“One of the great challenges of our age, in which the tools of our productivity are also the tools of our leisure, is to figure out how to make more useful those moments of procrastination when we’re idling in front of our computer screens.”
– Josh Foer, Author, “Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything”
Deciding which smart phone is right for you is deeply personal. One of the great arguments in the technology debates of yesteryear was whether the world would embrace Tesla’s AC current or Edison’s DC current. Both were better than the status quo, but both had disadvantages when compared to its rival.
It’s the same with phone systems today, as each of the competing operating systems tries to become the dominant platform of tomorrow. You can avoid the hoopla by focusing on the only argument that matters to you: will the apps that interest me most be compatible with the phone I’m choosing? Here’s what you need to know:
Key Considerations
Operating System
What’s your favorite desktop or laptop operating system? Eliminate hassles by choosing the most compatible operating system with your other devices.
iOS, Android, and Windows are the most widely used operating systems in smart phones today. Rather than performance, the main difference between these operating systems today is personal preference. Choose the one you like the best and which works best with your other technology.
Available Apps
Smaller software developers sometimes utilize only one operating system. Make sure that the apps that you want to use the most are compatible with your operating system.
Phone Network
All data providers are not the same. Choose to spend your money with the service providers that provide the best coverage area and data speeds. If your current provider is not the best one in your area, don’t be afraid to change.
Physical Features
Some people like physical buttons that you can push. Others like a screen-based typing interface. Choose a phone that meets your preferences for physical characteristics so that you are comfortable with it.
If you have to have the latest iPhone, that’s great. If you’re good to go with a more simple device that covers your essentials, that’s fine too. If you’re a gadget guru, consider any add-on accessories that you might want in conjunction with your phone.
Plan Considerations
Phone contracts vary widely across carriers. Some offer discounted phones in return for long contracts. Some offer no contracts and a la carte pricing. Others offer out-of-this-world price points but very limited coverage.
If you’re going to be employing smart phone apps, it is important to have a fairly robust data plan. If you’re going to be using your phone often, by all means make sure that your plan has a sufficient amount of data availability. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a collaboration or presentation and your provider cuts you off because you hit your data limit.
Price Point
Often, the price point of the phone is the overriding factor. This can sometimes be mitigated by utilizing a carrier’s contract offers. Sacrifice size and speed over compatibility and coveted user features. In reality, they’re all going to be pretty fast.
Battery Life
Do you find yourself out of the office most of the day? Are you outdoors often? These are primary factors of moving the battery life of a prospective smart phone up your list of criteria.
The very worst smart phones are the dead ones. Isn’t it amazing how they die at the most inopportune times? Choosing phones with large battery capacities can help prevent late afternoon battery failures.
Storage
Since the advent of cloud storage, the storage capacity of smart phones is by and large overrated. Still, it is better to be safe than sorry, and it never hurts to have more storage capacity. Try to choose a phone that maximizes storage memory per dollar.
Processor Power
If you own the fastest car on your block, you’re probably not going to be satisfied with anything other than the fastest smart phone. For others, a more modest solution is feasible. Know the processor demands of the apps that you will use the most and plan accordingly.
How will you use it?
If a smart phone is going to be your major base of operation, you should most likely consider one of the higher priced and most functioned models. If your smart phone use will be limited to an hour a day or less outside of the office, spending $600 on the latest smart phone may not make the most sense. Select the best phone that fits well with both your monetary and time budgets.
Learning Activity:
- Based on what you’ve learned so far about how to use a smart phone, write down the ways you intend to use it, how often, and when (now vs. future).
- From the list of criteria and guidelines in the module, note what’s most important for you in a new phone. Keep these notes for when you go shopping for a new phone.
“One of the great challenges of our age, in which the tools of our productivity are also the tools of our leisure, is to figure out how to make more useful those moments of procrastination when we’re idling in front of our computer screens.”
– Josh Foer, Author, “Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything”
Deciding which smart phone is right for you is deeply personal. One of the great arguments in the technology debates of yesteryear was whether the world would embrace Tesla’s AC current or Edison’s DC current. Both were better than the status quo, but both had disadvantages when compared to its rival.
It’s the same with phone systems today, as each of the competing operating systems tries to become the dominant platform of tomorrow. You can avoid the hoopla by focusing on the only argument that matters to you: will the apps that interest me most be compatible with the phone I’m choosing? Here’s what you need to know:
Key Considerations
Operating System
What’s your favorite desktop or laptop operating system? Eliminate hassles by choosing the most compatible operating system with your other devices.
iOS, Android, and Windows are the most widely used operating systems in smart phones today. Rather than performance, the main difference between these operating systems today is personal preference. Choose the one you like the best and which works best with your other technology.
Available Apps
Smaller software developers sometimes utilize only one operating system. Make sure that the apps that you want to use the most are compatible with your operating system.
Phone Network
All data providers are not the same. Choose to spend your money with the service providers that provide the best coverage area and data speeds. If your current provider is not the best one in your area, don’t be afraid to change.
Physical Features
Some people like physical buttons that you can push. Others like a screen-based typing interface. Choose a phone that meets your preferences for physical characteristics so that you are comfortable with it.
If you have to have the latest iPhone, that’s great. If you’re good to go with a more simple device that covers your essentials, that’s fine too. If you’re a gadget guru, consider any add-on accessories that you might want in conjunction with your phone.
Plan Considerations
Phone contracts vary widely across carriers. Some offer discounted phones in return for long contracts. Some offer no contracts and a la carte pricing. Others offer out-of-this-world price points but very limited coverage.
If you’re going to be employing smart phone apps, it is important to have a fairly robust data plan. If you’re going to be using your phone often, by all means make sure that your plan has a sufficient amount of data availability. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a collaboration or presentation and your provider cuts you off because you hit your data limit.
Price Point
Often, the price point of the phone is the overriding factor. This can sometimes be mitigated by utilizing a carrier’s contract offers. Sacrifice size and speed over compatibility and coveted user features. In reality, they’re all going to be pretty fast.
Battery Life
Do you find yourself out of the office most of the day? Are you outdoors often? These are primary factors of moving the battery life of a prospective smart phone up your list of criteria.
The very worst smart phones are the dead ones. Isn’t it amazing how they die at the most inopportune times? Choosing phones with large battery capacities can help prevent late afternoon battery failures.
Storage
Since the advent of cloud storage, the storage capacity of smart phones is by and large overrated. Still, it is better to be safe than sorry, and it never hurts to have more storage capacity. Try to choose a phone that maximizes storage memory per dollar.
Processor Power
If you own the fastest car on your block, you’re probably not going to be satisfied with anything other than the fastest smart phone. For others, a more modest solution is feasible. Know the processor demands of the apps that you will use the most and plan accordingly.
How will you use it?
If a smart phone is going to be your major base of operation, you should most likely consider one of the higher priced and most functioned models. If your smart phone use will be limited to an hour a day or less outside of the office, spending $600 on the latest smart phone may not make the most sense. Select the best phone that fits well with both your monetary and time budgets.
Learning Activity:
- Based on what you’ve learned so far about how to use a smart phone, write down the ways you intend to use it, how often, and when (now vs. future).
- From the list of criteria and guidelines in the module, note what’s most important for you in a new phone. Keep these notes for when you go shopping for a new phone.