With the impending iPhone launch coming up I thought I would talk a little about how this will change the Smartphone market, hopefully for the better…

Public image of Smartphones - Smartphones are for geeks, It’s the batbelt wearing techies thats always typing away on his blackberry, not the RAZR-toting soccer moms. Well, guess what? Smartphones just became fashionable, almost overnight. Apple’s iPhone commercials are very intriguing, but its not because they are showing anything new. They are just presenting it in a new way and to a new audience! Nobody realized that they could have been doing most of these things with existing phones. Now they see the iPhone and say “Finally!”. OK, so I couldn’t flip through album covers with my fingers, but are you really going to use that? Everything else is standard fare! Music, movies, internet? Been around for years… But now the Apple twist will show you that you can be cool and have a Smartphone too…

Competition! The lock that AT&T has on the iPhone is crazy. Most people I know are more carrier loyal than device loyal. That means there won’t be as many switchers as expected. Especially when people would have to tack on a $200 early termination fee to leave their current contracts. So, what are the other carriers going to do? Show their customers that they have Cheaper (Blackberries), Faster (EVDO), Cooler (Prada), or even Similar (HTC Touch) smartphones to sell you! I already called T-Mobile this week just to inquire about my contract expiration and when the rep asked why I was interested; I said, “Well, the iPhone looks pretty cool…” She immediately went into the “Scripted iPhone Alternative Speech”. All the carriers will have this speech memorized so get ready to hear it. The good news is they might be wiling to offer some nice discounts on existing smartphones for those looking to jump ship.

So, for all of us NOT getting iPhones this Friday: We’re stuck sitting here looking at our Sidekicks, Treos, Blackberries and Q’s wishing we can get something shiny and new too… What are our options? This is just a quick, off the cuff overview, feel free to blast me if I miss something.

Windows Mobile (PDA or Smartphone Edition) - The OS everyone loves to hate.
Pluses:
+Syncs with both Mac’s and PC’s
+Tons of Software
+Looks and runs like windows!

Minuses
-Sluggish at best
-Questionable Reliability
-Looks and runs like windows…

Blackberry OS - Not just for the suits.
Pluses
+Rock Solid OS
+Great integration across applications
+The only TRUE instant email solution

Minuses
-Practically non-existent add-on software
-Multimedia features just being added to newer models (Pearls, Curves)
-Instant email comes at a price ($20 and up per month, carrier dependent)

Palm OS - On life support
Pluses
+Largest application library available (including tons of freeware)
+Runs the same Palm OS your grandfather used
+Legacy support means most flexible syncing and software options (Mac, PC, Linux)
Minuses
-Disconnect between the PalmOS and the Phone (OS not built with Mobile Technology in mind)
-No advances in hardware or software in years, possible dead end
-Poor voice quality, sluggish performance

Symbian - It comes from Europe, it must be good!
Pluses
+Solid OS, with Mobile roots
+Fairly decent 3rd Party support
+Excellent Voice Quality
Minuses
-Limited Sync Options
-Lack of availability (officially only one device (E62) on one carrier (ATT)
-Lack of support

OSX Mobile - New kid on the block
Pluses
+Beautiful design
+Very multimedia friendly
+Ease of use

Minuses
-PC Sync unproven
-No 3rd Party robust application at launch
-Price

So, after all this, where do I stand? On the bottom of the pile, with my aging PalmOS/Treo device. Going to the iPhone would certainly be fun, but will typing on a glass keyboard actually work? Will I be afraid to leave the phone on my desk at work? I’m considering the Nokia E61i (Symbian), but Nokia needs to step up their Mac support. They are trying, for obvious reasons, but they need to show the Mac some love, FAST. Check back in a few weeks (who am I kidding, a few days) to see what my smartphone future holds.