What is a Smartphone?

Smartphone features

First and foremost, a Smartphone is called such because it’s not just a phone, but one that possesses several other capabilities such as:

• True web browsing (i.e. content as you would view it on a standard computer screen)
• Powerful email management
• A platform for many other digital applications – or “apps”
• Smart synchronising of your business calendar (e.g. in Microsoft Outlook)

There is no specific definition of a Smartphone – other than that it is smarter than just your average phone, as basic as that sounds.

Software of a Smartphone

The Smartphone will usually possess software that runs a complete operating system, rather than just the ability to make and take calls and send text messages.

Smartphone software will allow users to do things such as:

• Use online applications quickly and smoothly
• Send, receive and manage emails seamlessly in sync with your computer’s mail software
• Read an eBook
• Advanced word processing, spreadsheet and presentation document creation, editing and syncing for external screen demonstration

These types of software capabilities essentially mean that customers with a Smartphone are travelling everywhere with their mobile phone, laptop and entertainment device all in one.

History of a Smartphone

The first Smartphone – named Simon – was launched by IBM in 1992. It was only a concept product, and had only very basic additional functions aside from just a phone, which included:

• A clock
• An address book
• A calendar
• A fax
• Games

Still, at the time, the Simon Smartphone was incredibly revolutionary.

Nokia then introduced their version in 1996, followed by Ericsson in 2000. Since then the Smartphone has gone from strength-to-strength, and mobile phone users have come to expect a whole lot more from their mobile phone than just the ability to make calls, take calls and send text messages.

All in all, a Smartphone is a must-have for most tech-savvy consumers these days. The nature of our business and personal lives means we need to stay constantly connected to one another whether this is by:

• Phone
• Email
• Interactive Games or
• GPS

Mobile phone users looking for a mobile phone with extra-added features and exceptional performance capability will look to the raft of Smartphones currently on the market.

Bear in mind that you may not require a phone as advanced as the Smartphone. It’s worth considering how you use your phone – and how you’d like to use your phone; do some research to help you choose wisely. A Smartphone can be extremely handy – but it can also be an expensive, unnecessary undertaking.