Comments on: The Rise of the Superphone http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:47:41 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Smartphone, App Phone, Superphone — What’s in a Name? http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-982747 Smartphone, App Phone, Superphone — What’s in a Name? Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:22:01 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-982747 <p>[...] have referred to the new, capable phones as “superphones.” The reasoning behind such a moniker is that once you get a platform behind a smartphone, it [...]</p> [...] have referred to the new, capable phones as “superphones.” The reasoning behind such a moniker is that once you get a platform behind a smartphone, it [...]

]]> By: Challenges Seen for Augmented Reality, but Virtual Future Looks Bright http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-975944 Challenges Seen for Augmented Reality, but Virtual Future Looks Bright Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:46:18 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-975944 <p>[...] virtually been enterprise-centric until recent years, but now feature phones are on the decline and smartphones are the future kings. Processing power has increased at the same time that wireless broadband has expanded in coverage [...]</p> [...] virtually been enterprise-centric until recent years, but now feature phones are on the decline and smartphones are the future kings. Processing power has increased at the same time that wireless broadband has expanded in coverage [...]

]]> By: Great phone, lousy service: Much ado about AT&T [Updated] - L&C Tech Talk http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-961589 Great phone, lousy service: Much ado about AT&T [Updated] - L&C Tech Talk Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:01:06 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-961589 <p>[...] with spotty service isn’t worth the trouble. The dream of living with a single device, a superphone, as we like to call it, hasn’t quite worked out yet, thanks to the network. Goodbye iPhone, it was nice knowing [...]</p> [...] with spotty service isn’t worth the trouble. The dream of living with a single device, a superphone, as we like to call it, hasn’t quite worked out yet, thanks to the network. Goodbye iPhone, it was nice knowing [...]

]]> By: The Summer of the Superphone http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-950398 The Summer of the Superphone Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:48:35 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-950398 <p>[...] conference, John SanGiovanni, co-founder and VP of product design at Zumobi, talked to us about the coming era of the superphone. Eschewing the smartphone moniker, SanGiovanni noted how this new class of handsets — led by [...]</p> [...] conference, John SanGiovanni, co-founder and VP of product design at Zumobi, talked to us about the coming era of the superphone. Eschewing the smartphone moniker, SanGiovanni noted how this new class of handsets — led by [...]

]]> By: Mobile Data Growth Boosting Backhaul Demand http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-947224 Mobile Data Growth Boosting Backhaul Demand Wed, 27 May 2009 17:26:22 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-947224 <p>[...] Malik | Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 10:22 AM PT | 0 comments Thanks to the emergence of superphones like the iPhone, the BlackBerry Bold and the T-Mobile G-1, we have seen a steady increase in the demand for mobile [...]</p> [...] Malik | Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 10:22 AM PT | 0 comments Thanks to the emergence of superphones like the iPhone, the BlackBerry Bold and the T-Mobile G-1, we have seen a steady increase in the demand for mobile [...]

]]> By: Why T-Mobile’s BlackBerry Curve 8900 is Worth Buying http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-930457 Why T-Mobile’s BlackBerry Curve 8900 is Worth Buying Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:01:51 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-930457 <p>[...] Now for the data network. OK, so this is where things get a bit gloomy. The device runs on T-Mobile’s EDGE network and doesn’t support its 3G network. If it did, I would have made it my wireless modem as well. The device has Wi-Fi, which I’m happy about, but I still think that by leaving out 3G support, T-Mobile and RIM missed an opportunity to turn the Curve 8900 into a superphone for business users. [...]</p> [...] Now for the data network. OK, so this is where things get a bit gloomy. The device runs on T-Mobile’s EDGE network and doesn’t support its 3G network. If it did, I would have made it my wireless modem as well. The device has Wi-Fi, which I’m happy about, but I still think that by leaving out 3G support, T-Mobile and RIM missed an opportunity to turn the Curve 8900 into a superphone for business users. [...]

]]> By: My Big iPhone Break-up | Telecom Update http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-927037 My Big iPhone Break-up | Telecom Update Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:12:00 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-927037 <p>[...] with spotty service isn’t worth the trouble. The dream of living with a single device, a superphone, as we like to call it, hasn’t quite worked out yet, thanks to the network. Goodbye iPhone, it was nice knowing [...]</p> [...] with spotty service isn’t worth the trouble. The dream of living with a single device, a superphone, as we like to call it, hasn’t quite worked out yet, thanks to the network. Goodbye iPhone, it was nice knowing [...]

]]> By: jkOnTheRun » Blog Archive Om Malik ditches iPhone due to AT&T « http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-927004 jkOnTheRun » Blog Archive Om Malik ditches iPhone due to AT&T « Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:37:07 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-927004 <p>[...] living with spotty service isn’t worth the trouble. The dream of living with a single device, a superphone, as we like to call it, hasn’t quite worked out yet, thanks to the network. Goodbye iPhone, it was nice knowing [...]</p> [...] living with spotty service isn’t worth the trouble. The dream of living with a single device, a superphone, as we like to call it, hasn’t quite worked out yet, thanks to the network. Goodbye iPhone, it was nice knowing [...]

]]> By: My Big iPhone Break-up http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-926747 My Big iPhone Break-up Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:29:57 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-926747 <p>[...] with spotty service isn’t worth the trouble. The dream of living with a single device, a superphone, as we like to call it, hasn’t quite worked out yet, thanks to the network. Goodbye iPhone, it was nice knowing ya! [...]</p> [...] with spotty service isn’t worth the trouble. The dream of living with a single device, a superphone, as we like to call it, hasn’t quite worked out yet, thanks to the network. Goodbye iPhone, it was nice knowing ya! [...]

]]> By: Nokia Announces N97 SuperPhone, Won’t Sell It For Months - GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-915983 Nokia Announces N97 SuperPhone, Won’t Sell It For Months - GigaOM Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:57:59 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-915983 <p>[...] phones, Nokia today started selling a touch screen phone (5800 XpressMusic) and announced N97 Superphone that has touch and keyboard, which will be made available sometime in second quarter of 2009. [...]</p> [...] phones, Nokia today started selling a touch screen phone (5800 XpressMusic) and announced N97 Superphone that has touch and keyboard, which will be made available sometime in second quarter of 2009. [...]

]]> By: The iPhone and the Ensuing Wireless Broadband Boom - GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-915631 The iPhone and the Ensuing Wireless Broadband Boom - GigaOM Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:11:42 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-915631 <p>[...] broadband. The subsequent release of additional web-friendly mobile phones (we like to call them superphones ) — the Samsung Instinct, the BlackBerry Bold, the Google Phone, and Sony Ericsson’s [...]</p> [...] broadband. The subsequent release of additional web-friendly mobile phones (we like to call them superphones ) — the Samsung Instinct, the BlackBerry Bold, the Google Phone, and Sony Ericsson’s [...]

]]> By: Bill http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-901521 Bill Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:00:48 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-901521 <p>Here are some observations about Mr. SanGiovanni's proposed definition of a new category of personal technologies he coins the "superphone": 1. It appears this classification was developed by listing the attributes of what he believes is the "gold standard" of this new category (iPhone). Such a definition should allow others to use this as a check list to evaluate current and emerging technologies and discriminate superphones from non-superphones. When I tried this, it was difficult to apply because of the lack of detail in "operational definitions" and the limited number of attributes. I therefore remain skeptical of the applicability of the proposed definition. I also question the need of defining yet a new category when, to my knowledge*, we have not yet standardized the definition of a "smartphone." 2. Shouldn't a definition of "superphone" include an attribute that the device is a phone? (Just asking.) 3. If we must move beyond the term "smartphone," this would be a great opportunity to change that inaccurate name to "smart communication device" to emphasize these devices are multi-channeled communication devices for voice, text, and graphical information. 4. I am particularly concerned about text entry on the iPhone and the iClones that have followed. (A superphone should have a supereasy method for communicating, including text.) I believe there is something revolutionary about the iPhone -- it is a communication device that completely cut the umbilical cord to the physical keyboard. To my knowledge*, short of buying a 3rd party Bluetooth or IR keyboard, there is no option for a physical keyboard for the iPhone. Text must be entered using a virtual keyboard. Out of all the reviews of the iPhone I've read, I have yet to find one that challenges whether this is such a good idea. Someone's grandma may be able to pick up an iPhone and intuitively know how to use it, but how many characters-per-minute can grandma enter given her rheumatic twisted hands and fingers swollen from steroid therapy). Definitions and classification schemes may be useful (if thoughtfully designed, tested, and refined) for discriminating the hardware ("form"), but add no insight into the "function" side of the equation. If the definition is going to include such categories as "distribution," why not add one more for the function side of the form-function equation -- "ergonomics" or just plain "does the superphone even work under real life conditions when used by humans who come in all shapes and sizes?" To be classified as "super," a personal technology device must be more than what is currently listed in Mr. SanGiovanni's scheme. It should be also superfunctional, be superreliable, and make our lives easier, safer, and more super. [* Where I state "to my knowledge," I would greatly appreciate being directed to information that corrects me.]</p> Here are some observations about Mr. SanGiovanni’s proposed definition of a new category of personal technologies he coins the “superphone”: 1. It appears this classification was developed by listing the attributes of what he believes is the “gold standard” of this new category (iPhone). Such a definition should allow others to use this as a check list to evaluate current and emerging technologies and discriminate superphones from non-superphones. When I tried this, it was difficult to apply because of the lack of detail in “operational definitions” and the limited number of attributes. I therefore remain skeptical of the applicability of the proposed definition. I also question the need of defining yet a new category when, to my knowledge*, we have not yet standardized the definition of a “smartphone.” 2. Shouldn’t a definition of “superphone” include an attribute that the device is a phone? (Just asking.) 3. If we must move beyond the term “smartphone,” this would be a great opportunity to change that inaccurate name to “smart communication device” to emphasize these devices are multi-channeled communication devices for voice, text, and graphical information. 4. I am particularly concerned about text entry on the iPhone and the iClones that have followed. (A superphone should have a supereasy method for communicating, including text.) I believe there is something revolutionary about the iPhone — it is a communication device that completely cut the umbilical cord to the physical keyboard. To my knowledge*, short of buying a 3rd party Bluetooth or IR keyboard, there is no option for a physical keyboard for the iPhone. Text must be entered using a virtual keyboard. Out of all the reviews of the iPhone I’ve read, I have yet to find one that challenges whether this is such a good idea. Someone’s grandma may be able to pick up an iPhone and intuitively know how to use it, but how many characters-per-minute can grandma enter given her rheumatic twisted hands and fingers swollen from steroid therapy). Definitions and classification schemes may be useful (if thoughtfully designed, tested, and refined) for discriminating the hardware (“form”), but add no insight into the “function” side of the equation. If the definition is going to include such categories as “distribution,” why not add one more for the function side of the form-function equation — “ergonomics” or just plain “does the superphone even work under real life conditions when used by humans who come in all shapes and sizes?” To be classified as “super,” a personal technology device must be more than what is currently listed in Mr. SanGiovanni’s scheme. It should be also superfunctional, be superreliable, and make our lives easier, safer, and more super. [* Where I state "to my knowledge," I would greatly appreciate being directed to information that corrects me.]

]]> By: McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Business Observations: September 25, 2008 Edition http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-901444 McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Business Observations: September 25, 2008 Edition Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:56:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-901444 <p>[...] The Rise of the Superphone [...]</p> [...] The Rise of the Superphone [...]

]]> By: Laurie http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-901382 Laurie Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:35:29 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-901382 <p>Just a disclaimer, I am not an Apple fanboy and I think they are truly one of the most arrogant companies out there. Some of their monopolistic practices make MS look like choirboys. Though I would also say their arrogance is somewhat justified. ;-)</p> <p>I understand the bias against iPhones from a power user perspective. Without going into the details, which most on this thread could enumerate ad nauseum, I did say that the iPhone lacks many things. I just took exception to one more "geek" who doesn't get that he is the exception, not the rule, and whines about why iPhone gets all this love.</p> <p>If you look at this article from a business perspective, and I think talking about market segmentation was a hint that this was kind of a main theme, then you aren't talking about selling something just to the perhaps 5-9% of the population who qualify as power users or early adopters or whatever elitist label the tech saavy want to call themselves.</p> <p>For a "superphone" to be broadly successful that means it needs to be accessible by the "idiots" - though I suspect your mom or your Uncle Joe would probably not appreciate your use of that term to describe them. I stand by my statement that you put a Tilt and an iPhone in the hands of 10 "normal" people then the iPhone will win hands down which translates into more sales which means more money and isn't making more money what it is all about?</p> Just a disclaimer, I am not an Apple fanboy and I think they are truly one of the most arrogant companies out there. Some of their monopolistic practices make MS look like choirboys. Though I would also say their arrogance is somewhat justified. ;-)

I understand the bias against iPhones from a power user perspective. Without going into the details, which most on this thread could enumerate ad nauseum, I did say that the iPhone lacks many things. I just took exception to one more “geek” who doesn’t get that he is the exception, not the rule, and whines about why iPhone gets all this love.

If you look at this article from a business perspective, and I think talking about market segmentation was a hint that this was kind of a main theme, then you aren’t talking about selling something just to the perhaps 5-9% of the population who qualify as power users or early adopters or whatever elitist label the tech saavy want to call themselves.

For a “superphone” to be broadly successful that means it needs to be accessible by the “idiots” – though I suspect your mom or your Uncle Joe would probably not appreciate your use of that term to describe them. I stand by my statement that you put a Tilt and an iPhone in the hands of 10 “normal” people then the iPhone will win hands down which translates into more sales which means more money and isn’t making more money what it is all about?

]]> By: Thomas http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-901319 Thomas Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:02:08 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-901319 <p>@Laurie:</p> <p>First, if you have trouble finding features on Windows Mobile then you're either an idiot (prime candidate for Apple products) or not really looking. Hit Start then Programs and it lists all of your programs.. wow that was tough! Bonus hint: Touch the program you want to run and it will open!</p> <p>As for PIE it works just fine for me. What does the iphone browser do that PIE can't? My tilt has WinMo 6.1 which includes the zoom out feature and finger scrolling so don't bother mentioning either of those. PIE also renders webpages just like you would see them on your desktop (and has since version 5.0) so don't repeat that tired old fanboi excuse.</p> <p>If you judge technology based on it's "beauty" then you are, again, an idiot who is a prime candidate for Apple products since they focus on appearance over functionality. I will agree with you and Tsahi that it's all about the user experience... I have a much better user experience on my tilt because I can do so much more with it and I have control over it.</p> <p>Here's an example for you. Let's say I want a program to keep track of my running. I have 100's to choose from on WinMo (most of them free) and can get them from tons of places. I download it directly to the phone (or put it on a storage card which isn't possible on the iphone) and click it to install. But on the iphone I would have to first install certain software on my computer, connect to 1 certain store, hope that Apple approved the type of app I'm looking for and hold my breath for the price. Which one is a good user experience? And that's just on the 3g iphone.. if it was the original iphone the answer would have been that the iphone user is just out of luck!</p> <p>Another example based on the first part of your comment. If your battery goes dead then you're screwed. If mine goes dead I just pop in my spare battery and keep going. If you want an extended battery... tough! If I want it I just buy one myself and pop it in. If your battery dies you have to pay a ridiculous fee and wait several weeks for Apple to replace your battery because they don't think consumers are smart enough to do it. If mine dies I just replace it myself in about 4 seconds. Who just had the better user experience?</p> <p>I do NOT have a good user experience on the iphone because I cannot customize it or control anything about it since Apple has it locked down. As long as Apple tries to control what consumers do with the device it will not have a good user experience.. except for idiots who like it just because it's shiny.</p> @Laurie:

First, if you have trouble finding features on Windows Mobile then you’re either an idiot (prime candidate for Apple products) or not really looking. Hit Start then Programs and it lists all of your programs.. wow that was tough! Bonus hint: Touch the program you want to run and it will open!

As for PIE it works just fine for me. What does the iphone browser do that PIE can’t? My tilt has WinMo 6.1 which includes the zoom out feature and finger scrolling so don’t bother mentioning either of those. PIE also renders webpages just like you would see them on your desktop (and has since version 5.0) so don’t repeat that tired old fanboi excuse.

If you judge technology based on it’s “beauty” then you are, again, an idiot who is a prime candidate for Apple products since they focus on appearance over functionality. I will agree with you and Tsahi that it’s all about the user experience… I have a much better user experience on my tilt because I can do so much more with it and I have control over it.

Here’s an example for you. Let’s say I want a program to keep track of my running. I have 100’s to choose from on WinMo (most of them free) and can get them from tons of places. I download it directly to the phone (or put it on a storage card which isn’t possible on the iphone) and click it to install. But on the iphone I would have to first install certain software on my computer, connect to 1 certain store, hope that Apple approved the type of app I’m looking for and hold my breath for the price. Which one is a good user experience? And that’s just on the 3g iphone.. if it was the original iphone the answer would have been that the iphone user is just out of luck!

Another example based on the first part of your comment. If your battery goes dead then you’re screwed. If mine goes dead I just pop in my spare battery and keep going. If you want an extended battery… tough! If I want it I just buy one myself and pop it in. If your battery dies you have to pay a ridiculous fee and wait several weeks for Apple to replace your battery because they don’t think consumers are smart enough to do it. If mine dies I just replace it myself in about 4 seconds. Who just had the better user experience?

I do NOT have a good user experience on the iphone because I cannot customize it or control anything about it since Apple has it locked down. As long as Apple tries to control what consumers do with the device it will not have a good user experience.. except for idiots who like it just because it’s shiny.

]]> By: Mashable » Blog Archive » Finalmente lo he visto, aún me ocupo del « gPhone » http://gigaom.com/2008/09/22/the-rise-of-the-superphone/#comment-901257 Mashable » Blog Archive » Finalmente lo he visto, aún me ocupo del « gPhone » Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:25:40 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=21295#comment-901257 <p>[...] sobre el tema, y preguntarnos si terminará siendo o no el exterminador del iPhone , o incluso un teléfono del mismo tipo que iPhone [...]</p> [...] sobre el tema, y preguntarnos si terminará siendo o no el exterminador del iPhone , o incluso un teléfono del mismo tipo que iPhone [...]

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