When evaluating handhelds or smartphones, you probably weigh your decision based on factors such as the size of the device, its features and its price. These are important considerations, to be sure; but more importantly, what about the operating system -- the core software that runs these devices? Most users know the differences between Windows and Mac OS, but what about Palm and BlackBerry? Symbian and Windows Mobile? How do these handheld platforms compare, and should you use them as the basis of your buying decision?
After weeks of poking, prodding and tapping on screens, we found the answers. We put the BlackBerry 4.1, Palm 5.4, Symbian 9.2 and Windows Mobile 5 operating systems through the wringer, checking their strengths and weakness in areas such as email, multimedia, Microsoft Office compatibility and ease of use. We looked at the number (and quality) of third-party applications, which can make the devices more like pocket computers than pocket organisers. And we delved into the core applications themselves to see which OS does the best job of managing your contacts, calendars and other critical information. Read on to see how they compare.
Palm
Ease of use and solid PIM applications have always been a hallmark of Palm OS. See what else it has to offer.
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile 5 offers more than just a stripped-down version of Microsoft's Office suite. Multimedia, anyone?
BlackBerry
Find out why BlackBerrys have earned the 'CrackBerry' nickname and what the future holds for these devices.
Symbian
Although it's not as well known as the other operating systems, Symbian brings solid productivity tools and versatility to the table.
Which OS is right for you?
Now that you have an overview of each handheld OS, find out which one is best for you and check out some of our top product selections.
Talkback
Anyone buying anything other than a Windows based mobile out of the other 3 options is just stupid and needs to get into the present times.
Anyone buying a Windows based mobile is just stupid and needs to realize that while Windows may be the best desktop operating system, it's certainly not the best handheld operating system.
Perhaps the devices you've had your hands on were not the best options available, or perhaps you just lost interrest after having rebooted your windows mobile 12 times a day and wheeled your thumb to oblivion on your BlackBerry.
There's plenty of interresting features you've neglected to mention on the Symbian device while you were flaunting them on the Palm and Windows Mobile.
For instance, the Symbian device has all the contact features that you've mentioned on the other devices, this includes, custom pictures, custom ringtones and tight integration with it's messaging features.
On more media-capable devices the Symbian OS is capable of recording .mp4 movies, sound and video up to one hour. Nice format for macintosh users who can imediately integrate these movies in their iLife packages.
Did I mention synching yet? No need for a third party app on OSX, just like Palm it synchs happily with OSX just as it does with Windows.
These were only the features that you mentioned on other devices and forgot to mention on Symbian, makes you wonder what else you missed.
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