Technology Information

Adopting the Android operating system has been one of the main reasons for HTC’s recent success, and has lead to successful smartphones like the Legend, Google’s Nexus One, and now the HTC Desire. Originally manufacturing smartphones for other companies to sell as their own, HTC’s own brand is becoming more and more popular. So what has their latest entry into the smartphone market got to offer consumers?

If you compare the Desire to Google’s Nexus One, you might struggle to notice any significant differences between them. The Nexus One has a slightly better build quality with its unibody construction, but the Desire looks and feels like a solid, high end touchscreen smartphone. With easily accessible touchscreen and traditional buttons, as well as an optical trackball that doesn’t dominate the phone, you start to realize that this smartphone has plans on being more than just the Nexus One’s little cousin.

The Desire is pretty impressive on the inside too. Underneath the 3.7 inch AMOLED screen there’s a fast Snapdragon processor to make dealing with all the different apps and functions a fast and painless experience. HTC have also increased the RAM to 512MB just to make sure there’s enough memory to match the processing power.

With a 5 megapixel camera that also has autofocus and an LED flash, the HTC Desire gives you everything you need to get great shots in just about all situations, especially with the wide 5:3 format making sure you get even more in. Video capture is high resolution, if not high definition, so recording moving pictures will give you results almost as good as your still images, and better than many of the other smartphones on the market.

Since abandoning Windows Mobile on most of its smartphones, HTC has forged ahead with Android, and the Desire demonstrates even further development with HTC’s Sense user interface. Overlaying the Android platform Sense works well and lets users easily and smoothly navigate around the phone. Recent additions to the Sense user interface have included the social network aggregator Friendstream, as well as the home screen manager Leap, and these only help to strengthen the case for the HTC Desire being a smartphone that people love to use.

With good looks, great technology and simple and enjoyable usability, there isn’t much you won’t like about the HTC Desire. A step up from the Legend, and more than a match for the Nexus One, the Desire can also take on any of the other smartphones in the market.

Find Out More : HTC Desire Deals

The Blackberry Bold is the new smartphone from RIM. It provides a host of new features that no other Blackberry phone has ever offered, making it the next evolution for this branch of smartphones. The 3G and HSDPA technology offered with the Bold is new to Blackberry, and it features a screen with a much higher resolution that you could find on Blackberries before. In addition, improved Microsoft Office support is now also provided. Business users really can not go wrong with the Blackberry Bold.

This Blackberry model rolls out Blackberry 4.6, the newest version of the Blackberry operating system. This model remains lightweight even though increasing the display area to approximately 480 x 320 has resulted in an increase in the overall size of the unit relative to other recent models. This new generous display area facilitates viewing mobile video and reading long emails. This is also the very first of RIM’s phones to support HSDPA high speed networks, GPS and Wi-Fi.

This Blackberry is very media-centric, allowing you to utilize your music and videos like never before. The 2 megapixel camera found with the Bold allows you to take very high resolution pictures you can then send to your friends or upload to Facebook. The media player even lets you look at all of your movies, TV shows and pictures in an easy to use format.

The Blackberry Bold supplies lush stereo sound through two built-in speakers and supports polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ring tones. Using high speed USB 2.0 provides for the fast transfer of music from a computer and the new Blackberry Media sync application facilitates synching iTunes music collections with the phone as well.

You can also keep in touch with your business with the help of the Blackberry Bold’s Documents To Go feature, allowing you to look at Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents in the same way that you would if you were staring straight at them from a computer screen. This way, you can keep an eye on the important documents and presentations that can make or break your office. However, while you can view these documents, it is impossible to edit them, so keep that in mind.

The LG Optimus is an attractive phone with a touch screen, vibrant 256 colors and a 3 inch TFT display. The phone’s exterior comes in a variety of colors including white, gray and pink, so you can feel free to personalize your phone with any color that suits your fancy. In addition to attractive styling, the phone is highly responsive and also incredible accurate with a good sized 600 MHz processor that allows you to swiftly navigate Optimus menus and programs without suffering a noticeable lag apparent on some devices.

The Android 1.6 operating system powers the LP Optimus, along with an S-class interface that has seen some improvements. With this phone, you can even get either the Android home screen or LG’s unique variant, as well as customizing your widgets and apps in order to get the interface you are most comfortable with - no longer will you have to search around constantly for your favorite widgets.

The Optimus boasts an onscreen keyboard that most find easy to use, as the keys are nicely spaced for fingers. As with other Android phones, the LG Optimus will provide a sufficient venue for browsing the Internet. However, most consumers will be concerned with the Optimus’ ability to deliver on its main purpose– as a phone. LG equipped the Optimus with an impressive battery that will allow over 400 minutes of talk time on a single charge– a key feature to anyone constantly on the go while needing to be connected. In addition, it will stay powered for around 500 hours in standby mode.

With the LG Optimus, you get an innovative 3 megapixel camera, which, while it is not the best camera you will find on a phone, is perfectly serviceable for what most people need. Besides, you are not opening an art gallery with your phone - simply taking a few snapshots which you can use to upload to your Facebook or Myspace accounts!

In the category of smartphones, the LG Optimus is an excellent entry level phone for users seeking versatility. Although the LG Optimus does not necessarily compare to something like the Apple phone, it is an attractive, functional device that offers a host of enjoyable features at an excellent price point. The LG Optimus retails for around $300, but the price will vary depending on the area you live and the service provider you choose. As with any purchase, you should shop around to find the best deal.

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Sony Ericsson was never a big leader in the phone industry until they came out with their Android series of phones. They managed to turn their fate around when they tapped into this technology and have since released an amazing array of phones which please users on all levels. The Xperia X8 is no different and has specifications and features you would expect from the makers of Android marvels, Sony Ericsson. It is bigger than its X10 Mini counterparts and smaller than the X10, so it is the perfect fit for anyone who could not decide between their last two releases.

The Xperia X8’s three inch TFT capacitive touch screen sports a 320 x 480 pixel resolution and illustrates up to 16 million colors. It rests in the hand nicely, weighing just 104 grams and measuring 54mm x 99mm x 15mm. Sony Ericsson’s Timescape UI is integrated with the Android 1.6 operating system to deliver a well designed, aesthetically pleasing interface that assimilates your various social networks into one location that the user can flip through in a time sequence. The X8 also has an integrated accelerometer that will automatically rotate the display depending on its orientation.

A powerful 600 MHz processor allows the Xperia X8 to easily handle a huge range of demanding applications. The phone’s internal memory of 128 MB can be increased effortlessly with the use of Micro SD memory cards. Cards up to 16MB are supported. As users have come to expect from Sony Ericsson Android phones, the Xperia X8 comes with a wide range of apps handily pre-installed, such as a YouTube video app, voice application Google Talk, Gmail, Google Maps and Facebook for Android.

The X8 gives the user a variety of connectivity options to help make sure the user is never without connectivity while on the go. The device can either use quad band or dual band HSDPA, WiFi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth with A2DP, EDGE, or Class 10 GPRS. A handy micro USB connector is also included on the device.

The camera on the Xperia X8 is not as magnificent as some that we have seen recently, but it is not bad. It features 3.2 megapixels, video taking and making capabilities, an FM stereo module, and it can be used as an MP3 player. It also features a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack so you can easily listen to all your favorite songs or games with ease. This makes the Xperia X8 another winner from Android pioneer, Sony Ericsson!

Learn More : Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 Deals

Nokia have tried to distance themselves from their older models with the new N8. The shape alone is enough to show you that. Instead of the classic slab look phone that 95% of phones have, they have gone for a more unique shape, and have made it available in many different colors. It is also the first Nokia phone to have the new Symbian^3 operating system and has a 12 megapixel camera.

Nokia’s target market for the N8 will not be let down by the impressive 3.5″ 360 x 640 pixel OLED touchscreen display. While higher end touchscreen phones sport an 800 pixel screen, they also sport a higher price tag, like the HTC Desire. For consumers searching for a mid-line touchscreen phone, they will certainly get bang for their buck.

With the 12 megapixel camera, you can find Carl Zeiss optics, a Xenon flash, and the ability to get 720p HD video recorded onto the phone. What’s more, the sensor on the N8 can beat many high end digital cameras, which is another fantastic feature - besides, the sensor and the optics far outweigh the megapixels when it comes to quality pictures.

The Nokia N8 has a range of multimedia playback options. In addition to the FM radio, it also comes equipped with an FM transmitter. Without the use of Bluetooth or wired cables, the transmitter allows the user to play their audio connection back via FM radio, where law permits its use. In addition the N8 supports MP3, WMA, AMR, and AAC audio formats, along with Flash, H.264, MPEG4, and Real video formats.

For on board memory the N8 has a great 16GB, which is more than adequate for the average user, however if you want to increase the size you can add a micoSD card of up to 32GB. This is ideal if you want to take advantage of the HD recording and make plenty of home movies, or perhaps you want to watch films when you are out on the go. The N8 is one of the few phones that supports 802.11n protocol. It also has WiFi and is 3.5G, supporting all major UMTS bands. You can get a maximum of 10.2 Mbps download speed and an upload speed of 2.0 Mbps on HSDPA.

Naturally, there is a lot more to the N8 than the hardware; the Symbian^3 OS is introduced with this particular model, and it features multi touch support, pinch to zoom, 3D graphics acceleration, home screens, and kinetic scrolling to make this phone more intuitive than anything you have experienced before.

Find Out More : Nokia N8 Deals

Motorola Milestone XT720 makes its debut in the market following the lackluster performance of the Milestone handset in the UK when compared to the passionate reception in the US for its twin product, the Droid. The unit currently entering the market is essentially Milestone 2 and the company has learned from the dissatisfaction voiced about the original device and addressed all of those issues. The Motorola XT720 has eliminated the keyboard, upgraded the Motoblur functionality, upgraded to an 8-megapixel camera and enhanced the device with a 720MHz processor.

Motorola has revamped the design of the device too, which now appears less like a phone and more like a digital camera. Reviews on the appearance of the new design are mixed. The design will definitely draw more attention from men than from women, as the appearance is noticeably more masculine. Like most Android smartphones, the menu, home, back, and search buttons can be found below the display. The back boasts the 8 megapixel camera, which can easily substitute for an inexpensive digital camera and is more impressive than most other camera phones.

The 3.7-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen offers a 480 X 854 resolution, and the built-in 512MB of memory can be expanded to up to 8GB with the addition of a microSD card. The performance is acceptable with an Android 2.1 operating system, and there are no noticeable operating hiccups to date. Both the Google Nexus One and the HTC Desire have a faster processor than the Motorola XT 720, but this devices weighs just 160 grams and Motorola’s efforts have resulted in a sold design with minimal lag.

The 1390 mAH battery can supply up to thirteen days of standby time and 4.5 hours of talk time. If you already own an Android though, you know that it uses a chunk of energy and demands a frequently charged battery. To help bridge this shortfall, Motorola has a Multimedia Station (purchased separately) for charging the device while at a desk setting. The XT720 has an FM radio, in addition to supporting a range of multimedia files, including MPEG4, MP3, AAC, WMA, AMR, and ACC. Users will also appreciate the 3.5mm audio output to hook up their favorite pair of headphones.

So, is the Motorola Milestone XT720 right for you? Only you can weigh the importance of the pros and cons. If you are on a restricted budget for your purchase, this is a great value for the price since it makes few compromises and is available at a significantly lower price for a handset. On the other hand, if money is available for the HTC Desire or the Google Nexus One, they are the better choice.

Learn More : Motorola Milestone XT720 Deals

Even though this device is named the Samsung Wave 2, it is important to know that it is not actually meant to be the successor of the Samsung Wave. Although the features on this design have been dialed back, the price has been reduced to match. The Samsung Wave 2 is designed with students and young consumers in mind. It is meant to provide a cost-effective alternative to more high end devices such as the iPhone and the HTC Desire, so more consumers can afford to have the features and benefits of a smartphone device.

The Samsung Wave 2 has many features that any smart person would love. Texting is a breeze with its slide out QWERTY keyboard. This is especially nice if you do not like the inconvenience and mistakes that often happen when you have a smaller QWERTY keyboard or a touch screen. Another nice feature is that even though the Samsung Wave 2 has a fully working QWERTY keyboard it does not add bulkiness to the phone at all.

The Wave 2’s memory can be expanded up to 16 GB through an available external slot, which makes using the smartphone device as an MP3 player a viable option - particularly when coupled with the 3.5mm audio jack that supports any third party headphone. Even though they cannot quite compete with Apple’s iPhone apps, Samsung delivers a high quality selection of applications through its Bada operating system. Whether looking for GPS-style applications, games, or a host of other functions, the Samsung App store will please most Wave 2 users.

Another nice feature of the Bada operating system is that you can totally access all of your favorite social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and Linkedin by taking full advantage of the QWERTY keyboard. And connecting to the internet to check your email is a easy too. The Samsung Wave 2 is a perfect accessory to have anytime, anywhere; especially if you use your phone as a primary source of connecting to all your favorite social networking sites.

With its host of features and capabilities, the Samsung Wave 2 offers an affordable option in the world of smartphones. With the digital camera, the Samsung App Store, social networking tools and access to a complete QWERTY keyboard, the Samsung Wave 2 provides everything you could ever need in a smartphone device to keep up with every aspect of your busy life. In addition, it is all provided at an affordable price well below the price point of more high-end smartphone models.

Learn More : Samsung Wave 2 Deals

Blackberry has long been a staple in the smartphone market. With its newest release the Blackberry Bold they have taken the best traits of its previous phones, added 3G capabilities amongst other things, and packaged it together nicely. While it is not the smallest or lightest phone on the market, weighing in at 136 grams and slightly larger than its predecessor (the Blackberry 8820), it makes up for it in design. The Bold comes with a glossy black and silver finish and adds a curved element to the phone’s body - an elegant touch that stands it apart from other smartphones.

The Bold is a boon for heavy email users or texters. The larger dimensions means you get a full, comfortable QWERTY keypad for quick and easy text entry. Used in conjunction with the trackball, and you have one of the best UI systems available. Blackberry also makes your life easier, with one of the most user-friendly displays of any smartphone. This includes user-selectable font sizes and a 65,000 color transmissive TFT LCD screen for easy reading. Best of all, Blackberry has dramatically increased the screen resolution of the Bold over previous models. The old 240 x 360 pixels has been replaced with a well-defined 480 x 360 pixels.

With the addition of a fun media player and effective camera, multimedia enthusiasts are sure to love the Blackberry Bold. The 2 megapixel camera is very effective, and while it will not replace a digital camera completely, it is still great for snapshots and the occasional video you wish to capture. You can even help pass the time with the innovative media player, which features the ability to play whatever music and video file you see fit to check out. You can sync the phone with the music on your computer, and listen to the music through the 3.5mm headphone jack.

There is also plenty of memory with the Bold. It comes with 1 full GB of built-in memory, a 128 MB of flash memory and the ability to expand this even further with the use of a microSD memory card. This means you will have plenty of room for not only your emails and text messages, but for working with data and documents as well. You can even store your information on the Bold for future use. The one downside to the Bold is the battery life, which is shorter than that of the 8820, largely due to the energy requirements for the screen and the 3G connection.

So, if you are in need of a fully functional smartphone / PDA that fully meets your communication needs, the Blackberry Bold is highly recommended. RIM delivered on overcoming all of its previous shortfalls to come up with a competitive mobile device that packs a high resolution screen, 3G capabilities, faster processing speeds, and ample memory.

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In order to get ahead in the world of Android smartphones, the HTC Desire has been created to see to the needs of even the most discerning consumer. After the success of the HTC Legend, the Nexus One from Google was taken as inspiration for the Desire, but they are not one and the same, as some people think. For example, HTC Sense, the user interface used on the Desire, is widely regarded to be a superior UI to the one used on the Nexus One. You can get as many as seven homescreens, packed with whatever applications and widgets you see fit.

You can use your finger to scroll across the screen to open additional elements available in an application. This provides great functionality to the user. The option is also available in the messaging interface as well as contact screens and music applications. The media player has also been greatly improved. New functionality includes switching between tracks in seconds with just a touch of your fingertip. The HTC Desire also features a screen that measures 3.7″ and allows for great movie playback.

With the HTC Desire, you can get about 576MB of RAM and 512 of ROM. The phone itself comes with an 8GB card, but you can replace it with a bigger one if you deem it necessary. The 5 megapixel camera is nothing to laugh at, either as it comes with LED flash and autofocus, making your phone pictures amazingly bright and clear. There is even the ability to store 800 x 400 resolution video on your phone as you record it.

The HTC Desire is equipped with a relatively small 512 MB of memory which does not provide a great deal of space, but the expandable memory slot allows for a total up to 16 GB with an optional micro SD card. The touchscreen measures at 3.7 inches and features WVGA resolution with rich, vivid colors and excellent details. The HTC Desire offers a default Sense UI which does a great job capitalizing on the display’s capabilities.

The measurements of the HTC Desire are 119 x 60 x 11.9mm, and it comes in a very sturdy case, designed in a way so as to make it creak and break resistant; also, you can prevent slipping with the soft touch back. The optical mouse and four hardware keys make it simple to navigate, allowing you to move around the features and widgets that make the HTC Desire one of the most sought after Android smartphones on the market.

Even though this device is named the Samsung Wave 2, it is important to know that it is not actually meant to be the successor of the Samsung Wave. Although the features on this design have been dialed back, the price has been reduced to match. The Samsung Wave 2 is designed with students and young consumers in mind. It is meant to provide a cost-effective alternative to more high end devices such as the iPhone and the HTC Desire, so more consumers can afford to have the features and benefits of a smartphone device.

The Samsung Wave 2 has many features that any smart person would love. Texting is a breeze with its slide out QWERTY keyboard. This is especially nice if you do not like the inconvenience and mistakes that often happen when you have a smaller QWERTY keyboard or a touch screen. Another nice feature is that even though the Samsung Wave 2 has a fully working QWERTY keyboard it does not add bulkiness to the phone at all.

The Wave 2’s memory can be expanded up to 16 GB through an available external slot, which makes using the smartphone device as an MP3 player a viable option - particularly when coupled with the 3.5mm audio jack that supports any third party headphone. Even though they cannot quite compete with Apple’s iPhone apps, Samsung delivers a high quality selection of applications through its Bada operating system. Whether looking for GPS-style applications, games, or a host of other functions, the Samsung App store will please most Wave 2 users.

Another nice feature of the Bada operating system is that you can totally access all of your favorite social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and Linkedin by taking full advantage of the QWERTY keyboard. And connecting to the internet to check your email is a easy too. The Samsung Wave 2 is a perfect accessory to have anytime, anywhere; especially if you use your phone as a primary source of connecting to all your favorite social networking sites.

With its host of features and capabilities, the Samsung Wave 2 offers an affordable option in the world of smartphones. With the digital camera, the Samsung App Store, social networking tools and access to a complete QWERTY keyboard, the Samsung Wave 2 provides everything you could ever need in a smartphone device to keep up with every aspect of your busy life. In addition, it is all provided at an affordable price well below the price point of more high-end smartphone models.

Learn More : Samsung Wave 2 Deals