I find it funny that just a couple of years ago I was was convinced that I would never need a phone integrated device. I just didn't see anything out theree that caught my interest. That all changed when I bought a Cingular (AT&T) 8525 for my wife. I was impressed with the device instantly and had one of my own within a couple of weeks.
Over the last year the big debate issue has been the direction of the industry. There is no denying that we have a phone enabled centric industry, but we still see many who do not necessarily feel this is the direction for them. In all of this there was a focus on aspects of the industry as it was at the time, or a focus on the business oriented operating systems such as Palm, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and other systems in use throughout the corporate world. What ended up catching us by surprise was a device called the iPhone.
This is not another iPhone vs WM issue, but a focus on the User Interface (UI) issue. There were several users out there who had been asking for a better UI all along, but many (and I admit my guilt) were still focused on the issue of business software offerings. Like me, I am sure there are others who feel that Apple did a fly-over in reference to our thoughts on the industry's future. Heck, if I had been the one deciding the future of the industry, we would still be crawling toward trying to replace the desktop PC with a handheld device (and yes, I still want that).
But the iPhone and subsequent iPod Touch has raised the bar on the UI corner of the market. Those who have experienced these devices often admit that they are not exactly business powerhouses but there is not denying the ease of use they provide. They do a few functions and they do them well. Already, forward thinking device manufacturers (such as HTC) have developed improved handsets that are attempting to bridge the gap. Folks, the next few years are bound to be exciting...PPCs and Smartphones will close in on the UI marklet and the iPhone may end up moving toward more business oriented duties I suspect.
I know most of this seems quite obvious at this point, but my true purpose is to simply remind all of us that sometimes we have to not only think ouside the box, but to also think about redesigning the box itself.
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Bob_Katayama
The problem with Microsoft Windows Mobile products from day one is they created a Windows CE category which was supposed to be a mobile version of desktop Windows. This would convey the message that basically you have all the stuff in Windows 98 but on a smaller form factor. Unfortunately this was not the case. Windows CE V1.0 had maybe 20% of what Windows 98 had and these did not work very well either. I got into Windows CE when V2.0 was released and was surprised to find out from a programming stand point that about 25% of the Windows desktop programming API's were only supported.
There were all sorts of great ideas I had invisioned to create but were not able to create in the end since the programming support did not exist. Much of what I wanted to create that would have been easy on the desktop was a real nightmare and a challenge to duplicate for Windows CE handheld devices. We are now at Windows CE V6.X and are getting closer to desktop Windows but still there is a huge gap.
What Apple did was not to recreate the MAC OS X on the iPhone but create a simplified OS and GUI (Graphical User Interface) that does a few multimedia and personal communication features very well. Overtime, Apple can add additional features along the way which creates a more robust GUI that is a joy to use.
Microsoft made a huge marketing mistake from my point of view trying to duplicate Windows but in a Mobile version that had only about 20% of the desktops functionality without stating this cleaarly from day one. Now every new release of Windows Mobile operating system will be compared to the desktop version and it will be a long time before the two will ever see Eye to Eye. Meaning that the Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Smartphone will run the same operating system as a desktop like a laptop PC runs the same desktop OS.
At least Microsoft is trying to solve this with the release of the UMPC. At least the UMPC is running a version of desktop Windows in a more handheld sized unit. I feel the operating system in the UMPC is what the original Handhelds running V2.0 of CE should have been more like.
One handheld device I like thus far is called the GP2X. It is an open platform handheld gaming system that looks similar to a SONY PSP.http://www.gp2x.com/ This system has lots of potential from a developers and also an end users point of view. No special licenses or chip hardware purchases for the developer. Also, the end users can connect generic third party mass storage devices and gaming controllers. This is certainly a product that was created outside the box and took into account user friendliness in all aspects of the product. The latest version of this device is slated to be released before the end of October therefore any day now.
I am looking forward to trying this new GP2X F-200
Bob
Microsoft MVP - Windows Mobile Devices
www.technobrains.com
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Bob
Microsoft MVP - Windows Mobile Devices
[url="www.technobrains.com"]www.technobrains.com[/url]
[url="http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=15"]Smartphone & Pocket PC Blog[/url]
[url="www.clickgamer.com/technobrains.htm"]PDA Games[/
Dale Daniels
Moderator
Thanks for posting, Bob. having only recently come onto the mobile computing scene, the details provided explains a lot. I sounds as if the UI concerns were trumped by matters of functionality that were not yet as functional as customers wished.
I have to admit that when I first started getting into the mobile scene, I was guilty of comparing the mobile applications to desktop counterparts. Once I fully understood what the true nature and function of mobile devices was, I was much more satisfied with the results I received.
With that being said, I would love to see mobile devices (of the PPC size) close in on desktop functionality. Currently I use an Ultra Mobile PC (Samsung Q1) and I have been impressed with its abilities. I avoided my original mistake by not confusing my Q1 with a powerhouse desktop or laptop. It does its job very well, and it brings full version functionality to my mobile life.
I definitely agree that the ease of use in the Safari Browser doesn't hide the fact that it misses the boat in several key areas. Copy and paste is a very basic function that many have commented on missing in the current Safari version. All in all....I'll stick with WM thank you very much.
And finally, I tip my hat to the WM developers. It is easy to be an armchair quaterback and critique something that someone else has done. It looks a lot different from the other side I am sure. Personally, I am continually impressed with the new functions and abilities we see with each upgrade. Between my UMPC and WM device, I have not used my desktop PC in quite awhile. To me, that is an excellent occurence as it demonstrates our technological momentum.
Dale Daniels
"Expert Online"
Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine Blogs