Phones
for
the
upwardly mobile
This month's crop includes joy sticks and world phones by Alan Zisman (c) 2002 First published in Business in Vancouver , Issue #679 October 29- November 4, 2002 Gearguide column Depending on whose statistics you look at, somewhere between 38 and 50 per cent of Canadians own a mobile phone. Either way, that's a lot of users. Phone providers have switched marketing strategies, from trying to convince users to buy a first mobile phone, to getting existing users to move up to a model with more bells and whistles. All are promoting hardware and services that combine voice phoning with Web access (for getting brief but instant news headlines, weather, stock prices and the like), e-mail, text messaging and other data access. Here's a sampling of some of the latest offerings. Fido meets Sony/Ericsson ![]() Alternatively, Canadian company VTech Telecommunications worked with Fido to develop their A700, Fido's lightest-ever handset. With a one-touch joystick, predictive text input, and a unique icon interface, it sells for $75 after a $50 activation credit. Rogers presents Motorola ![]() A classy package, but priced like one: prices range from $349 to $549, depending on monthly plan selected. A few months ago, this column looked at Handspring's Treo 1800, an innovative cross between a Palm-compatible PDA and a Rogers- supported mobile phone ($599). Upgrades to Rogers' network now allow Treo owners to access the Web and e-mail, following a simple software upgrade. The Treo's larger screen and keyboard make this Internet access a much more pleasant experience than on standard cell phones. Bell Mobility offers Sierra Wireless ![]() Like other Pocket Windows devices, it offers more functionality than Palm-powered devices, and costs more. Bell is charging $1,149, including a $100 credit on a two-year contract. Not to be left out... Telus Mobility offers Instant Messenger, letting users communicate both with other Telus users or ICQ or MSN Messenger contacts either using any of Telus's Internet-ready phones or a PC. The company's Wireless Web Surf Sampler plan is a pay-per-use data plan, appealing to potential customers who are unsure whether they will make enough use of data access via cell phone to want to make an ongoing monthly commitment. Of course, Telus would be happy to upgrade users to one of its other plans, including Surf-Business. Alan Zisman is a Vancouver educator and computer specialist. He can be reached at alan@zisman.ca
|