You will probably pay more attention this year to your selection of a smartphone than to buying a computer.
The personal computer has been around since the early 1980s. The original Macintosh followed shortly thereafter, in 1984. Computers as we know them are over 25 years old.
Smartphones, on the other hand, such as the Blackberry from Research in Motion and the iPhone from Apple, are relative newcomers on the scene. Today’s smartphones are packed with more computing power than the original computer models mentioned above. They do many of the same things as any of today’s computers, such as accessing the internet, enabling easy communication by email and SMS (text message) and standard mobile phone capability.
What really sets then new smartphone devices apart from the PC and Mac worlds, though, is the pace of innovation in the smartphone area. While the Blackberry defined the smarphone for several years, iPhone, a relative newcomer, has captured that imagination of many. More importantly, Apple has released a programming toolset which enables and individuals or compans to create iPhone applications and sell them at the iPhone App Store. Blackberry, and others, have followed suit. Thousands of applications have been created and millions downloaded.
Why does this matter to you? IPhone and Blackberry development will continue at a feverish pace, allowing you to access more of the world from the device in your hand. You may even find yourself using your computer a bit less as a result.
What’s the best way to decide which device to purchase? Ask someone who has one! Do they like it? What are the positives? Any drawbacks? I currently have a Blackberry 8830, but am considering switching to an iPhone at some point in the near future, mainly because of the interface and applications available.
Please comment on your experience with Blackberry devices, iPhones or other smarphones.
