We explain what a smartphone is, its characteristics and differences with other phones. In addition, we tell you how its origin and its history were.
What is a smartphone?
A smartphone, also known as smartphone (from English smart“smart”, and phone“phone”), It is a portable device that combines the traditional functions of a cell phone with those of a pocket computer or touch tablet. Its “intelligent” name comes from the fact that it is capable of executing many complex functions, in addition to simply communicating by telephone with two people.
The smartphones They are a type of cell phone, and constitute its technological evolution, its most advanced version, whose existence is possible thanks to the invention and popularization of the Internet, and the so-called Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). Thus, a smartphone It not only allows you to make calls and send text messages, but also surf the internet, make video calls, send emails, use social networks, take photos, scan documents, and many other new functions.
The appearance of the smartphones It is considered a milestone of great importance in the contemporary history of technology, which has quickly left a deep mark on the way we do things, from working and shopping to dating and entertainment. After less than 20 years of mass presence, smartphones are more popular than ever and are deeply integrated into our daily lives, which is why they have become an indispensable tool of the 21st century.
As often happens with anglicisms and loanwords from foreign languages, the term smartphone It is always written in italics, and academic institutions recommend using “smartphone” instead.
See also: Input and output devices
Origin and history of smartphones
The first smartphones emerged in the late 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s, from the integration of traditional cell phones and digital agenda or pocket computer devices, known at that time as PDA (from English Personal Digital Assistant“personal digital assistant”).
These first “hybrid” phones offered the functions of both devices in one: the ability to make phone calls and the small analog screens, which allowed the recording of names and numbers, as well as small notes and messages.
The leap forward for this type of device was brought about by the OmniGo 700LX, manufactured and marketed by Hewlett-Packard in 1996. It was a grayscale LCD hybrid phone, compatible with the DOS 5.0 operating system and capable of making calls, creating and receiving text messages, as well as emails and faxes. An HP 200LX and a Nokia 2110 cell phone were combined in the same device, which represented an advance in the milestone achieved in 1993 by IBM with its hybrid models.
However, the first smartphone itself emerged in 1999 almost hand in hand with third generation technology (3G), which emerged in 2001 and allowed the transmission of information at high speeds, which allowed the sending of larger data packets (photos, videos, etc.). This first proper smart phone It was the pdQ Smartphone, from the Qualcomm company and combined a Palm PDA with a CDMA cell phone with internet connectivity.
Another great quantum leap in smart telephony was taken in 2007 with the launch of the first iPhone by Apple, which significantly changed the standards and aesthetics of telephony forever. Its operating system (iOS) was revolutionary and Its only real competitor appeared in 2008: Android. Both were the prevailing systems in smart telephony during the following decade.
From then on, the smartphones They have only gained functions and grown in complexity. The marked trend towards the miniaturization of cell phones, for example, began to be reversed with the adoption of the touchscreen (touch screen), which required increasingly bulky devices to have functional and color screens, along with the large batteries necessary to power the system.
To this must be added the appearance of 4G networks (from 2010 onwards) and the announcement of 5G (expected for 2025), which brought with it an enormous increase in the capabilities of smartphoneshand in hand with the apps downloadable from the internet and the incorporation of increasingly better quality cameras.
Differences between a smartphone and a basic cell phone
The big difference between a smartphone and a conventional cell phone has to do with the possibility of handling large amounts of data through the telephone signal which allows the smartphone connect to the Internet, and thus send and receive emails, instant messaging and other software packages.
While traditional cell phones stuck to the idea of being a telephone (and therefore, being used to make calls or, at most, send and receive short text messages), the smartphones They took a step forward. Telephone communication is just one of the many functions of a smartphone, and it may even be one of the least used, since they are, in essence, pocket computers. Instead, a basic cell phone is committed only to its task of making calls.
Main characteristics of a smartphone
The main technical features of a smartphone are:
- Combines telephone communication functions with data processing typical of computers.
- Allows connection to the Internet and different information transmission networks like GPS (Global Positioning System“global position system”). In them you can send and receive large data packets.
- It has a screen that responds to touch and that allows the user to enter information into the system, just like the keyboards and pointers of ordinary computers. Generally, the screen is liquid crystal.
- Contains some type of operating system that regulates the allocation of resources and complies with user instructions.
- Has added and built-in functions as camera (front and rear), receiver bluetoothmicroSD memory card reader, SIM Card reader, wireless connectivity through radio waves (WiFi), fingerprint recognition, among many others. It is a multitasking device.
- It also fulfills the role of agenda and personal organizer, as well as as a device for entertainment, socialization, mathematical calculation, and many other uses, depending on the software being downloaded (apps or applications).
Advantages and disadvantages of smartphones
Like all technology, smartphones facilitate human tasks and provide great opportunities, but they also bring with them significant challenges. Some of its advantages and disadvantages are:
Advantages of smartphones
- centralize very different processes (telephony, personal agenda, gaming tool, among others) in the same device that fits in a pocket.
- expand the possibility of communication human at levels never seen before and through different channels and tools: oral, written and audiovisual.
- They allow you to venture into purchases on-line and navigate the Internet with ease and practicality, which makes the smartphone a tool useful for working and also for enjoying leisure.
- The large amount of apps that are generated daily allow a very versatile operation of the device, even as a work tool.
- are relatively light and small devices which fit in a pocket and can be connected to other devices wired and wireless.
Disadvantages of smartphones
- As with all ICTs, can produce a certain margin of isolation and distancing themselves from real society, which can negatively impact the socialization capacity of younger generations.
- The number of built-in functions subjects the user to a state of continuous stimulation and distraction which prevents you from valuing leisure and practicing concentration.
- are expensive devices with high replacement charges, compared to basic cell phones, which are much cheaper.
- require a much higher power supply than traditional telephones which is reflected in the weight and size of the battery.
- Its enormous connectivity represents a challenge for the defense of the intimate and private since they are devices that go with us everywhere and that continually collect information about our lifestyles.
Continue with: Generations of computers
References
- “Smartphone” on Wikipedia.
- “Smart phone, preferable to smartphone” in Fundéu.
- “What is a smartphone? Know all the details” in Whistle Out (Mexico).
- What is a smartphone?” at Lenovo.
- “Smartphone” in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
