We all like to think that our mobile device purchases are based on rational decisions- a bloodless weighing of technical specs vs. business needs. If we’re honest, though, we know we’re often kidding ourselves in thinking this. Consciously or not, image and style are taken into consideration when making these choices, and we know that our choices affect the way others view us. In the mobile world, image matters.
Don’t believe it? Just look at the keywords people associate with the various mobile platforms. With the iPhone, the words “stylish” and “design” are popular. People who choose the iPhone are often thought of as keen on aesthetics and particular about their personal look.
For Android, “geeky” and “open” are buzzwords. Droid users pride themselves on their technical skills, and look down on those who choose to be ‘locked in’ by Apple’s proprietary nature. A Droid is a handset that says ‘hacker’.
Blackberry owners use words like “work” and “business” in describing their choices. RIM fans can boast that they are ‘real’ business people, focused on work and results over image or cool techie features.
So far, so good, but this all begs the question: where does the Windows 7 phone fit into the matrix? What comes to mind when you think about a Windows 7 phone user? To be successful they’ll need to carve out a niche, and image matters. Check out the accompanying comic and try to answer the question, if we added a line for the Windows phone, what would it look like? I have admit that I find this task challenging…I guess it’s up to Microsoft’s marketing team to show us how a Windows 7 mobile user stands apart from the rest of the smartphone crowd.

For the last two weeks, excited iPad and iPhone users (like myself) have been waiting for Apple’s version 4.2 update to the software platform. There was a false alarm last Friday, and I jumped the gun mistaking what was revealed to be the Beatles announcement for the iOS update announcement.  So now: Good news everyone! Apple has the update ready for final approval, and they’ve loaded the preliminary, developer version online. Since some folks just can’t wait to check it out, the guys over at CNET downloaded the developer version and gave it a spin.  From their highlight reel, here’s what users can expect:

– iPhone 4 users will see small interface improvements.  With this update, they’ll be able to print photos and web pages.  They’ll also get some additional parental controls. SMS will be able to link directly to FaceTime. The iPhone Safari browser will also support text searching in the browser window- a feature I know that I was definitely missing.

-iPad users will also get plenty of new features. The iPad update brings Multitasking, App folders, and GameCenter along with a few other interesting features. Similar to the iPhone, the iPad gets some print options (like searching for local printers), and Safari text search.

Although all of this stuff is fun and interesting, I think that I am most excited about being able to categorize my iPad apps into folders instead of scrolling through all those screens.  When the update is ready, users can get it easily by clicking the ‘check for update’ button in iTunes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAkbmshLfkg

Design nerds were excited this week to find that Muji mobile apps are now featured on the landing page of their website. Personally, I’m very excited to see what the minimalist Japanese store has come up with.

The apps are clean and stylish, living up to Muji’s reputation as a leader in minimalist aesthetic. For those not familiar with the brand, the name Muji is derived from the first part of Mujirushi Ryōhin, translated as No Brand Quality Goods.  Muji’s mission is to achieve simplicity, but a simplicity gained through a complexity of thought and design.

The apps available are Muji Calendar, Muji Notebook and Muji to Go.  The Calendar app definitely looks great, but Notebook is my favorite.  Muji Notebook provides a simple outlet for creativity with handwriting recognition, sketch tools, and four different page types (ruled, gridded, quadrant, and plain).  You can even import photos and PDF files to the app which can be resized and laid out on the pages for editing.  The main feature of Notebook above other sketching apps (and the reason that I’m a fan) is its minimalism of design while still offering a bevy of features- it’s deceptively streamlined and yet feature-rich.

Muji Calendar is a fully featured calendar, and makes sense as an extension of Muji’s line of stationery. It includes the option to sync with Google Calendars, but this isn’t necessary if you aren’t a Google Calendar user. It uses familiar gestures like pinch-to-zoom, and organization is presented in rich, muted reds and grays consistent with Muji’s overall brand aesthetic.

Muji To Go might be handy for travelers. It’s basically just a collection of useful tools including world clocks, Forex currency converters, weather reports and a calculator.

There’s a fourth app (also free), but it’s basically a glorified catalog for their clothing line.  Interesting to look at, but not a lot of application there.