Not so smart smartphone?

I was recently engaged in a bit of a ‘mines better than yours’ bragging war with a friend over a drink, as we tried to determine which of our much loved smartphones was superior. In comparing the pros and cons of our mobile devices, it was clear that both had their relative strengths and weaknesses and we couldn’t agree on a clear winner (although this may have been fuelled by the alcohol inspired rivalry!).

What we did agree on however was that after the initial excitement of owning our phones we’d both found two flaws in the user experience. Firstly, they drop in and out of reception. Secondly the user experience of a touch screen phone verses a traditional one means you can inadvertently put someone on hold or hang up on them.

We’ve both become increasingly frustrated with this experience of making and receiving calls but having looked around with an eye for my next upgrade purchase it seems to me that phone manufacturers in general seem to have lost focus of the core purpose of the phone, and whilst the plethora of features and functionality makes for a great market proposition, living with these phones and trying to perform basic tasks like making calls is getting increasingly difficult.

I love my phone and I hope that the next generation of smartphones get this right as it really would complete the proposition – I’m confident they will and I will be first in line to find out.

Author: Former Foolproofer Saul Annett

25/02/11 Megan said:

I've just had a stunning new manicure and now can't use my 'smart'phone 'cos the touchscreen only works with a firm tip of your finger - when they make one which responds to an acryllic nail I'll be first in line!