There has been lots of discussion and debate around the iPhone and Windows Mobile lately.
iPhone is the cool-must-have-one phone device, especially with the new 3g model, which will support ActiveSync for Exchange email - apparently its the dogs bol... well really good.
Now because Apple have this new shiny toy, this must mean Windows Mobile is Sh.. not very good at all. Well, I have a Windows Mobile phone (the T-mobile shadow if you must know) and I'm sick of being the idiot with the crap phone. (I will punch the next person who looks like they might be thinking this).
What to do? Well what does the iPhone have that I cannot do with my windows mobile device? I thought I would spend some cycles to find out:
1. iPhone has a touch screen, with a cool UX
My T-Mobile shadow is not touch screen, it has a keyboard - my previous 2 Windows Mobile phones were touch screen and worked great.
HTC already make the Touch and Touch Dual that has a keyboard too. (try doing any sizable email on a touch screen)
Even better, there are a several new devices due out in the next few months that improve not only the touch experience, but also provide intuitive interfaces over windows mobile. There is the Touch Diamond and the Touch Pro - both providing new UX and touch capabilities. Samsung have the new i900 Omnia and Sony Ericsson have the XPERIA X1. All 4 devices look pretty awesome. the i900 has 16gb Ram, while the X1 has a ridiculous screen resolution (800 x 480 pixels).
2. iPhone has a cool web browser
Sorry but the Windows Mobile IE really does suck. So I did a search and found the Opera Mobile web browser. I downloaded the trial (I'll probably buy it) and have been using it for several days now. So far I have ordered pizza, booked movie tickets and sold shares - speed on the T-Mobile network is not fantastic, but I now have a full desktop web browser on my phone. When I turn the WiFi on, it flies. Cool.
3. iPhone plays songs
Oh, yeah. That is probably what the Windows Mobile Media player is for. I've had music on my phone for about 4 years now. I even had full songs as my ring tone. I can also watch movies, listen to audio books, read eBooks and just about everything else, why is this...
4. iPhone allows me to build mobile applications
If your name is not on the list, your not coming in. Anyone can download the free Windows Mobile SDK and build applications for Windows Mobile devices.
That led me on a search for some cool mobile applications:
Windows Mobile PowerShell Provider - It allows you to use Windows PowerShell to copy files, get device information, manipulate the registry, sync and more.
SportsDo.NET- linked with your GPS, when you go out for a run/cycle/adventure, you can track your progress with SportsDo - upload it to the web and view detailed statistics on your performance. If you've ever wondered how fast you really cycle up the hill next to 520, try this!
Audible - I like to listen to audio books - ok Apple have Audible too.
Spb Brain Evolution - I love this puzzle game.
My conclusion
So it turns out its not all grim. iPhone maybe the cool new kid on the block, but windows mobile still has lots (even more) going for it. I'm happy with my Shadow, with a few extras I've gotten rid of the warts I had and have squashed any desire for the iPhone.
Of course now I have to decide between a Touch, X1 or i900?
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