Being an avid reader of smartphone reviews and comparisons I
would like to add my comments in this area.
A smartphone is primarily a device, but as an integrated experience it consists of several components, (a) the device itself (the hardware platform, as it is often called), (b) the applications, (c) the operating system, which enables the application execution, controls part of the human-machine interface and enables the cooperation between applications, and (d) content.
The real value for the smartphone user comes primarily from the applications and the content, and secondarily from the operating system and the hardware device.
A smartphone is mainly an application platform, i.e. a space where applications live. A good device can support better and more demanding applications, but this is as far as the influence of a device can go. Of course some device producers are far more ambitious. They are involved in the modification or creation of the operating system. Moreover, by following Steve Jobs's example, they set up a whole environment, an "ecology", in which their devices "live". They do that by creating application and content e-shops, and by managing the whole supply chain. The old war between network providers and content providers has surprisingly been won by a third party, device providers.
A smartphone is primarily a device, but as an integrated experience it consists of several components, (a) the device itself (the hardware platform, as it is often called), (b) the applications, (c) the operating system, which enables the application execution, controls part of the human-machine interface and enables the cooperation between applications, and (d) content.
The real value for the smartphone user comes primarily from the applications and the content, and secondarily from the operating system and the hardware device.
A smartphone is mainly an application platform, i.e. a space where applications live. A good device can support better and more demanding applications, but this is as far as the influence of a device can go. Of course some device producers are far more ambitious. They are involved in the modification or creation of the operating system. Moreover, by following Steve Jobs's example, they set up a whole environment, an "ecology", in which their devices "live". They do that by creating application and content e-shops, and by managing the whole supply chain. The old war between network providers and content providers has surprisingly been won by a third party, device providers.
In this context a smartphone review is, strictly speaking, a very simple affair. Faster and more processors, improved display resolution, and more memory give a better device. The average user will rarely be fascinated by technical details and exact performance measurements.
Then there is the operating system, which deserves a separate review, as it may or may not be tied with a specific smartphone. Again, the average user is rarely interested in such things, because he or she cannot appreciate its importance for the interworking and smooth operation of the applications. However, the operating system can significantly determine the user experience. Operating systems rarely get the focus that they deserve in reviews, although new versions of operating systems are heavily advertised. A thorough operating system review requires some time of living with the system, therefore it is more difficult to achieve.
Applications are the real "meat". This is where the user will find real value. A wealth of useful, well designed, and integrated applications can make a smartphone a really useful device. While the so called "killer application" remains a kind of holy grail, some applications are particularly appealing to certain subsets of users. For example, a runner can save a few hundred dollars by installing a "virtual coach" application instead of buying an expensive GPS equipped watch.
Then there is the operating system, which deserves a separate review, as it may or may not be tied with a specific smartphone. Again, the average user is rarely interested in such things, because he or she cannot appreciate its importance for the interworking and smooth operation of the applications. However, the operating system can significantly determine the user experience. Operating systems rarely get the focus that they deserve in reviews, although new versions of operating systems are heavily advertised. A thorough operating system review requires some time of living with the system, therefore it is more difficult to achieve.
Applications are the real "meat". This is where the user will find real value. A wealth of useful, well designed, and integrated applications can make a smartphone a really useful device. While the so called "killer application" remains a kind of holy grail, some applications are particularly appealing to certain subsets of users. For example, a runner can save a few hundred dollars by installing a "virtual coach" application instead of buying an expensive GPS equipped watch.
Finally, there is the easily forgotten issue of content. However, a smart application is bound to look dumb without suitable data. When I look for "pizza" on my smartphone, I will get no answer if there is no italian restaurant in the navigation application data base. Content is not only about volume, it also needs proper modelling and management. If I look for pizza while being on the (Greek) island of Samos, italian restaurants on the nearby Turkish coast should not appear, as I would need a boat and a passport to access them.
Last but not least I would like to see some transparency in the area of grey advertisement, which is hidden in a large number of reviews. I would like all reviewers to clearly state any fundings, presents, etc. given to them by the smartphone making industry.
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