Denuo - denuology.com

You know those people who have a natural sense of direction? Who seem to just know how to navigate new neighborhoods, where to turn right or left? Who can give a map a once-over without furrowing their brow? I am not one of those people.

In fact, about a month ago, I got lost on my 0.1 mile walk to work off the Clark/Lake stop. I somehow managed to head west on Lake Street and walked in squares around Clark, LaSalle, and West Wacker. I even annoyed not one, but two, busy-looking people on the street by asking which way West Wacker was. At this point, it was 8:54am and I was getting dangerously close to being late, so I hailed a cab to work (I’m serious.) Quite possibly the most embarrassing $5 I ever spent.

It got me thinking: I am one of those people who should get a smartphone. I’m constantly looking up train schedules, walking directions, restaurant menus, movie times, concerts and events information. When I’m out with friends, I always have to ask two questions: 1) “Where are we going?” and 2) “Who has a smartphone?”

This brings me to the real question-at-hand: which mobile machine reigns supreme? According to a recently released report from the NPD group, Android phones have finally (and surprisingly) outsold Apple’s iPhones. Android sales were at 28 percent, which trumps the iPhone’s 21 percent and tailgates the Research in Motion’s Blackberry, which leads with 36 percent. But Apple has plans to return with a vengeance: this week’s buzz is all about the iPhone 4G and its projected 24 million shipments starting in June. Even large banks like Standard Chartered and Morgan Stanley have been swapping out their BlackBerries for iPhones, so that employees can “enjoy the features and content available on their iPhone without the hassle of carrying another device in order to access office email.”

I was getting desperate. I decided to consult my buddies at Denuo, knowing that Denuologists are always up to speed on the latest trends in social, mobile and new media. As I expected, all three major devices- iPhone, Blackberry, and Android- were represented. Also, Denuologists were not hesitant to call each other out on being “iPhone-toting fan boys” or “hating on ‘CORPORATE’ Blackberry love.” Here’s more stuff I learned:

• “The iPhone is my indispensable mobile multi-tool. I’m using it constantly to get around the city, find places to eat, take pictures, track my runs, remember random thoughts I have.  It’s basically my entire connection to the world when I’m on the go.”
• “”I’m currently in a love affair with the Droid. Google runs my life. From gmail, gcalendar, gtalk, search, reader, maps, buzz, picasa, etc., all can be accessed directly from my pocket. Not to mention the ability to Facebook/Twitter my face off.”
• “An iPhone would probably serve me pretty well, but I like the ‘openness’ of the Android platform and what that means from a choice and possibility standpoint.”
• ““My Blackberry’s email capabilities rule- you get all of your emails instantaneously and it syncs to your mailbox. You get Blackberry Messenger (a Blackberry-exclusive instant messaging system) and a full keyboard- makes for easy and fast typing.”
• “ You know exactly what do with an iPhone when you pull it out of the box. You can run apps right away. From an entertainment perspective, it’s super fun and beats out the Blackberry.”
• [On where Android falls short] “No easy way to find up and coming apps. An app needs to be reviewed/downloaded by tons of people before it bubbles to the top.”
• “The ATT network is just wonky. It’s not like I’m living in the middle of nowhere – yet my phone wavers wildly from 3G to lower speed (EDGE) to no data to no signal. It’s not that ATTs network is bad overall, just that it’s frustratingly inconsistent.”
• “Google’s Nexus One- the phone itself is rock solid. But not as sexy as the iPhone OS.”
• “Windows Mobile 7 looks really sexy as well, but does carry that ‘me too’ stigma that MS is fighting with their handheld/mobile platforms, like the Zune.”
• [What I will love with Android OS 2.2 update later this month] “WiFi hotspot functionality, USB tethering, full Flash mobile support, and 450% increase in software speed.”
• “The decision comes down to wanting either a ‘work week phone’ or a ‘weekend phone’.”
• [On what makes Android awesome] “Skyfire browser. Allows me to view flash videos on my phone. Take that iPhone! (Start the fight between Raff and Benny in 3, 2, 1…)”

So Denuologists have proven once again that they are tech-savvy nerds — and can throw out a few punches too. It sounds like every smartphone has its strengths and weaknesses, and no phone has the perfect package. At the end of the day, I think the smartphone that complements my work and lifestyle the best will become my very own hand candy.