Many road warriors have dreamed about the ultimate device that combines all the best features of a diary, phone, media player, computer, GPS camera and a battery that lasts for days. One can but dream.
Generally we resign ourselves to more than one device because of the compromises that must be made in the multi-function world. Sometimes a phone is just a phone, an mp3 players is just for music and a simple camera has better resolution and is easier to use than the one that comes with your mobile.
Many executives i come across carry more than one communication device. The most common combination seems to be the Blackberry and a mobile phone. When asked why the two devices, the response is always the same, One is better for calls and the other better for reading and responding to email. In most cases this comes down to the QWERTY key pad as the preferred input method for emails and text sms.
Some of the new Blackberry devices have improved their phone functionality but old habits die hard.
The iPhone has set a new benchmark in interface and mutl-function design, many traditional handset manufactures are now playing catch up to improve their features and meet consumer expectations. In some cases this has resulted in cramming much software and hardware into an existing device format rather than rethinking the problem.
Many existing handsets do not meet the requirements of users, screens are to small, limited storage capacity to use media functions, poorly designed interfaces, low resolution cameras and appalling battery life.
Of the US iPhone users I have met most also have a separate cellular phone, either due to the cost of international roaming or their desire to not be locked to a single carrier.
We users are a strange bunch and will put up with multiple devices, chargers and interfaces to get what we want. The perfect device varies by user and in most cases we can find fault with the ones we have. I guess that’s why we change our handsets on average every 12 months. Good news for manufacturers bad news for the planet.
