The cell phone has come a long way from being a large and awkward device that only makes calls to a small and sleek gadget that can check your stocks, the nearest movie times, display the weather, take photos, capture video, email and help navigate you worldwide. Understanding today’s newest crop of cell phones is a tumultuous task for anyone. Knowing the differences between “smartphones”, “feature phones”, and “dumb phones” and everything in between sounds like a job in itself. Although there is a lot of information, knowing the differences of today’s smartphones and choosing the right one for you can simplify your life and daily tasks immensely by allowing you to do more on-the-go.
The three different levels of cell phones are straightforward. A “dumb phone” (or budget phone) typically performs the one basic purpose that a cell phone was meant for, phone calls. They may also include a few other features such as text messaging, basic web browsing and simple games. One step up on the cell phone totem leads us to a “feature phone” which, in addition to the capabilities of a budget phone, also integrates more applications. Feature phone’s can run a limited number of proprietary applications built into or specifically for that type of operating system opposed to a smartphone that would allow greater freedom in this area. Smartphones are able to do more because they run on a complete operating system such as Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, Palm’s WebOS, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile. Think of a smartphone as a handheld computer with phone functionality.
Two of the three leading operating systems, iOS and Android, are mostly equal in terms of available applications and performance. iOS can only be found on Apple’s iPhone on AT&T whereas Android is an open source operating system that is available on various phone manufacturers (e.g. HTC, Motorola, LG, Samsung to name a few) and networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, etc). BlackBerry, the marginal leader of today’s smartphones, has often been associated with a more business-like focus due to their superior handling of messaging and email in secure environments and integration with company software. Add that to also running today’s most popular applications and you’ve got quite a device.
Apple was the first platform to introduce a dedicated App Store for their operating system. The App Store now houses more than 200,000 apps. One thing to note is that applications for the iPhone must be downloaded through the App Store and cannot be downloaded from other sources. If you’re an Apple user with MobileMe your contacts, data and phone location will seamlessly intermix with an iPhone. iOS 4, Apple’s newest release on the iPhone 4, allows users to capture, edit and upload video directly from their phone without the need for a computer.
Due to its Google backing, the Android platform effortlessly integrates Google applications into it’s operating system. If you utilize a lot of Google products on your computer such as Gmail and Google Voice, an Android device will integrate well into your workflow. Another key feature of Android is Google Navigation. Every Android device now comes with a built-in navigation that utilizes Google Maps technology and will eliminate the need for a separate GPS device. Also, as an open-source platform, Android allows you to install applications from various sources like the Internet, not just their Android Market.
If you’re in the market for a new phone, it helps to ask your peers what they use and their opinions in addition to trying out the different devices in store. Differences between the three smartphone leaders comes down to user interface, hardware and carrier. Android phones are available in various sizes and their own hardware characteristics. For instance, Sprint has the HTC Evo 4G that has a front facing camera in addition to its back camera for video calls and recordings and is on a high-speed 4G network (4G is not available nationwide, see Sprint’s official website for more details). AT&T is currently the sole carrier of the Apple iPhone 4. Verizon has the Droid X with an 8MP camera, HD video recording and an HDMI out port. Once you’ve narrowed down your choice of operating system, it’s a matter of looking at the additional features that each individual phone has and what you’d prefer. Don’t fret if you’re not happy with your decisions either. Major carriers such as Verizon and AT&T allow you to return the phone within 30 days of purchase if you’re not happy with your choice.
