically grown trends (or the fiasco that we saw last week).
We are far from Social Media experts to be able to guess why this is the case, so we'll just chalk it up as being a somewhat strange phrase to have to work into your tweet. We still like #Veer4G as an option (since 4G almost always denotes phone, and Veer can't be confused with something else), but at the very least we can appreciate some of the clever phrases that are coming through this promotion. Like this classic "1999 called...." jab at bigger phones.
Source: Twitter
77 Comments
Too bad it's only available on one carrier. It's really too long for Twitter but I want to a #NoMoreCarrierRestrictions hashtag trending.
Remember--exclusives happen for varying reasons. For the phones that are expected to be popular, the carrier wants to tout that they're the only one with that phone. In the case of the Veer, though, HP can't fit the radios needed (CDMA + WiMAX for Sprint or CDMA + LTE for Verizon) in a phone that small. T-Mobile is unlikely, especially since HP may be expecting the AT&T-T-Mobile merger to go through. So it made sense for them to use exclusivity as a negotiating point here, where in other cases they'd want to get the phone on as many carriers as possible.
With Sprint saying they'll use LightSquared's LTE network, it's possible we'll see a 2nd or 3rd gen Veer on either them or Verizon, since so many component-makers are working on LTE radios and shrinking them. By that point, backwards compatibility to 3G may be less of a factor too.
Phew! Long post to type on a Pre 2! (Copy & pasting helps, though.)
Is there a source for the comment about the radio not fitting? The Veer isn't particularly small by volume, both the iPhone and the Pixi are smaller and CDMA radios fit in them (along with headphone jacks and usb).
I'd have to dig for a source; it might have even been somewhere on here that I saw it. It was from sometime around the launch of the Veer. I do distinctly remember seeing it, though.
As for the iPhone and the Pixi, neither is a slider. So while the Veer's volume may be comparable, 1) the slider mechanism takes up some space and 2) the slider mechanism further divides the remaining available space inside the phone, leaving less to work with. Of the Veer, the iPhone, and the Pixi, which one has--without accessories--neither a headphone jack nor a port that's compatible with any other phone/device?
Not knocking the Veer here; I've decided to get one as a second device because of its small size.
#phonestoobig ... that's what she said?
I think a hashtag belongs on #Veer as well if this is intended to pump up publicity.
How about this one HP:
You know your #productstinks when you have to keep paying to be the top trend of the day on twitter.
I am over the Veer, it was a failure from the start. Let move on to the pre 3 and touchpad at least they have promise.
Here's another HP:
#tinyscreensarenogoodandnoonewantsaphonethatantcoulduse
Go troll somewhere else, GlennBeck!
I speak the truth here and yet I am the one who gets criticized. I am like the real Glenn Beck, who also gets killed for telling the truth.
This phone is a failure, this twitter hashtagging ad campaign is a failure, their customer service is a failure. Really HP's take over of palm has be a huge failure. No one wants a little phone, making fun of big phones makes you look silly because slab phones are what people want!
It's like people are laughing at them and they are laughing too, only they don't get that people are laughing at them. It's hard and sad to watch.
Lets not forget there are also people that laugh at the people with these rather large devices being held to their heads.
You refuse to believe everyone else doesn't agree with your opinion. Hmm.. sounds familiar.
Seriously though, the Veer itself is a great phone. All "opinions" aside like who prefers what color or what size phone, the Veer stands out as a very capable phone - almost surprisingly capable. Just because YOU don't like the size, doesn't mean AT ALL that the phone is a failure. Quit generalizing. Although you do have the right handle if you're going to do this.
You know #yourproductstinks when you need to buy trending topics on twitter to sell it. better product will be released #inthecomingmonths
Don't think you are getting "killed" for speaking the truth. Mainly because you are NOT speaking the truth.
Not saying that some or all it may not become the truth, but to make such pronouncements so early in HP's campaign smacks of ignorance. You probably don't know whats up their sleeve. I'm pretty sure the Pre3 (which is being marketed toward business) will not be promoted in the same manner.
Just curious, what do YOU think they should do? (And if you say give up and quit, then don't waste my time. you know what they say - WINNERS never quit... can't speak about LOSERS though :-))
You hate the Veer. It's not for you. I think you made your point in quite a few comments.
Here's another one:
You know your #phonestoobig when it serves as sun block for half your face. Get @HP Veer! http://ow.ly/5mjRv
ugh i do not understand the joke behind "1999 called" ...whats the deal???
It's because older cell phones used to be big out of necessity (1980's might work better). These days they're big because people want giant screens.
Haha, yes, I loved that. Phones nowadays are tiny, almost not there. What's huge are the screens. You're basically just carrying around a screen with buttons on the sides.
Good point. The Veer actually proves your point however the general consumer equates "size" with greatness, power, capabilities, speed, apps, etc. The average consumer is to put it bluntly - stupid.
That's not true. The most popular general consumer phone (iPhone 4) doesn't have the fastest processor, is smaller than most Android devices, and has the most restricted OS around. Sure, it's got a gazillion apps, but those are there BECAUSE it is popular, not the other way around.
It's a bad joke by a company that has no clue what they are doing. It's kind of fun to see just how much money they are going to set on fire before the Shareholders start asking questions.
HP get a clue. Social media is a joke and trying to sell a product on it is even funnier. People with lives do not care about tweeter. Tween girls that love Justin Beiber do, maybe you need to figure out your market a little better.
I would actually love to see what HP's advertising budget is compared to HTC or even Apple or Microsoft.
Ah, so Twitter is s**t, just like the Veer. I get it now. Do you/have you used either of these things you're talking about?
I agree with the comment that "1980's might work better". Here's why.
M.
I played with one for the first time at BB over the weekend. It a seriously small device, I had no idea. Hopefully it is a hit with the younger teen market but it's not for me. I think the Pre3 really is the sweet spot for size in my view.
Clever.. and the 1999 jab is funny.
While I've never used twitter, I'm an avid facebook user and I'm all for using social media as a new medium for advertising.
However, the current lack of traditional ads makes me wonder whether HP is just being lazy. Hopefully we get to see some clver TV commercials soon. Nothing helps me remember a product like a memorable TV commercial (think super bowl Sunday).
You haven't seen Manny Pacquiao or Miranda Cosgrove Veer commercials?
I've seen the Manny commercials. Haven't seen the Miranda commercial though...
i haven't seen a single veer commercial. then again i've never seen a veer outside of the store not that i'm looking to closely at other people's phones when i'm out and about. but i haven't seen one.
There were commercials during the NBA finals and those are not cheap.
Can I turn this into the "I actually WANT a larger phone for the stuff a big screen allows me do and see" thread?
OR
WHAT ABOUT THE PRE 3?
Big screen - get a Touchpad.
I don't really think HP wants to say "Try another, way more expensive device" to anyone who is interested in WebOS but isn't bowled over by the phones yet.
God, this is such a dumb approach to take. Making fun of phones larger than the Veer is going to backfire when they launch the Pre 3.
People will forget about this campaign by then. People forget about most things that happen in the world once it's a week in the past.
They'd have to be aware of it now to forget it then. Based on the paltry participation, I'd say that's not happening.
Tim Stiffler-Dean, are you saying "people will forget about this campaign by then" because the pre 3 probably won't be out for another 3 months?
That's a great marketing campaign. Lets make fun of products including our future products now, because our current campaign is so forgettable that no one will remember it in a week! Brilliant!
Tim I still want to get a beer with you next time you are in Akron! I'll show you my Pre- and you can show me your Pre+!
This is no different than the Apple Air, is it? They touted the small size and light weight in their campaign for those who care most about those things. Then they merrily went on making larger and heavier machines.
They touted the thinness and lightweight. It was still a full-size display laptop.
The Veer, by contrast, is thick and chunky and doesn't have a full size display despite being a smartphone with a touchscreen.
The Veer may be thicker than the iPhone or the Pixi; have you compared one to the Pre or another slider?
i don't see the conflict. this campaign would theoretically ONLY resonate with people who think phones are getting too big. So HP is highlighting the fact that they offer a small phone. The people who are in the market for a small phone wouldn't be looking at the Pre3 anyway...
I don't like this. #Veer is clear and direct. They ran one the other day, I can't remember it already.
THIS!
I just don't understand the "those other devices must suck for mine to be good" approach.
Why don't they just just focus on promoting their products based on strengths rather than trying to fight the losing battle of trying to convince people that they don't really want what they're already spending money on?
"This Honda is budget friendly, very green and lasts forever" is much better than "That Benz you want will cost you a fortune in fuel." You're only mentioning Benz because you know that's what people want.
#Veer, as you say, is clear and direct. Brings the focus on the product.
Clear and direct to people on this site who are in the know. Joe Public won't recognize it (yet) any more than the AT&T reps who, on launch day in May, said "We don't have any beer!"
And Joe Public will recognize #phonestoobig and know which product is being advertised?
They're not really making fun of phones larger than the veer per se. They're making fun of the trend. First it was 4" then 4.3", 4.5", now people are asking for 5" phones. When does that madness stop and why can't there be a good mix of sizes to fit people and the way they work. Look at the abundance of Android and Windows phones which are nearly indistinguishable from one another.
When it comes to trending and twitter I thought this site had a good chart.
http://socialnuggets.net/2011/06/windows-phone-7-enjoys-high-perception-...
If homogeneity is the basis upon which they're attacking competing platforms, then this is even more of a joke. Every current WebOS phone has the exact same form factor and look/feel. Better hope you like it.
Meanwhile, an HTC Sensation looks nothing like a Samsung Galaxy S which looks nothing like an LG Revolution which looks nothing like a Droid Pro which looks nothing like a Droid 3 and so on...
Well, they do seem to have one thing in common: Wide placement across US carriers. Maybe HP should make fun of that.
Talk about denying users choice....
There's no variation in SIZE unless you're talking 4" to 4.3" to 4.5".
Oh look rounded ~4 inch screen, rounded corners, gray. Oh look another ~4 inch screen, rounded corners and gray. Oh look... Droid Pro breaks the mold by adding a keyboard but basically has the exact same profile/silhouette as every other phone out there. If you put any of these phones out there in front of a consumer with the screen off they wouldn't be able to tell you what was what. (with the exception of the Droid Pro because of the KB).
I agree that I'd like more variation in HP phones (just like I'd like to see more variation in iPhones), but they have to start somewhere and at least they differentiate in size right now. Unlike the others.
Not true. There is a wider range of size variation on Android phones than HP WebOS phones, even including the Pre 3. Same goes for tablets. Look it up.
They are missing the entire point of why the trend exists in the first place. When all we had were mobile phones, bringing it down to size was great. You don't need much size to talk.
The issue is, this hasn't been about "mobile phones" for quite some time. The name has stuck, but the concept is very different. Dumbphones are "mobile phones". Smartphones is a leftover name for what has become very compact computing devices. It use the be a phone with some smart features thrown in. Now it's a computing device with a phone thrown in. AT&T and Verizon aren't going to tiered plans because people are talking more on the phone. They are doing so because people are using more data for surfing, facebooking, tweeting, apps, downloading, youtube, cloud-based activities...practically everything but "talking".
The trend is now about making a compact device with a screen large enough to continue doing those things comfortably. This is why I see the Veer as a waste and a failure.
Well said.
#PhonesTooBig now does also include the Pre3?
#fitsmyskinnyjeans
#ilovetinytext
#vaguetagcreatingtalkunrelatedtoproduct
I can't wait til the Veer is off the radar completely. It's a tiny Albatross.
Phones Too Big? Really HP?
I find the my pre minus to be short and fat.
Just give up on the Veer HP! Look at Cnet's review of the veer and take a hint.
Focus on a thin slate phone with at least a 3.6" screen... otherwise HP is losing my interest.
2 years later we have the same problem... Awesome OS, crappy hardware.
@HP #summer finally called, it wants a #pre3.
i want to know the UK release and price i'd love a veer! i currently have a Pre 2 i would trade in
If hpalm is trying to differentiate webOS by phone size and using inherently text media, then good luck hpalm, you are going to need it
? I use Carbon to use Twitter constantly--on a #Veer.
...great, contact them, they'll made you their next commercial. Problem is, nobody else cares, just like with that Twitter commercial "campaign".
webOS needs punchy, heavyweight, TV/video commercials, all over the place, all the time. You cannot READ about it and appreciate it's "flow", you need to SEE it, you need it DEMOED to you. And if you are Joe/Jane Public, you need to see it all the time, be reminded about it how cool it works, so eventually it might break into your non-tech-savvy brain: "hey, that webOS thing is actually quite nice and cool, I want it". Good luck with achieving the same with Tw(a)itters, front/end-page magazine ads, billboards, Minis and NY subway posters. Good luck.
Try to understand what you read next time around.
You know HP is #failing when Nokia puts Meego on a slab phone before Webos has a slab form factor. #HPbuysRimNext?
i like this post!
You Know Your #phonestoobig When Your Phone Clip Doubles For Allen's Satchel
Tim, is Derek on vacation? He has been pretty quiet this week...
I hope derek is busy spell checking an intervention letter to HP. The palm pre3 is going to get its arse handed to it if it lands anywhere around iphone5+ios5,wp7+mango,or nexus3+ice cream.
Basically the longer the wait to put it out the crazier the competition....don't #setsailforFail
I played around with a Veer at Best Buy a few days ago. I gotta say, it doesn't suck. webOS is SUPER ZIPPY on that thing. It's tiny for sure but if that's your thing then the Veer should be at the top of your list.
Personally I can't wait to see webOS zip around like that on my brand new Sprint Pre3.
What's that? Not on Sprint?
Personally I can't wait to see webOS zip around like that on my brand new AT&T Pre3.
so you would go to ATT and get a tiered plan that is more expensive?
To use the phone that I want? Yes. I'm not going to allow the carrier to dictate which phone I use.
Did the same thing today and couldn't get over how fast the phone was. Sure makes my overclocked Pre - look like the geriatric patient that it is. Yes, the Veer is tiny, but some people actually like that. Like the tens of millions of cell phone customers who don't have a smart phone, and don't plan to watch 3d movies, play graphics-intensive games or edit 50 page spreadsheets if they ever get one.
PreCentral is great, but its members' view of the market is SOOOOOO skewed. The world does not consists solely of tech junkies who live on the bleeding edge every minute. These forums are the equivalent of seeing air travel through the eyes of people who fly in first class or private jets only. Hate to tell you, but most of the world sits in the cattle car. Same with smart phones.
That's not to say I like the epic fail of a twitter campaign, but I like the Veer, and I like the TV spots so far. It's not a huge launch, but they're not letting it wither on the vine, either.
i'm more in the #4InchIsPerfect camp.
That's NOT what she said. :-)
I am curious about the sales figures for the Veer. In the next quarter report for HP they should have some numbers for the mobility/phone/TP division.
Yeah, but don't hold your breath, that phone is not advertised at all, invisible in carrier stores, sales ppl seem to totally ignore it, or push Androod instead, and everyone not from this site doesn't know nor care about its existence.
Frankly, it is ridiculous decision to release Veer as a "first impressions new Gen webOS device", followed by stupendously ridiculous execution.
Way to go HPalm, now wait & polish Pre 3 until Nexus 3 is released
HP, I love you guys and I love that little phone of yours, but this whole trending topic thing just reeks of #tryingtoohard. :\
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