Home » Technology » Android, Apple, BlackBerry or Windows: How to choose a smartphone

Android, Apple, BlackBerry or Windows: How to choose a smartphone


The smartphones will be among the stars of Christmas gifts. If one believes the research firm GfK, s should ‘ sell 12 million of these smart phones this year, as much as conventional models! The choice is vast. Cameras more and more powerful, wide screen, high definition and even 3D sound improved, more powerful processors, voice commands, these manufacturers more sophisticated phones every month. However, most may be elsewhere, we must not only be focusing on performance techniques to make his choice, but s’ interest in the operating system on which the smartphone is working.

“This software has become more important as the equipment it-me me ” slice Daniel Gleeson , an analyst at IHS Screen Digest . “Specifications are not well understood by everyone, however, an interface that is intuitive and reliable is something each of us can immediately appreciate , he says. The success of the iPhone 4 and 4S face of technologically superior products is a proof. ”

However, few buyers interested in the OS (operating system or OS in English) on their smartphone. According to a survey by Forrester, 36% of smartphone owners do not know what OS they use and 35% do not even know that word!

Four systems now dominate the market. Apple has developed iOS, which only works on devices of the brand. Google offers Android, which was selected by Samsung, Sony Ericsson LG, to name a few. BlackBerry has developed its own system to its terminals. The software giant Microsoft created Windows Phone , used especially by HTC or Nokia, which was chosen for its new smartphones.

The choice of a system is not trivial. First, because it is often the final! Almost one fifth of consumers with iPad or an iPhone that is changing smartphone is more difficult than transferring accounts to another bank, according to a study by GfK.

Then, everyone does not even use his smartphone. Some merely call and check their mail, while others collect the programs on their device. So much to choose a system appropriate to their needs and also to his wallet.

A good interface must first be intuitive. No way to spend hours immersed in the user manual. On this point, Apple has been hard with the iPhone. However, Android, with the new version of its operating system called “Ice Cream Sandwich “is similar to the Apple brand.

“The experience of the user on an Android phone is now close to that of the iPhone” , Judge Caroline Noublanche , Director at Doro, a brand specializing in phones for seniors, which will launch its smartphone in 2012. “L access to other Google products (Gmail, Google Maps , Calendar …) makes use of the familiar Android ” adds Daniel Gleeson.

However, this finding should be qualified. “The use of an Android device varies depending on the brand, the product. Indeed, every manufacturer integrates and adapts as it sees fit” , warns Thomas Husson, Forrester , Analyst. Moreover, “half of the devices running Android older releases, depriving phones and some features may pose security issues ” , said Daniel Gleeson.

BlackBerry side, despite undeniable progress, the latest version of the OS is not as friendly as its competitors, and the manufacturer must leave in 2012 a new version. Finally, Windows Phone, with a provision elegant and innovative features, is now easier to use . “Microsoft, which is also the owner of software like Office (Word, Excel …), makes the platform particularly attractive for use in a professional context ” , pointing Daniel Gleeson.

The number of applications available must also guide his choice. These small programs are not compatible with phones, they must be broken down into as many versions as systems. Apple beats all its competitors far, BlackBerry and Windows being particularly behind. The App Store currently offers more than 500 000 applications have been downloaded more than 18 billion times.

However, the number of applications available for Android phones has increased dramatically in recent months. However, a caveat: “The diversity of Android devices do not allow to adapt the games for all phones, ” said Daniel Gleeson.

For those who want to stay connected to their tribe, access to social networks (Facebook, Twitter …) is important. It is mostly through dedicated applications. Only Windows Phone has been a particularly successful integration work.

Finally, many users want to easily share the content of their smartphone (photos, music …) on other devices (computer, tablet …). On this point, Windows phones, but above all iPhones stand. Apple has thus to open its iTunes service that allows you to match store entire music library on servers. It is thus available on all its aircraft, provided that have Wi-Fi access

The choice of an operating system may also have financial consequences. Terminals Apple are more expensive than others. Android is a system available for free from manufacturers, phones running on this platform are more competitive.

« Arcam rCube
Mozilla and Google renew their partnership »

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 25th, 2011 at 7:18 pm and is filed under Technology. Tags: Android, apple, Blackberry, Windows You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.

Content Protected Using Blog Protector By: PcDrome.