One of the biggest challenges to mobile UX, and indeed any venture involving mobile, is the sheer number of different device categories and models available – one estimate puts the number of mobile phone handset models at over 6300, running over 20 distinct operating systems (CEM4Mobile, 2011).
Broadly speaking, there are five main categories that mobile devices can fall into.
• Dumb or basic phones offer no Internet access, just basic call and SMS functionality.
• Feature phones are rudimentary mobile phones that can perform basic communication functions, and possibly connect to the web, but have limited functionality.
• Smartphones are powerful mini-computers that have full web access, larger screens, and a wide range of functionality.
• Tablets are larger versions of smartphones, usually including touchscreens, and are able to perform a wide range of connectivity, lifestyle and work functions.
• Other mobile devices – such as ebook readers, netbooks, portable game consoles and other media devices such as iPods – can have a range of features and varying ability to connect to the web.
