Category 3: Best Mobile Handset/Device
About this category:
Innovation in the design and functionality of mobile handsets, devices, terminals and smart phones is driving tremendous user interest and uptake of mobile services around the world. Radical new form factors, innovative ergonomic designs and rapid advances in features, functionality and user interfaces are all part of the formula for a worldwide winner in the Best Mobile Handset or Device category.
The 'blue ribbon' or the ultimate prize in the GSMA's Global Mobile Awards, this award is the most fiercely contested prize in the mobile industry. The Best Mobile Handset or Device award recognises the combination of design, technical excellence and functionality that comes together to position a product at the top of its market.
Entry is open to products supporting the GSM family (GSM, GPRS, EDGE, W-CDMA and HSPA/ Mobile Broadband) of networks including handsets, Smart-phones, feature phones, embedded notebooks, wireless enabled Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), and wireless plug and play devices (such as data cards), camera and video phones.
The judges will shortlist five entries in this category, with one winner announced at the GSMA's Global Mobile Awards Gala Dinner at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on the evening of 17th February 2009.
Eligibility:
The category is open to manufacturers of mobile Handsets and other devices as detailed above and to network operators offering own branded devices.
Handset/Device products entered must be commercially available in at least one or more market today, and have been launched between December 1st 2007 and the closing date of the GSMA's Global Mobile Awards (at 5pm (GMT) on 28th November 2008. Please provide evidence to support this such as launch date of the product, including details of countries or regions where it is available, together with reviews and sales figures, where possible.
Judging criteria
The judges will be looking for products that demonstrate rich functionality, innovative design and user friendly capabilities, in other words products that combine great looks and form factors with value for money, simplicity/ ease of use, integral intelligence and offer rapid access to multimedia content and services on the move.
Specifically, the judges will be considering the following product attributes:
- Functional and physical design innovation
- Product performance
- Simplicity of use – such as an intuitive user interface
- Wide range of applications and features supported
- Unique attributes (i.e. key market differentiators or Unique Selling Points)
- Value for money
In addition, the judges will require some feedback on customer acceptance, such as volumes shipped over a specified period.
Entry Process:
All entries must be submitted by 28th November 2008 (5pm GMT)
Please ensure that you send a working, fully functional model of each handset entered (to enable our judges to review each product entered in detail) by the deadline date to the GSM A's Awards Administrator. See below.
The handset/device entered must also include a fully working UNLOCKED SIM card for our judges to fully access and test the applications and features of the phone.
Following your web entry, you will be allocated a unique reference number by email. Please send your handset clearly marked with the unique reference number you are allocated after submitting your web entry to:
FAO Awards Administrator
GSM Association
1st Floor, Mid City Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6EA
UK
Supporting handsets /devices must arrive no later than the deadline date of 28th November 2008.
Handsets/devices can be returned upon request to the awards administrator, following completion of the judging process. Please contact awards@globalmobileawards.com
Specific Entry Form Questions:
On the entry form, in addition to submitting contact and company information, you will be asked to answer the following questions (maximum text/character length for your answers also shown in brackets below):
- What is the brand name and model number of your handset or device? (100 characters = approx 20 words)
- Is this a joint entry? If so. Who are the partnering organisations? (100 characters = approx 20 words)
- Entries for this award category must have been launched between December 1st 2007 and November 28th 2008 and be commercially available IN AT LEAST ONE market. Please provide evidence to support this such as launch date of the product, including details of markets where it is available. Which mobile operators offer the product today? (1000 characters = approx 170 words)
- What is specifically innovative about this handset/device? Please describe the new and unique functional or physical features of your handset or device? i.e. what features would you highlight that no other device manufacturer or model offers? (1500 characters = approx 250 words)
- Please describe what you consider to be the outstanding elements of the product's performance i.e. what is its USP? (1500 characters = approx 250 words)
- What new multimedia applications and services are supported? (1000 characters = approx 170 words)
- Why is the product easy to use from the user perspective? What makes it an intuitive and compelling experience? (1000 characters = approx 170 words)
- What is the current retail price point (without subsidies) in either Euros or US dollars, and why in your opinion is this good value for money? (1000 characters = approx 170 words)
- Please provide customer testimonials or media reviews for your product or supply URLs* to media coverage or customer testimonials. (1500 characters = approx 250 words)
- Please give evidence of customer acceptance, including volumes shipped or market share achieved. (1000 characters = approx 170 words)
*Please note: Use URLs when they are specific/ relevant to the category and will help judges further understand your entry, but due to the number of entries received, judges will not have time to surf company websites looking for further information on the entered product/service or initiative.