We use the term “smartphone” often on this site and in our meetings with Ireland businesses. But, we realized that you might wonder what makes a phone “smart” and how a smartphone is different from a cell or mobile phone. So, here’s the story on that for you.
Cell phones have actually been around since 1973. It was quite big, then, and designed for the single purpose to call someone. In the 1990s, and as they became more widely used, more functions were added – - multicoloured screens, multimedia-message service; and then in the past few years, even more functions – - web browsers, instant messaging, games.
How about a PDA, then? “Personal Digital Assistants” are small handheld devices that combine computing, Internet, phone, fax and a personal organizer. They use a stylus for input instead of keyboards, and initially weren’t even meant to be used for phone calls.
There isn’t a single description distinguishing a smartphone from a cell phone, but let’s accept that a smartphone is a combination of a cellphone and a PDA, but with more of a focus on the cellphone part. You can store files, browse the Internet, read your email, install additional software applications, make calls – - that’s your smartphone. A little PDA, a little computing, a lot of phoning stuff, and we have a smartphone.
We’re well past mobile devices being just cellphones, now. For us at Reward Yourself and Molo Rewards, that’s a good thing. With NFC capability being added to all mobile devices, or “smartphones” this year, you’ll have the means to receive the coupons we can send you electronically, and the means to redeem them while you shop.
