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iPhones and Smart phones and Blackberrys, Oh My!

By Matt Konwiser on Mon, 06/30/08 - 10:47am.

I've already had the discussion about whether Apple can cut it in the Enterprise arena. Whether the facts are there to support the hype or not, they seem to be leading the mindshare department.

I'm still a Blackberry user (the Curve now) but I have decided to make the switch to another platform. I was pretty hard core on a Windows Mobile device but with the iPhone release imminent, I may just get one of those.

This past weekend I wandered into a Best Buy Mobile store at a local mall. I saw a huge collection of shiny, awful looking devices interesting new handhelds from a few different carriers. The most recent of which, the new Samsung Instinct seems to be getting a lot of good reviews and high sales numbers. I looked at it, played with a working model, then realized that it wasn't for me. The same happened with the HTC Touch. I couldn't quite figure out why. They're perfectly nice devices, they do everything that is promised of them, but I just didn't want to take the plunge.

I use a Zune for my music, which of course means that I won't be iTunes-ing much. So if I don't want an iPhone for media and music, why get one? Because Apple has done something that so many companies have put second. They've made something simple. Some of the most eloquent speakers can convey a message with only a sentence. Apple has created an interface so eye-friendly that Windows Mobile, even with some dressing up, can't compare.

I travel often. I need something that offers an easy to use and easy to read presentation of information. I don't care if I can't tether the thing to my PC. Most places I travel to have WiFi coverage for my laptop.

Functionality is also paramount. I had a long chat with a local Apple Genius about how the iPhone worked in "Enterprise Mode" and I am satisfied enough that it will replace my Blackberry completely. If it doesn't, I can always return it and go Windows Mobile. Either way, after nearly 10 years of Blackberry loyalty I think it is time for a change.