HP iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger
Pros - Sleek design and packed with features, including Wi-Fi, VoIP and push-email.
Cons - No 3G and no touch-screen.
Also Consider - The HTC S710 is a compact Windows smartphone, which offers a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
Killer Application - Voice reply - Respond to emails with your voice and see your words converted to text and sent by return mail.
Verdict - A solid option for business users and consumers although early adopters would probably expect a better camera.
BlackBerry Curve 8300
Pros - The Curve retains what makes BlackBerry a success: ease of use, e-mail on the move and a QWERTY keyboard.
Cons - BlackBerry still gives 3G and Wi-Fi a wide berth.
Also Consider - HTC S620 is a Windows-powered messaging device with a full QWERTY keyboard and comes with Wi-Fi and faster EDGE capabilities.
Killer Application - Push-email - It may have new multimedia features, but BlackBerry’s easy-to-use and set up push-email is still the clincher.
Verdict - The Curve continues the BlackBerry tradition an a more compact form.
Alcatel Mandarina Duck Mobile Phone Review
Pros - The stylish looks will please some, as will the handbag clip.
Cons - The specs are underwhelming, the camera’s poor and the keys are dodgy.
Also Consider - Available in black or pink, the Fly SLT100 boasts a slick, well-crafted design for an attractive price tag.
Killer Application - Design - Having teamed up with fashion company Mandarin Duck, the phone is available in several colours.
Verdict - Whichever colour you opt for, the handset will turn heads. But there are much better handsets available, even at the keen price this phone is on sale for.
Motorola Splits
Motorola is separating its struggling mobile phone operation from the rest of the business.
The manufacturer has struggled to make an impact on the market since the success of the original RAZR phone and has been under increasing pressure from one of its most prominent investors, US billionaire Carl Icahn.
Motorola said the handset business will operate separately from the part that sells TV set-top boxes and modems. Chief executive Greg Brown said splitting the company would allow each unit to focus on its own business, particularly improving the struggling mobile phone division.
Brown said Motorola will search for a new chief executive for the Mobile Device business as it works to regain favour with customers and its number two position in the mobile market.
‘Our priorities have not changed,’ said Brown. ‘We remain committed to improving the performance of our Mobile Devices business by delivering compelling products that meet the needs of customers.’