vB Easy Archive - How do smartphones different to regular cell phones?

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How do smartphones different to regular cell phones?
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Posted by: .FLiP.MATiC.

Hey guys, long time cell user here but I would like to know more about smartphones and their capabilities and differences compared to cell phones(SE T616, Samsung E715, etc...), series 60 phones(Nokia ones) and SE P800/P900 phones.

Thanks in advance~

Posted by: Eric5273

Quote:

Originally posted by .FLiP.MATiC.
Hey guys, long time cell user here but I would like to know more about smartphones and their capabilities and differences compared to cell phones(SE T616, Samsung E715, etc...), series 60 phones(Nokia ones) and SE P800/P900 phones.

Well, technically I think Series 60 & SE P800/900 (Symbian) phones are considered "smart phones". But in the case of this forum, they mean phones with the Windows Smartphone operating system.

I've used Series 60, SE T610, and now I have a Samsung i600 Windows Smartphone. I can compare those 3, but I've never used the P800 or P900.

The T610 is the most basic. It has what it comes with. You can't really add any functionality. You can add Java programs, but they are very basic, and you cannot multi-task java programs. You can open one up, use it, and then close it. But you cannot have one run in the background. Also, java programs cannot integrate into other aspects of your phone. For example, if you were to use a java program to read or send email, you could not access the email addresses stored in your address book, since the java program cannot communicate with the other parts of your phone, like the included address book. If you have a Java IM program and someone was to send you a message with a phone number, you could not cut and paste that phone number to your address book. Or if they sent you a link to a web address in a message, you could not click on it and open the web page. You would have to sign off and close the IM program, and then open your web browser and type in the address.

With Series 60/Symbian and Windows Smartphone, installed programs can actually integrate themselves into your phone much like a program would on your PC. Both operating systems can multi-task, meaning for example, you could have an instant messaging program running in the background while you surf the web and listen to a MP3 file with headphones, all at the same time. And if during that time, you have your email programmed to check your inbox every 15 minutes, it could do that too. If you are browsing the web and see a link to an email address, you could click on that link and that would cause your email program to open up to send a new email.

However, it's all about processing power. Symbian phones run on much less powerful processors, so the overall capability is much less than Windows Smartphone. Windows Smartphone is much like using a regular PC, only it's smaller and there is no keyboard. It has microsoft outlook, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, etc..

I guess it all comes down to personal preference.

I wasn't sure if I would like it, so I tried out the Samsung i600 from Verizon. They give you a 15 day trial period. I'm on day 10 at the moment, and I'm 95% sure I'm going to keep it and port my number over from T-mobile. Give it a try. At worst, you can always give it back and cancel your contract.

Posted by: .FLiP.MATiC.

Interesting, most smart phones are big and heavy...is that just a design feature or just because of the weight of the processor?

So I am guessing that most people who own smartphones have unlimited internet/wap on their account right?

Posted by: Eric5273

Quote:

Originally posted by .FLiP.MATiC.
Interesting, most smart phones are big and heavy...is that just a design feature or just because of the weight of the processor?

So I am guessing that most people who own smartphones have unlimited internet/wap on their account right?

Well, yes the processor is a bit bigger, but also the screen needs to be a bit larger than your average phone. You will also notice that Symbian phones are a bit larger too for the same reason. Smartphones have a 176 x 220 resolution and that needs to be a decent size.

But actually, they are not that large. Pocket PC phones are large, but Smartphones are just a tiny bit larger than most regular phones.

As far as the internet plans, I signed up for Verizon's unlimited internet plan. Personally, I don't see the point of having a smartphone and not getting unlimited internet, but I suppose some people will use it mostly as an organizer/planner and perhaps get their email from outlook through activesync rather than through their wireless internet connection. I guess if you do that, you don't need unlimited.

For me, I do lots of instant messaging, email, web browsing, and even streaming audio/video, so I need unlimited.

Anyway, good luck with your smartphone purchase.

Posted by: .FLiP.MATiC.

Thanks man, well I had a Sharp GX20 adn I don't think any other phone can beat the size heh heh. The GX20's internal screen had a resolution of 240x320!!
Anyway, is the internet browsing different from the regular colour screen cell phones? When I mean different, I mean for example, browsing on a smartphone actually looks like the format we browse using our computers? I recall reading a review on HowardChui.com and I think I saw a picture of the P900 and 8380 on the reviews page. Also you can go on any website instead wap only right?

Thanks!!

*Just found out the the largest GSM provider in Canada does not have unlimited internet available!! I only have 1 more yr b4 my contract ends...That sucks.

Posted by: Holishi

Normal cell phones only use WAP for wireless web browsing, and WAP 2.0 adds colour to it. Smartphones, especially those Microsoft Window powered, has an Explore that let you to browse HTML sites. However, browsing HTML sites on smartphone isn't necessarily a good thing, because HTML sites are relatively huge and it's painful browse them on 2.2 inch screen. It feels more comfortable to view HTML sites on pocket pcs.

Fido has unlimited GPRS for $25, that's not bad.

Posted by: Eric5273

There are dozens of good sites formated for smartphones. Microsoft has a list of them at their site. Lots of news, weather, sports sites, even Mapquest has one.

Posted by: .FLiP.MATiC.

I should call up and see if Rogers really offers an unlimited internet service cuz I think my bro has it.
Just 10 more months until my ROgers contracts expires...

Posted by: vyse

do any of yall know if these smartphones can play like .AVI or .MPEG2 ?

Im hopin to get the upcomin I930 and buy a large MMC card and then put alot of movies on it .

Posted by: Holishi

Quote:

Originally posted by .FLiP.MATiC.
I should call up and see if Rogers really offers an unlimited internet service cuz I think my bro has it.
Just 10 more months until my ROgers contracts expires...

Hey if you are rich....just activate another line.

Posted by: .FLiP.MATiC.

Quote:

Originally posted by Holishi
Hey if you are rich....just activate another line.

I wish I were