[PCWorld]

Post your comments for iPhone vs. BlackBerry vs. Droid vs. Pre: Smackdown! here

[eman564]

Wow... Way to really count the pre out of this. You hardly mention it and when you do it's as if you say it has this feature but is inferior to the iphones.

[gkvaughn]

According to some sources, the Motorola Droid does have multi-touch capability, it's just that the basic apps included with the phone don't take advantage of it.

How about comparing the touchscreen keyboard action/feel? Storm gets trashed because of this, but what about Droid vs iPhone (other than multi-touch)?

One feature not mentioned, and which matters a great deal to some, is the size and quality of the display.

Overall, a pretty good comparison piece.

[daniel142005]

Another bias and inaccurate article from PC World! Would figure that after PC World would have already started firing people by now, considering most of their articles are not recommended by at least 2/3s of the readers.

[Dustinmj]

Very surprising review...

Of course I'm in love with my Droid which incidentally rocks my iPhone.

The keyboard on the Droid has a different feel from the touch keyboard on the iPhone... It slowed me down as well initially, but like anything I'm getting very used to it and it's really very smooth. I have no doubt that a week or two from now I'll be smoking fast on the keyboard vs the virtual keyboard.

Android is much more customizable than Apple's OS, without root. Personally, I like being able to do more than change the startup screen and move icons around.

"The one common Web technology in which the iPhone OS is at a disadvantage is Flash Player support -- it doesn't have it. Neither do the Droids" -- flash player is coming to android in 2010, per adobe

This article downplays the Droid, so I'm calling BS and recommending it to anyone who wants a ferrari with an open-source OS built on the linux kernel.

[baimo]

Nokia is not looking to maemo as its next major os. They will be using the new open architecture symbian. This guy is an iphone fanboy

[thewazak]

"This guy is an iphone fanboy"
What do you mean "this guy"?
99% of the turd like "journalists" on this site are iLemmings!
They genuinely believe their "opinion" is both factual - and newsworthy.
Wrong on both counts!

[kewter]

Overall a good comparison. Thanks.

Just 2 days ago a new OS upgrade for my BB Storm original was offered via Verizon (45 minute upgrade process, yawn). Way over due event as the phone was near worthless at it's release. The upgrade helped the touch screen tremendiously and the overall speed switching screens. Upgrade also helped the Keyboard use. A new word popup offering more choices when typing is also a huge plus.

It would be interesting to see a review/comparison of the Storm 1 with the better OS. Prior to this upgrade I was anxious to get the Motorola Droid. Not now.

[gowtflow]

eman564, on 14 November 2009 - 01:48 PM, said:

Wow... Way to really count the pre out of this. You hardly mention it and when you do it's as if you say it has this feature but is inferior to the iphones.

The Pre offers free navigation software which is excellent. Very accurate and easy to use.

[gowtflow]

The Pre offers an excellent navigation program for free - Sprint Navigation.

[tmarks11]

article said:

...making purchase decisions on Microsoft's promise is foolhardy...

Way to erase WinMo from the picture. HTC and WinMo have created a killer set of devices which you just choose to blithly ignore.

article said:

If you can't stand the thought of using the AT&T 3G network and don't need to access corporate e-mail… you want the HTC Droid Eris, which, like the Motorola Droid, is available only from Verizon Wireless.

Let me fix that for you…
If you can't stand using the AT&T 3G network (or you need a physical keyboard) and need to access corporate e-mail… you want the HTC TP2 from VZW. If you need an enterprise-level solution that will keep your IT department from quitting, then arm all of your employees with the HTC TP2.

Next time, why don’t you try to find an editor who can forward a more balanced, objective view. Stop pandering to advertising revenue and start being real journalists.

I can see the"recommend this article to others" vote is running 2:1 against you. I guess you bias is showing a bit more then usual.

[tmarks11]

article said:

The iPhone OS 3.1 fixes a bug that falsely reported support for ActiveSync on-device encryption policies; the 3G S supports such encryption, but older iPhones do not and thus can't access Exchange if encryption is set as an ActiveSync policy requirement.

Nice shot at minimizing the issue. This was not a "bug".

This was an intentional workaround which was coded into the OS to allow the older iphones to work with Exchanges that required device encryption. Essentially they allowed devices with inferior security to work on exchanges which required that secuirty; compromising the network in a manner which would not be detected by the IT department, since the device falsely claimed to be providing protection which it didn't have.

Definitely not a bug, but a choice by Apple to deceive companies into chosing the iPhone by claiming it had full compatibility.

[jazzy5]

All the IPhone features are worthless if you cannot connect to the 3G network as Verizon ad shows with the coverage map of ATT. If you live out of the coverage you have a expensive worthless phone.

[HDIronman]

I think the Editor was fair and concise. I don't think they were bias to any one phone. I was a verizon loyalist back when the Star Tac was popular. I undoubtedly confirm their superioity over AT&T for which I am whith now. However, in my case, I've found the call clarity on my iPhone 3Gs to be more akin to the house phone than does Verizon. I've always bragged to my Nextel buddies that I never dropped a call with verizon. However, In June I dropped My Razr 2 into the water and had to get another phone. I first tried the Blackberry storm... WOW, was that bad. I took it back the next day. It was just too hard to use, and, I was astounded at how bad the touch screen was. Next, I tried the LG Envy 2. I dropped several calls and was off to verizon to try the voyager. I liked being able to keep up with my wife and her blackberry while texting, but again, the voice quality and dropped calls sealed it's fate. I was released from Verizon without an early termination due to marginal service at my house. I see there are a lot of iPhone haiters here for what ever reason. Sure, I drop calls now and then. (about 2 a day) But me being able to understand every word spoken means more to me. The very small problems and tasks which the iPhone can't do are inconsequential to me and my demands. And, I suspect, to most others. I simply want a well constructed phone that can do more than every other phone. Verizon just hasn't produced such a phone in oppinion. Their phone's feel cheap, and are always hobbled by some greedy bean counter. I'm glad that they have finally realised that people want Wi- Fi. In closing, I would like to remind all of the iHaters out there. The iPhone is only 2 years old and the competition is just now closing in. That's like 200 years in todays techno world. I'm sure that when the 4th gen. iPhone comes out next year, Apple will again widen the gap.

[Abrahmm]

I should have stopped reading at "The Motorola Droid's keyboard is unusable". Have you even used a Droid? The physical keyboard is more than usable, it's great when you don't want a virtual keyboard taking up screen space. "But they keys are flat!" well, a virtual keyboards key's are flatter.

I really don't understand the complaints about no multi-touch in the standard apps. I was walking through campus as I browsed the web and I was thinking "It is so nice that I can double tap with one finger to zoom, using multiple fingers to pinch would be very awkward and uncomfortable". I'm glad the browser isn't "pinch to zoom".

I wish we could get one smart phone review that wasn't from an obvious iPhone fanboi.

[EequalsMC2]

It's amazing how short sighted people are when it comes to these highly hyped and touted iPhone-killers. Approximately two to three are rolled out annually. Does anyone remember how the BlackBerry Storm 1 was supposedly the next mega-hit? Right, the BlackBerry Storm 1 launched with a bang and went out with a fizzle. Instead of the "Perfect Storm" it was a light drizzle at best, similar to all the other countless iPhone-killers still on the market today... at a deeply reduced fire-sale price to make way in the inventory room for the next iPhone-killer. As for Droid? The ER doctor called this one DOA. Predictions? It will be on the discount table with a fire-sale price in 8 to 10 months. Additionally, it's hilarious how to Verizon-employees and some Verizon-users that the "iPhone sucks", yet, there are talks today of getting a version of the iPhone onto the Verizon network; regardless of whether it is CDMA or LTE. It makes you wonder as to why if the iPhone is so awful would an *amazing* (insert and read sarcasm here) network like Verizon consider ANY version of the iPhone on their network? Apple is too far out there ahead of the crowd and everyone else is just playing catch up to the iPhone. Really, if you want an iPhone, get an iPhone. Otherwise, don't kid yourself by thinking that the next non-Apple manufactured phone is going to beat out the functionality, usability, reliability, accessibility, desirability, feature-rich, and design of... you guessed it an iPhone. As for those "market-share believers out there saying that Apple doesn't have a dent in the smart phone/PDA market share," keep this in mind... good sound business is not being THE solution to everyone all the time. Go back to college and get a real education: Marketing 101 and Business 101 states clearly, "THE solution is to find a niche and execute well in that niche." "iPhone" is to "smart phones/PDA", like "Google" is to "search engines", like "Southwest" is to "cheap air fares", like "Wal-Mart" is to "discount retail", like "Nordstrom" is to "excellent return policies and customer service", like "Costco" is to "warehouse shopping".

[TechieXP]

If you have to use Exchange...no device does it better than Windows Mobile...its amazing how it wasn't even mentioned in the business section. In fact the only phone that does business even slight better is RIM. However Windows Mobiles supports Exchange features 100% without spending ANY extra money. It also has some support for Lotus Notes and 3rd party applications to support Notes and Novell are uch easier to get and are cheap...there are even FREE solutions...sothing NONE of the other offer...YET...and how old is Exchange? Yet you failed to mention that.

But you found a way to mention iPhone in every single group even where teh iPhone offer lack luster support. Even iPhone Excahnge support isn't all that good.

I hope iPhone can bare your hybrid children because you old think iPhone is god's eternal gift. I'm goona go throwup now.

[TechieXP]

Apps...Apple has a 3 year advantage over everyone as far as an App store. Why compare such a lackluster feature.

Anyone who finds lightsaber and noise makers great are simply stupid. Its a toy. Th eiPhone is not a serious device, thus its appeal. Ppl love things that are fun...Why is iPhone even grouped with business phones? Palm, Microsoft and RIM don't make fun phones...they make business oriented devices. RI makes phones that are handy and don't feel very businessy thus their huge appeal and if the only company stomping Apple. Again RIM had several years of advantage. DROID is new. Howeverbeing based on a NIX OS where appz can be made fo free with NO STRINGS ATTACHED means DROID will very well be the iPhone killer...FINALLY. And we don't have a bot like Steve Jobs running the company telling you what you can't do. The fact that all brand offer several styles that fits diffeent tastws will increase popularity. DRIOD is going to be the new kid on the block to beat.

As said in several thread...iPod sales are dropping by the DOUBLE DIGITS in favor of a single device that has everything. The latest phones ALL have better stuff than what iPhone offers. The problem is gaining siilar popularity. Its similar to the fight between Intel and AMD. AMD certainly makes faster chips at lower price ranges...but they can't beat Intel market hype and there Intel Inside. No matter how great your device may be...its the marketing that will propell its popularity or seal its fate.

Th ebiggest beef in iPhone is its media hype backing...media soled iPhone before it even hit the shelf...that and the fact it is a direct decendant of iPod which was already 2 years popular. However Apple not changing the design for 3 years and iPod getting lack luster features added is starting to show its age in appeal...LIKE ALL FADS DO.

The greatest thing about RIM and Windows Mobile is their market have remain almost unchanged bec the devices are based on fads or being popular. They are based solely on functional need.

I think the worse thing RIM and MSFT could ever do is change what they have to some fan-fare device like Iphone.

Like iPhone several are showing up with edgy similar styling as iPhone...many are similar in size yet have a better screen...better camera...more storage capability and more ALL for the same amount of money. Something has to give. Since RIM and DRIOD and WinMo are all available on virtually all carriers...while Pre and iPhoe are not...a lil spice to either of the 3 could kill iPhone easily...all you need is 3 very agressive models where everything works equal or better to iPhone and you win. RIM has proved that and DRIOD is next and I am betting MSFT is running close 3rd.

I checked out the HTC Imagio and tho it looked awesome online...in real life it is a POS. The phone felt cheap, the UI is terrible...the dated graphics compared to my Storm was also terrible...the touch-flow was ok...it just didn't look good. MSFT has a lot of work to do...however they aren't planning to battle Apple...there plan with WInMo has always been enterprise and Exchange Sync. No other device matches WinMo when it comes to Exchange...there is no way MSFT would ever allow any device to beat its own in this category. You thonk businesses are going to rush and pay $1500 for a Mac just because Apple integrated Exchange features in Snow Leopard? NOPE. bec business can still buy a full system that matches a Mac for only $600 and then buy Office for another $200...and get 100% full Exchange support with Outllook. And even when MSFT finishes Outlook for the Mac...the Mac will still suck when it comes to enterprise software.

Anyway this phone battle is pretty awesome and things are about to heat up really quick. DROID plans several more models before year end and several more right after New Years...Apple needs to get busy with their next fad device of they could get push down to where Palm is very quickly. I can't wait to see what you sour apples will be saying when Apple ends up in the junk heap. Appple your day isn't coming anymore...IT HAS ARRIVED. DEATH TO THE IPHONE.

And b4 someone says it...I make 60K per year I can certainly afford an iPhone. If it had been with Sprint or Verizon I would have gotten it. I don't envy the iPhone. I hate ATT, and hate teh bad deal Apple was will to work out which hurts consumers and make ATT rich and themselves as well at our expense. And you all say MSFT si bad...no way. What I don't like is fads...I like for a device to be popular on its own merits which the iphone had at first...its the overhype here in OCW that kills me. This is the first time in history someone really set a bar for what a device could be like...that doesn't mean any device that isn't exactly like it should be consider BETTER on its own merits. Even the Stoem with its issues is a better phone and now that ti has WIFI...it aces the iPhone my a whole lot. It has a faster more responsive UI...I can change the UI whenever I feel like it with breaking it...the battery is removable...so is the storage...I can use ANY 3rd party appz to move music...I can buy appz from anywhere...and it does everything iPhone can and it cost less...whatmore can you ask for...oh...I know...you want Apple name on it...AIN'T happening...the iPhone killer has already been on th market for a few years...it isn't a single device its several...they are ALL by RIM. Out fo the rop 5 devices sold in the poass 3 years...RIM had 4 of them...with Apple in 3rd...its almost liek Ford of the 80's who out of the top 10 cars sold in america 5 were Ford's. Apple date for checking out the luxury suite of success is nearing its end. In 3 years they haven't even improved the device at all. I can't wait to see what iPhone IV is going to look like.

[TechieXP]

HDIronman, on 15 November 2009 - 05:58 PM, said:

I think the Editor was fair and concise. I don't think they were bias to any one phone. I was a verizon loyalist back when the Star Tac was popular. I undoubtedly confirm their superioity over AT&T for which I am whith now. However, in my case, I've found the call clarity on my iPhone 3Gs to be more akin to the house phone than does Verizon. I've always bragged to my Nextel buddies that I never dropped a call with verizon. However, In June I dropped My Razr 2 into the water and had to get another phone. I first tried the Blackberry storm... WOW, was that bad. I took it back the next day. It was just too hard to use, and, I was astounded at how bad the touch screen was. Next, I tried the LG Envy 2. I dropped several calls and was off to verizon to try the voyager. I liked being able to keep up with my wife and her blackberry while texting, but again, the voice quality and dropped calls sealed it's fate. I was released from Verizon without an early termination due to marginal service at my house. I see there are a lot of iPhone haiters here for what ever reason. Sure, I drop calls now and then. (about 2 a day) But me being able to understand every word spoken means more to me. The very small problems and tasks which the iPhone can't do are inconsequential to me and my demands. And, I suspect, to most others. I simply want a well constructed phone that can do more than every other phone. Verizon just hasn't produced such a phone in oppinion. Their phone's feel cheap, and are always hobbled by some greedy bean counter. I'm glad that they have finally realised that people want Wi- Fi. In closing, I would like to remind all of the iHaters out there. The iPhone is only 2 years old and the competition is just now closing in. That's like 200 years in todays techno world. I'm sure that when the 4th gen. iPhone comes out next year, Apple will again widen the gap.

No we don't hate teh iPhone...what we hate is how all the writers here liek to suck on the iPhones menu button while other phones are horse crap on the same race track. They can't see past the nost on the iPhone to see how other p[hones offer better advantages...liek the one you said...Verzion has a better network. If Verizon had jumped on the iPhone deal ATT would be dead right now and they know it. They si why they keep locking APple in bec iPhone on even T-Mobile owuld be a better thing. EVDO is better than GSM by a long shot and ATT knows thet..>Sprint is already getting ready to get 4G...while ATT is barley getting 3G right...aabd Verizon is right behind. Sprint is having a hard time bec they have horrible customer satifaction and always have suck phones. I had only one Sprint phone I loved and that was the Palm 700w Treo....the Instinct I still ahve but not ativated was my last attept...it wasn't worth $50 and I pay 5x's as much bec I paid cash for it...big mistake. I am sure Verzion ic kicking themselves for letting iPhone get away..but now DROID could be there comeback.

IPhone gets way to much credit for what Apple has been shilling off to buyers.