Smart Phones

ny are confused by the wide-ranging spectrum of mobile phone models and capabilities. For those seeking a phone with the greatest expanse of functionality, there is no better choice than a smart phone.

The smart phone is simply a cellular phone that offers higher capability above the average mobile phone. This simple definition is unfortunately complicated by the lack of an industry standard definition. One may see a smart phone as one that offers a complete keyboard with internet and email functionality, and some may only view a smart phone as a phone with a full operating system (OS) and applications.

Smart phones, as a whole, carry the ability to function as much as a cell phone as a PDA.

Most have complete email capability, web browsing, calendar support, and contact support. Extended functionality offered by various manufacturers and models include GPS or A-GPS navigation, multimedia playback, document reading or editing, integrated camera, touch screen, etc. The smart phones available on the market today are characterized by their respective operating systems, which are:

* Windows Mobile

* iPhone OS

* Symbian OS

* RIM Blackberry

* Palm OS

* Linux-based OS

Windows Mobile is a platform developed by Microsoft that supports mobile devices including smart phones. It is close in appearance and features to the desktop Windows operating systems, including a very large selection of third party applications. Windows Mobile applications can add an unlimited functionality to a smart phone within hardware limits, but some examples are Skype support, instant messaging over AIM or other protocols, RSS feeds, and media players that extend the built-in file format ability.

The iPhone OS is built by Apple to run on their iPhone. The iPhone OS is actually a stripped down, but complete version of the original OS X operating system. This OS supports media playback identical to the iPod line, but with a layout designed to take advantage of the iPhone?s multi-touch screen. It also supports a portable version of the iTunes store, third-party applications through an application store, a full version of the Safari web browser, full e-mail support with HTML and attachment viewing, maps via Google, YouTube, calendar and contacts support, photo viewing, etc.

The Symbian OS is developed and owned by Symbian Ltd., and while similar in functionality to the Windows Mobile operating system, enjoys 65% of all smart phone market share. This OS has all of the basic smart phone features that any other smart phone has, but also an extensive library of third party applications that provide the phone with nearly unlimited functionality (with respect to hardware limitations). Some phone manufacturers that utilize the Symbian OS are Nokia, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson.

The Blackberry, Palm, and Linux-based operating systems are the last three operating systems employed by smart phones today, and share the main functionality of all other smart phones, as well as third-party applications. These systems are similar in their narrow smart phone deployment. The Blackberry OS only runs on Blackberry devices, and the Palm OS runs primarily on the Treo devices. The Linux-based systems are unique in that it is not its own platform, but rather a base for other platforms used by Samsung, Panasonic, NEC, and Vodafone, to name a few.
by: Gen Wright

Web hosting

Must Have Checklist: Choosing a Smart Phone or Pda

by Yung Trang

Purchasing a smart phone or PDA may seem like a luxury, but for many they are essential tools of productivity. For those pressed for time, or who are frequently away from a home or work computer they rely on heavily, these devices quickly pay for themselves in efficiency.

Features of PDAs and Smart Phones

Personal Digital Assistants offer many of the same tools and toys of a PC in a handheld size. (If they also function as a mobile phone, they’re called smart phones.) Usually sporting a Microsoft Windows or Palm operating system, most of them support:

· Reading email

· Address books / contact managers

· Instant messaging

· Listening to music

· Shopping on the Web

· Editing spreadsheets

· Writing documents and letters

· Reading ebooks

· Creating presentations

· Shooting and viewing quality photos and videos

· Playing computer games

· Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless technologies

· Global Positioning (GPS) software

· Synchronization with MAC or PC

· Voice-activated dialing

Keep in Mind

· Size and quality of the screen are very important – especially for those with limited visual acuity. Larger screens mean a larger price tag.

· Touch screens are convenient for those who struggle with small keyboards, but require more concentration and dexterity to use accurately. They must be reset frequently for proper alignment. Many handheld games still must be played using keys rather than a stylus.

· Smart phones are heavier than cell phones, and those with larger screens tend to be heavier. The extra weight often requires the use of a headset and carrying case.

· Keyboards tend to be either very small, sometimes with a unique key layout, or larger with the standard QWERTY layout.

· A faster documented processor speed doesn’t always mean faster real-time speeds. Be sure to test and compare devices.

· 3G technology offers broadband speeds for surfing the web.

· Storage space on PDAs is usually minimal, but expansion slots allow for removable storage. Storage cards can offer as much storage as you need at additional cost.

· Cameras should be at least 1.3 megapixels for reasonable quality, and being able to zoom makes a big difference.

· A PDA with integrated phone, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS keeps the number of necessary devices and wires to a minimum and maximizes mobility.

· GPS may cost extra to use.

· Removable lithium cell batteries are easy to replace without having to go to a service center.

· Most cell phone companies require that smart phone owners have a PDA package at additional cost – the device cannot just be used as a phone at a lower rate.

· Many websites are not yet able to display properly on PDAs and smart phones.


by: Yung Trang

Stop global warming

Smart Phones Are More Personal

With the growth of technology the electronic devices are getting smaller and smaller and multifunctional at the same time. And with invent of the smart phone, this saga continues.

A smart phone is a full-featured mobile phone that comes equipped with the personal computer like functionality.So it is the most efficient way of being mobile and carrying your office with you. Most of these phones come with a camera that supports email capabilities and serves as a complete personal organizer.

Some of the important features that are now a basic with most off the smart phones are the applications for enhanced data processing. Along with that these phones support connectivity and can be installed on the device contrary to regular phones, which support sand boxed applications.

The best part of these applications is that they may be developed by the manufacturer of the device, by the operator or by any other third-party software developer. Smart functionality which is inherent in the smart phones consists of some additional interfaces including a miniature QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen, or even just secure access to company mail.

With all the state of the art features, theses phone has become an irreplaceable part in our lives. And with these devices, upgrading never ceases. With so many manufacturers producing the leading and most popular models on the block, many new features are consistently seen making your phone more and more productive with each day.

But at the same time it is very essential to protect your phone for the very need of securing your precious data and the convenience this device can provide you. Viruses that find way into this device and from theft as well threaten the security of phones. Here are some basic steps to make your smart phone secure from possible threats.

It is necessary to take precautions to secure your smart device the same way you should secure your computer or other electronic devices. If you access your e-mail from your phone, try not to post your phone number or e-mail address on the web as attackers often use software that browses Web sites for e-mail addresses, which then become targets for attacks and Spam.

In case you get any unsolicited e-mail or URL you receive on your phone e-mail box. There are many sites that offer games and other software you can download onto your smart device. A chance is that this software could include malicious code. So it is better to avoid downloading files from sites that you do not trust.

Time and again evaluate the security settings of your phone. Use the firewalls and other security settings on your phone to secure it from possible threat.

It is also better to read the reviews before buying any new smart phone. Also compare the products on features, price, size etc before making your choice.


by: Christa Kowalczyk

Stop global warming