Smartphones
All along you’ve been carrying both the cell phone and PDA with you wherever you go. You use the cell phone to make calls and send text messages while using the PDA mainly to access work-related emails and schedule appointments. You’re thinking of buying a smartphone - a device that can function both as a cell phone and PDA but without the hassle of carrying both. Since this device is expensive, having to know some of the best smartphones means getting the strong functionality of a PDA with full multimedia experiences of a cell phone. What more could you ask for.
Smartphone Buying Guide
1) Operating System (OS)
What differentiates a smart phone from a normal cell phone is the ability to run software applications and as such it needs an operating system to run. The choice of OS you choose determines the functionality of the smartphones you intend to use it, be it for multimedia experiences and/or business mobility. There are basically 4 major OS nowadays namely Palm, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile.
a) Palm OS has been around since 1996 and it is a very stable mobile OS, ideal for devices that use low processor speeds. While user experience is great and able to run many award-winning programs, it’s difficulty to integrate with Microsoft products may make corporate clients think twice.
b) Symbian OS was among the early developers of the mobile OS as such has huge advantages in terms of robustness and support from thousands of 3rd party applications. It is mainly used by corporate clients that demand powerful productivity and security. Like Palm, it too has difficulty integrating with Microsoft products.
c) Blackberry was the first to introduce the direct push technology and as such garnered a lot of corporate clients since the ability to send/receive emails, contacts and appointments instantaneously is a big plus for businesses that aims to be mobile.
d) Windows Mobile was among the last to enter the mobile OS market but quickly gained market share with corporate clients due to seamless integration with Microsoft’s family of products such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook as well as consumers due to integration with Windows Media Player.
e) In the middle of 2007, Apple introduced the popular and stylish iPhone that has since captured the hearts and minds of consumers due to its sleek design and interface. The iPhone runs on Mac OS X and Safari web browser.
2) Connectivity
Since the main reason to buy smartphones is to have constant contact from wherever you may be, certain functions are then a must. They include:
a) 3G data service with transfer speed of at least 300kbps for faster downloads & email messaging.
b) Bluetooth is now a common technology employed by smartphones that allow seamless connections with some other bluetooth devices such as bluetooth headsets.
c) Built-in wireless networks (Wi-Fi) such as 802.11b or 802.11g is a must for corporate clients always on the move to hook up to the internet for browsing and email purposes.
d) Tri or Quad band so that frequent business travelers can hop on to different networks when on overseas assignments.
e) USB and Infrared port for easier transfer of data to computers.
3) Multimedia
Smartphones with multimedia capabilities such as built-in Mp3 and video players are such a hit with consumers who demand more from their smartphones than just the normal web browsing or telephony functions. If you are an entertainment guy, do opt for these kinds of functions to get the most out of your smartphones.
4) LCD Screen
It seems that bigger is better in this case since so many functions are being squeezed into a smartphone. What is more important is higher resolution of the screen (at least 320 x 240 pixels) as well as the color depth for great user experiences. Do also make sure that the LCD screen features great backlighting for use on direct sunlight as well as on dim light.
5) Keyboard Or Touch Screen?
QWERTY keyboards make it easy to type and it’s particularly useful when composing corporate emails to reply. Touch screen definitely looks cool and mainly appeals to consumers that demand full functionality of cell phones as opposed to PDA functions.
6) Memory
The more software applications you intend to run, the more user memory you need for that smartphone. It is advisable to select models that have an extra expansion slot that can accept either CF, MMC or SD memory cards. Nowadays it is common to have at least 128MB memory to run applications smoothly.
7) Size & Weight
For this case however, bigger and heavier is not good. You do not want to be bogged down by the weight and size of the smartphone when inserting inside your trousers. As a general use, aim for a device that weighs less than 115 g and not more than 120 mm long.
Just like the cell phones, smartphones are battery guzzlers due to the certain functions such as 3G or Wi-Fi. A longer battery life ensures that it’s use is greatly expanded without interruption by a flat battery.
Smartphone Reviews & Ratings
We found the best smartphone reviews CNET, Consumer Reports, PC World & PC Magazine. Professional reviewers there reviewed some of the best smartphone models from top-quality and well-known makers such as Apple, AT&T, BlackBerry, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Samsung and T-Mobile. Smartphone ratings based on listening and talking voice quality, ease of use, messaging and in sync plus sensitivity determines the best smartphones in their class.
Best Smartphones
Smartphone Reviews #1: Topping the list with outstanding smartphone reviews from pros and consumers is the best rated BlackBerry 8320 Curve myFaves Smartphone. Combining the strength of the powerful BlackBerry’s corporate email and messaging platform with advanced multimedia features creates this BlackBerry smartphone that is both practical as well as trendy for all to enjoy. This best smartphone from BlackBerry features Quad Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for constant connectivity. Comes in bright 2.5-inch, 320 x 240 pixels, 65K color TFT LCD display (with backlighting) for excellent viewing experience. Measuring 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches and weighing just 3.92 ounces, no wonder it’s the world’s lightest QWERTY smartphone.
Smartphone Reviews #2: Bursting in excitement with exciting smartphone reviews from users and smartphone experts is the best rated AT&T Tilt Smartphone. For a complete mobile office solution, look no further than this AT&T smartphone to deliver. This best smartphone from AT&T features Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G UMTS/HSPDA network for mobile communications anywhere. Includes latest Windows Mobile 6.0 OS for push email technology (via Outlook) and Microsoft Office integration for seamless business operations. Comes in QWERTY keyboard with innovative 40 degrees tilting angle for optimum viewing pleasure. With 3-megapixel camera, Telenav GPS Navigator, games and a whole host of exciting features, you’ll be spoilt for choise.
Smartphone Reviews #3: Garnering excellent smartphone reviews from users and experts is the best rated T-Mobile Wing myFaves Smartphone. For everything you need for a complete mobile solution, this T-Mobile smartphone has all the answer. This best smartphone from T-Mobile features new Windows Mobile 6.0 OS with Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile for Word & Excel editing, instant messaging, PIM functions and direct push e-mail capabilities (via Exchange Server 2003 SP2) all in one. Comes with cool slide out QWERTY keyboard and together with Wi-Fi and 3G, get access to mobile broadband fast and easy. Add in 2-megapixel camera, video recording, Bluetooth, and Windows Media Player, you’ll have mobile entertainment on the go.
Smartphone Reviews #4: Getting its fair share of good smartphone reviews from pros and users is the top rated Palm Centro Smartphone. For entertainment beyond corporate life, turn to this Palm smartphone for complete excitement. This top rated smartphone from Palm eatures 320 x 320 touch screen LCD color display with full QWERTY keyboard for easy text messaging, web browsing and e-mail. Includes detailed PIM for organizational purposes. With 1.3-megapixel camera and MP3 player with expandable 64MB storage for an evening of shots, music & enjoyment.
Best Smartphone (Multimedia)
Smartphone Reviews #5: Garnering outstanding smartphone reviews from experts and consumers is the best rated Nokia N95 Smartphone. This best smartphone from Nokia features rock-solid Symbian OS with full PIM capabilities, Wi-Fi, Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and 3.5G HSPDA data transfer for all your business and communications requirements. Find your way around with the built-in GPS and maps included. Take pictures with the 5.0-megapixel camera and record videos in 640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps. Enjoy music and video with built-in dual speakers. All these on 2.6-inch, 240 x 320 pixels and 16M LCD color display. Quite amazing literally.
Apple iPhone Smartphone
iPhone combines three amazing products—a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod and a breakthrough Internet device—into one small, lightweight, handheld device with the best email ever on a mobile phone, full-screen web browsing, multi-touch screen, and applications such as Google Maps.
Resources: Smartphone (Wikipedia)