A smartphone is a digital, wireless phone which has a wide range of capabilities. The most well-known example of a smartphone is probably the Blackberry. Smartphones offer a combination of mobile phone, PDA and laptop capabilities. Here are some of the main functionalities of smartphones:
- Smartphones can send and receive, data and voice and video.
- A smartphone can store information and run software.
- Smartphone users can use their phone to surf the web and send emails.
- Smartphones have PDA (personal digital assistant) capabilities, such as calendars, organisers, contacts lists and alerts.
- As smartphone technology develops some of the newer models now have 3G capabilities. 3G means ‘third generation’ and refers to the latest mobile communications technologies.
Using a smartphone
As well as their additional capabilities, smart phones can of course be used as simply as ordinary mobile phones and can be used to make calls and send texts. Smartphones look slightly different to a normal mobile – they resemble a small PDA, with a slightly chunkier shape and larger screen than today’s mobiles.
Smartphones combine the convenience of a mobile phone in terms of portability and ease of use, with the functionality of a PDA. As smartphones develop, many are now Bluetooth-enabled. This means the smartphone can connect to other Bluetooth devices, such as printers.
Who uses a smartphone?
Smartphones are obviously useful to business people on the move. Many smartphones are now so advanced that they combine technology that would previously have had to be carried separately. For example a phone, PDA, camera and laptop can all effectively be combined into a smartphone.
The benefits of a smartphone
Once they get a smartphone, many people swear they could never be without one. Here’s why:
Organisation: With built-in personal organisers and calendars, and the capabilities for electronic contact lists and automated reminders, smartphones allow busy people to stay organised, even when they’re on the move.
Work anywhere: Smartphones make it easy for people who need to stay in touch while they’re travelling, or who don’t have a desk-based job. Whether on a train, in a coffee shop or at a hotel, smartphone users can read, edit, send and receive documents and more.
Stay informed: There are now numerous services available on smartphones, all of which are aimed at making life easier for busy users. Using their smartphone, people can find out directions, news, weather forecasts, traffic information and more.
Get a smartphone
Prices and contracts for smartphones are becoming increasingly competitive. On the whole, smartphone packages are available as a monthly contract, but pay-as-you-go options are available if you shop around.
All major phone manufacturers now offer a smartphone and technology is developing rapidly.
Choosing a smartphone
As smartphones become more popular, there are more and more options to choose from, which is great. But, how do you make that choice? Here are a few tips:
- Smartphones rely on mobile phone coverage, so find out which networks have the best coverage in your area.
- Get a phone with a decent memory capacity. Experts recommend getting a smartphone with at least 6MB of memory. Below this and the smartphone functionality may be slowed down.
- If you’ll be using your smartphone to read and edit documents, don’t go for the smallest screen. However, also bear in mind that the larger the screen, the faster the battery will run down.
A modern day smartphone is a multi functional phone with added built in features ad with so many smartphones on the market today it pays to compare features to ensure you purchase the smartphone that gives you what you want at the best possible deal. |