Life with Me in the middle
What is the most important feature in a business device?
GLOBAL – In our series of “most important feature” polls, it seems we left out one type of phone that some folks were asking us about: business phones. But, what makes a business phone? In this day of always-on entrepreneurs, life-work balance, and greater business features across a portfolio of devices (from voice-only to full-blown Booklets), does it still make sense to separate out some features that should be optimized to make a phone more business-savvy? Well, there’s only one way to find out: to the polls!
What’s the most important feature in a business phone?Easily connect to Exchange-based email and directory
File synchronization to a server or PC
Push email
In-built SIP client
QWERTY keyboard
Touchscreen
Quality materials and finish
Separate work and private modes
Great camera
Long battery life
Proper productivity apps
Other:
Image from Foxtongue
If you are like me there is more than one important feature that makes up a world class business phone. It is actually a combination of services rolled into a tight package that make it worthy to be called a business phone. The must have features include a great email client (doesn’t have to be push), quality materials that will last, as well as a battery that last at least all day long under heavy use.
While touch screens are all the rage now this has 0% to do with business class phones in my opinion. Done right touch screens can transform a phone into a enjoyable experience. However done wrong and the phone can become a paper weight with a pretty screen. All touch screen brings to the table is the opportunity to create more fluid user interfaces allowing the user to more easily control his/her phone. This has no merit on business only phones.
One could always argue that a true business phone needs a decent camera and I for one agree with this. Think of all of the uses in business that a camera can come into play. With a good camera you have the ability to scan documents by taking pictures and sending them to services like ScanR (http://www.scanr.com). This can become a valuable resource while you are on the road or simply cannot afford to purchase scanner for your own personal use. These days a camera has much more use than just capturing ones life and sharing it. I look forward to all of the innovations of the future by using the API made available to use for use with the camera. Software has transformed our usage of the camera.
What does a business phone mean to you? Does it mean having email capability and the ability to store all of your contacts and calendar? Share you thoughts.
Posted via web from sloanb’s posterous
