Smartphones had a big year in 2010, with sales of tablets, the iPhone and the Droid driving wireless sales. It is expected that in 2011, half of America’s cell phone users will be on smartphones. Businesses can benefit from supporting smartphones and tablets at work. With smartphone and tablet support you can answer an email or use an application from virtually anywhere – without having to be at your office. Smartphones and tablets allow access to emails, Web browsing at high speeds, ability to run business applications and the capacity to keep your projects, contacts and calendar nearby at all times. Looking to purchase your own smartphone for the first time? Here are some tips when looking for that perfect smartphone.
Try to stay within your wireless carrier. If you like the Droid but you have months left on your Sprint contract it’s best to either stick out your contract or pick a smartphone within the realm of Sprint. Termination fees from providers can be pricey and run as high as $350 (Verizon), $175 (AT&T) or $200 (Sprint and T-Mobile) per phone line.
Buy a new or second hand smartphone on the internet. Buying a smartphone on the internet allows you to bypass lengthy contracts and can save you money. You can also find smartphones that are hard to get or out of stock from retail outlets. Be sure to investigate seller feedback when purchasing online via sites such as eBay.
Chose a phone that suits your needs. Take the time to think of what features matter most to you. Do you want the ability to be able to multitask while talking on the phone? The iPhone is ideal for surfing the web while making phone calls. Do you text message and email a lot? Phones a QWERTY keyboard such as a BlackBerry may be more ideal than a touchscreen phone.
Compare smartphone features. As soon as you figure out what your needs are compare phones you like. There are a variety of magazines and websites that breakdown smartphones by what they offer. Consumer Reports is an impartial and reliable source. Compare not just the phones but also the operating systems themselves. Smartphones run on a variety of platforms, with the big hitters being iOS (Apple), Windows Phone 7, Symbian, Android, RIM (BlackBerry).
Look for compatibility. Will your smartphone be easy to configure to your business infrastructure? Make sure your smartphone is compatible with your work computer and works well with your email client. Many IT companies can help set up configuration for phone and workstation.
Make sure the battery life can fit into your lifestyle. Smartphones can have a battery span from 3 to 10 hours before requiring a charge and time can be lessened from running the internet and apps. If you get a smartphone with a short battery life look for accessories that provide charge boosting, such as the Energizer Inducter.
There are a variety of smartphones and operating systems available today. By doing the right research into price, compatibility and features, smartphones can make business life easier and add a solid return on investment.
