Editorial: All I wanted this year was the best smartphone ever
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Dec 24th 2008 6:00PM
posted Dec 24th 2008 6:00PM
1: Give me the iPhone's ecosystem, processing power, and polish without the draconian approval process and limits on what developers can do.
It's pretty clear that right now Apple's take on app distribution is the way to go, and it's also pretty clear that the iPhone has enough juice to carry out just about any task with reasonable speed (3D gaming included). Unfortunately, the limits on what you can do within the developer agreement, and the hidden, shifting rules on what flies and what doesn't in the App Store make the whole process disheartening. The G1 (with its Android Market) has this almost right -- but it's going to take some time (and end users) to get really refined apps out the door.
2: Give me the Bold's keyboard and speed.
Look, not only is this phone one of the more enjoyable devices I've ever had the pleasure of typing on -- it's insanely fast. The Bold is probably the fastest, most responsive phone I've ever used... and I've used a lot. Sometimes waiting for the iPhone or G1 to switch between apps can seem like an eternity, and don't even get me started on finding a phone number or email address. The Bold truly excels at speeding up workflow -- so manufacturers, take note. And the keyboard? Heaven on Earth. No, really. The iPhone's virtual keyboard is useable (with some serious practice), and the G1 works just fine (save for that annoying "chin," and the fact that you have to flip out the screen whenever you want to type) but I'll take the physical, portrait-oriented QWERTY of the Bold any day.
3: Give me the G1's open source roots and (most importantly) Gmail integration.
Sorry guys, but I'm far too hooked on Google's kooky email ideas at this point to tolerate anything less than its full feature set on a mobile device. The Gmail Java app for phones almost hits the right note in its newest iteration, but it's still lacking proper label management and push notification. The G1 is the only device that actually uses Gmail the way Google intended it. Couple that with the super-fast push service, and it's a regular love-fest. Lately, I can't stand to look at email on the iPhone -- so I carry the G1 just for that. Also, unlike the iPhone, I can actually use different browsers on this if I want, and developers can actually make apps the way they want.
4: Get syncing right once and for all.
Here's where the Bold takes a few hits. Sure, I can sync my contacts and calendars from Gmail, but good luck getting it from my laptop directly. No, for that an elaborate scheme is required involving third-party apps and a voodoo incantation I picked up in Haiti, and it doesn't always work. Ditto for pictures and music on the G1. There needs to be centralized, OTA syncing for devices, and it needs to happen yesterday. I'll give the iPhone this -- I can't even remember the last time I had to sync it physically. Once Apple got those MobileMe kinks worked out... it really does kinda work.
5: Make sure it has some screen real estate, and lose the resistive touch.
The iPhone and G1 sort of get this. But next year, these things better come to the table with Touch HD resolution. Sure, we've got decent browsers and video playback -- but don't make us squint anymore. This is why I jettisoned my Treo 750. And resistive touchscreens? Let's all just slide the styli back into their slots, and move towards a brighter, more capacitive future. Trust me, it is better.
So I know what you're thinking. Open source heart, some graphics horsepower, a nice landscape screen, but a portrait QWERTY keyboard... someone's going to come along with this thing, right?
And commenters, I'd love to know what you wanted (but didn't get) in a phone this year. Sound off below!
you waited a little late to start asking, Josh...
1. Google "ascii middle finger"
2. click on second link
3. ctrl + c
4. ctrl + v
5. ???
6. Profit
i've done it many times as well, my friend.
you have to click on the reply link below, not above, the original comment.
i've done it many times as well, my friend.
Micro SD slot and 3.5mm headphone jack are a fucking must.
Expletive required to stress my point!
@Samboini -- Totally agree with you on that. Memory expansion and a standard headphone jack are must-haves. Should have been in the post!
I couldn't agree more John. Josh has waited a tad too long on this one. Oh wait, actually it says these are his hopes for next year. However, on another note, I wish these other damn people that replied to your post actually said something that had to do with what you said. I hate that people reply to the first few posts just to be seen without saying anything related :/...
i was commenting on the title; "all I wanted this year". The article is fairly incongruous with the title, yes, but still, had you looked at the title of the page you were reading, well, there it is.
Its funny. I stopped reading Engadget a few months ago because all the readers were douche bags in the comment section, and the writers were basically making every article an advertisement for the latest piece of shit Apple excreted.
I come back, Christmas eve, The article actually criticizes the iPhone, and there are only about 3 low ranked comments in the comment section!
What the fuck happened?
You missed one very important feature: TETHERING!!!
I should have the ability to use service with my laptop/ netbook.
And yes, copy and paste is a must as well as the ability to view AND edit documents!
For this very reason I have been more than content with my Motorola StarTAC on sprint service. I feel that every new smart phone released is junk (no one asked for a touch screen de-"revolution").. the only smartphone I have used and would continue to use if the software wasn't so unstable is the palm treo 755p (burgundy).
- User interface with the simplicity, responsiveness, and polish of the iPhone.
- App store concept
- Fast, smooth, and intuitive browser (Safari-like)
- 3.5" 800x480 capacitive touchscreen
- ARM Cortex A8 + PowerVR SGX
- 256MB+ RAM
- decent camera with flash and video recording
Hopefully this is iPhone V3.0!
@Chris Macdonald:
I don't know, man, but, as the saying goes, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
All I want is a Blackberry Bold, though I'll have the money for it come my birthday in January. Oh, sweet 3G, how I do cherish thee.
I agree with just about everything said here.
1) Good screen real estate 3.5 or better (at least 640 x 360-pixel screen)
2) Great qwerty
3) SD slot for memory expansion
4) 3.5 jack (in right place)
5) Decent 5 megapix camera with duel LED flash and Carl Zeiss lens
6) Video capable (HD even better)
7) Fast processor
8) Good OS interface
9) Bluetooh
10) WiFi
11) USB
12) 3G HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps
13) TV out
14) SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
15) Stereo Speakers
16) Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
17) Handwriting recognition
18) Stereo FM radio with RDS
19) Document viewer
20) Voice Dialer
21) Built-in handsfree
Oh wait, the Nokia N97 is coming soon: http://www.engadget.com/tag/N97/
Nevermind...
@haX0r:
I see what you did there.
Can't wait to replace my N95-3 with a N97,
I wonder if it will have 3D acceleration like the N95 ...
ILoveApple
I had a diatribe written, four paragraphs long, explaining why ARM11 is by no means a "crap processor", despite it's shortcomings. I compared the stats with the ARM11 to other mobile processors on the market, and finishing with a direct spec-for-spec comparison between the N97 and the iPhone.
And then I read your username and deleted the whole thing. There is nothing I can say that would change your mind, and I hope that readers of your blatantly idiotic comment come to the same conclusion as I did.
Obvious troll is obvious, even though I didn't catch it the first time.
@ILoveApple
Because the future product is going to be EXACTLY the same as the current product.
NOT. ASS.
It's people like you that give all Apple fans a bad name. No wonder despite what I say, I get low ranked because of my Avatar. I love Apple too, but there is no reason to be a jerk off ass hole. Competition is what got Apple where it is today, I would love to see some phone have a better processor, that will only push Apple to put a better processor in future products. Despite all the innovations Apple does come up with, other companies "are" capable or coming up with things that would make sense to implement in the iPhone. I love my iPhone, think its the best phone on the market currently, but I will be the first to admit the gap is shrinking, and that new Nokia sure scares me. And I love Apple too, probably more than you, but that doesn't give me the right to be an ass.
@ILoveApple Dude... the iPhone hangs/lags all the time doing web browsing.. not to mention sms.. and many other apps that take a long time to open, sometimes lags, sometimes crashes, sometimes works. Not to mention the fact that it can't multitask outside of playing music while doing other things.. =/ Every time I want to do something other than what I'm doing.. like right now.. I'm playing a game of solitaire.. i get a text. If I hit reply, I can get the sms to come up so I can talk to them, but after that.. I need to hit the only button the phone has.. which takes me to the home screen then find my app again, and then open and NOW i can continue playing. If i hit cancel, then I can keep playing, but then to check the sms now.. I have to do the complete opposite.
Having one button may look simple and sleek.. but... I want a damn back button! or something!
And this is coming from a iPhone owner, who is thinking about picking up a blackberry (for the first time) but can't let his iPhone go because he likes it too much.
Few things I don't like about the n97.
1) this is completely my own opinion/perspective but I'm very used to the iPhone keyboard, and so I am much more comfortable and can type much faster on a portrait keyboard. Like ones on blackberries rather than a landscape one on the n97. I think it makes me type slower (I type really fast) and tires my thumbs out faster because they have to move further to get to the keys they need to hit.
2) Resistive screen.. I agree with Engadget here. I much prefer my capacitive screen than resistive. Every resistive touchscreen I've used, and seen in action, always is much less accurate and just seems much more of a hassle than making things easier.
3) OS.. this is completely my own thing but I JUST got very accustomed to all the intricacies of the BB OS with a friend's spare BB.. so i don't feel like tackling on an entire other OS at the moment (but this is purely just me). And also.. I'm so used to the whole iPhone's little cute/fun touches like the bouncing, scrolling, etc. compared to something completely utilitarian like Symbian or BB OS.. so.. I think just the BB OS will do for now =P Although.. if Nokia comes out with some hardware that's just.. amazing/crazy/awesome (n97 isn't quite that for me) then I guess I wouldn't mind tackling a new beast, that is the Symbian OS. (I think although it's fun/nice to look at the little extra touches that the iPhone adds, after awhile it just takes up time and doesn't allow you to do things as quickly. I guess that's what these utilitarian OS's are all about =P But then again... I don't know.. I doubt I could ever completely get rid of my iPhone.. it's just.. too fun lol! I may end up doing the whole BB from 9-5 and iPhone from 5-9 deal!)
@David:
I understand where you're coming from, man, but almost all of your points are the exact reason why I DON'T like the iphone/like the N97:
1: Unfortunately for me, pianist though I am, I don't have the slim, tapered thumbs required to type effectively on the iPhone's keyboard. Nor are my thumbs transparent. I know that there are ways around it, like highlighted letters, but I find that extremely annoying to have to put my thumb down, search for the right letter, lift my thumb off. I'm just about to get a Samsung Omnia (unfortunately, my N95 was recently stolen, so I'm down a good phone), and the resistive touchscreen means I can use a stylus, or (and this is the most likely senario) my slightly-too-long thumbnails to type with the onscreen keyboard, it means I can see a lot more surface area, and I don't have to hunt-and-peck as much as with the iPhone. I used the browser on a DS for quite some time, and the qwerty keyboard on that is exceptionally small, but I had less trouble with it than the iPhone's, simply because of the resistive touchscreen.
2: See above.
3: I'm a hardcore symbian fan, because for all it's shortcomings, it's a great balance between media and tools. Okay, mabye not that hardcore, but as I said above, I'm going to be trying out Windows Mobile for the first time, and that's a big leap for me, because I've heard nothing but bad stories about it. Mostly from here, mind you.
At&T is the reason I don't and won't own a I-phone
@ILoveApple before you make 'stupid' comments and showing your fanboi status on Engadget, please make sure to comprehend the technical specifications of your iPhone and others you compare your 'God' Phone to. The Nokia is a workhorse phone, the iPhone is an iPod touch with phone capabilities. Not everyone on this planet wants their phone to be their full media player (I have an iPod for my music). I have had an iPhone and didn't like the following: Call Quality, crappy speakerphone, no copy and paste, etc.
Here is some N97 info for you below. Now read and learn something.
http://www.umpcportal.com/products/Nokia/N97
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/12/07/nokia-n97-carrying-over-old-processor/
The processor is thought to be an ARM11 which will be overclocked (still a rumor and unconfirmed).
iPhone specs: http://www.answers.com/topic/iphone-1
Dump Nokia's browser for Opera. Problem solved with loading times.
Tried a Blackberry Storm?
i'm pretty sure we can all agree that the black berry storm was a MAJOR FAIL... it was an extremely rushed phone that didn't live up to the hype. the tech behind it was great but all of the bugs that came along with it and the poor processor speed and all of the made it fail. I think i have to somewhat agree with the reviewer here because i don't really think of the G1 as a "smart phone"... just an intelligent consumer phone, its not quite there as far as a smart phone kind of thing
I don't own a Storm and probably won't, but the iPhone 3G which I did own, came with its fair share of problems out of the gate too.
1) Signal issues
2) Activation issues
3) Lag issues
and more
A shit-load of Storms were sold just as the case with the iPhone 3G which many would have said was rushed to market.
I agree 100%, going just by this article the Storm has all of the good features he wants and none of the bad ones, and it's on the best wireless network to boot. I've used a G1, iPhone, and Storm and by far the Storm is the best phone out there. Just can't wait for the app store, there's already thousands of apps out there for BlackBerry and it will be nice to have them all in one place.
I couldn't agree more MR Topolsky. I want exactly the same thing. I hope we get it this year. I was going to buy the iphone but decided against today. Merry Christmas to the engadget team.
Amen!
I don't understand how you want a giant screen AND hardware keyboard. Maybe a slide-down like the Touch Dual?
I'm still optimistic that someone will eventually get the touch screen keyboard done right. It would need a bigger screen in order to have bigger (virtual) keys, haptic feedback with zero lag, very snappy response time and a capacitive touch screen.
The iPhone, Bold and G1?
Oh right, this is primarily a US blog, isn't it?
That would be a sweet phone, iPhone's design, Blackberry's keyboard and Google Android OS.
All it would need software-wise is to be able to sync to MS Exchange and be able to use voIP.
@Mark Anderson -- I actually really like the E71, but these phones are what I found myself gravitating towards. I don't mean to discount other devices -- these are just the ones I've been using, and the observations I've made.
A fair comment.
I suppose from a UK point of view it's just that range of smartphones available to us is far better than you have in the US - that's just the way it is until the manufacturers sort out contract arrangements with your big carriers and decide it's worthwhile building radio transmitters attuned to US 3G frequencies.
In the UK the only stand-out from the three you mention is the iPhone which is a really good - if a bit limited - device and which is this year's trendy phone in the same way the N95 and its variants was in 2007. The Bold is nice but most businesses are still using the Curve or, if they use Symbian, E61s or E71s. The G1 is merely a curio here - WinMo phones like the Omnia and Touch HD sell far more.
Were it me I would go for the following:
1) Omnia
2) iPhone
3) N85
That said, when the 5800 CWM goes on general release I'm getting one. Sorry guys, but like most Europeans I'm a Nokia man at heart.
I can't see how you would rank the Omnia as the number one smartphone. Say what you want about Windows Mobile but in the end it's gonna come up short comparing with an Android, MobileOSX or even Blackberry based smartphone.
Since I've used all of the phones mentioned and the Omnia is the one I prefer I'm actually pretty comfortable saying it's my preference.
As for WinMo 6.1 and the TouchWiz interface, can't say I've had any real issues with them. YMMV.
@adriaaan Why does it have to come up short? I've used all the OSes mentioned and Windows Mobile is my clear preference. You may find it inferior for your own reasons, but to just say it "comes up short" as if its gospel that needs no accompanying arguments is, well, silly
In my experience, Windows Mobile devices are generally laggy and slow. But then again the only recent WinMo device I've used is the HTC Kaiser.
I'm an American who imports his devices being frustrated with the the lack of options here, I own a G1, iPhone, and som WM phones, I used the iPhone for a few months, the G1 for a couple months, and I went back to WM, particularly the Touch HD; same size as iPhone, Slick UI, comparable to the Android but keeps the versatility of WM
"All I wanted this year was the best smartphone ever"
Don't we all? Or at least, if we have the "best smartphone ever" that it stays the best?
It'll never happen. As much as I would like it to. The closest we will ever get to is putting the iPhone's sexiness, Blackberry Bolds Speed, The G1s backing of Google and pure magnificence into a blender, then cramming the contents into what ever phone that is pictured at the bottom. And last but not least, praying to every god that we can think of that it comes out alright.
Are you saying they will, in fact, blend?
That is where the praying will come in handy.
bad Photoshop alert! (first pic)
Oh! All this time I thought it was a real device!
Oh, Fuxxing Der!
Here is the specification of the phone I want:
1. Dual HD or Half-HD widescreen touchscreens.
- The form factor should be like Nokia's N97, Xperia X1 .. if it has a DS style form factor then it needs an outside screen too.
- The second touchscreen should allow a keyboard or gamepad to be locked on top of it (so it should have a lock or sliding mechanism that can accept a thin keyboard or gamepad)
- It should be possible to close the phone with the keyboard or gamepad locked in, and third parties should be able to make them in different styles such as gamepads that allow you to see parts of the touchscreen underneath it.
2. It should have a good camera that has a decent lens, OK to sacrifice megapixels for that. A front facing camera for video conf. like the RAZR2 or Xperia have would be good too.
3. Video capability so that it can be possible to record and transmit video at the same time in the middle of a call.
4. Android
what qualifies as HD on a phone?
certainly not 720p / 1080p.
are you requesting vga/wvga?
i'm suprise to read u didn't add that u also want a pet unicorn...
Yeah, I'd love a DUAL HD resolution on my phone too.
Unfortunately, I don't have the neccecary pockets to carry around a gigantic screen all day.
It is simple: Let Microsoft and RIM do the thinking, Google do the software and pricing, and Apple do the designing. Keep Nokia out of it please. All other companies should work more in their other businesses.
YES. This is the winning formula. Microsoft and RIM definately have the best brains around the tech world, but Apple caters to hip youngsters that want somthing shiny. Smush em together and you get what we want! A UNIVERSAL TECHNOLOGY THAT SATISFIES EVERYONE!
I understand why you have picked each company, except that Nokia has number 4 nailed already and for free :-)
Microsoft do thinking? Are you serious, they haven't done serious "thinking" in over 10 years. Vista = FAIL and XP & 2000 were refreshed versions of Windows 95.
Low rank away Microsoft fanboys...your "god" hasn't innovated in years.
I love that little "Even though I sound like a complete dick and hold a blatant grudge against Microsoft, you're a fanboy if you downvote me." thing you had going there Cheddar - signature sign of a troll.
I prefer nokia design over apple. It's mostly a practical thing, nokia devices tend to look good after having received a lot of abuse, and they do have a certain functional timeless design quality. I also don't understand what you mean by the "thinking" part. What could that possibly include after hardware and software are covered?
GPS, Wifi, Camera, Keyboard, Touch Screen, Bluetooth, Opensource OS with a large third party base (it's gonna be hard to beat the iPhone now...) and good battery life. Dual sim card would be a killer to.
2009 is the year to buy a smartphone. I will be waiting till summer to how things play out.
If MSFT can come up with Zune phone with XBox360 integration it will be a strong contender as well.
I would like to develop apps for my smartphone...so I'm leaning towards some new Android phone...definitely no iphone unless Job's departure helps Apple change their draconian rules.
"is the year to buy a smartphone"
That's what I said in 2003, then 2004, and 2005, 2006, 2007, and finally 2008, only to realize that I'll wait for 2009.
YES! I will not leave out Win Mo !!!
I hate that about iPhone apps process too!
Arrr, poor you.
I spent the last few month juggling a cheapo PAYG Sony Ericsson that won't hold its charge and several carrier pigeons.
Good post. I just don't get why you want the iPhone's processing power when the next point you make details how long it takes to switch applications or find phone numbers... if the Bold is the fastest, most responsive phone you've ever used, wouldn't you need the Bold's processing power?
It isn't just about processing power, it's about software. My vista laptop has a Core 2 Duo but takes about as much time to start up an app as an iPhone does.
I don't know why you didn't even mentioned Nokia E71 in this article... It's fast as hell, it has powerfull OS with many ways to sync everything, push email and GMail (tried Profimail and Nokia E-Mail?)... Let's just wait for N97. It seems like it fits all your needs.
Cheers.
p.s. Topolsky? Polish roots or something?
+1
My E71 doesn't have every feature under the sun but it works brilliantly. Fast, stable, great battery life and it's hardly noticable once I've slipped it into my pocket.
There's plenty of apps available for it too.
2009 should be very interesting. I can't wait to see the 2nd generation Android phones.
I think the E71 is only covering No. 2. (fastest speed and keyboard) and No. 4. Sync (everything OTA and for free), but Gmail integration is only there for the free push mail, not label management. Even if it integrates with many more mail services, it still does not equal Gmail on Android.
Actually, with Profimail, you get label management (and honestly the greatest mobile email client I have ever used). Of course, the E71 still doesn't compare to Android's integration with Google services completely, but can you expect anything else to?
I love my E71 because of how incredibly responsive it is (and that includes with heavy multitasking; it doesn't skip a beat even with the camera, web browser, Google Maps, Profimail, Fring, and music player all open and running!), its amazing battery life, and that incredibly comfortable and enjoyable keyboard, .
For everything else, I have my WiFi tethered iPod Touch in my other pocket :)
Oh! I forgot stereo bluetooth, a somewhat decent camera that integrates perfectly with Flickr, and copy and paste for the E71.
I'm in love with my E71 and iPod Touch!
And I want that phone delivered in a sexy 2,000 hp car that costs $5, seats 7, handles like a dream and gets one million miles per gallon on its preferred fuel of happy day dreams.
I'm really not that bitter. Just sayin'
I leave the internets for a bit to do some thoughtful shopping at the Apple store, and I come back to find pictures of such perversions!
I just knew you were gunna mention a treo somewhere in this article
You apple fan boy you ;)
Here's what i'm really waiting for:
*form factor somewhere between MID and HTC HD, for a very big pocket (think old sony Clie NZ90, nokia 810) with a pull out qwerty and the all important phone buttons (yes, a big ass phone/computer)
*Android software or windows mobile 7, i know iphone's software just works, but i don't like thier iffy acceptance
*atom processor (or equivalent with less battery drag)
*wimax/LTE and 3g
*replaceable battery with two sizes: on the go (5 hour charge) and all day (24 hour charge)
The reason i'm going to be waiting till 2012 for a phone like this is because battery tech can't make an all day charge on a high end device and because the mass populace won't spend $1500 on a phone/computer (see the HTC shift). But a dream deferred is like a raison in the sun.
Nokia's N97 is pretty close to what you're asking for.
If the Nokia N97 had a capacitive touch screen, space bar in the middle, and world wide HSPA it would truly be perfect.
The perfect smartphone will be one that is not locked to any one carrier. I understand the need for carrier exclusivity and subsidies but it would be really nice to have access to one of these devices without having to deal with a carrier that you may not want to deal with (Read ATT w/ the iPhone & Bold, VZW w/ the Storm, etc). I think once the Android platform is updated to include a touchscreen keyboard and has enterprise e-mail integration & VPN connectivity, it will really come into its own.
i would really prefer a android phone with winMo and RIM's syncing/business capabilities while having a qwerty keyboard plus a touchscreen (slider) while looking very good and thin, too.
why did i get lowranked? what did i do?
That's a great idea! I always wanted that Nokia and I wouldn't want to use the iPhone as a phone, but rather for its multimedia capabilities. This is a great way to get both. Too bad the N71 is so expensive and the iPod touch isn't cheap either.
I already have my dream:
http://www.geardiary.com/2008/07/21/my-ipod-touch-3g/
Why did I get lowranked? I really enjoy my E71/iPod Touch combo :\
+1
I've got the same combo! ;)
I'm confused about how this is a better setup than just a single device that does everything you want. Yeah, this is a neat workaround, but wouldn't it be easier if you just had a great web browser, app store, and music downloads right on your E71 instead of carrying a second device?
I plan to do the same thing! Just need the iPod Touch...
@chefgon: The reason to do this has to do with interface. I REALLY like the iPhone/iPodTouch for certain things - music, web, apps, games, intangible fun factor. And I REALLY like the E71 for certain things - physical qwerty keyboard, phone functionality, Nokia durability, open-source S60, SD slot, unlocked-ness, business sensibility.
The N97 is Nokia's go at the ideal all-in-one device, but it will suffer from 1st-Gen issues. Plus, it's a little less business than I like in a phone. I'll be ready for a new device in time for its successor, though. Here's looking forward to 2011!
Forgot to add... the cheapest iPhone plan in US is more expensive than a comparable plan on the E71. AND, this setup can be used on TMo.
its called iNdroidberry
Batteries! Batteries! Batteries! Batteries! Batteries!
Treo Pro running android?
Whoops. Minus the capacative touch need. Other than that it's pretty decent for what you want. (Atleast in terms of currently doable smart phones. )
on the subjects of keyboard and screen real estate: while some joke about its strange look, i find the physical layout of the samsung i760 to fit exactly what i need. a slider with a keyboard, number pad and touch screen.
I agree with the points mentioned in the posting about hardware, software, and community. the i760 obviously does not meet these standards (although i do enjoy sync via exchange server), but I don't foresee any of this year's upcoming phones doing so either. for now i'll hold on to my i760 and start saving up for the "ideal phone".
This is written from a Techies point of view.
The vast majority of people want a reliable and simple phone.
They don't care about "draconian approval process and limits on what developers can do".
Hi, you must be on the wrong webpage, this is a gadget enthusiast's blog, not the website of the Soviet Central Planning Committee.
We want what we want
Yeah, well, for all your defence of the iPhone, it falls at the first hurdle too.
I think you said it, a RELIABLE PHONE.
iPhone for ordinary people with money, BlackBerry for bussiness men and G1 for develpers ... Now happy?
What about ordinary business developers? Huh?
I wish that those new smartphones coming this new year (2009) integrate NVIDIA Tegra Graphics and an interface something like the one that NVIDIA presents paired as a simulation UI with their Tegra Graphics (http://www.nvidia.com/object/mobile_games_demos.html).
I know for crying out loud. Can we get a touch-screen blackberry WITH Bold Keyboard, Windows Mobile copy/paste/editing functions (ability to copy/paste using your finger to highlight and/or paste text)??? Is that too much to ask for in 2009? Why do we have to chose one feature over another. It's stupid.
The phones themselves don't bother me as much as the fucking expensive plans that go with them.
That's pretty close to my feelings. These things have all been disappointing enough in some way that I'm STILL using my prehistoric Treo650. Balancing a good, usable screen with a physical keyboard is tough, but IMO absolutely necessary. If the keyboard slides or flips out, there has to be a softkeyboard option. The stupid way the Storm thinks it's a physical keyboard is the biggest joke. You still type Rhino Fritata but you have to feel the screen move. WTF.