2009’s Laptops = 2013’s Smartphones

Specs don’t tell the whole story about a device, but it’s important to note that the gap between the things we think of when we say “computer” and “smartphone” is getting smaller and smaller. It’s a bit of an “apples and oranges” comparison, but the specs of one of the pricier 2013 smartphones aren’t all that different from those of one of the pricer 2009 laptops:

2009-era computers are the machines of choice for producing TPS reports.

We all know that a lot of today’s work is still done on computers with specs similar to the 2009-era laptop shown above. They’re used in offices, banks, airports, retail stores, factories, schools, and any place that has to produce TPS reports every day. Now imagine that computing power, but with these qualities:

• One-tenth of the weight
• One-third of the price, unsubsidized; one-sixth of the price when subsidized
• Always connected to a network unless you’re out of the country or somewhere really remote
• Functions as a decent still and video camera
• Has built-in GPS
• Fits in your pocket
• Also functions as a phone

Whether you write apps for mobile devices or administer them for an organization, don’t think of them as just phones that happen to be able to run applications. That was the mistake made by Motorola, Nokia, RIM, and Palm — the top mobile vendors in 2006 and now the subject of “Where are they now?” conversations.

The top 4 smartphone brands of 2006: 1. Nokia: died today. 2. RIM: dead soon. 3. Motorola: dead sooner than you think. 4. Palm: long dead.

— Michael DeGusta (@degusta) September 3, 2013

Think of them as computers that fit in your pocket and just happen to make phone calls.