smartphone

A category of mobile device that provides advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone. Smartphones run complete operating system software that provides a standardized interface and platform for application developers.

By the strict definition, smartphones are distinct from PDA-based devices running operating systems such as Palm OS or Windows Mobile for Pocket PCs. While PDA-based devices usually have a touch-screen for pen input, smartphones usually have a standard phone keypad for input.

Compared to standard phones, smartphones usually have larger displays and more powerful processors.

Applications written for a given smartphone platform can usually run on any smartphone with that platform, regardless of manufacturer. Compared to Java or BREW applications, native smartphone applications usually run faster and integrate more tightly with the phone's features and user interface.

The two major smartphone platforms are Series 60 (by Nokia) and Windows Mobile for Smartphones (by Microsoft).

Phones that are not smartphones or PDA phones are called Feature Phones.

See: Feature Phone

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