Mobile categories

This is the third in a spontaneous, unplanned and somewhat goofy series of articles about mobile computing.

Why do I say “goofy”? Because you’d think in the middle of System 2007, I’d have more pressing things to do than jump into a brand new (to me) field and start thinking and writing about it, but I’ve learned not to second guess my instincts on these things. A bell has gone off in my brain that says “now’s the time.”

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to wrapping your mind around the mobile world is the dizzying variety of mobile niches. Here’s how to make sense of them…

First off, credit to where credit it due. I’m cribbbing these insights from the magazine “Smart Phone and Pocket PC.”

Here’s one way they break these devices down into categories:

1. Smartphones

2. Phone Editions (not sure how this is different from Smartphones.)

3. Pocket PCs

4. Veritcal Niche Pocket PCs (devises aimed at industrial/enterprise use)

The magazine breaks Smartphones down as follows:

1.  Businesss smartphones (ex. Nokia E62)

2. Computing powerhouses (ex. Palm Treao 700p)

3. “Social” smartphones (ex. the Blackberry Pearl)

4. “Business-Social” (ex. T-Mobile Dash)

Confused? Well, at least you have  some categories to house your confusion in. That’s a start.

The mobile world is already big, growing fast, and filled with variety. And it’s destined to take a central place in the world of the future (which is probably just 3 to 5 years away.)

For now, I’m going to stick with my lowly and simple cellphone, but I’m going to keep and eye out for what’s shaking in this Brave New World and I recommend that you do too:

Here’s a good map and guide: Smartphone and Pocket PC

– Ken McCarthy

P.S. For over 25 years I’ve been sharing the simple but powerful things that matter in business with my clients.

If you’d like direction for your business that will work today, tomorrow and twenty years from now, visit us at the System Club.