This might seem like a silly question, but is your phone really doing anything more than making phone calls? Do you still carry around a PDA, because your phone’s built in features just aren’t up to the task? Within the last couple of years, smartphones have grown from PDAs that made phone calls into fully integrated data communication devices. While thereare a few flavors of smartphone operating systems, we are focusing on Windows Mobile in this article.
Smartphones offer you instant access to your Outlook information housed on our Exchange server and your Office documents. Email, Calendar, Tasks, and Contacts are accessible at any time, and update in real time. You can set appointments, invite attendees, and accept meeting invitations, just like you can from your PC. You can read, compose and reply to your email. You can do all of this without the PDA’s traditional sync cable. Viewing and editing Word and Excel documents on a cell phone screen sounds painful, doesn’t it? With the higher resolution screens on newer devices, and fully functional Microsoft Office Applications, it’s not as painful as you might think. It can be especially handy when you don’t have access to your computer and need to make that final edit on a document before you sent it off. You can also access the traditional internet - not the stripped down WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) service older generation phones provide.
If you’ve ever accessed the internet on your cell phone, you know what a slow and usually fruitless exercise it can be. This slow access was due to very limited data bandwidth and outdated technology. Sprint, Cingular, and Verizon have all rolled out high speed data networks, but you’ll need a newer device that can take advantage of this new bandwidth. You’ll probably also need a new data plan. If you’re shopping for one of these devices, you’ll want to make sure it’s “3G” enabled. This is industry talk for high speed data access.
Multitasking is the final quality we’re looking for in a smartphone. What if I’m editing a Word document or typing an email and someone calls me? You can keep documents or applications you are working on open while taking a call. Better yet, answer the phone with a headset, and keep typing your email or document while you talk. What if the caller needs a piece of information that you have in an email or spreadsheet? Just open the document requested, the original document you were working on stays open as well, and you can switch between the two.
If your eyes haven’t glazed over by now, let’s look at three of the smartphones currently available to you.
Samsung Blackjack:
First, there’s the Samsung Blackjack. This is the thinnest 3G device available. It fits comfortably in the hand, provides an easy to use QWERTY (the layout created for typewriters, which we still use on our computers' keyboards) keyboard right on the front of the device, and slips easily into your pocket. This phone is geared towards the person that has to work on the go. It has a simplified version of Windows Mobile, and is designed for use without a touch screen. As a result, the Blackjack is easy to use one handed, since there is no stylus to use for navigation. The device also includes a scroll wheel to help you get around.
The Blackjack includes many of the latest features available on phones today. For storage, there is a MiniSD slot, allowing expansion to 4 GB. There’s a 1.3 megapixel camera which produces photos of much greater quality than a traditional VGA camera phone. For typing in poorly lit areas, the keyboard is fully backlit. The Blackjack also has Bluetooth for connectivity with your favorite Bluetooth headset, or wirelessly sending and receiving files from other Bluetooth devices.
A few problems with the Blackjack are limited screen visibility and a short battery life. The screen does not offer good viewing in direct sunlight. It’s adequate for making and receiving calls, but it will not suffice if you need to type an email or edit a Word Document at the beach. The battery life when on the 3G networks is also poor. It will last all day, but you will want to get in the habit of charging it nightly. To help with this, Samsung offers users a free second battery. There are also a few software tricks available to extend battery life.
Treo 750:
|
The next device we’ll look at is the Treo 750. While the Treo 750 is not as small as the Blackjack, it does offer a familiar feel to those already used to a Treo, Palm, or Blackberry device. It runs the full version of Windows Mobile, so a stylus and touch screen will be required for some navigational duties. It’s still called a one handed device though, mainly because of its Blackberry-like scroll wheel you can use for navigation. This device shares the same feature set with the Blackjack: MiniSD, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard, and a 1.3 mega pixel camera phone. While it does not suffer the same battery shortcomings as the Blackjack, remember, these devices will not last as long as a traditional cell phone on one charge. |
| |
Cingular 8525:
The last device is currently the top of the line Windows Mobile device available, the Cingular 8525. It’s different from the first two devices we talked about because it is not for one-handed use and it is large. It does fit in the pocket, but it’s not an easy fit. With this extra girth, you get a screen that’s at least twice as big as other smartphones and a slide out keyboard making it easier to type. Like most traditional PDAs, the Cingular 8525 also includes Wi-Fi connectivity for even faster data speeds than 3G provides. Wi-Fi is also nice if you do not have an unlimited data plan, but still would like to use the internet regularly and have a wireless network that you can use to access the internet.
How To Get A Device Compatible With UT System's Exchange Network:
If you are interested in any of these devices, the best thing you can do is go to your wireless carrier’s retail store, and get them in your hands. The three highlighted in this article only scratch the surface of new devices coming to market. We chose to talk about Windows Mobile devices because these are currently the only 3G smartphones available that will work with UT System’s Exchange server. Keep in mind, just because something is called a smartphone, it doesn’t mean it will work with our current infrastructure. There are also smartphone choices out there like the Blackberry and Palm that offer great features and compatibility with UT System’s Exchange server, but lack 3G connectivity. Feel free to contact the Support Desk before purchasing any device to make sure it will work with our system. There may be some additional information we can give you at that time. Finally, don’t get sidetracked with bells and whistles you don’t need. The main function of a smartphone should be making you more productive.
For More Information:
http://www.samsungblackjack.com/
http://www.palm.com/us/products/smartphones/treo750/
http://business.cingular.com/businesscenter/8525/index.jsp
If you have questions, comments or suggestions for OTIS about this or other articles, please email questions@utsystem.edu.
