Mobile phones in our life. What is a smartphone for and how is it different from a mobile phone? What do I need from a cell phone?

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Smartphones have firmly entered our lives, allowing us to communicate and becoming an indispensable tool for work and creativity. This article describes everything about a smartphone that a new user needs to know, including information about its creation, device and use.

Smartphones from LG.

The idea to invent a smartphone appeared immediately after the creation of a pocket personal computer in the 1990s. Who first invented the smartphone? IBM was the first to combine a communicator and a mobile phone. The first phone that was released as a concept was the IBM Simon with a built-in organizer. In subsequent years, three or four more devices were released, each of which brought manufacturers closer to their cherished goal: OmniGo HP 700 LX, Nokia 2110, Nokia 9000.

Photo of Nokia 9000.

The word “smartphone” was first coined by Sony Ericcson for its relatively portable phone, the R380S. However, it ran on Symbian 5.1 OS, for which software could not be written. Therefore, the invention of the smartphone is not the merit of any particular company. Rather, it was created by everyone's efforts.

What is a smartphone

Definition from Wikipedia. Translated from English, “smart” means “intelligent” or “smart.” The meaning of the word “smartphone” is not difficult to understand - it is a smart phone with a set of additional functions.

How is a smartphone different from a telephone?

Mobile phones, almost since their inception, have had organizer functions (alarm clock, notes, calendar). But manufacturers tried to expand it. This is how the term “smartphone” appeared - a two-part word formed by merging two others: “smart” and “background”.

Unlike mobile phones, smartphones have a more developed operating system (Android, iOS, Windows), for which developers can write program code, implementing new ideas. After installing third-party software, the capabilities of the device become even wider.

Operating systems Android, Windows, iOS.

However, the difference between a regular phone and a smartphone has disappeared, since most devices (not to mention the cheapest devices) provide access to the Internet, allow you to receive mail and are equipped with other important functions.

What is a smartphone for?

The functions of a smartphone include not only the ability to make calls, as was the case with a mobile phone. They mean much more. The device can be used for surfing the Internet, GPS navigation, communicating on social networks, studying, reading books, mobile photography, children's educational video games, and video processing. The mobile gadget can count steps taken and monitor blood pressure. It can be used for sports including running, race walking and jumping rope.

The functions and capabilities of the device are limited only by the user’s imagination and the set of installed applications. Additionally, new programs can always be installed from the application store, where developers are constantly adding new software.

How does a smartphone work?

Perhaps when you first picked up a new smartphone, you wondered what it consisted of. There are different modifications, but any device has the basic elements. Below we will look at each component in a little more detail.

Frame

The housing of the device protects the internal components, including its main elements, from damage. It provides a more convenient user interaction with the device. The body contains buttons, a touch glass for controlling the phone, as well as ports for connecting headphones and a charger.

Various materials are used in the manufacture of the case: glass, ceramics, metal and plastic. The following types of cases are distinguished: monoblock (without moving parts), slider, clamshell and bendable. The latter type is still under development, since the creation of elastic flexible elements is still very expensive, and therefore unprofitable from a practical point of view.

CPU and motherboard

Without a motherboard with a processor (SoC), using the device would be impossible. The printed circuit contains not only the processor, but also many other important elements, such as a charge controller, LTE modem, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a graphics accelerator.

There are several major manufacturers that develop their own processors, so most smartphones are based on them: MediaTek, Qualcomm, Samsung, Huawei, Apple.

This is what the smartphone looks like inside.

RAM and main memory

Random access memory (RAM) is a volatile memory used by an operating system, such as Android, for temporary storage and processing of information. Without her participation, all processes and calculations would take much longer, and multi-threaded mode would be impossible. Among the generations of RAM there are: LPDDR3, LPDDR4, LPDDR4X, LPDDR5. Each next generation is more productive than the previous one. At the time of writing, you could find mobile devices with RAM from 1 to 16 GB.

Main memory, unlike RAM, is intended for long-term storage of information. The internal storage contains the firmware, operating system and system programs. You can also save videos, games, music, images, documents here.

You can find devices with built-in memory from 16 GB to 2 TB. If the solid-state drive located on the printed circuit board is not enough, you can install a microSD memory card in the appropriate port - it will increase the amount of information stored on the device.

Battery

The phone uses a built-in battery as a portable energy source. It can be removable or non-removable - it depends on the modification and device used. Most of all mobile devices are equipped with lithium-ion batteries - they are unpretentious to use, do not have a “memory” effect and do not require calibration. Once the battery is charged, it automatically stops receiving charge from the charger.

Battery for smartphone.

Sensors and modules

For full operation of a mobile device, you need an appropriate set of sensors and modules. The device consists of:

Microphones. Most devices have two microphones for recording stereo sound.
Two speakers: one for conversations, and the second for playing multimedia files.
Main and front cameras. Needed for photo and video shooting. The front camera is used, among other things, for taking selfies and for video calling.
Wireless modules Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth, IrDA, GPS, NFC, wireless charging.
Hall sensor, accelerometer, temperature sensors, pedometer, as well as proximity and light sensors.

All modules and sensors are connected to the motherboard. They work thanks to the processing power of the processor. Using additional programs, you can control them, which greatly expands the functionality of the device.

Display

One of the most important components, without which it would be impossible to use a mobile device, is the screen. Everything the user sees on it is processed by internal components. There are two types of displays that are installed in mobile phones:

AMOLED, Super AMOLED - based on LEDs.
IPS, PLS, TFT - based on liquid crystals.

The basis of all liquid crystal displays is LED backlighting. Liquid crystals play the role of filters, passing through which white light changes its color.

However, AMOLED displays work differently. Here, each pixel is a separate LED that can emit one or another light. These screens are more energy efficient because if the pixels are not working, the screen does not consume battery power. Displays based on liquid crystals are cheaper and therefore are installed in budget devices.

Principle of operation

The mobile processor processes information received from RAM and built-in memory. Corresponding modules are used to operate wireless networks, and additional sensors are used for comfortable user interaction. The battery is charged from the mains using a charger and is required as a power source.

It would be possible to do without a camera. However, users do not see a smartphone without it, since it is necessary for shooting. The basic elements are located inside the case, and on the front panel the touch display allows you to enter and receive the necessary information.

Nowadays it is difficult to find a person who does not use mobile communication services. Even the smallest representatives of our society already have a functional gadget connected to the World Wide Web called the Internet. Let's try to understand the pros and cons of mobile phones.

What is a mobile phone?

A cell phone or mobile phone is a device designed to transmit voice information over a distance. This process is carried out through the provision of communication services by cellular operators. Their towers synchronize the devices with each other.

Transmitting voice information is only one of the functions that a mobile phone can have. The device itself is small in size and requires the installation of a SIM card, thanks to which the ability to use communications appears.

Using a mobile phone in everyday life

The telephone in our life serves not only to transmit voice messages. This device can send short messages, access the Internet and synchronize with GPS stations to determine coordinates.

Nowadays it is difficult to imagine life without a cell phone. Numerous applications that are installed on the device thanks to operating systems make our lives much easier. A modern mobile phone combines several devices that we use constantly.

The phone can serve as an alarm clock, computer, personal nutritionist or fitness trainer. Thanks to applications, we can control our physical activity, it becomes possible to monitor nutrition and enter all data into a special program.

Advantages and disadvantages of a push-button telephone

Some conservative people still use the most primitive communication devices. This is convenient if you only need your phone for communication. Let's list the main pros and cons

simple and accessible interface;
mechanical buttons for dialing a number or message;
the battery holds a charge for a long time;
the devices are strong and durable;
Older models had strong antennas for communication.

limited functionality;
there is no possibility to take good quality photos or videos;
using the Internet is very inconvenient;
small and dim display;
there is no possibility to expand the functionality with additional applications;
some models are not designed for new three-pin SIM cards;
There is no possibility of synchronization with some modern accessories.

Only the most basic disadvantages of push-button phones are listed. From the above we can draw the following conclusion: if you are an active and modern device user, then a push-button telephone will not suit you as your main device of use. And for older people, a phone with buttons is a great option to always stay in touch.

Advantages and disadvantages of a smartphone

The most common phones at the moment. A smartphone is a phone that has an operating system that allows you to install various software on it. Here are 5 pros and 5 cons of phones with an operating system.

It is possible to install applications from any area of interest.
The device has a built-in camera, which is usually of fairly good quality. This function allows you to use your smartphone as a full-fledged camera, video camera or video recorder.
A smartphone can replace a game console. On devices with good characteristics, you can play even the most modern games.
Big screen.
Touch control. The displays respond to several simultaneous clicks, which allows you to zoom in or out the picture, and also allows for comfortable control in games.

Electromagnetic radiation.
Formation of addiction to social networks or games.
Live communication is fading away.
The network does not catch everywhere.
Weak batteries.

Undoubtedly, the smartphone provides us with limitless possibilities in the field of communications. The most important thing is to skillfully use this functionality.

Advantages and disadvantages of a shockproof phone

There is a whole line of super-stable models of devices that are designed for active people. Let's look at the pros and cons of using a mobile phone, which has several levels of protection.

Durable case made of shockproof material.
Moisture-resistant or waterproof.
Durable tempered glass display.

Design.
Limited functionality.
Bulky dimensions.

They are able to maintain their working condition even after falling down from a multi-story building, but in terms of design and functionality they are clearly inferior.

Pros and cons of cellular communications

Mobile phones, which have become an integral part of our lives, are constantly near us. Is it good or bad? Let's look at the pros and cons of cellular communications.

You can always call your loved ones and ask questions that concern you.
Communication is possible even over very long distances.
The Internet, which is available 24 hours a day, provides us with the necessary amount of information we need.

Radio radiation, which constantly affects the body, causes damage to all vital systems.
Communication is only available within the coverage area of the cellular operator. In areas remote from populated areas, you will not be able to use communication services.
Some people become addicted to their cell phone.

Experts recommend using cellular communications no more than 5-10 minutes/day. During this time, the dose of exposure to electromagnetic waves on the body is not critical. Now let's try to calculate how much time we spend per day on communication. The phone is constantly near us, even during sleep. All this time, the body is exposed to radio radiation.

Pros and cons of Samsung phones

New modern models are constantly appearing in the Samsung smartphone lines. The company makes sure that its gadgets meet the latest trends in the development of modern technologies. Let's look at the pros and cons of Samsung phones.

High quality build.
Bright, energy-saving Amoled display.
Interesting new functionality: fingerprint detector, voice control, face recognition, etc.
High level of service.
Differentiation of phones by line: budget, middle class, flagships.

High cost of devices.
Expensive repairs if replacement is carried out with original parts.
Over time, Amoled displays burn out.
Constantly released operating system updates eventually become irrelevant for older devices, so you have to change your phone to a more modern one.

Pros and cons of Android devices

Smartphones based on the Android operating system are the most popular nowadays. This is due to the ease of use of the platform and the simplicity of the interface. The following are the pros and cons of Android phones:

Simple menu, convenient controls.
A large number of programs for any version of Android.
Customization. Any Android phone can be customized by making individual settings at the system level.
Openness of the system. For example, you can make the memory card act as an internal storage device.
Prevalence. You can always choose the right model, affordable and functional in properties.

Updates. The model range is changing very quickly, and new versions of the operating system may already work unstable on previous models.
Malfunctions. Android phones most often experience freezes during operation. The loading speed and overall dynamics of the system are at a fairly low level, especially if we are not talking about flagship smartphones.

Despite the existing negative aspects, smartphones based on the Android operating system are gaining increasing popularity among users.

Pros and cons of children using phones

The communications and telephony industry has a particularly strong influence on the younger generation. Even the smallest children already know how to turn on their favorite game on their smartphone. Let's look at the positive and negative aspects of the influence of phones on children.

The child always stays connected.
You can track the exact coordinates of your child using a GPS receiver.
A telephone with Internet access can become an assistant in the educational process.

Electromagnetic radiation causes damage to a child's developing body.
Entertainment applications and games distract from studying.
A gaming addiction develops and the child becomes withdrawn.
Interest in active and intellectual live games is lost.
There is stress and hysteria when there is no opportunity to use the phone or the Internet.

Modern children have become so dependent on electronic devices and phones in particular that in some cases they project the digital world of games onto real life conditions. The cruelty and instability of some children in most cases is associated precisely with gaming addiction.

Modern devices

Modern phones, produced using innovative technologies, have a wide range of functionality. It is very convenient and practical to use one device, which includes the functions of a dozen other devices. The compact size of a modern phone allows you to constantly carry it with you without any discomfort.

Some advanced users change several devices per year. This is due to the fact that new models are constantly being released that have minor differences from their predecessors. The most interesting functional new products in recent years are presented in the list:

fingerprint detector;
face recognition;
voice control;
remote control of other devices from your phone;

These are just some of the functions that are present in the functionality of a modern phone. With the further development of digital technologies, devices will become even more powerful and smart.

Finally

Considering the pros and cons of cell phones, we can conclude that these devices give us many advantages in terms of communications, and also allow us to use advanced functionality in various fields of application.

, each of us hopes that it will last as long as possible.

However, by making a number of serious mistakes in its operation, we are slowly killing even the best gadget.

But if you follow simple rules, you can extend the life of your smartphone.

Read also:At what age should you give your child a smartphone and is it necessary to do it at all?

Here are 11 mistakes in using a smartphone that lead to its rapid failure.

How to extend the life of your smartphone

It is necessary to completely turn off your phone at least once a week.

Otherwise, your smartphone battery will die sooner than you expect. According to experts, when the phone works non-stop, the battery runs out many times faster than if the battery is allowed to rest at least sometimes.

Also, stop using your phone as an alarm clock. A regular alarm clock is best suited for these purposes. He will wake you up every morning.

This way you will extend the life of your smartphone.

If you do need to use your phone's alarm, try to do it as little as possible and then turn it off during the day.

If you don't use any apps on your smartphone, then what's the point of leaving them enabled? For example, is it vital that your gadget supports WiFi and Bluetooth when you're walking around the city or chatting with friends?

No? Then it’s best to turn them off and turn them on if necessary.

This way you will reduce the loss of charge, and the performance of the smartphone will increase.

By turning off unnecessary features, you will save energy and extend the life of your phone.

How to extend the life of your phone

3. You use your phone outside in bad weather conditions

Your smartphone is not designed to withstand ultra-high or ultra-low temperatures, so using it in extreme temperatures is not recommended.

This may result in the battery being discharged or the device being completely damaged. Also, if your phone isn't waterproof, you shouldn't use it in the rain or snow.

If you know in advance that you will be in extreme weather conditions, try to at least keep your smartphone in your pocket and use it only when necessary.

Phone charging errors

It may be quite convenient to charge your smartphone at night while you sleep.

But experts say this is not a good idea.

If your phone is already fully charged but is still charging, it can harm the battery over time and it will begin to drain quickly.

Please note that you do not need to charge your smartphone to 100 percent charge, as is commonly believed. Your phone's battery will thank you if you take it off before it reaches 100 percent.

*Try unplugging your phone when the battery is approximately 95-97 percent charged.

Try to charge it during the day rather than at night so you can turn it off when it's almost fully charged or set a timer.

5. You wait until the phone is discharged to 0 percent, and then charge it to 100 percent.

Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in some smartphones, work best when charged between 50 and 80 percent.

So says Shane Broesky, founder of Farbe Technik, a company that produces charging accessories.

When the battery is completely drained, the phone goes into a "deep discharge state". This causes the ions to become unable to hold a charge.

Experts say that partially recharging the phone gives the battery enough energy to operate continuously and protect the battery.

In other words, recharging your battery is very similar to snacking between meals during the day.

6. Using a non-native smartphone charger

Many people use a non-original charger for their smartphones. Very often, original cords quickly wear out, fray and break. Therefore, we often have to buy new chargers.

However, they are the ones who can ruin the phone. This is especially true for iPhone chargers. The chargers from this brand are quite expensive, but they are worth the investment.

Using chargers from other manufacturers may damage your phone.

It is also reported that counterfeit chargers can also cause fires and even explosions.

Apple appealed to people to hand over counterfeit chargers and purchase only original products at a discount.

Your smartphone carries a huge amount of bacteria.

By comparison, toilet seats and pet food utensils contain fewer germs per square centimeter than your phone.

There are also devices that use ultraviolet rays to disinfect your phone. Also, don't forget about your phone's charging port! This is where the most debris accumulates, which can cause your phone to malfunction.

Lint and various debris from pockets or wallets get stuck there and, accumulating, lead to serious connection failures over time.

Therefore, try to ensure that the port is always clean.

Clean it using a toothpick, a thin needle, or even the back of an earring. However, try to do this as carefully as possible so as not to scratch or damage the device.

The demand for stolen mobile devices on the black market is skyrocketing.

According to statistics, about 40 percent of all stolen smartphonesThey are specifically for the iPhone. A person walking down the street with a phone in his hands is a potential target for a thief.

Therefore, for your own safety, try to place your phone away from prying eyes. When away from home, use your mobile device only when necessary.

Cellular operators will be required to block devices that are not authorized to operate on networks using IMEI. According to the project, a central database of these numbers will be created. It will be synchronized with the GSMA international database.

You will need to register a new phone purchased abroad within a few months. Otherwise, the device will be blocked. “The telecom operator must warn, perhaps more than once, that the device being used requires registration, and if this does not happen, then after some time it may be blocked,” Bokova told RBC.

You can also lock your phone if it is stolen.

Roamers—foreigners entering Russia who use SIM cards from foreign operators—will not be subject to the law.

It is assumed that several device lists will be created. The black list will include phones that were stolen, illegally imported, and blocked at the request of law enforcement agencies, the white list will include fully functioning devices in cellular networks, the gray list and the list of exceptions will include temporarily functioning phones during the period of verification of the legality of import and purchase.

Lyudmila Bokova (Photo: Ilya Pitalev / RIA Novosti)

Why do we need a unified mobile phone database?

The law should solve the problem of the theft of mobile devices, the import of counterfeit phones and help identify devices used by terrorists to communicate, its authors say. The total volume of losses to the Russian budget from non-payment of taxes due to illegal or unaccounted import of mobile devices reaches 16.6 billion rubles, as noted in the explanatory note to the bill.

Now any telephone call or access to the Internet is identified in the telecom operator’s network according to several parameters, the author of the bill told RBC. “By the subscriber number, by the SIM card number, by the number of the base station that serves the subscriber at a particular time, and by the number of the device itself,” she said. Thus, IMEI is recorded in the telecom operator’s network as one of the call or Internet login identifiers. “Special services will simply be able to use technical capabilities more effectively. By making one of the identifiers (IMEI) more reliable, the reliability of all information increases,” the senator clarified.

At the same time, the introduction of the new law will not affect the operation of either the Telegram messenger or VPN programs. Access to encrypted protocols will remain closed, Bokova clarified.

What experts and market participants say

“The main objective of this bill should be to combat telephone theft. There are no effective mechanisms to combat the turnover of stolen phones yet, and the bill can really solve the problem, since there will be no point in a thief stealing a phone that can be blocked remotely,” explained Anton Guskov, a representative of the Russian Association of Electronics Manufacturers (RATEK). According to him, all devices equipped with a SIM card are covered by the bill. “That is, smart home devices, ATMs, and alarms will also need to be registered and entered into the database,” he noted. At the same time, according to Guskov, the bill requires the development of a large number of by-laws, and if it comes into force in 2020, there is a risk that the norm will not work within the specified period.

Market participants generally supported the initiative, but pointed out that its introduction should not be rushed. MegaFon press service representative Dmitry Lukyanchikov believes that it will help more accurately identify subscriber devices and block them to reduce the level of crime, theft and smuggling. “The concept was developed taking into account world practice, and its implementation provides the most favorable format for users. Buyers of devices will have the opportunity to check their status at the time of purchase,” he said. The technical ability to check IMEI data is already available, but additional network configuration will be required. “It is necessary to conduct tests, a pilot project with the participation of telecom operators and TsNIIS,” says Lukyanchikov. According to him, only after the tests will it become clear whether operators will have time to complete the network setup by 2020.

“From the point of view of communication quality, the initiative to regulate IMEI is useful. This approach is used by regulators in other countries where the group’s companies operate,” said Anna Aibasheva, a representative of VimpelCom (Beeline brand). However, “the introduction of such an initiative should take place in stages, without stressing the market.” She did not specify whether the obligation to disconnect subscribers with unconfirmed IMEI from the network as early as 2020 will be stressful for operators. A representative of T2 RTK Holding (Tele2) pointed out the need to study and take into account the experience of other countries. An MTS representative declined to comment.

Today, the role of a mobile phone in a person’s life is difficult to overestimate. With the help of this compact device, we can quickly contact our relatives, friends, and work colleagues at any time to find out the information that interests us. At the same time, there is no need to strain your memory and remember the phone number of an old friend who has not been dialed for a long time; the address book of your mobile phone is always at hand. In addition to contacts, many people store a lot of other information on their phone - write down your ideas and thoughts, credit card numbers, memorable dates, various files, etc. That is, the phone immediately replaces a notebook and a flash drive for us. And all sorts of useful programs, functions, and options that modern cell phones are equipped with make this small-sized device so multifunctional that sometimes you are amazed.

Today, a telephone in our lives is neither a rarity nor a luxury, although some fifteen years ago it was difficult to imagine that even small children would walk around with a handset in their pocket. And if at that time someone brave had decided to dream up and imagine that phones in the near future would have a touch screen, a camera, a video camera, a radio, a TV, the Internet, a navigator, a flashlight... such a person would have been looked at as if he were crazy .

A mobile phone is an indispensable assistant in a person’s life; it benefits those who value their time and are not ready to waste it. Imagine how much time we would spend looking for something we suddenly need if we didn’t have this wonderful thing in our pocket. Take, for example, car repair and searching for some rare spare part. If there were no telephone in our lives, we would have to go to a bunch of stores and spend a lot of time. And then I called, found out (found where it was cheaper), went and bought it. The benefits of a mobile phone are obvious - saving time and money.

For a business person, the benefit of a cell phone is the ability to negotiate and reach agreements with partners at any time and in any place. It's hard to imagine how much it would fall work productivity, if businessmen and entrepreneurs would not have the opportunity to conclude a contract, give an order or resolve any other issues while away from the office.

In the lives of some people, a mobile phone is also part of their image. People buy certain models to show their class. Of course, the exact opposite happens; more than once I noticed a respectable man in a luxury car with an old model of telephone. But this is rather an exception to the rule.

How is a mobile phone useful for a person in an emergency situation? Anyone who has found himself in difficult conditions and circumstances (perhaps on the verge of death) knows the benefits of a cell phone. Often it is mobile phones that save people’s lives, protect them from danger and help in difficult life situations.

In recent years, cell phones have become an integral part of our lives. And this is not surprising, because the high rhythm of life, the implementation of everyday goals and tasks dictates to us the need to always be in touch and have a faithful assistant at hand.

It is also impressive at the colossal pace at which cell phones are developing, with more and more new models appearing every day. Therefore, choosing and buying a phone becomes a difficult task. It’s good when buying a mobile phone in an online store, in addition to a large selection, there is also a detailed description of each model. Huge selection of cell phones, including touch phones, communicators, smartphones with their detailed characteristics you can find on SotMarket. SotMarket (sotmarket.ru) is one of the largest online stores selling mobile phones.

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