Sometimes known as handheld computers, mobile devices are computers small enough to be held in the hand or to be easily carried about.
Mobile computers usually have LCD or OLED flatscreen interfaces with a touchscreen interface, digital buttons, and a digital keyboard, although some models may have physical buttons and a physical keyboard, or both options.
Examples of mobile devices are tablet computers, hybrids, and smartphones.
Tablet computers might be thought of as holding the middle ground between a smartphone and a laptop computer. They tend to be compact versions of a computer.
Some, such as Apple's line of iPad tablets, operate on the same operating system as the iPhone, its line of smartphones. Both the iPad and the iPhone use iOS as their operating system, and applications made for the iPhone are generally available for the iPad, and vice versa. Besides size, the chief difference between the two is that the iPhone has phone capabilities while the iPad does not.
On the other hand, several tablet computers use the Windows 10 operating system, the same a is used in PCs.
However, there are several operating systems powering tablet computers. Besides iOS and Windows 10, operating systems that are commonly seen in tablet computers include the Android OS, a Linux-type system developed by Google. The Kindle Fire tablet computers use Fire OS, which is an Android-based mobile OS produced by Amazon, but without any of Google's default applications.
Being lightweight and easily stored, tablet computers are ideal for those who travel or need to access a computer from remote locations. In recent years, many people have opted to use tablet computers and smartphones in lieu of desktops and laptops.
There are a large number of applications available for most models of tablet computers, ranging from games to office software, graphics packages, and programming tools. Of course, they are also designed for browsing the Internet, accessing social media, email, and video calls. Tablets running Windows 10 can run traditional software.
Hybrids are a cross between laptop computers and tablet computers, and example being the line of Microsoft Surface devices. With detachable keyboards, hybrids can function as laptops, but with the keyboard detached they can be used in tablet mode. Most hybrids are smaller and lighter than laptops, and not as powerful.
Smartphones are a type of mobile phone with computer capabilities, distinguished from earlier mobile phones by their mobile operating systems that support wider software, Internet, mobile broadband, and multimedia functions, including music, video, gaming, and camera operations, as well as voice calls and text messaging. Smartphones utilize touchscreen operations and a virtual keyboard, although some smartphones can be extended with a keyboard, mouse, and larger monitor for more of a traditional computer feel.
Common smartphones include the Samsung Galaxy, Apple iPhone, Motorola Droid, and HTC One, although others are available.
The focus of this category is on any type of mobile computer, including smartphones, tablets, and hybrid devices.
Recommended Resources
Designed, developed, and marketed by Apple, the iPad is a line of tablet computers that use the iOS and iPadOS mobile operating systems. Like its iPhone products, iPads are designed to synchronize with other Apple devices, including its computer line. Currently available models in the iPad line are profiled here, with photos, and comparisons with other models. Purchases may be made through the site or at any Apple Store or other retailer carrying Apple products.
https://www.apple.com/ipad/
The iPhone is a line of smartphones designed and marketed by Apple, all using its iOS operating system. The Apple site features each of the iPhone models currently offered for sale, with an overview of the features available in each, technical specifications, and comparisons with other iPhone products. Available products may be purchased directly from the site, including trade-in and monthly payment options. An overview of the iOS operating system is included.
https://www.apple.com/iphone/
Blackberry Mobile is a trading name used by TCL Communications in its distribution of Blackberry branded devices to the world market, now using the Android operating system rather than the Blackberry OS used by the former manufacturer, Blackberry Limited. Its product line is highlighted, along with available accessories. Information about the Android operating system is put forth, and customer support services may be accessed online, by product. Press information is included.
https://blackberrymobile.com/us/
The website of the ELEPHONE Group, committed to the OEM/ODM market in medium- and high-end smartphones, the Chinese company is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), producing smartphone parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer. Its organizational structure, business cooperation policies, 3D cellphones, and other 3D products are highlighted, along with a gallery of partners, support data, firmware and software updates.
https://www.cnoems.com/
Billing itself as an online resource for Blackberry users and abusers, the site offers news and product reviews on various Blackberry models, along with product support, tips, and articles offering how-to instructions, product guides, and product support, including links to other online resources relating to Blackberry smartphones and other devices. Informational articles include news of changes in the Blackberry production line, as well as a support forum for Blackberry users.
https://crackberry.com/
Active between May of 2010 and June of 2014, the site offers reviews of Android-powered smartphones that were available during that time period, which include photos, comments on functionality, pros and cons, as well as links to retailers. Other topics include how-to instructions on various functions using Android-powered smartphones, as well as a community support forum, with more recent activity, where questions may be asked and answered about Android topics.
http://www.everythingandroid.org/
With a focus on the Apple iPhone, the site offers informational articles, including those published from December of 2006 to December of 2015, including reviews of iPhone models that were available during this period. Photos, reports on the functionality of the products, statistical data, and brief reviews of available applications are included, along with how-to instructional guides for the use of the devices, the OS, and applications. A user support forum is available, with current activity.
http://www.everythingicafe.com/
Updated from 2006 to 2014, Everything Treo was an informational blog that was focused on the Palm line of smartphone devices, which included the Palm Treo and the Palm Centro, offering reviews and company news up until acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2010, which later ended production and support of the Palm and webOS devices, ending the brand that had been in production for nineteen years. Serving as a historical resource, its reviews are available, although its forum is down.
http://www.everythingtreo.com/
Specializing in Windows-based smartphones, Everything WM was actively maintained from November of 2005 to October of 2013, offering information, how-to-guides and reviews of various smartphones using the Windows operating system, such as the now-discontinued Windows Phone, the AT&T and Nokia Lumia, Motorola Q, Samsung ATIV S, and others. Reviews include pros and cons, an overview of available applications, and other topics.
http://www.everythingwm.com/
Founded in 1999, the GSM Hosting forum is powered by vBulletin and focused on mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and the like. Guests have limited access to view most of the discussions and pages of the forum, but participation requires registration and login. Forum discussions are organized into topical categories and sub-forums that include marketplaces, specific device models, hardware repair, product support sections, and forum announcements.
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/
Powered by vBulletin, Howard Forums is a discussion forum focused on mobile phones. Requiring registration for participation in forum discussions, the site is divided into seven main topics sections: marketplace, phone manufacturers, carriers, smartphones/PDAs, general phone discussion, buy-sell-trade, and general discussions. Other resources include phone reviews, industry news, a FAQ, and a fan page, as well as the forum rules.
https://www.howardforums.com/
Huawei is a Chinese manufacturer of smartphones, tablet computers, and other consumer electronics products. Founded in 1987, the company designs, manufactures, and markets a line of Huawei-branded smartphones, Huawei MatePad tablet computers, MateBook laptop computers, a smartwatch, and other products, which are highlighted here, along with its mobile services, multi-screen collaboration, support services, software, and community resources.
https://consumer.huawei.com/en/phones/
The iLounge website is dedicated to Apple, Inc's iPods and iPhone media players, accessories and related software. The website features the latest news, articles, reviews and accessories, forums, photos, editor's blog and the iLounge team. The website also provides free and legal music to download, free books and buyer's guides and allows you to find tutorials, answers, discussions, software and more. The website also provides an online store where you can buy Apple products and compare prices.
http://www.ilounge.com/
The site allows visitors to make their own ringtones, videos, and wallpapers for their cellular phone or smartphone, and to share them with their friends. Ringtone and wallpaper categories are sorted into several categories, and both popular and featured wallpapers are highlighted. Games and other applications are also listed and made available from the site, sorted, rated one to five stars, with a description, comments, and download link. Its terms of service and policy information are posted.
https://www.mytinyphone.com/
Produced since 2010, Samsung Galaxy is a series of smartphones and mobile computing devices designed, manufactured, and marketed by Samsung Electronics. Using the Android operating system, generally, with a user interface known as One UI, the Galaxy line includes its high-end smartphones, the Galaxy S, as well as the Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Note, Galaxy 5G, and Galaxy A, which are highlighted here, and compared side-by-side, along with product support information.
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/phones/
