Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

  1. #1
    HEXUS.admin
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    31,709
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2,073 times in 719 posts

    Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    The iPhone 3G is here, and BlackBerry is preparing its retort, but are any of these handsets perfect? What features do you seek in the perfect smartphone?
    Read more.

  2. #2
    Welcome to stampytown! Salazaar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Oxford-ish
    Posts
    4,459
    Thanks
    505
    Thanked
    353 times in 254 posts
    • Salazaar's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asrock B450m Steel Legend
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 5 3600
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 5700 XT

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    I've been looking for the answer to that question for ages, here's a few to get the ball rolling:

    Able to make phone calls and texts (duh).
    GPS
    High speed data connection (3G+)
    WiFi
    Bluetooth
    Camera(s)
    Lots of memory
    A relatively open OS (i.e. Symbian/WM6 good, Apple bad)
    A user friendly & fast OS (Apple good, Symbian/WM6 bad)
    Big screen
    Last edited by Salazaar; 18-07-2008 at 02:36 PM.
    ____
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

  3. #3
    It's good to be bad pauldarkside's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cornwall
    Posts
    2,930
    Thanks
    295
    Thanked
    378 times in 259 posts
    • pauldarkside's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS Maximus VI Hero
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i7-4770K & Corsair Hydro H80i
      • Memory:
      • Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4x8GB) 1600MHz DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Corsair Force GS 128GB, Crucial M500 480GB, WD Black 4TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti Superclocked
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Professional HX850W
      • Case:
      • Corsair Graphite 780T (White)
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus ROG Swift PG278Q
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity @ 78Mbps

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    Pretty much as Salazaar put it. The current offerings just don't quite tick all of the right boxes - I've been waiting for a good few years to find one which does but it appears I'll have to wait a while longer yet

    (Oh and that BB Bold, where's the screen? It's so damn tiny!)
    My only concern is should I hide my true identity? A costume maybe?

    0iD: Plus weeing in it every now & again does it good
    scaryjim: 10" is just a little large to hold comfortably in one hand, which makes it a lot harder to tap, swipe and generally interact with.

  4. #4
    Mostly Me Lucio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Tring
    Posts
    5,163
    Thanks
    443
    Thanked
    448 times in 351 posts
    • Lucio's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P
      • CPU:
      • AMD FX-6350 with Cooler Master Seldon 240
      • Memory:
      • 2x4GB Corsair DDR3 Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 128GB Toshiba, 2.5" SSD, 1TB WD Blue WD10EZEX, 500GB Seagate Baracuda 7200.11
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire R9 270X 4GB
      • PSU:
      • 600W Silverstone Strider SST-ST60F
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF XB
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 64Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung 2032BW, 1680 x 1050
      • Internet:
      • 16Mb Plusnet

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    Personally my key features would be decent touchscreen interface (with stylus for preference!) and WiFi connectivity. For business use, Push e-mail is also pretty much a necessity, along with a good battery life (if it can't last a whole day of use without charge, it's no good!)

    (\___/) (\___/) (\___/) (\___/) (\___/) (\___/) (\___/)
    (='.'=) (='.'=) (='.'=) (='.'=) (='.'=) (='.'=) (='.'=)
    (")_(") (")_(") (")_(") (")_(") (")_(") (")_(") (")_(")


    This is bunny and friends. He is fed up waiting for everyone to help him out, and decided to help himself instead!

  5. #5
    Senior Member chrestomanci's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Reading
    Posts
    1,614
    Thanks
    94
    Thanked
    96 times in 80 posts
    • chrestomanci's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus AMD AM4 Ryzen PRIME B350M
      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 1600 @ stock clocks
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb DDR4 2666MHz
      • Storage:
      • 250Gb Samsung 960 Evo M.2 + 3Tb Western Digital Red
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Basic AMD GPU (OSS linux drivers)
      • PSU:
      • Novatech 500W
      • Case:
      • Silverstone Sugo SG02
      • Operating System:
      • Linux - Latest Xubuntu
      • Monitor(s):
      • BenQ 24" LCD (Thanks: DDY)
      • Internet:
      • Zen FTTC

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    I would think of a good smartphone as a general purpose computer that has been shrunk to pocket size, and includes a cellar interface. In some ways I think having a good computer & operating system is more important than some of the extra features Salazaar mentioned like high speed data, and a camera.

    Part of the reason I think that way, is because a good smarphone is also a PDA, that help you organize yourself The linux familiar project is quite cleverly named with this idea because it compares a PDA with the idea of a magical animal (such as a cat) that a witch uses to help her express her powers. When you think of a smartphone as part PDA, and get away from attempting to create a phone that does everything, then features like a camera become less important, and it is much more important to think about what the computer can do, and how the user can program it to be more clever.

    For that reason, I am following the openmoko project to create an entirely open Linux smartphone. In terms of features on Salazaar list, it does not get a camera or high speed data, but it does get all the rest. More importantly the OS is absolutely open from top to bottom, and you can program it do do anything you want, in more or less any language. To me it has the potential to be a killer smartphone, the only snag is, at present the software is in it's infancy, and it has trouble even being a phone, but in 6 months or so it should be great.
    Last edited by chrestomanci; 19-07-2008 at 10:32 PM.

  6. #6
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    80
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked
    2 times in 2 posts

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    Hey guys, your missing a recently released phone!..

    The HTC Diamond also came out in July, it's availble from Tues 15th on T-Mobile as an MDA Compact IV. Stock limited though!.. I think the diamond is perfect is just a shame about the soggy bloated windows os underneath.

    http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=46278

    Hopefully an iPhone killer but it seems every man, women and sheep has already bought an iPhone.

    But is a good phone to keeep me going until Android arrives!
    Last edited by rjpearce; 18-07-2008 at 09:40 PM.

  7. #7
    Hello :)
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    bridlington, east yorkshire
    Posts
    494
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked
    11 times in 11 posts
    • ionicle's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus A8N SLi Premium
      • CPU:
      • AMD Athlon 64 4200+ 939
      • Memory:
      • 2Gb Samsung DDR400
      • Storage:
      • 1x 80Gb Samsung SATA-2, 1x Hitachi 500GB SATA-2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATi Radeon HD3650
      • PSU:
      • Akasa 400W Paxpower
      • Case:
      • Akasa Mirrage 62
      • Operating System:
      • Microsoft Windows Vista
      • Monitor(s):
      • Hyundai 22" 1680x1050
      • Internet:
      • Pipex 8mbps unlimited up/down 19.99 a month

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    personally, i like my N95

    for simplicity, i think its better than the iphone once your used to it, you can organise it so that everything is where you need it, and everything you need is within reach

    5mp camera
    8 gig internal memory
    2 days + battery life
    mp3 player
    headphone connectivity
    very loud, loudspeaker
    wifi
    bluetooth

    it does almost everything

  8. #8
    Will work for beer... nichomach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Preston, Lancs
    Posts
    6,137
    Thanks
    564
    Thanked
    139 times in 100 posts
    • nichomach's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3
      • CPU:
      • AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 95W
      • Memory:
      • 16GB DR3
      • Storage:
      • 1x250GB Maxtor SATAII, 1x 400GB Hitachi SATAII
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac GTX 1060 3GB
      • PSU:
      • Coolermaster 500W
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster Elite 430
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 20" TFT
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media Cable

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    Push email; that's the sine qua non. Connectivity-wise, I don't care much about Wi-Fi, as long as I have 3G/HSDPA and a reasonable data tariff. Good selection of applications (so Apple=Fail), and an open platform. GPS is nice, but I have a TomTom 920 anyway, so don't really need it. I actually still love my HTC Touch Dual; it's made my life easier in lots of ways.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    England
    Posts
    142
    Thanks
    7
    Thanked
    8 times in 7 posts
    • Nub1's system
      • Motherboard:
      • EVGA 680i
      • CPU:
      • QX6700 c Swiftech Apogee GTZ
      • Memory:
      • 4*1 Gig Ballistix
      • Storage:
      • 2 x 1 TB Samsung Spinpoint F1
      • Graphics card(s):
      • XFX8800GTX c D-Tek FuZion GFX 2 Block and D-Tek GFX UNI-Sink
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX1000W
      • Case:
      • Antec 900
      • Operating System:
      • Vista 32bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • BenQ FP241WZ

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    For me the main things are
    1) Calls / Texts
    2) A proper PIM system
    3) A phone that integrates seamlessly with my pc and whatever office software I choose. Activesync and Sync Centre can be complete nightmares. I often end up with 3 or more sets of data in outlook. Grrrrr.
    4) Decent processor/ memory so the phone loads and runs apps quickly.
    5) Ability to add memory cards
    6) Big Touch screen, stylus
    7) High speed net connection
    8) Push email
    9) Decent battery life, mine does spend a lot of time sync'd to my pc whether at home or work but when you have to travel decent battery life is really necessary.
    10) Open OS
    11) Unlocked or unlockable not that sony ericsson crap sorta unlock.
    12) Not the size of a brick !!!!

    What I would like
    a) decent media player
    b) customisability
    c) a reset button back to factory settings to enable brick recovery would be nice. To reset phone/bios/OS entirely. Flashing bios scares the crap outta me.
    d) min of 5 megapixel camera with flash
    e) wifi/ bluetooth
    f) GPS
    g) slidey out keyboard thingy

    think I may be waiting for a while maybe I'm just too demanding
    Last edited by Nub1; 19-07-2008 at 12:29 AM.

  10. #10
    It's good to be bad pauldarkside's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cornwall
    Posts
    2,930
    Thanks
    295
    Thanked
    378 times in 259 posts
    • pauldarkside's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS Maximus VI Hero
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i7-4770K & Corsair Hydro H80i
      • Memory:
      • Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4x8GB) 1600MHz DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Corsair Force GS 128GB, Crucial M500 480GB, WD Black 4TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti Superclocked
      • PSU:
      • Corsair Professional HX850W
      • Case:
      • Corsair Graphite 780T (White)
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus ROG Swift PG278Q
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity @ 78Mbps

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    Quote Originally Posted by rjpearce View Post
    Hey guys, your missing a recently released phone!..

    The HTC Diamond also came out in July, it's availble from Tues 15th on T-Mobile as an MDA Compact IV. Stock limited though!.. I think the diamond is perfect is just a shame about the soggy bloated windows os underneath.

    http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=46278

    Hopefully an iPhone killer but it seems every man, women and sheep has already bought an iPhone.

    But is a good phone to keeep me going until Android arrives!
    Nope, didn't miss the HTC. From what I've read the interface is a little clunky/unresponsive and inconsistent. The lack of a memory slot put me off.
    My only concern is should I hide my true identity? A costume maybe?

    0iD: Plus weeing in it every now & again does it good
    scaryjim: 10" is just a little large to hold comfortably in one hand, which makes it a lot harder to tap, swipe and generally interact with.

  11. #11
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    52
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    Aside from the normal functions (call, text, calendar, alarm - and no, don't really need MMS), I would say it has to be wi-fi and a memory slot (micro SD perhaps, not your sony memory stick rubbish).
    I find things like GPS, 3G, keyboards etc are nice to haves but would not really be deciding factors.

  12. #12
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    3,041
    Thanks
    209
    Thanked
    146 times in 88 posts

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    My smartphone requirements would be pretty simple: wireless internet access, a very good browser, and a very good keyboard (touch-screen or not). Never-ending battery life, too.

    I'd probably ditch a lot of other features. Particularly the camera, hardly ever used the camera on any of my phones. Same could be said about games. Never use them as a music player, either.

  13. #13
    Editable... jimbouk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    3,069
    Thanks
    319
    Thanked
    278 times in 226 posts
    • jimbouk's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asrock B450M-HDV R4.0
      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 5 3600
      • Memory:
      • Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4 3200 MHz C16
      • Storage:
      • Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire Pulse RX 580 8GB
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic Core Gold GC-650
      • Case:
      • Lian-Li PC-V1100 ATX
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • AOC CU34G2/BK 34" Widescreen
      • Internet:
      • EE FTC

    Re: Articles - Question of the week: what constitutes a perfect smartphone?

    Requirement 1 - doesn't cost £400.

    Requirement 2 - works like a phone.

    Requirement 3 - can sync with contact/emails/calendar on a variety of programs.

    Requirement 4 - mobile email.

    People don't want smart phones any more, they want pdas/sublaptops with the ability to make calls.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 34
    Last Post: 05-07-2009, 07:49 PM
  2. Replies: 35
    Last Post: 11-11-2008, 09:23 PM
  3. Replies: 85
    Last Post: 02-07-2008, 06:59 PM
  4. Replies: 20
    Last Post: 26-06-2008, 02:00 PM
  5. Replies: 30
    Last Post: 19-05-2008, 01:54 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •