Hmmm…I’m really not sure why all these manufacturers are running around like a chicken with its head cut off looking to produce an ‘iPhone’ killer.
I’m a PC guy but I applaud Apple for raising the bar for handheld devices. It seems to me that they just took the next logical step in their iPod line up and thought about what the consumer would want.
IMHO, most companies can’t come up with a true ‘iPhone killer’ because their priorities are completely out of whack. These huge companies are more worried about trying to push their ‘proprietary formats’ and ‘online media services’ rather than focusing on simply on what people need.
Here’s what the MAJORITY of people need:
- A large screen for a clear view of web pages, video and games. - A phone with good battery life and clarity - People play Divx movies and listen to Mp3’s - People surf the web and need to view Flash, QuickTime and Mpeg - People need a device with a good form factor, both in the pocket and in the hand - People need Wi-Fi for using the device freely at homes and cafes - People like to play video games - People need a camera - People need GPS - A replaceable screen-top, or very scratch resistant
Personally I like using a touch screen. This way I can easily highlight and copy info, plus I like to use it for drawing and note purposes. The virtual QWERTY keyboard and stylus is quite fast. But for the MAJORITY of users aren’t used to touch screens. (Think: college campuses, supermarkets and malls) They sport normal cell phones.
I was recently at a party and someone was talking about how amazing the iPhone was because you could do everything with the touch of a finger. This technology has been out there for a very long time. Apple’s doing it right by getting the message out there to the common people. Not the ‘corporate’ people/market.
I have a Palm TX that can:
- Plays full size Divx movies perfectly - Plays NES, Gameboy, SMS, Sega Genesis roms perfectly - Easily browses the web with Wifi - Has a large Touchscreen surface (that I use with my finger quite a lot) - Is very thin and light - Plays Mp3’s
The Palm TX is quite old. It’s through 3rd Party apps (TCPMP, LJP, UDMH) that I can do these things.
Which bring me to my point: Why are all these large companies running around like a chicken with their head cut off, looking for the iPhone killer?
IT’S BEEN A LOGICAL STEP FOR MOST OF THEM TO PRODUCE AN IPHONE-LIKE DEVICE FOR YEARS!
Look at Sony – Why don’t they break out the old Clie crew and combine the PSP team for a PSP phone? Movies and games can be sold on a 1GB SD card – very feasible. Why didn’t the Clie become the PSP?
Look at Palm – Why didn’t they legitimize the 3rd Party applications and show the public everything a Palm can do. Palm should have capitalized on media functions and games a long time ago. Where was the advertising? A lot of people were INTMIDATED by Palm devices – bad marketing.
Pocket PC’s and Smartphones are only STARTING to move with meeting mass consumer appeal due to the fact that the iPhone has everyone’s attention.
Nintendo could bring out a DS phone. Now THAT would be interesting. It IS a next step in the world of ‘mobile devices.’
I guess the thought that scares me most is that the aim of these corporations seems lost. So it may be awhile until someone gets it right.
The bottom line is simple: People want a ‘form factor mobile’ that they can play, surf, talk and work on, using the most common media formats.
We don’t want to change our library. We want to use it. The all-in-one device will be here the day that companies focus on that fact.
Over two years ago I had an idea and put together this little design, looking towards a better mobile future. Please feel free to check it out.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for a device like this. Until then, thanks Apple for raising the awareness of everyday people and constructing a device that makes manufacturers think about what they’ve been doing wrong. It looks good on them! Dedicated handheld users have been frustrated long enough!
People aren’t intimidated by the iPhone - Apple finally made mobile computing ‘cool.’ All the best with the iPhone Apple!
Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I am looking for a 12- or 13-inch ultraportable that can also play modern games at a reasonable level, for less than $1,000. I know the brainiacs out there can help me out. Love the site, thanks!"
The most commented posts on Engadget over the past 24 hours.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
