Updated: 03/06/2020 by Computer Hope
A smartphone is a cell phone that allows you to do more than make phone calls and send text messages. Smartphones can browse the Internet and run software programs like a computer. Smartphones use a touch screen to allow users to interact with them. There are thousands of smartphone apps including games, personal-use, and business-use programs that all run on the phone. The picture is an example of the Apple iPhone, one of the most popular smartphones available today.
What can a smartphone do?
Smartphones are loaded with features and capabilities that make them more than a phone. Below is a listing of the most popular features of a smartphone.
- Make and receive phone calls text messages.
- Take, show, and store pictures and video.
- Browse the Internet, and send and receive e-mail.
- GPS capability for location and navigation.
- Record and play audio and music.
- Display time and date and other functions such as alarm clock, stopwatch, and timer.
- Display weather and temperature information.
- Voice dictation and take notes.
- Virtual assistant using Siri, Google Assistant, or Cortana.
- Access utilities, such as a flashlight, e-book reader, and calculator.
More advanced smartphones are now foldable, which enables them to change between that standard smartphone and tablet screen sizes. For example, the Huawei Mate X can unfold to provide an 8-inch screen.
Does a smartphone have an operating system?
Yes. Similar to a desktop or laptop computer, a smartphone has an operating system on it, like Windows or macOS. The four most common are iOS (created by Apple), Android (created by Google), BlackBerry (created by Research In Motion), and Windows Phone (created by Microsoft).
What type of storage medium is used in a smartphone?
Smartphones use flash memory to store apps and data. The flash memory is usually built into the phone and non-removable. Some smartphones may also have a flash memory card slot, often designed for an SD card, allowing users to utilize external storage.
When was the first smartphone released?
The first unofficial smartphone was developed by IBM in 1992. It was a prototype device, with PDA-like features, including maps, news feeds, and stock quotes. The prototype resulted in an improved version being released to the market in 1994, called the Simon Personal Communicator. This device was the first official smartphone, with capabilities to send and receive e-mails, and included apps like an address book, calculator, calendar, and a notepad.
Tip
The invention of the smartphone should not be confused with the invention of the cellphone in 1973.
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