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Windows 7 phone in the hunt

The thing I don't like about technology comparisons - aside from the fact that they're generally subjective - is the way reviewers pitch competition in the market as some kind of death race where only technology can win.

The thing I don't like about technology comparisons - aside from the fact that they're generally subjective - is the way reviewers pitch competition in the market as some kind of death race where only technology can win. It's not like that, especially in the phone market - some phones are better for some things than others, customers have their own preferences and there's lots of room for everybody, with probably two billion phones in use around the world at any given time.

So my advice is to ignore all the predictions about the Windows 7 phone, and what impact it will have on the other players in the market. It's going to be big, market shares will adjust, but nobody is going anywhere.

While RIM has seen its market share decline recently, the Blackberry is still the phone of choice for businesses and governments, and that's not going to change - it would be like every office in the world suddenly ditching Microsoft Office for Linux. The Blackberry arguably offers the best security, people like the physical touchpad on many models, the push e-mail and text messaging options, the 4G phones and networks, the e-mail and productivity software, etc. The company has found its niche among power users that are less focused on games and whether they can use the phones to level a shelf.

As well, the phones are available through the majority of carriers and almost everywhere around the world - with the exception of countries that like to spy on their people and are frustrated by RIM's superior encryption. The announcement of the RIM PlayBook tablet is also exciting, and so far it looks like a pretty handy piece of hardware that the business set might happily embrace.

I would guess that RIM is pretty safe as long as they continue to play to their strengths.

Then we have the iPhone, which is a great all-around device that does things no other phone can do, or can do as well. It's a fantastic multimedia device and a great productivity tool with the right apps. But when all is said and done it's considered to be an average phone and business tool. A lot of people don't like typing on a touch screen, the lack of ports and removable storage, the price, the lack of options when it comes to push e-mail or text notifications, restrictions on tethering, the lack of 4G support or file access, or the fact that it's only available (in the U.S.) through one carrier. The apps are useful and getting more so all the time as Apple lightens up its proprietary focus, but business users still generally pick other phones - like RIM, because compatibility is important, and people want to use the devices that others are using.

Then we have the Google Android system, which is basically a software platform that works on hardware produced by other companies. It's a good alternative to the iPhone, and good value when it comes to apps and tools - and integration with Google's suite of software products in incredible. The app store is second only to the iPhone, there's built-in turn-by-turn GPS and the phones are reasonably good as well - especially Samsung's Galaxy line with their AMOLED screens. You can also get phones with keypads, with one or two cameras - any configuration you need. You can also get 4G, good multi-tasking and superior file management.

However, Android is confusing people. Some phones are running Android 1.7, some 2.1 and some 2.2, and it's uncertain whether it's even possible for older versions to upgrade - and the most recent versions seem to be stuck in Beta. Flash compatibility is promised, but hasn't arrived. Plus, you generally have to access Android through a portal layer created by the cell phone manufacturer, and some of these interfaces are not much good.

You can root an Android phone, which means you can customize it to a high level without resorting to jail breaking, but there are only a small percentage of people out there that would feel really comfortable doing that.

Which brings us to the Windows Phone 7 operating system introduced this week, which will be released on 10 phones with a variety of carriers. It's the same software-only business model as Android, but being a Microsoft product it has a few advantages and disadvantages over its competitors.

Its niche will be the people who use and love Microsoft, who own computers running Windows 7 and Office, and/or Xbox 360s. The phones have Microsoft Xbox Live support and can access games through the Xbox marketplace; it will also access Bing for web searches and maps/GPS, it will run Office software and it will sync with the Zune music store - a subscription store where you can access millions of songs for a monthly fee.

The variety of phones ensures that you can get the configuration you want - keypad or no keypad, front-facing camera or not, etc. You can also go through almost any carrier, which is a huge advantage over Apple.

Most critics have pointed out that Microsoft faces an uphill battle with Windows Phone 7 with all the well-established options out there, but there's no denying it has a place even if the first few years are playing catch-up with other companies and app developers.

The bottom line is that there is no best phone, just the best phone for the job, your needs and your preferences. Consider that when you read the reviews.