The above comparison chart is an interesting way to look at the smartphone market’s most popular devices. The list is missing Nokia, Motorola and LG, but the chosen devices are close competitors and the information is still very well put together.
Before you let the Hatorade out about this list, the author would like you to know a few things:
I used a set of arbitrary criteria to set up this chart, but I’ll tell you what they are. For iPhone 3.0, we’re using only features Apple permits. Yes, it’s possible to jailbreak or unlock your iPhone to add other features or carriers, but Apple will consider you an enemy and try to destroy your phone if you do that, so we don’t approve. For Windows Mobile, we only used features available in the US marketplace right now–though Windows Mobile 6.5 won’t change the landscape much. For Google Android, we used features publicly available on the G1, HTC Magic or Google Developer phones. And for Palm Pre, we guessed as best we could based on Palm’s public statements.
Yes, I left out Symbian. They’re just not a force in the US marketplace right now, and I’m a US writer. Maybe next year, guys.
This chart tries to steer clear of hardware features that may vary by phone model with the more prolific OSes
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Some things I would note about the list:
BlackBerry applications are probably in a number range close to Windows Mobile. Since both platforms cater to enterprise, when a company develops for Windows Mobile it usually includes a BlackBerry port.
App World is coming soon so that will be added to BlackBerry’s column.
I would have compared BlackBerry on BES because it’s an enterprise device that should be used on said system.
At MWC, Microsoft talked Windows Mobile and how it’s targeting consumers with it’s new user interface and quick keys. Upcoming WinMo devices will have a “Windows” button, which is similar to the “Start” button on older devices or the “Home” button on the Diamond series.
The Windows button and the back button, along with the call send and end buttons are very similar to the keys on a BlackBerry. Even the behavior of the Windows button is BlackBerry-like. Hitting the new Windows button on 6.5 doesn’t evoke the Start menu, but rather the key press will evoke a programs menu or applications launcher. This behavior is very similar to hitting the BlackBerry button, which takes you to the programs launcher.
I suspect a lot of Microsoft employees secretly use BlackBerrys because they’re more user friendly. Nice try WinMo, we’re on to you!
For those of you that thought yesterdays photos of a virtual BlackBerry OS running on a Windows Mobile HTC Touch Pro were fake, the video above should put you at ease. As someone that has been using the BlackBerry Storm for awhile, the concept of navigating the BlackBerry OS with a stylus doesn’t seem too weird. Of course, the whole WinMo thing makes me feel dizzier than Jimmy Stewart in Vertigo. Keep up the good work, Ronen!
I’ve been searching for an app that gives you the functionality of the Windows Mobile “today” screen, something that essentially briefs me on all of my appointments, missed calls, emails and text messages in one convenient place. Enter e-Mobile Today by E-Mobile Software, Inc.. This is one sharp looking app that’s packed with features. It allows you to do everything described above, without really requiring you to leave the application to remain up-to-date on things. If you find that the regular version is lacking, you can always go with e-Mobile Today Professional Edition which allows you to everything the regular version does, and more. In addition to offering more visual customization options, the professional edition offers all of the convenient launch points to multiple tasks – replying to e-mails and SMSs, calling people directly from the missed call log, creating new appointments, etc. – that you wouldn’t find in the standard version. You can even add a few expansion packs (weather, stocks, and news) to make your home screen more complete!
e-Mobile Today v. 2.0 and e-Mobile Today Professional Edition v. 2 for BlackBerry Review Quick Links
Here’s a brief rundown of the week that was from your friendly family of bloggers in Ottawa, Canada. Below you’ll find news from our WinMo and mobile entertainment blogs, with a bunch of great BlackBerry Cool content after the jump.
PCPro wrote an interesting post regarding the potential for Microsoft to buyout RIM. Microsoft has a substantial amount of cash on its balance sheet ($23 billion) and with RIM valued at $34 billion, the acquisition would be financially viable. Not only is the takeover financially plausible, it would be a synergistic move by Microsoft to acquire such a powerful smartphone manufacturer. Although I don’t like the idea of Windows Mobile appearing on a BlackBerry, I see the value in owning this space.
