Smartphones have essentially become portable, personal computers. You can email, text, browse, make and receive calls, take pictures, record, play music and more. You can even connect a Bluetooth keyboard and turn it into a word processor. However, it’s tough to make a decision with all the Smartphones on the market, especially because they keep changing and adding attractive features. They can be very hard to keep up with!
Paying attention to the basics will insure that you get the Smartphone that’s best for you. The three basics you must consider when choosing a Smartphone are the operating system (OS), the carrier and the hardware.
When looking at the operating system on a phone you’re considering, you may want to choose something familiar or go with something new. There are two basic types of OS on Smartphones, the Windows OS and the Mac OS.
If you have worked with Windows most of your computing life you’ll appreciate that type of OS. It’s very comfortable and looks and feels much like Windows XP. The interface was, of course, designed for a large screen and until recently it was difficult to manage the start menu and system tray, which was very tiny on smaller phones. Recent innovations and developments have largely solved such problems. You can sync your phone to your home computer or laptop, too. Samsung is one brand of Smartphone that uses the Windows operating system.
There are other Smartphones that use the Macintosh operating system, like the RIM BlackBerry. This phone used to be the market leader and still maintains high rankings. When it introduced the Pearl RIM in 2006 it became slimmer and more stylish without sacrificing function. The BlackBerry used to use the Windows OS only but now has developed features like PocketMac so that you can sync it with your desktop or laptop Mac. The iPhone by Apple is a good example of a Smartphone that uses the Mac OS, with the Safari web browser and mail application.
Once you decide on the operating system that’s best for you-or most familiar-you should consider your carrier. AT&T used to be the market leader but as other companies have improved their infrastructure and plans it now has some stiff competition. T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon are all giving AT&T a run for their money.
Sprint is very popular with younger people who don’t use their phones for executive functions; the unlimited texting feature seems to sell the plan for many users. Its 3G network is fast but it’s the consistency of the service that wins most people over. Although it doesn’t have a large selection of Smartphones, it does have the BlackBerry Tour and the HTC Hero.
Verizon Wireless has one thing going for it—its network. It has excellent coverage, both data and voice. Because of that it is a favorite of business people that need reliability and the minimum of dropped calls plus good voice quality. Verizon has also improved its selection of Smartphones, now offering the DROID, the iPhone and the Palm Pre Plus.
If you absolutely have your heart set on an iPhone then AT&T is one of two choices you have. It also has the BlackBerry Bold 9700, the HTC Tilt 2, Android and more. AT&T claims to have the fastest 3G speeds but it varies depending on where you are physically located. If you’re in a big metropolis such as New York you’ll have to put up with dropped calls and delays in texts and other data connections. However, AT&T is working hard to improve these drawbacks.
Hardware is the third consideration when SmartPhone shopping. For instance, if you’re using the phone for business you’ll have much different needs than if you’re using it strictly for personal reasons. Students, for example, want a good camera and video setup, a way to play music and the ability to watch movies or their favorite television shows. Business users want security, speed and reliability. Contractors want the best camera that’s available and perhaps some basic accounting software that they can use on the fly as they give estimates or check out job sites.
Software applications are also important although not one of the main things you should consider when choosing the best SmartPhone for your purposes. The iPhone, for example, has literally thousands of applications to download and many of them are free. You can download apps to help you find sales, new music, play jokes on your friends or help you run your business better.
The iPhone isn’t the only phone with applications, though. The Droid is catching up fast, with apps offered by developers as well as users. Springboard, for example, is a note-jotting program that replaces sticky notes or pen and paper; it’s much more convenient for taking notes on the go, in a meeting or in class. There is an app that keeps track of your favorite bands, one that manages your travel and itinerary, even one that helps you find a taxi!
BlackBerry also has an app store where users can download apps for free or starting at 99¢. There are apps that show you amenities and points of interest in your own city or when you’re traveling. There are apps that tell you what’s playing in local theaters, keep you up to date on news around the word, stream radio stations, help you with your “to do” list, road safety applications and many more.
Smartphones have become a nearly indispensible part of many peoples’ lives—they conduct business on them, entertain themselves with them, keep up with friends and family and use them to manage their lives. Choosing the right SmartPhone for your needs will make your life much easier and more enjoyable.