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Any modern executive knows how crucial a smartphone is for smart business. Staying informed is paramount, and without your smartphone, you could miss out on important communications or vital news. With new technology coming down the pipe every few months, it can be easy to fall behind – but at Exec Digital we have the inside scoop on the smartphone you need to get your job done, one operating system at a time.

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Google Android

When it comes to the best in new smartphones, the Google Android platform is running away with the lead. At the top of the heap is the new smartphone from Motorola. The revolutionary Motorola Atrix 4G Android phone is the first smartphone on the market to feature a 1GHz dual-core processor, putting the processing power of a laptop in the small frame of a smartphone. When plugged into the optional Atrix laptop dock, the screen and QWERTY keyboard give you the feel (and more importantly, the functionality) of a full-sized laptop. Even in smartphone form, Atrix’s multitasking functions are aided by the smartphone’s dual-core-boosted lightning fast speed.

Although processing speed alone would be enough to warrant recognition, the Motorola Atrix 4G smartphone also comes with a beefy 16GB of memory on board, with an optional 32GB micro SD card slot for unprecedented storage space. It’s a good thing, then, that the Atrix smartphone also features fingerprint recognition technology to ensure that you – and only you – are in control. Since you’re bound to end up toting important documents when your smartphone is basically a laptop, this is some extremely smart technology.

Motorola Atrix 4G
OS: Android 2.2 FroYo
Carrier: AT&T
Price: $199 (with contract)
Processor: 1GHz Dual Core
Memory: Up to 16GB on board 
Weight: 4.76 oz
Display: 4” qHD Touch Screen
Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi capable
Battery: 9 hr talk/350 hr standby
Bonus: Laptop dock works with dual core processor to turn your Atrix into a functioning laptop. 

In late 2010, Taiwan-based smartphone manufacturer HTC produced the HTC EVO 4G, the first 4G capable smartphone for US release. Now, the tech world is rumbling with excitement about the just-released HTC Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt is the first smartphone to make use of Verizon Wireless 4G LTE connectivity. This means not only blazing 4G speeds, but voice over data LTE technology that will make managing multiple forms of communication a breeze. The HTC Thunderbolt is also expected to offer perks like the ability to serve as a mobile hot-spot for up to eight devices, as well as a kickstand and front-facing camera to facilitate video conferencing with ease. In addition to the Google Android operating system, HTC’s signature HTC Sense interface overlay makes for a user-friendly experience.

HTC Thunderbolt
OS: Android 2.2 FroYo + HTC Sense interface
Carrier: Verizon
Price: $249 (with contract)
Processor: 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon
Memory: 8GB + pre-installed 32GB microSD 
Weight: 5.78 oz
Display: 4.3” Super LCD Touch Screen
Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi capable
Battery: 6.3 hr talk / 330 hr standby
Bonus: 4G LTE technology allows users to access data and talk at the same time.

Apple iOS

When it comes to Apple and smartphones, there is only one name: iPhone. The iPhone 4 is the latest release from Apple, and it’s as impressive as ever. In keeping with the Apple modus operandi, the iPhone 4 is slick and streamlined, with a simple interface that Apple fans have come to know and love. As usual, the graphics are stunning and the smartphone is capable of capturing beautiful high-definition photos and video. But beneath its glossy surface lies a powerful machine ready for serious business. FaceTime is marketed as a fun way to chat, but is also extremely effective for video conferencing. Its sharp retina display allows for easy reading, whether you’re scanning the news or perusing a company report. The iPhone 4 smartphone is also the first iPhone model to feature multitasking, allowing you to switch easily between tasks without skipping a beat. Last, of course, are the apps – apps are everywhere, but the Apple iPhone started it all and the iPhone 4 features more apps than ever to fit your every need, from stock market tickers to games when a well-earned break is needed.

iPhone 4
OS: iOS 4.3
Carrier: AT&T, Verizon
Price: $299 (with contract)
Processor: 777MHz Apple A4
Memory: Up to 32GB on board 
Weight: 4.8 oz
Display: 3.5” Retina Display Touch Screen
Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi capable
Battery: 7 hr talk/300 hr standby

BlackBerry

For years, BlackBerry has been the premiere name in business communication. With the BlackBerry Torch smartphone, BlackBerry attempts to appeal to a broad range of consumers without forgetting its home base. The BlackBerry Torch smartphone works smarter than most, with “DataSmart” technology that allows your smartphone to use your data plan more efficiently. When the time comes to buy your BlackBerry Playbook tablet, you will have the power to sync your two devices.

The Torch may not be the lightest smartphone, but that extra weight comes from the Torch’s most unique feature – its keyboard. The BlackBerry Torch offers the best of both smartphone worlds, merging the interactivity of a capacitive touch screen with the ease of a sliding QWERTY keyboard that makes communication easy whether shooting e-mails or writing full reports. Speaking of communication, it’s impossible to talk about the BlackBerry without mentioning a favorite that is still among the best features of the BlackBerry smartphone family: BlackBerry Messenger. The intuitive messaging system is leagues above your average text conversation, and allows you to communicate quickly and more expressively with others in your BlackBerry network.

BlackBerry Torch 9800
OS: BlackBerry OS 6.0
Carrier: AT&T
Price: $199 (with contract)
Processor: 624MHz Marvell PXA940
Memory: 8GB + 32GB microSD
Weight: 5.68 oz
Display: 3.2” Touch Screen
Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi capable
Battery: 5.8 hr talk
Bonus: Touch Screen plus sliding QWERTY keyboard 

Windows Phone 7

Sometimes all you want is consistency. It’s worked wonders for Apple, and Microsoft is following suit with the Windows Phone 7 platform. If you can’t get by without access to your Microsoft Office suite, put your laptop down: Windows Phone 7 does it all.

When it comes to business, the biggest highlight of Windows Phone 7 is by far Microsoft Office Mobile, which allows you to import, access, and edit documents from Word, Excel, OneNote, and even PowerPoint from your smartphone. Of course, that’s not all it has to offer. The Windows Phone 7 interface is highly user-friendly, a series of tiles linking to applications and functions that you can rearrange to your preference. For downtime, Windows Phone 7 can integrate with Xbox Live and even sync with Microsoft Zune or iTunes.

Only a handful of new smartphones currently support Windows Phone 7, and the Samsung Focus is the best of the best. Its slim 0.39-inch silhouette makes it the thinnest Windows Phone available. Samsung’s signature Super AMOLED display looks stunning no matter the smartphone, and the Focus gives you four inches of capacitive touch screen for reading documents or watching videos in crystal clarity.
 
Samsung Focus
OS: Windows Phone 7
Carrier: AT&T
Price: $99 (with contract)
Processor: 1GHz
Memory: 8GB
Weight: 4 oz
Display: 4” Super AMOLED Touch Screen
Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi capable
Battery: 6.5 hr talk/300 hr standby