[Web4lib] Smart Smartphones (Business Week Tech & You)

[SIMINITUS, JACQUELYN E (ATTPB)]

FYI:
Business Week (11/24) Tech & You column by Stephen H. Wildstrom is
entitled "The Only True Smart Smartphones" and goes on to say why the
iPhone and various BlackBerrys stand head and shoulder above everything
else -- thanks to Apple and RIM having a clear vision.  See online
version at http://businessweek.com/go/techmaven    Love the graphic of
the 2 phones (king and queen).

My questions:
1- Do public libraries have a preference?  iPhone, Blackberry, or other?
2- Given cell phones are moving to smartphones (voice and Internet), are
public libraries providing handheld devices to more members of their
staff?  
3- How are libraries using their cell or smartphones?  I'm collecting
administrative, reference, assistive technology, outreach, and other
examples.  I'll do a hotlist of what I collect.
4- Last year at E-RATE training, I kept hearing reference to
"Blackberry" (rather than the generic term cell phone), so I'm assuming
these are very popular with school district administrators. 
5- Are most libraries' cell phone/smartphone monthly service costs
getting covered by E-Rate discounts, both Telecom and Internet Access
categories?  Just Telecom? Or not aware that monthly service is E-Rate
eligible?

Is there is a big trend or compelling story to send to Business Week,
about how libraries use smartphones?
Thanks! 

**********************
Jackie Siminitus, MLS, AT&T Regional Library Director
795 Folsom Street, Room 400, San Francisco, CA 94107
415-644-7112 : jacquelyn.siminitus at att.com
AT&T Blue Web'n Library, www.kn.att.com/wired/bluewebn/
http://2CoolTools.blogspot.com; http://Advocate4Libraries.blogspot.com

http://DiscoveringAT.blogspot.com