Types of mobile devices
A mobile device is a small computer you can carry. There are three main kinds. A smartphone fits in a pocket and is also a phone. A tablet is flat and larger, so it is easier to read and draw on. An e-reader looks like a tablet but is made mainly for reading digital books. All three are handheld and portable. Most can join the internet. Many have a camera, speakers and a screen that works by touch. You can hold them upright (portrait), sideways (landscape) or lay them flat, and the picture turns to fit. Because they are small, they are good for quick jobs, but a small screen is harder for long reading or for big graphs. Think of a mobile device as a pocket toolbox. It is useful, but you have to choose the right tool for the job.
| Device | Size | Best for | Not so good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| smartphone | fits in a pocket | calls, messages, quick photos | long reading |
| tablet | flat, about a book’s size | drawing, videos, reading | fitting in a pocket |
| e-reader | flat, like a small tablet | reading digital books | many other jobs |
Mobile hunt. With a grown-up, list the mobile devices in your home (do not take them apart). For each, write its kind and one job it does well. Draw a table with three columns: device, kind, best job. Which device is used most? Why?