Category:Smartphone

Category: Smartphone — 'smartphone' is the generic name (or noun) given to a specific evolution of mobile phones with enhanced features. The Cambridge English Dictionary definition of smartphone states "a mobile phone that can be used as a small computer and that connects to the internet". The Oxford English Dictionary definition states "(a) mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded apps". Typically, these multifunction devices operate on the GSM (Global System for Mobile) mobile phone networks; usually with a minimum specification of 3G (third generation), though 4G (fourth generation) is required to exploit their full functionality. Their included 'always on' internet connectivity allows support for a range of applications (commonly known merely as 'apps'); such as video streaming, mapping with satellite navigation, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, high quality still- (more than 5MP) and video-cameras (often HD). A key feature of all smartphones is that they can be fully customised by downloading a massive selection of 'apps'; including specifically paired-down applications such as Wikipedia and Wiktionary, YouTube, professional weather apps, and an unthinkably wide array of many other apps for business, commerce, finance (banking, money exchange, stocks and shares trading, etc), sports, travel, recreation, hobbies, health, education, DIY, lifestyles . . . oh, and video games.

Smartphones generally fall into four umbrella classes, defined by their operating system (OS). The majority market share is powered by Android (from Google), followed by the iOS (from Apple), then Blackberry (from Research in Motion or RiM), and finally the smallest market share by far which uses a hugely paired down version of Windows called Windows Mobile (now defunct, from Microsoft).

Related categories

• Tablet