Cell phone networks are divided into specific areas called cells. Each cell has an antenna that receives cell phone signals. The antenna transmits signals just like a radio station, and your phone picks up those signals just as a radio does. Smartphones use cell phone network technology to send and receive data think phone calls, Web browsing, file transfers. Developers classify this technology into generations.
Do you remember the first generation? It included analog cell phone technology. However, as cell phone technology progressed, the protocols became more advanced.
In , cell phones are in the world of the fourth generation, or 4G. Although most carriers are expanding their 4G technology, some companies, such as Samsung, are developing 5G technology, which if recent tests are any indication, will allow you to download an entire movie in less than a second. You can read more about network technologies and protocols in the article How Cell Phones Work.
Although cell phones share similarities with laptop computers , pagers and other devices, they have some peculiarities that make their development needs unique. Did this help you? Yes No. How can we improve this page? We only use your feedback to improve the website, we won't respond. Submit your feedback. Thanks for your feedback. Article by:. General help for your smartphone decision. What can I expect of an affordable smartphone?
Choosing a smartphone: what should you keep in mind? Rating by costumers: Kiyoh 9. In summary, just about everyone agrees that there is no precise, standard definition of the smartphone. Llamas said IDC's take has been criticized and praised alike from many parties. Even though there are disparities in some definitions, analysts tend to report roughly the same numbers for shipments of smartphones, Reith said.
Part of the reason is that analysts pay attention to one another's numbers and to what the vendors call a smartphone, Reith and Llamas said. Reith said he couldn't think of a single device categorized by IDC as a smartphone to which Gartner or other major analyst firms wouldn't agree. Still, the analysts acknowledged that the question of what a smartphone is can be confusing and even mysterious for the public.
One analyst said that the CTIA's definition "probably needs to be updated," but Llamas said picking a proper definition can be a delicate matter. Matt Hamblen is a multi-media journalist covering mobile, networking and smart city tech. He previously was a senior editor at Computerworld. Here are the latest Insider stories. More Insider Sign Out. Sign In Register. Sign Out Sign In Register. Latest Insider. Check out the latest Insider stories here.
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