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Sony Ericsson is a manufacturer of cell phones whose primary focus has been smartphone users that are interested in music. They entered the smartphone market in 2008 by launching the Xperia X1, and since then they have become a formidable participant in the market by introducing 7 more offerings under the Xperia name. Sony Ericsson has offered a plethora of options to its customers in an effort to remain a strong player in the highly competitive cell phone market.

The Xperia X10 as mentioned was Sony Ericsson’s first entry into the smartphone market, and this phone entered with a bang being the first to introduce a large 4” touch-screen. The phone appeals to those interested in social networking through their smartphones by utilizing their trademark Timescape UI, which allows users to participate on all of their social networks from one spot – their smartphone. A powerful 1 GHz processor runs Android version 2.1 OS. This phone has a nice 8 mega-pixel camera, which can be used for still photos or for 720p HD video.

The Xperia X10 spawned two smaller versions, the X10 Mini / Mini Pro. They utilize a slide out keyboard to compensate for the smaller screen size of 2.55 inches. The screen remains a capacitive touch screen however and the functionality of the smaller versions basically remains the same. The X10 Mini has a 600 MHz processor and the Android 2.1 operating system. Timescape UI is also included for those into social networking media. This interface allows users to update all of their social networks at once. The X10 Mini’s camera is a 5 mega-pixel auto focus unit designed for still photography and 720p HD video.

For the price conscious Sony Ericsson has rolled out the Xperia X8 model, which is a less expensive version of the X10. This is a slightly smaller version of the X10 (although slightly thicker), which packs a lot of similar features. The screen is a bit smaller at 3.0 inches, but it remains a capacitive touch-screen. The display quality is not quite on par with that of the X10, a sacrifice to lower price no doubt. The X8 is loaded with the Android 1.6 OS, which can be upgraded to Android 2.1 OS. This phone is equipped with GPS, 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity just like the X10.

Sony Ericsson fans have a lot to choose from with the Xperia line of smartphones. Android OS and a full range of standard features will satisfy even the most discerning smartphone shoppers.

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HTC has launched 5 smartphones into the Windows Phone 7 realm. This one is one of the more stylish. This unit boasts an 8 mega-pixel camera with a Xenon flash. Others in its class only have a 5 mega-pixel camera and a less powerful LED flash. Music aficionados will love the Mozart and its Zune software.

This unibody phone is cut from a single piece of aluminum which is then given a brushed finish. Inside, a 1 GHz Snapdragon chipset is utilized. There is a 3.2 inch SLCD display and the phone has a healthy 8GB of memory. Below the screen there are three backlit buttons and then above the display is the earpiece protected by a grille. Matte silver buttons on the sides control the power, volume and camera. At the top of the phone near the power button is a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The camera on the HTC Mozart is an 8 mega-pixel auto-focus. This outshines many of the other smartphones in its class that usually come in at 5 mega-pixels. The Mozart falls short in options to adjust this powerful camera however, lacking settings for ISO, EV, sharpness, and metering. There are reports that the HD camcorder feature has problems with frame rate reduction, particularly in low light conditions, where the number of frames per second is reduced lowering the video quality.

Music fans will love the HTC 7 Mozart. First, this unit has excellent quality speakers and a high-end sound technology known as SRS WOW HD, which is said to create virtual surround sound. The Mozart is equipped with Zune software, which creates a music, and videos hub, which is used to download your music and videos. For media stored on another device, simply connect wirelessly and you will be able to easily sync your stuff over to the Mozart.

Good looks and music go together in the HTC 7 Mozart. A stylish design crafted from a solid aluminum block kick off a good looking unibody case while the high class speakers and software designed for music lovers. The 8GB camera is a great feature as well. With limited adjustment capabilities, you may find yourself wishing for a more versatile camera. If you expect world-class photos, you may want to stick with your trusty SLR instead of your cell phone.

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All of the big names in electronics seem to be dipping their feet into the smartphone pool, especially by creating operating systems on which the phones run. Microsoft has continued to develop its Windows Phone OS and unveiled WP7, and the HTC HD7 is a competent engine for the system and an impressive smartphone in its own right.

The HD7 has an enormous screen that will instantly attract the gaze of anyone who picks up the phone. It measures a whopping 4.3 inches and allows for the maximum usage of the Windows Phone 7 OS features. It doesn’t take much to imagine how clearly movies and other videos appear on its display. Pinch-to-zoom is a feature that most phones possess these days, and the HTC HD7 is no different. The screen maintains 480 x 800 resolution and fits on a body that measures 68mm x 11.2mm x 122m. This allows the phone to fit comfortably in the pocket, even with such a roomy screen. If you want to watch a movie without holding the handset the entire time, a kickstand is provided.

Applications, video, and web browsing zip along on the HTC HD7’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 1 GHz processor. 576 MB of installed RAM increase the performance speed. Aside from enviable speed, the HD7 possesses a 5 megapixel camera that presents a movie mode in 720p. This is certainly not exclusive to the HD7, but HTC’s Hub sets the phone apart from the crowd by working seamlessly with WP7’s already impressive operation. The HTC claims that the phone is supposed to be a one-stop entertainment machine, and the speakers at the top and bottom of the phone go a long way toward proving this claim. A metal band protects the speakers and surrounds the phone in its entirety.

There are plenty of native applications on the HTC HD7 including, of course, an email client. Some testers and reviewers noted that the HD7 received emails even before it showed up in their online mailbox. Email search is quite simple, as you have only to swipe right or left to find unread and flagged messages. The phone uses Internet Explorer as its browser and syncs with Zune Music and Videos. Microsoft Office is another native application on the phone, complete with Google Docs.

The HTC HD7 smartphone is a sleek, powerful media dynamo. Whether it is movies, music, or email you need, the phone can handle it all and handle it quickly. With its vivid and large display, the HD7 presents an easy to see and easy to use package.

In the first generation of Windows Phone 7 devices, the HTC HD7 is also one of the largest smartphones on the market at 4.3 inches. This handset boasts many features that may make it the leader in WP7 devices.

The HD7 is not only large in physical size, but its storage capacity is large as well at 16GB. If you want even more, sorry, there is no memory card slot. The large 4.3 inch display is an LCD panel which may be a concern for those who feel strongly that OLED is the only way to go. There is an interesting flip out kick stand that props the phone up for hands free viewing. If more than one person is watching however, glare may contribute to a less than ideal viewing experience.

The battery life on the HD7 has raised some concern, as it is not on par with some of its competition. It stands to reason that HTC did not opt to bulk this phone up any more with more battery. It is already large so they fitted this with a 3.7V 1,230 mAh battery which is rated for 6.5 hours of talk time. This is not quite up to the competition, where many smartphones can provide talk time of over 7 hours. The HTC Legend in fact is a leader in battery life with a talk time of 12.75 hours.

The 5 mega-pixel camera on the HD7 is a good quality and performs as a camcorder for 720p HD video recording. Photo critics may have something to say about the photographic quality of still images which tend to come out blurry and have a problem with color accuracy. The problems with fuzzy pictures may lie in the less than positive feel of the shutter button which can cause a bit of lag in the shutter.

HTC had originally offered a phone of this type in the HD2, which ran Windows Mobile 6.5. The HD7 will run Windows Phone 7 and that alone is a big plus. If you couple that with the other amazing features like the large screen and the 5 mega-pixel camera, this smartphone is a great device. Some of the drawbacks should be highlighted, although for many they will not be a deal breaker. 6.5 hours of talk time is less than the competition but that is still a good battery life given this units large display. From a camera standpoint, this still takes decent photos. The “soft button” issue may cause some concern for serious photographers, but chances are those folks are using the SLR for award winning photos, not their cell phone.

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Customers even only slightly familiar with smartphones no doubt recognize the Blackberry. Research in Motion set the bar quite high with its original version and has continued to blaze the smartphone trail with each subsequent version of the Blackberry Storm. The Blackberry Storm 3 picks up directly after the Storm 2 and freshens it up to counter the iPhone’s continued popularity.

Preliminary reports are that the Blackberry Storm 3 is a touch up of the Storm 2, almost considered a version 2.5. One of the first things customers will notice on the Storm 3 is the totally touch screen QWERTY keyboard, eliminating the sometimes flimsy and breakable sliding version found on other phones. It will please Storm 3 customers to know that it is an accurately sensitive touch screen, preventing an inordinate amount of errors. The screen itself is a considerable 3.7” AMOLED capacitive touch screen, allowing scads of functions to appear in large scale.

Powering these features and functions is the Blackberry OS 6.0, customized for the Storm 3. When users surf the internet, the OS 6.0 operating system provides the engine for RIM’s Webkit web browser. Early reports are that the browser is a big improvement over its predecessor. 8 or 16 GB of storage offer enough storage for plenty of videos and photographs, within reason of course. The memory can be expanded up to 1GB RAM and 1GB ROM. Videos and photos are captured on a 5 megapixel camera with a resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels.

The Blackberry Storm 3 is a World Edition smartphone, already providing an advantage over other phones of its ilk. It also offers 3G hotspot capabilities of HSDPA at 10.2 Mbps. 802.11n WiFi comprises the connectivity aspect of the phone. Bluetooth version 3.0 is included as well as a standard, Li-Ion battery that allows approximately 9 hours of standby time in 2G and around 5 hours of standby time in 3G. It goes without saying that the Storm 3 presents the ability to store a wide array of ringtones in both MP3 and WAV format.

Research in Motion has updated the Storm 2 rather nicely with the Blackberry Storm 3. It takes what is good about previous models and freshens them up. As smartphones continue to develop at a mind boggling pace, RIM keeps up with the crowd and even leads the way.

As quickly as models of smartphones experience periods of popularity, they fall out of favor just as fast. Producers of smartphones know this, and in order to stay relevant they must balance the latest bells and whistles with affordability. Entertainment has become just as important to users as function, and the HTC Wildfire is ably equipped to perform both tasks.

Android phones have been all the rage for some time now, and the operating system remains a favorite of smartphone users. The HTC Wildfire uses the Android 2.1 platform combined with the HTC Sense. This Android phone runs a CPU at a speed of 528 MHz and is backed up by 512 MB of ROM and 384 MB of RAM. There is a slot for a micro SD card that boosts the memory up to 32 GB. A 3.2” capacitive touch screen allows the user to see all of the functions and video that the Wildfire is able to provide. Pinch to zoom capabilities are found on the screen, a necessity these days it seems. The display gives a resolution of 240 x 320 QVGA, and though the screen may not be the largest that can be purchased, it allows for a less cumbersome handset overall. The body of the Wildfire spans 60.4mm x 12.19mm x 106.75mm.

Every smartphone worth its weight allows users to snap photographs, and the Wildfire furnishes a 5 megapixel camera that features auto focus and a flash. It even comes complete with geotagging. If you happen to stray off the beaten path, a digital compass and proximity sensor will get you back on track. A standard micro-USB port and 3.5mm stereo audio jack are found on the Wildfire for when you need to plug in. Those looking for Bluetooth will find v. 2.1 with Enhanced Data Rate. The HTC Wildfire is a 3G phone and gives up to 7.2 Mbps download and 384 Mbps upload speeds.

Unless you have been living under a rock, it shouldn’t come as big news that people simply must stay connected to Facebook, Twitter, and other social network sites. The HTC Wildfire is a connectivity machine, providing Friend Stream that lets users check out all of the latest Facebook updates, tweets, and newest Flickr photos simultaneously and on one screen. All kinds of cool apps are available in the Android Market, and these can be recommended to friends right from the handset. The phone is equipped with YouTube video sharing capabilities.

Of course, some more expensive phones provide faster speeds and larger screens than the HTC Wildfire, but most do not provide the essential smartphone functions at a lower, more affordable cost. Customers will appreciate the fact that their favorite features are all on one, low-cost phone.

As the name suggests, a 2 way radio is a device that can both transmit and receive radio waves. A 2 way radio can come in three main guises: mobile, hand-held and stationary base. Mobile phones are also classed as a kind of 2 way radio as they use two separate radio bands to transmit and receive communications.

Hand-held or mobile 2 way radios are designed to be robust, lightweight and portable, meaning that you can keep in constant communication with your employees at your workplace, your mountaineering buddies, or even your skiing partners dispersed over a mountainside, as long as you pick the right device suitable for its intended use.

Buying a 2 way radio can be a confusing experience of range capabilities, radio bands and antennae amplification levels, but the information detailed here should make things a little clearer for you.

Firstly you must decide what type of 2 way radio you want. Do you want a GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) configuration, high power radio suitable for outdoor recreation; or an FRS configuration (Family Radio Service) radio which is a lower power unit?

You must also remember to view coverage claims on radio packaging critically. Generally, coverage claims are based on best-case scenarios in optimal conditions; the best case being, transmitting from a mountain to a receiver in a valley with an unobstructed direct line of communication. This scenario is uncommon and real-world transmission range in the majority of situations is around two miles.

Finding a device suitable for your requirements can be difficult if you don’t know what all the numbers in a devices specifications mean. But what particular piece of information should you use to base your judgment on? The best place to start is the effective radiated power of a unit. In simple terms, this number is how powerful the antenna is, ignoring the amplification abilities of the device.

Radio waves are generally around twelve inches long and the best way to capture them effectively is with a large antenna. The problem is that a large antenna is not easy to carry around and is certainly not aesthetically appealing to potential customers; so designers need to strike a balance between effectiveness and portability. It is advised to choose a radio that has an antenna which is roughly the same length as the radio body.

Something that people fail to realize is that with a GMRS band radio, users must have a paid subscription as the GMRS band was first developed for commercial use, though subscriptions are not expensive and easily obtainable. The FRS band sparked the 2 way radio popularity explosion as it is free and offers seven channels, though because of the lower power used, range is limited to around six miles in perfect conditions.

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When considering a telephone system upgrade for your business, it is wise to first establish the reasons that an upgrade may be necessary. If your current system is failing causing customer complaints, that may be a valid reason, but you may also find that an upgrade could result in improved productivity and additional cost savings. Comparing the features of an upgrade to your current system is the best way to determine whether the cost of the upgrade is warranted.

When a decision has been made that an upgrade is required, it is then time to evaluate the key features that you will be seeking from the new system. Evaluate the features of your current system in terms of those that you like and the features, or problems, that you do not like. Then look at the capabilities of new systems to determine which ones, and with what features, will serve your business the best. This will help you to focus on which features available through an upgrade are worthwhile endeavors.

Cost is a factor in any telephone system upgrade and an assessment of your current costs will be the starting point in your upgrade evaluation. This may include the cost for Internet and WAN circuits, your PBX lease, PBX monthly services, cell phone, monthly conferencing, and maintenance (including tech support, hardware and software that may require replacement). Once this information is gathered a proper evaluation and comparison can be done for the upgrades.

A budget should be prepared that is based on the current system and all of its features. Once this is complete it will be time to investigate the actual cost of the upgrade to include all of the new equipment, software, and installation costs. These costs should be separated from the ongoing costs common to both the old and the new systems so that a comparison can be drawn to highlight those cost differences. This will allow for an educated, cost driven approach to making an upgrade decision.

After a working budget is completed, you will need to begin to actually shop for a system. One of the next steps is to identify which of several good equipment manufacturers that will be considered. Most manufacturers will utilize re-sellers that offer sales and installation services, as well as maintenance contracts. Sometimes, there will be multiple re-sellers within a given geographical area and it may make sense to get proposals from each of them to compare, and ensure that you are getting the best possible price.

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Sony Ericsson, the cell phone manufacturer with a reputation for their strong emphasis on music, is a big player in the competitive market for smartphones. In 2008, Sony Ericsson successfully penetrated the smartphone market with the release of the Xperia X1. To date, 7 Xperia models have been created based on various platforms and the popularity of these smartphones has been picking up with each release. Now, let us take a look at some of the recent ‘Xperia’ options available.

Xperia X10 – It has been a good 8 months since the launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. The flagship multimedia phone was first announced in 2009 and heavily advertised before its launch in March 2010. To date, the smartphone remains as one of the most desirable phones of its kind. A combination of the 4-inch capacitive touchscreen and the extensive social network integration proving to be a winning strategy for Sony Ericsson. The trademark Timescape UI in the Xperia X10 collects updates from your social networks and feeds them to an interactive 3D timeline. The smartphone has a high-end 1Ghz processor that operates Android version 2.1 OS. In addition to first class mobile social networking capabilities, the Xperia X10 has an impressive 8 MP camera that supports HD videos (720p) and images (3264×2448 pixels).

Xperia X10 Mini / Mini Pro – If you are considering the Xperia X10 Mini and Mini Pro smartphones, you should understand that they are, for the most part, very similar. The only real differentiation lies in the slide out QWERTY keyboard that is present in the X10 Mini Pro. Apart from a common 2.55-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen, both the Xperia Mini smartphones share the identical 600 Mhz processor and the same version of Android 2.1 OS. Since the compact Mini smartphones are in the Xperia X10 family, they come with the Timescape social network integration as well. The Mini Xperia X10s are built with an impressive 5-megapixel camera that snaps photographs with a resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels. For most people, the Xperia 10 Mini Pro will be a better choice since the slide out physical keyboard compensates for the small virtual keyboards on the 2.55 inch touchscreen. Should you desire a compact smartphone that fits snugly in your palms, you’ll love the Xperia X10 Mini and Mini Pro cell phones.

Xperia X8 – From a quick glance, the Xperia X8 looks pretty similar to the Xperia X10. The pretty smartphone is available in 5 different color schemes. Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X8 runs on the upgraded Android 2.1 OS and is a great choice for users with small budgets who don’t want to compromise on quality. The basic smartphone capabilities are present in the Xperia X8. These functions include Wi-fi, 3G connectivity and GPS. Moving along from the less impressive 600 Mhz processor, the Xperia X8 has a 3.0 Inch TFT capacitive touchscreen that displays 16M colors. Unless you are particularly demanding on performance, the Xperia X8 works as a great day-to-day smartphone.

Whichever Xperia phone you opt for, you won’t be disappointed, so which one you choose is up to you!

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Global mobile manufacturers may be moving from large to LARGER touchscreen smartphones but Sony Ericsson has not forgotten about the compact smartphone market. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro is a one of its kind with a compact 2.55 inch full screen display.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro was recently released (June 2010) as an improved alternative to the X10 Mini. Both the Mini smartphones are powered by a Qualcomm 600 mhz processor and have Android installed as their operating system. The X10 Mini Pro was initially installed with Android OS version 1.6, but is upgradable to the quicker Android OS version 2.1. The newer version of the Android OS comes with essential upgrades such as an improved virtual keyboard and HTML 5 web browsing capabilities.

Despite having an extra slide out QWERTY keyboard, the Xperia X10 Mini Pro is surprisingly thin. As compared to its “twin”, the Mini Pro has a negligible 2mm of extra depth. In other words, they’ll feel the same in your pockets and palms. The Mini Pro’s default color is black but it is also available in Pink and Red.

One thing that made a huge difference though, is the slide out QWERTY keyboard. Sony Ericsson perfectly analyzed the ergonomics of a handheld QWERTY keyboard and strategically positioned the keys for an extremely comfortable typing experience. The effort has reaped them huge rewards, as positive feedbacks have been overwhelming.

The Xperia X10 Mini Pro comes with the visually appealing Xperia experience. This includes the lively 3D interface and the mobile social network partner, Timescape. The trademark UI by Sony Ericsson constantly collect updates from multiple social networks and display them on an attractive timeline. Social profile integration with the address book serves as yet another convenient feature. Need entertainment? Sony Ericsson’s “PlayNow” mobile store sells music tracks, games and applications.

As for the multimedia capabilities of the Xperia X10 Mini Pro, we have already highlighted the beautiful gallery. On the other hand, the 5 MP camera provides quality pictures in solid resolution (2560×1920 pixels). It also comes with autofocus, LED flash, camera modes and video recording (640×480 pixels). You will be able to pick between auto, macro, twilight or sports mode when snapping pictures. The noise isolation handsfree kit also delivers great clarity and bass when listening to music.

The most common worry about the Xperia X10 Mini Pro is usually related to its smaller touchscreen. Despite a lack of virtual real estate, Sony Ericsson had successfully optimized the interface to accommodate space restrictions. This means that you will not experience day-to-day frustrations on the compact smartphone. Ultimately, the main problem that lies with the virtual keyboard is tactfully solved with the slide out QWERTY keyboard. That leaves us with one disadvantage – the lower resolution of the screen causes incompatibility issues with a few Android applications.

If you are on the lookout for an affordable smartphone that doesn’t occupy much pocket space, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro will be a strong contender!

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