So summer 2011 is upon us, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve hung on as long as you can, waiting for what’s going to be the hottest phone in the near future. My first real smartphone was the original 8GB iPhone back in 2007, when it was the “Silverback Big Boy.” Before that, I had a Motorola Q, which was the smartphone of an earlier age, but didn’t really compare to what’s now considered a smartphone. Having the newest and coolest phone is something that started for me in high school (2001); I was one of the first kids on the block with a great texting plan, custom full audio ringtones, and Sprint’s mobile web version (Vision, I think?). After having the point of contact, it has only been a step forward from there.
So having the iPhone, I literally loved everything. It was not only a sexy phone, but a useful one. Built-in map and GPS, high-quality email capability, and what seemed then the closest a phone could get to a real web browser; it was a dream. Obviously, the progression the iPhone has made over the years has only expanded on its original key features and is even more impressive than before. Unfortunately, it’s no longer leaps and bounds from any other phone on the market; Before, it was not only the sexiest phone, but no other phone could touch its features, today, not so much. Now I am left debating: do I want to continue with the attractive design, the stable/reliable operating system that I know and trust, and the broader compatibility with aftermarket products? Or move to the newest, most open, growing, most innovative platform from a company I love more than any other company on the planet (Google, which I love; unlike Apple, which I admire and appreciate, but dislike a little), with phones that have 4G NOW, they do everything an iPhone can do and more, and who seems to be scratching the surface of what it’s capable of? And finally, what about Blackberry; Will they be updated and, if so, when? And is it worth it for BBM to be WAY behind the curve (no pun intended) in tech?
Oh Blackberry, I’ve come to love you too; for completely different reasons than the iPhone, of course. iPhone is the hot blonde girlfriend I’ve had for a while now, but we always have something in the way of us taking the next step; you are the beautiful and sweet brunette with cute square-rimmed glasses, intelligent and charming, that I put in my internet marketing program. We get along very well, you totally get my point, but I’m not sure if it will work in the long run; It seems that you prefer a much simpler life, but I have big goals and aspirations and I prefer the fast life. Do you think you can handle a life with me in the fast lane? Well, Blackberry, CAN YOU?
After having the iPhone for a while, I bought an 8530, then the 9330, and never got to the full-featured 9650; I learned what the Blackberry craze was, and more specifically “BBM”. But being so far behind in technology and sex appeal started to get to me after a while. I was “used” to the iPhone now – the touch screen no longer amazed me, smapps apps, I want to try something new, adult, professional. Blackberry met my expectations, even surpassed them in some ways, but it’s summer 2011 and I have big plans; The last thing I need is a phone that can’t keep up with my constant photo tweeting, Word Press blogging, HD video capturing, Facebook mobile uploading, Skype international messaging, Adobe Flash site visits, Internet sharing at points access, cloud-based music listening. .. do I need to continue? Blackberry, it sounds like we can be great together, but not at this point in my life.
I’ve been waiting for the Motorola Droid Bionic and have officially gotten over the excitement I had when there was speculation about a launch in early 2011. Now the Thunderbolt looks pretty cool; it’s available now, it’s 4G, and tech blog nerds are speculating that dual-core processors will be overkill for at least a year or so… Um, what else could I be waiting for? Not only that, but like 15 droids have been released in the last few months, one of which I think is dual core (I’m not going to look for that, never mind either way), so Bionic you! You’re really losing me fast baby ! There was already the matter of HTC vs Moto anyway. In general, it seems that people prefer HTC; I don’t know either way because I haven’t really played with many Droids, but coming from a Motorola Q a long time ago, and a few other Moto phones, I’m not so sure I don’t like Moto as much as the others. The other Droid manufacturers that I haven’t paid much attention to; since I have no plans to get one of the “were late to the party trying to catch up” models, no matter how great of a job they are doing to catch up.
So if I’m not going to wait, the question is which Droid would be the favorite for me. Easy right? Lightning, duh! Although not so fast. Yeah, 4G, blah blah blah and everything any Droid on the market can do for the most part, except connect to what isn’t a computer. But do I really want to go that high-end right away? Or do I want to get a mid-tier Droid like the Incredible 2, which is still pretty sexy and feature-packed, but I wouldn’t feel too bad scrapping it in a few months if something awesome comes out like saying ‘er an iPhone5 or lord-willing yet better; I can’t even imagine such a product! The Incredible 2 is a sexy little beast, I actually like its look, feel and weight better than the Thunderbolt; but not having 4G when I live and am in a 4G capable area for more than 85% of my usage time is a pretty big mark to miss. At this point it seems like there are three possibilities: Thunderbolt, iPhone4 or Incredible 2 (don’t even talk to me about Droid X, that phone sucks, I don’t care if it could keep me company at night, I have standards).
Now, I’ve pretty much eliminated Blackberry from the competition by now (its tech shortcomings are too great to pick – I’d pick it for nothing more than brand loyalty and bbm, and we just don’t have that kind of history), narrowed my choices down to two Droids (Thunderbolt and Incredible 2) and the iPhone4, the question comes down to which of these? This is where I’m kind of stuck and ultimately I think the price will come down. I am not eligible for an upgrade so I will buy used or retail. If I can’t find a suitable used one, iPhone4 and Thunderbolt are removed immediately; I won’t spend $600 on a phone this summer, I’d rather enjoy an extra week out of the country. So far I’ve found a pair of Thunderbolts for just under $400, a pair of iPhone4s for the same, and only one Incredible 2 for $350; with these prices it is sure Thunderbolt or iPhone4; and with what I mentioned about 4G and open platform I think Thunderbolt wins.