Why Mobile Tech Frustrates Me

I will be one of the first people to tell you about the many benefits of mobile and Web technologies. The usability and connectivity are attractive, and there are some really neat things in place now that make this field just exciting.

But as I sat to work on a few items from a Treo 680, Bluetooth keyboard, and Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, I began to get frustrated at mobile technology because of all the things that I need to do that these devices miss out on doing simply, if at all.

Stability

I am usually one of the first people to NOT deride a device because it is instable. If I have a problem, I normally am adept enough to start from scratch and try to see if it was something that I had caused. And if I can get to the conclusion that I cannot fix it, I'll usually assume that some kind of firmware update is going to come and fix it. But in the meantime, I'm left with a device that has a known flaw, and more likely other items will crop up.

And then there is the issue of updating the said devices when stability can be addressed. There are either complicated install procedures, or simply the updates don't work, or worse, the fixes don't fix the issues.

Stability, both sides of the coin, are big issues when it comes to being as mobile as I am. I could get even more frustrated, but I don't know enough about what goes into fixing devices to rant on this issue more than I already have.

User Interface

Another issue that's a common problem with mobile devices is that there is (1) the way that they are designed to be use, (2) the way that we want to use them, and (3) the way they are used. Rarely, or with some tech never, do those three items match up.

For example, the N800 has a really innovative touchscreen that knows whether you are using a stylus or a touchscreen. However, it sometimes gets temperamental and when you tap with a finger and the stylus driven controls come up. Or worse, scrolling doesn't adjust at all. The same thin scroll bar that you use with the stylus is the one that you use with your finger. Am I wrong in thinking that someone should have spent a bit more time in following through with that design decision?

Value

Probably the most frustrating aspect of owning a mobile device is its value. Sure, we can rely on these items for communication and connectivity, but there is always this tug of war as to when too much or too little value is being paid to life and the device.

For example, I think that my Treo was an excellent value. I can literally get along without a laptop for most of what I want to do. However, I have friends who want the same functionality out of their $0.00 RAZRs. Do they really value what the device can do, or is it me that values things too much.

It's safe to say that mobile tech is beneficial, but it has its lows as well. I guess that the goal is to stay even minded about it, but when a device crashes in the mist of writing an article or a long email, that does get quite hard.

Other Recent Editorials from Antoine Wright

• What About A Non-Connected Smartphone?
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