In recent times you would have seen people using touchscreens while they
are walking around town. You have probably wondered what these people were
using and why. This article is to explain the different types of technology produced
in recent years and also to explain how the technology benefits everyday life.
Handheld devices such as smartphones and tablet personal computers are
becoming a popular alternative to laptop computers as a way of keeping
connected to the internet while away from home or the office. Although they are
not a complete replacement to a laptop or desktop computer, they still allow
you to carry out many of the simple tasks you are most likely to require while
out and about.
A smartphone is a mobile telephone that can also access the internet. A
brand of smart phone you may have heard of is an iPhone. It is ideal for
checking emails while on the move. A smartphone is not meant as an alternative
to a personal computer as the small screen mean it isn’t practical for tasks
that require a lot of key strokes or to view files that require a large screen.
Tablet is the generic term to
describe a mobile device, primarily operated by touchscreen rather than with a mouse or
keyboard. A brand of tablet that you may have heard of is an iPad. Tablet PCs don’t usually have a mobile phone
option and are much larger than a smart phone,
meaning it’s much easier to type with the onscreen keyboard and to view images
on the screen. Although it is
easier to perform tasks on a tablet compared to a smartphone, there are still
some tasks such as word processing and spreadsheets that a best left to the PC
rather than mobile computers.
The most common operating systems on tablet PCs and smartphones are iOS
(Apple iPad and iPhone) and Android (Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note, Kindle Fire). Android is found on a wider range of devices
whereas iOS is limited to Apple devices only. The two operating systems have
many differences in appearance, functionality, as well as the operating system within
the device. This means that software isn’t compatible between the two different
devices and has to be downloaded individually. Apple software is downloaded
from the AppStore and Android software is downloaded from the PlayStore. This software
is referred to as apps.
The best tablet PC often comes down to personal choice. The Apple iPad
is a popular device, often chosen by people who have already used an iPhone or
iPad and who are already familiar with how the operating system works. There are many other tablet PCs on the market
that use the Android operating system. Android is available on a wider range of
devices so it is quickly becoming a more widely used operating system. While
the operating system on the Apple and the Android devices are quite different,
they still allow you to perform the same tasks.
Tablet PCs come with basic apps such as an email client and a web
browser allowing you to email and surf the web without installing any extra
apps. Apps give the device extra abilities such as games or social media such
as Facebook. There are many apps that can improve productivity at work or help you
to work while away from the office. When traveling, tablet PCs can double as a
GPS. Tablets are popular when traveling overseas as a way of keeping in touch
with family as they can be used anywhere with wifi and do not take up much
space in your luggage. Many banks have apps available that allow you to check
your balance and transfer funds without visiting a bank or ATM, saving you time
and ATM fees.
An e-reader is another type of portable device that allows
you to read eBooks, newspaper articles and documents. It often only displays in
black and white, not colour and does not operate as a phone or surf the web. A regular kindle is a brand of e-reader. Although
a tablet can be used as an e-reader, and e reader cannot be used as a tablet.
