Being a self described geek, picking the Top 5 Smartphones for Business is an easy task. You can find me reading the latest news on new devices and sharing that information with friends. However, when I researched this topic and saw the top 5, I was only surprised with one device that made it on the list.
Here are the top 5 smartphones for business according to Enterprise Mobile Today.
1. APPLE iPHONE 3GS –$199 (16GB), $299 (32GB) AT&T
2. MOTOROLA DROID–$199 VERIZON WIRELESS
3. HTC TOUCH PRO2–$269.99 (T-MOBILE) $349.99 (Slither)
4. BLACKBERRY BOLD 9700–$130 (T-MOBILE) $99 (AT&T)
5. GOOGLE NEXUS ONE–CARRIER T-MOBILE–$179 WITH CONTRACT, $529 UNLOCKED
With respect to the list, let’s look at the number 1 device first, the Apple iPhone 3GS.
Apple has done a great job with this blueprint, making it user gracious with a multitude of business applications. iPhone owners become addicted to it because they believe it can do everything a handheld computer would do. The 3GS browser is an improvement over the 3G, critics say the browser is “superb.”
However, my one drawback on the device is that it is more a multimedia device than a phone. The phone experiences frequent dropped calls, and sound quality is terrible and the battery drains fast. But, everything else, the graphics, the video recording, and the apps are beneficial. I recommend working on the phone element of the device for the next generation of iPhones. As a business owner, dropped calls are unacceptable.
The Droid is the phone that Motorola is betting the store on. With all its financial upheavals at this perennial communications company, the Droid is being touted as the phone that will save Motorola from itself.
In a nutshell, the Droid’s battery life is awesome, no frequent recharges here; and it boasts a huge 3.7 inch high resolution conceal. However, I found the keyboard to be cumbersome if you have large fingers. Maybe this keyboard is better for someone with small hands.
Like in previous Motorola phones, the sound quality is lacking. Even on maximum volume, sound quality is average. I’m sure Motorola is working on that problem as I type. The rush in which the Droid responds to commands is lightning fast, so you may forget about not hearing your caller and just keep the phone for the duration of the contract and get the upgrade as soon as it becomes available. As a business device, the one drawback is the sound quality, everything else stacks up to a good device.
My personal favorite is the HTC Touch Pro2. I bought this device because it allows me to receive all my emails, preserve track of my favorite social networks, and runs on the Windows Mobile platform. I didn’t know how I would need Windows Mobile Office until I was taking a train straggle recently and didn’t have access to the internet.
A client needed a document that was stored on my laptop ASAP, so I merely connected my Touch Pro2 to the laptop, moved the document from the laptop to the phone, and sent the document by email as an attachment. My client was happy, and I got paid. The only thing I recommend about this phone, is definitely buy a vehicle charger. It sucks up battery life really fast! But, other than that, being able to perform a task like making my client happy paid for the price of the device.
Being a former Blackberry owner, I can identify with having ‘crackberry’ syndrome. That is, the occurrence of being addicted to using your Blackberry and never letting it out of your observe. I owned a Blackberry Curve before I jumped to the Touch Pro2 and absolutely loved it. I unbiased got tired of the RIM service outages.
Another dislike of mine with Blackberry is the browser, because RIM chooses to run its own, this short changes owners from experiencing a true web experience. The Blackberry has always been the ultimate business smartphone, however, competitors are spring boarding smartphone concepts that Blackberry started and making them better. The phone looks good, the browser is a little better than before, but RIM needs to get some proper creativity going before it loses its core customer base. As a business smartphone, there are better options out there.
Few know that the Google Nexus One is made by HTC. That being said, the phone has a lot of potential, and for this being Google’s first jump into the smartphone/Android fire, it’s a good one. Google also kind of threw out a challenge of things to approach to other wireless providers, it offers the Nexus One in an unlocked version, meaning you can buy this phone without a contract and run it on a CDMA network.
Here are a couple of glitches that will probably be resolved in the next generation of Google phones, that is the puny internal memory (the need for a memory card slot is necessary); the media player is just, okay, it doesn’t effect you want to use it a lot; you cannot sync your Outlook calendar on this phone, maybe because Google has its own calendar and wants to promote use of that. Also there isn’t any multi-touch or Bluetooth dialing on this arrangement. Oh, and early termination fees hit you double by both Google and T-Mobile. Ouch!
Truly, one day, the Nexus One will become the smartphone that changes the game. But apt now, it has to work out some internal difficulties. Maybe when the Nexus ne grows up, it will be the smartphone that changes the game. PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait…wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait… PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait…wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…
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Filed under Small Business Verizon by on Oct 7th, 2011. 
- Talent is more important and often cheaper than the latest tools.
- Find advantages in reducing kill, reusing equipment or at least recycling.
- Small businesses can be more attractive with green on their agenda.
In 1990, Earth Day resulted in 200 million observing individuals in 141 countries worldwide. Recycling programs were on the minds of everyone in America and abroad. Almost two decades later, apartment complexes still struggle to educate residents on how to sort their recycling rather than dump their garbage in the newspaper bin. Recycling isn’t as far along as many environmentalists would hope. It is still inconvenient and there are many items produced that still cannot be recycled. But there are thrifty means of recycling that could promote financial sustainability, especially for limited businesses.
Reduce Waste
One of the famous plagues of small business procurement is the short lifespan of equipment. Primarily in industries that thrive on tools, such as audio recording, construction, computers, engineering, design and even finance, these small businesses grab for the latest unusual technology they can find to be on top of the market, only to need the upgraded version six months to a year later. The waste created from quickly-discarded packaging, old CD-ROMS, cheap mice that failed after months of use or marketing materials sent to registered owners of software to let them know about the next big upgrade are only a small part of the eco-unfriendly trap small businesses fall into just to keep up with their competitors, and that is unbiased computer software.
While vendor salesmen and online reviews of the new equipment may make upgrading sound ideal, remember that a true commodity in any service industry is the person that can do the job regardless of the tools at hand.
If a housewife can learn the best ingredients and methods to make a cup of coffee that can overshadow the burned, acidic popularity of Starbucks only using a consumer drip brewer, buying thousands of dollars of espresso equipment seems frivolous.
If a street musician can manufacture an album, sell it only online, market himself through social media and word of mouth and make enough at his sold out coffee shop gigs to live, how distinguished longer will crowded stadiums with made-to-toss food wrappers and megawatt power consumption be the ideal setting for a rock exhibit?
Try researching your strategic needs compared to your company’s innate abilities before you decide you need that recent upgrade or fancy toy. Sure, even the most eco-friendly activist gets caught up in the recent way to do things. But use the trouble of recycling and depreciation to consider holding onto your money, or reinvesting it into the resources that matter more, like your talented humans driving your company’s abilities.
Reuse Your Resources
One of the reasons middle America was strengthened in the 1980s was that middle management surged. By the end of that decade, companies were looking to assign money, so they started consolidating. The divestiture of the Bell Systems monopoly in 1984 has more or less been reversed into an oligopoly through acquisition, now only leaving Verizon, Qwest, AT&T and some local municipality exchanges for domestic land-line telephone service (not including all the new cable phone services and cell phone companies). Acquisitions are most successfully conducted when the two companies share similar functions but complement each other by filling in holes in their abilities. The same can be true for human and equipment resources.
In this economy and looming unemployment rate, anyone who considers consolidating a small business’ human resources could be hung in the streets. Instead of removing small-task workers, consider how they could help other departments not need so much overtime to get things done. Or maybe there are tasks that are not getting done that a worker with a light schedule could do. There is no shame in reusing your talent you already have over taking on more workers.
The great thing about small businesses is that employees can feel more connected to their impact on the business itself. Do some internal marketing on how each employee could help your company sustain its success by chipping in when needed. An accountant who comes in to do filing during a whirlwind client surge means less admin time and no need to hire temps.
Equipment that seems to have no more use could be repurposed instead of being trashed. Old printers and computer equipment could be donated to local community programs, such as Portland’s Free Geek computer recycling and education center; computer equipment and parts are refurbished and then given to needy individuals rather than being melted down into something else. Save some construction equipment and build a historical museum to show your business’ progress over the years. And you may not need a paperweight anymore, but an old printer can prop up books, serve as an inbox for incoming mail, or even be converted into a flower pot.
Find ways to hold that old stuff around so it isn’t sitting in a landfill, and you don’t have to buy other stuff that does the same thing anyway.
Sometimes the only thing that gets in the way of repurposing equipment or employee duties is the work fervent in converting such resources into different assets. Who has time to sigh your salesperson to sort incoming mail or convert your weak, hazy monitors into fishbowls? The answer without sugar and spice is that you just make the sacrifice and fabricate your own benefits of the accomplishment of finishing some of these minute reuse projects. Get a blog that brags about your latest repurposing effort. Create an office award for the greenest employee. Or even create a bonus program for employees who consider up a good use for the equipment of the month. If it makes sense for your business, make the sacrifice.
At Least Recycle
Being green is the new fashion trend of small business. Often, local markets are overrun with consumers looking to break their ties with the pollution of sizable business by pledging loyalty to local businesses who demonstrate they can be good to the earth. While in many areas the cost of recycling is not much less than simple garbage pickup, that trend may not last. In the mean time, that little change with no actual immediate savings could be a PR goldmine, bringing with it better consumer relationships and new sales opportunities.
Don’t just recycle and leave the “We Recycle” sticker on your door. Try tracking the response from your marketing of your recycling efforts and see if there is a real market value to your newfound greenness. Perform a marketing campaign specifically on ways you reduce, reuse or recycle. You could reach some frustrated consumers with money to utilize.
Cooperation Goes Green
One last suggestion is to consider a co-op with competitors to help improve the market. A astronomical feature of a free market economy is the inherent strength of numbers. More companies showing their support for green initiatives means more options to choose from. This evening of the playing field could mean you use the popularity of greenness to bring the consumers in, and then catch that competitive advantage to focus on the rest of your talents. As well, co-ops can bring savings in the cost of recycling.
Established businesses don’t have to pay to haul off old equipment if the fresh guy is looking for hand-me-downs. And who knows, they could be a future acquisition or merger who now thinks of you as a friend. Being green can develop networking opportunities you don’t usually get.
And find ways to cooperate with your clients and customers as well. How could they reduce, reuse or recycle when dealing with your company? How about incentives for paperless forms and email communication? Could encourage inquiries be conducted faster and with less electricity by using social media to follow solutions to favorite problems, such as a Twitter support feed? See if you could add e-signature options to your sales process, such as DocuSign, to speed up revenue generation and reduce your environmental impact from the printing, transporting and storage of a paper contract.
For small business, being green is both an ethical decision and a cost-saving opportunity. You will know what is right for your company, but consider speaking with business consultants who specialize in greening up your business; they may get opportunities and risks you may not know yourself.
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Filed under Small Business Verizon by on Aug 21st, 2011.
Tired of having to tote both a cell phone and a PDA? Well thanks to the original Shiny Phone, you won’t have to any longer. The new Sparkling Phone will function as both and not only slimmer, but more user suitable. Long a constant companion of business travelers, helping them keep up with appointments and e-mails, the new smart phones are fascinating out of business class and into every class. Some of these new sleek devices come standard with a QWERTY style keyboard, eliminating the task of trying to protest your text messages on that tiny cell phone keypad. With new simplified interfaces, users are greeted with fast and easy set-up menus. You won’t need a degree in computer science any longer, to employ your Smart Phone. That being said, you will still need to do your homework before deciding which phone will best suit your needs.
As with most everything these days (smart phones are no different), there are several devices to settle from. Apply the same technique you would when going out to purchase a computer system. First, decide exactly what you will be using it for(what you need it to do). This will narrow down the possible choices rather hasty. As far as Smart Phones go, for the most part, there is 2 types available. Basic and advanced. The basic unit more or less looks like a regular cell phone. You won’t find as many features on the basic phone, like touch screens or PIM software (personal information management software). If your primary use (other than the cell phone function), is reading e-mails and you don’t find the need to do a large amount of text messaging, the basic model could be honest what your looking for. On the other hand, if your a user who needs the sophistication of a laptop computer, the advanced Smart Phone is right up your alley. The advanced models are equipped with the ability to edit and develop spreadsheets, as well as text documents. Most of them come with Microsoft Outlook, Palm Desktop or some other PIM software. Most will allow you to access the systems features via a touchscreen. Unlike the basic models (some of them) which come with “micro” SD (secure digital) cards, the advanced models allow you to load data using standard size SD Cards.
Whether you determine a basic or advanced Smart Phone, another issue one must consider is the network. There are 2 different network’s to consider, and depending once again what you will be using the phone for, will help determine the more appropiate one. First is the CDMA based Smart Phone, which use the EV-DO network from Sprint Nextel or Verizon. If you download larger files with attatchments, this is the faster of the 2 networks. Second is the GSM based EDGE network, broken-down by Cingular and T-Mobile. This is the slower of the 2, better salubrious for web surfers who don’t download huge files. If you like to read e-mails, do light duty web surfing and don’t require your phone to have the feaures of a laptop computer, than a basic model will work objective fine.
In addition to the type of phone and network, you’ll want to also consider your choices of operating systems. Each operating system has it’s own characteristics. First, there is Windows Mobile 5.0, works well with Microsoft Outlook, but will not work on a non microsoft program.This OS (operating System) will run multiple applications. The advanced version includes the Office software. Keep in mind, the basic versions don’t have the touch screen feature. Second is Palm, this is without a doubt the most versatile operating system of the bunch. Palm includes Office software and full E-Mail features, plus all the PDA functions. Task lists, a contact list and calendar. You will have to accelerate programs one at a time with this OS. Third is Blackberry, by far the easiest OS for setting up e-mail accounts. Fourth is Danger, a simple OS used on the T-Mobile Sidekick. This operating system is mainly geared for text-messaging. For those who other than calling on their cell phone are large on text-messages, this would work well for you. Last is Symbian, found on Nokia phones primarily, this OS is not very user friendly, especially for setting up and using e-mail. Symbian comes in a basic version as well as an advanced version. Either way, you ill find a learning curve on this one. It would also be a good idea to pay attention to the design of the phone.
Again, depending on the primary uses, the design and layout of the keypad will warrant a good look. Some Smart Phones will have the keypad in expressionless site, while others will have a slide-out keypad, or you can get one with a full QWERTY keyboard. There is also a full array of plans available for your unusual Smart Phone. No matter which one you choose, they all have great features and are slimmer and sleeker than past devices. The Smart Phone has come a long intention in a short period of time. Consider these points prior to purchase, and your positive to get the right one!
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Filed under Small Business Cell Phone by on May 12th, 2011.
Think about something, do you understand all of the charges on your telephone bill? Do you understand why you be charged for certain things at all? Well I am about to give all of you basic Verizon telephone customers a real shock. You will be charged for NOT using your phone.
You may think that I am kidding, but Verizon wireless has decided that all of its basic telephone customers will be paying if they do not utilize Verizon’s long distance service. The charges will be around $2.24 depending on where you live.
Now while I have no problem with any company charging a customer a legitimate, reasonable ticket for a service that a customer ordered, I have a real spot with a company who is charging a customer who is NOT using a service. It really doesn’t matter to me that they previously notified the customer that they would be charging them the fee. Nor does it matter to me that they think that they are justified, a fee for NOT using something is simply atrocious.
Now here is Verizon Wireless’ company line on the charge, they say that the reason that the charge is “necessary”, is because they have to preserve the lines in region should these customers want to expend them, therefore if they don’t they have to charge these customers so they carry a small part of the burden. Now, excuse me, but the lines are there and will be there for all customers to use, so this fee still doesn’t make any sense. To me, it just smacks of greed.
Here are a few facts on Verizon, in the past year, lthe company made $88.1 billion dollars, which was up 26.8% from 2005. It is a company that is doing very well, and could do well in the public relations department by not penalizing its customers, the very people who put the dollars in the pockets of its shareholders by not making decisions such as this.
It is not necessary, telecommunications companies, to charge customers who are not using your lines. If you do, you are wrong, and please do not insult us by telling us that because you have to have the lines there “just in case” customers might want to use them because it is simply not true. You have them there because you gaze the profitability in the telecommunications industry. But this charge is truly a cheap way to go, the only thing that it causes is ill will. It goes against every ethical business concept.
I personally am not a Verizon residential customer, if I was I wouldn’t be one for long. I am however a Verizon cell phone customer and if this policy isn’t changed, I just might have to find a company who can ethically do business with its customers.
source: http://investor.verizon.com/news/view.aspx? NewsID=813
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Filed under Small Business Verizon by on Feb 23rd, 2011.
Most cell phone carriers now have networks that allow for free calls to anyone using the same carrier. These networks are a great for the cell phone companies to keep unique customers and have these customers encourage their friends to join into their network. That helps in sales and retention. The only problem is that a person’s personal friendships are being based on cell phone networks and this is having unintended consequences.
Imagine yourself as a person with a exiguous budget. Your account has 400 peak time minutes and you don’t get any unlimited calls until around 9:00 PM. Therefore, who you call and text message during the day will be defined by who you can call for free. These are the people within your network because you don’t have to burn any minutes to stay in touch with them.
Imagine that half of your friends are outside your network. There is a good chance that half of your friends will receive fewer phone calls than the other half. They are simply more expensive to contact and due to economics they won’t be contacted as much. This is leaving some people out of each other’s social circle. There is definitely an “in crowd” and an “out crowd”.
According to Rich Ling, a sociologist at Telenor’s communication research institute in Norway, cell phones blur the lines of when a conversation starts and when it finishes. Mr. Ling states, “Young people are not just talking for two hours, but they are continually connecting through the day.” The conversations between young people and cell phones are always progressing with multiple messages.
In other words it isn’t impartial one message that is being sent it is multiple messages being sent throughout the day. Therefore, the conversation is continually roving, growing and progressing over longer periods. There is not one initial point of contact and then a definite ruin. The lines of start and finish become blurred and this helps younger people feel connected to each other.
The problem is that those outside the network can’t engage in this ongoing conversation because it costs too much. Therefore they are being excommunicated from their friends. The only time their non-network friends are being contact is just before social events and on the rare occasion someone calls after 9:00 P.M.
Cell phone carriers have not intended to create such ill side effects from their networks. They are unprejudiced trying to increase business. However, all of the country’s largest carriers such as Sprint, Verizon and AT&T utilize such networks which mean that almost all of the cell phone users are being split. The business decisions are having profound effects on how we do business. We as a society have to settle if we are going to let them.
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Filed under Small Business Cell Phone by on Dec 1st, 2010.