Roundup: Smartphone Gift Guide
Buying a Smartphone? Here’s What You Need to KnowHow to Buy a SmartphoneTop Smartphones
Choosing a cell phone isn’t a simple cut-and-dried process anymore. Yes, they still make and receive calls. But now they’re also dynamic, multifaceted communication tools too. Here are some points to digest before investing in your next calling / texting / surfing / tweeting powerhouse.
What Are Your Carrier Options?
Don’t be fooled, there is no perfect wireless carrier. Since hardware exclusivity agreements are en vogue, it’s entirely possible the phone of your dreams won’t be available on your network of choice. That said, let’s have a look at the four main options:
AT&T
AT&T offers a solid nationwide voice network, but its high-speed data coverage is notoriously spotty. Despite this, AT&T remains one of the more accommodating carriers for overseas travelers.
Coverage Map
Exclusive all-star: iPhone 3GS
Hidden perk: Sells cheap iPhone refurbs (with warranty!) through the website.
On the horizon: Forthcoming 4G data network (LTE)
Sprint
Sprint is known for its speedy data network, lax credit requirements, push-to-talk offerings and passable voice network. Overall handset selection and customer service ratings haven’t been the company’s high point, though.
Coverage Map
Exclusive all-stars: Palm Pre, HTC Hero
Hidden perk: Roaming agreements with Verizon means extra coverage on certain plans.
On the horizon: Forthcoming 4G data network (WiMax)
T-Mobile
German-based T-Mobile positions itself as the cost leader in the wireless game. Setbacks like smaller voice and data networks are offset by cheaper calling plans, compelling handsets, overseas support and high customer satisfaction ratings.
Coverage Map
Exclusive all-stars: Motorola Cliq, T-Mobile G1
Hidden perk: Offers contractless calling plans for consumers who already own compatible hardware.
On the horizon: More network expansion
Verizon
Verizon prides itself on voice and data coverage, but it comes at a price. Lackluster handset offerings, limited overseas-ready handsets and pricey calling plans are the norm.
Coverage Map
Exclusive all-stars: Motorola Droid, Blackberry Storm
Hidden perk: Online phone purchases often offer instant rebates instead of mail-ins.
On the horizon: Forthcoming 4G data network (LTE)
Basic Features
You can hardly throw a Treo without hitting a cellphone user. So, it’s likely you already have a handle on universal goodies like caller ID, speakerphone and voicemail. Here are four oft-overlooked features worth considering.
OS: Operating systems have become a new battleground for phone shoppers. In short, the OS is the way you leverage a phone’s speed, capabilities and ultimate usability. Budget handsets often ignore this completely by putting a drab, utilitarian menu system in place. In contrast, Apple and Google have released the polished, full-featured iPhone and Android OSes respectively. Nokia’s Symbian, RIM’s Blackberry OS, Palm’s WebOS and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile are noteworthy as well, if less polished and user-friendly. Each OS has its good and bad points, but ultimately there’s an operating system out there for everyone.
Entry mode: Virtual keyboards, QWERTY keypads and everything in between appear on handsets now. Before choosing a device, consider how its entry mode(s) will affect your usage. Are you heavy texter or e-mailer? The speed and accuracy of a physical QWERTY may be the way to go. Want quick, seamless access to your calendar, music and pics? Stylishly whisking around on a touchscreen might suit you better.
Messaging: The question is simple: How would you like to connect with your contacts? If voice and text are all you need, then the choices are myriad. Advanced messaging services like IM, e-mail and even Facebook and Twitter have become common too, but they tend to be more common on advanced handsets. The right phone can be as much (or as little) of a communication hub as you’d like.
Multimedia: Even basic phones moonlight as an MP3 players and digital cameras now. In searching for a phone, consider the multimedia capabilities you’d like crammed in. High megapixel counts, video streaming and capture capabilities, as well as beefed-up memory can pump up even a ho-hum handset (and minimize the number of gadgets you have to carry).
Extras
Now that you’ve taken care of the core concerns, it’s time to think about the goodies. Before chasing the most expensive, feature-filled handset on the market, consider what extras you’ll actually need and which ones you’ll find handy down the road in your contract.
Wi-Fi: Sure, it’s not nearly as widespread as 3G. Wi-Fi is still the gold standard of extra features. Not only is it faster than 3G, but it’s easy to connect and hotspots are everywhere.
3G: Most budget handsets don’t offer this high-speed data standard. But, if web surfing is something you’ll only occasionally do, you’ll want a 3G-capable phone. Trust us, the fleet-footed download speeds are worth it.
E-mail: Extending your inbox has never been easier. Even budget handsets offer rudimentary web-based options, while upscale devices sport dedicated e-mail support and push updates from multiple inboxes.
App stores: Want to transform your phone into a gaming system, night light or pedometer? Then you want access to downloadable apps. Phones running software from Apple, Palm, RIM and Android all offer options. Tread carefully, though: Not all apps are created equal. Apple’s app store has far more selection than any others, with more than 100,000 apps. The Android store is No. 2 with 12,000. While selection isn’t everything (do you really need 42 different “pull my finger” apps?), it does make a difference — the more apps in a store, the more likely it is to have what you want.
GPS: Newer, faster alternatives to traditional GPS are turning phones into navigation powerhouses. Though services like aGPS are reliant on network coverage, finding a handset with the feature is often cheaper and more convenient than buying a standalone GPS unit.
Wired’s Top Picks
Business: Blackberry Curve 8900
The Curve is one of RIM’s best productivity workhorses with a (thankfully) revamped HTML browser. However, the retro OS/processor pairing puts a damper on multimedia playback.
Runners up:
• Palm Pre
• HTC myTouch
Multimedia: Motorola Droid
The newest flagship phone from Google’s Android army sports lightning fast access to music, pics, web and messaging. The only roadblock is the clunky (and unnecessary!) keyboard.Runners up:
• iPhone 3GS
• Sony Ericson C905a
Budget: Palm Centro
The Centro is cheap and hardly sexy. But, it makes up for that with reliability and stable performance.Runners up:
• Samsung Alias 2
• Nokia E71xProduct Photos: Jon Snyder
Over the last six months just about all of my tech friends have started using 
First, let’s look at Foursquare the game. Whenever you check in on Foursquare, you’re rewarded with points and (sometimes) badges with clever names. These are fun initially, because you can easily compete with your friends for bragging rights. But while these game elements are a good way to entice users, they’re ultimately just a gimmick. In two year’s time, will any of these people seriously care about how many checkins they have? I doubt it. Certainly not enough to motivate them to check in every time they enter an establishment. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a lifelong gamer, it’s that even the most engaging, addictive games out there get tired after a while. And Foursquare’s gameplay simply isn’t that engaging to begin with.
Undoubtedly by now you’ve heard about Tiger Woods’ car crash. Early reports had him in serious condition (which remember, is better than critical condition) after he apparently hit a fire hydrant and a tree while leaving his home in his SUV. The latest 
When 
Qiana Mestrich is the Search Engine Marketing and Social Media Manager at 
At any number of companies, people are being asked to do their part. To give something back to their community.
While Amazon’s Associates program is not my largest income stream (I rank 
Let’s start with the most obvious point – one of the biggest factors in the upward swing in my Amazon earnings has been a corresponding upward swing traffic. 
One of the other major factors that has come into play with the increase in earnings that I’ve had has been the type of readership I’ve managed to gather on my blogs. While I do get a fair bit of search engine traffic I’ve found that in most cases (and there is an exception below) search visitors are not converting with affiliate programs on my blogs – instead it is loyal and repeat readers.
Another big factor in the equation of Amazon conversions is the intent that your readers have when they visit your blog. Why are they there and at what stage in the ‘buying cycle’ are they at?
This is another common sense tip that many of us (yes I failed on this one in my early days) mess up. The more relevant to your audience the products are that you promote the better chance you’ll have of converting.
5. Get People in the Door and Let Amazon Do What they’re Good At
6. Social Proof Marketing 1 – Best Seller Lists
I used to do all of the reviews of photography books on DPS. It was mainly because I couldn’t find anyone else to do them and probably partly a little because I’m a control freak. 
There are two main ways that I promote Amazon links. The first is in ‘Reviews’ for products (the second I’ll cover below in the next point). These links are where I or one of my writers will genuinely look over and test a product and give it the once over. 
The other type of link that I use to Amazon is when I’m mentioning a product in passing and/or a new product is announced that is relevant for my niche. For example when the 
One of the biggest reasons my initial attempts with Amazon fell flat on their face and simply didn’t convert was that I thought it’d be enough to slap an image based button on my sidebar that featured a product or that was simply a banner ad to Amazon. 
There’s hardly a product on Amazon that does not have a listed discount on it. Most books are as much as 30% off recommended retail prices and at different times during the year Amazon runs other special discounts and promotions on different single products or in different product categories.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:37 am
Wow! What a wealth of information for one blog post!
Number 5 struck a particular chord with me. It’s so important for modern writers to acknowledge that the world is very different to even four or five years ago. If you can’t be bothered to get out there and sell your product (or idea/ms/proposal) then don’t expect anyone else to either!
A related favour – could fellow readers/writers please take a look at http://www.carlselby.wordpress.com and let me know what you think of my first edit Book Trailer.
Kind regards,
Carl Selby
October 30th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Social comments and analytics for this post
This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michelle Hodkin: Awesome post from Alan Rinzler that indirectly explains why agents have to be so discriminating- http://bit.ly/1tZnYg
October 30th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Great post. What impresses me is your forward looking attitude which makes a refreshing change. “No one in the book business knows what the digital revolution or downturn in the economy will bring next.” Too true!
October 30th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Alan:
Do you think you’re more likely to want the entire manuscript now that it can be sent electronically rather than having manuscripts of typed pages lying around your office?
Great post, though with 650,000 books published last year you would think it would be a breeze to get a book published. Getting them sold in any quantity is another story.
I’ve got a client whose print book I’m trying to sell who’s already sold 65,000 e-book copies. How would you treat that situation?
Pierre Lehu
October 30th, 2009 at 11:38 am
[…] Editor and consultant Alan Rinzler shares his top five secrets to getting a book deal. […]
October 30th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Hi Pierre -
Yes, I always request the entire manuscript as a single Word document email attachment, since it’s much faster, cheaper, and easier to handle than a stack of paper.
Selling 65K ebooks is a very impressive accomplishment. If you’re having trouble placing the print version, perhaps the publishers are assuming everyone who wants it already has one. Your job is educational: to explain why the book isn’t focused on a specialized market and there are still plenty of new potential readers. You can also cite statistics showing that people who’ve purchased an ebook are also likely to buy a print version (see Kindle stats from Amazon.)
If that doesn’t work, maybe the flaw is in the book itself and it needs work, a new edition, a preface from a credible famous expert in the field, or more developmental editing.
It also helps, as you know, to guarantee buying a few hundred or more at a good discount, as back-of-the-room materials.
Good luck,
-Alan
October 31st, 2009 at 2:56 am
A wonderfully candid and detailed post. I’ve already bookmarked it for when the time is right, although, as you hint at, the publishing industry could well be a very different place by the time I’m ready. Still, I’ve already started my self-marketing, with a website about my writing experiences, and some plans about what I’m going to do with my first book.
A friend of mine has just got himself an agent, and helpfully wrote a blog post about it for me. Hope it helps someone: http://www.getmewriting.com/getting-published/getting-an-agent/
October 31st, 2009 at 3:22 am
Thanks for sharing this. Point one spoke the loudest to me, especially the part about the desire for books that “will grab the reader by the throat, quicken their pulse, and resonate for their own lives.”
I find this statement very challenging. You’re not just looking for a ‘good’ book, but a book that’s also an assailant, a drug and a mirror.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Alan,
As ever – full of information, incredibly helpful but most of MOTIVATING. Thank you so much.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:36 am
I just read the sentence, “Hire a publicity agent if you can afford it, publishers love to see that kind of commitment.” (I think I’m going to puke.) How do you recommend making the transition from an insulated life, writing in a room with a view, to the very real world of selling yourself and your book?
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 am
This is fantastic. I work in the video game business and the advent of smaller, cheaper, more bite sized games for the iPhone and social media sites like Facebook forced me to take a new approach 2 years ago. It is fascinating to see the same type of self promotional/direct to consumer shift happening in my other passion – literature. I just blogged about looking ahead and writing for readers that aren’t there yet. http://dustinhansen.com/?p=65 I’d love to hear your feedback.
This is such a great post – thanks again for your honest advice.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Bernard:
Cute, but the last one doesn’t make sense = ‘resonate in their own lives’ links up how with ‘mirror?’
November 4th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Thanks for this informative piece. How do you suggest managing the relationship with an agent for a non-fiction completed work? What should be expected in terms of submissions to editors and response times?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Some people just aren’t this motivated…
…It’s like trying to motivate a PFC of 4 years in the Marine Corps after he’s continuously been knocked down throughout his enlistment. After you’ve spent so much time on a project, you would think that it would be fun, full of motivation, inspiration, and enthusiasm. But to some of us writers, it’s none of the above.
Marketing the damn thing is probably the hardest part, even after all the countless nights tossing the irrelevance and perfecting the wordsmithing. Try persuading a seventy-five year old man to begin using email and other online communication, though he refuses to rid his rotary telephone.
Us old-timers just aren’t up for all this “contemporary” foolishness. We guide ourselves down this strict passageway of completing our story of days long past, and hope to hand it off in a single wave. Your advice tends to steam from this new world, liberal sociable array that seems boisterous; giddy, but in reality is quite frightening and straight up tumultuous.
For those of you reading this that have any doubt in this enduring process posted above, please be rest assured there are rather more conservative approaches for your success as a writer. The modern media would rather have you flaunt yourself and boast your work over say, The president’s autobiography, when the two having nothing in common, nor are comparable on any level. This by example is an unfortunate situation, because you have then become accountable for the conflict the mainstream media is always in search of.
If you are not the persuasive type and rather be left standing behind the curtain, there is such a team of advertisers that are of your disposal to hire/ fire at your convenience to sell your product or work, rather than selling yourself. There is a difference between you and your work. Again, the liberal base doesn’t like to differenciate the two, but there is no argument. Another common example is not being able to afford this team, so as to do it yourself. Again, it is easier said than done. But instead of selling yourself, advertise your work under the influence of other writers and stay conservative throughout the marketing journey.
I can promise you that if you choose this route, you won’t have any problem remaining conservative as it will come natural. Which proves humbleness and passion for why you’re here and what got to where you are in the first place. Hold your spirit high. There is a way!
–Rob USMC
November 8th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Great post! It’s daunting as a first-time author to read how important it is to have a platform (and EVERYONE is writing about that these days), but those of us who are willing to make that happen will have an edge on those who don’t. And with the publishing industry crumbling, we all need an edge!
November 12th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Thanks for this article–really helpful. I’ll be including it in my next list of links for my readers.
I like that publishing is changing and the internet is becoming a more valuable resource for marketing. A lot of aspiring authors use their websites as a means of gaining writing experience and finding a supportive audience, and it’s a shame not to take advantage of that if one gets published.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Not meaning to be impolite, but isn’t “grab the reader by the throat, quicken their pulse, and resonate for their own lives” itself a piece of pretty formulaic writing? I’m not sure what those phrases really mean, but when I pick up a book to read, fiction or non-fiction, I certainly don’t want to be grabbed by the throat or have my pulse quickened.
I also prefer books that don’t resonate with my own life, but show me something new. Just saying, like…
I’ve worked as a magazine editor, a book editor, a literary translator, and a writer. On the topic of fiction, my suspicion is that most of the best novels of the 18th and 19th century would never have got past today’s editors. I think that’s because writing novels in instalment form for magazines is a much better way of getting readers interested in a story than trying to sell them a complete packaged tale the same size as months of collected episodes from a Richardson or an Austen or an Eliot or a Hardy. Equally, writing a long story without that regular reader feedback is very very hard. So it seems to me that modern editors and writers of long-form fiction are both trying to do something near impossible – explaining the drop in quality since long-fiction magazines died out around 1900.
It’s also a bit dishonest to pretend that both sides don’t have other problems. All the would-be writers I’ve met care about “being writers” more than telling stories, and have little or nothing to say. On the other hand, all the editors I’ve met are shockingly lazy, but have found a better way of hiding the fact they also have nothing to say. Colleagues used to express frank astonishment that I – as an editor – actually read and answered all my mail each day, as if this was a weird thing to do. On one magazine I found I could work part-time and replace three full-timers – with a steep increase in quality I have to immodestly add.
Most writers and most editors {and most agents} have in common a desire to be involved with creativity and to see themselves as creative people. They also tend to share similar character problems, psychological difficulties, and lack of talent – albeit with different strategies for hiding these shortcomings from themselves and others.
Sorry – but this is just what I’ve seen working on both sides of the fence.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Hi Mark,
Books don’t have to start with murders, car crashes, or terrorist bombings to get my attention. Right now I’m reading “Chronic City” by Jonathan Lethem, and the opening sentence, “I first met Perkus Tooth in an office.” is hardly formulaic. Something about the funny name and ironic flat pacing, though, led me to the next sentence, and the next, until I was hooked. Just goes to show, everybody has a different reason for not putting a book down.
As for lazy editors, I can tell you that they won’t survive, and are quickly let go. Good editors work hard to find good books. And when it comes to lazy writers, OK, some lack talent to be sure, but others just need help.
I can’t agree that there’s a drop in quality these days or that there were any more great books published in the 1800’s than there are today. Great books are few and far between but I keep finding new stuff, like Lethem, that holds my attention and deserves respect.
I do confess to having a “glass half full” point of view, which I suppose some may consider naive.
-Alan
November 14th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Alan,
Nice post. Thank you. If I had read it a year earlier the following probably wouldn’t have happened:
I am a first-time author with a business book coming out in January, 2010. This may sound strange, but to get the deal I simply sent an email inquiry directly to Wiley. Ten minutes later they requested a full proposal. A month later I had a signed contract with an advance check in the mail. All this without an agent. The very idea of writing a book hadn’t even entered my head until one year ago, and the finished product will hit stores less than three months from now.
I have a strong feeling that I am extremely fortunate, both in terms of the caliber of publisher and the quick timing. Further, I suspect that this good luck has far more to do with my book topic lining up well with current economic conditions, and less to do with my track record (non-existant), platform (still building it) or writing skills (workin’ on ‘em). Wiley is now talking about a second book contract for 2011, and I’m thinking this is pretty cool stuff.
So, I just have to know. How rare is this scenario? Any advice on how to make the most of it?
November 15th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
“[Most writers and most editors {and most agents}]. . .tend to share similar character problems, psychological difficulties, and lack of talent – albeit with different strategies for hiding these shortcomings from themselves and others.”
I have to say, Mark, this is hilarious. Just writers, editors, and agents? And most of those guys? You’re absolutely certain about that?
Because you should hear how disgruntled computer engineers talk about their “talentless” peers. Disgruntled marketing executives. Disgruntled loggers, used-car sales reps, gas station attendants.
Every industry has its share of deadwood, and every industry has its disgruntled complaining about them, too. I was certainly taken aback to hear a story recently on Twitter about a publisher’s editor who cavalierly altered a character’s dress and make-up to reflect her own tastes rather than the author’s. But that’s not a problem with being a writer or editor. That’s a problem with being a jerk.
How many of us reading Alan’s blog have been or still are magazine/newspaper editors? professional writers and book editors? dreamers, agents, and published authors? I’m guessing you’re going to get some push-back, Mark, on the idea that most of us are, basically, just losers. We kind of like being us. We kind of like each other!
We work hard, we study our craft, we love books. It’s what we do—we just love working with books.
Alan’s advice to write something that will “grab the reader by the throat, quicken their pulse, and resonate for their own lives” is no more formulaic, really, than saying, “Write in sentences.” The world is packed to the gills with potential stories along those lines. Not everyone sees them, and not everyone knows what to do with them when they do. But they’re there.
And you know what makes readers love them? The power of expressing something that truly matters about being alive with the written word.
best,
Victoria
November 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Interesting post. I really enjoyed reading some fresh advice. I had to smile over the advice “come in with an agent,” which made it sound like one can just pick up an agent like selecting a toothbrush at the five and dime. Agents are about as hard to land as a publisher. If you’re not already published, an agent probably won’t respond to your query.
Malcolm
November 18th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hi Larry,
That’s a great publishing success story. Congratulations! You clearly had a winning idea and made the right connection. Yes, it’s a rare scenario but who said good things can’t happen in the book business?
To make the most of it, support your publisher in every way you can. Tell them in detail about everything you’ll be doing as an entrepreneurial author to drive sales through conventional and internet media and networking.
Communicate with them primarily by email since that’s the least demanding and intrusive. Remain upbeat and cooperative, and have realistic expectations about the amount of time they have to devote exclusively to you.
Enjoy yourself and best wishes for a great success.
-Alan
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
@lakj f
Sorry for the delay, I only just checked back here and saw your comment. You are right in that my connection between, ‘resonate in their own lives’ and ‘mirror’ is a little cryptic.
When I read a work that really resonates in my own life, it is because it has shown me something about myself. This is most powerful when it is something about myself that I’ve not seen before. In this sense, the written word becomes a mirror placed in front of me. Without that experience, I would not now see myself as I do now.