Types of mobile phones

The mobile browser experience varies dramatically across the different classes of phones. The type of mobile phone you have has the biggest effect on your mobile Web browsing experience. Your experience is affected by both the evolutionary generation of the type of browser you have and the class of phone you have.

These five common classes of phones are now on the market:

- Traditional: The most common phone model now on the market; comprises about 85 percent of all mobile phones. This type runs a real-time operating system (RTOS), which is a closed operating system. Two common RTOSs exist:

• Nucleus: A homegrown operating system created by the mobile phone’s manufacturer

• BREW: From Qualcomm; used predominantly by Verizon Wireless in the United States

A closed operating system limits the types of modification you can make to your phone. For example, you probably can use only the mobile browser that came with your phone. You can’t download and install aftermarket mobile browsers, a topic that’s explained in more detail in a sidebar later in this chapter called “Aftermarket mobile browsers.”

- BlackBerry: The BlackBerry is a class of phone that is offered by Research In Motion (RIM). It is best known for its mobile e-mail capabilities. However, the BlackBerry is excellent for accessing the mobile Web. It has an open operating system, and you can easily load new applications and browsers. You are not limited to using only those applications that came with the device.

- Wireless PDA or smartphone: The smartphone is a mobile phone class that uses an open operating system, similar in concept to a computer. The most popular smartphone operating systems are Symbian, Microsoft Windows Mobile, and Palm. Expected to join this list are a number of Linux-based operating systems in development as well as the Google Android operating system, now expected in the second half of 2008. You can easily load new applications and browsers on smartphones. You aren’t limited to using only those applications that came with the device.

- Apple iPhone: A phone model in a class all by itself. Although it’s true that the overall market penetration rate of the iPhone is low compared to the billions of mobile phones in the market, it’s equally true that the iPhone has had a significant impact on the future of mobile Web browsing by allowing you to surf and view almost any type of Web site — Internet and mobile — on its screen. The iPhone operating system was initially closed, however, Apple has begun to open it up, and increasingly you’re able to install new applications on it.

- Dedicated wireless-enabled terminal: Another device that can be used for accessing the mobile Web by using a browser. All other device classes are primarily phones with the purposes of enabling voice calls, while the dedicated wireless enabled terminal class are designed for purposes other than voice calls. Examples of wireless-enabled terminals include the Sony PSP for gaming, the Apple iTouch, and Nokia 700 designed solely for Internet browsing. Often, with these devices, you’re restricted to using the applications that came with it.