What Constitutes a Smartphone?
As it is 2010 already, it has almost been three years since I first wrote about the iPhone. Without much fanfare, it has been nearly a year since I upgraded my Nokia N95 to the N97 phone. And now, we have iPhone OS version 4 coming soon in the summer. So where do I stand now? With news of the new iPhone OS version 4 and the unfortunate accidental discovery of a prototype 4th generation iPhone recently, let's take another pulse...
First, we start with the elimination of my quips of the iPhone since I last wrote about it.
1. Multitasking: FINALLY! Sort of. Apple finally allows a pseudo form of multitasking. Instead of doing full multitasking just like Nokia's Symbian or Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS (except for the upcoming version 7), the iPhone now allows some sort of multitasking by giving the application access to resources via seven predefined APIs. Never mind the fact that Nokia's Symbian OS has been able to do TRUE multitasking since 1997! Any technical guru can do a bit of a research and realize that Nokia's Symbian OS has the most advanced multitasking capability for a portable operating system. Apple's prior reason for not including multitasking is the argument on drain on battery life. Well, that is a line of horse crap that we all have heard before, and now replaced with other baseless reasons. Remember the argument that the 3G chip was not included in the initial iPhone because for fear of battery drain? Ha!
Status: With this new feature, albeit limited and inferior to even Palm's WebOS, and far inferior to Nokia's Symbian OS, I am willing to give the iPhone a green light on this point.
2. Text Input: Well, the iPhone OS version 3 released in June of 2009 finally introduced a landscape keyboard as I wanted and complained about years ago. But it doesn't go far enough.
Status: Yellow light. Why yellow? It still does not address my desire to perform text input using just one hand, unless you have an unusually large hand and thumb with equally amazing dexterity. For me, text input should be simple and fast, and should not give you carpal tunnel syndrome. Too many buttons all spaced tightly together calls for microscopic accuracy for the motor and coordination functions of the hand. This is where Nokia's Symbian OS shines, with the excellent predictive text entry system using just the numeric pad. If the iPhone also offers this as an additional alternative to text input, it will be green all around. This is the very reason why I avoid full QWERTY smartphones like Nokia's E71 or BlackBerry's offerings.
3. Search: The iPhone OS version 3 finally introduced a Spotlight search feature. Nokia's Symbian S60 OS had this feature for years, and it definitely is a prerequisite for what constitutes a smartphone.
Status: Green light here.
4. Cut, Copy & Paste: This feature was initially released in iPhone OS version 3, and I truly applaud this! Not only did Apple include a feature that is a prerequisite of what a smartphone should have, it implemented the feature superbly! But did Apple really have to wait three revisions of the operating system to include a smartphone prerequisite?
Status: Green light all around for this feature!
5. Multimedia Message Service (MMS): (Or what you non-technical people call picture text messages.) It is very sad to have to include this, as this feature is such a basic feature that it should have transcended the need to be a prerequisite of a smartphone, but a prerequisite of all modern cell phones! Considering that dumbphones all around have this feature for years, I am glad that Apple finally brought this feature to the iPhone with OS version 3.
Status: Green light.
6. Assisted GPS Receiver: The second generation of the iPhone finally introduced the inclusion of a GPS receiver. What's really interesting of note here is that while Apple claimed an unacceptable battery life if the 3G radio chip was included, Apple introduced both the 3G chip and GPS receiver together in the second generation of the iPhone! Total BS on the battery drain excuse! But whatever. I'm glad Apple finally included this.
Status: Green light.
7. Video Recording: The third generation of the iPhone supports video recording. Finally.
Status: Green light here.
8. 3.5 mm TRRS Connector (audio jack): Well, the second generation of the iPhone, starting with the iPhone 3G, eliminated the recessed plug, thus making all aftermarket standard earphones a choice for the consumer.
Status: Yellow light. Why yellow light? Well, until Apple commits to keeping this plug free and clear, unlike what they did to the iPod Shuffle with the new authentication chip, I am extremely cautious of Apple's future line of products, the 4th generation of the iPhone included. Granted, so far the three generations of iPhone do not have this, but they all are not good enough a phone for me to consider owning.
Second, let's look at the list of quips that is still persistent, which still prevents me from ever considering the iPhone.
1. Bluetooth: I still don't understand why Apple included the Bluetooth radio but won't allow it to do many smartphone functionalities normally found in other smartphones for years. The initial release of the iPhone OS allows only HSP profile, or the ability to connect to wireless earphones. The next "major" change was with iPhone OS version 3, where A2DP profile support was added, which allows the iPhone to connect to wireless stereo audio devices. The final "major" change is with the new iPhone OS version 4, where a limited HID profile is to be added, which allows only keyboards (not any other HID devices) to be connected.
Seriously?!? The Bluetooth receiver is already there! Why perform software controls on what profiles can be used? For years, both dumbphones and smartphones have employed the OBEX profile, which allows transfer of any kind of files and contact vCards between Bluetooth-enabled phones. And for years, both dumbphones and smartphones have employed the HFP profile, which allows hands free connection to devices that enable hands free communication while driving. The fact that Audi was the first auto manufacturer to include Bluetooth HFP in its Audi A8 back in 2002 is a testament that Bluetooth enabled phones, both dumb and smart, had this HFP profile for years! DaimlerChrsyler and Acura offered Bluetooth HFP in 2003. Today, you can't find a car that does not offer the Bluetooth HFP connectivity as an option, including low end cheap rides!
2. PIM Synchronization: A basic smartphone should have the ability to synchronize basic PIM information. It is no secret that the intermediary catalyst of synchronization is the most important software that joins a smartphone and a computer in holy synchronization. Well, let's face it. Apple's iTunes is inferior when it comes to synchronization. For one, its inability to treat Calendar events in a flexible manner really puts iTunes to shame. For another, iTunes can only synchronize with Mac OS X Mail (on the Mac OS X platform) and Microsoft Outlook (on both the Mac OS X and Windows platforms). Whereas Nokia allows the entire PIM synchronization to happen between 5 widely used PIM software on Windows, as well as PIM software on Mac OS X via its iSync synchronization software.
3. Tethering: Sure, the iPhone OS version 3 offered tethering, but the damning part here is that it allows the carrier to decide whether to offer this or not. Why can't I buy an unsubsidized iPhone that comes with tethering enabled? Sure, blame the carrier. But once the AT&T exclusivity deal is over, what's to prevent Apple from going to another carrier for exclusivity, and thus leaving that option to the carrier as well? I'll believe wide open tethering when I see this available.
Furthermore, the kind of tethering the iPhone is capable of is strictly the use of the iPhone as a modem while connected to a computer. What about the kind of tethering where you can use your PC while connected to the iPhone to read and send SMS (aka text messages)? If I'm at work or home and sitting in front of my PC, I don't want to have to pick up my phone to type out a reply message when I receive an SMS. I'd rather do it all using my computer, using the keyboard I am already in the middle of using!
4. Battery: No matter the technology or device, I have always been wary of companies who are not forthcoming with their battery capacity details. In fact, these companies prefer to hide behind ratings such as Watt-Hours (WHr) and specs that cannot be achieved in real world tests such as X hours of talk time, which are usually estimates if everything else is off other than talking. It has been universally accepted since the invention of batteries in the nineteenth century that battery capacity is measured in ampere-hour (Ah), or milliampere-hour (mAh) for smaller batteries. Apple chose not to disclose their battery capacity, and worse, chose not to allow customers to replace the battery on their own! If the battery of the iPhone reached its end of life prematurely, you have to go without an iPhone for a period of time while your iPhone is being serviced. In today's day and age, and the reliance on cell phones as mission critical to life itself, who wants to be without a phone for days? Worse, if your iPhone battery dies out of warranty, you are either forced to buy another iPhone, or pay an exorbitant amount of money to replace the battery, which may not be a brand new one anyway!
5. Custom Ringtone: Even dumphones for years allow you to select any music file you have on the phone to be a ring tone. For the iPhone, custom ringtone was not a feature until a subsequent update to the OS. But when it became available, you had to pay for it. And not only that, it was an arduous process. You can't just go to your music library or player on the phone, and just select it as a ringtone. No, you either have to pay for it from iTunes, use a third party application or Garage Band, or use a 17-step procedure using iTunes. WTF?!?
6. Useless Camera: Granted, I'll give the iPhone engineers kudos for doing a great job of using software to optimize picture quality without the aid of a flash in dark surroundings. That is in itself a feat that needs recognition. But seriously, no flash? While manufacturers of both dumb and smartphones have evolved from including a bland flash to double flash to LED flash to now Xenon flash, Apple has yet to include even a flash! Now, to be fair, the recent discovery of a 4th generation prototype of the iPhone has a flash, so this may not be a total lost cause. But two questions still remain: 1) What kind of a flash will be included, and 2) What kind of a camera lens will be utilized? Am I going to hear that it will just have regular flash bulb instead of LED or Xenon because of fear of battery drain?
7. iPhone Premium Tax: This is technically a non-issue now, but still affects a large group of customers. And for all practical purposes, it is of no fault of Apple. For users of iPhone, not just limited in the United States, customers are forced to pay more for their data plan to the tune of up to double the price of a similar unlimited data plan. Sure, you can blame AT&T, but once the exclusivity contract ends, what's to prevent subsequent carriers from assessing this? It is now a non-issue, since AT&T has began adopting the same double charge of unlimited data plan for all phones designated at its discretion as a smartphone, if purchased from AT&T. But for customers like me, who have fulfilled my contract obligation and paying month to month, I can still buy any unsubsidized phone and retain my lower monthly unlimited data cost.
In summary, even with the numerous improvements made by Apple on its iPhone hardware and OS, none of the improvements are compelling enough for me to accept the iPhone. Don't get me wrong, the iPhone's UI is arguably the best out there as far as cellular phones go, but it's like a beautifully decorated cake with no real nutrition in it. At the end of the day, you're left with a cellular phone that makes pretty graphics and transitions and much to be desired when it comes to functionalities.
Sure, if all I wanted was a cellular phone, the iPhone will fit the bill and more. But as a smartphone? It is nothing but an overpriced cellular phone that isn't smart enough. Which brings us to the point of my title: What Constitutes a Smartphone?
It is important to note that there is no industry standard in defining what a smartphone should be. But a general consensus is that a smartphone should offer advanced capabilities with computer-like functionalities. And in my point of view, a smartphone should offer said advanced capabilities that can help users work smarter, not harder. And a smartphone should be a good converging device, for a device that only offers phone calling capabilities alone hardly can be considered a smartphone. Because, how much more advanced can you do turn a phone if not for other capabilities?
Having said that, here are my reasons why I consider the iPhone a semi-smartphone:
1. How can the iPhone be a smartphone if it cannot perform the full duties of a standard PIM synchronization? A cellular phone in itself is a holder of many personal information, and by extension, it should be able to seamlessly synchronize your personal information with whatever PIM software you choose. Granted, the latest iPhone OS allows wireless synchronization using Microsoft's ActiveSync technology, but that relies on the fact that you rely on the Internet for PIM storage. A good portion of technology users still rely on their PIM software on their own computer for all important and private information. Not many are willing to fully utilize free sites like Gmail and Google Calendar for their truly private information. And for those who rely on Microsoft's ActiveSync technology on the iPhone with their corporate PIM server, not many are willing to place personal information on their work servers.
2. A smartphone must be one where its basic core functionality as a phone is portable and usable no matter the situation. The solution for this has been created and accepted for years, in the form of Bluetooth's HFP profile where the smartphone can be used for hands free driving. If this technology is widely used for years, and universally adopted, why does Apple who already includes the hardware technology restrict such adoption via its own OS software? I see so many iPhone users in cities like mine where talking while holding the phone is illegal use their earphones for phone conversation! Maybe if these drivers used just one earphone instead of both, I would feel safer. A smartphone is one which seamlessly integrates into the publicly adopted technology and exploits it, not restricts it.
3. A smartphone, given its ability to perform more than one functionality should allow its user to use multiple said functionalities simultaneously without restrictions. In this day and age where multithreading is widely used in many technologies, it does not make sense to put a powerful workhorse of an iPhone into a single threaded device. Sure, the latest iPhone OS version 4 may support pseudo multitasking, but I don't think it is enough.
4. Likewise, a smartphone should be a device that is able to perform advanced functionalities of other smartphones created and widely adopted before it. The iPhone raises the benchmark for UI, but strangely lowers the benchmark on other functionalities which are widely adopted as core functionalities of smartphones and even some dumbphones. A smartphone should always evolve forward, not backwards. All other smartphones, be it the Nokia, RIM or Android, are still evolving forward, despite a few of their own fallings. But at least they're evolving forwards, not backwards.
5. A smartphone with its advanced operating system should let its user decide what application he/she deems useful. If the application is poorly written, so be it. Let the free development world decide what application should flourish and which should fail, based on customer experience. A smartphone should not be a closed ecosystem where the application for such platform is subject to the phone manufacturer's purview. If the argument is made that such restrictions are required to protect laypeople using said device, then by essence the device is no longer a smartphone, as it caters to non-technical people.
The same argument can be made for BMW 7 customers: If you're not technologically savvy, don't get the iDrive system option! Either do not offer the advanced iDrive system as an option for the benefit of laypeople, or offer it and call it an advanced car control system and let the customers who chose it accept it with all its inherent learning curve. A smartphone is a device with advanced capabilities that are not meant to be picked up without any learning curve. If advanced capabilities are removed for fear of customers' inability to learn, then don't call the reduced device a smartphone.
Having said all that, I suspect that the day I will finally own an iPhone will be the day Apple comes out with iPhone OS version 8, or 20. And even then, I just may not get the iPhone simply for the fact that I cannot replace my own battery. But stay tuned to this blog for years, and we'll see if I end up converting to the iPhone, or abandon my love affair for the Symbian operating system and choose something else like the WebOS or Android.
First, we start with the elimination of my quips of the iPhone since I last wrote about it.
1. Multitasking: FINALLY! Sort of. Apple finally allows a pseudo form of multitasking. Instead of doing full multitasking just like Nokia's Symbian or Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS (except for the upcoming version 7), the iPhone now allows some sort of multitasking by giving the application access to resources via seven predefined APIs. Never mind the fact that Nokia's Symbian OS has been able to do TRUE multitasking since 1997! Any technical guru can do a bit of a research and realize that Nokia's Symbian OS has the most advanced multitasking capability for a portable operating system. Apple's prior reason for not including multitasking is the argument on drain on battery life. Well, that is a line of horse crap that we all have heard before, and now replaced with other baseless reasons. Remember the argument that the 3G chip was not included in the initial iPhone because for fear of battery drain? Ha!
Status: With this new feature, albeit limited and inferior to even Palm's WebOS, and far inferior to Nokia's Symbian OS, I am willing to give the iPhone a green light on this point.
2. Text Input: Well, the iPhone OS version 3 released in June of 2009 finally introduced a landscape keyboard as I wanted and complained about years ago. But it doesn't go far enough.
Status: Yellow light. Why yellow? It still does not address my desire to perform text input using just one hand, unless you have an unusually large hand and thumb with equally amazing dexterity. For me, text input should be simple and fast, and should not give you carpal tunnel syndrome. Too many buttons all spaced tightly together calls for microscopic accuracy for the motor and coordination functions of the hand. This is where Nokia's Symbian OS shines, with the excellent predictive text entry system using just the numeric pad. If the iPhone also offers this as an additional alternative to text input, it will be green all around. This is the very reason why I avoid full QWERTY smartphones like Nokia's E71 or BlackBerry's offerings.
3. Search: The iPhone OS version 3 finally introduced a Spotlight search feature. Nokia's Symbian S60 OS had this feature for years, and it definitely is a prerequisite for what constitutes a smartphone.
Status: Green light here.
4. Cut, Copy & Paste: This feature was initially released in iPhone OS version 3, and I truly applaud this! Not only did Apple include a feature that is a prerequisite of what a smartphone should have, it implemented the feature superbly! But did Apple really have to wait three revisions of the operating system to include a smartphone prerequisite?
Status: Green light all around for this feature!
5. Multimedia Message Service (MMS): (Or what you non-technical people call picture text messages.) It is very sad to have to include this, as this feature is such a basic feature that it should have transcended the need to be a prerequisite of a smartphone, but a prerequisite of all modern cell phones! Considering that dumbphones all around have this feature for years, I am glad that Apple finally brought this feature to the iPhone with OS version 3.
Status: Green light.
6. Assisted GPS Receiver: The second generation of the iPhone finally introduced the inclusion of a GPS receiver. What's really interesting of note here is that while Apple claimed an unacceptable battery life if the 3G radio chip was included, Apple introduced both the 3G chip and GPS receiver together in the second generation of the iPhone! Total BS on the battery drain excuse! But whatever. I'm glad Apple finally included this.
Status: Green light.
7. Video Recording: The third generation of the iPhone supports video recording. Finally.
Status: Green light here.
8. 3.5 mm TRRS Connector (audio jack): Well, the second generation of the iPhone, starting with the iPhone 3G, eliminated the recessed plug, thus making all aftermarket standard earphones a choice for the consumer.
Status: Yellow light. Why yellow light? Well, until Apple commits to keeping this plug free and clear, unlike what they did to the iPod Shuffle with the new authentication chip, I am extremely cautious of Apple's future line of products, the 4th generation of the iPhone included. Granted, so far the three generations of iPhone do not have this, but they all are not good enough a phone for me to consider owning.
Second, let's look at the list of quips that is still persistent, which still prevents me from ever considering the iPhone.
1. Bluetooth: I still don't understand why Apple included the Bluetooth radio but won't allow it to do many smartphone functionalities normally found in other smartphones for years. The initial release of the iPhone OS allows only HSP profile, or the ability to connect to wireless earphones. The next "major" change was with iPhone OS version 3, where A2DP profile support was added, which allows the iPhone to connect to wireless stereo audio devices. The final "major" change is with the new iPhone OS version 4, where a limited HID profile is to be added, which allows only keyboards (not any other HID devices) to be connected.
Seriously?!? The Bluetooth receiver is already there! Why perform software controls on what profiles can be used? For years, both dumbphones and smartphones have employed the OBEX profile, which allows transfer of any kind of files and contact vCards between Bluetooth-enabled phones. And for years, both dumbphones and smartphones have employed the HFP profile, which allows hands free connection to devices that enable hands free communication while driving. The fact that Audi was the first auto manufacturer to include Bluetooth HFP in its Audi A8 back in 2002 is a testament that Bluetooth enabled phones, both dumb and smart, had this HFP profile for years! DaimlerChrsyler and Acura offered Bluetooth HFP in 2003. Today, you can't find a car that does not offer the Bluetooth HFP connectivity as an option, including low end cheap rides!
2. PIM Synchronization: A basic smartphone should have the ability to synchronize basic PIM information. It is no secret that the intermediary catalyst of synchronization is the most important software that joins a smartphone and a computer in holy synchronization. Well, let's face it. Apple's iTunes is inferior when it comes to synchronization. For one, its inability to treat Calendar events in a flexible manner really puts iTunes to shame. For another, iTunes can only synchronize with Mac OS X Mail (on the Mac OS X platform) and Microsoft Outlook (on both the Mac OS X and Windows platforms). Whereas Nokia allows the entire PIM synchronization to happen between 5 widely used PIM software on Windows, as well as PIM software on Mac OS X via its iSync synchronization software.
3. Tethering: Sure, the iPhone OS version 3 offered tethering, but the damning part here is that it allows the carrier to decide whether to offer this or not. Why can't I buy an unsubsidized iPhone that comes with tethering enabled? Sure, blame the carrier. But once the AT&T exclusivity deal is over, what's to prevent Apple from going to another carrier for exclusivity, and thus leaving that option to the carrier as well? I'll believe wide open tethering when I see this available.
Furthermore, the kind of tethering the iPhone is capable of is strictly the use of the iPhone as a modem while connected to a computer. What about the kind of tethering where you can use your PC while connected to the iPhone to read and send SMS (aka text messages)? If I'm at work or home and sitting in front of my PC, I don't want to have to pick up my phone to type out a reply message when I receive an SMS. I'd rather do it all using my computer, using the keyboard I am already in the middle of using!
4. Battery: No matter the technology or device, I have always been wary of companies who are not forthcoming with their battery capacity details. In fact, these companies prefer to hide behind ratings such as Watt-Hours (WHr) and specs that cannot be achieved in real world tests such as X hours of talk time, which are usually estimates if everything else is off other than talking. It has been universally accepted since the invention of batteries in the nineteenth century that battery capacity is measured in ampere-hour (Ah), or milliampere-hour (mAh) for smaller batteries. Apple chose not to disclose their battery capacity, and worse, chose not to allow customers to replace the battery on their own! If the battery of the iPhone reached its end of life prematurely, you have to go without an iPhone for a period of time while your iPhone is being serviced. In today's day and age, and the reliance on cell phones as mission critical to life itself, who wants to be without a phone for days? Worse, if your iPhone battery dies out of warranty, you are either forced to buy another iPhone, or pay an exorbitant amount of money to replace the battery, which may not be a brand new one anyway!
5. Custom Ringtone: Even dumphones for years allow you to select any music file you have on the phone to be a ring tone. For the iPhone, custom ringtone was not a feature until a subsequent update to the OS. But when it became available, you had to pay for it. And not only that, it was an arduous process. You can't just go to your music library or player on the phone, and just select it as a ringtone. No, you either have to pay for it from iTunes, use a third party application or Garage Band, or use a 17-step procedure using iTunes. WTF?!?
6. Useless Camera: Granted, I'll give the iPhone engineers kudos for doing a great job of using software to optimize picture quality without the aid of a flash in dark surroundings. That is in itself a feat that needs recognition. But seriously, no flash? While manufacturers of both dumb and smartphones have evolved from including a bland flash to double flash to LED flash to now Xenon flash, Apple has yet to include even a flash! Now, to be fair, the recent discovery of a 4th generation prototype of the iPhone has a flash, so this may not be a total lost cause. But two questions still remain: 1) What kind of a flash will be included, and 2) What kind of a camera lens will be utilized? Am I going to hear that it will just have regular flash bulb instead of LED or Xenon because of fear of battery drain?
7. iPhone Premium Tax: This is technically a non-issue now, but still affects a large group of customers. And for all practical purposes, it is of no fault of Apple. For users of iPhone, not just limited in the United States, customers are forced to pay more for their data plan to the tune of up to double the price of a similar unlimited data plan. Sure, you can blame AT&T, but once the exclusivity contract ends, what's to prevent subsequent carriers from assessing this? It is now a non-issue, since AT&T has began adopting the same double charge of unlimited data plan for all phones designated at its discretion as a smartphone, if purchased from AT&T. But for customers like me, who have fulfilled my contract obligation and paying month to month, I can still buy any unsubsidized phone and retain my lower monthly unlimited data cost.
In summary, even with the numerous improvements made by Apple on its iPhone hardware and OS, none of the improvements are compelling enough for me to accept the iPhone. Don't get me wrong, the iPhone's UI is arguably the best out there as far as cellular phones go, but it's like a beautifully decorated cake with no real nutrition in it. At the end of the day, you're left with a cellular phone that makes pretty graphics and transitions and much to be desired when it comes to functionalities.
Sure, if all I wanted was a cellular phone, the iPhone will fit the bill and more. But as a smartphone? It is nothing but an overpriced cellular phone that isn't smart enough. Which brings us to the point of my title: What Constitutes a Smartphone?
It is important to note that there is no industry standard in defining what a smartphone should be. But a general consensus is that a smartphone should offer advanced capabilities with computer-like functionalities. And in my point of view, a smartphone should offer said advanced capabilities that can help users work smarter, not harder. And a smartphone should be a good converging device, for a device that only offers phone calling capabilities alone hardly can be considered a smartphone. Because, how much more advanced can you do turn a phone if not for other capabilities?
Having said that, here are my reasons why I consider the iPhone a semi-smartphone:
1. How can the iPhone be a smartphone if it cannot perform the full duties of a standard PIM synchronization? A cellular phone in itself is a holder of many personal information, and by extension, it should be able to seamlessly synchronize your personal information with whatever PIM software you choose. Granted, the latest iPhone OS allows wireless synchronization using Microsoft's ActiveSync technology, but that relies on the fact that you rely on the Internet for PIM storage. A good portion of technology users still rely on their PIM software on their own computer for all important and private information. Not many are willing to fully utilize free sites like Gmail and Google Calendar for their truly private information. And for those who rely on Microsoft's ActiveSync technology on the iPhone with their corporate PIM server, not many are willing to place personal information on their work servers.
2. A smartphone must be one where its basic core functionality as a phone is portable and usable no matter the situation. The solution for this has been created and accepted for years, in the form of Bluetooth's HFP profile where the smartphone can be used for hands free driving. If this technology is widely used for years, and universally adopted, why does Apple who already includes the hardware technology restrict such adoption via its own OS software? I see so many iPhone users in cities like mine where talking while holding the phone is illegal use their earphones for phone conversation! Maybe if these drivers used just one earphone instead of both, I would feel safer. A smartphone is one which seamlessly integrates into the publicly adopted technology and exploits it, not restricts it.
3. A smartphone, given its ability to perform more than one functionality should allow its user to use multiple said functionalities simultaneously without restrictions. In this day and age where multithreading is widely used in many technologies, it does not make sense to put a powerful workhorse of an iPhone into a single threaded device. Sure, the latest iPhone OS version 4 may support pseudo multitasking, but I don't think it is enough.
4. Likewise, a smartphone should be a device that is able to perform advanced functionalities of other smartphones created and widely adopted before it. The iPhone raises the benchmark for UI, but strangely lowers the benchmark on other functionalities which are widely adopted as core functionalities of smartphones and even some dumbphones. A smartphone should always evolve forward, not backwards. All other smartphones, be it the Nokia, RIM or Android, are still evolving forward, despite a few of their own fallings. But at least they're evolving forwards, not backwards.
5. A smartphone with its advanced operating system should let its user decide what application he/she deems useful. If the application is poorly written, so be it. Let the free development world decide what application should flourish and which should fail, based on customer experience. A smartphone should not be a closed ecosystem where the application for such platform is subject to the phone manufacturer's purview. If the argument is made that such restrictions are required to protect laypeople using said device, then by essence the device is no longer a smartphone, as it caters to non-technical people.
The same argument can be made for BMW 7 customers: If you're not technologically savvy, don't get the iDrive system option! Either do not offer the advanced iDrive system as an option for the benefit of laypeople, or offer it and call it an advanced car control system and let the customers who chose it accept it with all its inherent learning curve. A smartphone is a device with advanced capabilities that are not meant to be picked up without any learning curve. If advanced capabilities are removed for fear of customers' inability to learn, then don't call the reduced device a smartphone.
Having said all that, I suspect that the day I will finally own an iPhone will be the day Apple comes out with iPhone OS version 8, or 20. And even then, I just may not get the iPhone simply for the fact that I cannot replace my own battery. But stay tuned to this blog for years, and we'll see if I end up converting to the iPhone, or abandon my love affair for the Symbian operating system and choose something else like the WebOS or Android.
Labels: iPhone, Nokia, smartphone
posted by StHalcyon at
20:51
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