Mobile Phone Decisions

I had a moan recently about my current mobile phone, a HTC Touch 2 running Windows Mobile 6.5 and that I was counting the days until contract renewal.

Well that day has finally come which has meant I’ve had a decision to make about what handset I’m going to be using over the next 18-24 months.

In a lot of ways though it’s not really about the handset, more the platform.

So I’ll get it out of the way.

I’m going with Windows Phone 7. Specifically a Samsung Omnia 7 (because this is the only Windows Phone 7 I could get with network we’re using!)

I wanted to cover the other platforms and why I didn’t go for them first though.

Blackberry

Never really a contender to be honest – I don’t really “get” the attraction. Seven or eight years ago maybe when the concept of push email was still pretty new and they were the only ones doing decent business handsets but nowadays if I use Exchange for my email then just about every handset you’d consider for business supports ActiveSync. I know you have the option of more control over the devices from a management perspective but in my business we’ve only got a couple of handsets so it’s not a huge need. Having to install BES Express isn’t my idea of fun either, though I’m going to have to anyway as my business partner went for a Blackberry Torch 9800!

Android

You’re spoilt for choice in terms of handsets when it comes to an Android based device. Google have to be applauded for getting a platform out there that can be considered a serious contender as an iPhone alternative when people like Microsoft and Nokia were dragging their heels. Having seen some really nice Android devices, under other circumstances I’d have gone for one. There is also a growing library of applications though it’s un-moderated nature means there have been a couple of security scares recently. 

iPhone

We all know what the iPhone is right?

Apple deserve a lot of respect for turning the mobile phone market on it’s head. When people use the term SmartPhone most people instantly think you’re talking about the Apple variety. Laying down the law to the mobile networks can’t have been easy either. No phone I’ve ever owned has had a software update despite them being available as in the past you were at the mercy of the networks who very obviously weren’t that bothered.

The large number of useful

So I went with Windows Phone 7. I’ve seen quite a few of them recently and I’m interested in the change of direction Microsoft have taken since Windows Mobile 6.5.

The live tiles look good and the office integration is very appealing  as well as the ability to make use of Xbox Live.

I’ll be honest Microsoft are in the last chance saloon for me when it comes to mobile. I moved from Windows Mobile 6.1 to 6.5 when I could have tried something new and was bitterly disappointed.

I’m not sure if I’ve said this before but I find it really hard to get excited about mobile phones because of being tied into a contract. As result I only really think about it once a year and in more recent times once every 18 months.

The decision has been made now though and I’ll have my shiny new Samsung on Monday.

A review of that will follow in the coming days!

What phone are you using? Are you happy with it? Will you be switching next time around?

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Andy Parkes

Andy Parkes is Technical Director at Coventry based IT support company IBIT Solutions. Formerly, coordinator of AMITPRO and Microsoft Partner Area Lead for 2012-2013. He also isn't a fan of describing himself in the third person.

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