BUYING A SMARTPHONE?. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Smartphones allow users to do more than just calling and texting so the decision to get one should be based what you would want to use it for. Internet Photo.

So you got a smartphone. You have arrived. But what are your first steps as a new “citizen” in the land of touch screens and applications (apps)? First, you need to understand what a smartphone is.

Smartphones are mobile phones that can perform different functions, such as playing music, taking pictures, surfing the Internet and running apps. These are quickly replacing what are known as feature phones, which are lower-priced phones that may also access the internet and perform similar multimedia tasks. The difference is that smartphones have more powerful processors and run a complete ‘operating system’, in the same way your personal computer (PC) runs an operating system like Windows.

In many ways, smartphones are more like pocket PCs than mobile phones. Like with PCs, different smartphones can run the same operating system, even if they are made by different manufacturers. For instance, HTC One X and Samsung’s Galaxy Series phones run Android, an operating system that was developed by Google. However, some operating systems, such as the iOS, can only be found on a single brand of smartphone, in this case the iPhone.

1. Figure out what you want to use it for
Before buying a smartphone you should think carefully about whether or not you will use its extra features, as they are essentially what you are paying a premium for. Do not expect the voice call quality or reception to be much better than a regular phone. If you are certain that you just want a phone for calls and texting then it really is not worth paying extra for a smartphone.

There are many good quality budget phones you can buy for a fraction of the price. But, if you are unfamiliar with smartphones, it can be hard to know how useful their features can be. This is because smartphones rely, to an extent, on users downloading individual apps to expand the phone’s functionality. For instance, if you like to keep up-to-date with current affairs, you can download apps from BBC and CNN, which deliver news stories straight to your phone.

Choosing the new smartphone to buy will depend a lot on personal preference, and the features you are looking for. For instance, if you like watching videos on your phone, you may want to buy a new smartphone with a large screen. Do you like to take and share pictures? For that you would want a phone with a superb camera. In order to choose the right phone you need to figure out exactly what you are expecting. Smartphones come in all shapes, sizes and varying budgets; and only you can decide which phone is good for you.

Because the developers of operating systems, specifically Android from Google, offer the software free, you are bound to find budget smartphones that do virtually everything the more expensive cousins do albeit less elegantly. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Pocket can do everything you would do on a superior phone like the Samsung Galaxy SIII. What that signifies is that the cost of manufacturing smartphones is coming down and eventually all phones shall be smart.

Speaking of smart, one has to understand that aside from the superficial visual and wow factor a standard smartphone of today when you pull it out of the box, it is nothing more than just another phone does the usual calling and texting until you set it up.

2. Pick one that complements your needs
Like smartphones mentioned, which run operating systems namely iOS from Apple that powers the iPhone, Android from Google that powers a host of phones from several manufacturers including Samsung, HTC, Sony, LG, Motorola etc. Then there is the Windows phone from Microsoft, Blackberry and the rest including Nokia’s relatively aged Symbian. Choosing which system to go with ultimately curves out your direction of phone choice. iOS is the platform that powers the iPhone and the iPad. It is amongst the most powerful and easy-to-use smartphone operating systems out there. iOS has more quality apps than any other smartphone. As a gaming platform, as an entertainment device and as a business tool, it does quite a lot.

Android, on the other hand, has taken the world by storm in the past few years. You can buy an Android phone in various shapes and sizes. It is designed from the ground up to work with Google’s services, so if you are a heavy Gmail user it should definitely be on your shortlist. It will also work with other services but it shines with Google’s Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps. Although there are a large number of Android apps available, they tend to not be as high-quality as what’s available on iOS.

BlackBerry platform did help shape the entire smartphone landscape, but recently it has fallen behind a bit. You may know it as a business-user’s phone and that stereotype exists for a reason. It excels at business e-mail and communication. BlackBerry’s strong point is that it works well in a corporate environment making it easy for IT departments to manage and it is faster than most other platforms at communicating.

Windows phone is sort of the new kid on the block. Microsoft made a big change with Windows Phone, it’s much different from what Windows Mobile used to be and also, it should be said, much different than anything else out there. Windows Phone is defined by its unique interface called “Metro,” which is based on big, bold text to make it fast, fluid, and very usable.

Right now, it is hard to recommend anything other than iOS, Android, Windows Phone, or BlackBerry. There are other operating systems out there, but many have been abandoned. Most prominent amongst them is Symbian, which powers all Nokia smartphones until Nokia fully embraces Windows Phone.

Symbian was actually the dominant smartphone platform worldwide at one time, but it has not aged particularly well and suffers from very poor app selection. More importantly, Nokia will soon cease making new Symbian smartphones, so the platform is at a dead end.

3. Learn how to use it maximally
So, you have a new smart phone, what next? First, you need to realise and acknowledge that this new smartphone is not just your good old simple Nokia. It is a whole new game so expect a learning curve. Get the basics right like: Can you make a call? Can you sms or do your mobile money stuff? Can you add a contact and so on. Then, get into the true smartphone mojo and when you get the hang of it, you will realise a smartphone is one of the most amazing pieces of consumer technology ever created.
With every smartphone out of the box you need to set it up with first on the list being connecting to the internet preferably via your network service provider. Having your phone connected can improve the experience. Smartphones depend a lot on an internet connection for many functions like downloading and installing apps, e-mail, news, and social networking.

Something for everything
Manage up your e-mail. While text messaging is one of the most used applications of a phone, staying on top of your e-mail on the go is a huge benefit as well. Regardless of whether you use Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or another e-mail provider, it is a safe bet that your smartphone will support it. Of course, some of us do not want to be buried in mail or checking our inbox every five minutes. In that case, check to see if your phone has a setting to schedule e-mail synchronisation for certain times: this way, you can limit the timeframe that your smartphone will check for mail. Or better yet, set the phone to only check for e-mail when you manually tell it to in your e-mail application.

Apps. Apps are what make the smart in smartphone. Ever heard of the phrase “There’s an app for that”? There is an app for virtually everything you would what to do with your smartphone. Want to know what song is playing on the radio, there is an app for that. Want to know the latest scores, there is an app for that and the list goes on. With countless apps for smartphones, you can access information 24/7 and stay abreast of latest events. Apps have made people well informed in a sense where it is easier to access information on smartphones rather than doing it the conventional way.

Of course, everything has its pros and cons. With great convenience comes the possibility of great distraction. Smartphones will alert you to new e-mails, text messages or comments on social networking sites, and the urge to check these latest updates can sometimes be too strong a pull.

Battery life will disappoint. Ironically, the very things that make a smartphone so convenient and useful are the same things that can stop you in your tracks with a dead battery. The more apps and stuff you do on your phone, the more energy it needs to perform. The more you use your phone, the quicker the battery discharges.

Then there is the high cost of acceptance into the smartphone club. Whereas this is coming down, many smartphones are prohibitively expensive.