Features of Smartphones - Research Paper Example

Features of smart phones smart phones are wirelesses digital devices that have multi functions. These include sending andreceiving of voice, video, data, storage capacity for information, running software, and internet connectivity. It is regarded as a high end mobile phone that is constantly undergoing change to increase its capabilities. The Smartphone’s ability as a powerful mobile communication tool stems from its ability to incorporate mobile phone technology in synchrony with that of Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) (Albright, 25). Furthermore, a majority of the contemporary smart phones exhibit 3G capabilities (Albright, 25). To this end, 3G is an acronym of third generation which implies new communication standards, procedures and devices that will enhance the quality and speed of services available on the go. In this regard, 4G technology is soon being incorporated within smartphone devices. This is projected to increase the benefits of smart phones. To this end, the popularity of smart phones has increased significantly over the years to the extent that it is viewed as a lifestyle trend to own one. Its popularity stems from the multiple benefits that have made the life of modern human beings much better. One of the benefits of a smartphone is that it keeps the user organised. Evidently, the smartphone handsets have inbuilt features such as contact lists, electronic diaries, calendar, note pad, voice recorder and automatic reminders that basically act as personal organisers. To this end, the smartphone is very convenient among professionals in white collar jobs since they can easily organize their daily schedules pertaining to issues such as meetings, appointments, conferences, among others. The benefits of a Smartphone also extend to its similarity in functions to that of a desktop computer. Foremost, the smartphone has a QWERTY keypad that is similar to the computer keyboard. Moreover, the keypad comes in hardware version with physical keys that can be easily be typed as well as a software version that is evident on touch screens such as I-phones. Moreover, the smartphone exhibits capability of browsing entire websites that contain high amount of data. In addition, there are also smart phones applications similar to Microsoft office which allows the creation and editing of documents. To this end, persons owning smart phones do not necessarily need to own a desktop computer. The smart phones also have GPS capability (Ga?rtner, William, and Michael, 526). Evidently, the GPS is suitable whenever a person needs to locate an area that is unfamiliar or new to a person. To this end, whenever a person is travelling to places that are unknown, it is highly convenient for him or her to activate the GPS and find the place (Karimi, 19). The smartphone hence assists in making the tour navigable. Furthermore, the GPS capability saves the user the inconvenience of carrying a map whenever travelling. In organizations smart phones enable organizational investment in the employee. According to Mohammad and Syed the solutions offered by smart phones enable work responsibilities to be more desirable (9). This is through the reduction of time spent by an individual on repetitive or menial tasks. Furthermore, the user can also reference flash presentations, eBooks, audiovisual training material, as well as carrying instructional manuals on storage cards with high capacity (Ilyas and Syed, 10). The smart phone also exhibits the benefit of customer relationship management (CRM) in organizations (Ilyas and Syed, 10). This is through CRM applications that assist in the streamlining of supply chain operation. Evidently, the applications enable workers in an organization to track inventory levels and features, automate schedules and features. These consequently minimize customer visits and reduce downtime. Hospitality applications incorporated in smart phones have been beneficial to people working in the hotel and hospitality industry. These are through applications for curb side check-in that function through recording a customer’s credit card (Ilyas and Syed, 10). The smart phone touch screens also capture signatures, create room key, managing employee communication and cleaning operations, tracking inventories as well as monitoring the major hotel metrics. Furthermore, the smart phones can include manufacturing applications that check on material flows in manufacturing companies. Furthermore, the smartphone offers the employee the convenience of remotely controlling individual equipment or cells that are components of the manufacturing process. Retail and distribution hardware as well as software applications in smart phones have also assisted in improving customer satisfaction. Evidently, they facilitate tracking of packages and inventory management that results to faster customer service. Furthermore, the distribution and retail applications have transformed the Smartphone’s to act as point of sale terminals. This is through the provision of internet links within the smart phones which can be used for inventory tracking, employee coordination, trend analysis and ordering (Ilyas and Syed, 10). The smartphone has also extended its convenience to the healthcare sector. This is through healthcare applications that offer access to patient prescriptions, current patient information, inventory management, tracking administration of medicine, capturing dictation, patient monitoring and in-home patient care. To this end, the benefit of automated systems arising from smartphone healthcare application decreases the occurrences of malpractice in healthcare insurance. Furthermore, the applications assist doctors in responding to requests concerning prescription use of lower generic drugs. This is largely due to the automated Smartphone au that enables checking of a patient’s insurance coverage. Smart phones equally offer the convenience of flexibility in operation or working. This flexibility s evident in its similarities with a PDA whereby the smartphone can be used in taking notes, documents and contacts, reviewing and editing appointments. The most unique and convenient thing about all this multi-tasking is that it can occur when an individual is on the move. The Smartphone comes with the convenience of offering connectivity everywhere to the user (Wyatt, and Krauskopf, 13). Evidently, before the advent of the Smartphone, whenever an individual was beyond the precincts of the office, connectivity and communication were majorly limited to text calls and phone calls. Furthermore, even for individuals who had laptops with wireless capability, its use was only possible in locations with hotspots. However, a Smartphone comes with multiple connectivity and communication convenience besides texting and calling business contacts. Evidently, the smartphone comes with instant messaging application which allows the user to communicate with business associates in real time. Furthermore, a person is also able to access the internet to send and receive important emails. The Smartphone also offers the convenience of synchronizing an individual’s personal and professional email account. Moreover, an individual can also update business blogs through the social media networking websites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. An additional benefit of the social networking applications is their ability to connect and socialize with friends and family all over the world. All that a person needs to do is to pull out the smartphone from the pocket and launch the phone application. The advantage of greater functionality is another core benefit to the user. To this end, a variety of smartphone models have in-built digital cameras that have instant snap and send functionality. This function allows offsite or remote employees to instantly take photographs and transmit videos or images of things like site inspections, supplier’s goods or damaged warehouse materials. Furthermore, the component of Multimedia Messaging Services enables the user to include music, graphics or animations in a message. The aspect of portability is also another core benefit of the smart phone to the user. Evidently, the smartphone is designed for portability. This is evident from its lightweight and sleek shape which integrates elegantly to a wearable handheld device ("The Many Benefits and Advantages of smart phones | Wd-Tech."). To this end, they do not come with an additional burden of carrying it. Moreover, the smart phones come with a combination of multiple functions and tools such as making calls and receiving texts, camera, music player, a calculator, map, memo pad among others. This essentially cuts down on the number of things a person has to carry. This convenience of portability favours light travel for professional like businessmen and doctors. Smart phones also offer the benefit of a one stop entertainment shop for all users. To this end, the user is able to access a wide array of entertainment options due to multimedia features. The use is able to exercise his or her choice in entertainment by choosing to listen to music, playing online or inbuilt application games, reading an eBook as well as watching television or movies. In this regard, the user has the convenience of accessing his or her entertainment choices whenever and wherever. Smart phones also come with the convenience of availability of first hand information at one’s fingertips. Evidently,smart phones offer the availability of more and more services such as access to maps, directions to television transmissions and satnav that have news coverage, sports information, scheduled alerts and traffic information. The wide array of information channels and informational flows basically means that the user is able to get upto date information in real time. There is also the convenience of improved information sharing among users (Shin, Youn-Joo, Hyunseung, and Khisu, 2207). In this regard, a high amount of data can be received and transmitted through a smartphone. These include large data files from websites or e-mail attachments. In the past, users of mobile phones were inconvenienced and limited in their capacity to send e-mails. Evidently, e-mails could not be sent with attachments. In the first paced contemporary world, the ability to communicate in a fast and efficient manner is essential for success in the corporate world ("smart phones - The Benefits of smart phones."). To this end, thesmart phones offer the benefit of faster communication to users. In this regard, web access is much faster compared to past versions of mobile devices. The evolution of the mobile devices has resulted to the trendy and multi-functional smartphone that is gaining significant popularity every day. It is evident that owing to its multiple functions, the smartphone is steadily being viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury product. In addition to its multiple functions, its capability in combining mobile phone and personal digital assistant technologies has advanced its popularity in the market. The smartphone has exhibited multiple functions that have made the lives of users very convenient. Its core areas of convenience have touched on communication, business, information and entertainment. To this end, the smartphone remains a highly desirable and useful device in the contemporary world. References Albright, Brian. "Smart Phones in The Enterprise: Gift Or Curse?" Field Technologies 15.9 (2012): 24-26. Print. Ga?rtner, George, William Cartwright, and Michael P. Peterson. Location based services and telecartography. Berlin: Springer, 2007. Print. Ilyas, Mohammad, and Syed Ahson.Smart Phones. Chicago, Ill.: IEC, 2006. Print. Karimi, Hassan A.. Universal navigation on Smart Phones. New York: Springer, 2011. Print. Shin, Dong-Hee, Shin Youn-Joo, Hyunseung Choo, and Khisu Beom. "Smart Phones as smart pedagogical tools: Implications for smart phones as u-learning devices." In Computers in Human Behavior 27.6 (2011): 2207-2214. Print. "Smart phones - The Benefits of smart phones." Business Advice - Small Business Articles & Guides | is4profit. is4profit, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. . "The Many Benefits and Advantages of Smart Phones | Wd-Tech." Wd-Tech|Web Design & Development. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. . Wyatt, T., and P. Krauskopf. "E-health and Nursing: Using smart phones to Enhance Nursing Practice." Online Journal of Nursing Informatics (ONLINE J NURS INFORM) 16.2 (2012): 10-14. Print. Read More