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Future phones: What features would you like?

TECHREPUBLIC BLOG ROUNDUP NEWSLETTER for September 28, 2005

FUTURE PHONES: WHAT FEATURES WOULD YOU LIKE?

I am generally not an early adopter by any standards (excepting those of
my retired parents). Mainly, it's because I'm a cheapskate, but also
because I'm generally only interested in social or time-saving
technology applications.

It's also very frustrating to try and use a technology that most of the
world is either unprepared for or uninterested in. Take my short stint
with Meetro, for example. It's a cool little social networking service,
but there are very few people in my area using it. That's very
frustrating, as it tends to make it hard to meet new people with my
interests.
http://www.meetro.com/

However, when I was reading this news story today about how the Trusted
Computing Group plans to unveil new, hardware-based security standards
for mobile phone devices, I couldn't help but picture myself with a
groovy new phone with futuristic features. Realistically, I know I won't
invest in any of these new-fangled phones until some company can
securely provide all the features I want at a reasonable rate. That
brings me to the fun part of this little phone fantasy: What are those
features?
http://techrepublic.com.com/2100-1009-5883341.html

I'd like music and recorded books at the touch of a button, headphones
that attach in a way that make them easy to carry and keep, and the
ability to really browse the Web without feeling like I'm going blind.
I'd also like to be able to easily sync with my work and home
calendars, debit card capabilities, e-mail and text messaging, and, of
course, the ability to answer and make phone calls. Finally, I want all
this functionality in a light, easy to carry, durable device. Is that
so hard?

What features would your dream phone of the future provide? You can
post your wish list in this discussion.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-11189-0.html?forumID=96&threadID=181871&start=0

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THIS WEEK'S BLOG ROUNDUP HIGHLIGHTS

MASTER3BS provides an historic look at Windows in his most recent post,
including an image of Microsoft Windows 1.01's bootup.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=180502&messageID=1850769&id=4212131

ADDICTED2SPEED blogs about having idle hands, but it's not his fault!
How do you fill time when your progress outpaces other dependencies?
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=177388&messageID=1850748&id=4143003

JMGARVIN has family in Houston who has witnessed some pandemonium due
to the evacuation for Rita. Find out what they saw and the ingredients
for an emergency kit in this post.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173917&messageID=1850967&id=4093177

What does THE TRIVIA GEEK think about the war in Iraq? I don't know, he
won't tell me, either. What he has done is borrow a question from
sci-fi author John Scalzi: "If there had been a Constitutional
amendment that said that any war undertaken by the United States, in
which the US was the aggressor, had to be financed with current federal
revenues (i.e., by taxes levied today, not by borrowing), would the War
in Iraq have been approved -- or even considered?" What do you think?
Let him know by commenting on his latest blog post.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173893&messageID=1851430&id=1383826

CODECANVAS wrote a wish list called, "Top 10 usability features I would
like in a browser."
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174531&messageID=1851365&id=3781803

HUTCHTECH wants you to know, "Mac Freeware DOES Exist."
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=176583&messageID=1851555&id=2899447

TPG editor JOHN SHEESLEY has been "Testing out Lenovo's Tablet PC."
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=176853&messageID=1853185&id=2252949

What do birthday cakes and true TCO measures have in common? They're
both subjects of TR staffer PETER SPANDE'S latest blog post, "Another
typical Sunday - Birthday cake, talk of home heating and linux support
costs."
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=174663&messageID=1853014&id=1583166

Find out why APOTHEON believes Open source software is doomed! Or does
he?
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TR staffer ERIC ECKEL has a recommendation for getting up to speed on
the Mac interface: "Mac OS X Tiger Pocket Guide."
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=173921&messageID=1853329&id=3334484

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BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT: BOB ARTNER

If you've been to TR in the last few days, you've probably heard that a
great friend and coworker recently passed away. Bob Artner played a
huge role in making TechRepublic what it is today. He helped shape our
values, our culture, and our pride in the product.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=8&threadID=181657&start=0

If you're so inclined, please take a moment to mourn his passing with
us. You can find out more about that man through our memorial page.
http://techrepublic.com.com/1200-28-5876869.html

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JUST FOR FUN

ITGIRLI went on one of her well-known rants, recently. This time the
target was "a chick in her early 20s." Find out what sin the youngster
committed in girli's latest post.
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You've heard of getting "caught with your pants down," but wait until
you hear what happened to MAIL, the ECCENTRIC TECHIE. He or she has had
an incident involving some short pants and a purse.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=178665&messageID=1852882&id=4189570

Can you use The Force to get a rebate? ADDICTED2SP33D believes so. Read
all about it in, "It's about Time! (Netgear)."
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=177388&messageID=1852177&id=4143003

BARRY.CAMPBELL tells us just how easy it is to meet a superstar in New
York city.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5254-6257-0.html?forumID=99&threadID=180423&messageID=1853637&id=4212675

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FEEDBACK: WHAT FEATURES WOULD YOUR FANTASY PHONE DEVICE PROVIDE?

I'm really curious to know what features you'd like in a future phone.
Is it a big hard drive, a multi-lens camera, or satellite radio you
crave? Share your wish list in this discussion.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-11189-0.html?forumID=96&threadID=181871&start=0

If you've got suggestions or comments about the Blog Roundup, send me
an e-mail. If you're recommending a blog for the next newsletter,
please include a link to the member's blog and a sentence or two about
why you found it helpful.
mailto:beth.blakely@techrepublic.com (Please use "Blog Roundup" as the subject.)

My thoughts on integrated wireles servcies are pretty long-winded, as are my thoughts about video-on-demand via phone, but essentially I want any audio content available anytime, anywhere.

*I want my music playlists streamed to me, without wasting precious harddrive space on the device. And I want to create music playlists on the fly, and trade them with other similar devcies

*I want satellite radio integrated, so I can follow sports and news and music uninterrupted, without learning new stations in new cities.

*I want location-based services, so I can find particular restaurants/hotels/theatres/bookstores in any location, with walking/driving directions from the exact spot I'm standing

*I want integrated Outlook-style calendaring and address books, so I can keep my appointments and contacts straight wherever I'm at

*I want a USB-out port with custom software that will turn any dumb PC into my personal workstation, with all my bookmarks, encoded passwords and preferences stored in the device, so I can work anywhere just like I work from my desk at home

*I want clear, uninterrupted, flat-rate, global phone connectivity, so I don't have to care which network or even which country I'm in, and I won't get a surprise bill for calling from teh wrong time or place or, worse, not being able to call at all

Is that asking so much?

Here's a novel idea. Forget the new features and improve the existing fundamentals.

How about a plan at a flat monthly rate that I can drop with 30 days notice, and can be explained on a single sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper printed in 12-point type?

How about audio quality so everyone doesn't sound like they're at the bottom of a well lined with bathroom tile?

How about a signal that doesn't drop out when I change directions?

Maybe then I'll consider giving the cellular phone another try.

my Motorola v600,now 16 months under my ownership,took a week to read the manual,two months to understand all the functions,and a knowledgable legal "friend" to translate the tariffs from Klingon into understandable jargon.And my "handset" is well un-cool now.Still,I've come to understand that Bluetooth was some kind of Viking,so all's not lost.Forget video calls,ring tones,here in the UK,that bloody "Frog" is a must hate!,I've had thoughts about smashing it to bits under my car,(my phone,not the frog)and buying an old anolog "brick" where you can't hear anything,or talk due to signal drop-out,and does'nt work because where I am,anolog signals do zip,and all you get is static.Aghhh,the sound of silence...:)

to ring people up and for them to ring me up.

what a radical idea.
a cell phone that solely functions as a phone.

I bet you want it to have buttons that fit an adult, male finger also.

maybe even no moving parts other than the keypad.

no web browsing, no funky displays, no scheduler, no video, no games.
just a phone, that can be used without a stylus to dial out.

that's asking for to much you know.
a phone with no funky features.

then you would join the ranks of the great unwashed and be at the beck and call of everyone that gets a hold of that number, anytime, anywhere.

much better to stick cell phone up the a$$ of whoever trying to sell it to you.

I actually do agree with you.

lose all the extras and make it big enough to be used by a human being, not a munchkin.

Us munchkins can handle them quite well, thankyouverymuch!

- and just getting a handle on some of the extras (some of which are more handy than others, naturally!)

(Get a buzz from having a buzz in my pocket :D!!)

GG

:P

it ain't a phone if it does more than make phone calls.

I want to be able to trun on/off houshold appliances.
I want to be able to remote start my car.
I want to be able to program my DVD/VCR.
I want to be able to control my TV.

I agree with many of the comments about fixing current phone functionality first (buttons too small, handsets too small, poor audio quality, etc.); however, I would be much more happy with the amount of money I pay every month (and the crappy customer service I get) if they gave me cool features like:

- larger form factor
- large touchscreen interface
- wireless headset or earpiece
- ability to stream music services like Rhapsody to the device.
- ability to store and retrieve files (without connecting any cables between the device and the PC)
- ability to transfer shows from my TiVo to it (or at least the ability to stream them from my TiVo to the device)
- e-mail and calendar sync up
- easier to use keyboard / way of entering text

I'd like a cell phone that could pick up a signal wherever I need one. Never mind the fluff, just work on the signal strength!

I'm currently with Cellular One. They sell phones in my town. They just don't provide signal, but then, neither does anybody else.

how about a better way to buy phones. I want to easily lease a phone and have the ability to upgrade to a new phone every 6 - 12 months. I'm now in a horrible cycle where I need to committ to a service for a long time to get a decent price on an interesting phone and then I sign up for a new agreement in a year or so to get the new new thing. I admit, I don't see a reason why phone companies would do this when I willingly pony up for a new phone every year but I'd like it just the same.

I have a Palm Treo 650 and I would be very happy with it if it had a broadband speed internet connection. I've got the corp vpn on the thing and a lot of little programs that make life more interesting and convenient. Nothing like examining server performance from the hammock in your back yard.