Just thinking back to the number of devices and phones I had used, trying to make a list...

Let's see.

3COM - Palm Pilot III (and IIIxe)

Sharp Zaurus

Ericsson 388 (Phone) - First Mobile phone for me!

Windows CE Device First Generation from Fujitsu, can't recall the name.

(after several generations of Nokia Phones..)

O2 - XDA

O2 (second Generation, without the antenna)

P990i Sony Errisson, the one with the flip down small keyboard.

Dopod 900 ( too large phone running Windows Mobile, with 640x480 screen pix..)

Dopod 838 (with Slide out Keyboard)

N90 Nokia

X1 Experia - Sony Erricsson

E75 Nokia

iPhone

Seems like a long list running from since 1997, but realistically, not all are good experience.

What I liked:

- Palm Pilot's short-hand when writing letters.

- Large Screen - Yes, the Dopod 900 with Keyboard, the Dopod 838 with Keyboard, and of course the fantastic iPhone that can enlarge!

- Long Battery power - Best so  far, the Nokia N90 with exceptional Reception as well.

- Huge number of applications :- iPhone. None to beat it yet. Closest i had used was the P990i, tons of Jar applications were running...

- Ability to kill programs  that hang - Fantastic with the New Symbian OS Phones like N90. Well, iPhone still has some Rouge codes, but close.

- Great Browsing experience - iPhone. None can beat. Not even Samsung phones like Jet or Omnia II. Far cry.

- Fast Wifi Connection - iPhone to beat. Probably taken from the MACs, wifi is a breeze. Just walk near, 2 seconds, and you are connected.

- Simply SYNC options - N90+Symbian+Via Blue-Tooth was the best combi. No, iPhone cannot win in this arena as it still does not do well with Lotus Notes.

What I hated:

- Windows Mobile. Hangs, Slow down, sucks battery(background apps), extremely terrible browsing experience.

- Bad Keyboard - Xepria. I thought it was cool from the advert. Spent a fortune on the phone, but, it is terrible. Windows is slow, the keyboard feel is off. One of my biggest regret.

- Lousy battery life - O2 (First Gen). Had to charge Every day, from my usage. almost flat every night... it was a nightmare.

- Applications killing the Mobile Phone service.  - This is typical of windows Mobile, and probably something that can not be overcome unless a full OS rewrite. A rouge application can hang your phone such that incoming and out-going phone call's are dead. BAD Phone. Symbian allows you to 'kill' apps and i had not experience applications hanging Phone connectivities.

What I think the phone/software companies should do:

- Capitialize on their strength, not compete via weakness.

iPhones and iTunes Store is the greatest combi. Nokia, Sony Erricsson and Samsung realizes this and tries to 'Create' their own store.

Get Real!

iTunes started with MP3 and has huge content. What does phone manufacturer has to compete ? Clear demonstration of their weakness. Get out!.

Work Harder and focus:

Folks like Nokia has some of the best user interface and use experience. Capitalize on that. Make a big fuss about it. Work some deal with Apple to join their iTunes Store for Pod-cast+MP3 as a value (not profit). "If you can't beat them, join them.." .. Focus on handset sales and try not to be somebody you are not. Miss those days where I could pick up a Nokia and say.. "hey.. this is easy to use ..."..

Operating Systems:

- You aint there, don't be. Mickey, get out. My worst experience comes from them. Focus on retention in your >80% PC O/S Market. Resell XP, you'd earn big bucks. Sell Hardware with OS pre-installed .. you'd be the biggest.. stay out of Phone market...

... Just thoughts...