BusinessWeek Gets It All Wrong

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2005/tc20050120_9431_tc081.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2005/tc20050120_9431_tc081.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I took a look at two new models. One is the Motorola MPx200, a compact flip-phone available for $320 with a two-year contract from Cingular Wireless. The other is the Audiovox smt5600 ($199, also from Cingular), a bar-type phone small enough to slide easily into a pocket. Both feature big -- by phone standards -- and sharp displays, but they're still only about half the size of the screen on the palmOne Treo. Because both phones run Microsoft software, they offer pretty much the same functions. The Motorola has a better camera, and the buttons on it are less cramped than on the smaller Audiovox. The Motorola also has Bluetooth wireless that can be used for cordless headsets, hands-free attachments for car use, or an external speakerphone. Neither model has a speakerphone built in -- a crucial omission."</i><br /><br />This has to be one of the worst researched articles that I have come across in ages. In the short excerpt above, there are 4 totally incorrect comments, and the errors don't stop there. Other glaring errors in the article state that Smartphones don't have access to <i>standard</i> email, Pocket Outlook is your only choice for mail, and that the Motorola has a better battery life than the Audiovox! :roll: If you're not even going to do some basic research, then why bother? Unless you're looking for a good laugh, don't waste your time with the BusinessWeek article "When a BlackBerry Is Overkill".

[cortez]

the research was probably done by an intern who has never used a Smartphone. it's a shame that readers can't reply and point out errors in the article (at least i couldn't).

[Taklamakan]

The first mistake was to compare the MPX200 to the SMT5600. It would have made much more sense to compare the MPX220.

[Mike Temporale]

The first mistake was to compare the MPX200 to the SMT5600. It would have made much more sense to compare the MPX220.

That's just it, they meant the MPx220. (The MPx200 doesn't have Bluetooth - so they must have meant 220. :wink: )

[mel]

This just sucks. I've read Stephen Wildstrom's column for years, and it's usually the first section I read from every issue of Businessweek. But the blatant errors in this article make me wonder how many other errors or misinformation I've unknowingly read (and believed) from this column in the past :(
Among other things, it is a serious serious error to state that the Audiovox 5600 does not have a speaker phone. And why is he comparing it to the MPx 200, which is a 2003 model? Shouldn't he be using an MPx220? Being a Businessweek subscriber, this sort of bad research really concerns me, and I've emailed the column at [email protected] (the only published address). I suggest others do the same.

[jfreiman]

The article does suck and is terrible 'reporting.'

If I was a first time buyer reading this article I wouldn't even consider either of the two phones.

Being a SMT5600 owner and self proclaimed evagelist for the phone it really hurts reading this review knowing that the Business Week readers are mislead.

I truely hope that both Motorola, Audiovox and Microsoft come to the rescue and make the magazine retract the article and give "Stephen H. Wildstrom" a piece of their collective minds.

Also, Stephen didn't mention anything about the multimedia functions of the phone(s) which makes them stand out when compared to the Blackberry and Treo. :cry:

[jfreiman]

You can also go to http://www.neodata.com/BusinessWeek/lettersed.html, as I did and send a note to the editor.

[Kris Kumar]

I believe this has not hit the print version. I subscribe to Business Week, I don't remember seeing a Smartphone column.

This is terrible. I hope they retract the article and make amends before it hits the news-stands. :roll:

[jfreiman]

I just got off the phone with Stephen H Wildstrom and he said that he's heard back from readers already and is working on an updated version of his article.

I didn't get the impression he was going to change his views on the devices, only that he was going to make it more factual. :?

As far as neglecting mentioning the multimedia functions of the Windows Smartphone platform, he replied that he had a 500 word limit and that he had to leave some things out. :lol: What a joke! That's one of the biggest selling features of the phone - well at least it was for me.

[Kris Kumar]

Awesome, good to know that he is correcting the article.

I also took some time off from work to write to him. ;-) I definitely don't want to see this the print edition.

And how come he is not praising the Multimedia capability and other features like integration with GPS nav apps, removable storage cards.

[Jerry Raia]

This just sucks. I've read Stephen Wildstrom's column for years, and it's usually the first section I read from every issue of Businessweek. But the blatant errors in this article make me wonder how many other errors or misinformation I've unknowingly read (and believed) from this column in the past :(
Among other things, it is a serious serious error to state that the Audiovox 5600 does not have a speaker phone. And why is he comparing it to the MPx 200, which is a 2003 model? Shouldn't he be using an MPx220? Being a Businessweek subscriber, this sort of bad research really concerns me, and I've emailed the column at [email protected] (the only published address). I suggest others do the same.

This is a concern I have always had with ANY news or reviews. When ever you read anything about a subject you know things about and find it full of errors you have to wonder how much of the things you read that you have little knowledge of are all wrong.

[Kris Kumar]

Okay now I am going to speak in defense of the guy.

I love the title of the article and the opening para and the closing line of the article. I think he has got the positioning of the Microsoft Smartphone correct.

For some weird reason he got the model numbers botched up and could not figure out the speaker phone. And maybe a couple of other things.

[Jerry Raia]

Okay now I am going to speak in defense of the guy.

I love the title of the article and the opening para and the closing line of the article. I think he has got the positioning of the Microsoft Smartphone correct.

For some weird reason he got the model numbers botched up and could not figure out the speaker phone. And maybe a couple of other things.

Kris this is some defense there. :lol:

[jfreiman]

Okay now I am going to speak in defense of the guy.

I love the title of the article and the opening para and the closing line of the article. I think he has got the positioning of the Microsoft Smartphone correct.

For some weird reason he got the model numbers botched up and could not figure out the speaker phone. And maybe a couple of other things.

I hate to agree with you on this one, but you are right.

However, a sandwich made with even the best bread is only as good as the meat placed in it.

In this case, he got the marketing right, but not many of the facts that back up his article.

[jfreiman]

Ok, I have to preface this statement with the fact that I have the day off and nothing constructive to do. ;)

I emailed/forwarded three PR people at Audiovox the article hoping that they will use this opportunity to help Stephen with his article.

[jfreiman]

Ok, I have to preface this statement with the fact that I have the day off and nothing constructive to do. ;)

I emailed/forwarded three PR people at Audiovox the article hoping that they will use this opportunity to help Stephen with his article.

I just got word back from an Audiovox rep that they contacted him themselves earlier today.

[Kris Kumar]

jfreiman, you da man!

:werenotworthy:

Wow! You spoke to the writer and got him to go back to his article. Contacted Audiovox PR folks. Wow! That is lot of work to do on a day off.

Time for some :beer:

[jfreiman]

jfreiman, you da man!

:werenotworthy:

Wow! You spoke to the writer and got him to go back to his article. Contacted Audiovox PR folks. Wow! That is lot of work to do on a day off.

Time for some :beer:

Thanks Kris, you're pretty awsome yourself. :oops:

[Mike Temporale]

Okay now I am going to speak in defense of the guy.

I love the title of the article and the opening para and the closing line of the article. I think he has got the positioning of the Microsoft Smartphone correct.

For some weird reason he got the model numbers botched up and could not figure out the speaker phone. And maybe a couple of other things.

Oh, I agree. I have no problem with what he is trying to say. I agree with the principle of the article. He just has so many facts wrong, that it's crazy to think that he spent any time researching this.

[Jerry Raia]

I'd say right now he's probably spending more time with it than he ever intended :lol:

[cortez]

i just re-read the article and it looks like the it's been edited since it was first posted on the web site. however, his comments about email capabilities are still off base (read: WRONG!).

[jfreiman]

i just re-read the article and it looks like the it's been edited since it was first posted on the web site. however, his comments about email capabilities are still off base (read: WRONG!).

You are right, he made 2 changes to his article - I hope these are not the last...

Changes:
1. He changed the model name of the Motorola from the MPx200 to MPx220
2. He also omitted the sentence, "Neither model has a speakerphone built in -- a crucial omission."

This guy seems like a hack. This is what took him all day to update?

Hopefully there will be more updates to come - but I doubt it.

[PPCMD]

Unless he is planning on noting the article is updated then he has already done a disservice to those who have read it and don't know any better (unlike us). More to the point is the number of words (500 word limit) is no excuse for (a) getting facts WRONG, (b) Omiting key features, (c) comparing completely different platforms to one another. If he wants to cmpare a Treo he should really compare it to WMPE not WMSP.

I carry my MPx220 more than my hx4700.

[Kris Kumar]

The other troublesome aspect is that now the story is being replicated onto other sites that are BW partners or licensees. Like this one..
http://www.nbc13.com/money/4112032/detail.html

The mis-information is spreading. :roll:

[Mike Temporale]

i just re-read the article and it looks like the it's been edited since it was first posted on the web site. however, his comments about email capabilities are still off base (read: WRONG!).

You are right, he made 2 changes to his article - I hope these are not the last...


I sure hope he's not done, although at this point does it really matter?

Check out this part:
The Motorola (MOT ) has a better camera, and the buttons on it are less cramped than on the smaller Audiovox. The Motorola also has Bluetooth wireless that can be used for cordless headsets, ...

He doesn't outright say it, but the wording implies that the Audiovox doesn't have Bluetooth. Which is just plain wrong. While it's great that he fixed a couple issues, there are still far too many errors. :roll:

[Kris Kumar]

In the end I don't think our e-mails and phone calls made much of an impact. The article is still up there with only minor edits that were mentioned in the earlier post. :?

And my worst part - the article was printed in the Jan 31st issue that is now in the newstands. :-( I received my copy couple of days ago, didn't open it up till today.

The only saving grace is that the print article features the photo of SMT5600 with Windows Media screen. So at least the readers can make out that it is multi-media capable.

[Mike Temporale]

In the end I don't think our e-mails and phone calls made much of an impact. The article is still up there with only minor edits that were mentioned in the earlier post. :?

Well, it's made an impact on what magazine's I will look at and read in the future. :wink:

[Mike Temporale]

It looks like the article has been updated again (I noticed something was up because it started showing up in my Google searches as a new post). It's a little better, but there are still too many errors for my liking. :(

[Kris Kumar]

Got the new print issue.

BW has issued a "Corrections &amp; Clarifications". Basically they have mentioned two corrections:
- the Motorola phone is MPx220 and not MPx200.
- and that both phones has speaker phones.

[Mike Temporale]

So they are still saying that the Motorola has better battery life, the Audiovox doesn't have Bluetooth, neither phone supports regular email without the aide of a third party solution.... :roll:

[Jerry Raia]

So they are still saying that the Motorola has better battery life, the Audiovox doesn't have Bluetooth, neither phone supports regular email without the aide of a third party solution.... :roll:

Hey 2 out of 5! That's almost half right!!

Well isnt it? :worried:

[promano]

I also sent an email to Businessweek.
I spoke of the article not being at all factual,and not being a very good representation of Businessweek themselves.

The article does deserve to be a lot more than 500 words.
When you are comparing 5 or 6 products to each other,
you need more than 100 words for each product.

I hope the re-review is donw in a more thorough fashion.

Pete...