David Abbou

The year’s Mobile World Congress wrapped up on Friday and as usual this conference was the perfect platform for many of the industry’s most recognizable players to announce their latest and greatest in gadgetry. Here’s a look at upcoming devices that you’re most likely you see popping in the enterprise:

Samsung strikes back with the S6 and S6 Edge

No sooner had the latest 2014 Q4 sales figures come out showing that Apple had surpassed its rivals in worldwide smartphone sales did Samsung fire back with its new handsets, the S6 and S6 Edge. Consumers are especially interested at this time to see if Samsung has done anything to distinguish itself from the rest of the Android market, which is flooded with low-cost alternatives that have been gnawing away at its market-share. The Galaxy S6 definitely sports some noticeable differences from the Galaxy S5 and even similarities to the iPhone, starting with design. This new iteration looks markedly more sharper and has a more upscale look and feel. Goodbye plastic frame, hello metal and glass. With the S6 Edge, they’ve also thrown in a curved glass display which extends half-way down either side of the device and give it a truly premium look. These models however are not waterproof like the 5, and the removable battery is no longer as well. The Exynos process is also a question mark and it will be interesting to see how it performs against the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 used by most other Android offerings, but its promised fast-charger claims it can boost your phone by 30 percent in 30 minutes. Both phones also have wireless charging built in. Although it won’t announce Samsung Pay for another few months, an improved fingerprint reader demonstrates a readiness to handle mobile payments.

Both the S6 and S6 Edge, are virtually identical in size, so it will be interesting to see which of the two wins over more consumers, and if that will be enough to snatch back market share from the iPhone. They hit the market in April.

Microsoft angling to be budget kings with the Lumia 640 and 640 XL

Also coming out in April, Microsoft twin Lumia models are aiming to conquer the budget price-bracket with its new smartphone and tablet, the 640 and 640 XL. They come with a free one-year subscription to Office 365, which permits installing the software on one more laptop or PC. They both come in a plastic frame, but while the 640 looks and feels like a budget phone, the 5.7-inch 640 XL has a matte finish that gives it a much more polished look. Both have identical, 8GB storage and up to 128GB on the microSD card. You also get up to 30GB of free OneDrive storage. But for consumers and BYOD users who don’t want to fork over the kind of cash demanded by iOS and Android models, these Windows Phones offer an impressive incentive to give them a spin instead.

The 640 will run you just $155 US while the 640 XL will cost $240 US. It’s widely expected that both of these models will be upgradeable to Windows 10 when Microsoft rolls them out in the fall.

How Will Silent Circle’s Blackphone 2 Impact the Enterprise BYOD Model?

Swiss-based SGP Technologies first targeted security-conscious mobile professionals with the Blackphone last June. Its Blackphone 2 is a step up in design with an all-glass frame and larger HD display. It also includes more RAM and a longer lasting battery.

But more importantly, SGP revealed that they will now be shifting priority to selling its devices and encrypted comms software to enterprises. Blackphone’s PrivatOS is considered a more privacy-focused Android OS, and the Blackphone 2 is designed to integrate with MDM systems.

Sony releases its new Xperia Tablet 3, no check that 4…!

It seems like only a year ago the Xperia Z2 Tablet was announced at the last Mobile World Congress. Wait… yes… it was just a year ago! Then this past fall, the Z3 was unveiled. Now we’re being told to get ready for new Z4 Tablet, coming out in June. The Z4 however is more of a direct successor to the Z2 as the Z3 had a much smaller display and competed more so with the iPad mini. Running Android Lollipop 5.0, the Z4 Tablet has a 10.1-inch display and 6,000 mAh battery which promises 17 hours of video playback.

The camera at the back provides an 8.1 megapixel camera, while the one at the front is 5.1 megapixel. The slate, featuring 32 GB of built-in storage, is also waterproof and dust-resistant.

David Abbou

Well folks, it’s that exhilarating time of the year where we toast our favorite gadgets, those productivity-aiding, efficiency-inducing, BYOD-enhancing starlets! Oh who are we kidding. Choosing the best device for work may not quite match the Oscars in the glamor department but hey, don’t tell that to your IT administrator.

Getting the most out of BYOD today means knowing the form factor and specs that are most important to your particular role and tasks you need to accomplish. 2014 ushered in a slew of innovative devices that garnered love and adoration from the tech paparazzi.

Without further ado, here are 2014’s cream of the BYOD crop:

Best Smartwatch

Nominees:

Pebble Steel

Moto 360

Samsung Gear 2

Sony Smartwatch

Winner: Pebble Steel

This category could look very differently once their potential impact on the enterprisecomes to the surface. But based on wear smartwatch technology currently resides, it’s hard to argue against the Pebble Steel’s diversity of apps and productivity tools available (over 1000), innovative design and elegant look. It’s low-resolution screen is more focused on efficiency than replicating the display of a smartphone, but it does help stretch the battery life for up to a week per charge. Looking to the New Year, future the jury is still out on how wearables will be able to collect and transfer corporate data securely while simultaneously protecting user privacy, but it will be fascinating to see if 2015 is the year that their BYOD value blossoms. With the imminent release of the Apple Watch, they’ll definitely be making headlines.

Best Smartphone

Nominees:

iPhone 6

Moto X

Samsung Galaxy S5

OnePlus One

HTC One M8

Winner: HTC One M8

Surprised? The HTC One M8 has managed to beat out very impressive competition from the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S5. Motion launch display on a stunning screen, a quad-core processor that surpasses the Galaxy S5 in speed, and classy yet sleek design on a metallic body which rivals the iPhone 6 are a BYOD user’s dream. It contains built-in encryption and MDM features as well, which help when combined with a holistic enterprise mobility security solution.

Best Phablet

Nominees:

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Sony Xperia Z Ultra

LG G3

iPhone 6 Plus

Nexus 7

Winner: iPhone 6 Plus

With the early criticisms of bending phones seemingly in the rear-view mirror, the much-anticipated impact of this product is now coming to the surface. Perhaps no phablet or smartphone for that matter has ever blended hardware and software features into a form-factor so reliable and user-friendly for the BYOD employee. Users have overwhelming praised a battery life that can handle a full day of heavy mobile computing on just one charge, a true rarity. Add a full HD display to the mix and working on enterprise apps has never looked so good.

Best Tablet

Nominees:

iPad Air 2

Samsung Galaxy Tab S

Nexus 9

Sony Xperia Z2

iPad mini 3

Winner: iPad Air 2

Apple’s retains its dominance in this vertical with the iPad Air 2. A thinner and lighter frame, higher resolution display and new features such as Touch ID and Apple Pay have allowed this new version to top its predecessor, and the battery life is just as reliable.

Best Ultrabook

Nominees:

MacBook Air

HP Spectre 13

Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus

Toshiba Chromebook

Dell Latitude 6430

Winner: Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus

With a top-class battery life (11 hours) a frame nearly as light as the Macbook Air and just 13.6mm at it’s thickest point. The Samsung Ativ pips its Apple rival as this year’s top Ultrabook for business. Where it edges out the Macbook Pro is its incredible LED display with full HD resolution (3200 x 1800 pixels), allowing it to deliver a user experience that has yet to be matched. Its built-in SideSync lets you work on your Android phone on-screen concurrently with the ultrabook.

Best Laptop

Nominees:

Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display

Lenovo ThinkPad T440s

Dell XPS 15

HP ENVY

Toshiba Tecra Z40

Winner: Apple MacBook Pro

This one was a true dog fight between the Apple MacBook Pro and Lenovo ThinkPad T440s. The latter boasts impressive battery life, a powerful display and fast hard drive. You’d be hard-pressed to find a non-Mac OS laptop that is better suited for productivity. But that’s where iOS’s superiority tips the scales. The MacBook Pro’s 4th generation core processor that surpasses the ThinkPad’s capabilities. When it comes to display, the Macbook offers a sharper resolution at 2560 x 1600. You’d have to get an upgraded Lenovo ThinkPad for it even rival the specs on the MacBook Pro, and that would run you on average an extra $100. The ThinkPad is an impressive laptop, but the MacBook Pro takes it.

David Abbou

Size matters, it’s true – there, we’ve said it. At least it does if you want to get the most out of the sheer variety of smart devices available today, and it’s important to keep that in mind if you’re looking for a device that’s as practical as it is innovative. Here’s a snapshot of the types of devices available – from the ones small enough to dangle on your wrist to those mounted on your wall – that can help you stay connected and productive no matter where life or work take you. Read more about these technologies and the most popular solutions for each category after the infographic below.

Before you run out to your local Best Buy here are some things to keep in mind on the various devices and screen sizes and just how well they fit your individual needs:

Smart Watches

These devices are perfect when you’re driving and want to keep your eyes on the road, or are enjoying a jog and don’t want to reach into your pocket every time you’re facebooked or whatsapped. Many models such as the Pebble Steel let you control all of your music on your phone as well as count your steps, helping you get in the zone and rock out that workout. But if you don’t already own one, you may want to keep an eye out for the highly anticipated Apple Watch release, expected in early 2015. It’s expected to make a huge splash in the market and may well elevate the smart watch market to new heights. These accessories range in display size from 1.5 to 2.2 inches.

Popular choices: Apple Watch, Pebble Steel, Moto 360, Samsung Gear 2.

Mini Phones

Smartphones are getting larger and larger it seems, but if you’re a tech minimalist who still prefers using a phone to actually make calls (what a novel idea!) and fiddle with apps on your personal time, then mini phones will gain you more real estate and comfort in your pockets. Be prepared to give up some storage, power and processing capabilities, however. These phones carry display sizes between 3.5 and 4.5 inches.

Popular choices: HTC One mini 2, Galaxy S X Mini, Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, Samsung S5 mini.

Smartphones

The default lowest common denominator of the digital age. Regardless of any other devices you add to your repertoire, chances are you’re relying on one of these to browse the net, access apps, snap photos and post on social media. Today’s leading devices feature display sizes from 4 to 5 inches. If you’re going any bigger than you’re likely looking at a Phablet…

Popular choices: iPhone 6, Moto X, Galaxy S 5, Nexus 5, LG G2.

Phablets

Larger than a smartphone, smaller than a tablet, yet with comparable features and capabilities, this relatively recent mutation of the two could be an all-in-one solution, and an alternative to tablets, giving you the benefits of both in a smaller package. Phablets will give you a screen display anywhere from 5.5 to 7 inches. The emergence of the iPhone 6 Plus could help push phablets as the disruptive innovation that snatches significant market share away from the smartphone and tablet market.

Popular choices: Samsung Galaxy Note 4, iPhone 6 Plus, Sony Xperia Z Ultra, LG G3, Nexus 6

Tablets

Remember the good old days when kids were content just to run outside and play hide-and-go-seek? Yeah neither do we. Tablets are ideal for casual browsing, playing lightweight games and watching multimedia. Sales agents, restaurants and other service industries use these point-and-click devices to enhance presentations and customer experiences. Tablets range in display size from 7 to 10 inches.

Popular choices: Apple iPad Air & IPad mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Nexus 7 & 9.

Ultrabooks

Designed for thinness (usually under an inch thin) and lightness, these devices can be a great alternative to travelling professionals who want the technology without the bulk. You can choose from screen sizes between 11 and 15 inches and still enjoy most laptop capabilities.

Popular choices: MacBook Air, HP Spectre 13, Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus, Toshiba Chromebook.

Laptops

If you’re a mobile-minded freelancer, laptops can easily serve as your only PC. Ideal for content-driven marketers or business consultants working remotely, you can select display sizes from 13 to 17 inches.

Popular choices: Apple MacBook Pro, Lenovo ThinkPad T440s, Dell XPS 15, Acer Aspire E1-510P.

Desktops

Still the preferred one-stop shop to get time-intensive work done efficiently, and easily access the full gamut of office applications and multimedia design programs. No longer the hub for innovation they also don’t need to be replaced nearly as much as their fast-evolving descendants, and are workhorses nevertheless. Branding is also much less critical – most office employees couldn’t even tell you what model they’re using. Leading models range all the way from 17 to 27 inches in display.

Popular choices: Dell OptiPlex, HP Pro, Lenovo ThinkStation, Apple iMac.

Smart TVs

Mainly used for larger than life on-demand TV, video streaming and gaming, but Skyping with your friends and family has never looked better! Great for game consoles.

Popular choices: Samsung Smart Hub, Panasonic Smart Vieira, Sony Internet TVs, LG Smart TV Class, Toshiba Cloud TV.