Justifying Buying a Smartphone for an 11 Year Old

Seeing people enjoy the benefits of mobile technology is always fun and right now, smartphones and tablets are at the forefront becoming as common as cell phones were ten years ago. Smartphones, those with large touch screens, a GPS and the ability to run custom apps, have been relatively expensive and still are in most cases, but as prices drop, adoption continues to rise. Witnessing this high rate of adoption has made me wonder when my own children might start using these devices.

In the last several years, it has become more common for younger kids, under 13 or so, to have a cell phone. Of course, they go over their minutes and text allotments driving their parents crazy, thus inhibiting other parents from doing the same. Still, more parents are getting phones for their kids at younger ages for reasons of convenience and security.

While it's common for kids to have cell phones, smartphones are still pretty rare at least up through middle school and the reason is clear: cost. Another significant factor is the 2-year commitment which is what drives the pre-paid market. The problem with pre-paid carriers is they have never offered data plans to support smartphones until recently.

For me to justify getting a smartphone for my 11 year old son, it would have to be real cheap and with no contract. Boys tend to break things, lose things, forget things. Yes, girls do too, but I'm picking on boys right now. I don't want to have to think about paying $40-50/mo for the next two years (or buying out the contract) when the phone is dropped in the toilet and doesn't work any more.

About a month ago, just before the holidays, I saw an ad for a Samsung Android phone on Virgin Mobile and shared it with all my Facebook buddies. Cost of the phone was $179, about like a Nintendo DS, PSP, etc., which is more than I'd like to spend, but the monthly fee caught my attention - $25/mo for unlimited text and data, plus 300 voice minutes, which I doubt he will use. On top of this, no contract and no activation fee.

I found what I was looking for and pricing can only get better. He now has a phone, an Android device with apps, games, camera, texting, GPS (free navigation with driving/walking directions- ha), etc. He can earn the $25/mo if he wants to use it outside of wifi areas. We'll see how that goes! Otherwise, it still works for calling 911. If the monthly service is dropped, the provided phone number goes away, but that's fine, his primary phone number is a Google Voice number so voice mail is still received and so are text messages and he can receive them while on wifi or any computer.

Another low-cost option for use with an iPhone is via a $25/mo data plan 'only'. This is a little more tricky, but is a compelling option. With a used iPhone or one off contract, it's possible to set up the phone with only a data plan, no voice plan and no carrier-provided phone number. With a free Google Voice phone number and a free app called Talkatone, any ios device (iphone, ipad, ipod touch) can make and receive unlimited calls (and text messages using Google Voice) with caller ID sent both directions. Activating the data-only plan, as far as I know, can only be done from a 3G-capable iPad. Put the microSim card in the iPad, activate it for a month and put it back in the iPhone. For iPhone 3g(s) devices, you need a microSim and adapter to fit the standard sim slot. Like I said, it's tricky, but still very possible.

So if you have been holding off getting your kids a phone or they are bugging you for a smartphone, here is your chance to do it for $25 at a time with no commitment, plus the cost of the phone of course!

Why Gmail VOIP Integration Is Compelling

Yesterday, Google announced the integration of Google Voice and Gmail allowing Gmail users to place calls using their Google Voice number from a PC. It essentially allows for free domestic calls and very inexpensive international calls to land lines and cell phones.

While it's true that making phone calls from a PC has been possible for many years, it hasn't always been easy and voice quality has varied greatly. Initiating a voice over IP (VOIP) call with caller ID has been a challenge, for example, and receiving calls is often impossible.

The most popular form of VOIP right now is Skype and for good reason. Skype has made it easy for the average computer user to avoid high long distance tolls. For many international travelers and those with friends and family abroad, it is their primary form of communication.

Many people may wonder about the practicality of making phone calls with Gmail and it's worthwhile to point out that a good headset with microphone will make all the difference. Using a noisy laptop with the built-in mic and speakers will take away from the experience.

Gmail may not become anyone's primary telephone, although it very well could be just that and this is what makes the offering compelling. Many people who still have landlines may be hanging on just so they don't rack up cell minutes at home or maybe cell coverage isn't great where they live.

Google has finally streamlined the process of using one number inbound or out to any phone, and now PC, that you have access to and this is what really sets it apart. You can now reach anyone from anywhere and anyone can reach you using a single number/username.

Lastly, converting to a Google Voice number as a primary number now has greater benefits. It gives the user complete control of where calls are routed (cell, work, home, and now PC). For Google Voice users who have no home phone and want or need to disconnect their cell service can still maintain a voice mail box and make/receive calls from their PC.

Whether or not calls are possible from outside the US isn't quite clear, but this will be the next frontier if Google intends to overtake Skype.

Gaming: the new smartphone differentiator

Traditionally, phones have been differentiated by hardware features with software, primarily the user interface, coming into the mix more recently. When phones were limited to voice calls and texting, there was only so much manufacturers could do to stand out. 

In 2008, Apple introduced the App Store which spurred a new industry. They differentiated themselves and many jumped on board. The mobile race has had many interesting turns with the next one just ahead.

When PC makers were competing to capture the desktop market in the 80s and 90s, Apple stayed in the game by going after the education market. As a result, Macs were commonly used in primary education, universities and in research. Not unlike the tobacco industry’s “get ‘em while they’re young” philosophy, they attempt to win over customers as soon as possible. This still applies to today’s mobile devices.

While the desktop market battle seems to have cooled off, the mobile market has certainly heated up. Apple and Android are leading while Microsoft looks to be turning things around with a new OS that has an important tie in to the XBOX platform. If it weren’t for this critical piece, their chances of recovery in the market might be considerably less.

Thus far, games on Android have been somewhat scarce by comparison to the iPhone. There are some good Android games, but they are not plentiful nor is there a platform for online challenges. As announced recently, Google has hired a developer advocate for games and it will be interesting to what form the Android game platform takes.

With Google, Microsoft and Apple all announcing their intent to develop robust gaming platforms, it shows the seriousness of this race. While Apple and Microsoft have strategies in place, Google's plan for Android is still not clear. A partnership with Nintendo or Sony to incorporate the Wii or PlayStation platform might very well help catapult the platform. In any case, they will need to take a big step if they hope to capture any significant piece of the mobile gaming market.

How will iPhone 4 stack up against Android?

Android is seeing widespread adoption globally with reports indicating that the race is tightening. At CTIA several weeks ago, a couple handset makers announced exciting new hardware. HTC introduced the first 4G handset running Android while Samsung’s Galaxy will have a 4″ Super AMOLED display with high powered graphics processor. New android devices of various price points and form factors are being introduced at a record pace.

As exciting as it is, let’s not forget about the other successful smartphone maker. Apple just announced iPhone OS 4.0 highlights and it appears they are trying to silence critics by addressing multitasking. Having the ability to run location based services and streaming music in the background will give iphone users a much more enjoyable product. In addition, rumors are indicating a very high resolution display, possibly 960 x 640 which addresses the other achilles heel.

While writing this on my beloved Droid on a long flight (using Swype), it’s hard to ignore these improvements. Two significant weaknesses have been eliminated, assuming the resolution rumor holds up. Having spent the past day or so contemplating it all, here is a quick ‘Pros & Cons’ of switching from Android to iPhone as things stand today.

To be gained:
- Apple’s vast offering of apps
- Ultra high resolution display
- More mature OS
- iTunes integration
- More third party accessories

Given up:
- Swype keyboard
- Google Voice
- Free navigation
- Cash
- Mojo

Taking a closer look at the list of things that would be given up, the Swype keyboard hurts the most. I sit typing this with one hand/thumb and a coke in the other while my ipod touch remains in the laptop bag in the overhead compartment. Simply put, Swype is easier and faster with one hand than an iphone/ipod with two. So easy, in fact that pulling out my laptop is too much hassle.

Google Voice – of course there are web apps out there, but nothing can currently match Android integration. For anyone using GV as a primary number, this will be a big issue and potentially very costly. GV allows users to skip carrier SMS plans altogether. Apple just won’t have it… lessens the value of their agreement with ATT.

Free Navigation – it’s only money and Apple targets the luxury market, no surprise. This is more of an annoyance than an issue, but it’s things like this that push many people away.

Cash – Apple’s business philosophy is in stark contrast to Google’s. Apple is threatened by Google’s business model of providing free, quality services while earning high revenue through advertising from deep pockets of the corporate world. Just look at MobileMe… easy money from the uninformed Apple customer, their bread and butter.

Mojo – the intangible. The iphone has become such a mainstream product with absurd technical weaknesses that Android is viewed as the product for the more technically competent with a certain pride existing amongst Android users. We take for granted many freedoms that come without jailbreaking.

The next few months may shed more light. We have yet to see how Motorola will update the Droid. Likewise, we’ve yet to see other features Apple may bring with the iPhone 4. But, beyond hardware and software features, there is the underlying ecosystem. While the mainstream user is oblivious to most of it, there are those who understand what the long term effects might be of a closed system ruled with an iron fist. This alone makes it difficult to consider jumping ship.