During this holiday season you may be considering purchasing a smartphone. Here is a rundown of some pros and cons of popular smartphones on the market in Manhattan — the iPhone, Droid, Palm Pre, Hero, and BlackBerry smartphones. NOTE: The purchase of a smartphone usually requires the purchase of a data plan.
iPhone pros/cons
Pros
- Over 100,000 applications available through iTunes Store
- Plays iTunes content, music, movies, TV shows, pod casts
- Can purchase apps, music, TV shows and movies from iPhone
- Integrates well with Zimbra (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Integrates well with Gmail (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Integrates well with MobileMe (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Offers a “find my phone” feature that allows you to track down a lost phone or send an “erase data” command (requires a yearly subscription to Apple’s MobileMe service)
- Shoots video and photos; includes auto-focus and basic video-trimming capabilities
- Three sizes to choose from (8GB, 16GB, and 32GB)
- Free major OS updates (so far)
- Works in all major countries in the world, even Japan
- Built-in Cisco VPN client
- Built-in WiFi
- The one that started the latest evolution in smartphones
Cons
- No 3G (fast) data service in Manhattan, only slower EDGE service
- No support for HD video
- Can only access KCalendar (Oracle Calendar) through web browser (still works fine)
- Only available on AT&T
- Only an on-screen keyboard (may be a con for some)
- No expansion slot
Droid pros/cons
Pros
- 3G service in Manhattan
- 5-megapixel camera
- Runs Google Android 2.0 OS
- Growing list of third-party apps available through on-device app store
- Integrates well with Zimbra (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Integrates well with Gmail (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Built in WiFi
- Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
- Higher resolution screen (854 by 480)
Cons
- Very high early-contract termination fee ($350)
- Can only access KCalendar (Oracle Calendar) through web browser (still works fine)
- Does not play iTunes DRM-protected files
- Small, mushy keys on QWERTY keyboard
Palm Pre pros/cons
Pros
- Ease of use
- Multiple open applications
- Physical keyboard
- Can use iTunes to sync
- Integrates with Zimbra (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Integrates with Gmail (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Integrates with Yahoo (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Integrates with Hotmail (e-mail, calendar, contacts)
- Erase command on-demand if lost or stolen
- Automatic backup of applications and settings to Palm servers
- 3G service in Manhattan
Cons
- Sometimes can’t use iTunes to sync
- Does not play iTunes purchased music
- No expansion slot
- As with most smart phones, battery can drain quickly depending on the apps and programs that are running
Hero pros/cons
Pros
- Extremely customizable. 7 home screens allow you to add any number of widgets, applications, features on the home screens
- Can connect to wifi where available
- Integrates Facebook and your contacts in an innovative way. Example: You can see a person’s Facebook or Flickr pictures, update status, previous chat history, etc., simply by looking through your contacts.
- 5-megapixel camera and camcorder
- Multi-touch screen works well
- Easy to sync iTunes playlists or other audio files
- Good marketplace through Android
- Adobe Flash Light allows viewing some flash websites
Cons
- Virtual keyboard has occasional lag, causing you to click on same letter twice
- Processor is not as fast as comparable smart phones
- Android 2.0 is not yet available on the CDMA model; should be available early 2010
- Only has a virtual keyboard
- Phone only comes with 2GB of micro SD memory (expandable up to 32GB)
- High learning curve; will take time for some people to get familiar and comfortable
- Can only access Kcalendar (Oracle Calendar) through web browser (still works fine)
BlackBerry pros/cons
Pros
- Extremely reliable and stable software
- BlackBerry App World offers thousands of BlackBerry-approved apps
- Home-brew apps are also available
- Most models take pictures and video
- Plays numerous formats of audio and video files
- Integrates very well with Google applications (Gmail, Calendar, Talk, Sync, etc.)
- Integrates well with any IMAP or POP-based e-mail account
- Removable storage of up to 32GB based on a microSD card (only limited by OS. BlackBerry is constantly increasing this limit.)
- Several popular websites have developed custom apps that integrate with the BlackBerry’s built-in applications (Facebook, YouTube, etc.)
- Depending on your provider, you will have 3G service in Manhattan and/or wifi capability
- Free OS upgrades
- Built-in VPN client
- Physical keyboard
- Programmable convenience keys
- 26 programmable speed-dial keys
- Available from nearly any provider
- T-mobile provides WiFi-based calling using your phone number
- Text other BlackBerry users for free using BlackBerry Messenger
- Most issues with the device can be solved with a battery pull or reset-key combination
Cons
- Poor Zimbra integration due to Zimbra’s connection methods (K-State is currently working to address this)
- Kcalendar must be accessed through the built-in browser or a third-party browser
- Somewhat steep learning curve
- Typically viewed as a “work phone”
- OS is sometimes looked on as archaic but has made great strides with OS 5
- Physical keyboard keys could be too small for some
