The first smartphones (communicators) appeared in the world more than 15 years ago. They made it possible to solve the simplest tasks related to opening and editing documents, they were able to send faxes and e-mails. However, conventional phones and small Palm handhelds dominated the market. At the end of the 2000s, devices running on Android began to appear on the market. What is Android, and what capabilities has this operating system endowed with modern mobile devices?

Features of a simple phone

For a long time, mobile phones have been a means for making voice calls and a tool for sending/receiving SMS. With the development of technology, phones with J2ME support began to appear on the market - this made it possible to expand functionality with the help of additional applications. But they were very, very far from a full-fledged pocket computer.

Ordinary mobile phones (not smartphones) can make and receive calls, have functions for working with SMS and MMS, can access the Internet and send e-mail. To access the Internet, there are simple browsers. All these features are built into the memory of phones, so it will not work here to replace the inconvenient “dialer”. Don't like the built-in audio player or don't have enough codecs to play video? We'll have to grind our teeth and endure.

Some part of the market for smarter devices has long been occupied by smartphones/communicators based on Windows Mobile and Symbian. There was already multitasking, it was possible to find and install various programs. Users enjoyed decent functionality, but it was all a little different - there was no freedom of action that is provided to modern users of smartphones on Android.

What is Android

The mass distribution of Android devices took place at the end of the 2000s of the 21st century, when Windows Mobile (all kinds of versions, often incompatible with each other) and Symbian dominated the market. In parallel with them, Apple products developed - its smartphones were an icon of functionality. The advent of Android has become a real sensation. This operating system has taken over the market for "smart" devices, becoming the clear leader.

As of the end of 2015, more than 80% of mobile devices worked on its basis - Apple with its iOs was left far behind. Android is a multitasking operating system for mobile devices based on Linux. Hence the high performance and open source. The first version appeared at the end of 2008, followed by numerous updates. The latest version is Android 8.0 Oreo, which appeared in August 2017..

Each new development means new possibilities, increased economy and increased productivity. Android is an operating system that made it possible to create full-fledged pocket computers, which are all modern smartphones and tablets. Devices on Android OS can:

• Make and receive calls;
• Work with e-mail;
• Work with any wireless modules (3G, 4G, GPS/GLONASS, Wi-Fi, NFC, etc.);
• Interact with users through touch screens, keyboards, mice, touchpads and gamepads;
• Access the Internet via wireless networks;
• Make video calls;
• Take high-quality photos and shoot videos;
• Verify users using numerous security tools, including using a fingerprint scanner;
• Work with printers, external cameras and other devices.

But the most important advantage, limitlessly expanding the capabilities of Android, is the ability to install various applications. With their help, smartphones and tablets become faithful assistants to users. Applications allow you to receive information about discounts, make purchases in stores, listen to music, watch videos, read news, surf the Internet and solve business problems. Also, users can choose from service applications, sports applications, online magazines and much more.

Android Features

Android is an extremely user-friendly operating system. For an initial acquaintance, a few minutes are enough, and after a couple of days, even the youngest beginners become quite experienced users. Most operations in Android are performed using simple gestures, and there is a special Playmarket store for installing applications in the system- here all the software is structured and presented in the form of a convenient catalog.

Simple installation of applications from your own store is very convenient for novice users - you do not need to scour the web and look for software in search engines.

Android is a very flexible operating system. It is easily customizable to suit users' needs., and the abundance of applications allows you to get additional functionality or replace some basic functions. Do not like the standard "dialer"? It doesn't matter - download another application, replace your desktop shortcuts and use the new application. Don't like the built-in player? It is enough to download another one from the Playmarket. You can also download here:

• Clients of popular social networks;
• Messengers for instant messaging;
• banking clients;
• mail programs;
• Wallets of electronic payment systems;
• News applications;
• Clients of online publications;
• Offline and online games;
• Cooking apps and more.

Android is very friendly, which means that you can fully customize it for yourself.

You can get information without running applications - for this, the system provides widgets that are located on the desktop and display useful information. These can be breaking news headlines, weather forecasts, exchange rates, people's latest social media activities, etc.

Android is an operating system that runs on a variety of devices. These include smartphones, tablet PCs, some desktop PCs, smart TVs, game consoles, satellite and digital receivers, mini PCs, media players, e-readers, smartbooks and even wristwatches. And every day the possibilities of the operating system and devices. Buy an Android smartphone or tablet and try out the features of the system on your own experience - you will definitely like them!

Gadget manufacturers often add additional prefixes to model names, such as Lite, Note, DS, etc. Not all users immediately understand what this means and why it is being done. Companies also do not always follow the standards set by someone and in some cases there are exceptions, but we will talk about the main features.

note

The prefix Note or Note means that the diagonal of the smartphone is 5.5 inches or more. This can be seen in the following examples: lenovo k5 note, Meizu M6, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4- all of them with a diagonal of 5.5 inches. The exception is Samsung, where the Note prefix is ​​​​used for the lineup of the company's flagships. Yes, yes, those very explosive Galaxy Note 7.

Lite

Lite in the name of the smartphone means that you are dealing with a "light" version of the device. In Lite versions, as a rule, the processor, camera module, and less memory are worse. The price is correspondingly lower as well. Examples Honor 8 and Honor 8 Lite, more Lenovo Vibe x3 and Lenovo Vibe x3 Lite. Rogue sellers take advantage of this and remove the prefix Lite from the name, counting on the inattention of the buyer. Be carefull.

DS-Dual Sim-Dual-Duos

It may be called differently, but the essence is the same - the presence of two SIM-cards. Some manufacturers like to indicate that the device has two SIM-cards in the model name. They do this if there are two identical models on the market, but one of them has two SIM cards, and the other one has one. Examples: Nokia 230 and Nokia 230 Dual Sim, more Sony Xperia XA and Sony Xperia XA Dual.

4G

Well, everything is clear here. 4G in the name means that the smartphone supports 4G/LTE networks. This information is usually added in budget devices to emphasize that despite the cheapness, the smartphone works with LTE. Examples: Motorola Moto C 4G.

Mini

This prefix means that there is an "older" version, with a larger screen, and Mini is a smaller and in many ways "lightweight" copy. Examples: Samsung Galaxy j1 and Samsung Galaxy j1 Min i.

Max

The opposite of Mini. Max means the largest diagonal variant of one lineup. Examples: Nubia z11 Max, Nubia z11 and Nubia z11 Mini.

Pro

Improved and enhanced version of the smartphone. For example, in Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 there was no memory card slot Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro slot added. Another Pro is usually used in the top-end configuration. For example, Xiaomi Mi Max Pro has a maximum storage capacity of 128 GB, 4 GB of RAM and an improved processor with additional two Snapdragon 652 cores.

Prime

The same as Pro, only in different stores it may be called differently.

Plus

Improved and extended version with a large screen. Examples: Xiaomi Mi5s, Xiaomi Mi5s Plus.

SE

SE - Special Edition - means a special edition. There may be any differences and innovations. AT Redmi Note 3 Pro SE, slightly changed the dimensions of the smartphone, so much so that it was impossible to pick up accessories for it for a long time and added a frequency Band 20.

Not everyone understands what a smartphone is and how it differs from a phone, but, in fact, this is nothing more than its improved version.

History of the first smartphone

Over the years of constant improvement in technology, manufacturers of conventional mobile phones have become convinced that users have become few of the offered functions, and they are waiting for something fundamentally new from their "dialers". That is why already in 2001 the first smartphone was released. What is a smartphone today and a smartphone at the beginning of the 2000s? – Of course, these are completely different things. For the first time, the manufacturer Nokia (which pioneered in this matter) expanded the multimedia functions of the phone and positioned it as a business model that really looked like a small laptop.

Now it's rather ridiculous to talk about the amazing features of the first smartphone model, since it could not boast of half of all those chips that any modern smartphone is equipped with in our time, but it all started with it.

And yet, what is a smartphone?

A smartphone is a "smart" phone (from two English words smart - "smart" and phone - "phone"), which combines the functions of a conventional cell phone for communication and a personal computer that performs any functions, from recognizing a person's speech to scanning it. fingerprints.

In fact, it was the emergence of operating systems that led to the emergence of such a device as a smartphone. What it is? - In simple terms, the operating system is a complex of all those applications, thanks to which a regular phone acquired a smart prefix. It made it possible to organize full-fledged work with files, data input and output, just like a computer does. Operating systems are also constantly being improved and are represented on the world market by three giant companies:

1. Apple. The famous "apple" phones of Steve Jobs are equipped with an operating system called iOs.
2. Google. No less well-known green android robot is the logo of the operating system, which is found in almost all modern smartphones (Samsung, LG, ASUS, Lenovo, etc.). So, answering the question of what a smartphone and Android are, one can immediately note their direct relation to Google, which is engaged in the production of the Android OS.
3. The “brainchild” of this manufacturer is Windows Phone, which is somewhat behind its competitors, but, nevertheless, is still in the top three.

It is impossible not to mention such a thing as a communicator. Despite the fact that this term has not become as widely known as a smartphone, most modern gadgets with which we make calls are communicators. In general terms, you can describe what a smartphone and a communicator are and what is their difference. In fact, the functionality of these devices is identical, but the history of appearance and evolution is different:

What is a smartphone and iPhone?

If you figured out a little with the concept of “smartphone”, then for many it will still be unclear what it is. In fact, this is the same smartphone, only developed under the leadership of Apple and equipped with slightly different functionality provided by the iOs operating system. Such a fundamental position of the manufacturer to name all its products uniquely with the characteristic prefix "ai". Surely you have heard the names of such gadgets as iPad and iPod. But, to put it simply, this is an ordinary tablet and a media player from the same manufacturer.

What smartphones are considered the best?

With today's variety of models? It all depends on what goals you are pursuing and how important the price tag is to you. One thing is for sure. – If you are looking for a device that meets the optimal price-quality ratio, then the main thing to pay attention to is the quality of the case, processor performance and phone autonomy. If you prefer to buy all the best, then pay attention to the line of flagships. , it is not so difficult to explain: this is a model that is currently the best of the best. But the “palm” is constantly moving from one smartphone to another, and the price of such gadgets is many times higher than the cost of devices that are quite acceptable in terms of all characteristics.

Read reviews of current smartphone models, reviews of other users and share your impressions!

A modern mobile phone and smartphone provide voice communication over a cellular network, receive and transmit text messages, perform a number of other functions that are structurally provided: call and message notifications, an alarm clock, a calendar with notes, simple games, MMS, FM radio, an Internet browser . It has become difficult for citizens to understand the difference between a smartphone and a telephone. Meanwhile, these devices, consonant in name and similar in function, are completely different. The main criteria by which it is customary to distinguish between these mobile devices are as follows:

• presence/absence of an operating system;
• the possibility of self-installation of applications;
• design features of the hardware;
• internet opportunities.

The management of smartphone functions is based on special software called the operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS). This fact allows us to consider a smartphone like a laptop. A smart mobile device can work with various applications, allow you to create and edit documents and images, as well as contact people via e-mail and social networks. The above functionality is not available to a simple Java-firmware of a cell phone. Therefore, for dummies, an important criterion for choosing a mobile device is the presence / absence of an operating system in the description of the device.

Important! The lack of an OS name in the characteristics of a mobile communication device is the fundamental difference between a phone and a smartphone.

There are several options for operating software for smartphones, and the most popular of them are it's IOS, Android, Windows Phone. Depending on the OS used on board the smartphone, smart devices are divided into iPhones, Windows backgrounds, android smartphones and devices running other less common operating systems (BlackBerry OS, Tizen).

Windows Phone operating system

Android operating system

IOS operating system

Possibilities of smart gadgets thanks to operating software

The presence of an operating system significantly expands the functionality of a mobile device, and this is the main difference between a “smart” device and a cell phone. Mobile OS, like the operating “brain” of a computer, supports the operation of various programs: Internet browsers, instant messengers, programs for reading, listening to music, viewing photos and videos, various text and image editors, application applications.

As a rule, manufacturers endow smartphones with a number of proprietary applications that provide the following functions:

• Internet access to search for any necessary information;
• playback of audio and video recordings;

• creating playlists;
• email correspondence;
• communication in social networks;
• photo and video shooting;

• creating notes, memos, contact books;
• creation and editing of texts, graphs, tables, presentations and other office information;
• GPS-navigation, work with maps, fitness opportunities;
• search and installation of third-party applications (app store);

• programs for reading books in electronic format;
• games and other entertainment;
• payment functions.

Important! The set of regular functions of a smartphone depends on the level of equipment of the hardware platform and the version of the operating system.

In addition to the programs provided by the manufacturer, the smartphone owner can install and use applications from third-party developers necessary for solving certain tasks, search and installation of which is recommended through the application store.

Difference between phone and smartphone in hardware

The firmware of a regular phone provides the interconnection of the component parts of the device. These are a cellular communication module, a display, a keypad, a speaker, a microphone, a battery, and other additional modules.

A smartphone, unlike a mobile phone, is much more complex. Like a computer, it based on the central processor, which, together with RAM and a graphics controller, forms a productive basis that generates commands for built-in modules. In addition to the basic architecture, which includes a chipset, RAM and ROM, the main modules of modern smartphones are:

• touchscreen;
• cellular communication module with 2G/3G/LTE modem;
• internal and external speakers and microphones, voice recorder;
• adapters Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• GPS navigation module and a set of sensors;
• main and front cameras;
• battery.

Depending on the status of the model and manufacturer, mobile smart devices can be equipped with the following functional elements:

• flash;
• NFC - chip;
• FM - radio receiver;
• fingerprint sensor;
• iris scanner.

The task of the operating system is control of potential smartphone functions, the provision of which is entrusted to the computing unit generating commands and built-in modules. Management is carried out through 2-3 physical buttons (power / lock, volume control, for example), touch buttons, virtual keyboard and voice commands.

Access to the World Wide Web

Mobile operators provide users with a variety of tariff plans, most of them provide Internet traffic packages in networks of different generations (EDGE, 2G, 3G or 4G). All smartphones and most conventional cell phones are equipped with some level of network support.

Advice! You can determine whether the device supports the ability to access the World Wide Web, by the presence of an installed browser.

After purchasing a SIM card with the optimal tariff, the user will not need to make special settings for the device at the first start. Providers provided semi-automatic setting of cellular network parameters with minimal user involvement.

What is better to choose

What is better to choose, a phone or a smartphone with Internet access? Much depends on the owner himself, his preferences and skills in using mobile devices. Both devices have their advantages and disadvantages.

Smartphones are multifunctional and productive, are able to replace a whole range of devices: from a means of voice communication or a Wi-Fi source to an audio and video player, a camera or a means of making a payment (terminal). And this is the undoubted advantage of smart devices.

Vulnerability to malware and viruses, the energy consumption of smartphones on the one hand, as well as the ability of users to master wide functionality and considerable monthly tariff payments, on the other hand, make us think about the advisability of buying a smart device.

Advice! For older people and younger students, a simple mobile phone is quite suitable, without unnecessary functionality, which you still need to be able to handle.

In this article, we will tell you about five basic facts and how a smartphone differs from a phone.

Almost everyone knows what a cell phone is. This is a small device that you can hold in your hands and that allows you to make calls from anywhere in the world. However, adding the word "smartphone" can lead to confusion for an inexperienced user. In fact, the separation of the two terms doesn't really matter if we call the Galaxy S9 a mobile phone and the iPhone X a smartphone.

However, below are tips to help you understand why some people use the word "cell phones" while others use "smartphones" and why a smartphone is sometimes referred to as a cell phone but not vice versa.

What to choose a phone or smartphone?

Mobile device technology is one of the fastest growing areas in consumer electronics, making it difficult to define terms like cell phone and smartphone. However, most people use mobile phones mainly for phone calls, while smartphones are considered as Internet devices and are used to a lesser extent for voice calls.

The choice between a standard cell phone or smartphone comes down to whether calls are important to you or convenient Internet access and access to multimedia files.

The functions of a smartphone are part of the capabilities of a computer

You can think of a smartphone as a miniature computer that can also make and receive calls. Most smartphones have a virtual store of thousands of apps that turn your phone into something much smarter than a regular cell phone.

Smartphone applications include image editors, navigation maps and many other useful options. Some smartphones take this a step further and give you a built-in virtual assistant like the Apple iPhone's Siri, which everyone can agree on makes the phone much smarter and more technologically advanced.

A smartphone is capable of functioning like a cell phone, but not all mobile phones can replicate this. In other words, a smartphone can make calls like a mobile phone, which in turn does not have the same add-ons and applications, such as Apple's Siri assistant or Google's voice assistant.

5 basic facts: What is the difference between a smartphone and a phone?

Operating system

The operating system on smartphones is in many ways similar to what is installed on your personal computer at home or at work. For example, your computer is most likely running Windows or MacOS, or possibly Linux or some other desktop OS. However, the mobile operating system may be, for example, iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry OS, or webOS.

The difference in the operating system of a cell phone compared to the operating system of a smartphone is again determined by the usability of the software. iPhones and Android phones are generally perceived by the masses as being relatively easy to use by most users.

When it comes to a mobile phone (which is not "smart"), the operating system is usually very light and simple, with minimal menus and little to no extra options or apps.

microprocessor and memory

Mobile phones, compared to smartphones, have incredible processing power, usually faster, more powerful microprocessors and large amounts of memory. Demanding applications such as photography, video and games require faster and faster processors.

Some models have tens of gigabytes of memory to store large music and video libraries, as well as databases and applications. On the other hand, mobile phone processors are simpler and suitable for smaller requirements such as phone calls and basic applications.

Programs

Cell phones and smartphones have apps, programs that make the phone more useful. Cell phone applications include games, contact managers, and text messaging programs. Apps on smartphones are much more complex as they take advantage of the phone's faster processor, more storage, and internet connectivity.

There are over a million smartphone apps from the most basic to the most advanced. In addition to the more sophisticated versions of applications, smartphones already have a number of useful applications installed with the operating system, a music player, photo editor, advanced calculator, social networks and other programs, there are too many to mention them all.

Dimensions and screen size

Smartphones usually have larger displays than their larger brothers. A larger screen gives apps more room for graphics and lets you enjoy movies, videos, and other media. Smartphone control is carried out thanks to the touch screen.

The screen on a mobile phone is used primarily to view phone numbers and text messages, although many people can play simple games, open appointment calendars, and contact lists.

Internet and network connections

A cell phone's primary network connection is for voice calls, although many have Bluetooth short-range data connectivity and support for hands-free calls.

The smartphone has these network connections, plus 3G/4G data and Wi-Fi. Some have a technology called Near-Field Communications that allows you to use your phone as a smart credit card. Internet access is provided using cellular data where the cell tower is located. Internet access via Wi-Fi is usually free, although the range of services is limited to homes and businesses that provide it.

Brief facts about the history of mobile phones

IBM developed the first smartphone in 1992 called the Simon. The smartphone was unveiled as a concept device in Las Vegas at the computer industry show known as COMDEX.

What are the most significant differences for you, do you use older phones in your daily activities and why? Write your answers in the comments and share this article on social networks.

Video: Five advantages of a feature phone over a smartphone