Next-Generation Smartphones
>>>>> Business Problem: As a busy jetsetter with a workaday-paced lifestyle, you need constant contact with the world through voice and Web services. What’s more, with the price of airfares going up, all that “jetsetting” is done on the road and behind the wheel, and you need everything voice-enabled and hands-free to comply with state laws.
>>>>> Technology Solution: Next-Generation Smartphones
As the world moves closer to full adoption of 3G networks, mobile devices are more capable and functional than ever. And with a growing number of third-party applications being developed at an alarming rate, the pace is even quicker.
Product: Apple iPhone 3GS
Delivery Method: Hardware, downloaded software.
Pricing: List price begins at $199 for the 16-gigabyte version and $299 for the 32-gigabyte version. Data/voice plans from AT&T begin at $69.99 a month.
Features: The iPhone 3GS features a 3.5-inch diagonal display, voice dialing and control, voice memos, a 3-megapixel camera, assisted GPS, a digital compass, 3G access, Wi-Fi, and a battery with five to 12 hours of talk time, five to nine hours of Internet use, up to 300 hours of standby time, and up to 30 hours of audio playback time. A number of speech-enabled applications are available through the Apple AppStore. They include hands-free navigation applications, voice search engines, and translators. The iPhone features a touchscreen that is capable of multimodal interactions. Cellular and data service is available only through AT&T Mobility.
Business Benefits: Provides powerful computing power on the go, plus access to the Web, email, network services, and more.
Contact: Apple at store.apple.com.
Product: BlackBerry Storm 9530
Delivery Method: Hardware, downloaded software.
Pricing: List price is $499. Data plans from Verizon Wireless begin at $49.99 a month, voice and email at $79.99 a month, and voice, email, and messaging at $99.99 a month.
Features: The Storm features a 3.25-inch diagonal touchscreen, onboard navigation, a 3.2-megapixel camera and video recorder, voice input and output, Bluetooth compatibility, GPS and BlackBerry Maps, 1 gigabyte onboard memory, 3G access, Wi-Fi, and a battery with six hours of talk time and 15 days of standby time. A number of speech-enabled applications, both free and for a fee, are available through BlackBerry App World. The Storm is available only through Verizon Wireless.
Business Benefits: With a unique touch screen and cutting-edge multimedia capabilities, the BlackBerry Storm makes a great impression as users travel across town or across the globe.
Contact: BlackBerry at www.blackberry.com.
Product: Palm Pre
Delivery Method: Hardware, downloaded software.
Pricing: List price is $299.99. Plans from Sprint begin at $69.99 a month.
Features: The Pre features a 3.1-inch touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth 2.1 support, 8 gigabytes of storage, email through Microsoft Exchange, Universal Search, and support for IM, SMS, and MMS messaging. Additional features are available through applications from the Pre App Catalog. The Palm Pre is available only on the Now Network through Sprint.
Business Benefits: The Palm Pre phone lets users tackle their entire workday like never before, keeping multiple applications open and moving back and forth between business and life. Users can view their work and personal calendars layered together or separately, see their business and personal contacts in one place, and stay in touch with customers, colleagues, or anyone else with email, messaging, and advanced calling features like three-way conferencing and call forwarding.
Contact: Sprint at now.sprint.com/pre.