Smart(er)phones: a crash course on what's on the market.

• Author: Rogan, Patrick D.
• Position: Hardware Review

You've been Using a cell phone for a long time. It's now time to purchase a new one, but you've heard from colleagues and friends that you should consider a smartphone. What is a smartphone? What features should you be looking at? What cell phone network should you consider?

A smartphone is more than a mobile phone. It's a device that provides more advanced computing and connectivity features. Smarlphones run advanced applications using" complete operating systems. Sales of smartphones have outpaced regular cell phones for some time.

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These phones have extensive capabilities and care should be used before finalizing your decision. When selecting a smartphone the first step is to look at the operating system. Descriptions of various operating systems follows:

* iOS from Apple is a closed proprietary system derived from Mae OSX. Applications and devices are developed by Apple or authorized partners. Devices run on Verizon and AT&T cell network.

* Android is an open source system that is updated by Google. There is an explosion in the number of devices and applications. Android phones are available on most cell networks.

* Blackberry is a closed proprietary system and is focused on easy operation and was originally designed for business. There has been a surge in applications. Blackberry phones are available on most cell networks.

* The Windows 7 phone from Microsoft was introduced in late 2010. It incorporates lull integration of Microsoft services Windows Live, Zunc, Xbox Live and Bing and integrates with many other non-Microsoft services. It's not backwards compatible with the older mobile applications. Windows 7 phones are available on most cell networks.

* webOS is Palm's next generation operating system. Palm is now owned by IIP. It includes technical specifications from the Linux Phone Standards and will include ways to support applications developed for Palm-based devices. Palm phones are available on most cell networks.

Once you decide on the operating system then you should look at the different devices that run on that particular operating system. There arc different models with variations that should satisfy most of your needs.

Each operating system has a large number of applications written for use on a particular device. The iPhone has the most applications. If you're interested in applications, one needs to review the number and cost of applications available for their devices.

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