Basic Definition
A smartphone is a device that allows you to make phone calls and text messages, but also adds in features like those that are found in the computer, like e-mail sending and receiving, as well as editing Office documents.
To further understand what a smartphone really is, take a brief look at the history of cell phones. Before, there were only mobile phones and personal digital assistants, otherwise known as PDA's. Cell phones are for making calls and sending text messages, while the PDA's were used as portable organizers where you could store contact information and to-do lists that you could even sync with your computer.
Eventually, these PDA's evolved into devices that come with wireless connectivity so that they would be able to send and receive e-mail. Mobile phones, meanwhile, became more like the PDA with computer-like features. In essence, smartphones are like combinations of mobile phones and PDA's.
Operating System
Smartphones are like miniature computers. They can be distinguished from an ordinary phone, if it runs on a mobile operating system. For example, Blackberry smartphones run on Blackberry operating systems, while other smartphones are powered by Windows Mobile, iPhone OS, Google's Android, Symbian OS, RIM's Blackberry, Palm's Web OS, and Linux, among others.
Software
Most cell phones, even the most basic ones, are equipped with software. Smartphones, however, allow you to do a lot more things. It allows you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents so that, even if you're out of the office, you can still get your work done. It also allows you to download applications, edit photos, get driving directions via the GPS and listen to music playlists.
Web Access
Another important aspect of the smartphone is its ability to access the web. Many handsets now have Wi-Fi support so you can access the internet anytime to browse through your favorite sites or log onto social network sites, like Facebook and Twitter, so that you can be kept abreast to the latest happenings around you.
QWERTY Keyboard
A smartphone has a QWERTY keyboard. A QWERTY keyboard is laid out in the same way as that in the computer, and not in the usual alphanumeric manner like in most ordinary cell phones. The QWERTY keyboard can either be hardware, which are physical keys סמארטפון כשר זאפ for you to type on, or software, such as the touch screen of the iPhone.
Cell phones are constantly evolving and improving. Whether you have a standard cell phone or a highly functional smartphone, it is a must to protect them by using mobile phone accessories, such as high quality, but cheap, cell phone cases. Cheap cell phone cases and other mobile phone accessories are widely available in many different online outlets.