A Cell Phone By Any Other Name

Do you remember the first cell phone you ever saw? In 1983, the firstcommercial cell phone call was made on a phone weighing 48 oz andcosting $4000, hardly a bill you want to take home to your spouse. Canyou imagine carrying that thing around in your pocket? I don`t evenwant to imagine the conversation that might take place over that largeof a lump in your pants or coat pocket. You`d never make it pastairport security! Cost - $4000; weight - 48 oz; Portability - 0. Thingswere bound to change. Today we have the smart phone, and even with theinvention of the smart phone, it is now, even as we speak, evolvinginto something else again according to the industry: a messaging device.

Technology is advancing so quickly, even the industry cannot decidewhat to call these mobile devices we use to keep in touch with eachother. Ultimately, the Smart phones, AKA PDA`s or PIM`s (PersonalInformation Managers), have an OS (Operating System) and local datastorage which differentiates them from the rest of the cell phoneworld. The other defining applications of the smart phone seem up fordebate, but ultimately allows for opening large documents and PDF`s.Once reserved for the sole use of busy professionals, use of the smartphone went main stream as the prices have fallen. A typical smart phonecan be had for anywhere between US $49 and $249. However, there areexceptions.

Samsung smart phones are priced anywhere between free and $299. Thesephones include email, Bluetooth technology, cameras, global readiness,instant messaging and mobile broadband. According to the Blackberrywebsite, their smart phones include email & texting, instantmessaging, phone, social networking apps, browsers, organizers, GPS,Blackberry maps, and a tethered modem. You can also spend money on aBlackberry through these apps: ticket master, Blackberry wallet andBlackberry App World. Of course your smart phone wouldn`t be completewithout a camera, video recording capabilities and a media player andmedia sync.

The new Black Berry Curve 8900, priced at a notable $649 at Best Buy,seems to do everything but your laundry. Applications include productFeatures such as wireless networks, high speed Wi-Fi internet accessand browsing, messaging and email, Bluetooth, USB ports, 3.2 megapixeldigital camera, external caller ID, GPS and maps for those of us whoare eternally lost, hands free speaker phones and lots of talk time.

AT & T describes smart phones as `all-in-one devices that fit inyour hand.` You can purchase an AT & T smart phone for $99 - $299and they will include Bluetooth, camera, GSM and GPRS, push to talkconvenience, video, text messaging, video messaging and wireless email.

Much of the confusion lies in the fact that many high-end cells arebeing called by the moniker `smart-phone.` Industry insiders andconsumers alike are confused and starting to lose that tag since it israpidly becoming a has-been in the tech world. Industry standardsinsist a phone deemed as a `smart phone,` be based upon its ability tobe programmed. The OS function in smart phones allows the consumer topurchase software to customize the phone to their particular needs. Onecaveat though; with all of the program-ability, comes the danger ofmalware, something a regular cell phones are not susceptible to.

It looks like in the final analysis; the industry might be hanging anew tag on the smart phone ... obsolete. The new Sony Ericson M600dropped the name completely and is now simply called a messaging device.

About The Author:
You can have access to articles about cell phones in portuguese language from page Cell_Phone Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Tags: SMART PHONE, CELL PHONE

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A Cell Phone By Any Other Name