Mobile Phone Blog:

A manufacturer famed for its small but powerful range of laptops has attempted to apply its knowledge to mobile phones, it has emerged.

Asus, the company behind the award-winning range of Eee PC notebooks, has launched a new device which it claims has better processing power than any other handset on the market.

Equipped with a fast 800 MHz processor, the Asus P565 is a business-focussed PDA-style mobile that has a 2.8-inch touchscreen, GPS connectivity with satellite navigation software pre-loaded and access to Microsoft Office Mobile.

Asus’ business head of mobile communication, Edward Wang, said professional users who use their mobile phones on a daily basis could be impressed by the "uncompromising" device.

"This phone is a fusion of unparalleled performance with unrivalled style to give the discerning business professional an ultimate productivity tool that fits in his pocket," he said.

Earlier this year, the company’s Asus Eee PC was awarded the title of Gadget of the Year at Stuff Magazine’s annual awards.

A new handset from Nokia has been praised for its simplicity in a recent review for the Pocket-lint website.

The article claims the Finnish manufacturer is on to a winner with the 6600 Slide as it is easy to use, nice to handle and yet still offers a range of high profile features.

Sibling model to the Nokia 6600 Fold, the Slide offers a 2.2-inch 320 x 240 pixel screen and the review states the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, 3.2-megapixel camera and 3G is also welcome.

"If you’re in the least bit swayed by the high-end phones … this would be like being stuck in a village in deepest darkest Yorkshire. However, if that village sounds appealing, this might just be the handset for you," it concludes.

The Nokia 6600 Slide is also equipped with an integrated music player and FM radio as well as Xpress Audio Messaging.

A new addition to the LG handset range includes a lot of "high-end bells and whistles", according to a new write-up.

Trusted Reviews said the manufacturer has now got around to concentrating on dual sim functionality with the KS660, which has a three-inch display and a five-megapixel camera.

Described as "supremely impressive", the KS660 also has a microSDHC slot so users can pack more memory into the gadget.

However, a lack of 3G or Wi-Fi capabilities means the phone is not quite satisfactory, the website said, adding that the inclusion of a stylus means the touchscreen is not capacitive.

"If fast data access isn’t important to you for some reason … then the 105 x 55 x 14.9 mm dimensions and 115 g weight could be a clincher," Trusted Reviews explained.

September 2008 saw LG unveil the LG-KP500, which it claimed was the most affordable of its kind in the country.

The full touchscreen handset also included a stylus for easier operation.

An iPhone Nano could be on the cards, according to T3.

The gadget website reports it has heard a rumour that a smaller version of the current iPhone – offering much of the same functionality – is due to be released.

A picture reportedly showing the new handset has been uploaded to the Mac Rumours site, T3 explains.

It also points out one retailer has added an iPhone Nano slot on its product pages, although it acknowledges this could be human error.

Commenting on the demand for such a handset, T3 states: "In truth, there doesn’t seem to be any desire for a shrunk-down iPhone … right now."

However, the website adds if a Nano version of the handset was unveiled at MacWorld it would not be a huge surprise.

Meanwhile, Apple claims the current iPhone makes an ideal tour guide for holidaymakers, as it features a range of applications – from detailed maps to language lessons – which help travellers get the most out of their trip.

Mid-ranged mobile phones are not usually considered worthy of much attention – but the Samsung U800 bucks this trend, a new review suggests.

In a recent article for Pocket Gamer, Damien McFerran looks at the South Korean company’s phone – which he states is available at a reasonable price on pay-as-you-go tariffs – and concludes it is a "triumph" in terms of style.

The integrated features of the U800 are also something worthy of praise, he adds – noting HSDPA connectivity offers the kind of data and video options not usually afforded to such an cost-focused device.

Multimedia facilities and the phone’s integrated three-megapixel camera are singled out as areas where the phone is lacking, but the review concludes it will satisfy a certain demographic easily.

"HSDPA and video calling is balanced out by some unfortunate shortcomings – but when you consider the place in the market the U800 is set to inhabit, it’s a little easier to overlook these irksome issues," Mr McFerran states.

Battery time for the phone is estimated to be around six hours on 2.5G talk time and 3.5 hrs when utilising the phone’s 3G capabilities.

The latest entry into Nokia‘s range of music-focussed mobile phones has been put to the test in a recent review.

In an article for Mobile Burn, Jin Khang Ong looks at the Nokia 5320 XpressMusic and notes that it builds on the already solid reputation of the series by adding 3G capabilities to the mix.

One of the key features that will interest music lovers is the expandable memory card slot – capable of supporting up to 8GB – and a 3.5mm jack that means most standard headphones can be used.

Although lacking in Wi-Fi connectivity, the 5320 is praised for its high-quality audio, connectivity and battery life – which Mr Ong notes is "impressive".

"The 5320 has proven itself worthy of becoming one of the best music phones out there at the moment. Therefore, we at MobileBurn.com give it a highly recommended rating," the review concludes.

Other Nokia handsets in the same range include the 5800 XpressMusic, a model which was launched in October this year and is equipped with a touchscreen and 3.2-megapixel camera.

Well, it is that time of year again, when we come together to celebrate the real meaning of this festive season. It’s Christmas, and we must always remember the important things, and remember what the real meaning of Christmas is.

And this year, the meaning of Christmas is ‘I FINALLY GOT AN X1 XPERIA! HAHAHAHAHAHA!‘

Oh, alright, it can be about peace and love, and families coming together too. So, as we all head home from work, to go for the big Christmas burn (which involves eating turkey until it comes out your ears, and enough sprouts to make a Force 10 hurricane), everybody here at Mobileshop wants to wish every single one of you out there the bestest, happiest and most funnestest (I may have made that word up…) Christmas in the history of christendom.

So, eat, drink, be merry, enjoy any new mobile phones you’ve got (which I plan to do, and so will me mam and dad, since they’re both getting new’ns), and make it a Chrimbo to remember. I’ll be back in the new year, and I might even stretch to a review of the X1 Xperia, if you’re good boys and girls. In the meantime, peace to all, and enjoy the big day!

THE BESTEST, HAPPIEST, MERRIEST HOHOHO-IN’ CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT MOBILESHOP.COM!

Following the launch of the T Mobile G1 earlier this year, some websites are predicting that 2009 could be big for the Android operating system (OS).

The Google-designed OS is so far only available on the G1, yet the web is filled with speculation that other manufacturers are champing at the bit to get the next model out.

Boy Genius Report claims to have received a tip – although it states this is "definitely not confirmed" – that the HTC-made G1 could soon get an upgrade which would mean it loses the full qwerty keyboard.

Elsewhere, other news providers are citing Korean website ETNews in quoting a spokesman from Samsung who states the manufacturer has an Android phone in the works.

"We are accelerating the development process for [a] Google phone in order to meet the specific need of local carriers," the spokesperson reportedly said.

For those who cannot wait that long, the T Mobile G1 is available now.

A new handset from Research In Motion (RIM) has been described by the company as a "must have" mobile.

Following the launch of the BlackBerry Bold this week in Denmark, RIM said the handset would be a great acquisition for both business users and those who demanded the very best in smartphone technology.

It was noted that in addition to a high level of technical features, the BlackBerry Bold had been designed with style and functionality in mind.

"Featuring a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome finished frame and stylish leatherette backplate, the BlackBerry Bold is a symbol of accomplishment and aspiration," RIM said in a statement accompanying the Danish launch.

The Bold is equipped with a 480×320 resolution colour display, HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS support, 1GB of onboard memory – upgradable to 16GB using an additional card – and a two-megapixel camera.

Business users can also expect access to Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files as well as Bluetooth 2.0.

Last week the phone was also launched in Portugal.

Well, the rumour’s been going round for a while now, but it’s kicking up once again: according to the Boy Genius Report, there is an outside possibility we might be seeing a new, teeny-tiny version of the iPhone next year. In a not-so-shocking twist (since it’s based on the iPod naming structure), it’s rumoured to be called the iPhone Nano.

But how true are these rumours?

Well, they’ve been knocking about since August, and I’ll be honest, I haven’t reported on them before, because until there was something more concrete, I thought they were about as likely as Liechtenstein founding the first human colony on Mars. Until the new diminutive mobile phone was actually spoke about with some certainty, I would write it off as rubbish.

However, as BGR points out, there’s a new rumour going round, and it’s based on the website of a company called XSKN, who make cases and whatnot for mobile phones. They’ve now got up a product listing for silicon case for the iPhone Nano. Wishful thinking, in case Apple announce one? Well, maybe not, because XSKN have been involved in the history of the iPhone before, specifically with the iPhone 3G. Y’see, before the iPhone 3G was released, a company was promoting a silicon case for the iPhone 3G, which proved to be for the genuine article.

No prizes for guessing that company was, yup, XSKN.

So, they accurately predicted the launch of the iPhone 3G, due to having the physical specs for the mobile phone in their hands, which has to make one wonder whether they know something this time round, as well…

Needless to say, we’ll be watching this with interest (especially Dan), and if/when Apple pushes the iPhone Nano out into the world of mobile phones, we’ll be there to talk about it, but frankly, if we’re talking about innovative, full-touchscreen, keyboard-less mobile phones, I’d still rather have the Blackberry Storm…

Meanwhile, if you want to grab the current wonder-child from Apple, get yourself the iPhone 3G today!