Fax apps allow smartphones to simulate fax functionality, including sending and receiving faxes, filling in data fields, and signing documents. They may connect to paid Internet fax services or rely on cellular infrastructure. Fax technology has been important for business communication since the 1970s, but smartphones lack some features of traditional fax machines. Fax apps can receive and view faxes over an Internet connection and some can create and send new documents using a smartphone camera.
Fax apps are downloadable applications designed to allow smartphones to simulate a certain level of fax functionality. Some of these apps can send and receive faxes, while others are only able to view them. Another option that is sometimes present in a fax app is the ability to fill in certain data fields with the smartphone keyboard, or even sign documents. It’s also sometimes possible to use a smartphone’s camera to take a photo of a document and then send that file as a fax. In some cases, a fax app may simply provide a connection to a paid Internet fax service, while others rely solely on cellular infrastructure.
Fax technology, or fax machines, has been an important aspect of business communications since the 1970s. Traditionally, this technology involves connecting a fax machine to a telephone line and using it to call another telephone line that is also connected to a fax machine. The fax machine initiating the call can then scan and transmit a document via the telephone connection, after which the receiving machine will reproduce it. It can be used to transmit all different types of documents, but is particularly useful for obtaining signatures remotely.
Smartphones are capable of voice and email communications, but they typically lack some of the more important features offered by fax machines. Since many professionals rely on these devices for business communication, the fax app is a way to add that missing functionality. Different fax apps have a variety of feature sets, although the ability to receive and view faxes, usually over an Internet connection, is the only common feature. Some of these apps require a subscription to an Internet-based fax service, though that’s not always the case.
In addition to receiving and viewing fax documents, it is also sometimes possible for a fax app to create and send new documents. Some apps require the user to email documents to a service so they can be reformatted for faxing, while others are capable of sending any file as a fax. Another way some fax apps work is by using the built-in camera found in most smartphones. This type of fax app allows the user to take a photo of any document and send it as a fax. Some of these apps also allow the user to sign their name in fax documents, as this has traditionally been such an important use of fax technology.
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