Smartphones: How I’m choosing mine

My quest for the perfect smartphone never seems to end. I want a device that not only provides reliable and consistent phone service, but also can take advantage of the new technologies I always seem to need.

A smartphone is basically a handheld computer that can also make phone calls. A variety of these devices are available, from all cell phone service providers.

Smartphones can be used to check e-mail while you’re in a meeting, check the latest results of the internal job posting on your company’s intranet, and update your calendar with new appointments. They can also be useful outside work, to surf the Web while you wait for the doctor or an oil change, get navigation when you’re in unfamiliar territory, and connect easily with your Facebook friends.

But smartphones, like all technology, are always evolving. Newer, faster devices, with enhanced user interfaces and cool new applications, are becoming available all the time.

How should I choose my new smartphone?

I decided that a simple approach would be to survey my co-workers, IT professionals who have many of the same requirements as I do. They could run down the details, good and bad, of current smartphones.

My survey was simple, three questions aimed at uncovering the REAL truth about features and services.

Let’s start with the numbers: What are my co-workers using?

The iPhone clearly owned the top slot, with Android-based phones coming in second.

Factor in that I would most likely switch to an Android from Windows Mobile because iPhone and Android are updated several times a year, while Windows Mobile is only updated biannually, and everything else is left in the dust. And I was not letting the fact that C/D/H uses Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint and Office Communications Server influence my smartphone purchase.

Next: What did my co-workers like about each phone?

It was another big win for the iPhone. Everyone loved the easy-to-use interface, and the fact that they can add cool applications that do almost everything. These two features are enough to go for the iPhone.

What made this phone “not-so-perfect” for me?

While the iPhone is “cool,” the service provider (currently only AT&T) is a poor performer. Let’s face it; I need a smartphone that can, at a minimum, function as a phone.

So much for the iPhone, unless another provider comes along (I hear Verizon might :-)). That leaves me with an Android-based product.

I am considering the HTC Incredible an Android with a fast processor, slick interface and compatibility with my corporate systems.

Bottom line: Android is still a work-in-progress, but it is evolving quickly, so I think it will surpass iPhone functionality soon. And while an Android may not be as polished as the iPhone right now, I can at least be assured it will work as a phone.