Dual of Devices: iPhone vs. BlackBerry vs. DROID

People who own smart phones often defend that their smart phone is the best. However, a careful look reveals that it really comes down to personal preferences.

The image of the cell phone has transformed dramatically from the first 1984 large brick-like object to today’s small compact touch screen the size of a deck of cards.

Several features make each phone special. The main smart phone contenders are the iPhone, DROID and BlackBerry – all great phones that perform similar tasks in their own special way.

“The BlackBerry is really good as a business phone,” said Jaime Quinn, an SCC student, “but for everyday use it’s kind of slow because of all the apps and special features on it.”
The BlackBerry Storm is an Internet and e-mail accessible phone, yet so are the iPhone and DROID. The Apple iPhone is presented as three devices in one: a phone, mp3 player an internet browser. The DROID is said to be the Verizon version of the Apple iPhone.

Jay Soltis, a gymnastics coach at Desert Devils says, “The iPhone is the number one selling phone in America; everyone can use it,” adding, “I’ve always been told never buy the first version of anything. The DROID is new and will still need improvements,” says Soltis.

Each phone offers slightly different options. The BlackBerry Storm has a touch screen with a 3.2 megapixel camera, V-cast music and videos, Bluetooth, GPS and an internet browser. The DROID also has a touch screen in addition to a slider keyboard, a 5.0 megapixel camera, iMusic and videos, speech recognition, GPS and it is also Internet accessible. Finally, the iPhone is yet another touch screen with a 3.0 megapixel camera, iTunes music and videos, voice control, GPS/compass, Internet access and an apps store.

If you look closely, every “special feature” from all three phones is only slightly different. For example, the music: each phone has a specialized app that allows its user to download ringtones or music. The BlackBerry uses V-cast, the DROID uses iMusic and the iPhone uses iTunes.

“The BlackBerry is more of a business phone,” said Alicia Kompar, a student at SCC.
Soltis says that he has had friends “switch from an iPhone to a BlackBerry,” because it was “easier to send e-mails.”

“I think that the DROID will definitely be able to catch up to the iPhone. It’s only a matter of time,” Soltis said.