APMA News - May 2011 - (Page 60)

Technofile By James Christina, DPM Smartphones, Smart Choices The smartphone has become an indispensible tool for many of us, with the ability to surf the Web, manage e-mail, keep track of appointments, and more. The choices and options are seemingly endless, so whether you are looking to upgrade your current phone or make your first plunge into the world of smartphones, it’s worth doing some research. First, examine your needs. Are you interested in a phone that handles e-mail well? Are you looking for the ability to play movies and music? Do you want to play games on your phone? Is surfing the Web your primary goal? Once you identify your needs, take the time to understand the technology. (Apple’s online portal for music, movies, and more) to manage many functions on your iPhone. Android: The Android operating system from Google has become increasingly popular. Android phones are available from a variety of carriers. Android phones boast some of the most advanced hardware, with faster processors and greater memory. These phones were the first to take advantage of the 4G (fourth generation) wireless networks. Android phones have many apps, and most are free. All this adds up to phones that surf the Web at incredibly high speeds and are outstanding for game playing. There are some drawbacks, however. The demands of the processor can quickly drain the battery, so with a lot of Web surfing or movie streaming, the battery will deplete rather quickly. Also, the Android operating system does not sync seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook, something that both the BlackBerry and the iPhone do very well. The Operating Systems Different cellular companies use different operating bases for their networks. Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a technology developed by Qualcomm, and it is the dominant network standard in North America. Global System for Mobile (GSM) was developed in 1987 by the GSM Association, an international organization dedicated to developing this standard worldwide. Because it has been around longer, CDMA has slightly better coverage in the US, while GSM is more readily available worldwide. Your choice may therefore depend on how much international traveling you do. Verizon is the CDMA company in the United States, and AT&T is the GSM company. The Carriers If you are not under contract to a particular carrier, you can make your carrier choice based on which has the phone you want. If you are under contract and need to remain with your current wireless carrier, you will be limited to the phones that carrier offers on its network. In many cases you can “unlock” a phone to make it usable on a variety of networks, but unless you are fairly experienced and don’t mind doing your own trouble-shooting, you generally will get better support if you stick with a phone offered by your carrier. Also, be aware that many carriers are getting away from unlimited data plans. In some instances, as long as you stick with your current phone, you may be able to continue with an unlimited plan, but changing phones may remove that option. Smartphones generally require some sort of data plan, but if you do not use the data option frequently, the new plans with low data options may actually save you money. Coverage is always an issue. Despite the advertisements, most major carriers have good coverage. However, it can vary in certain geographic locations, so it is worth investigating if there are any coverage issues with a specific carrier where you live, work, or travel. Do your homework and find the phone that works best for you—and remember, no matter how advanced your smartphone is the day you buy it, something new will be along soon! n Contact Dr. Christina at jrchristina@apma.org. The Phones There are many different smartphones available, but let’s look at the big three. BlackBerry: The BlackBerry is known for ease in handling e-mails. The BlackBerry also offers BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), which allows users to “chat” instantly with other BlackBerry owners. There are applications or “apps” available for the BlackBerry, but the number and quality of the apps pale in comparison to others. The BlackBerry is also known for outstanding battery life, and the battery is removable so you can carry a spare if necessary. iPhone: The iPhone is an Apple product. It was originally produced only for the AT&T network, but this year Apple launched an iPhone on the Verizon network, as well. It features a touch screen with a sleek design. The latest version, iPhone 4, features a dazzling graphic display. Although it handles e-mail well, it is most noted for all the apps that are available for the phone. The iPhone battery is not accessible, so users must have access to a computer or electrical outlet to recharge. Also, you will have to “sync” the phone with iTunes 60 APMA News May 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - May 2011

APMA News - May 2011
President’s Message
Contents
APMA Educational Foundation Annual Giving Campaign
91st House of Delegates: Focused on the Future
Roth: To Convert or Not to Convert?
Surgical Workshops at The National Offer Hands-on Instruction
Annual Scientific Meeting Preliminary Program
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
PICA and Podiatric Medicine: Family Ties Run Deep
Attaining Parity in California
Affordable Care Act, One Year Later: Part One
Reimbursement
Members Who Know Media
Technofile
Young Voices
Small Business 101
In Short
APMA Out and About
Worthy of Note
APMAPAC Update
Affiliates Corner
Insurance Advisor
Development Update
New and Deceased Members
2011 Call for Awards Nominations
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index

APMA News - May 2011