Mobiado 105GMT White - made of sapphire, tells time

Tags: Mobiado

Canadian phone manufacturer Mobiado announced a new addition to their We-wonder-if-anyone-actually-buys-those line - the Mobiado 105GMT White. Part of the Luxury Watchphone series it offers exquisite looks and materials normally used only in jewelry. Quite naturally the price tag reflects that too, bringing a distinct air of exclusivity to the devices.

The nickel-plated brass frame of the Mobiado 105GMT White is held together by titanium screws and is covered by whole sapphire crystals.

Mobiado Watchphones are rather unique with the two automatic mechanical Swiss watches built right into the handsets themselves. The numbers on the watch face are made of diamonds (what else?) and the whole thing is supported by a shock absorbing system. They even give the ability to see three time zones simultaneously - now that must be quite some technology, right? Oh, wait – it’s not – 100-dollar phones have been capable of that for ages.

The Mobiado 105GMT White is surprisingly thin at 10.6 mm at its slimmest part but it does weigh the respectable 240 grams, which is hardly surprising given the materials used. The specs are crippled as the tradition for a luxury phones goes.

The 105GMT White runs on S40 5th release (you can bet there's Nokia involvement here) and sports quad-band GSM and a dual-band 3G. The other features include a 2” QVGA screen capable of showing up to 16 million colors, 1 GB of internal memory and a 2-megapixel camera. Bluetooth and charging via microUSB is something else customers might enjoy with the Mobiado 105GMT.

Only 50 of these will be made so you won't have to worry about bumping into someone else with such a phone. The price has not been announced but if you have to ask for it, you probably cannot afford it anyway.

Grand 8 megapixel shootout: The latest and greatest

Tags: Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, Symbian S60, Touch UI, Shootout

We bet you saw that coming. The shootout sequel is up the 8 megapixel notch. Starring Sony Ericsson C905, Samsung i8510 INNOV8, Samsung M8800 Pixon and LG KC910 Renoir, this dedicated article takes phone'n'shoot closer than ever before to point'n'shoot.

In the world of GSM phones there are hardly any handsets to pack more punch than our contenders here. The sophisticated imaging devices deliver on all fronts of multimedia, leaving little (if anything) to wish for. So, careful what you wish? Only if what you wish is a digicam.

The latest and greatest cameraphones are head-to-head and pure camera performance is the weapon of choice. There's plenty of ammo so we're in for one exciting shooting challenge.

Sony Ericsson C905 • Samsung i8510 INNOV8 • Samsung M8800 Pixon • LG KC910 Renoir

While we roll up our sleeves, just a few quick points so you can read our test right and hopefully… enjoy it.

Let's start with what shootouts are all about. There are several important factors to camera image quality and we structure our articles accordingly. Breaking down the image quality we look for resolved detail, dynamic range, color accuracy, internal image processing and lens quality.

But there's more to a camera than image quality. It's really important how the camera software handles exposure, auto focus, low light scenes, and close-ups.

Some extra goodies also get tested in our shootout such as the value-adding features (geotagging, smile detection, etc), flash performance and sheer shot-to-shot speed.

The stars of the show

And since we do more with a cameraphone than just take pictures, we also compare the video recording skills and image galleries of our contenders.

And finally, we should also note that our tests are conducted with all camera settings on auto (unless stated otherwise) with the highest available resolution and quality. We think it's how most users shoot with their phones.

That's about it! As you see there's a lot of ground to cover, so let's jump right in.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 review: A new experience

Tags: Sony Ericsson, Windows Mobile, Touch UI

There's a lot to fall for in Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1. Possibly the hottest looker of a PocketPC is also heavy on skill. Heavy enough to not just scratch out a living as a one-hit-wonder but aim for the WinMo top.

The extra solid metal looks, gorgeous screen and the right pinch of novelty called XPERIA panels look to us as good enough reasons for the X1 to be hyped and romanticized. By the way, romance or not, Sony Ericsson and HTC have hit their perfect shape with that one.

The XPERIA X1 is surely the most eagerly anticipated device in the world of Windows Mobile. Getting our review out was surely quite a wait too, we know. Better late than ever, as some folks say. We'll still have our say 'cause for the XPERIA it's a load of high expectations to live up to.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 official photos

Key features:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support plus HSDPA 7.2Mbps
• 3-inch 65K-color WVGA touchscreen
• Qualcomm MSM7200 528 Mhz CPU and 256 MB DDR SDRAM
• 3.15 MP auto focus camera with VGA video recording
• Four-row full QWERTY slide-out keyboard
• Wi-Fi and built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS
• X-Panels interface
• Optical trackpad
• Exquisite and solid metallic body
• Standard miniUSB port and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
• microSD memory expansion
• FM radio with RDS
• 3.5mm standard audio jack
• MS Office Mobile document editor
• Opera 9.5 web browser
• Excellent video playback performance
• Superb audio quality

Main disadvantages:

• Body is a bit on the bulky side
• User interface is hardly thumb-optimized
• Mediocre camera performance
• No built-in accelerometer
• Poor display sunlight legibility
• Records low quality VGA@30fps video in 3GP format
• No TV-out port
• No full Flash support for the browser (hence no full-featured YouTube)

The XPERIA X1 is one of the best-equipped Windows Mobile devices to ever set foot on the market. But hey, is it not the most elaborate and charismatic PocketPC too? As to skills, the high-res 3" screen and the full QWERTY keyboard seem the most important parts of its magnificent ammo though its processing power is not to be neglected either.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 in our office

Many devices find their identity in standing up to a rival. The XPERIA though is fatefully bound to always have one foot on alien ground. The haunting name for the X1 is HTC - manufacturer and main competitor.

As you probably guessed by yourselves the main alternative to the XPERIA X1 is HTC Touch Pro. It has a smaller screen than the XPERIA X1 and features a slightly lower resolution. In addition it is heavier and, if we were to be asked, not nearly as hot as the XPERIA.

However, the QWERTY keyboard of the Touch Pro is well ahead of what the X1 has to offer. The Touch Pro accelerometer and active magnetic stylus are small but nice touches that add to its allure. There are other advantages too, but we'll try to list them in the dedicated chapter of this review.

HTC Touch Pro

Furthermore, the Touch Pro had a nice two-month advantage since it hit the shelves back in August and this could be quite decisive for the sales. After all two months is quite a long time in the world of mobile phones, isn't it?

Let's not waste any more time now and get rolling with the actual review of Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1. Unboxing is this little jump ahead.

Two touchscreen Nokia phones leaked by Nokia, look promising

Tags: Nokia, Symbian S60, Touch UI, Rumors

Two new hot-looking Nokia touchscreen phones saw daylight for the first time today. Both unannounced devices make a brief appearance in a video featuring the Nokia N97 designer. Judging by their looks they are both part of the quickly growing portfolio of touch-operated handsets by the Finnish manufacturer.

Having a look at this smarphone roadmap that leaked last year we guess one of the devices is Ivalo, successor to the Nokia N97.

Ivalo is supposed to pack a 3.5" wide touchscreen, 32GB ROM, AGPS, FM transmitter and receiver, 5MP camera, WiFi, TV-out and Bluetooth.

The second handset in question is most probably the Madeleine, a mid-range QWERTY-enabled touch handset with Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity, a 3.2 megapixel camera, N-Gage support with dedicated gaming keys and FM radio.

As you can see, Madeline here has the same design as the N97 with the sliding QWERTY keyboard and tilting screen but this time (much to the awe of left-handed people) the D-pad is moved to the right.

As you might have guessed, there is absolutely no official info on these two yet. We do hope however that with the MWC 2009 starting in less than a week, the curtain will lift on them as well.

And just in case you might want to check out the video by yourselves, here it goes:

LG KF900 Prada review: Messenger wears Prada

Tags: LG, Touch UI

For the original LG Prada the best way to travel in style was to travel light. But this time around it's carrying a full QWERTY suitcase packed with goodies. Top of the line functionality and an updated interface sound just the right kind of luggage to us. But good enough won't do if it's not glam enough. The new LG KF900 Prada may seem like the missing link between the techie high end and exclusive fashionware. But will HSDPA, Wi-Fi, QWERTY and DivX ring the right bell with the target audience?

Last week we saw Samsung ride on the Emporio Armani youth appeal and now we're back by the catwalk with the more moderate, perhaps even conservative, but nonetheless attractive, new Prada phone by LG.

Official photos of LG KF900 Prada

And we've got loads to cover. Are the changed form factor and the QWERTY keyboard likely to backfire, and will performance ever be make or break for the fashion savvy? Rarely has a designer package promised so much action, so let's roll.

Key features:

• 3-inch 262K-color capacitive touchscreen display of WQVGA resolution
• Comfortable QWERTY keyboard
• 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash
• D1 (720x480) resolution video recording at 30fps
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• Dual band 3G with HSDPA support
• Wi-Fi
• Responsive Flash-based interface with multi-touch support
• Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP and USB v2.0
• Stylish and generous retail package
• microSD memory card slot (verified to work with 16GB cards)
• FM radio with RDS
• Accelerometer sensor for screen auto rotate
• TV-out
• Office document viewer
• DivX video support
• Fashion-related content preloaded

Main disadvantages:

• Two-year-old design
• The large waistline doesn't match the fashionable image (but is OK for a QWERTY messenger)
• Plastic build
• No GPS (LG Renoir has it)
• No XviD video support (LG Renoir has it)
• Multi-touch has rather limited use
• No Flash support in the web browser
• Video recording is a letdown
• High cost-to-features ratio (but OK for a premium fashion handset)

It was about time the first Prada phone by LG got an update, no doubt about that. Data transfers, connectivity, multimedia and user interface upgrades are spot on, but a hardware QWERTY keyboard was hardly essential. It's the Prada phone after all, and it probably needs all those buttons as much as the Sonim rugged phones need a Dolce & Gabbana carrying case.

Oh well, all-in-one QWERTY touchscreens are obviously the new black. Or so the LG KF900 Prada believes. Keen to find a niche within the niche, it lands right in the middle of not so friendly smartphone crowd. It's got the features to stand up to the XPERIA, HTC and the likes but it's kinda hard to imagine the ruthless WinMo machine melting with pity for the adorable, helpless, irresistible Prada.

Anyway, we think we'd be better off skipping our traditional round of window shopping this time. After all comparing the Prada to the smart messengers running Symbian or Windows Mobile will be irrelevant and unfair. There will be of course references to equally equipped messengers as we go, for both performance and looks, but that will be all.

Meet the new Prada

We couldn't find any other handset willing to embrace the LG KF900 Prada concept. The QWERTY touchscreen all-in-one segment is a small niche to begin with, and the haute-couture label narrows it down even further. The new Prada phone by LG finds itself in a difficult position so let's see if it's got what it takes to make the best of it.

Join us on the next page, as we explore the exterior and ergonomics.

Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH preview: First look

Tags: Samsung, Touch UI, Preview

Known as Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH or simply Tocco Ultra depending on the market, the latest touch phone by Samsung comes in the slider form factor. Beside the killer looks and slim profile of only 12.7mm, the specs sheet of the Samsung S8300 continues with a 2.8" capacitive OLED touchscreen, 8 megapixel camera and a GPS-receiver with Route 66 navigation.

Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH

Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH a.k.a. Tocco Ultra at a glance:

• General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 900/2100 MHz, GPRS/EDGE class 10, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
• Form factor: Classy touchscreen slider with an alphanumeric keypad
• Dimensions: 110 x 51.5 x 12.7 mm
• Display: 2.8-inch 16M color OLED touchscreen, WQVGA resolution (400 x 240), tempered glass for scratch resistance
• Memory: 80MB integrated memory, hot-swappable microSD card slot (up to 16GB), 2GB card supplied
• OS: Proprietary Samsung Touch UI, latest version of TouchWiz UI (1.5)
• Camera: 8 megapixel auto focus camera with dual PowerLED flash, Face detection, Smile Shot, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) and VGA video@30 fps
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS and optional Samsung Mobile Navigator by Route66
• Misc: Accelerometer for screen auto rotate, Proximity sensor for auto screen turn-off, Anti-scratch screen surface, FM radio with RDS, DivX/XviD video support
• Battery: 880 mAh battery

It's been exactly one year since the first time one of the big-five phone manufacturers announced a fully touch-operated slider. The Samsung S8300 takes over from where the LG KF700 left off and attempts a huge leap forward.

While the LG KF700 wasn't that popular, the Samsung S8300 seems ready to go that extra length. It is the key product for Samsung for the first half of this year and we are almost as curious as you are to see if it appeals to the phone-buying public.

Samsung S8300 all over

The Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH looks quite nice in the flesh and we have to admit that we are rather fond of the metallic frame around the display.

Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH next to LG KC910 Renoir and Samsung i8510 INNOV8

Join us on the next page for a detailed check of the device's ergonomics.

Samsung Blue Earth Phone - Solar powered, touch driven

Tags: Samsung, Touch UI, MWC 2009

The Samsung Blue Earth is a solar powered, eco-friendly phone and it quite looks the part. Samsung say it was designed to resemble a rounded pebble and with the solar rear panel users can always count on enough charge to make a call. There's a regular DC charger for a rainy day too, which Samsung claim is highly energy efficient.

With an ultra low standby power charger and a recycled paper retail box, the Samsung Blue Earth has no other choice but follow suit. The handset is made of plastic from recycled water bottles and Samsung claim it's free of harmful materials.

Although we have seen other phones made from recycled materials, the first solar-powered touchscreen is really trying to provoke the user to be "green". A special "eco mode" puts a leash on power hogs like the screen and Bluetooth and sets them running in an energy efficient manner.

Samsung Blue Earth

The step-counting function found on many devices with accelerometers has a new spin to it. It calculates how much CO2 would have been released if you were to make the journey by car and the units for this calculation are the number of trees saved.

The Samsung Blue Earth will be showcased at the Mobile World Congress so more details should be available soon. We're on our way there and well… we wish we walked or biked.