Par the course for speaking about and advertising about MMM, the question of “what’s the best smartphone” always comes up. And while we have talked about this in times past, its really important to emphasize that device capability and cost have to end up at solution that speaks well towards using mobile technology as part of your spiritual toolkit.

So then, what matters the most? This all depends on several factors:

• What do you plan to do
• What are your cost constraints
• Do you have travel concerns
• What kind of media (audio, video, etc.) will you be using with the device
• Are you purchasing for yourself, for a family, for an organization? Who managages the governance around that use

Usually speaking, mobile devices are pretty simple and largely will do all of the same basic (and slightly advanced) things. All can go online, all can usea variety of applications, and all break if dropped a particular way.

If you are a developer, and looking at mobile device platforms to get an idea of how to push an application, then you are best served not by looking at global or slightly regional trends, but looking at your current audience, and looking at the comparative trends between them and the larger mobile population (check out the research being conducted at the Pew Internet & American Life Project).

If you are a content provider, then your view on mobile platforms needs to not just include understanding the trends, but understanding the technical (and financial) infrastructure towards those people you are intending your content to reach. A lot of times, this means that going the route of application development isn’t the best long-term method, and that you might need more than one content delivery mechanism.

For example, when looking at a personal mobile device, I am usually looking for a platform that doesn’t require me to relearn the wheel in terms of how it works, doesn’t ask a lot of me in terms of managing applications (because of system resources or lack of applications casuing me to make a signifiant investment in apps), and can fade into the background as an organizer while remaining powerful enough to be a mobile computer when I need something more than a phone.

The conclusion usually ends up with saying that given sufficient research, and asking yourself the right questions (what fits need rather than want), you can usually end up with a device that you are not just happy with, but it also will grow with you until your capabilities endear you to looking for another device.

For reflection/discussion:
What are some of the aspects of your current mobile device that will factor into your next device? What are things you wish you would have considered before making the purchase?