Smartphones
Smartphones 
are handheld electronic devices that combine the features of a PDA with a mobile phone. This means you no longer have to carrying around numerous communication devices for organising, emailing and phoning -- a smartphone will do it all for you! There's an obvious reason these gadgets got the name they did. They're absolutely brilliant. The smartphone is set to give PDAs a run for their money with growing interest from consumers. If you would rather use one device for all your multi-tasking needs, a smartphone is for you. However, if you often lose your phone, you should reconsider, because losing your smartphone means losing your phone, all your contact numbers, email addresses, and your planner in one shot. Smartphones come with a variety of features, which can be overwhelming, but this guide is here to help.
How they work:
The Network
*Smartphones utilize the GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) network for voice communication and the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network for data transmission. The GSM network is a wireless digital mobile phone network and GPRS network is a wireless service that allows you to connect to the Internet.
- Most Smartphones are either tri-band (900/1800/1900 MHz) or quad-band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). A multi-band smartphone ensures that it can function at a variety of frequencies and allows it to operate in more than one country.
- Advances in communication technology allow a number of smartphones to offer EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) connectivity which provides faster data transfer, particularly for Web and multimedia over the GSM network.
- With the addition of a Wi-Fi card, smartphones can surf the net at speeds faster than using GPRS, however speeds will vary depending on the network and handset. WAP-enabled smartphones use Wireless Application Protocol for accessing the Internet and email connectivity over the GSM network.
Email Connectivity
- One of the key characteristics of smartphones that made them popular and essential with business people is email connectivity. These devices are able to deliver email wirelessly to the handset using an email client as well as operate with a variety of email applications including personal, business and IMAP Web mail. Smartphones connect to an email server to send and receive messages over the GPRS network.
- RIM (Research in Motion) initially launched the BlackBerry as an email-only device. BlackBerry devices download email from an email server, support up to 10 email accounts, and come with a range of email options, such as email downloads to a PC.
- The Palm Treo uses VersaMail and will connect with Microsoft Exchange (v5 or later) as well as POP3/IMAP accounts.
Internet access
- If you like surfing the Internet on the go at faster speeds then Smartphones with the new EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) is coming to your rescue (See Telstra coverage maps for EV-DO in your area). Compared with other mobile data services, like EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution, up to 144-kilobits-per-second real-world speeds) or GPRS (General Packet Radio Service, ten kilobits per second, up to 50 kilobits if you're lucky), Telstra's EV-DO network is very fast (up to 2.4 megabits per second).
- You can use a variety of browsers for the Internet.
OS Platforms and Performance
- Palm: The platform is slightly limited for multitasking on these devices, but it is easy to hook up with other Palm devices. The interface is designed for ease of use and is compatible with lots of third party applications for viewing documents such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. System functions include phone, SMS and MMS messaging, calendar, memo, contacts, email, web browser, audio/video, camera, calculator and world clock.
- Symbian: The platform is supported by a large number of devices. It works especially well with Java, Bluetooth and IrDA technology. Limited software applications supported. Functions include: SMS/MMS, voice dialling, email, internet, calendar and lists. Look for Nokia and Sony Ericsson.
- Windows: Supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and is less user-friendly. Compatible with lots of different software. Full phone features and computing functionality designed to synchronise with desktop computers, including running Outlook and Microsoft Media Player. Brands include: O2, HP, iMate.
- Blackberry: Functions include: email, calendar, contacts, memo pad, alarm clock, calculator, and photo viewer. Desktop synchronisation, with Word, Excel and PowerPoint. However, Blackberry has only limited third party applications compared to Palm, Symbian and Windows.
Display
- Most smartphones have colour screens, but resolution and lighting vary from model to model.
- Backlit screens come with a switch for turning on and off.
- Transflective screens absorb the sun's rays to make them readable while outdoors.
- Touchscreen displays use a stylus pointer for data entry.
- Models with dual screens have superior screen resolution. The smaller screen is for the phone function.
- The Dopod301 has a 2.2 inch 320 x 240 screen, and a 1.2 inch 128 x 128 screen.
- Some models have screens that can be used in either portrait or landscape.
Keyboard
- QWERTY keyboard: If you plan on texting and emailing, look for Smartphones that have a slide out or front keyboard with separate alpha and numeric keys.
- Stylus handwriting recognition: Multilingual, handy writing tool that actually uses more than a keyboard. By writing with a small pen-like stick, your handwriting gets translated into Times New Roman (or whatever font you prefer) in a Word document.
- Stylus tapping/touch-screen keyboard: This is like having a standard touch-screen LCD screen. It takes two hands, but it's quicker and easier to use than a numeric keyboard.
Wireless Carrier Service
- Don't forget that you not only pay for the initial cost of the phone, but also you commit to a yearly contract.
- Telstra, Vodafone, an Optus all offer monthly plans that range from $50 to $150 per month depending on the length of the plan.
Extra features
- Cameras - Most models have a camera for capturing stills and video with megapixel counts well past 1.3.
- GPS receivers and Bluetooth modems for additional Web access have also appeared.
- Photo storage on expandable memory slots.
- Memory Chip (these usually cost extra and you should have one or two to back up your data).
- Video players.
- MP3 media players.
Top Rated Smartphones
(from Goodgear.com.au)
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Nokia E61 - A full-featured mobile phone that includes everything you'll need to keep organized and in touch (PDA, email, messaging, phone, contacts, and calendar).
- A 320 X 240 colour TFT screen for viewing web pages, photos, media and more.
- Quad band with 64 MB of storage.
- Supports Blackberry and other email utilities.
- Excellent and easy to use backlit keyboard.
- Does not have a camera.
- About $750.
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i-Mate K-Jam - Complete with phone, email, text messaging, browser, camera and organizer applications.
- Useful keyboard and large 2.8 inch TFT 240 x 320 pixel screen.
- 200 Mhz processor.
- Quad band with 64 MB of memory.
- $1200.
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O2 XDA II Mini - Email, phone, calendar, contacts are part of the package. Wi-Fi through SD slot only.
- Large 2.8 inch TFT 240 x 320 pixel screen
- 1.3 megapixel camera.
- Processor 416 Mhz, 64 MB of memory.
- $1200.
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On the horizon
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Nokia N95 - An innovative two-way slider design.
- 5 megapixel camera, integrated GPS, Wi-Fi, 150 MB of memory and Micro SD slot.
- You can switch between modes easily thanks to the design.
- You can slide the dial pad down to use the phone function, or slide the media keys out in the opposite direction for landscape mode.
- 2.5" screen.
- Expected to be released in early 2007.
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Related Products
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