Which Cellphone Should You Buy?

There basically are two types of cellphones:
Smartphones and standard cellphones

• Smartphones can access the Internet and can send and receive email.
• Standard cellphones can initiate and receive phone calls and send and receive text messages.

If you don't care about email or browsing the Internet, a standard cellphone is right for you.

If, however, you need a Smartphone, be aware that there are two basic Smartphone types:

• Smartphones that browse the Internet well (iPhone, Droid).
• Smartphones that send and receive email well and synchronize your email extremely well with Outlook (Blackberry).
• iPhones and Droids can send and receive email, but do not integrate as well with Outlook as a Blackberry does. A Blackberry can browse the internet, but not as well as an iPhone or Droid. 

These distinctions will change over time as each cellphone manufacturer tries to make its Smartphone the best for all types of users.

Once you have selected a Smartphone type (Internet or email), the next choice is between a virtual keyboard and a traditional keyboard. 

•  Most Smartphones have either a virtual keyboard that is displayed on the screen that you tap with your fingertips or a miniaturized keyboard which is similar in layout to your laptop desktop keyboard. Which keyboard is best for you depends on how well you can type on a specific Smartphone with a specific keyboard type. It is important to spend some time in your cellphone provider's store to try out the "feel" of a particular keyboard before your pick a specific Smartphone.
• Some Smartphones have both types of keyboards integrated into the phone. Droids and Blackberrys are two that have traditional keyboards that slide out of the phone, but also have integrated virtual keyboard that work from the screen. You may find that some applications on the Smartphone work better with a virtual keyboard, while others are easier with a keypad; getting a Smartphone that has both can make sense.

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