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Sony Ericsson Vivaz review

Smooth operator with appealing curves

In its first product announcement for 2010, Sony Ericsson introduce us to the fresh and distinctive curves of the Vivaz. Its designer look and feel immediately captures the imagination in a way previous models failed to do. Thank you, SE for trying something different.

The first of a range of ergonomically designed ‘Communications Entertainment’ phones for 2010, the Vivaz (like the Satio) runs the latest Symbian OS, but tweaks and improves the UI. The 3.2" resistive touchscreen feels more finger responsive than rivals (no stylus!), and displays 360×640 pixels in clear, 16:9 widescreen format, ideal for video playback.

Five sliding panels form the homescreen, with an animated control bar to keep you right. Everything can be reorganised and customised to where you want it, between contacts, shortcuts, picture albums, video clips and widgets.

Drawing from Sony’s dual Walkman and Cybershot heritage, this is a phone for organising music and video, with a much improved MediaGo player and TV out capability. The standard sales pack has an 8GB microSD card included, essential because one touch HD video capture with continuous autofocus has arrived folks, pretty unique and an awesome feature. The standard camera is high-end too, at 8.1 MP.

Integrated networking widgets easily allow the socially mobile to share their stuff; uploading to YouTube, GPS supported geo-tagging pictures to Google’s Picasa, or chatting via Facebook and Twitter. All enabled through fast 3G (HSPA) or Wi-Fi if you’re in a hotspot.

The stylised design and top-notch video capture will appeal to affluent 20-somethings, and anyone who wants to social network in style. This is a boutique smartphone, not a gadget from the hardware store.

Huawei U7510 review

Value brand touchscreen

After bringing us Dongles, this is the first phone I’ve seen from Huawei. The U7510 is a compact and lightweight mobile, following the portrait design and build of more expensive rivals. A budget-end touchscreen that delivers a solid 3G web and social networking experience.

Extremely light at 56g and weighing less than half an iPhone, you may forget you’re carrying it. The 2.8" touchscreen displays 240×320 pixels in satisfactory quality, but typing longer messages or emails becomes very fiddly. This device is all about short, sharp status updates and instant gratification. Smells like teen spirit?

Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, YouTube, and IM chat services can all be accessed by the home screen widget bar. You can’t customise it much, but what else is there? 100MB of onboard storage will be ok for most users, if you have no other music player, then going up to 8GB via microSD is available. The camera is a very basic 2MP, but it can capture reasonable video, and is simple to use.

A basic touchscreen in the preferred design. Maybe not for me, the proposition will appeal to people on a restrictive budget, or perhaps those looking to replace non-warranty breakages at a bargain price. A choice for Teens and upwards to demonstrate they can be responsible with a phone, before gravitating next time to something more expensive with more frills.

Nokia N900 review

Nerdy heaven from Finland

Physically, the N900 has a QWERTY side-slide design, a little on the chubby side but still manageable in a pocket. It has a 3.5″ screen and is very definitely an internet tablet with phone capabilities, in that order.

The keypad feels a little cramped and supplemental, with the resistive touchscreen taking centre stage and looking the business. Packing a massive 800×480 pixels, it providing sharp video quality with an ambient light sensor built in. Supplied with a stylus, my fingernail worked pretty well, the best resistive screen I’ve used.

Inside, a 600Mhz processor backed up by 32GB of storage provides the oomph, with extra power dedicated to graphics and it shows. Maemo 5 is a visually delightful interface, but a little quirky to get used to. For example you swirl to zoom; clockwise in, anticlockwise out. The four paged home screen is completely customisable with widgets, shortcuts and web bookmarks, and can be skinned or themed as required. It’s also nice that menus can be repositioned and that web links show a thumbnail of the associated page.

I struggled to find any application that isn’t available, all the social networking sites are supported and Flash 9.4 plus a browser built from the same code as Mozilla Firefox provided a fantastic internet experience. WiFi, GPS and a 3.5mm jack that doubles as TV-out, are enhanced by an infrared port. This allows third party applications to act as a universal remote, folding in an extra level of geek-chic to the N900.

A hardcore and expensive device, more than a smartphone it rewards users that take the time needed to learn all its secrets. The deign brief ‘tablet computer plus phone functions’ means the tech savvy (geeky) will adore the N900, but other smartphones have a shallower learning curve for the masses.

INQ Chat 3G review

Portrait QWERTY for budget pocket

The Chat 3G is INQ’s third phone and big brother to the Mini 3G. Apparently, size is important because the Chat is made from the same materials, but is much more substantial than the Mini. It feels like a solid and superior product.

A 2.4 inch QVGA screen displaying 320 x 240 tops the portrait QWERTY keypad. Sculpted keys are comfortable and clearly marked, but lack the tactile response of more expensive phones.The rear panel is high-gloss colourful plastic and can be swapped out.

Targeted at the budget social networker and made to do all things internet, featured apps include facebook, push Gmail, Skype, WLM and an enhanced Twitter client that pushes Tweets directly to your home screen. Users can customise up to three widgets and app switching is done by simply tapping the right side key. Another dual identity phone from INQ, dump your dongles and use it as a fast HSDPA modem.

You get a 3.2 MP camera and INQ’s doubleTwist plays iTunes and other music files easily. Budget design means low onboard storage though, 50MB can be microSD expanded to 4GB. Finally, having no flash support for the browser is a handicap - Animations and cool web pages your friends link will need to be watched on a laptop or PC.

INQ would love it to be become known as ‘the Twitter phone’, it’s a value device that does the internet well, but not perfectly.

INQ Mini 3G Review

Budget social networker

Exclusive to 3 and its second INQ handset manufactured by Amoi. This is an affordable phone with low production values to keep the price tag down.

Applications are selected using the java-based carousel format familiar to recent 3 phones. INQ’s switcher key allows easy toggling between applications, but the 50MB internal memory needs a microSD card booster (up to 4GB) to keep operation smooth and swift. Active address book gives a slick presentation of all of your integrated Skype, facebook, twitter and WLM connections in one place. Plus it lets you merge individual friends’ details under one heading per contact. Smart.

The basic phone browser is limited but the strategy of combining 3G dongle capability is a strength here. Connect up a laptop via USB and suddenly I’m a fan. Much more utility than a basic dongle. While connected, doubleTwist is a application that gives drag-and-drop synching of iTunes and Windows Media Player files with the Mini 3G.

Unconnected again I have to be honest. The 2.2 inch screen is bright and clear but has a narrow viewing angle. Fiddly SIM and battery removal frustrated, but was easily fixed here. Battery life with lots of 3G use was tight, keep a charger handy. Call quality was clear and I’m swiftly converting to Skype, if only more of my friends did I’d save a fortune (hint hint). The bundled headset worked ok, but plugged in via the mini USB, there’s no other jack.

A step forward in software and utility from the INQ1, a stumble backward in design and feel. You get what you pay for folks and this feels like a toy. It is dirt-cheap though, and much more useful than a plain dongle.

‘Ello ‘ello ‘ello

What’s all this then?, Tweeted

Spotted on the BBC site, police officers are using Twitter to keep local residents aware and assured about their presence. In growing communities it certainly does sound like a good way of letting householders know their beat copper is in the area. "These kinds of social media are ultimately just another way of communicating with the public," Tom Stirling, North Yorkshire’s web officer told the BBC.

Nice to see creative uses for social networking, just an up to date Dixon of Dock Green posting a sign on the parish notice board.

Like to know more? BBC story here

Sony Ericsson T715 Review

Entry level sophisticate

It’s easy to think phones that are positioned free with low rental price plans are going to be disappointingly low spec. I’m pleased to say the T715 can easily escape this trap. Constructed in shiny brushed aluminium over robust plastic, this is a sleek, streamlined slider phone from Sony Ericsson.

A premium look and feel T-Series and spiritual successor to the W595. What you lose without the walkman branding and price tag, you more than make for with new features. True to design promises, the keys are large and easy to press and the menu structures and icons will be very comfortable for anyone who’s used the manufacturer before.

Integrated data and a fast connection speed is where the phone starts to impress. Alternate either twitter tweets or facebook updates as your home screen, easily upload video to direct to YouTube and chat with Windows Live Messenger through built in applications.

The less good stuff. The music player interface looks very retro and the 3.2 MP camera is for casual use. 90MB internal with no microSD card being supplied is a recurring gripe for me. It all does the job but customers with specialised needs in these areas should reconsider.

In summary, value, fun and fully functional.

OneMobileRing

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Sony Ericsson Vivaz review

Smooth operator with appealing curves

Huawei U7510 review

Value brand touchscreen

Nokia N900 review

Nerdy heaven from Finland

INQ Chat 3G review

Portrait QWERTY for budget pocket

INQ Mini 3G Review

Budget social networker

‘Ello ‘ello ‘ello

What’s all this then?, Tweeted

Sony Ericsson T715 Review

Entry level sophisticate

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Smooth operator with appealing curves

Value brand touchscreen

Nerdy heaven from Finland

Portrait QWERTY for budget pocket

Budget social networker

What’s all this then?, Tweeted

Entry level sophisticate