5 years back I been thinking I just need a simple mobile hand set to make calls and to send SMS Messages. But Accidentally I got the chance to use a Nokia E71 Smart phone, I was amazed with the rich features of it. It could send/receive email, connect to a Wi-Fi network and the software like PDF reader and Pocket MS Office.

And I bought my HTC Kaiser for about 16, 000 rupees in Sri Lanka used one, the same price like a Chinese phone. The Good news is I have a laptop computer in my pocket, I have a GPS, Wi-FI, 3G connectivity and a large touch screen and the most important thing is I can write my own software for it by using Visual Studio 2005 (If you guys hates Microsoft you may moved for open source Dev tools like Python)

I recommend a smart phone for a student, because

1. As Kalana mentioned the fully support of PDF reader Word and Excel editing. I used to download some of my lecture notes and assignments, while I traveling in the bus and some times I have completed the entire note.

2. You can experiment with it. you can learn something new from what you already know. for example you can basically write a small application for your mobile phone by using visual basic, say, ummm.., just an index to save the characteristics of the timber species in Sri Lanka

3. You can access the internet. I use Mobitel pre paid connection and I can get 200MB data bundle for only 90 bucks. and that will enough for me to surf for 1 week, while accessing the remote desktop, VoIP telephony, Email checking, chatting and Face book form my mobile phone. May be you can go to the you tube and do a small study of the tape worm.

4. Google Maps. I been using Google maps with my old SE W300i but the location was always miles away from the actual spot. But with my smart phone it will use the True GPS and not using the GSM BSS information. So when I go for an interview or a seminar or wherever I don’t know, i can easily find where I am and can locate the spot where I should be.

5. Remote connectivity. I can connect to my Windows Server 2003 from my mobile phone with the Remote Desktop and look into my web sites and other services when I’m on vacation
If you a Linux fan, dnt worry, you have VNC and also a SSH client.

So guys cheer up. I think its worth buying a used smart phone and chinese phone can gives you only a tv and a radio tuner most of them doesn’t support for even Java.

Happy Surfing
Anuradha Fernando