Blackberry 9500 Storm High End Technology - Blackberry Storm Phone

The most anticipated mobile phone release from RIM Blackberry has finally come to fruition, the latest Blackberry Storm has now been officially launched as a network exclusive by Vodafone in the UK.

After months of speculation, revised release dates and general blog and forum post rumours this high specification device can now be connected to the full range of Vodafone pay monthly tariffs, but is a network exclusive launch good for the consumer?

Basically, the exclusive deal signed between the manufacturer and the network dictates that the Blackberry Storm can only be sold by the network on one of their many contract packages, the handset will not be available on any other UK network operators so there is no way of comparing prices or for that matter any competition - the Blackberry Storm has been developed solely for Vodafone.

This has obvious implications for consumers as there is no way of knowing whether the networks deals are of value, basically the network can set their own prices as the handset can not be purchased anywhere else, the Storm will be available from select retailers but again Vodafone have the say on pricing so as not to sell themselves short.

This may not be the end of it though and there may be some good news on the horizon, in the past network exclusive mobile phones have popped up as SIM free handsets from independent retailers, if these retailers can secure stocks of the Blackberry Storm there is a chance that they will offer the handset with no network subsidy or contract ties - this will initially work out far more expensive than buying the phone on contract however there are no extra ongoing line rental charges and the user can insert their existing SIM card to retain their current mobile number, account details and any saved contacts.

The Blackberry Storm could be a real candidate for the iPhone killer, in reaction to the release of the iPhone the standard of touchscreen mobile phones has reached new heights recently with the release of the Samsung Omnia, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 and the LG Renoir and the Blackberry Storm is no exception.

Incorporating an amazing animated touchscreen similar to that of the HTC Touch Diamond, the Blackberry Storm is one of this years big product launches and has already created a buzz in an extremely competitive market, laying testament to the impact this handset is set to make. The Storm also offers a 3.2 megapixel camera, WiFi technology, built in GPS, Blackberry maps, HSDPA and Blackberry operating system.

This is not the first time RIM have made a BlackBerry which seems to appeal to everyone, but it is perhaps the first time they have packaged one inside such a stylish handset! Style is everything in consumer world and phones don’t come much better looking than when they are almost devoid of ugly buttons. It’s not just a pretty face either, as the Storm does everything the casual user demands.

This is both a business tool as well as a pleasure gadget, integrated access to emails for on the move professinals runs alongside an enhanced music player, WiFi connectivity for using theinternet on the go coupled with a high specification camera lens with video support for viewing You Tuibe videos.

For social networking addicts there is the ability to update and connect with friends during the day for those that do not always have access to a computer. Direct access to accounts means it’s easy to change status or add a blog post all from the mobile phone, wherever and whenever.

In conclusion the Blackberry Storm represents the best in technology, design and features that RIM has to offer, as its flagship device the Storm will attract custom from a wide range of consumers including teens looking fro a new cool phone through to businessmen and women seeking that all inclusive communications device.

Blackberry Pearl Flip also known as Blackberry 8220 Flip Phone

Blackberry smartphones have followed a very set design over the years, the Curve editions are always slightly wider in girth but slim whereas the Pearl range is the closest a Blackberry phone comes to looking like a regular mobile device.

However, the manufacturer has tried a new design, new for them but not for the overall mobile phones market, clamshell phones have been around for over 15 years dating back to the first ever flip phone the Motorola Star Tac - if you are old enough you will remember that it was considered a major breakthrough in mobile technology.

Over the past few years the main four UK mobile phone manufacturers have all released at least one flip phone, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and most fanously Motorola who always seem to have a clamshell on the market so why has it taken Blackberry so long to produce one of these? More importantly, have they made a good job of it?

The new 8220 is actually a part of the Pearl range of Blackberry phones and when you see a picture you will realise why, the handset offers the same characturistic slim but deep build of the other Pearl models especially when fully opened.

The Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220, otherwise known as the Blackberry Kickstart 8220, is in short Blackberry’s first flip phone that offers all the added advantages of being a Blackberry smartphone but with the benefits of being a clamshell. This phone has caused quite a stir of late, with its reinvented design, RIM have pushed the boundaries that much further with what looks to be a very successful result.

The Blackberry Flip smartphone comes with the Blackberry OS v4.6.1 and has opted for a bigger 2.6 inch internal screen as well as an external LCD display. Although there’s no GPS radio the Pearl 8220 is still a Quad Band GSM device with GPRS support and EDGE technology plus WiFi connectivity.

The Blackberry 8220 Flip mobile phone weighs a little over 100g and features a new and improved HTML web browser that is not only capable of viewing desktop website versions but mobile versions as well. As with the majority of Blackberry devices the Pearl 8220 is just as capable as a messaging device as any other and with the presence of SureType just as easy. Supporting the likes of email and instant messaging with Yahoo! and Google Talk, the Blackberry 8220 Pearl shines brightly under scrutiny.

Sporting a 2MP autofocus camera with video capture for want to be photographers, the Blackberry Flip has something for everyone and music lovers will be pleased with the inclusion of a full media player with multiple audio support and 3.5mm audio headset jack. A stereo headset is included in the package.

This new clamshell device has initially been made available on O2 pay monthly contract deals in the UK, however the phone is set to enjoy further launches on competing network operators over the coming days, in conclusion the Blackberry 8220 Flip offers the same great features as the latest Pearl edition phones but with the added benefits of the keypad being hidden beneath the flip whilst not in use.

Whether this draws a new client base for RIM remains to be seen but clamshell mobile phones do have their enthusiasts who swear by nothing else, should they be considering a business enabled phone with a pleasurable side for those dull moments then the Blackberry Pearl 8220 ticks the boxes.

HTC Touch HD is Next Generation HTC Touch Mobile Phone

The highest specification model to come from the Touch range of HTC phones has now been launched in the UK, the HTC Touch HD is the latest in a long line of smartphones to be released of late following on directly from the groundbraking Diamond edition.

This latest version takes mobile technology a step further and adds a large viewing screen and 5.0 megapixel camera lens into the mix for good measure, the HTC Touch HD is soon to be joined by a 3G edition aptly enough called the Touch 3G.

The HTC Touch HD sets a precedent in terms of screen size and quality as it comes with a huge 3.8 inch, WVGA Touchscreen that could boast as being the best on the market, (certainly larger and better than the 3.5 inches of the iPhone 3G). Browsing is taken to a new level with the Touch HD's 800 pixel widescreen that can handle most web pages without having to scale them down, there are only two other mobile phones that are able to achieve this - the Nokia E90 which has been around fro a while now and the new Sony Ericsson Xperia X1.

With such highly advanced technological devices camera specification is often compromised, not so with the HTC Touch HD. Incorporating a fantastic 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and secondary VGA video camera for video calling the HTC Touch HD is streets ahead in this particular department when compared to other Windows based mobile handsets.

The HTC Touch HD also offers GPS navigation which when coupled with the large screen makes a perfect alternative to a TOM TOM or other standalone system, a simple in-car holder will make things far easier when crawling the roads between meetings.

Other notable features include WiFi connectivity, Pocket Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, PDF viewer and OneNote), EDGE, HSDPA and GPS Receiver. Supported by Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional the Windows experience is made all the more easier through the HTC's TouchFlo 3D finger swipe navigation, all of which ensures that the HTC Touch HD will no doubt provide the iPhone with some stiff competition.

Add ot this a zippy 528MHz Qualcomm 7201A processor, microSD/SDHC expansion slot, large 1350mAH battery and iPhone comparable dimensions of just 115 x 62.8 x 12mm and we could be looking at a real alternative?

HTC have even considered users who love their music by incorporating a standard 3.5mm jack for alternative headphones, plus the HTC Touich HD has a built-in FM Radio fro when the music collection is just not enough.

Multimedia format support includes various AAC, AMR, MP3 and Windows Media formats, plus widescreen video for the ultimate entertainment experience and there is a substantial 512mb of internal memory which can expanded using SDHC or MicroSD cards for storing those all important music, video and shared files.

In conclusion the HTC Touch HD is an extrememly impressive mobile phone only lacking a QWERTY keypad but with touchscreen technology and handwriting recognition for text input this should not be a problem.

Although initially released on Orange pay monthly contract deals the HTC Touch HD is expected to be launched on further UK networks over the coming days as well as a confirmed SIM Free release later in the month.

LG Renoir Adds to 8 Megapixel Camera Range - LG KC910 Renoir

LG's highest specification camera phone to date has now been released on a second UK network operator, after an initial launch on Orange consumers can now conenct the new LG Renoir to a range of O2 pay monthly tariffs which almost doubles the number of packages available for this 8 megapixel camera phone.

The LG KC910 Renoir is seen as the automatic upgrade to the extremely popular KU990 Viewty model which is still being sold in the UK, it incoirporates much of the technology of the original model with a large touchscreen and advanced camera functions but the most significant difference is the upgraded camera lens which now offers a whopping 8 megapixels.

This new LG phone not only gives its rivals some serious competition but also threatens stand alone digital cameras, why take two devices with you when leaving the home when the LG Renoir covers both functions?

Add to this the latest version of LG's music player and you could negate the need of a third device in the form og a stand alone MP3 player, before you know it the new LG KC910 Renoir has got the majority of your gadgets functions covered and you leave your home far lighter than before.

The LG Renoir does face some competition directly from the mobile phones market in the form of devices from rival manufacturers, the Sony Ericsson C905 and the Samsung Pixon both offer a similar 8 megapixel camera lens but both models offer a difefrent design.

The most striking difference between the C905 and the Renoir is the sliding design of the Cybershot phone, not always to consumers taste the Sony C905 opts for a slide out keypad as opposed to the large touchscreen of the Renoir.

The LG Renoir is a real multimedia powerhouse, packed with a whole load of extras. Equipped with an 8 megapixel auto focus camera, Xenon flash, Schneider-Kreuznach lens, ISO up to 1600 and VGA video capture at 30fps and in QVGA at up to 120fps for slow motion, this is one of the best camera handsets on the market.

The LG KC910 is the first feature phone from the manufacturer to offer Wi Fi connectivity, in addition it extends the functionality of the Viewty with built-in GPS - photos can be geo-tagged with the coordinates of the place of capture so users can tag a photo to the location they took it and then share with friends.

The KC910 is a quad-band GSM with support for HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, has Bluetooth 2.0 and USB. The extras of the KC910 include microSD card slot for up to 8GB of extended memory, Wi-Fi, 3-inch WQVGA 240x400 touch display and TV-out for displaying images or videos on a larger screen TV or projector and Xvid and DivX video playback.

The KC910 combines polyphonic ringtones with MP3 technology, this can produce a high quality ringtone that allows for truly hi-fi quality speech or music as your tone beore using the 50 MB internal phone memory for storage of pictures and these ringtones.

Although initially launched on both Orange and O2 networks in the UK there are further releases planned by the other UK networks over the coming weeks, the LG Renoir is also expected to be offered as a Pay As You Go mobile phone as well as a SIM free handset with no network ties.

The two latter payment options will be great news for consumers as we run into the festive period, the LG KC910 Renoir will be able to be purchased as a gift as both a Pay As You Go or SIm free handset as there is no need to register the device at point of purchase.

Sony Ericsson C905 is Latest Cybershot Phone - Sony C905

Is there a masterplan? Are mobile phone manufacturers trying to tempt consumers to leave their many and differing gadgets at home?

This certainly seems to be the case with one manufacturer, Sony Ericsson have just released their highest specification camera phone to date, offering a whopping 8.1 megapixel camera lens the new C905 Cybershot phone is sure to impress.

The C905 is a groundbreaking Cybershot and a first for the Swedish company, making it a genuine alternative to a compact digital camera.

Could it be time to search out the mobile phone that offers all of our gadget needs in one place rather than humping a shed load of devices around with us? The high quality of the C905's photos means that we can definitely leave that standalone digital camera at home but what about our entertainment and communication needs?

Well, the Sony Ericsson C905 also offers a built-in MP3 player with a large memory that is also expandable with the use of a Sony Ericsson Memory Stick, so yes, we could also leave the iPod or other MP3 player on charge. The media player comes with an FM Radio, TrackID, Album Art and Play Now, to make the music experience much smoother.

When it comes to communications and entertainment the Sony C905 is ready to please, the obvious high quality of the manufacturers crystal clear talk technology means that conversation is a real pleasure whilst onboard gaming will help any games addict while away the hours on long train trips and the like. For the internet user the C905 has an Access NetFront Web Browser, WAP 1.2.1, WAP 2.0 XHTML and Web Feeds, so you will never be without the internet keeping the user fully communicated at all times.

Getting back to the main selling point of this beautifully designed phone, the camera has some great features including a Xenon flash, auto focus, face detection and image stabiliser to name just a few. Users can make videos of their friends and family with the video recording feature and the phone even has a video stabiliser and a video light. To show the world what has been going on users can upload pictures and video quickly and easily to their blog for the world to see.

There are only two other devices capable of taking high quality pictures via an 8 megapixel camer alens, these are the LG Renoir and Samsung Pixon, the C905 Cybershot may have stiff competition from these two rival handsets but could win over consumers with its huge feature range and slightly better camera resolution.

The Sony C905 has a real sense of durability and sturdiness, finished in a brushed metal finish giving it a sophisticated & expensive feel. This groundbreaking handset is one of the releases of the year and the most advanced camera phone to date.

The Sony Ericsson C905 Cybershot is a sleek looking mobile phone that comes in a variety of colours; Ice Silver, Night Black and Copper Gold (also known as Inca Gold). A contemporary mobile phone with all the features needed and more.

Samsung Pixon is Latest 8 Megapixel Phone - Samsung M8800 Pixon

The mobile phones manufacturer Samsung has now joined the likes of Sony Ericsson and LG by launching the new Samsung Pixon 8 megapixel mobile phone in the UK.

This new high specification camera phone joins the already released Sony Ericsson C905 and LG Renoir in offering the very height of mobile phone camera lenses available on the UK mobile phones market.

This is a giant leap forward in mobile technology as up until these latest product launches the highest specification camera lens in a mobile phone in the UK was just 5 megapixels, this new breed of camera focussed phones will have even the professional photographer wondering why they are taking more than one device with them when leaving the house.

The M8800, referred to as the Samsung Pixon in some circles and the Samsung Bresson in others, is a remarkable piece of mobile technology. Not only does it offer an 8MP autofocus camera but it’s also a very sleek piece of kit. A 3.5G device, the Samsung M8800 Pixon is just 13.8mm thick and set to rival the likes of the LG Renoir and Sony C905 Cyber-shot phone.

The camera has been boosted with not just autofocus functionality but camera geotagging, auto panoramic shots, face detection (as well as smile and blink detection, what next?) and advanced shake reducution. There’s a secondary videocall camera, which lets face it was practically a dead cert and the video player support DivX and XviD playback. And when it comes to reviewing saved photo’s all you have to do is tilt the phone to go to the next picture.

A widely supportive music player, you also get the full benefits of a Surround Sound System and 200MB internal memory with additional optional expansion up to 8GB. The 3.2 inch touchscreen comes with a built-in accelerometer and the Samsung Pixon offers global roaming with quad band GSM support and tri band 3G with HSDPA, although no WiFi capability which is a real shame.

Other points to feature are that the Samsung Pixon comes with integrated GPS and AGPS functionality, FM radio with RDS and TV Output. Talktime is about 3.5 hours but on standby you should manage a substantial 290 hours. With the recent successes of the Samsung Tocco and Samsung i8510, it looks like its going to be a very good year for Samsung.

Although initially released on the O2 UK network it is expected that the Samsung Pixon will be launched on further operators in the very near future as well as on Pay As You Go and as a SIM free mobile phone.

The Samsung Pixon represents the very latest in mobile technology that the manufacturer has to offer, as more and more high specification features are bundled into their latest handsets it makes you wonder just how long it will be before consumers start to forget about standalone products such as digital cameras and MP3 players.