Comments on: Are smartphones computers?

By: Lestan

Lestan — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:19:39 +0000

Smartphones are definitely miniature computers. We are quickly approaching the day where cell phones and laptops will be obsolete and we will carry around computers that have a "phone" feature. :)

By: PacoBell

PacoBell — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:49:27 +0000

“Intended purpose”? As a mind of the hacker persuasion, I laugh at your intended purpose! >=D (he said as Opera Mobile once again flashes the “Out of memory” error message)

By: VitaminCM

VitaminCM — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:01:43 +0000

Yes, just not very capable ones.

By: JC

JC — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:54:20 +0000

Technically speaking, your HP48SX programmable calculator was a computer. That ends up not being avery interesting definition of computer because practically everything that’s the least bit programmable is then a computer.

I think “computer” brings with it the connotation of general purpose. i.e., they aren’t intended for any specific application. They do whatever it is you want them to do. In that case, the answer is probably “not yet.” e.g., you may not be editing videos, composing soundtracks and mastering DVDs on your smartphone right now. In a few years, maybe you’ll be able to. However, by then, we probably won’t call them smartphones.

By: Sumocat

Sumocat — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:36:01 +0000

“do you believe the statement that Nokia is the biggest computer maker in 2008?” — It’s correct based on the standard of measurement. The question is whether that standard is accurate.

Smartphones meet the technical definition of computers, so the point of contention is whether they fall within the realm of appliances. While all computerized appliances can be hacked beyond their original purpose, whether a computer is an appliance is determined by whether it is intended to be extended beyond its original design.

For example, while game consoles are powerful computers, they are considered appliances because their intent is specific to gaming and home entertainment. While that covers a broad range, their purpose is specified.

Smartphones are a bit trickier because they are designed with purposes in mind (communications, PIM, and usually entertainment), but are also designed to perform other duties via software applications. One could argue they are multi-function appliances and being a computer is one of those functions. But it could also be argued that because they are designed to function as computers, then they are computers. I see no logical fault with either interpretation, but I lean toward the latter.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:28:16 +0000

I wasn’t implying the work scenario as the only standard of definition. But, and this is big, do you believe the statement that Nokia is the biggest computer maker in 2008?

By: Sumocat

Sumocat — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:17:29 +0000

“We think of computers as those systems that let us do our work, all of our work, whether in the office or on the run.” — By that logic, if my job only entailed talking on the phone and transmitting photos with GPS info over the Internet, then a smartphone would be a computer. But if I quit that job and worked on spreadsheets all day, then my smartphone would cease to be a computer. And if I went back to my old job, then my smartphone would once again be a computer, but the desktop I used for spreadsheets, which cannot satisfy my work needs, would cease to be a computer. Think there might be a slight flaw with tying the definition of “computer” with one’s work needs.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:15:07 +0000

“wouldn’t want to do all my work on one.”

Since when did something this subjective become the defacto standard? I can do a lot on my netbook but I would not want to write a novel on it. I COULD but I would not WANT to. I could also write a novel on an iPod Touch but I would not WANT to do that either.

Not a good standard James.

(written from my pocket computer…. I mean iPhone). :)

By: AndyT

AndyT — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:51:07 +0000

I think smartphones are computers but they really aren’t that smart. Once they become self-aware that will be one very smart phone.

By: AndyT

AndyT — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:46:59 +0000

I thought the term “computers” referred to the HUMANS that worked on the world’s first computer for the Pentagon (ENIAC). I don’t know how it got turned around to refer to the machines instead.