Mobile Maharajahs
Forget the iPhone (until an upgraded 3G model is released), Nokia's N95 is streets ahead of its mobile competitors in the overall package it offers: FM radio, MP3 player, bluetooth (to connect with wireless headsets and other devices), 3G (the fastest mobile internet connection), Wifi, a 5 megapixel camera, 8GB storage, Skype, GPS navigation and Tri/Quadband (meaning it's compatible with mobile networks overseas). The latest N95 has a large iPhone–like screen and a similar user interface, but without the iPhone's touch-screen feature. Bill Pay Cost: €169 - €229 with Vodafone (depending on package), €179-€239 with O2, €299 with Meteor. Pre pay cost: €549 with Vodafone, or get it on eBay for approximately $500.
A close second to the N95 is Sony's k850i – similar specification, similar cost, added benefit of email, but users have reported that the phone jams when using some features.
Sony Ericsson released two new mobile phones in Ireland in April, both designed to bring multimedia access on-the-go. O2 is the first provider to the market with the W890i Walkman phone, which accesses the music library at the touch of a button and has some snazzy features. TrackID does what it says on the tin – gives track information – while the SensMe software allows playlists to be saved by song tempo. Other features include picture and video blogging, video, 3D games, 3G, 3.2 megapixel camera and extended memory of 2GB.
3 mobile will no doubt attract the fashionistas out there with the ‘red carpet ready' W910i which won ‘Best Handset' at the 2008 Global Mobile Awards. In addition to the Walkman and technologies above, the W910i has the ‘Shake It' control, which at the flick of a wrist toggles between songs. At the touch of a button, TV programmes such as Heat, Xposé and RTE lifestyle highlights can be downloaded, along with other news and sport. And as with other 3 mobile phones, free Skype-to-Skype calls can be made. The phone is available free on Bill Pay; it costs €349 with 3Pay. Both models integrate with Sony Ericsson's portable bluetooth speaker or the bluetooth headset.
For business folk on the go, a series of Windows Mobile devices offer mobile versions of most Microsoft Office applications. The phones use the PC application Microsoft Outlook to send and receive emails – this automatically synchronises with emails on your PC or laptop. It also synchronises with the Outlook calender, which sends reminders for calender appointments, and the contacts list. Email attachments can be opened and edited just as with regular email.