The Tablet: Take as Directed

A tablet used to mean a small thing that you swallow with water to relieve some ailment, but the term is a new buzz-word in the world of technology.  Thanks to Steven Paul Jobs everything is going “all tablety.”  Personally, I think Moses would have grounds to ask for royalties, but let us not get into that.

A tablet, in tech-speak, is a term describing a computer device with multimedia capabilities, and a touch screen.  This is an over-simplified definition, but it is the only one that fits as everyone seems to prostitute the word to ride the iPad’s coattails to a huge payday.  They come in a range of sizes, but the general idea is that they are thin—really thin (think 80’s French supermodel).  Now the Smartphone manufacturers are getting in on the marketing, showing us that their devices deserve your attention.

Let’s take a look at several Smartphones that are considered “tablet phones” and the operating systems that run them.

Apple iOS

The “iOS” is the name for Apple’s mobile operating system found on their iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone.  The simplified and closely guarded iOS is Apple’s way of minimizing problems that users may have from poor installations of software, pirated software, or software that does not run well on Apple’s equipment. If I summarized Apple’s philosophy of end-use experience, it would be, “Just work, damn it.” They have a strict approval process for any developers that want to put their software on the iOS, virtually eliminating conflicts and crashes (though they can still happen, they are fewer and farther in between and usually a result of equipment failure).  Some would say that the tyrannical stranglehold Apple has on the apps it approves impedes software developers, but the popularity in America doesn’t seem to support this idea.

iPhone 4 from AT&T

We have heard the hype and gripe about the iPhone and its antenna issues.  But negligible (and misunderstood) antenna reception aside, the iPhone is an excellent choice for people who want to try their first Smartphone.  It is easy to navigate because the design is intuitive for one-handed operation.  Press the only button on the front to get to the list of applications installed.  Use your thumb to scroll through the list of installed applications.  Press the application you want to run.  Done!  Easy!  Want to try something new?  Navigate to the “AppStore” and try downloading something.  Many of the apps are free and premium apps are also available.

Why you want one: Like 80’s branding, it used to be a status symbol.  Also like 80’s branding, if you are just now getting one, you are already behind the times.  Nowadays there are alternatives such that even an iPhone won’t get you past security at that club you desperately want to try but aren’t cool enough to get in.  Sorry, Dexter.

Why your mom won’t let you have one: She heard that it has “reception issues.” In truth, according to Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs at the “Antennagate” Press Conference, “that problem is affecting a very small percentage of our users.”  Additionally, any phone, radio, T.V. antenna, or anything that catches information through radio waves will lose signal if you inhibit the antenna from doing its job.  Still concerned?  Apple and AT&T have a 30 day return policy for added peace of mind.

Android OS from Google

Android, Google’s OS, based on the open-source Linux operating system, is perhaps the OS with the most legitimate future to rival Apple.  In order to protect users from installing software that may not be optimal for their phone, Android has the capability of blocking installation of 3^rd party applications, but the OS has this feature turned off by default (unless you have an AT&T Android phone—I’ll address this in a moment).  This “laissez-faire” approach means that software is more readily available since it doesn’t have to suffer the scrutiny of intervention.  However, you run the risk of an installation gone wrong, a corrupted phone OS requiring a hard-reset, or a litany of security issues.  If you want the cutting edge of mobile software development in your hand as it is published, this is the OS for you.

As of this writing, AT&T prohibits the installation of 3^rd party applications to its Android phones, effectively cutting the wings off of an otherwise “Han Solo-esque rebel with a heart” OS.  But, on the other hand it prevents users from installing something that may corrupt their equipment and end-user experience.  Still, whether you have AT&T or any other service provider using Android OS, there are plenty of applications available from the Android Marketplace (Google’s store for Android software) to make your phone snazzy and productive.

Motorola Droid X for Verizon

This baby pushes the edge of the hardware spectrum, boasting a 1 gigahertz processor for hardcore multitasking, Hi-res screen resolution for your mobile theater experience, and can record in 720p to ensure that the videos you take of your college roommate singing “I’m a little teapot” in the shower will play back in Hi-Def on your Frat’s 50” T.V. (HDMI cable sold separately).  Boasting an 8 megapixel camera, this is a media center that doubles as a phone.  At a Wi-Fi hotspot and want to save minutes?  Turn your Skype Mobile app on and use your Skype phone account instead.

Why your girlfriend will be jealous: Videos will look so good that she’ll wonder why you need to use the restroom for 20 minutes at a time.

Why your mom won’t let you have one: by the time they can get one in stock for you (backordered 2-3 weeks as of this writing) something new will come out.  Though getting your hands on one might impress that security guard at the club I mentioned earlier… for now.

Windows Mobile

Oh yeah, Microsoft—whatever happened to them?  If video killed the radio star, Microsoft killed the Palm Pilot Phones (not dead yet, but not relevant, either).  Though their source code is not open, their developer tools are readily accessible.  They don’t restrict third party applications in any way and developers have even been able to modify the OS to give it capabilities that even the mobile carriers couldn’t conceive of.  Cruise over to xda-developers.com for a look-see at what a 3^rd party developer likes to do for fun (also a place for Android development) and you’ll see why Windows Mobile had been so dominant for so long.

Okay, having said that, why is Windows getting creamed in the Smartphone market if there is all this neat stuff?  Windows Mobile represents just 4% of US Smartphone market share according to MillennialMedia.com’s Mobile Device Index. Microsoft is well on their way to releasing their latest Windows OS, dubbed “Windows Phone 7” (for now).  According to Microsoft’s “Different Means Better with the new Windows Phone Developer Experience”, “To deliver what developers expect in the developer platform we’ve had to change how phone apps were written. One result of this is that the previous Windows mobile applications will not run on Windows Phone 7 Series”. The result?  Developers would have little incentive to write new apps (software) for an OS that is on the way out.  But if you want to experiment with new ROMs (custom OS’s developed by 3^rd parties with neat customizations like the ones found on XDA-Developers), get yourself a Windows phone.

HTC HD2 for T-Mobile

What’s an HTC?  HTC has been manufacturing Smartphones for years but they have just recently come into their own as a brand.  Their phones have been rebranded by Siemens, AT&T, and HP (among others).  As an equipment manufacturer, HTC seems to be the biggest threat to Apple if their dueling lawsuits for patent infringement are any indication.  HTC’s U.S. base of operations in Washington state put them near Microsoft’s headquarters (despite half of all Android phones sold being HTC), indicating their close-knit ties and commitment to Windows Mobile OS’s going forward.

The HD2 is just one of many Smartphones in the HTC line, but is perhaps one of the most powerful of them all.  It is as powerful as anything out on the market in terms of hardware specifications and easily impresses with its construction and performance.  It has a 1 GHz “Snapdragon” processor (the same processor as the Droid X), integrated Facebook and Twitter social networking, and expandable memory (up to 32 gigs).  Perhaps the best feature is HTC’s Sense 2.5 skin which is layered over the Windows OS to enhance the phone’s functionality.  Tabs keep features that one would most often use handy and can be organized or deactivated according to your preferences.  Tweaks to HTC’s Sense skin are available through 3^rd parties, giving the user even greater customization capability (take a look at Cookie’s Home Tab mod and CHTE on XDA-Developers for the most customization).

Why you need one:  If you have a Windows computer then a Windows phone gives you the greatest compatibility.  You can explore the phone through Windows, drag and drop items from desktop to phone (or vice versa), and easily sync music through Windows Media Player

4G Mobile networks (not an OS, but a notable distinction)

4G represents the next evolution in mobile networks.  With more bandwidth, the network can push more data at faster speeds to a 4G capable Smartphone.  With the added headroom of higher bandwidth, the network can accommodate more simultaneous connections, as well (good news if your mobile network suffers from high popularity).

HTC Evo for Sprint

This is the first legit 4G Smartphone for any carrier.  Running on the Android OS, it is one of the most advanced tablet style phones to date.  It boasts a 1 GHz processor, expandable memory, 3^rd party application downloads, 8 mega pixel camera and HTC Sense.  This phone has all the hardware specs to keep up with any other phone on the market, but it separates itself from the pack with Sprint’s 4G network capability that has an average download speed of 3-6 megabits per second (peaks at about 10 Mbps).  That will sure enable you to be productive while you are on the road because, as everyone knows, you have to be able to download those spreadsheets and stream YouTube, er, product launch videos as quickly as possible.

Why your mom won’t let you have one: Sprint currently covers 40 million Americans with its 4G network, according to their website.  A quick look at California reveals just a small coverage area in the central valley, however.  But with this baby, you are ensured to have 4G coverage when it does hit, giving you forward compatibility.

Why your boyfriend will be jealous: He didn’t get one first.  So petty…

Edward Burns has worked in wireless retail sales for nine years, including seven years in management.  He left wireless to get his English degree at U.C. Berkeley, but still loves to keep up with the happenings of wireless equipment.  He is a gadget freak, builds his own computers, and is an early adopter of new technologies.