A 2010 Guide to Smart Phones

They have been selling like hotcakes, with the iPhone 4 selling over 3 million in its first three days of sale. But there are many touch screen/smart phones on the market today with loads of fantastic features to make using your phone a whole lot more exciting. With new ways of operating a phone too, such as pinching, swiping and shaking, the smart phone provides a whole new experience.

Many manufacturers have launched touch screen models, and as they increase in popularity more and more join in. There are loads to choose from, however they all have different features and different ways of operating. One major difference between brands is the operating system.

The operating system is a major part in the way smart phones operate. The operating systems available are, Apple iOS, Android, Samsung Bada, Nokia Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry OS. The operating system, or OS, will depend on which brand of phone you choose. The OS determines how efficient applications are used on the phone, and also how users control the software.

Touch screen displays can vary between models, with some being more or less sensitive than others. It is a good idea to use each model as you decide, so you have a hands on impression of how each one operates. It is also worth noting that most touch screen phones have a sensitivity calibration setting so you can alter the touch sensors to adapt to your personal way of touching the screen. The screen can be very susceptible to scratches and scrapes if you are not careful with it. There are many cases and screen protectors on the market, so it is a wise investment to prolong the screens life.

Battery life can vary between models. Those that have larger screens use more battery power, and the brightness of the screen can also drain the battery. Some models provide a talk-time of up to 12 hours, so check the spec sheets.

Features
A smart phone brings a whole new dimension of fun to a phone, and playing games, for example, can be done in a whole new way. Manufacturers such as Apple, have created an apps (or applications) market, where you can pay for and get free apps for your phone. These apps can be in the form of games or useful widgets that assist your day to day life. Here, we look at some of the other features that appear on smart phones and how they work for you.

Multi-tasking - This feature offers a new way that we use our smartphones. It allows you to switch between applications without the need of closing one down first. It also allows multiple apps to work simultaneously without using extra battery power. For example, you can have GPS Maps showing you directions and have your music playing at the same time. Or you can read emails while on a Skype call.

Wi-Fi - Many business users find this feature very useful, as you can use your phone for Internet and email access if you are in a wi-fi hotspot area.

Bluetooth - This connectivity is useful for short distance transfer of media, such as photos, videos etc between bluetooth devices.

Camera with Flash + Video Recording - Many smartphones have cameras with an LED flash along with video recording. Some more advanced models offer video recording in high definition (HD). There are also applications which allow you to edit your footage too.

Widgets - Most phones have a number of widgets pre-installed. These vary between phones and can range from a calendar or world clock to a ‘start diet' reminder!

Social Networking - As many of us are in contact with friends and family etc through one or more social network, it is very convenient to be able to connect to these through our smart phones. Some models stream the most popular social networks together and with your contacts list so you can update your status across them all at the same time, and check on others the same way.

3G - This is the fastest mobile Internet service possible at present, and it can be compared to the broadband speeds you would get with your Internet at home.

MP3/Media Player - To listen to your favourite tunes while on the go is a must these days and a great addition to a smart phone. Uploading tracks is simple and hassle free and you can store numerous tracks along with the option of expanding the memory with an expansion card for additional storage.

Manufacturer Specific Features
The above features appear on many of the smart phones on the market, but there are some fantastic features that are specific to certain manufacturers.

Apple - iOS, FaceTime, Retina Display, HD Video Recording and Editing, iMovie, Virtual keypad, Tethering, Scientific Calculator.

BlackBerry - BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry App World, BlackBerry Media Sync, BlackBerry Music Gateway, BlackBerry Maps, Roxio Media Manager, BlackBerry Messenger, Text Thread, QWERTY keys.

HTC - Friend Stream, Next-Gen Caller ID, Android OS, Android Apps, Seven Homescreens, Leap View, HTC Peep for twittering, YouTube video sharing.

Sony Ericsson - TimeScape, MediaScape, HSPA (Turbo 3G), 3D Games, HD Video, Face Detection, ActiveSync.

Nokia - Symbian OS, HD Video, HDMI, Ovi Store, WebTV, Free Ovi Maps, 50 hours music playback.

Samsung - Samsung Bada OS, Super AMOLED screen, Samsung Apps, Social Hub, HD Video player & recorder, Embedded Java Games, Picsel Document Viewer.

To conclude, there are many considerations when looking to buy a new smart phone and it is very important to ensure you make the right decision. They can be an expensive purchase and mobile phone contract lengths can be as long as two years, so if you are not happy with your choice, it could be sometime before you can upgrade to a new phone model. Also remember that you will be charged if you end your contract early.