What is a Smartphone?

What’s a a Smartphone? With over 140 million sold every year around the world it is fairly certain that before too long you will know by looking at your phone! A smartphone is mobile phone with computer-like capabilities or others might refer to them as a mini computer with the features and functions of a mobile phone. However they represent more than the mere union of cellular phone and personal digital assistant (PDA). To help get a sense of what a smartphone is all about a brief account of its progression may be of use. While the early cell phones evolved by getting smaller while simultaneously becoming more powerful, they also added what they could do. The initial point toward cell phones turning into smartphones was the introduction of the personal digital assistant (PDA). Just as mobile phones primary function PDAs, typified by the Palm Pilot, were designed to be used as personal and portable organizers, and little more. PDAs stored address book data, ‘to-do’ lists, and could synchronize with desktop computers. In time personal digital assistants added wireless capabilties and users started emailing with them. Just as PDAs began integrated into the mobile office environment, mobile phones started sending and receiving e-mails. PDAs became more like communications devices, cell phones became more like computers. The result is the smartphone. A standard classification of what is a smartphone eludes the mobile phone industry. However there are some common functions among smartphones, including: QWERTY Keyboard: By most definitions smartphones typically include a QWERTY keyboard. This means that the keys are laid out similarly to they would be on typewriters and computer keyboards, not in alphabetical order. Paradoxically the QWERTY Keyboard was originally developed in the 1800’s to slow down typing speed to prevent typewriters from jamming. We’ve been struggling with that design ever since, with little expectation for respite in the near future! Another common feature among smartphones includes having an Operating System. In general, a smartphone will use an operating system that allows it to control software programs similarly a computer. The smartphone operating system is the most determining factor when trying to identify a smartphone. Some of the leading hardware manufacturers use their own proprietary system which is exclusive to their brand – BlackBerry and Apple iPhone. Other operating systems are licensed to handset manufacturers, Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian operating systems are used by a wide range of handset brands. If you say” I have a BlackBerry”, then they have a BlackBerry operating system. If someone says I have an HTC or a Samsung, it might have Android, Windows Mobile or even a Symbian operating system. Software and Web Access: Almost all cell phones include some kind of software, as a contact manager for example , but a smartphone will have the ability to do a lot more. Browse the internet create and edit documents and spreadsheets, review files, download third-party software applications for all kinds of uses . The growth of broadband data networks added to the addition of Wi-Fi, makes smartphones very practical. Communications and Messaging: All cell phone supports SMS text messaging, but smartphones use email. MMS multimedia message service extends SMS text messaging to include longer text, graphics, photos, audio clips, video clips and is becoming common too. In addition to being a great system for people to keep in touch, SMS texting can be a useful method for software applications to exchange simple messages, and even settings commands, to and from cell phones. SMS texting doesn’t need a direct connection between mobiles; the communications infrastructure for the system is already in position, and it works across most mobile service providers. This aspect offers a distinct benefit over other technologies that use IP addresses because a mobile phone IP address will vary depending on current network. SMS texting is the most commonly used data application on earth, boasting about 2.4 billion active users, or three quarters of all mobile phone subscribers. A GPS locator isn’t unique to smartphones, but they are taking advantage of this technology. Before long GPS will become almost as common as the telephone, or more likely included with every cell phone. GPS can determine positions accurate to a matter of. In fact, amazingly with advanced forms of GPS you can achieve measurements to better than a centimeter! It’s just like assigning every square meter on the globe its very own address. These systems can be viewed as Network Based, Handset Based or a Hybrid approach. GPS location is Handset based as it requires software applications installed on the cell phone along with GPS hardware. Triangulation and CellID are Network Based as they use the equipment and information from the wireless provider. Hybrid systems combine techniques to make best use of available information and to make position mobile phone tracking faster.