Blackberry devices seems to be conitnuing to make waves in the tech scene despite fierce comeptition. Blackberry curve 8520 seems specifically to adress the complains that black berry devices are too bulky. This blackberry device weighs just 106 grams and is only 109mm by 60mm in size. Couple with a thickness just over a centimeter, this is one of the easiest device to carry around.

BlackBerry Curve 8520

It also did away with the usual trackball in exchange for a trackpad. Other features includes dedicated media keys for playing songs and videos, although I must say the screen is too small to be watching videos in comfort for long.

Connection wise, it supports Wi-Fi, bluetooth and 10 popular email services. Surfing speed and decent and I’ve no complains.

Overall, this is a usable but easy to carry around model for blackberry lovers.

Acer unveiled it’s first eight smartphone model in the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona. The company plans to be the top 5 smartphone makers in 5 years. The current top makers are Apple, Research in motion, HTC and Nokia

The cheapest smartphone model is expected to be sold for less US$100 and is expected to do well espeically in such though economic situation

Samsung Pixon Review

Samung’s foray into the market with a 8 mega-pixel camera sets itself to challange Sony Erricson, which is reckon as the market leaders for camera phone.

The Samung Pixon phone offers a little of everything, in an attempt to offer the best of everything. Jack of all trades maybe.

At 55 x 108 x 14 mm, the pixon is not exactly a small phone. But it is slim enough to fit into the pocket nicely and at 121g it’s loght enough to carry around with a sturdy feel.

The pixon comes with a large 42 x 70 mm touch screen, similar to the iPhone or the LG Renoir. The screen is bright is a joy for viewing video or pictures.

The touch screen has minimal Lag time although the responsiveness doesn’t meet expectation. If you’ve used an iphone before, you would be irritated with the unresponsiveness of the touch screen.

The key feature of Samung Pixon is the 8 megapixel phone. Sadly it comes only with a LED flash. Otherwise, taking photos is day light is a joy. The photos are crisps with minimal noise. Autofocus is fast and images are clear enough for a 8R printout. Also worth mentioning is that it comes with a capture mechanical button on the phone so that the phone can be used as though it’s a normal camera. This saves you from awkwardly pointing your finger onto the touchscreen to take a photo.

The camera comes not just with face detection, but with smile detection and blink detection so that you won’t ever miss a cheery moment.

A feature lacking is the absence of wi-fi. I persoanlly tend to prefer phones with wi-fi as they generally inccur no data charges and can save me a bomb from gprs charges.

All in all, Pixon offers a very good camera phone with a large touch screen that is of acceptable standard. It does lack the look and design of the iphone and features of the phone can be described as standard. It is overall a relatively good phone to get if the camera is important to you.

Likes:  Good camera, Camera shutter, large screen, fair battery life

Dislikes: No wifi, slightly bulky

Likes: Stylish, Value for money, Great function, Good Camera

Dislikes: Some lag time, Battery Life

LG Secrets

LG was never a popular brand for mobile phones. But they are creating phones that are increasingly user friendly and stylish, yet maintaing an affordable price.

The LG secrets is the epitomy of what LG has hope to achieve in their phone for the past 5 years. The LG Secret KF750 is part of LG’s Black Label Series phone. It’s motto: “Style that Last”

Looks

Looks wise, Secrets is a solid and attractive phone. This is one phone which uses material previously only found in higher end cars. Tampered glass, leather and Carbon Fibre. The feel is solid enough, unlike some of the slide phones which feels like they’ll break anytime.

I’m typically skeptical of slide phones, as the sliding mechanism tend to get cranky over time. My LG set has been with me for over 6 months now and well, I still love the way it slides open each time.

Design

There is a four-way navigation pad that surrounds the center key which are touch-sensitive. It is keenly sensitive and the phone vibrates with stylish lighting of neon light to let you know when you have tap a key. A small problem I sometime encouter is the touch sensitive key being activated when it touches my face while holding the phone to my ear. This sometimes put my call on hold. I overcome this problem by putting the phone slightly away from my face. 

Function

Secrets hold a 5 megapixel camera that is surprisingly good and clear. The auto focus function take a little long (about 1.5 to 2 secs) compared to the Sony Erricson phones. But picture quality wise, it’s as good as a C902.

While there is noo Xenon Flash, the LED flash is pleasantly bright enough for most shots and I’ve a good time with it. The night function works well, with the regret that the phone’s slim size means it cannot be place on a table top for a more steady shot.

Video taking is even more attractive at 120 frames per second. LG secrets comes with several editing tools and a movie maker. Most people would use their computers for these editing, but it can be fun at times to spontaneously make a slideshow complete with music on the train or on the bus.

Secrets comes with a weird touch screen function which is activated with the “touch media” function. Which means touch screen can only be used for Music, FM radio, Photos, Documents and Games. Most Exciting are the accelerometer-based game which works a little like a mini Wii on Hand phone. Just make sure your secrets don’t fly off your hands.

Others

LG secrets is sturdy to carry and can withstand small knocks with no problem. The battery life however last a mere 48 hours generally. If you use the accelerometer games or camera, then expect to charge it every night. Signal Strength is not fantastic with secrets and you need to consider seriously if the signal strength at your area is a problem. Otherwise, it should work well in most city areas.

One major complaint I have is the the phone then to lag a little (about 0.3- 0.5 secs), especially when the touch buttons are used. That being said, with so many function and great looks at a wonderful price, that’s something I can live happily with.