The Phone as a Platform

Mobile Phones are getting to be as powerful as PCs, with processors, platforms, and operation systems that let developers start complelling applications. Combine this with the development of broadband networks, such as FV-DO and HSDPA, AND WE’RE SEEING SOME VERY IMPRESSIVE NETWORK APPLICATIONS AS WELL. Meanwhile, broadcast like to customize their phones, which has launched the ringtone business into the stratosphere. It’s even larger than for pay digital downloads of complete songs from sites like iTunes a touch that continues to astound me.

That’s just for starters.

Most phones today can hear E-mail, but until recently it’s been hard. Keyboard phones are ssuddenly getting much less pricey: The Motorola Q sells for just $199 with a two year (honestly pricey) narrow. And new phones aimed at younger consumers, such as the T-Mobile Sidekick and the Kyocera Switchback, sell for $150 without a narrow.

I’ve used the Q and the new palm treo 700p in recent weeks, and there’s a lot to like about both of them. The Q is a beeter phone. It’s much thinner, fits nicely in your pocket, and has builtin voice dialing over bluetooth. But the 700p is better for e-mail. The shortcuts are quicker and simpler to use, it has keys for quickly going to your mail or calendar, and it includes Docs to Go for editing and viewing attachments. But not everyone needs a keyboard pone. If all you want to do is read your email, most any phone will do the job.

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