The real pain about all-in-one devices like smartphones is that they sure are smart breadth-wise, but depthwise, they aren't too bright at all. What's the use of a jack of all trades and master of none when I, at least in an amateur way, still have a standard of quality?

Since phone manufacturers advertise smartphones and PDAphones as combination devices (for example, phone and pocket computer or phone and camera), they could improve these devices best by paying attention to all functions that a device performs. The eventual goal is to have an "all-in-one" device that can handle not only professional functions - contacts, push email, IM, text messages, calls, tasks, and calendar information - but also media functions such as music, video, and internet access.

The devices that are already on the market are trying to approach this ideal. It is possible, for example, to listen to music on most smartphones or pocketPCs, and as Apple advertises their prodigy iPhone, it's not just a sweet phone (even with the flaws it has): it is the "best iPod ever" - and fortunately for Apple, that's saying something very good. Apple has been the first to truly pay attention to this music function, whereas with other devices, it is clear that they are phone first or email device first, and music player second.

On the other hand, Nokia might be quick to point out that the iPhone's camera can never compete against the n82's or n96's 5 megapixel cameras. Nokia pays attention to this music function, whereas other devices are, once again, phone first and camera second. Or maybe even third.

This is what needs to improve. All devices should try to perform different functions equally well, instead of either being a jack of all trades and a master of none or lopsided masters of one function with minor functions slapped on. After all, people are already paying premiums for these devices (keep in mind that many smartphones approach the thousand dollar mark when subsidies from carriers are not introduced to the picture - so if people "get what they pay for," that should be quite a bit.)

What should the all-in-one device include? It should include a media player, eliminating the need for a separate device for music and videos. It should include a phone, and phone contacts should be intimately linked with email contacts, instant messaging and text messaging, address, faxes, and more. Basically, to become smarter, smartphones need to be able to better integrate the lives of businesspeople

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