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Smartphones. What are they and what are they good for?. No standard definition The definition changes with time as technology advances One definition: “ A device that lets you make telephone calls, but also adds in features that you might find on a personal digital assistant or a computer .”.
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Smartphones What are they and what are they good for?
No standard definition • The definition changes with time as technology advances • One definition: “A device that lets you make telephone calls, but also adds in features that you might find on a personal digital assistant or a computer.” What is a “Smartphone”?
Advance Messaging: Sync e-mail and handle multiple e-mail accounts • QWERTY Keyboard • High Speed Web Access, i.e., 3G-4G • High Level Operating System: Can run productivity applications • May also have: GPS, Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity Detector Unique Smartphone Features
Phone Service • Text Messaging • E-Mail • Still and Video Camera • Music & Video Player • Web Browsing • Organizer, i.e., calendar & address book • Run Applications What Can a Smartphone Do?
Apps are user-installed software • You name it and “There is an App for that” • Lots of Apps for Different OS: Smartphone Applications
Data Connectivity is needed to: • Access & Manage E-Mail Accounts • Browse the Web • Provide Data Flow for Apps Fast Data Connectivity is Important! 3G & EDGE (2G) (Cell Phone Provider) Wi-Fi (LAN/WAN) Smartphone Data Connectivity
Wi-Fi (LAN) 2.3** (~1½-5x “3G) 3G (UMTS) 0.5-1.6 (~5-10x “2G) 4G (future) Up to 10x “3G” (or more) * AT&T Network Speed at my home in Walnut Creek Phone Provider Network(2G vs. 3G Data Flow) ** Home LAN with AT&T DSL “Pro” Plan = “Up to 3 Mbps”
A comparison of the Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Alamo, Danville, & Concord Area Only How do Phone Carriers Compare in the East Bay? http://reviews.cnet.com/coveragemap/
Top 5 Smartphones(cnet- 1/04/10) Other top phones: Google Nexus, HTC MyTouch 3G * 2 year contract commitment typically required
Voice Plan $30-70/Mo. Text Plan (if desired) $5-20/Mo. 3G Unlimited Data Plan $30/Mo. SMS= $0.20/Msg, MMS= $0.30/Msg Smartphone Costs * With 2 Year Commitment
Video App (included) YouTube, Movies, TV Shows, etc.
Apps purchased via phone or online from App store, i.e., iTunes, VCast, etc. • Many Apps are free • Most Apps cost less than $5 • Some Apps cost as much as $40-100 • Load as many Apps as memory allows • Movies, Videos, TV Shows & Music may also be purchased from App Store Purchasing Smartphone Apps
Yelp • Urban Spoon • Local Eats Location Services Apps (free)
AppBox ($0.99) 21 Mini Apps for $0.99
Streaming Music Apps Wunder Radio ($6.99) Pandora (free)
New creative type of App • Augmentation of the real world with computer generated imagery • Uses GPS, Accelerometer, Digital Compass inputs • Point at something and AR can give info on what you are looking at Augmented Reality (AR) Apps
AR App Examples Wikitude (free) Urbanspoon (free)
Smartphone: “A device that lets you make telephone calls, but also adds in features that you might find on a personal digital assistant or a computer.” • It can’t do everything a PDA or computer can do, i.e., run large/complex programs • But it can do many things that they can’t because it is has microphone, camera, gps, accelerometer data inputs and it’s mobile (fits in your pocket or purse). Lets Review…
Faster Processing Speed • Better Still/Video Camera Capability • Longer Battery Life • Faster Internet Access, i.e., 4G • Improved Virus Protection • More Creative Applications • Perhaps a blending of stand-alone cameras, GPS and/or netbooks Smartphones of the Future
The End.... Area 2 Computer & Tech. Web Site: http://www.sir-web.org/computer/
March 2010 C&T Meeting “Gadget”: eReaders Looking for members with eReaders to bring them to the March meeting to demonstrate their Kindle, Nook, Reader, etc.