Smartphones and their clever software

Most Android lovers kind of spit on Apple’s iPhone, particularly on the way the users are being limited in their freedom. Biggest pain seems to be the Appstore in iTunes and the mandatory app-shopping. Applications cannot be bought elsewhere. Although Jailbreak could be considered to be an option, it’s not recommended (for sure not by Apple)

Personally, I am delighted to use a product which is ‘ completely’ thought through. Not just the hardware (the phone itself), but everything connecting to it as well (accessories, software). It’s not a surprise to most people: I’m an Apple fan!

Android

Recently, I read an article about Android phones that opened my eyes even wider: HTC and Samsung are being named in it in a rather negative way: their existing phones will not be suitable for newest Android OS ‘Icecream Sandwich’. New software to make your gadget even better than it already is. If you want to go with the flow, you will have to buy a new smartphone again or switch to Google’s own device: the Nexus.
So much for an open platform.

The free world in which everything is possible does not apply to Android phones either! Every brand wants to spice their Android phone with a specific flavor. Probably to cover up that all the devices run on Google’s operating system. Remarkable: Google buys Motorola! Another brand less which uses Android independently. Google will be Android market leader with Motorola and Nexus devices. Probably Google analyzed and likes the profit model of Apple’s iPhone and iTunes?!

HTC

Funny, a friend of mine has a problem with her HTC phone: the producer claims that every bug that is out of the ordinary should be claimed to downloaded apps. If it freezes or does other funny stuff then the root cause analysis is easy: it can never be the device. It has to the junk you downloaded from the Market. Just use the phone with only HTC software and we are sure the problem will never happen again. Yeah right…. another limitation to something we started as Open Source

Blackberry

‘Fortunately’ Blackberry is no different!
Upcoming OS Blackberry 10 is only available for new devices (to be released). Same case: owners of the current (old) devices are left in the cold. The producers are either genius or incredibly stupid: will we take this any longer?

I almost forgot to mention that, to be able to use standard Mobile Internet services, you can only do that while obtaining a (more expensive) subscription to Blackberry Internetservice. General use like surfing the internet requires a different data service than any other smartphone in the world. Sounds like an important part of RIM’s profit model to me.

Mobile Telco’s

Even the providers sugarcoated their plans properly: smartphones have been promoted extensively for a long time, creating a market in which Mobile Internet becomes a necessity. People cannot live without it anymore. I mean, what can you do these days with a phone that doesn’t have an internet connection? Useless, right?
Okay, I might be overreacting a bit, but ask any random teenager.
Just tell me the differences between a drug dealer and a Telco: first shots are entirely free, but we can fix you up any time you like: our supplies are endless.
Addicted to mobile internet? Yes we are. Completely hooked up! We use and abuse the technology whenever, wherever: VoIP calls, whatsapp, etc. Theoretically providers would not make too much profit anymore on minutes or messages. But we should not pity them: they find a new way of making money: data plans are more expensive now.

Smarthphone versus man: who is the most clever?

About the author:
Danny Groeneveld is an independent ICT consultant .
With over 10 years experience from ICT helpdesk to project manager within several large organizations, he has become familiar with various techniques, solutions and numerous customer inquiries. So many people, so many wishes. Many techniques, many solutions! Danny is a bridge between humans and automation.