T-Mobile G1 review: The whole cagoogle


The T-Mobile G1 is the Googlephone. Did we really need to say that? Well, there's more Google in this story than there is phone, so we guess we did. We've got a new contender on the race track but we're talking no rookie here. If you thought Apple made the phone game breathtaking, think of where it's all heading with Google keen to play along. Unlike the iPhone Mac OS X, the Android is the joint effort of the whole Open Handset Alliance, which brings together makers that sure know the drill. So much for the rookie, as long as Google is siding with Asus, HTC, LG, Garmin, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba.
But well, that's the bigger story. We have the first chapter right here, and it's called the T-Mobile G1 or HTC Dream if you prefer. The first impression sure is important. So, there we go.

T-Mobile G1 or to be also released as HTC Dream might not have the specs to make a geek's heart melt but we guess the Android OS was still gonna draw drool even if it came tossed in a plastic bag or wrapped in newspaper. So, forget about the peculiar form factor, the full QWERTY keyboard, the large and crisp touchscreen and the anti-utopian design. Android's inside and google is the limit

Key features:
Android OS
3.2" capacitive touchscreen display of HVGA resolution
Slide-out five-row full QWERTY keyboard
Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528 MHz CPU, 192 MB RAM
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
3G with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA 2Mbps
3.15 megapixel autofocus camera
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
GPS
Trackball
Accelerometer sensor
Digital compass

G1 does look like a rather wary and conservative approach to introducing a new OS to the mobile world. While the T-Mobile G1 isn't by any means low-end it kind of deliberately falls short of what the current multimedia monsters have to offer, both in terms of styling and mind-boggling high-tech feats. This gives the G1 two quite important advantages. Firstly the main focus of the device remains on the OS, though this doesn't exactly relieve the pressure. Secondly, keeping a low profile allows the G1 to get away with its juvenile weaknesses more easily.

LG KM900 Arena preview: First look


The LG Arena is getting set to storm its way across Europe but not before a proper courtesy call. Yes sir, one of the Barcelona Mobile World Congress headliners is feeling right at home at the arena. And the pleasure is ours too.
The well-rounded feature set - which could've been a major asset in any reputable handset - is easily eclipsed by the interface that boasts some of the best looks and handling in quite a while. S-class is a not a name to misuse so let's hope the Arena lives up to the expectations.

Our LG namesake is the first ever handset to run the new touch UI of the Korean company. In addition, you get a state of the art connectivity package and a nicely sounding 5 megapixel shooter. Well, obviously it's not a top of the line imaging monster like the Renoir but the target audience is different here.
Having made a great first impression with its brilliant screen and inspiring UI, the LG KM900 Arena is now to face a more serious test. It's a quick little preview we've got for you here but hopefully the Arena will have no secrets left.
For starters let's have a look at the LG KM900 Arena main specs.
LG KM900 Arena at a glance
General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 2100 or 850/1900 MHz, EDGE class 10, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
Dimensions: 105.9 x 55.3 x 12 mm, 105 g
Display: 3" 16M-color capacitive TFT touchscreen of WVGA resolution (480 x 800 pixels)
Memory: 8GB flash storage, microSD card slot (up to 16GB)
User interface: S-Class Touch UI
Still camera: 5 megapixel autofocus camera, Schneider-Kreuznach optics, autofocus, LED flash
Video recording: 3GP D1 (720x480)@30fps, QVGA@120fps high-speed recording, QVGA time lapse recording
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio jack, TV-out, microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS
Misc: Accelerometer for screen auto rotate, Multi-touch input, 3D hardware accelerator, DivX support, Dolby for Mobile audio enhancement, FM radio, FM transmitter, office document viewer
Battery: Li-Ion 1000 mAh, Talk time: 3 h 50 min, Standby: 300 h, Music playback: 30 h
Retail price: 400 euro (540 US dollars)

BlackBerry Bold 9000



General
2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network
HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
Announced
2008, May
Status
Available
Size
Dimensions
114 x 66 x 14 mm

Display
Type
65K colors
Size
480 x 320 pixels

- Full QWERTY keyboard- Trackball navigation- Wallpapers
Ringtones
Type
Polyphonic, MP3
Customization
Download, order now
Vibration
Yes

Memory
Phonebook
Yes, Photocall
Call records
Yes
Card slot
microSD (TransFlash), microSDHC, up to 8 GB, buy memory

- 128 MB flash memory- 1 GB storage memory- 624 MHz processor
Data
GPRS
Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD
No
EDGE
Class 10, 236.8 kbps
3G
HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps
WLAN
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g
Bluetooth
Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port
No

Camera
Primary
2 MP, 1600x1200 pixels, LED flash
Video
Yes
Secondary
No
Features
OS
BlackBerry OS
Messaging
SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Browser
HTML
Games
Yes + downloadable
Colors
Black
GPS
Yes
Java
Yes

- BlackBerry maps - Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)- Media player MP3/WMA/AAC+- Video player DivX/WMV/XviD/3gp- Organizer- Calculator- Voice dial- Built-in handsfree- Voice memo

BlackBerry Storm 9500



General
2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network
HSDPA 2100

CDMA2000 1x EV-DO
Announced
2008, September

Size
Dimensions
112.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm
Weight
155 g
Display
Type
TFT capacitive touchscreen, 65K colors
Size
360 x 480 pixels, 3.25 inches

- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
Ringtones
Type
Polyphonic (32 channels), MP3
Customization
Download, order now
Vibration
Yes

- 3.5 mm audio jack

Memory
Phonebook
Yes, Photocall
Call records
Yes
Card slot
microSD (TransFlash), up to 16 GB, buy memory

- 128 MB RAM- 1 GB storage memory- 624 MHz CPU
Data
GPRS
Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD
No
EDGE
Class 10, 236.8 kbps
3G
HSDPA
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port
No
USB
Yes, v2.0

Camera
Primary
3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
Video
Yes
Secondary
No
Features
OS
BlackBerry OS
Messaging
SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Browser
HTML
Games
Yes + downloadable
Colors
Black
GPS
Yes, with A-GPS support
Java
Yes

- BlackBerry maps - Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)- Media player MP3/WMA/AAC+- Video player MPEG4/3gp/H.264/WMV- Organizer- Calculator- Voice dial- Built-in handsfree- Voice memo

BlackBerry Storm 9530



General
2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network
HSDPA 2100
Announced
2008, September
Status
Available. Released 2008, November

Size
Dimensions
112.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm
Weight
155 g
Display
Type
TFT capacitive touchscreen, 65K colors
Size
360 x 480 pixels, 3.25 inches

- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
Ringtones
Type
Polyphonic (32 channels), MP3
Customization
Download, order now
Vibration
Yes

Memory
Phonebook
Yes, Photocall
Call records
Yes
Card slot
microSD (TransFlash), up to 16 GB, 8GB card included, buy memory

- 128 MB RAM- 1 GB storage memory- 624 MHz CPU
Data
GPRS
Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD
No
EDGE
Class 10, 236.8 kbps
3G
HSDPA
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port
No
USB
Yes, v2.0

Camera
Primary
3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
Video
Yes
Secondary
No
Features
OS
BlackBerry OS
Messaging
SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Browser
HTML
Games
Yes + downloadable
Colors
Black
GPS
Yes, with A-GPS support
Java
Yes

- BlackBerry maps - Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)- Media player MP3/WMA/AAC+- Video player MPEG4/3gp/H.264/WMV- Organizer- Calculator- Voice dial- Built-in handsfree- Voice memo

BlackBerry Curve 8900



General
2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Announced
2008, November
Status
Available. Released 2008, November

Size
Dimensions
109 x 60 x 13.5 mm
Weight
110 g

Display
Type
TFT, 65K colors
Size
480 x 360 pixels, 2.4 inches

- Full QWERTY keyboard- Trackball navigation- Wallpapers

Ringtones
Type
Polyphonic, MP3
Customization
Download, order now
Vibration
Yes

Memory
Phonebook
Yes, Photocall
Call records
Yes
Card slot
microSD (TransFlash) up to 16GB, buy memory

- 512Mhz processor

Data
GPRS
Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD
Yes
EDGE
Class 10, 236.8 kbps
3G
No
WLAN
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
Bluetooth
Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port
No
USB
Yes, microUSB
Camera
Primary
3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
Video
Yes
Secondary
No
Features
OS
BlackBerry OS
Messaging
SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Browser
HTML
Games
Yes + downloadable
Colors
Black
GPS
Yes, with A-GPS support
Java
Yes

- Media player- BlackBerry maps - Organizer- Calculator- Voice dial- Built-in handsfree
Battery

Standard battery, Li-Ion 1400 mAh
Stand-by
Up to 356 h
Talk time
Up to 5 h 30 min

MWC 2009: HTC overview


HTC had us quite eager to drop by their booth at the MWC in Barcelona and get some touchscreen action with WinMo and Android flavor. Two curious sequels in the face of the HTC Touch Pro2 and Touch Diamond2, along with the Android-based Magic sounded intriguing enough for a quick sneak peek.
Sadly, it was only the HTC Touch Diamond2 that was on display at HTC booth. The Touch Pro2 and the HTC Magic are still early prototypes and were guarded pretty closely. Still, we had a good enough look on them as well, and we lived to tell the story.


HTC Touch Diamond2
Holding the Diamond2 in hand, the most striking novelty is the missing D-pad/scroll wheel. By the way that's the TouchPro2 approach too. Perhaps as of Touch HD, HTC are ditching D-pads. Most users won't mind its absence in Number 2, though some situations required its use - picking an item off the relatively small high-res display of the Diamond using the touch screen with your finger is a real challenge while on a moving vehicle for example. So a more precise way of making your selections was welcomed. Nevertheless, the D-pad is nowhere to be found on these products.
So, that leads us to the brand new feature in the Diamond2 - the Zoom bar, which is placed at the bottom of the screen. Basically, it does the job of the old Diamond's touch-sensitive scroll wheel. You can use it to zoom in and out on images, web pages and messages, and even in the camera. We think the bar does better than the wheel and is easier to handle.
Holding the Diamond2 in hand, the most striking novelty is the missing D-pad/scroll wheel. By the way that's the TouchPro2 approach too. Perhaps as of Touch HD, HTC are ditching D-pads. Most users won't mind its absence in Number 2, though some situations required its use - picking an item off the relatively small high-res display of the Diamond using the touch screen with your finger is a real challenge while on a moving vehicle for example. So a more precise way of making your selections was welcomed. Nevertheless, the D-pad is nowhere to be found on these products.
So, that leads us to the brand new feature in the Diamond2 - the Zoom bar, which is placed at the bottom of the screen. Basically, it does the job of the old Diamond's touch-sensitive scroll wheel. You can use it to zoom in and out on images, web pages and messages, and even in the camera. We think the bar does better than the wheel and is easier to handle.
The really nice visual upgrade however is the all-metal frame that surround the display and covers the upper part of the Diamond2 body. That's one excellent design.
We know what would have but no, a 3.5mm jack is not there again. The Diamond is not a music centric device, no doubt about that, but we see 3.5mm jacks in almost every high-end phone lately. Hell, even on Sony Ericsson handsets.
And speaking quite seriously, what's up with HTC and camera keys? The new Diamond2 still doesn't have one on board. We don't really like software shutter keys and there's hardly anything that can change our mind.
By the way, there's another feature that the Diamond2 lacks - it's the magnetic stylus. The stylus is active as before, it's just that it doesn't relay on magnets any more to help plugging it back in. Shame, we really liked that feature.
To complete the hardware changes, the Diamond2 is cut quite differently at the rear - none of the faceted splendor of the original. The only thing that reminds of the first Diamond is the brushed metal plate around the camera lens. The latter by the way is up a notch to 5 megapixels but didn't really worked nicely on the displayed units, so we won't be posting camera samples.