Searching for Quality Apps, Innovative Devices
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5. There are limitations
Unfortunately, every major mobile phone on the market is being limited by
the rules set in place by carriers. Remember Google Voice? It wasn't an
isolated event when Apple
refused to accept Google Voice for the App Store. Any VOIP (voice over IP) app
that attempts to connect to AT&T's 3G network can't have access to the App
Store. AT&T, like other carriers that have similar rules in place for other
devices, is worried users will opt for VOIP rather than place calls over their
carrier's cell tower. It's an understandable fear. But it also limits the value
of using these "next-gen" devices.
6. The old is still good
Although the allure of touch-screen mobile phones is strong, the big
companies in the mobile phone space don't want users to realize that a simple
flip phone with a nice camera and video recording capabilities is still a
worthwhile device. Does it have all the bells and whistles? Of course not. But
it still provides value. And in many cases those phones have some of the best
reception on the market.
7. Follow the leader
After Apple revolutionized the mobile phone industry, most of its
competitors have been content to simply mimic
what Apple has done with their own mobile business models. That has led to
the mobile industry becoming more derivative. There are undoubtedly some new
features that have made their way into products such as the Palm Pre and
Android-based devices, but for the most part it's just more of the same.
8. The enterprise is suffering
Although the BlackBerry has been the leader in the enterprise for a long
time, RIM has made it abundantly clear that it intends to compete with the
iPhone. But as the iPhone continues its dominance in the consumer market and
its competitors try to keep up, what's left for the corporate world? The hope
is that many of these new devices will start appealing more to business users. But
for now, many of the mobile phone vendors in the space are focusing on
consumers and the corporate world is left wondering when it will finally
benefit.
9. The quick power drain
Almost every vendor in the mobile phone space makes big promises about
battery life. But experience has shown that they rarely deliver. For example, the
Palm
Pre experienced some of the worst battery troubles of any of the
new-generation devices on the market. It was a real problem at launch that
caused many users to complain. Palm has addressed the problem, but the damage
was done.
10. The future looks boring
Over the past year, the amount of innovation in the mobile phone market has
been less than stellar. For the most part, the ability to multitask is what has
dominated new ideas. And there doesn't seem to be much more to look forward to.
For now, vendors are trying to determine how they can catch up to the iPhone. Windows
Mobile 7, the next "big" mobile release from Microsoft, looks to
be more of the same.
It's unfortunate, but it's how this business works.
