What is a Smartphone?

What is a Smart Phone? With over 3 million a month sold in the US it is pretty likely that soon you will know by looking at your phone! A smartphone is a gadget which lets you to make cell phone calls, while providing extra features that basically are normally associated with computers. But they are much more than the mere union of cellular phone and personal digital assistant (PDA). To better understand what a smartphone is all about a short background of its progression might be useful. While the early mobile phones evolved by becoming smaller while simultaneously becoming more powerful, they also added features. The initial chapter toward cell phones becoming smartphones was the development of the personal digital assistant (PDA). Just as cellular phones primary function personal digital assistants, typified by the Palm Pilot, were designed to be used as personal and portable organizers, and little more. PDAs could store contact info, ‘to-do’ lists, and could sync with desktop computers. Over time PDAs gained wireless functionality and owners started using email with them. Just as PDAs began incorporated into the mobile office environment, cellular phones began sending and receiving e-mails. PDAs became more like communications devices, cellular phones gained computer-like features. The result was inevitable. A text-book classification of what is a smartphone doesn’t exist. But there are some common functions among smartphones, including: QWERTY Keyboard: By most definitions smartphones commonly include a QWERTY keyboard. This means that the keys are laid out similarly to they are on typewriters and computer keyboards, not in alphabetical order. Ironically the QWERTY Keyboard was originally designed in the 1800’s to slow down typists to keep typewriters from jamming. We’ve been struggling with that design ever since, with no hope for change any time soon! An additional common feature among smartphones includes having an Operating System. In general, a smartphone will be based on an operating system that allows it to run software applications much the same as a computer. The smartphone operating system is the strongest 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 hardware 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. Software and Web Access: Almost all cell phones include some kind of software, for managing contacts for example , but a smartphone is going to have the capability to do many more things. Browse the internet create and edit documents and spreadsheets, view files, download additional software applications for all kinds of purposes . The expansion of broadband data networks combined with the addition of Wi-Fi, makes smartphones very practical. Communications and Messaging: Every cell phone includes SMS text messaging, but smartphones support email. MMS multimedia message service video and graphics is becoming common too. Not just a very good way for people to keep in touch, SMS texting can be a valuable way for software programs to exchange simple messages, and even settings instructions, to and from mobiles. text messages does not need a direct connection between mobile devices; the communications infrastructure for the process is already in position, and it works across most cell networks. This facet offers a distinct benefit over other technologies that rely on IP addresses because a smartphone IP address can vary depending on current network. Short Message Service (SMS) is a communication service component of the GSM mobile communication system. It utilizes uniform communications protocols that allow incoming and outgoing short text messages between mobile phones. 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 mobile phone. GPS can determine positions accurate to a matter of. In fact, incredibly with advanced forms of GPS it is possible to make measurements to better than a centimeter! It’s just like giving every square meter on the planet 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 smartphone along with GPS hardware. Triangulation and CellID are Network Based as they use the equipment and data from the cellular provider. Hybrid systems combine techniques to make best use of available data and to make position cell phone tracking faster.