Aims and Objectives

The researcher's primary aim for the study is to explore particular aspects of the technology and applications, as well as the special features of the Apple i-Phone 3G, as compared and contrasted to a: Research in Motion's BlackBerry 8100 Pearl; b: Motorola Q; c: Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617 d: Samsung BlackJack SGH-i607.

Objective 1

Conduct a thorough Literature Review of relevant information relating to particular aspects of the Apple i-Phone 3G, particularly as it compares/contrasts four other smartphones

Objective 2

Develop or secure an abbreviated questionnaire dedicated to collecting customer contentions regarding smartphones.

Objective 3

Implement questionnaire developed, retrieve results and compile with findings from the literature review to address this study's research question.

Conclusion

As the quote introducing this chapter/study explains, when one compares things, this typically indicates the discussion will emphasize similarities of the two items. When one contrasts items, however, this indicates differences in the two items will be considered (Columbia Guide… 1993). During the next chapter, the literature review, the researcher, as the quote notes, compares and contrasts the technology and applications, as well as the special features of the Apple i-Phone 3G, as compared and contrasted to a: Research in Motion's BlackBerry 8100 Pearl; b: Motorola Q; c: Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617 d: Samsung BlackJack SGH-i607.

CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

"Compare usually implies that a discussion will emphasize similarities;

contrast usually implies that it will emphasize differences"

(Wilson 1993).

As chapter I purports, this study, primarily utilizes secondary information to compare and contrast the technology and applications and the special features of the Apple i-Phone 3G to four other contemporary smartphones. This literature review chapter utilizes a thematic organization with the five following themes:

5. Apple iPhone 3G (8GB model)

6. Research in Motion's BlackBerry 8100 Pearl

7. Motorola Q

8. Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617

9. Samsung BlackJack SGH-i607

For this literature review chapter, the researcher presents the a sampling of information retrieved from Web sites; articles; books; newspaper excerpts; etc., relevant to considerations of the technology and applications and the special features of the Apple i-Phone 3G, as compared and contrasted to a: Research in Motion's BlackBerry 8100 Pearl; b: Motorola Q; c: Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617 d: Samsung BlackJack SGH-i607.

The researcher initially accessed and reviewed more than 60 credible sources to narrow down the more than 40 noted in the reference section in this study. The literature review

Apple iPhone 3G (8GB model)

Apple's iPhone 3G (8GB model) reportedly does not have any credible peer, according to Goldstein (2009). Some fans of this smartphone, which launched July 2008, claim it "has it all," while some reviews denounce the iPhone 3G as it may at times prove unreliable in its connection to at&T Mobility's 3G HSPA network, which continues to remain popular. The Apple's iPhone 3G (8GB model) has become a top seller for the following key reasons:

An attractive scope of its functions (includes doubling as a phone and an iPod);

Accelerometer functionality (includes Google Maps and other available applications available the Apple App Store offers);

Stylish sleek look;

The accompanying "Apple" brand aura.

Figure 1 portrays the Apple's iPhone 3G (8GB model).

Figure 1: Apple's iPhone 3G (8GB model) (Goldstein 2009).

Advertisements for the iPhone 3G assert that using this smartphone simplifies making a call to tapping a name or number. Each of the owner's contacts appear as he/she scrolls through in a list with a flick of his/her finger. In addition, Visual Voicemail, just like email, plays the owner's messages in whatever particular order he/she designates (Features 2009).

Email on iPhone appears and works like email on the computer; with support by popular email servers which include MobileMe, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, Google Gmail, and AOL, along with the majority industry-standard IMAP or POP mail systems to bring the owner's email to their hand, wherever they may be (Features 2009).

Safari, reportedly the most advanced web browser available, serves as the browser for the iPhone. With 3G and Wi-Fi, the owner may browse the Internet faster than ever, promoters proclaim. "With its beautiful 3.5-inch widescreen display and Multi-Touch controls, iPhone is also one amazing iPod. Browse your music in Cover Flow and watch widescreen video with the touch of a finger" (Features 2009 p.4). Owners of the iPhone also have access to a chat-style view. An intelligent Multi-Touch keyboard predicts and suggests words as the owner types, which contributes to Apple's claim that iPhone texts prove to be smarter than any smartphone. (Features 2009).

Other "smart" perks for the iPhone owner include the ability to easily find his/her location, obtain directions, and view traffic from his phone. "Maps on iPhone 3G combines GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell tower location technology with the Multi-Touch interface to create the best mobile map application ever" (Features 2009 p. 6). In addition, along with the opportunity to choose from reportedly millions of DRM-free iTunes Plus songs, he iPhone owner only pays what he/she would pay if downloading iTunes on his/her computer (Features 2009).

Specifics for the Apple's iPhone 3G include:

Height: 4.5 inches (115.5 mm)

Width: 2.4 inches (62.1 mm)

Depth: 0.48-inch (12.3 mm)

Weight: 4.7 ounces (133 grams) (Features p.12)

Capacity: 8GB or 16GB flash drive (Features p.12)

iPhone 3G Power and Battery

Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery3

Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter

Replicating "he candy bar," the Blackberry 8100 Pearl, the first BlackBerry to possess a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, is reportedly stylish and skinny. This smartphone "features video and music playback, an EDGE data connection, push email support and is Bluetooth-capable" (Goldstein 2009).
Figure 2 depicts the Research in Motion's BlackBerry 8100 Pearl, the smartphone that proclaims that as a small smartphnone, it makes the phrase "ring" true: "Good things come in small packages" (Goldstein 2009).

Figure 2: Research in Motion's BlackBerry 8100 Pearl (Goldstein 2009).

Features Available for the BlackBerry® Pearl ™ models:

Wireless Email

Organizer

Browser

Phone

Camera

BlackBerry® Maps

Video Recording

Wi-Fi®

Media Player

Corporate Data Access

SMS

MMS

GPS

Size & Weight

Length

4.2"

4.2"

4.2"

4.2"

Width

1.97"

1.97"

1.97"

1.97"

Depth

0.57"

0.55"

0.55"

0.55"

Weight

Appox.

3.1 oz

Appox.

3.1 oz

Appox.

3.1 oz

Appox.

3.4 oz

Standby Time

15 days

15 days

15 days

9 days

Talk Time

3.5 hours

Memory

Expandable Memory

support for microSD card support for microSD card support for microSD card

Flash Memory

64 MB

Specifications. Blackberry. 2009 Research in Motion Limited http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=113

Motorola Q

Even though the Motorola Q (Q) may resemble a Palm Treo, Goldstein (2009) points out, it is definitely not, as it is much slimmer skinnier than the Palm Treo. The Q. operates on Windows Mobile 5.0, "features a full QWERTY keyboard, an EV-DO connection, integrated Bluetooth and 1.3 megapixel camera" (Goldstein, Motorola Q. section). The Q. offers video and audio playback, while also supporting a broade range of multimedia formats, which include WMV, MPEG, MP3 and AAC formats.

Figure 3 pictures the Motorola Q.

Figure 3: Motorola Q (Goldstein 2009). .

Summary of Key Features

One of the first devices to run on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0; Optimized for Microsoft Exchange 2003 and a variety of third party email solutions that enable a broad set of corporate email capabilities.

Thinnest QWERTY device in the world -- 11.5mm

Full, ergonomic QWERTY keyboard, 5-way navigation button and thumb wheel

Video clip capture and playback

Connectivity via Bluetooth, IrDA and mini-USB; compatible with Motorola H500,

HT820, H5, H600, H700 Bluetooth wireless headsets

Multi-Media Messaging (MMS)

Dual, stereo-quality speakers

Audio formats supported: iMelody, MIDI, MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA, WAX, QCELP

Image formats supported: GIF87a, GIF89a, JPEG, WBMP, BMP, PNG

Video formats supported: H.263, MPEG-4, GSM-AMR, AAC, WMV

Mini-SD removable memory card slot

Large, high-resolution display (320 x 240 pixels, 65K TFT)

1.3 mega pixel camera with photo lighting

PIM functionality with Picture Caller ID

Advanced speech recognition and speakerphone (Moto Q. 2009).

Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617

Goldstein (2009) purports the popular Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617 possesses a number of evolutionary perks that contribute to it qualifying as an improvement over its predecessor. The phone, which runs on Windows Mobile 6.1, possesses a jog wheel for prompt scrolling, a built-in GPS radio with an optional TeleNav GPS Navigator, and a 2 megapixel camera. This phone is also compatible with at&T's Video Share service.

Figure 4 reflects the Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617.

Figure 4: Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617 (Goldstein 2009).

Features

Size: Dimension (HXWXD): 4.4" x 2.3" x 0.4"

Camera: Resolution: 2.0 Megapixel

Music & Sound: Windows Media® Player 10

Fun & Entertainment: FM Radio: NO

Document Viewer: Picsel Viewer

Instant Messaging: Yes

User Memory: flash memory 128mb/256mb

External Memory:

microSD ™ External Memory Slot

Touch Screen: No

Samsung BlackJack SGH-i607

The original Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i607 the predecessor to the Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i617 may not have all of the flashy features its next-generation sibling, Goldstein (2009) contends, but this particular smartphone continues to "pack a punch." This smartphone operates on Windows Mobile 5.0, and has a QWERTY keyboard. It possesses multimedia capabilities, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and microSD memory card slot.

Figure 5 mirrors the Samsung BlackJack II SGH-i607.

Figure 5: Samsung BlackJack SGH-i607 (Goldstein 2009). .

Consumer Smartphone Sales

Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for the NPD Group, purports that the lower-priced iPhone 3G contributed to a boon for overall consumer smartphone sales. "While the original iPhone also helped win customers for…