Smartphone buying guide

A phone, even a mobile one, is no longer just a phone. Smartphones might be called phones, but they bear little resemblance to the old fashioned instrument that used to simply sit in the hallway and ring when someone wanted to speak to you.

Smartphones are tiny mobile organisational centres, with more technology packed into them than a roomful of desktops would have been capable of carrying a mere ten years ago. Choosing one, though, isn't as daunting as you might think; as with most acquisitions, it is a matter of finding the best quality in your price range that has the features you need, and some you want too.

Choosing a Smartphone

The crux of the matter is choosing a phone with the features you need. Most Smartphones now come packed with so many applications, in fact thousands, so that learning a second language or finding your way home can be as accessible as the keypad on your phone:

Budget. Start with what you can afford, then start looking. Startup can be costly for Smartphones; the phone itself will set you back upwards of three to four hundred dollars, and then add to that contracts and fees
Do be careful about entering into contracts, and always read the fine print; it's too common for mobile users to find themselves locked into expensive contracts with even more expensive escape clauses
The carrier you choose may limit the phone you can use, so unless you are prepared to switch carriers for a particularly fancied phone, choose the service provider and type of payment arrangement you want first, then pick a phone within their compatible range
List the applications and features that you will really need before launching yourself out there to find a phone. Include a few wants; most phones are so packed with features that you should find one to suit
Choose a keyboard that is big enough and comfortable enough for you to use regularly
Be aware that some smartphones are not compatible with Windows; this could cause problems interfacing with other technology. Others, like Blackberries, can interface with windows but don't allow you to make modifications, making their usefulness limited

With a Smartphone in your pocket you'll be able to email a friend, surf the net and catch up with work, and choosing one isn't that hard as long as you have the budget.

Smartphone: Other information

Smartphones are a technological leap that will soon revolutionize the way Australians do business and lead their social lives. Choose one with the applications and features you need and with a plan on a carrier that suits you, and you'll have a secretary, social organiser, language coach, and interactive travel planner among many other amazing and useful roles.