BlackBerry Storm 9530 Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless)

Designed to satisfy the needs of both consumers and business customers, the BlackBerry Storm smartphone offers a revolutionary touchscreen that dramatically enhances the touch interface and enables easy and precise typing. The world's first "clickable" touchscreen responds much like a physical keyboard and also supports single-touch, multi-touch and gestures for intuitive and efficient application navigation. Whether traveling to Europe or Asia, the Storm provides globetrotters the freedom of reliable global connectivity with Verizon Wireless's reliable, high-speed 3G CDMA network here in the United States and compatibility with GSM networks abroad.



The SurePress touchscreen with tactile click response allows you to accurately navigate and type messages on the BlackBerry Storm.


The Storm's built-in accelerometer automatically switches the screen between landscape mode and portrait modes as it rotates. See larger version.
It's compatible with the V Cast Music and V CAST Music with Rhapsody services, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon Wireless's fast EV-DO data network. You'll also benefit from the phone's A-GPS receiver, which enables you to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, 1 GB internal memory, MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB, support for up to 10 personal and corporate email accounts, access to popular instant messaging services, and up to 6 hours of talk time.

Verizon Wireless Service
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless's multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.) The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time.

In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with Verizon Wireless's V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played.

The V Cast Video service enables you to stream or download video clips to your phone from a variety of news, entertainment, sports, and weather channels, including CNN, ABC News, E!, CBS Sports, The Weather Channel, and VH1.

With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps. And Verizon Wireless's Chaperone service lets you easily locate your loved ones from your cell phone phone or PC in real time. After defining a zone, such as an area designating a school or summer camp, you'll be sent an alert via text message when the Chaperone handset enters or leaves the zone.

With BroadbandAccess Connect (subscription required), you can use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with BroadbandAccess Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.

With Visual Voice Mail, you can delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first.



In addition to its messaging capabilities, the Storm features a 3.2-megapixel camera and multi-format media player. See larger version.
Global Connectivity
The BlackBerry Storm allows for global roaming--from Europe to South America to Asia--and also provides 3G data speeds on select international networks, giving you high-speed connectivity when you're abroad. The Storm offers Verizon Wireless's fast 3G EV-DO Rev. A/CDMA connectivity in the United States, and UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz) and quad-band GSM/EDGE/GPRS connectivity for use outside the U.S. The Storm comes pre-installed with a SIM card, so customers who plan to travel abroad can activate global service at the time of purchase or by calling Verizon Wireless prior to leaving the U.S. For those who travel abroad frequently, the company's Global Value Plan offers discounted roaming charges on calls made to and from 130 countries.

Phone Features
The first BlackBerry to feature a touchscreen interface, the Storm's large 3.25-inch LCD (360 x 480-pixel resolution) actually depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed, giving you the distinct feeling that the screen is being pressed and released with a gentle "click"--similar to the feeling of a key on a physical keyboard or a button on a mouse. The "clickable" touchscreen gives you positive confirmation that you've made a selection, resulting in a highly-intuitive typing experience. In addition to the familiar navigation keys (phone, menu and escape) that are common to other BlackBerry smartphones, the Storm adds support for multi-touches, taps, slides and other touch-screen gestures, so you can easily highlight, scroll, pan and zoom for smooth navigation.

The BlackBerry Storm smartphone also features a built-in accelerometer, allowing its touchscreen to automatically switch between landscape mode and portrait mode as the you rotate the handset--RIM's SureType keyboard layout is available in portrait mode and a full QWERTY keyboard layout is available in landscape mode. Other relevant features, such as cut and paste, are only a touch away for the ultimate smartphone experience.



Blackberry's efficient SureType hybrid alpha-numeric/QWERTY keyboard appears in portrait mode.
The on-screen SureType hybrid alpha-numeric/QWERTY keyboard, first introduced with BlackBerry Pearl phones, places two letters on each button of the keyboard layout and the Storm automatically determines which letter is the intended one based on what it predicts you are trying to spell. SureType also learns the words you use most often, further enhancing your typing speed.

View your favorite web sites the way they were meant to be seen with the high-performance web browser that works in either portrait or landscape orientation. Navigating Web sites is fast and easy with the touch-screen interface that lets users double tap to zoom in and slide their fingers to scroll and pan. Icons along the bottom of the display allow for quickly accessing Web sites, switching between Page View and Column View as well as the ability to toggle between Pan mode and Cursor mode. The enhanced browser supports file downloading, streaming audio and video (RTSP), and built-in RSS support--enabling content from supported Web sites to be automatically pushed to directly to you.

Whether you're on the clock or out-and-about, the Storm has the tools to keep you productive. Access up to ten supported personal and corporate email accounts, including the most popular ISP email servers, using BlackBerry Internet Service. View and revise Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint files using Word To-Go or Slideshow To-Go. And keep your schedule on track with the advance calendar function, which allows you to check appointments or make new ones in just a few clicks.

In addition to the industry's leading mobile email and messaging solution, the Storm supports text (SMS), picture (MMS) and instant messaging (IM) on today's most popular platforms as well as social networking sites. Take your social life on-the-go with Facebook for BlackBerry and Flickr Photo Uploader for BlackBerry applications (pre-installed on the Storm). A Mobile IM feature provides access to Google Talk, MSN, Yahoo!, Windows Live, and AIM instant messaging services.

Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.

The media player can play movies smoothly in full-screen mode, display pictures and slideshows quickly and manage an entire music collection (compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ formats). Playlists can be created directly on the handset and there's an equalizer with 11 preset filters--including Lounge, Jazz and Hip Hop--for customized audio ranges when using wired headphones or external speakers. The Storm has 1 GB of internal memory--enough to store 250 tunes--which can be expanded via optional MicroSD/SDHD memory cards (up to 16 GB in size).

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Nokia E71 FlexiSkin - The Soft Low-Profile Case (Jet Black (complete open screen)

Product Description

BoxWave's FlexiSkin for the Nokia E71 is an ultra low profile skin case designed for complete usability. Precision constructed with anti-static material, the FlexiSkin skin case provides reliable protection from unwanted dust and accidental bumps. It comes in your choice of three colors: frosted clear, jet black, or smoke grey. This lets you customize the color of your Nokia E71!Protect your Nokia E71 with the anti-dust skin case from the award winning leader in handheld accessories. Experience the FlexiSkin skin case by BoxWave today!

Product Features

Enhanced with new SmoothTextureTM! SmoothTextureTM makes the Nokia E71 FlexiSkin feel softer to the touch and reduces surface dust
Soft, low-profile case
Form-fitting case designed to perfectly fit your Nokia E71
Anti-slip properties gives your handheld more grip on surfaces
Durable and protects your Nokia E71 from scratches and bumps

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Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-902 with OLED display

With sophisticated Bluetooth utuk OLED screen to display different information such as the number of the caller, sms and indicators. Bluetooth headset has crystal clear sound quality with advanced DSP (Digital Sound Processing).
You can make outgoing calls without having to remove the phone from the bag or pants pocket




Dimenstion : 25x53x12, 18,3 gr
Display : OLED
Talk Time : 8 hours
Charging time : 2 hours
Stand by : 110 hours
Features : Advanced DSP, Phonebook Access Profil (PBAP), SMS notification

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NOKIA BLUETOOTH STEREO HEADSET BH-503

All Nseries mobile phone has a music player of quality. However, not all ponselnya have speakers that make music sound be comfortable in the ear. However, you can listen to music with the sound NOKIA BLUETOOTH Stereo Headset BH-503.

The headset is using Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) which is used to control music keys such as Call, Forward, Rewind, and Play / Pause. Using a cool neckband design, BH-503 can still receive phone while music is still in play.

The time required for the Bluetooth stereo mencharge this not too long (fast charging), but can listen to music up to 11 hours nonstop. Mobile phone which can be used for this tetunya Bluetooth using A2DP Bluetooth technology.

Dimention: 150 x 75 x 155
Talk Time: 11 hours
Music time: 11 hours
Stand by: 210 hours
Range: 10 meters
Features: A2DP, AVCP, fast charging

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Samsung Eternity review

Samsung have added yet another touchscreen phone to their lineup which is the Samsung Eternity. At the time of writing this, they already have several touchscreens of this style that they produce. At first glance, some of the Samsung Eternity features seem just like their other phones, and it is in the same price range as most of their phones ($149 with a contract, $369 without). Look at the Samsung Behold, the Samsung Omnia, and the Samsung Memoir. Just like Samsung Eternity, they are all full-face touchscreens with the same style of navigation buttons on the bottom, and they all come, by default, in the same shade of black. If you were to lay the 4 phones in order on a table, the novice user would not be able to tell much of a difference between them - much less tell you which phone is which!

So with Samsung already having so many phones of this style, this is going to have to be some special phone for it to stand out above the competition and warrant the sacrifice of your hard-earned money to bring it home with you. The question, then: Does the Samsung Eternity pull though enough to make it a better option than the other smart phones in its class? Well, at the end of the day, the answer usually depends upon your personal needs in a phone - but let’s take a look at some of the specific features that the Samsung Eternity offers to the end user, and see how those options stack up against the other devices on the market.

Let’s start with the bad. The downsides to this phone are similar to the weaknesses that the other Samsung touchscreen models have. First, there is no wifi connectivity. This might be tolerable if the built in 3G support was more reliable, but so far, it has proven to be pretty shaky, making it hard to sustain a reliable connection in many areas. Also, the Samsung Eternity lacks full email support, limiting you to partial messages or using a web-based solution through its web browser. For anyone interested in business-intensive use, this phone is not completely ruled out, but the lack of wifi is an immediate deal breaker for many. These business oriented users will most likely end up rushing straight to the latest model of Blackberry for its integrated enterprise solutions and built-in wireless internet that is easy to use.

The 3 megapixel camera is crisp, clear, and offers pictures that compare to the quality from many expensive standalone digital cameras. In tests, the Samsung Eternity’s built in camera has blown most other phones entirely out of the water. When looking at the picture by itself, the Eternity is one of the few cameras that can produce a picture so clear that it legitimately does not appear to be from a phone. While many cameras offer high resolution photos, most of the time they still produce a noisy, grainy or washed-out image that looks to be either a still from a camcorder or, more obviously, from a camera phone. Not here. The eternity won’t disappoint in this department.

However, while the camera itself may be a positive part of the phone’s photo-taking abilities, there is one downside that is sure to drive some users crazy: The lack of a built in flash. With most basic camera phones, this is not so much of a problem, since the camera is not very functional by design anyway. When you’re using this incredibly powerful camera, on the other hand, the lack of a flash is a huge drawback that could ruin a potentially perfect picture. On the bright side, third parties often come out with accessories, and the likelihood of a camera flash add-on being marketed is relatively high.

The target audience for Samsung Eternity is someone who is looking for a sleek, stylish phone to talk to their friends on, access the internet, take high-resolution pictures, and make a statement with. While the businessman could most definitely make this phone work, that’s not really the target audience. This is the phone for the businessman to use after he gets off work to keep up with his friends, not the phone he uses during the day to update spreadsheets and forward them to clients.

Compared to most touchscreen phones such as the iPhone and the Blackberry Storm, the Samsung Eternity is slightly lighter. The physical dimensions are very likeable, since the phone is just big enough to offer a big screen, but it is very thin, keeping it from being a pain to carry around in your pocket or one of the compartments of a purse, bag or jacket. The slim profile and light weight of the Eternity don’t make it feel flimsy or breakable, however. It still retains the solid, sturdy feel of a much heavier phone. Try imagining what it would feel like to hold a helium filled brick, and you’re off to a good start.

While the 3G connection is sometimes shaky, when it works, it does work very well. The unrestricted, full web browsing capability of the Samsung Eternity makes loading any website a breeze. The included software suite is very powerful, and everyone from the MySpace addict to the forum poster will be happy. Of course, like most phones, there is no support for Flash based plug-ins such as games and some videos. The only other real downside to the browser is the lack of an easy way to zoom in and out of the page. This requires tapping a little magnifying glass icon multiple times until you are where you want to be. While this isn’t a huge deal, it is far from the iPhone’s eloquent solution.

Overall, the Samsung Eternity is a solid phone for someone looking for a middle-of-the-road touchscreen smart phone. While it may seemingly blend in to Samsung’s line of phones, it does have its own place, and fits the bill for many people. Business users may want to look elsewhere if they want some more enterprise-oriented features, but otherwise, they can still be just happy with the Eternity for daily use.

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LG enV2 VX9100 : Next Generation Messaging Phone

Get ready to join the next generation of mobile messaging with the new LG enV2. Smaller, slimmer, and sleeker than ever, the phone features large external keys and an easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard that make dialing and texting a snap. Advanced messaging features like auto text readout, message sort, and the ability to store up to 300 text messages enhance the experience. The larger internal display, along with Bluetooth® stereo support, a music player, and a 2.0 megapixel camera/camcorder keep you perfectly entertained, and with a microSD™ memory port, you can save all your favorites. Small on size and big on style, you’ll give the new LG enV2 two thumbs up!

• Compact QWERTY Keyboard

• Bluetooth® Stereo Capable

• 2.0 Megapixel Camera & Camcorder

• Music Player

• microSDTM Memory Port

• Large External Keys for Easy Dialing

DESIGN

• Full, Compact QWERTY Keyboard for Fast Messaging

• Slim Design with Internal Antenna

• Large 2.4” Internal Screen

• Large, Widely Spaced External Keys for Easy Dialing

• Function Key – customizable for 10 shortcuts

• Keyguard – prevents unwanted key actions

• Colors: Black & Maroon

MUSIC

• Music Player for MP3, WMA, AAC, & AAC+

• V CAST Music & Video†

• Sync Music from PC to Phone*

• Create & Manage Playlists

• Music Library – organized by artist, genre, album

• Music Only Mode (RF off except Bluetooth)

• Dual Speakers for Stereo Sound

• microSD™ Memory Port with up to 8GB Support**

• USB Mass Storage – transfer files between microSD card and PC***

*Requires USB cable and V CAST Music Manager or Windows Media Player 11 (or higher) on Windows XP (or higher) OS. Mac OS is not supported. V CAST Music Manager can be downloaded from www.verizonwireless.com/vcastmusic.

**Not all downloaded content may be moved to the microSD card.

***USB cable and microSD card required (sold separately).

BLUETOOTH (v1.2)

• Supported Profiles: headset, hands-free,* dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution (stereo), phone book access, basic printing, basic imaging, object push for vCard and vCalendar,** file transfer, human interface

• Save up to 20 Bluetooth Pairings

• Bluetooth Stereo Support for Listening to Music***

• Send All Contacts & Calendar Events via Bluetooth

• Print & Send User-Generated Pictures via Bluetooth

*For Bluetooth vehicle/accessory compatibility, go to www.verizonwireless.com/bluetoothchart.

**Phone does not support all Bluetooth OBEX profiles.

***Accessories sold separately.

CAMERA/VIDEO

• 2.0 Megapixel Camera & Camcorder

• Turn on External LCD for Self-Portraits

• Camera Resolutions: 1600x1200 (default), 1280x960, 640x480, 320x240 Pixels

• Image Editor – rotate, zoom, crop

• Zoom: Up to 10x*

• Video Resolutions: 320x240, 176x144 (default) Pixels

• Video Recording Time - 30 sec. (for sending) or up to 1 hr. (for saving)**

• Customizable Brightness,*** White Balance,*** Shutter Sound, Color Effects,*** Night Mode, Photometry, Self-Timer

• Video Player for WMV, MP4, 3GP, 3G2 Formats

• Set Videos (under 5MB) as Wallpaper

*Varies by image size. Camera setting of 1600x1200 pixels does not support zoom function.

**Depends on available memory.

***Available in both video and camera modes.

MOBILE MEDIA

• Text/Picture/Video/Voice Messaging*†

• Auto View & Readout for Text Messages

• Large Inbox Storage for up to 300 Text Messages

• Sort Messages by Sender (Inbox) or Recipient (Sent)

• Manage Inbox – erase, lock, unlock multiple messages

• Call & Messaging Restrictions†

• Mobile Web 2.0†

• Media Center - download games, ringtones, and more†

• Mobile E-mail (BREW® Client) & Mobile Web E-mail†

• Mobile Instant Messaging†

*If the size of a picture/video is over 500KB, the phone will resize it before sending.

VOICE/AUDIO • One-Touch Speakerphone (via internal keyboard)

• Speaker-Independent Voice Commands

• Text to Speech

• Voice Clarity - auto adjusts listening level and reduces noise for the listener

• Voice Recording – 1 min. or 1 hr.* (standby) or 5 min. (during a call)

• Music Ringer Support (clips from hit songs)†

• 23 Unique Ringtones + Vibrate & Silent Modes

• TTY/TDD Support

• Hearing Aid Compatible (M3/T3-Rating)

*Depends on available memory.

TOOLS & DATA

• VZ NavigatorSM Capable via SmartLink†

• Tools: Calculator, Ez Tip Calculator, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, World Clock, Notepad

• Phone Book with 1,000 Contacts – each stores 5 numbers, 2 e-mail addresses, and a picture ID*

• Speed Dial (993 entries + 6 pre-programmed)

• FOTA Capable – upgrade firmware over the air†

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Samsung Memoir T929 - black (T-Mobile)

Up until recently, the highest megapixel camera phones to grace U.S. carriers have been 5-megapixel shooters like the Motorola Zine ZN5. If we wanted to play around with higher-performance camera phones, we had to get our hands on unlocked versions like the 8-megapixel Samsung Innov8 from our friends in Europe.

But that has all changed with the 8-megapixel Samsung Memoir, which is now available from T-Mobile USA for a much more affordable $249.99 (compared to the $700 or so for the Innov8). Indeed, this makes the Memoir the highest-performing camera phone with a U.S. carrier, though we're sure this accolade won't last long. The Memoir definitely delivers in the photo quality department, with great photos and camera features that rival even those on a standalone point-and-shoot camera. The Memoir even offers direct uploads to online photo-sharing sites like Flickr and Photobucket.

Of course, the Memoir wouldn't be much of a phone if it didn't have other features, too. It comes with Samsung's proprietary TouchWiz interface, a full HTML browser, support for T-Mobile's 3G network, GPS, a music player, and more. $249.99 is a little pricier than most other U.S. camera phones, but we think the Memoir's design and feature set more than make up for it.

Design

The design of the Samsung Memoir certainly walks a very thin line between camera and phone. The ergonomics are uncanny--the shutter button and zoom controls are on the top, the camera lens and flash are positioned in a way so that your fingers are unlikely to block them, and the touch-screen interface acts as a giant viewfinder--all like a regular camera. That small area where you would wrap your right-hand fingers when taking a photo? It's clad in faux leather separate from the rest of the phone, presumably for better grip. If it were not for the telltale call keys and the T-Mobile branding, we would've thought the Samsung Memoir was a camera and not a phone.

Is it a camera or a phone? The Samsung Memoir mimics a camera very well.

Be it camera or phone (or both), the Memoir is one svelte, elegant device. Measuring 4.2 inches long by 2.1 inches wide by 0.6 inch thick, the Memoir is clad in black with silver on the sides, and it's one of the slimmest high-end camera phones we've seen. Dominating its entire front surface is a 262,000-color 2.6-inch touch-screen display that looks simply stunning. The display is vibrant with vivid colors and sharp-looking graphics. You can adjust the backlight time and brightness, and you can personalize the display with wallpaper and a greeting message. While you can adjust the font type, you can't change the font size.

Like other Samsung touch-screen handsets, the Memoir has haptic feedback, meaning the phone vibrates to let you know your touch has registered. You can adjust the intensity of the vibrations if you want. The touch interface is pretty responsive and intuitive, but it did take us a little while to get used to the sensitivity of the screen, even after calibration. We would occasionally launch a program when all we wanted to do was scroll through the menu. We imagine this is something you learn to adapt to with time, but newcomers to touch-screen handsets might find it frustrating. Also, the Memoir has an internal accelerometer that automatically changes the display's orientation from portrait to landscape mode when you hold the phone horizontally. This only happens with certain applications like the Web browser and the messaging interface, and it only rotates clockwise by 90 degrees.

On the default standby page, you'll find four icons at the bottom row of the display. They represent the phone dialer, the phone book, the Web browser, and the main menu. The phone dialer has a virtual keypad with large alphanumeric keys, plus there are also shortcuts for the call log, voice mail, the messaging menu, and the phone book.

The Memoir features Samsung's proprietary TouchWiz interface, just like on the Behold and the Omnia. It consists of a tray of widgets along the left side, which lead to various applications like the clock, the music player, and so forth. You can also drag and drop them to the main screen for easier access to your favorite applications. But some of these widgets are more than just shortcuts. For example, the Weather widget will display the city you're in as well as your local weather report right on the main screen, and the music player widget allows you to control your music without having to open up the application.

You're unfortunately limited to the widgets that are preloaded to the Memoir, but Samsung did include a camera-focused widget. It allows you to upload your photos to online sharing sites like Flickr and Photobucket directly, without having to use e-mail or a third-party program. This is definitely one of the highlights of the phone, which we'll mention again in the Features section. Aside from dragging and dropping the widgets to the main screen, you can also drag them back to the tray. To close the tray, just touch the little arrow icon.

The Samsung Memoir has a virtual QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode.

For texters concerned about the lack of a physical keyboard, the Memoir does have a virtual QWERTY keyboard. After you create a new message, you can tilt the phone horizontally to reveal the landscape QWERTY keyboard that spans the length of the display. The keyboard is roomy and the haptic feedback helps to ensure accurate typing, but it's not quite as smooth as using the iPhone's virtual keyboard. We like that you can type messages with the T9 alphanumeric keypad if you wanted to, and the dedicated punctuation keys are nice (You still have to switch to a different keyboard for symbols and numbers). When in the Web browser, the QWERTY keyboard even has a .com key, which is certainly helpful when entering URLs.

There are three physical keys underneath the display; the Talk, Back, and End/Power keys respectively. The microSD card slot and headset/charger jack are on the left spine. On the right are the camera shutter button, a screen lock key, and the volume rocker that also acts as the camera's zoom controls. On the back is the aforementioned 8-megapixel-camera lens with a built-in retractable lens cover. There's also a Xenon flash, but no self-portrait mirror.

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Nokia E71 : slim phone and high peforma

Hy, I will give you info about Nokia E71, my name is marvin and read this entire.
Nokia's new E71 is the company's 3rd try at the popular "BlackBerry" form factor of business smartphones. The original Nokia E61/E62 handsets had the right basic shape, but were thicker and overall bulkier than those from the competition at the time. The E61i improved on that, but still wasn't quite capable of going toe to toe with the best on offer from the likes of HTC and RIM. But with the E71, Nokia has shown that it can be a leader in this space. The E71 has a great spec sheet, a slim and solid body, and the powerful S60/Symbian system lurking inside. We give it a thorough thrashing to see how it holds up.
The E71 is a very solidly built smartphone. Its body is largely made up of strong metal panels, and its solid 129g (4.5oz) weight inspires a lot of confidence, even if it is a fair bit heavier than some competing models. In spite of its weight, though, the E71 is very compact. It measures only 115mm x 57mm x 11mm (4.5" x 2.2" x .4") in size. That's a hair longer, but a few millimeters narrower and 1mm thinner than Samsung's svelte BlackJack II.
vibrant media

The full QWERTY keyboard on the E71 is pretty good, though I prefer the spaced out keys on the BlackJack II for the confidence they inspire. Admittedly, the E71's keyboard is much better looking due to the fact that the keys fit snugly together and, instead of spacing, rely on a domed shape to guide fingertips. The keyboard is somewhat cramped, but I have managed to adjust to it pretty well in spite of having large hands. Most women would probably find the keyboard spot on. The control and shortcut cluster above the keyboard is also a bit cramped, but they do provide the user with a lot of flexibility.
There are few other controls on the E71. On the left edge you'll find the covered microSD slot and micro-USB port (data only, not power), and on the right edge you'll see the two volume buttons that straddle the voice dial button (activated with a long press). There is no dedicated shutter button on the E71, in spite of the fact that it sports an autofocus 3.2 megapixel camera. I like the spring loaded back cover release buttons that are located on the bottom of each side of the phone. They require a bit of strength to depress, but they make for a very solid rear cover fit.

A 2.5mm headset jack sits above the volume controls, and the camera lens and flash can be found around back. The only other features of note on the E71 are the mini Nokia power port on the bottom of the phone and the red power button and speaker grille on the top. The power button looks nice, but is a bit hard to use, especially when compared with the similarly red button on the E66.
Overall we are very impressed by the design of the Nokia E71. That missing camera button and the glossy metal finish of the phone, which makes an oily looking mess of the most innocent of fingerprints, are the only real downsides to the E71's otherwise fine physical design. The E71 comes with a nice carrying case (and matching lanyard) that will help keep the finish clean, though.

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Sony PlayStation 3

There's general agreement that Sony stumbled out of the gate with the PlayStation 3. Months of intense hype were followed by a late launch (fully a year after the Xbox 360) and a staggering $600 price tag for the deluxe model. Even worse, the PS3 didn't initially have any real must-have exclusive titles, and despite the power of its vaunted Cell processor, multiplatform games from third-party developers didn't look appreciably better than the respective titles on the Xbox 360.

Since then, the company's been modifying the PlayStation product line to better fit the competitive market landscape. As of August 2008, a new "bargain" PS3 is available with a larger, 80GB hard drive, and a "deluxe" model is due in November, doubling the capacity to 160GB. Both, however, lack backward compatibility with PS2 games and do not come with flash card readers. If those features are a must, it might be best to pick up the 80GB Metal Gear Bundle version on eBay while they're still out there.

If you don't want to opt for the new 160GB (that will also ship with Uncharted: Drakes Fortune), the 80GB version reviewed here might short you on space. Now that you can fill up that hard drive more easily with TV shows and movies from the PlayStation Store, it's much easier to do so. Still, for those on a budget, the $400 PS3 ups the hard-drive capacity from the older "budget" model and delivers nearly all the same gaming and home theater features as its more expensive sibling. The PS3's game drought has largely evaporated, with popular titles such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Rock Band, Call of Duty 4, and BioShock all making their way to the console. While these titles are also available on the Xbox 360, the PS3 has exclusive dibs on Metal Gear, Uncharted, and MLB 08: The Show, as well as the hotly anticipated Resistance 2 and Killzone 2 due to hit in upcoming months.

Yes, the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii also have their own handful of exclusive titles (Halo and Gears of War on the former, and all of the Mario, Metroid, and Zelda games on the latter), but the PS3's HD graphics go far beyond those of the low-resolution Wii, and its stable hardware doesn't suffer from the Xbox 360's notorious red ring of death. Plus, now that Blu-ray Discs have become the de facto standard for high-def media, the PS3 is still the only console available to play back that format, and consequently is the best performing and affordable Blu-ray player on the market--a great option if you want to introduce yourself to high-def content.

PlayStation 3 models compared:*

Model	PS3 80GB	PS3 160GB
MSRP	$400	$500
Hard disk size	80GB	160GB
Network compatibility	Ethernet and Wi-Fi	Ethernet and Wi-Fi
Plays PS2 games?	No	No
Flash memory compatibility	None	None
USB ports	2	2
Unique bundled items	None	Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, PAIN, PSN voucher

* Sony has since discontinued the 20GB, 60GB and the August 2007 "Deluxe" 80GB PlayStation 3 models.

Design

Like the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation 3 can stand vertically or lie horizontally in an AV rack, though because of its curved top, it's not meant to have any other components resting on top of it. Early prototypes were shown in white and silver, but currently the PS3 is only available in black. The 20GB version (now discontinued) was all black, but the larger capacity (and all current models) are highlighted with chrome trim--and there's no way to customize its look as you can with the Xbox 360's interchangeable, if overpriced, faceplates. Judging from Sony's recent decision to bring out the PSP in more colors, we don't expect the company to stick to the black-only option for too long, especially since this system, like the PSP, is a fingerprint and smudge-magnet.

As for its dimensions, the PS3 measures 12.8 inches wide by 3.8 inches high by 10.8 inches long, which is roughly in line with the overall volume of the Xbox 360. That said, the PS3 does weigh a bit more--11 pounds to the 360's 9.9 pounds including power supply--so if you're going by heft alone, you're getting almost 10 percent more console. Most impressively, there's no external power supply for the PS3; you just plug the included power cable--it's the same standard three-prong style you'll find on most desktop PCs--into the back of the unit and you're good to go. For those of us who own an Xbox 360, and have had to struggle with its massive brick of a power supply, this seems like a remarkable feat on Sony's part.

Like the Nintendo Wii, the PS3 has a slot-loading disc drive.

One obvious difference between the Xbox 360 and the PS3 is the way you load media. As opposed to the more typical tray loader, the PS3 has a front-slot-loading, Blu-ray Disc drive, which contributes to the unit's slicker appearance. Discs slide in and eject smoothly enough, so chalk one up for the PS3 here.

On the front, you'll find two USB ports for connecting (and charging) controllers and other accessories, including USB keyboards, thumbdrives, and the PSP. Unfortunately if you need more than two ports, you're out of luck as only the older versions of the PS3 came with four. This will certainly become an issue particularly if you want to charge your controllers as well as use an accessory like the PS Eye). The PS3 still doesn't come with USB ports on the back of the unit--something we've desired for a while. Both new versions of the PS3 also now lack multiple flash card readers. While we could see this feature being dropped for a reduced price, even the "deluxe" 160GB model, priced still at $500, will not come with it.

You'll find HDMI--but no USB--on the rear panel.

Around back is where you'll find ports for Ethernet, HDMI output, optical digital audio output (SPDIF), and the proprietary PlayStation AV output for analog audio and video. A composite AV cable ships with the unit, and because it uses the same connector as the PlayStation 2, that system's S-Video and component cables should work with it, as well (to get HD video, you'll need component or HDMI). This, once again, leaves us asking why Sony does not ship the console HD-ready out-of-the-box. Unlike the proprietary snap-on hard drive of the Xbox 360, the PS3's internal hard drive is user replaceable with any off-the-shelf laptop drive. The only caveat: it uses the smaller 2.5-inch drive size, which are twice, or even close to three times as expensive as the larger 3.5-inch hard drive that go into a desktop computer.

The Sixaxis DualShock 3 Controller

When the PS3 was first released in the fall of 2006, gamers gave Sony a lot of grief that the included Sixaxis controller lacked rumble (vibration) support--a feature found on the controllers for the Xbox 360, Wii, and even the older PlayStation 2. Sony has since corrected that with the DualShock 3 controller, which is basically just the Sixaxis with rumble. Starting with the new 80GB core system, all new PS3 versions will include a DualShock 3 controller by default.

With the exception of its included rumble support--and a bit more weight as a result--the Dual Shock 3 is otherwise pretty much identical to the Sixaxis. Fans of the older Sony game consoles will note that it even looks identical to the older PlayStation controllers, but there are some differences. For starters, it's wireless. You can connect as many as seven controllers via the system's built-in Bluetooth, which Sony claims offers a 20-meter range (about 65 feet). Recharging the built-in battery simply requires connecting the included USB cable between the console and the controller. You can continue to play as the battery juices up (Sony pledges 30 hours of gameplay between charges), but the cable's somewhat short 5-foot length will put you right on top of the TV. That said, the controller has a standard mini USB port similar to the one found on many digital cameras and PC peripherals, so swapping in a longer cable--or using a USB extender--shouldn't be a problem. We should also note that we had some success charging the DualShock 3 on a number of PC USB ports and even the port on a cable box. Unfortunately, the battery isn't removable, which means that if it dies--as inevitably it will some day--you'll have to replace the entire controller ($50) if you want to play wirelessly. By comparison, the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii controllers offer user-replaceable batteries: AAs or proprietary rechargeables for the 360, and AAs for the Wii.

The wireless controller recharges by connecting via the included USB cable.

As for the controller's design, Sony has made a few tweaks versus the old PS2 version. The L2 and R2 trigger buttons are a bit bigger, and the increased depth in stroke offers players more subtle game control. Sony has also increased the tilting angle of the analog joysticks to give you more precise control and a wider range of motion. Those analog sticks are more sensitive as well. The PS2's Dual Shock 2 controller had 8-bit sensitivity, while the PS3's controller has 10-bit motion detection. The Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers also have a centered Home button, which functions much like its counterpart on the Xbox 360 controller. You use it to return to the console's main menu screen, as well as to sync the controller to the console and start it up or shut it down wirelessly. In game, the Home button will now bring up the cross-media-bar (XMB).

The other big upgrade on the DualShock 3 (and Sixaxis) from its predecessors is its motion sensitivity. As the name indicates, the controller is capable of sensing motion in six directions: up, down, left, right, forward, and backward. Game developers have incorporated this technology in many of the new games in one form or another. For example, in Call of Duty 3, you can arm explosives with a twist of the controller. 2K's NBA 2K8 also makes interesting use of the tilt feature, allowing you shoot free throws by motioning a shot with your controller.

After almost two years of titles, some implementations of the tilt sensitivity are better than others. Some games' use of it are optional and can be switched off, as we can certainly see some folks not wanting to bother with it at all. Clearly, Sony wanted to steal some of Nintendo's interactive thunder, and there's no denying that the Wii's motion-sensitive controllers are more central to that console's DNA. The Wii controllers are also more sophisticated, including the capability to measure actual motion (spatial movement) and acceleration, rather than just tilting. But unlike the Wii, the PS3 doesn't require a motion-sensor bar in front of the TV. (The current Xbox 360 controllers offer no motion sensitivity at all.) It's safe to say we'll see more innovative uses of the tilting sensitivity feature in future games as it definitely adds an extra level of control when flying the eponymous attack vehicle in Warhawk or controlling the trajectory of an arrow in Heavenly Sword. On the other hand, the highly touted Lair, is widely considered unplayable, thanks to a poorly implemented Sixaxis control scheme.

The new DualShock 3 controller comes with the 80GB version of the PS3, another reason to step up from the 40GB.

Familiar interface

If you own a Sony PSP, you'll immediately notice the similarities between the PS3's interface and the PSP's cross media bar-style (XMB) graphical user interface. You navigate horizontally through top-level selection categories such as users, system settings, and media options such as photos, music, videos, games, network, and friends. When you select a top-level category, a vertical list of suboptions appears, and you can navigate down that list until you find the option you want. The interface is polished and generally easy to use, but you do have to drill down a few levels to reach certain features, and getting to some functions isn't quite as intuitive as it should be. Still, the overall design is slick enough to be called Mac-like, and--at least from an aesthetic standpoint--is more appealing than the Xbox 360's Dashboard and Nintendo Wii's Channels interfaces.


Source : cnet.com

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Nintendo Wii

It isn't, however, anywhere near long enough for those using projectors. Thankfully, there are a number of solutions available to solve this problem. Since it's not an especially complicated piece of kit – it's just two LED's that emit infrared beams – you can make your own sensor bar; for which there are many guides. Alternatively, you can splice the cable to extend it, use a couple of standard media remotes and even two candles – though please don't for obvious reasons. The simplest solution, however, is an inexpensive third party wireless version that runs off a battery and is available via www.wirelesssensorbar.com. We've yet to test one ourselves but reports suggest it does the job admirably, though it's rather more conspicuous than the official version

Once you have the console up and running there are a few quick and simple settings such as language, sensor bar placement and date and time to deal with but once completed you're free, should you choose, to dive straight into the fun and start playing games.






There's a good chance, however, that you'll want to setup the Internet connection first and this process is just as painless. Rather like the DS, Wii can hold up to three different wireless settings and like any wireless device will automatically detect any network. Unlike the DS, however, Wii supports all the more recent wireless security protocols such as WPA2 making it compatible with any standard network configuration. Once your Wii has detected the connection, it's a simple process of entering your password and you're ready to go.

Wireless performance it pretty solid too. Nintendo has been wise enough to include two internal antennas; with one mounted vertically and one horizontally. This means you should get equal performance whether you have the console mounted vertically or sitting horizontally.

If you don't have a wireless network then things get a little more complicated, and currently your only option is to buy a Nintendo Wi-FI USB Connector. This will allow you to use your PC's Internet connection wirelessly - provided it's hooked up to your broadband - with your Wii. Nintendo is promising to release a LAN Adapter sometime in January, though a quick google reveals that, as of now, it's not widely listed with only a handful of retailers offering pre-orders on the item.

These considerations accepted, setting up your Wii couldn't be easier and if you do have any problems the documentation provided is excellent with clear uncluttered presentation and plenty of illustrations to boot.

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