Part 2 – Styles of Smartphones
In Part 1 of “A Smartphone Primer”, we discussed operating systems and cellular networks. In Part 2, we discuss Hardware design and features and issues relating to software. We will only discuss Smartphones that run the Windows Mobile operating system.
The phones used as examples in this article are for illustration purposes only, they do not necessarily indicate a recommendation for that phone over the dozens of other similar phones available. The availability of the phones may depend on your region and your cellular provider. For each style listed below, you should be able to find both GSM and CDMA devices.
HTC manufacturers 80% of all Windows Mobile Smartphones in the world. Most of those phones get rebranded by the cellular provider or by another manufacturer such as HP, so the specific model shown in this article will likely be available under a different name.
Smartphones that use a Stylus (touchscreen)
“Traditional” PDA Style
This style of phone most closely resembles the “traditional” PDA. In most cases the phone will have a screen resolution of 240 x 320, the same as a “traditional” PDA. Text entry is done using an on-screen (software) keypad. An example of this type of device is the HTC P3600 which uses the GSM Network.
Since it so closely matches a “traditional” PDA, you will have a high level of software compatibility with Windows Mobile software.
Advantages: Large screen, full 240 x 320 display, large selection of Windows Mobile software available.
Disadvantages: Awkward to use as a cell phone unless you use a headset.
See also the “Slider” style for a similar type of device.
“Thumbpad” Style
This style was first popularized with the Palm Treo line of Smartphones. Originally only a Palm OS based device, more Treo’s are now sold with the Windows Mobile operating system. The example shown here is the Palm Treo 700wx which works on a CDMA network.
These devices have a “square” screen and a thumbpad. (Square screen has a resolution of 240×240 or 320×320 depending on the specific device) Even though it utilizes a touchscreen, there is no on-screen keypad as the hardware thumbpad takes its place. Not all Windows Mobile software supports the “square” screen format so you will find software compatibility to be more limited. (Pocket Genealogist does support square screen.)
Similar devices include the HP iPAQ hw6920/6925/6940.
Advantages: Thumbpad, smaller size works well as a phone even if you don’t use a headset.
Disadvantages: Square screen shows less information, Limited software availability, thumbpad may be hard to use for people with large hands, difficult to dial number using thumbpad.
“Slider” Style
The “slider” style of Smartphone almost always has a screen resolution of 240 x 320 and it strongly resembles the “traditional” PDA. (They are generally smaller, which makes them better for use as a phone.)
During use as a phone, the keypad is retracted and hidden. When needed, the underside of the device slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keypad, plus the screen automatically rotates orientation from portrait to landscape. Shown is the HTC Mogul which uses the CDMA network.
This style of phone has become very popular and most cellular providers have a version of this type of phone. Since it is very similar to a “traditional” PDA, software compatibility is high.
For a demonstration of the retractable keypad on the AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes), click HERE to go to the AT&T site. Then select “360 demo”, then “Open/Close”.
Advantages: Larger QWERTY keypad compared to a Thumbpad, some sliders work well as a phone even if you don’t use a headset, large selection of Windows Mobile Software available.
Disadvantages: Some sliders can be chunky, not all applications support both portrait and landscape modes.
Smartphones that do not use a Stylus (non-touchscreen)
“Thumbpad” Style
This is the style that Microsoft has traditional called a Smartphone. All interaction with software on the device is done via hardware buttons. This style of device has become very popular due to the fact that the devices are very slim and compact and are geared toward one hand operation. Shown is the HTC s620 (T-Mobile Dash) which uses the GSM network. The Motorola “Q” is similar but uses the CDMA network.
Since these devices do not have a touchscreen, software availability will be more limited. (Software written for a touchscreen will not work on a non-touchscreen device unless specifically written to handle it. Pocket Genealogist does support non-touchscreen devices as long as the screen resolution is 240×320 or 320×240.)
Advantages: Thumbpad, works well as a phone even without a headset, one-handed operation, slim and compact device.
Disadvantages: Lack of touchscreen interaction with software may be cumbersome for some people, thumbpad may be hard to use for people with large hands, limited software availability, small screen, difficult to dial number using thumbpad.
“Flip Phone” Style
This phone is less common and is as you would expect, a clamshell type phone. Text entry using the keypad is time consuming as it uses the “T9” method (three different text characters per button, and you may have to press the button multiple times to select the letter you want). Shown is the HTC StrTrk.
Since these devices do not have a touchscreen, software availability will be more limited. (Software written for a touchscreen will not work on a non-touchscreen device unless specifically written to handle it. Pocket Genealogist does support non-touchscreen devices as long as the screen resolution is 240×320 or 320×240.)
Advantages: Excellent form factor for use as a phone
Disadvantages: Lack of touchscreen interaction with software may be cumbersome for some people, limited software availability, small screen, text entry via keypad is time consuming.
“Candy bar” Style
This phone style roughly resembles the size and shape of a candy bar, hence the name. It’s another less common style of smartphone. Text entry using the keypad is time consuming as it uses the “T9” method. (With three different text characters per button, you may have to press the button multiple times to select the letter you want.) Shown is the HTC s310.
Since these devices do not have a touchscreen, software availability will be more limited. (Software written for a touchscreen will not work on a non-touchscreen device unless specifically written to handle it. Pocket Genealogist does support non-touchscreen devices as long as the screen resolution is 240×320 or 320×240.)
Advantages: Excellent form factor for use as a phone.
Disadvantages: Lack of touchscreen interaction with software may be cumbersome for some people, limited software availability, small screen, text entry via keypad is time consuming.
Other Smartphones
There are a few devices that don’t quite fit into the above categories or have some unique features that make them worth discussing separately. (And not surprisingly, they are all HTC devices.)
HTC TyTN II alias HTC “Tilt”
This device looks and acts like a “slider” with one novel exception. After the keyboard retracts, the screen tilts up to take a configuration similar to an open laptop. Seeing a graphical demonstration is worth a thousand words, click HERE to go to the HTC website.
HTC Advantage 7501
Unlike any other Smartphone with its five-inch display and detachable keyboard. See the previous blog entry “The Mother of all Smartphones?” for more information.
HTC Touch
Before you think that HTC ripped off the name of the upcoming Apple iTouch (which is an iPhone without the phone), the HTC Touch was announced months before Apple announced the iTouch (and HTC decided not to sue). The HTC Touch is a PDA Style Smartphone (with touchscreen) that has a “3D user shell” unlike anything else on a Windows Mobile device. More information can be found at the HTC Site, make sure to click the “Flash Tour” button for “Revolutionary TouchFLO platform”. An interactive tutorial can also be found HERE.
HTC P3350
Basically a traditional PDA with a phone, but instead of a “5-way” directional pad button, it has what the HTC marketing materials call “HTC RollR (Track wheel & Trackball) & mouse mode for easy navigation”. Yes! A mouse pointer!
Oh, and it also includes an FM stereo tuner.
If you want to find out more about this or any of the other HTC devices mentioned in this article, you can find that information HERE.
Coming Up Next
This ends Part 2 of “A Smartphone Primer”. Our next and final installment will wrap up our discussion of Smartphones.
Kevin Phillips