Important features Smart phones
In addition to the key features that all phones share, there are some specific to smart phones. Here are some to look for:
Document editing. All smart phones allow you to review documents. Some models add the convenience of creating, deleting, and editing them.
Touch screen. Many smart phones have a touch-sensitive display that responds to light contact with a stylus, finger, or both. They provide an alternate, and sometimes more direct, method to input data and launch phone features and controls.
QWERTY keyboard. Most smart phones have a full keyboard, which makes composing and editing messages much easier than with a condensed keyboard or regular keypad.
Bluetooth data. Most Bluetooth-equipped cell phones can link only with wireless headsets and hands-free systems in cars. But those with Bluetooth-data support can wirelessly exchange pictures, contacts, and other files with other compatible Bluetooth devices, such as a computer, cell phone, or PDA.
Memory card. Many phones have slots that accept memory cards to expand storage capacity by as much as 32 gigabytes. The removable cards can also serve as an easy way to shuttle files between your phone and other devices-provided the phone's maker didn't bury the card slot behind the battery cover. Card formats include Secure Digital Card SD, miniSD, and MicroSD.
Wi-Fi. Cell-phone data networks-even those designated as "3G broadband"-are much slower than the broadband Internet connections many people have at home. But a growing number of phones have a built-in Wi-Fi radio that allows them faster Internet and e-mail access via home networks and Wi-Fi hotspots. On some phones, the Wi-Fi is just for Web browsing; on others, you can use the connection to swap files with a PC or make calls via Voice Over Internet Protocol.
Mac compatibility. Most smart phones let you synchronize appointments, contacts, and documents with a computer, but only some can do that with Macintosh computers.
In addition to the key features that all phones share, there are some specific to smart phones. Here are some to look for:
Document editing. All smart phones allow you to review documents. Some models add the convenience of creating, deleting, and editing them.
Touch screen. Many smart phones have a touch-sensitive display that responds to light contact with a stylus, finger, or both. They provide an alternate, and sometimes more direct, method to input data and launch phone features and controls.
QWERTY keyboard. Most smart phones have a full keyboard, which makes composing and editing messages much easier than with a condensed keyboard or regular keypad.
Bluetooth data. Most Bluetooth-equipped cell phones can link only with wireless headsets and hands-free systems in cars. But those with Bluetooth-data support can wirelessly exchange pictures, contacts, and other files with other compatible Bluetooth devices, such as a computer, cell phone, or PDA.
Memory card. Many phones have slots that accept memory cards to expand storage capacity by as much as 32 gigabytes. The removable cards can also serve as an easy way to shuttle files between your phone and other devices-provided the phone's maker didn't bury the card slot behind the battery cover. Card formats include Secure Digital Card SD, miniSD, and MicroSD.
Wi-Fi. Cell-phone data networks-even those designated as "3G broadband"-are much slower than the broadband Internet connections many people have at home. But a growing number of phones have a built-in Wi-Fi radio that allows them faster Internet and e-mail access via home networks and Wi-Fi hotspots. On some phones, the Wi-Fi is just for Web browsing; on others, you can use the connection to swap files with a PC or make calls via Voice Over Internet Protocol.
Mac compatibility. Most smart phones let you synchronize appointments, contacts, and documents with a computer, but only some can do that with Macintosh computers.
