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The SMobile Blog
Considering Keyboards
As our smart phones get smarter, they become more and more like computers, and less and less like phones. One piece of equipment that we’ve had on computers for decades is now making its way onto our phones. That piece of equipment is the keyboard. The problem is, each handset’s keyboard is different from every other handset.
To me, the keyboard on the device should be one of the biggest deciding factors when selecting a new phone. Some devices have only on-screen keyboards, some have physical keyboards, and some have both.
My personal device, a Samsung Moment, has both an on-screen keyboard and a physical slide out keyboard. I find that if I’m simply entering a word or two, the on-screen keyboard will do. On the other hand, if I’m sending an text message, typing a quick email, updating twitter, entering a URL into the browser, or any other activity that requires more than a few keystrokes, I find the physical keyboard to be much more usable.
If you’re in the market for a smart phone, be sure to take time to try out the different keyboard options on different handsets. There will be differences between the onscreen keyboards and the physical keyboards from phone to phone, and there is no doubt, if you buy a smart phone, you will ultimately be using the keyboard on a regular basis to input data.
The folks over at PC PRO have an article comparing the usability of keyboards across a handful of devices. Check it out, and see their results. You’ll notice that the error rates for on screen keyboards are much higher than for physical keyboards. In addition to the higher error rates, the time required was also much longer.
7 questions about Apple’s suit against HTC
By Harry McCracken
I’m not a reflexive enemy of the U.S. patent system. But having spent the day mulling over Apple’s lawsuit against HTC over smartphone-related patents, it still feels like the move is bad for consumers, bad for any smartphone-related company that isn’t headquartered in Cupertino — and quite possibly bad for Apple, too.
Now that this shoe has dropped, you gotta think that lots of other shoes are poised to drop all over Silicon Valley and Asia. Here are some questions I’m scratching my head over tonight. I suspect some people will maintain that the answers are obvious, but they’re not (yet) obvious to me ..
Mobile Devices Facing Security Challenges
By DOUG TSURUOKA
Smart phones and other mobile devices remain vulnerable to hacker attacks, and Apple products in one way more than most, says Daniel Hoffman, an executive in the computer security business.
Apple hasn’t developed adequate software to protect and encrypt (scramble so that only authorized folks can read the data) core components of its new iPad tablet computer, Hoffman says. He’s chief technology officer for privately held SMobile Systems, a Columbus, Ohio-based company that provides security software applications for mobile devices.
Hoffman, of course, has a vested interest in noting such possible security weaknesses. Still, he says, it shouldn’t detract from his point that more users need to understand that all mobile devices — including Apple’s iPad and iPhone — must be protected in the same manner as PCs.
Android is not just for phones
At the risk of making my blog posts too Android heavy, I’m going to post this anyway. The truth is, I think that Google’s Android OS is probably one of the most exciting things happening in the tech world right now. Why do I think it’s so exciting? Aside from the fact that I absolutely love my Android phone, it’s an operating system that is going to find its way into many devices well beyond smart phones.
Network World has posted an article on their site, “7 Android devices that aren’t phones“. On the list are tablets, media players, and even Netbook computers.
While Android isn’t nearly as powerful as a full blown operating system like Microsoft Windows or Apple’s MacOS, it is certainly capable of allowing users to do the most common internet activities. It’s simplified interface lends itself very well to use on set-top boxes, TV’s, or other appliances. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Android begin to work its way into the automobile industry either, powering an internet connected in dash navigation and media system.’
Oh, and next week… no Android. I promise.
Five Simple Tips for Better Mobile Security
You talk all day on your phone. You peck out dozens or hundreds of messages. You access files remotely. You check your calendar hundreds of times per month. Clearly your mobile phone is VERY important to you.
If it’s important to you, it’s also important to hackers who know it contains valuable information to help them hack into your corporate network or find data to be used for financial gain (ie credit card numbers, passwords, personal information and etc).
