Friday, August 2, 2002
Okay, Now It's MY Turn To Rant...
Posted by Brad Adrian in "THOUGHT" @ 12:09 PM
Okay, now that Ed's had his chance to rant about how so many of the people writing product "reviews" don't understand what a Pocket PC Phone Edition is and is not supposed to do, I've got a similar point to make. It relates to this headline and teaser on the WirelessNewsFactor.com site:
This site is (I thought) a good, reliable source of information about anything that's going on in the area of wireless communications, yet they clearly do not understand that the Pocket PC Phone Edition is NOT the same thing as a Smart Phone. Throughout the entire article, the two types of devices are confused. Granted, it's a fine hair to split for many people, but these writers are supposed to actually know their markets.
So here it is, all you media types out there who want to publish in the mobile device space. Here's the difference between a Phone Edition and a Smartphone:
A Pocket PC Phone Edition device is first and foremost a powerful Pocket PC, with some wireless voice and data capabilities built in. It is visually-driven, two-handed device. A Smartphone, on the other hand, is primarily a phone, with some PIM functionality added. It is meant to be a voice-centric, one-hand tool.
See, this is what creates the exact problems that Ed's referring to. Writers don't bother to get their heads on straight before they write a news piece like this, and the result is an explosion of confusion and misinformation. It's the exact same thing as if I were to publish an article talking about the new BMW Z4 and referring to it as an SUV. Then, to Ed's point, people reviewing the vehicle would feel free to complain that the Z4 couldn't haul very much lumber and cornered way to well.
It's like I've always said...If you want to get the best, most accurate and up-to-date information about Pocket PCs and mobile-related stuff, the very LAST source you should use is the press (and the manufacturers' technical support center); the very best information comes from YOU people, who make up this enthusiast community.
This site is (I thought) a good, reliable source of information about anything that's going on in the area of wireless communications, yet they clearly do not understand that the Pocket PC Phone Edition is NOT the same thing as a Smart Phone. Throughout the entire article, the two types of devices are confused. Granted, it's a fine hair to split for many people, but these writers are supposed to actually know their markets.
So here it is, all you media types out there who want to publish in the mobile device space. Here's the difference between a Phone Edition and a Smartphone:
A Pocket PC Phone Edition device is first and foremost a powerful Pocket PC, with some wireless voice and data capabilities built in. It is visually-driven, two-handed device. A Smartphone, on the other hand, is primarily a phone, with some PIM functionality added. It is meant to be a voice-centric, one-hand tool.
See, this is what creates the exact problems that Ed's referring to. Writers don't bother to get their heads on straight before they write a news piece like this, and the result is an explosion of confusion and misinformation. It's the exact same thing as if I were to publish an article talking about the new BMW Z4 and referring to it as an SUV. Then, to Ed's point, people reviewing the vehicle would feel free to complain that the Z4 couldn't haul very much lumber and cornered way to well.
It's like I've always said...If you want to get the best, most accurate and up-to-date information about Pocket PCs and mobile-related stuff, the very LAST source you should use is the press (and the manufacturers' technical support center); the very best information comes from YOU people, who make up this enthusiast community.
