Smart Phones - Popular Models

Smart phones are springing up everywhere, ever since the iPhone was introduced. Many phones are on the market and each of them has something different to off consumers. A great smart phone to one person may be a horrible one to another. There are many uses to a smart phone so depending on what someone finds important might be the basis of their preference over one phone from the other.

Smart phones are like mini computers that offer phone service. A smart phone is a mobile phone that offers PC type options, you can surf the web, link to all kinds of social networks, and it has an external USB keyboard and has multiple opportunities for application developers.

There are several smart phones on the market; one is the HTC Hero Smart phone. It is a great phone that TELUS has developed. It has lots of applications attached to the Android market. You can use social sites such as Google, face book, Google talk, flickr, and HTC peep. You can also access someone`s entire information such as email, status update, and call history right on the same page. Another great feature is that you can change the face of the phone to suit your particular need and it can be done several times a day.

The Nokia N97 has lots of advantages to it. It has touch screen technology and a full QWERTY keyboard. It has a 32 GB and an internal flash memory. It supports 3G and is WiFi accessible. It has blue-tooth, GPS and 5 mega pixels. It is an unlocked phone however some complain that the applications are a bit out dated.

The T-Mobile with Google has a touch screen, Blue-tooth, WiFi access, 3G network and 3.2 mp. It is a light phone that looks great.

The Motorola Droid is also a great new smart phone. It has a large 3.7 inch screen with 16 million hues for color and 440 times 1854 of pixels. The color is bright, crisp and clear. The web is quick and easy to use and it has lots of applications. It has an Android 2.0 update that makes it new and popular. The phone is black and shinny and very elegant looking.

When you buy a smart phone you can purchase one from any electronic store or phone company. They are the newest popular type of phone and will have a huge display modeling the different ones. You can also buy one from the internet or even buy a phone on a buy and sell web page if you`re looking for a good deal. Phone companies also offer special deals when you sign up with a contract for a year or two or sometimes three.

Buying a smart phone will be a great decision for you that you will likely not regret. There trendy and hold so many features that you will wonder how you went about day to day without one. Just be sure to get one that has the features that you will actually need and use. Many people get smart phones that can do things they may not need. Or buy a phone with the wrong features for them making them useless for them. Ask the sales person as many questions as you can think of, even take a list with you to make certain that you leave with the right phone for you.

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Shop Online For Cheap Smart Phones

When it comes to gadgets, the internet has some of the best. From wrist watches to mp3 players and all other kinds of technological gadgets, you can find it all online. Not only does the internet have a wide variety of electronics to choose from, but many trustworthy companies guarantee their customers' satisfaction with a 30-day money back guarantee. With free shipping and low prices added on to that, some online suppliers are able to give their customers a better deal than any retail store could.

The world of technology is rapidly expanding and one of the most popular new gadgets is the smart phone. The internet has the latest in cheap phones from the Unlocked Meizu M8 Dual Band GSM 900/1800 16GB Smart Wi-Fi Mobile Phone to the AIRMA 3811 Quad Band Wi-Fi 3G Smart Cell Phone and the SUNNO A880 Quad Band High Definition HVGA Screen Smart Phone. No matter what kind of functions you need or desire, your favorite online gadget supplier has all of the best cheap smart phones to offer.

The Unlocked Meizu M8 Dual Band GSM 900/1800 16GB Smart Wi-Fi Mobile Phone comes in both black and white and it is loaded with exciting features. With a 3.4 inch 720x480 high definition display screen, you can access the web through Wi-Fi, play back video, and play games all with one gadget. The AIRMA 3811 Quad Band Wi-Fi 3G Smart Cell Phone is another great option in cheap smart phones because it supports 3G video and applications like Excel, Word, and Skype. Perfect for any individual from the businessman to the college student, the AIRMA is the latest in smart phone technology.

The SUNNO A880 Quad Band High Definition HVGA Screen Smart Phone is not to be neglected, however, because it too is one of the best cheap smart phones on the market. This model supports Skype, MSN, as well as Office and other PPC software. Do not forget the HVGA screen and the high-quality multimedia play functions, however, because they are what make this model unique. Whether you need a cell phone with TV and Wi-Fi functions or just a simple mobile phone for talk and text, the internet has many options for you to choose from. Before you shop at a retail store, take a look at what the internet has to offer and you will surely not be disappointed.

For more information on cheap smart phones or to purchase them online visit ChinaBuye.com today!

Smart Phones - Are They Really A Smart Decision

First, there was the standard land line phone system; then came the cell phone - a convenient little portable item that everyone adopted a "must have" attitude toward. Progress didn't stop there, however. Now, we have the Smart Phone - the answer to the on-the-go lifestyle that demands immediate access to whatever electronic needs that we happen to have, in addition to the ability to phone our family and friends for a chat whenever the whim presents itself.

To be sure, Smart Phones are capable of extraordinary electronic feats, but convenience - especially that of the technological variety - always comes at a cost, and this one comes with quite a hefty one. The bottom line is that, if you plan to buy a Smart Phone, then plan on paying a visit to the loan officer of your local bank on the way to the store. These electronic marvels are designed to bring true computer capability right to the palm of your hand, but most people will have to put some serious thought into the type of financial commitment that they'll have to make in order to become the proud owner of a brand new bouncing baby Smart Phone.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Smart Phone

Just like anything else, Smart Phones have their bright and dark sides and, depending upon how much you're willing to compromise, they'll either be a great investment for you, or not at all worth the money that you've invested.

Pros


For those who, until now, had been carrying around a mobile phone and PDA, this combines the two into one unit, without losing any of the capability of either format.

This is definitely a multi-media friendly device, offering the opportunity to enjoy both audio and video files - or both, if you prefer - without a lot of hoopla.

Cell phone software companies have taken quite kindly to the Smart Phone and are fully supportive of it when it comes to developing software that's compatible with these units - especially those in the game and entertainment industries.

If accessories are your thing, then you'll love the number of add-ons that you can purchase to go with your new Smart Phone - including those which utilize Bluetooth technology.


Cons


Unless you have very good vision, you might have trouble reading the screen on the Smart Phone - it's smaller and the resolution isn't as sharp as that of a Pocket PC.

Text messaging and other text-related capabilities are compromised as a result of the limited text-entry that's intrinsic to these devices.

Unlike the Pocket PC, Smart Phones are missing some applications that are critical to some users. Among these are Microsoft products, such as Pocket Excel and Pocket Word.

You may be told that you'll have nationwide coverage, but the reality is that coverage of that type only includes larger cities with higher populations. As a result, there's quite a menu of non-service areas.


Smart Phone Features

Much like a mini-computer with telephone capability, these devices are often seen as handy little items for meeting most or all of the needs of those who are on the run, but want to have access to their PC and phone service, regardless of where they roam.


Cell phone service is certainly one of the major perks of the Smart Phone - complete with voice mail. Just as in the case of mainstream cell phone varieties, specific service plans can be purchased for these, depending upon your particular needs and preferences.

Internet connectivity is also an available Smart Phone feature, allowing you to retrieve wireless e-mail messages and gain access to search engines and other online goodies. Just pop open your flip phone and jump onto the web.

If you're interested in games, the Smart Phone offers those, as well. A variety of computerized games can be played - either online or through special software - just as if you were using your home PC.

Office functions, such as certain Windows or other Microsoft programming, are also available, allowing you to create and store files for future use.

If you're bored and have a bit of extra time on your hands, you can even gain access to online movies through the video feature that the Smart Phone has to offer. Or, if you prefer, you can listen to your favorite tunes as a result of the audio features.

Photography is also an option when you invest in a Smart Phone. Just as with the mainstream camera phones, these devices offer instant pictures that can be viewed on-screen immediately after they're snapped. These units, however, are more than just cell phone cameras, so if you're looking for something more, think "Smart Phone".

Smart Phone Pricing

Although these have been compared to PDAs on a certain level, Smart Phones are definitely more sophisticated - and more compact. As compensation for these conveniences, however, you must be willing to pay a hefty price. Typically starting at about $600 and ranging into the thousands, Smart Phones may be all the rage, but if you're planning to buy one simply for the novelty of it all, then you should save your money and stick with something a bit less progressive.

Keep in mind that additional costs will be incurred in order to establish phone service and gain internet connectivity. That equates to the price of the unit plus the additional charges for basic services and any special features that you choose to opt for - all of which can add up to an exorbitant amount of money.

The best way to keep down your expenses is to take the time and effort to do some online research before you make a commitment to buy a Smart Phone or specific service plan that you'll need in order to fully utilize all of the features that it offers. By simply typing "smart phone comparison" into the keyword area of any major search engine, you'll have cost and feature comparison information at your fingertips, which will help you to determine which one is right for you - if, indeed, any of them are. Is investing in a Smart Phone a wise decision? Only you can decide.

About the Author

Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for smart phones [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/index.html], pda phone [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/cell-phone-reviews.html] and blackberry pda [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/cell-phone-comparison.html].

Smart Phones Surpassing PDAs

Smart phones have taken the world by storm. There was a time when a phone was just a phone that simply allowed you to talk with someone that wasn't in your presence. As technology has become more compact, so have the capabilities of the communication devices.

Most phones that are on the market have some smart phone capabilities. There are calendars, address books, and games. The true smart phones take the laptop and put it into a portable system.

1. E-mail. Many allow the use of the internet (often through a VOIP server) to allow the user to stay connected even when phone service is not an option.

2. PDF and spreadsheets. There is some serious power in the palm of your hand, especially in the newer smart phones. Not only can you down load important documents using the phone, but many come with a keyboard that actually allows you to work in the phone.

3. Expanded PIM information. Not only do these phones offer a calendar and address book, but they allow for to-do lists, automatic notices to remind the user of important dates, and contact list to keep up with important people and companies.

What is most surprising about the smart phone industry is how much it has already accomplished is such a short time. Most experts consider smart phones to only be in their infancy. Still, there is already so much that can be accomplished with these compact units. It almost boggles the mind that there is so much more potential in the technology that smart phones are utilizing to make using them easier, faster, and more efficient.

The smart phones may still have a little perfecting and improvement that needs to be done before they push the PDAs off the top of the mountain, but they are not far from being crowned king of the communication competition.

Kathryn Lang is a freelance writer covering the office telecoms industry. She has written various articles on Smart phones and Smart phones news.

Are We Honestly More Intelligent Than Our Smart Phones?

Perhaps I should be asking that another way. Am I intelligent enough to make use of smart phones?

Everyone who is familiar with me would in all likelihood respond with a definite "NO." The reality that I am technologically disadvantaged is not any hidden secret, but some people find their precious wireless smart phones to generally be an essential component of their day-to-day lives. They are accustomed to a great deal more than simply talking with close friends!

Smart phones are certainly a lot more than merely mobile phones. They are really a lot more like a good mobile computer system. They provide considerably more computing capability as well as connectivity compared to a common cell phone. With a smart phone a person can set up as well as operate all sorts of state-of-the-art programs. They're nicknamed a PPA (personal pocket computer) allowing you to make an online purchase, download quality recipes as well as video games, look at your bank account balance, textual content, take pictures as well as videos, not to mention your ability to speak to your buddies as well as strangers. That doesn't in any way come close to all the things you are capable of doing using these small gadgets. Approximately 45.5 million men and women in the U.S. possess a smart phone, which is the fastest growing sector of the mobile phone market.

The earliest smart phone was created by IBM in the form of a concept item in 1992. It was known as Simon and was added to the marketplace in 1993. By today's criteria, it might be regarded as a lower end device, however it was considered to be very innovative and technologically advanced at that time. In addition to use as a mobile cell phone, Simon was built with a calculator, calendar, notepad and world clock. It had the capability to deliver and receive faxes, not to mention video games. There were absolutely no actual physical control keys, however it had a predictive keyboard along with a rudimentary touch screen. Text was capable of being entered using a stylus. Of course consumers needed more, therefore the Nokia communicator line arrived on the scene in 1996 merging Hewlitt-Packard's PDA (personal digital assistant) with Nokia's finest mobile phone. Earliest models paired the PDA and cellphone by using a hinge. Nokia in addition possessed the very first camera phone as well as the first Wi-Fi smart phone.

Products simply exploded onto the marketplace from that time period on with the development of the Blackberry, Palm Treo, and then the Windows smart phones. By that time, you also were able to send out and obtain email. In 2007 Nokia launched a smart phone with GPS, an auto focus digital camera, 3G and Wi-Fi functionality. Over the following couple of years these features had become common on high-end smart phones. These days we now have Android, I Phones, and many more. As quickly as you can figure out how to use one of these devices, some company launches a smart phone that is faster and superior and everyone desires to own one of these latest devices. It is a given that as product availability continues to expand, the prices of these products will continue to find themselves on a downward spiral. There really are not that many people that can afford to pay $500.00 for the privilege of owning a smart phone nowadays.

Fortunately, smartphones can be found at a wide range of prices and for someone that really must have one. An affordable smartphone will probably always be available for their budget to handle.

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Mobile Smart Phones Keep You Connected

Mobile smart phones are not a single brand belonging to any one company, but rather the term refers to phones that have capabilities exceeding those of an ordinary cell phone. These phones have features that include processors that are more powerful than standard cell phones as well as more memory and a better operating system.

These phones usually employ the use of a touch screen instead of buttons and have more of a computer feel to them than a phone. Built in computer chips are the reason why they're so 'smart' and they work by using processors. Some have SD cards or memory you can take out and put in compatible phone. This is a handy feature in case you ruin your phone your information will be saved.

Like many people, you probably come with a lot of technology baggage if you have a cell phone, an iPod, a digital camera plus all sorts of devices that were made to bring you the best and latest in technology.

But carrying around several devices can get cumbersome not to mention annoying trying to keep track of all that stuff. You need to simplify all the gadgets you have to keep up with yet you still need the hardware that can give you the same networking ability.

That's why you need to invest in purchasing a mobile smart phone. No more numerous devices for you take with you. A smart phone brings everything you need together and packs it all in one simple piece of equipment.

You'll get your calendar to keep track of appointments, your phone, a way to listen to music plus take pictures as well as a phone that can check email like a computer. Most have other computer like abilities including being able to watch television shows, videos and some even act as book readers.

Not only will you get many of the same features you enjoy on a home computer, but you can also get phones that act as a GPS system, gives you a compass and even lets you download and play games when you have some time to kill. With most standard cell phones, you basically get what you're given and you don't have any other choice if you don't like what's on the phone.

When you purchase a smart phone, you'll be able to put what you'd like to have on the system because you'll be able to reconfigure the phone as long as you understand the application programming and they're fairly simple so most people get them. The mobile smart phone may be a way to keep people connected, but it's so much more than a phone. It's changed the way people communicate for the better.

Still trying to figure out what type of cell phone you should be buying then check out this great Smart Cell Phones blog or this cool place to find the Best Smart Phones and make the right and informed choice.

Smart Phones Improvement - Always For the Better

Smart phones are amazing. Unlike normal phones, we can use smart phones for different tasks such as making calls, sending text messages, checking emails and surfing the internet. You can even access GPS system for navigation. Most of the high technology features are available for this type of mobile phones. As usual, when it comes to having so many features, the price can be rather high for some people.

How do we define smart phones?

They are PC-like gadget, which explains why we can use smart phones to do many things that we can only do by using PC or a laptop. With a complete OS running underneath those cover, smart phone is truly the latest gadget to get things done.

For example, there is no need to work in the office to get your work done. This is important because some of you might need to travel. You can use the phone to easily help you out from replying urgent emails, communicating with your staff or colleagues through instant messaging and even surf the internet for information you need fast and easy. Who says you can't go online using a mobile phone?

Long gone the days when we use a phone to talk to someone far away or to send text messages only. This is a whole new era when smart phones are conquering the market real fast. These days, there are more high technology phones than there were a decade ago. Most of the latest phones in the market are somehow integrated with the latest technologies.

Do you need a smart phone?

First of all, before you get a smart phone, you need to ask yourself do you need a smart phone at all. Not everyone need a smart phone, that is for sure. This is because some people just need a phone for calling and text messages, not for internet or more complicated use of the phone.

However, if you are a businessman, you should find yourself in need of a smart phone that can helps you to manage your business much better. Example of smart phones include Nokia E-Series, Nokia N-Series, Blackberry Series, Apple iPhone and HTC Series.

LG, Samsung and Sony Ericsson are also producing smart phones but so far Blackberry, Apple iPhone and Nokia would be the most popular. How would you choose a phone that is suitable for you? Check out the features and find the one that has the most features you need.

Since there are so many smart phones available, you should have no problem in finding smart phone deals. After all, even if you cannot afford to buy a smart phone, you can always get phone contracts for any of the phones you want.

Reasons For Cheap Smart Phones Manufactured in China

Smart phones are the talk of the town and there is real buzz about them all over the world. Although every one wants to own a phone, not all can afford phones from say Sharp or Apple. The search is always on for cheap smart phones. Phones which are manufactured in China have been the right kind of answer for people looking and hoping for cheap Smart phones. They are a real boon for people who can not afford original phones. These phones which are manufactured in China we initially sold internationally by some traders who exported such phones to other parts of the world or sold in the websites of companies which manufacture these phones in China. Now days there are lot of websites in Europe and America which sell these phones from China. Chinese Smart phones are becoming very popular all over the world, apart from being cheap they have model which replicate the top Apple or Sharp phones. As a result of which they are a great substitute for top models of phones produced else where in the world. Here are some of the reasons how the Chinese are able to manufacture cheap phones.

1. Popular phone manufacturers like Apple or Sharp spend a lot of time and money on the research and analysis for every model they produce. This involves a lot of cost and is one of the major reasons why their phones are very expensive. If you take the case of phones manufactured in China there is hardly any amount of research and analysis if there is any. As they just need to replicate the popular models of original phones manufactured by western countries they do not need much of research and analysis. These cheap smart phones companies usually buy the panels or ready made case molds which resemble the popular brands and then they fill it with their own components so on the outside they resemble like the popular brands.

2. Also these original phone manufacturers have a lot of testing to be done before they release a model. Cheap smart phones manufacturers do not have to do much testing as they are just imitating these original models. Testing does incur quite a bit of expense.

3. One of major reasons why cheap smart phones manufacturers are able to fake or duplicate the popular models of phones is the fact there is no copyright law in China. They do not have to worry about faking a model and be sued for that, this makes big difference when you compare it with other parts of the world. They are allowed to duplicate as much as they can and sell it very openly in the market with any fear what so over.

4. These Cheap Smart phones from China use MediaTek Inc chipsets for their phones which is very less in cost compared the various kinds of chipsets the popular brands in the world use. These chipsets are just about adequate for the function these cheap smart phones offer.

Phones which are manufactured in China have been the right kind of answer for people looking and hoping for cheap Smart phones.

Palm Inc Raised The Bar With Treo Smart Phones

In the last decade, mobile phones have stopped being juts a device for voice calls but have become a gadget for data communications. First, there was SMS or Short Message Service, a service that allowed people to send alphanumeric messages to mobile phones using the GSM network. Now the mobile phones have been packed with so many features including full keyboards, multi-media support capacity, internet connectivity and other mobile applications.

Palm Inc. was among the first to introduce Smart phones with emailing and internet connectivity and full keyboards that made it easy to use the mobile phone as an extension of one's office. It allowed voice and data connectivity, both very important features for professionals on the go.

Today , the Treo Smart Phones from Palm Inc. are among the top choices of business executives and other professionals because of the mobile applications that allow people to use their phones for a variety of purposes. All high technology features of the Treo Smart phones would be for naught if it weren't for its ease of use. The latest Treo Smart Phones with Windows OS are even more easy to use than the first Smart phones introduced years ago. The Windows OS also allow the Treo Smart phones to handle Windows documents better allowing you to work seamlessly between your PC and your mobile phone. Both the Windows OS and the Palm OS also make the Treo phones among the fastest mobiles in the market, allowing for a great computing experience and a seamless internet connection.

Today, Treos are still among the much-coveted phones. With WiFi and lighter and slimmer form factors, Palm has really raised the bar in mobile phones. Aside from the voice and data connectivity, the Treo also features a camera and supports both still photo and video. The phone's operating systems also allow support of various multi-media. Mobile phones these days are really more like mobile computers in a light and tight form. Packed with features, the new mobile phones may be considered cheap considering that such technologies were not available just a decade ago and that owning mobile phones then that only featured voice calls already cost an arm and a leg.

Aside from the quick tour upon phone start up, there are also a number of websites that offer great information on the Treo phones. These websites offer reviews of the latest Treo mobile phones and even the latest discounts and packages from different mobile networks helping consumers get the best deals on Treo Smart phones. There are websites that provide some of the most useful information on Treo phones on the internet. Aside from great deals and packages, these websites even have eBooks or complete guides that will help you learn navigate your mobile phone and get the most out of it. The Smart phones have a lot of great features that are not described in the phones' quick tour. Even if the phone is designed to provide ease-of-use, it is still best to get expert information on your mobile phone.

Ahmed Foaud is the author of this article on Treo Smart Phone. Find more information about Plam Treo Smart Phone here.

Why You Should Compare Smart Phones Before You Buy?

The cell phone market is huge and with so many models, what do you buy. Specifically you need to compare smart phones before you buy any. So why is this so important, you may ask.

I think the most important questions to ask yourself, what do you need it for and what applications are important to you. The problems is generally that most smart phones come with a price tag, so keep that in mind.

Some of the better known smart phones are the iPhone, Blackberry, Google G1, Palm and the HTC. They are all great looking phones, but some are larger and not as easy to use then others. A lot of people like the thinner and smaller size of the iPhone, others like the use of maybe the Blackberry or Palm smart phone.

More often then not it comes down to personal taste and liking of usage of the phone. But before you even decide what phone you like because of the look or the ease of use, you need to make sure the phone of choice can be supported on your current network. For example the iPhone is traditionally exclusive to AT&T, although if you buy it without a contract and get the unofficial unlock for it, you can use it with T-Mobile.

So when you compare smart phones always be sure to check first with your current network if your choice of phone works on that particular network, especially if you have a contract that still has a while to run. Once you have figured out what smart phone can be use on your network then i think personally you need to ask yourself if it is for business or personal use. The HTC Touch Pro or HTC Touch Diamond are known to be excellent smart phones for business.

But if you buy one purely for personal use then some of the best rated ones are, from cheapest to more expensive, the Palm Centro, BB Pearl or BB Curve. If money is no object then the Palm 800w is highly praised by it's users. But if you are looking for something very different, then the Peek is a very easy, and only $20/month mobile messaging handheld, unlimited email, texting, even twitter and blogs, which is handy for the stuff that's really valuable on your smart phone.

Another option you have is a qwerty keyboard smart phone and if you want all the thrills, great call quality, excellent design, long battery life and qualify as a phone before a messaging device, then the Nokia E51 is an excellent choice.

At the end of the day it comes down to what you want from the phone, are you looking for design, capabilities or price range. If money is no option and you want to have as many as possible applications for your phone then the iPhone will thrill you with 25k applications and counting. So when you compare smart phones make sure first that the phone of choice works on your network, otherwise it comes down to personal choice and price range.

Andrew Jameson helps consumers through in-depth reviews to make the right choice when buying the newest cell phones [http://www.newestcellphonesreviews.com]. If you are not sure which cell phone suits your needs best then please visit his site NewestCellPhonesReviews.com to get the full facts on smart phones like the Blackberry Curve 8320 Titanium [http://www.newestcellphonesreviews.com/blackberry-curve-8320-phone-titanium-t-mobile], HTC Touch Pro, Palm Treo 600 and much more.

Smart Lawyers Have Smart Phones

In my CLE on client service, I reveal a very simple formula for satisfying clients. Know what they expect and then manage those expectations. The formula is certainly a simple one, but we all know that it is lot easier said than done.

Communication Issue Expectations

One expectation covered in the CLE is communication issues. I discuss managing the client expectation of returning phone calls and emails, of course. Everyone does. But what about the expectation your message will actually be received? I think it safe to say that when a client leaves a message via voice mail or a receptionist, the client reasonably assumes that the attorney will get the information within hours. Certainly, that has always been the case with telephones. (When the call will actually be returned is another whole issue beyond the scope of this post.)

What about emails? Here's an expectation that has changed significantly over the past few years. The reason? The popularity of smart phones. I got my first cell phone many years ago when most professionals were first buying them. Until this year, however, I stubbornly refused to upgrade my cell phone to a smart phone. Two reasons. First, I prefer to keep my technology needs simple. Why buy a phone with all these fancy features that I thought I'd never use when all I wanted was a phone to talk to people? It never bothered me that I had to wait a few hours to be in front of my computer to see how much money I was losing in the stock market that day. Second, it never ceases to amaze me how rude people are with their smart phones. People check emails at the most inappropriate times. I knew that I would be tempted to do the same and vowed not to turn into one of those people.

Joining the 21st Century

So what changed my mind? Earlier this year I was scheduled to meet a coaching client at a local coffee shop at 7:30 a.m. This lawyer was apparently running late since he was still a no show at 7:50 a.m. I then called his cell phone number to see what was up. Turns out he was sick and had emailed a message at around 6:00 a.m. apologizing for the late notice and letting me know he could not meet me.

My initial reaction was that my client was not particularly considerate. He should have called me on my cell phone and left a message. Did he really think that I always check my email from my computer at home first thing in the morning? I usually do, but I couldn't that day. On further reflection, I realized the question I really should have asked myself was "Did my client have a reasonable expectation that I would receive his email before leaving my house? The answer is yes. It was reasonable for my client to expect that I had a smart phone and that his message would be received. After all, an overwhelming majority of my coaching clients have smart phones. Well, duh...don't they assume that I have one, too?

Attorneys have to look beyond their own individual universe when deciding to purchase certain devices. In my pre-smart-phone era, I was largely unaware that as smart phones had been gaining popularity, emails were frequently being used to leave messages. In my universe, I thought smart phone users were emailing in a more conventional manner. I typically check my emails every few hours from my computer and rarely receive an email requiring an immediate response. Answering within hours usually does the trick. I didn't realize that so many people with smart phones use email the way I use the phone; to leave messages that are received shortly after being sent.

Get Smart

Do you have a smart phone? The latest ABA survey indicates that 25% of lawyers don't. Many of your clients assume you do and have an expectation that their emails will be read promptly. I paid the price of not having a smart phone. If one of your clients sends you an email and your failure to receive the information causes adverse consequences for your client, you, too, will be pay the price - an unsatisfied client.

Which one do you get? Talk to the 75% of the lawyers who have one. That's essentially what I did. I talked to my coaching clients and got lots of opinions. Quick answer. Everyone has their preferences and reasons for them. No one size fits all. I have an iPhone and like it very much, but that's me. What's important is not what you buy, but that you buy one.

Roy Ginsburg is an attorney coach and CLE speaker based out of Minnesota with clients throughout the nation. Services include legal career counseling, law firm business consulting, lawyer coaching, practice management, law firm succession planning and legal outplacement. Learn more at http://www.royginsburg.com