What is the difference between a phone and a smartphone: how can an inexperienced user figure it out?
The variety of offers in the mobile device market makes users more actively explore the main parameters, their functions, existing platforms and offers. But the most puzzling question for all users is the difference between a phone and a smartphone. After all, both can call, send messages, often equipped with a camera, MP3 support and, of course, games. So what is the difference between a phone and a smartphone, what suits you best and how not to get confused in the choice?
What is the main difference
In the early days of mobile communications, mobile phones were bulky devices with only one function – to make calls. Later, it became possible to send SMS messages, the first games built into the phone’s firmware. But nothing more. Until the Java ME platform came along. A specialized platform that allowed installing Java applications on phones. At the same time, the firmware of the mobile phone remained intact. Under J2ME, a special memory area was allocated in which you could operate applications at your discretion. But no further. The user did not have access to the firmware itself, its settings and the ability to change system settings.
At the same time, the PDA industry developed in parallel. Pocket personal computer – that’s how this brainchild was called on the market. In fact, these were innovative devices that allow you to perform the simplest actions with documents, store notes and the user’s schedule, being in fact his personal organizer. These devices had more opportunities than mobile phones, but there was one main drawback – complete autonomy. It was impossible to call, correspond with him, and, moreover, go online.
And so it was until these two devices smoothly grew into one – a smartphone. Smartphone, aka “smart phone", has become a real breakthrough in the market. The main innovation was a full-fledged operating system. If on mobile phones the user could operate only a part of the device dedicated to the platform, now he has a whole set of tools at his disposal for complete control over the device. Naturally, this spurred developers and enthusiasts to create new, more interesting and functional applications. After all, now they had at their disposal not only a Java machine, but also direct access to the device’s processor, which made it possible to make fast and functional programs and games.
What is the difference between a phone and a smartphone? The presence of an operating system. It was this innovation that raised the mobile device market to a fundamentally new level, opening up a huge number of opportunities for users. After all, now there was no need to have a whole bunch of gadgets on hand. Why, if they are all combined in one?
Multimedia – an advertising ploy or an element of progress?
Thanks to the attention of developers, modern mobile devices can easily play any media material, from MP3 records to video files, and the playback quality is only improving. No, of course, modern mobile phones can also act as a player, and at the very least process video files. But the number of supported formats cannot be compared with smartphones. Yes, and ease of use makes itself felt. So, for example, in smartphones, work with playlists is better implemented, more precise sound tuning due to an advanced equalizer, and many other similar functions.
A significant role is played by the main attribute of communicators – the touch screen. More working area, more convenient to watch videos. Yes, and it is more convenient to sit on the Internet from the touch screen. And the Internet is a very important element of a mobile device these days. Therefore, most smartphones are equipped with Wi-Fi and 3G support, while on mobile devices you can often find older mobile Internet protocols, up to GPRS.
Programs, programs and more programs
Such trifles as an accelerometer and a light sensor, developers have long learned to use for their own purposes. Building level in your pocket, a smartphone can even do this. And not to use the built-in GPS would be a crime. And increasingly, modern smartphones are used by motorists as navigators and DVRs.
In many ways, this is facilitated by another plus of a full-fledged OS – multitasking. Several applications running in the background are not available to owners of conventional mobile phones, while owners of more modern smartphones are limited only by the amount of RAM.
What is the difference between a mobile phone and a smartphone? Yes, almost everyone. In fact, these are different devices that are united by communication capabilities. In the rest – almost nothing in common. Even similar functions are implemented differently. Hence the different price range. But here’s the thing – modern advertising is increasingly referring to smartphones as simply "phones", hence the blurred image of this device among people. In fact, most of the offers on the market are smartphones. Whereas mobile phones are found only as a budget communication device. This is largely due to the simplification of device development, increased demands from users and the desire to have maximum capabilities at hand. The era of mobile phones has long passed, they have evolved, turned into what we see now on the market. So do not compare these devices as two standalone objects. It’s like comparing a modern car to its 1930s counterpart. Evolution, the combination of developments into one device – that’s what turned an ordinary mobile phone into a "smart" phone that you use every day.