How Google (or Apple) Can Win the Great Super Phone War of 2010

Assuming that Google's Nexus One is a worthy competitor for Apple's iPhone, who will win the battle of the AppPhone or Super-Smart Phone? These SUPER communication devices represent intense, emotional and personal commitments. We don't just buy them, we adopt them. They are more a part of our identity than any previous digital technology. We are merging our own identities with Apple, Google, or whomever. That's right, this is a brand war as much as a technology one. Google will have to figure out how to compete with Apple on that level if they are to succeed with their mobile strategy. Apple changed the game, not just with their technology, but with the way they marketed the benefits of the iPhone software experience. Not only did Apple fundamentally shift the economics of the mobile phone business they fundamentally shifted the software marketing game as well, forcing everyone to compete with their app store juggernaut. Try to come up with a unique value proposition for your smartphone and it is likely that Apple offers dozens of apps that deliver that same benefit. Game over, right?