Field Guide to Choosing & Using a Smartphone
(Updated December 2011)
Do you need a smartphone to get organized? What features do you need? How do real estate professionals use smartphones? Find out the answers to these questions and much more in the following articles and websites.
The definition of smartphone varies widely, but is generally defined as a cellular or mobile phone that is enhanced with computer technology functions such as internet and email access, personal digital assistant tools, handwriting recognition, and more. (Oxford English Dictionary, smarthone n.) (K. Stockert, Information & Web Content Specialist)
REALTORS®' Use of Smartphones
72% of REALTORS® reported daily use of smartphones with wireless email and Internet capabilities, (Source: National Association of REALTORS® 2011 NAR Member Profile).
"Currently, 35% [of the REALTOR® survey respondents] own a smartphone that runs Android's operating system (OS) followed by the iPhone OS (28%) and BlackBerry OS (18%)," (Source: National Association of REALTORS® Center for REALTOR® Technology's 2011 REALTOR® Technology Survey, p. 5, 17).
Why Use a SmartPhone?
Perhaps you choose life without a smartphone out of principle, maybe the thought of learning a new gadget seems more trouble than its worth, or possibly it is time for you to trade in an older cell or smartphone for a newer model; whatever your current reason for investigating smartphones, the articles below offer a foundational knowledge of what they are, why people use them, and how they can benefit you in both your professional and personal lives.
Ounce of Prevention, (American Agent & Broker, Aug. 2011). Q
Feeling Threatened? How to Use Your Smartphone as a Weapon, (REALTOR® Magazine, July 2011).
Mobile phones poised to become mobile wallets: NFC technology would allow users to pay for purchases using smartphones, (B to B, May 2, 2011). Q
2011 Smartphones Shopping Glossary, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2011).
The Smartphone Race Heats Up, (New York Times, Dec. 2, 2010).
Smartphones and Tablets to Take Over in 2011, Researchers Say, (New York Times, Dec. 2, 2010).
Bits: How do People Use Their Smartphones?, (New York Times, Sept. 14, 2010).
Smartphone Rises Fast from Gadget to Necessity, (New York Times, June 10, 2010).
Choosing & Buying a SmartPhone
Perhaps you are ready to acquire your first smartphone or replace an existing one. There are so many options: where do you start? The articles and multi-media below will help guide you through the shopping and reviewto process.
Smartphones 2011: Shop by Budget, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2011).
Best smartphones, (CNET Reviews, Oct. 1, 2010).
What’s a superphone, and how is it different from my smartphone?, (Info Central Blog, July 14, 2010).
Tech Guide Part II: Smart phones, (Center for REALTOR® Technology Web Log, June 9, 2010).
SmartPhones and Real Estate
Now you know what smartphones are and how they can supplement your personal and professional lives. But how can they complement the work of REALTORS®?
Smartphones Specs that Matter for Real Estate in 2011, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2011).
What Others Are Saying About Smartphones in 2011, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2011).
They're Ready, (Information Week, Feb. 14, 2011). Q
Smartphone Survey Report 2010, (Center for REALTOR® Technology, 2010).
Geolocation Services: Find a Smartphone, Find a Customer, (New York Times, Oct. 7, 2010).
Get Smart About Mobile Real Estate Apps, (REALTOR® Magazine, July 2010).
Why Your Peers Love Their Smartphones, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2010).
SmartPhones: Security
Your Smartphone's Web Browser May Be at Risk, (REALTOR® Magazine, Oct. 17, 2011).
Android Users Beware: Phones Vulnerable to Attacks, (REALTOR® Magazine, Aug. 23, 2011).
Smartphone Malware on the Rise, What You Should Know - Infographic, (AGBeat, Aug. 18, 2011).
4 Ways to Keep Your Phone Safe from Hackers, (REALTOR® Magazine, July 29, 2011).
Additional Resources
Consumer Reports offer product reviews, ratings, specifications, and comparisons. Access Consumer Reports online via the NAR Library by following these steps:
- From the NAR Library home page click "Search ProQuest now" at bottom right (call NAR Information Central 800-874-6500 or email infocentral@realtors.org to obtain the password).
- From ProQuest, click Publications at the top of the page.
- In the text box type consumer reports and click Search.
- Once results have loaded, click the Consumer Reports hyperlink.
- To view all Consumer Reports articles, click Search at the top of the page, or to search for a specific product or kind of product, type the product name in the text box, such as Smart phones and then click Search.
CNET.com is similar to Consumer Reports in that the CNET editors review numerous cellphones, smartphones, computers, and a diversity of other technologies. The editors often create short video reviews of products along with a textual review, star rating, and product specifications. These reviews are supplemented by reviews and ratings from members of the public. CNET is a property of CBS Interactive. The web page for CNET's cellphone reviews can be found here.
PCWorld Magazine and PCWorld.com also offer a diversity of product reviews, specifications, ratings, forums, articles, and more. To acces PCWorld's phone reviews, click here.
Social Media websites like Technorati.com can also provide access to user reviews and opinion about smartphones. Technorati is a search engine that searches within blogs. Keep in mind that blogs are opinion pieces that anyone in the world can compose, technology expert and dilettante alike. Technorati's technology page is accessible here.
Research on Your Own
To search for the most recent articles on this topic, click ProQuest at the bottom right of the Library's home page and enter subject terms such as:
- Cellular telephones AND Smartphones
- Enter into ProQuest text box as SU(telephones) AND SU(smartphones)
- Cellular telephones AND Ratings & rankings
- Enter into ProQuest text box as SU(telephones) AND SU(Ratings & rankings)
Information Savvy!
Many websites, such as Wikipedia, can be great resources to quickly get oriented on a subject before conducting more in depth research. However, anyone in the world can create and maintain a website or write a seemingly legitimate article and may, intentionally or unintentionally, publish false or “misinformation.” When reviewing information on the Internet, you should always consider the ABC’s:
- Accuracy. Is the information accurate? Can you confirm the same information using other resources published by a different author or organization?
- Author. Who composed the information? Can you easily identify the author and contact the author or website publisher?
- Bias. What bias might the author or author organization have?
- Credibility. What is the author’s or author organization’s credentials for publishing the information? What expertise, experience, or education does the author have in this area that makes him or her qualified to write on the subject matter?
- Currency. When was the web page last updated? Is it possible the information might have changed since this web page was last published?
- Critical eye! Remember to always use your discretion and critical eye to determine whether information you find on the web (or even in books and news sources!) is trustworthy. Putting websites to the ABC test will get you started in developing a strong critical eye.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Blackberry For Dummies (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
How to Do Everything iPod®, iPhone® & iTunes® (Adobe eReader)
How to Do Everything with Your iPhone® (Adobe eReader)
Professional iPhone and iPod touch Programming Building Applications for Mobile Safari (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Digital Cameras & Photography
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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