Smartphones Still Can’t Replace Traditional Feature Phones…Yet

Posted on October 29th, 2005

I am a huge fan of convergence devices like the Palm Treo 650, which I use as my daily driver PDA/phone. It is the blessing and bane of my existence. Sleek looking, robust, combining the best of what PalmOS has to offer…well the best Garnet can do at any rate…in a phone centric form factor that truly works well as a do-it-all device. But as much as I do like the Treo, it just doesn’t cut the mustard when it comes to functioning purely as a phone. When I want to use this device as a PDA it largely serves that role perfectly fine, when it’s not locking up or crashing on me that is. As a phone, it rather sucks. The problem with the Treo, like most convergence devices, is that it’s simply too bulky. Right now I’m testing out the Motorola RAZR phone for Cingular, and I am really amazed at how sleek this device is, and how it serves as an example of why Smartphones aren’t “there” just yet.

The RAZR is incredibly thin, and slips easily…and more importantly…unnoticed into any pocket. Even when closed, which doubles its thickness, the RAZR still remains generally as thin as any 4G iPod. As a phone, the form factor is just right. Slim, elegant, and in a form factor that slips transparently into your wardrobe. That last aspect is becoming increasingly important to me personally. The truth is, unless you are willing to carry your Treo or Windows Mobile Smartphone externally from your person in a belt-clip case, you just can’t “wear” a PDA Smartphone without producing an embarrassing and unappealing bulge in your pocket.

The operating system, designed by Motorola, is of course brain dead compared to PalmOS and Windows Mobile. But it functions very well purely as a phone interface, and that’s what it does best. The fonts are horrendously awful. Good for little else than looking at phone numbers. But, again, that’s all this device really designed for and good at.

Software aside, what leaves me smiling is the design philosophy. Were it possible to cram a PalmOS/Windows Mobile device in this form factor I would be as happy as a schoolboy stealing his first kiss. But when comparing the Treo, or any PDA driven Smartphone to this lovely RAZR phone, it’s glaringly clear that we have a long way to go before we reach digital bliss. That day is coming though. Just you wait.