Choosing a SmartphoneDameon D. Welch-Abernathy

March 2010

http://xkcd.com/662/

Overview

What, Where, Why’s of Smartphones

Mobile Operators

Mobile Operating Systems & Phones

Market Share Data

Sample Applications

General Advice

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fishbraintexas/3607335901/

There is no agreement in the the industry about what precisely constitutes a smartphone, and

definitions have changed over time.

What Is A Smartphone?

Why A Smartphone?

•Web Browsing

•Email (Corporate, Personal)

•Social Networking

•Music/Video on the Go

•Third Party Applications

Terms and Conditions

of buying a Smartphone

•Handset Exclusivity

•Different Technologies (GSM vs CDMA)

•Handsets “Locked” To Carriers

•Different Frequencies

•Contract Requirements

•Required Data Plan (up to $30/mo/line)

•Larger Early Termination Fee (Verizon)

Unlocked PhonesPros:

•More Choices

•Not Tied to Operator

•No Contract

•Usable Worldwide

Cons:

•Harder to Obtain

•Higher Up-front Cost

•Only US GSM Carriers

•Not all frequencies covered by all handsets

Know Your Gs

•G = Generation of wireless network technology

•1G = AMPS (Analog Voice)

•2G = GSM, CDMA, iDEN, TDMA (Digital Voice)

•2.5G = EDGE, 1XRTT (Data)

•3G = UMTS, HSDPA, HSPA, EVDO (Voice/Data)

•4G = LTE, WiMax (Data)

Know Your Operators

• CDMA, 1XRTT, EVDO

• Best Overall Network

• Most Expensive

• Android, BlackBerry, WinMo

• 4G = LTE (2011)

• GSM, EDGE, HS(D)PA

• OK Network

• Average Cost

• Android, BlackBerry, WinMo, iPhone, Symbian

• 4G = LTE (2011)

• CDMA, iDEN, 1XRTT, EVDO

• OK Network

• Below Average Cost

• Android, BlackBerry, WinMo, WebOS

• 4G = WiMax (Now)

• GSM, EDGE, HS(D)PA

• Smallest Network

• Lowest Cost

• Android, BlackBerry, WinMo

• 4G = HSPA+ (2010), LTE (2012)

Source: Strategy Analytics, Based on carrier reports

Are You Covered?

•Verizon Wireless: http://bit.ly/vzwmap

•http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/

•http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/

•http://coverage.sprint.com/

Operating Systems and Handsets

Platform Fragmentation

Applications don’t necessarily work across different handsets by the same

manufacturer running the same operating system.

AndroidPros:

•Google Services Integration

•Multitasking

•Touch Support

•Strong Web Browser

•MS Exchange Support

•Many Manufacturers

Cons:

•Inconsistent Interface

•Platform Fragmentation

•Exchange Support Not Complete

•Limited # of Installed Applications

Motorola Droid• Verizon Wireless

exclusive

• $200 with 2/yr contract

• 480x854 screen with hardware keyboard

• 5mp Camera w/Flash

•WiFi, GPS, Accelerometer

•MicroSD Slot

• Free Turn by Turn Navigation

Nexus One•Only from

google.com/phone

• T-Mobile/AT&T (now), Verizon/Sprint (soon)

• $179 with new 2/yr T-Mo contract, $529 w/o contract

• 800x480 AMOLED touchscreen

• 5mp Camera w/Flash

•WiFi, GPS, Accelerometer

•MicroSD Slot

• Free Turn by Turn Navigation

Samsung Moment• Sprint Exclusive

• $200 with 2/yr contract

• 320x480 AMOLED touchscreen

• 3.2mp Camera w/Flash

•WiFi, GPS, Accelerometer

•MicroSD Slot

• Free Turn by Turn Navigation

Motorola Backflip

• AT&T Exclusive

• $100 with 2/yr contract

• 320x480 touchscreen

• 5mp Camera w/Flash

•WiFi, GPS, Accelerometer

•MicroSD Slot

BlackBerryPros:

•Excellent Email Client

•Blackberry Messenger

•Lots of Applications

•Devices can be controlled centrally

Cons:

•Requires BlackBerry-specific server for corporate email

•Weak Web Browser

•Limited Multitasking

•Limited # of installed apps

•Platform Fragmentation

BlackBerry Bold 9700

• T-Mobile and AT&T

• $130-$200 with 2/yr contract

• 480x360 display

• 3.2mp Camera w/Flash

•MicroSD Slot

•WiFi, GPS

BlackBerry Tour 9630

• Sprint and Verizon Wireless

•CDMA and GSM

• $100-200 with 2/yr contract

• 480x360 display

• 3.2mp Camera w/Flash

•MicroSD Slot

•WiFi, GPS

BlackBerry Storm 9530

• Verizon Wireless

• $130 with 2/yr contract

•CDMA/GSM Capable

• 480x360 display

• 3.2mp Camera w/Flash

•MicroSD Slot

•GPS

iPhone OSPros:

•Touch Interface

•MS Exchange Support

•Strong Web Browser

•100k+ Apps

•Can Move Apps Between Handsets, iPod Touch and iPad

Cons:

•No Multitasking (yet)

•Only Apple-Approved Applications

•No Flash Support

•Tied to iTunes

Apple iPhone 3GS

• AT&T Exclusive

• $199 (16GB) or$299 (32GB) with 2/yr contract

• 480x320 touch display

• 3.2mp Camera w/AF

•WiFi, GPS, Accelerometer

SymbianPros:

•#1 Smartphone Platform Worldwide

•Variety of Handsets

•Touch Support

•MS Exchange Support

•Good Web Browser

•Lots of Applications

Cons:

•Difficult to obtain in US

•Platform Fragmentation

•Limited Flash Support

Nokia E72• Available On nokiausa.com

and other retailers (not US operators)

• $359 (no contract)

• 320x240 display

• 5mp Camera w/AF, Flash

• Supports 3G on AT&T (850Mhz/1900Mhz) and Euro/Asia (2100Mhz)

• Free turn-by-turn navigation (download)

Nokia 5800 XM

• Available On nokiausa.com and other retailers (not US operators)

• $269 (no contract)

• 640x360 touch display

• 3.2mp Camera w/AF, Flash

• AT&T 3G (850Mhz/1900Mhz) or Euro 3G(2100mhz) depending on model

• Free turn-by-turn navigation (download)

WebOSPros:

•Touch Support

•Excellent Web Browser

•MS Exchange Support

•Multitasking

•Best Contacts/Calendar

Cons:

•Not A Lot Of Apps

•No Flash Support (yet)

Palm Pre (Plus)

• Sprint, Verizon Wireless

• $149 w/2 year contract

• 320x480 display

• 3mp Camera w/Flash

•WiFi, GPS, Accelerometer

Palm Pixi (Plus)

• Sprint, Verizon Wireless

• $50-80 w/2 year contract

• 320x480 display

• 3mp Camera w/Flash

•WiFi (Verizon Only), GPS, Accelerometer

WindowsMobile (WinMo)Pros:

•Touch Support (newer models)

•MS Exchange Support

•Microsoft Office

•Lots of Applications

•Flash Support

Cons:

•Inconsistent UI

•Poor Browser

•Platform Fragmentation

•OS Upgrades Vary

HTC Touch Pro 2

• T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, AT&T (Tilt 2)

• $200-$300 w/2 year Contract

• 480x800 touch display

• Slide-out QWERTY keyboard

• 3.2mp Camera

•WiFi, GPS, MicroSD

Samsung Omnia II

• Verizon Wireless Exclusive

• $100 w/2 year Contract

• 480x800 AMOLED touch display

• Slide-out QWERTY keyboard

• 5mp Camera w/Flash

•WiFi, GPS, MicroSD

Market Share Data

Sample Applications

Edit DOC/XLS/PPT

• Android: Documents to Go ($20)

• BlackBerry: Documents to Go ($70)

• iPhone: Documents to Go ($10-$15), Quickoffice ($10)

• Symbian: OfficeSuite ($15), Quickoffice ($40)

• WinMo: Included

• WebOS: Documents to Go (Early 2010)

Expense Tracking

• Android: My Expense Tracker ($10)

• BlackBerry: Expense Manager ($13)

• iPhone: iXpenseIt ($5)

• Symbian: Expense Tracker ($30)

• WinMo: Expense 2.0 ($10)

• WebOS: None

Twitter Clients

• Android: Twitdroid (free or $5)

• BlackBerry: Twitterberry (free)

• iPhone: Tweetings ($2), others free to $5

• Symbian: Gravity ($10)

• WinMo: PockeTwit (free), moTweets (free)

• WebOS: Tweed ($4)

Photo: Marco Bellicci http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobellucci/3534516458/

General AdviceWon’t get everything you want

Check coverage maps, ask your friends

Try before you buy

Understand store return policies

Consider previous application investment

Always something new on the horizon

Buy for today, not for tomorrow

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nateone/3768979925/