credit attributed to http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannysullivan/

Do you have a cell phone?  Of course you do.  At this point, I think almost everyone has jumped aboard that train.  However, what I am more interested in finding out is what your favorite platform is for mobile devices.  You know what they are, right?  In case you don’t, they are Palm OS, Windows Mobile, iPhone OS, Blackberry OS and Android. Regardless of the phone you have, your phone contains one of the listed platforms.

I have had the opportunity to use four of the five listed above.  The only one I haven’t used is the Palm OS.  Let’s just say, I have no desire to use it in the first place.  If I ever get to, great, but I’m not desperate.  I will not give my opinion on the Palm OS either since I haven’t used it, but if anyone reading this has used it, please leave a comment below and tell us what you think.

Let’s start off with the worst platform, Windows Mobile.  The navigation pane has way too many categories to choose from and some of these categories have sub categories.  Finding what you are looking for can become an absolute pain.  The user experience is simply missing here and the platform could really use a re-design.  Also,  the apps for Windows Mobile almost seem to be non existent.  How can any platform not have a decent selection of apps?  That is the reason why we have winners and losers in the market.

The Blackberry OS I have been able to use because many people in my family have a Blackberry. I know many people like this phone and operating system, but I don’t.  I don’t care for the usage of colors with the majority of everything being black and white when accessing the menu bar. The color scheme of black and white is common when doing something like text messaging or email, but for some reason it looks so bad on the Blackberry.  It is not aesthetically pleasing at all.  The one positive I can talk from this platform is the ability to store apps right on the desktop of the platform.  It allows for easy access for frequently used applications and you don’t need to go searching around for what is needed.

The iPhone OS is by far the most popular one out there.  No question about it, it also looks the nicest.  Apple has always been known for their craft with developing great technology.  When using the iPhone OS, the simplicity for adding, locating, and the usability of applications is second to none. It’s one of those platforms that continues to get better and better with age. Apple listens to their customers and when updates to the platform are made, those suggestions are included.  I also believe what makes them the most desired platform is the huge selection of applications.  There really is an app for almost everything.

Finally, the Android platform is considered to be second behind the iPhone OS.  I can’t disagree with that, but I have been a lot of articles floating around the web saying that Android is better for reasons beyond its platform.  That’s quite interesting to me, but it is a known fact that Apple has always been a hard ass with anything the company creates.  The Android Platform is second in terms of the selection of applications and their usability is quite simple as well.  There are updates also sent out frequently for the platform due to consumer demands.  Listening to the customers is the most important thing any of these platforms can do to achieve success.

If you have any thoughts on my opinions mentioned in this post or you have a rebuttal against what I said, please let your voice be heard.  I don’t think I missed any of the platforms for mobile devices, but if I did, let me know about that too.  Do you have a mobile platform that you prefer over another?  Is everyone typically an iPhone user?

Further reading:

Apple iPhone OS 4

Motorola Cliq Cell Phone Review

Will Google Voice Revolutionize Technology?

Which Cell Phone Is The Best Tech Gadget?

I’ll start off with a question.  What type of operating system are you using right now?  Is it Windows or Mac OS X?  Hell, it might even be Linux, but Linux doesn’t have as high a user base as both Windows and Mac OS X.  Anyway,  this post I want to cover an issue after overhearing someone say the following, “I hate using Macs.”  My first question is – why?  Most people don’t usually have a reason other than, “it’s too difficult to use.”  First of all that’s not true.  It’s by far different than using Windows, but it’s not too difficult.  I think the real issue people face is adaptability.  They feel the time to learn a new OS is too time consuming without looking at the benefits.  First of all, if you know how to operate more than one OS, it won’t matter the brand of computer that is available for you to use at the time.  Secondly, the capabilities that a Mac possesses are far greater than what you can do on a PC.  One example would be the Garage Band application which is only for Mac and is used frequently by Apple users.

What I think the true problem comes down to is we have been conditioned to use Windows computers for as long as I can remember.  Macs were known to be used by graphical designers. However, if both operating systems were pushed early an often, I don’t think the idea of a Mac being difficult to use would ever be brought up.  OK, so maybe some people will have issues with them, but if you condition people early, they can learn like anyone else.  Learning seems to be what people want to do less and less of these days.

Two of the biggest reasons why I switched over to using Mac OS X was the speed of the operating system and the useful applications that come with the OS.  I already know Windows fanatics are going to say, “how is speed a differentiator?  Windows computers can be built on speed.”  You wouldn’t be wrong totally for saying that, but usually you build a Windows computer with specs targeted towards speed/performance.  Mac OS X – it’s already built in.  I have used both operating systems frequently and I’m sorry to those that are Windows users, but in my experience a Mac computer performs more efficiently.  In regards to useful applications…Windows has a lot of useless software installed on it’s OS.  From trials to other application software that you will never use.  It’s a waste of time to implement as well as a waste of hard drive space.  Mac OS X is full of rich useful software.  I would never delete or remove any of the applications it comes with. Here’s another question…whether you use Mac or Windows, how often have you deleted your Mac or Windows software?  My guarantee is the Windows users will have removed their software more frequently than Mac users.

I digress, but I am trying to prove a point that a Mac shouldn’t be a fear to use.  Don’t use the excuse of “something new” as your reasoning for not liking Mac OS X.  Not only is it not a valid excuse, but you are proving a point that you are unwilling to learn something that could be very useful for you down the road.  The fear of the unknown is always a trending fear with people, but just think what if a Mac was the OS you were conditioned to use from the beginning?  We would have a reverse effect here.  People would be saying, “I don’t like Windows because it’s too difficult to use.”  Once again, that wouldn’t be a valid excuse.

My goal here isn’t to rip Windows.  I am not the biggest fan of what Microsoft does, but regardless of your operating system of choice…you shouldn’t be reluctant to use one over the other just because it is something you aren’t familiar with.  Conditioning definitely plays a factor in people’s decisions, but you should step back and look at something with a positive thought like “I want to learn.”  Like anything else, if you practice you get better in time with it.  The same will hold true for learning a new operating system.  I didn’t know how to use a Mac when I first used one, but I stuck with it and even now I am still learning new things it can do!  Maybe you need to have a fascination for technology like I do, but that’s why I wanted to learn about Mac OS X.

I suggest giving Mac OS X a try and not giving up from the start.  It is different, but not impossible.  Just look at all the people that already use it now.  I’m proof that it is possible to use as well as the millions of other people using it.  So now that I have broken down this issue to no end…are you still hesitant to use a Mac?  If so, tell me why?  I’d like to help you get adjusted! If you plan to remain with a PC…tell me your reasoning in the comments below.  I am open to hear anyone’s thoughts.

Further reading:

Why Do People Need Tech Help?

Are All Mac Users Upgrading To Snow Leopard?

Tech Issue With Two Operating Systems

Are OS Wars Overplayed?