Mobile Phone Blog:

With various different gaming platforms available – dependent on the mobile phone you opt for – the choice for those in the market for a device that offers the latest playable titles has never been higher.

However, consumers might be interested to know how the market is currently holding up, what lies in its future and some of the factors that have gotten it to the stage it is at today.

One of the most notable options for mobile gamers is Nokia‘s N-Gage facility. Established in 1993 with a handset that went by the same name, the technology has now appeared on a selection of models that includes the new Nokia N97.

Other mobiles now available with the system include the N78, N79, N81, N95 and those more recent audio-focused devices that have been labelled with the company’s XpressMusic branding.

There is also no shortage of downloadable titles available to users of the platform, with popular games currently on the market including Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, Pandemonium, Resident Evil Degeneration, The Sims, Tomb Raider: Underworld and FIFA 09, to name just a few.

However, although this particular system is designed specifically with players in mind, it is not the only kid on the block. One particular phone which cannot be ignored when talking about the latest gaming facilities has to be the Apple iPhone 3G S.

Although the device is now into its third generation, it has always provided access to games. The difference now of course is it has the manufacturer’s App Store – an online facility that lets users download the latest titles – to back its credentials up.

On the release of the 3G, Apple said: "The new App Store [provides] iPhone users with native applications in a variety of categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, which means it is accessible from just about anywhere, so you can purchase and download applications wirelessly and start using them instantly."

Earlier this year and following the device’s Friday June 19th launch, Pocket Gamer’s Spanner Spencer considered the revised 3G S device and noted some of the reasons that shoppers with mobile gaming in mind might like to consider it.

He said the enhanced GPS capabilities of the model could mean that the future holds some interesting options for location-based play and although it is something of a niche market at the moment, it will make it more appealing to some – and the addition of a digital compass is sure to back this up.

Mr Spencer also said the Apple iPhone 3G S was capable of much more thanks to its extra processing power, which has been boosted from 412MHz to 600MHz. In addition, he explained the additional 128MB of RAM – which doubles the capacity to 256MB – works well alongside the PowerVR SGX graphics which means "it’s not unreasonable to envisage games that surpass the abilities of the current model", but also said iPhone 3G users may not necessarily see the need to upgrade just yet.

"But that doesn’t mean the iPhone 3G S’s hot new graphical capabilities are going to just sit there unused. You might recall that Apple found itself in trouble with the advertising standards agency after an ‘unrealistic’ representation of its web surfing speeds in a TV commercial. It’s here that we suspect the hardware upgrade will show its teeth," he concluded.

So with the benchmark established by Apple, what does the future hold for mobile gaming and some of the titles that may emerge to take advantage of this vibrant market?

Well, with 15 years in the sector that includes time spent at Electronic Arts, it could be argued that Robin Boyar might be the right person to ask. As head of thinktank, a US-based research consultancy that specialises in the field, she explained to gigaom this week that the early years may have failed to live up to the expectations of the companies involved, but that was not the case for the current market.

She explained to the publication that in the past, it was mistakenly assumed that consumers would want to recreate the experience of traditional home consoles on their handset – but this was something those in the industry learned was not the case. "What they failed to recognize […] is that most people when they’re playing on a phone want a short, quick, easy-to-play experience," she added.

Ms Boyar went on to say that titles were likely to become more complex in the future as the platforms that are now available create such a wide range of opportunities – and that in particular one field ripe for innovation was the female market.

"Women are actually playing mobile games slightly less than men, but women have just as many handsets as men. I think there’s a real opportunity for developers to come out and make content that’s more specific to [that demographic]," she noted.

The expert concluded by saying that the future would also need to involve consumer desire for converged devices that sees them looking for an all-purpose gadget, stating: "In a lot of regards what you’re hearing is ‘I don’t need to be tethered to my PC anymore because 80 per cent of the stuff I need to do I can do through my phone’. It’s interesting to see that the future really is mobile."

It was also unveiled this week that one of the most anticipated movies of 2009, James Cameron’s Avatar, was to receive its very own game tie-in and that Gameloft would be in charge of this.

With O2 having announced that it will be the exclusive supplier of the device in the UK, speculation is growing with regards an official release date for the eagerly-anticipated Palm Pre.

On July 7th this year, the network unveiled details of a deal it had struck with the manufacturer via its Telefonica parent group that would make it the only operator able to provide the smartphone to consumers in the UK, Spain, Ireland and Germany.

However, the company was only able to state at this time that the device would be launched across selected European territories "in time for the winter holidays" – leading to a number of websites and publications coming up with their own schedules as to when this might be.

Most recently, specialist portal mypre.com claimed it had spoken to an O2 employee that suggested the Palm Pre would hit the shelves in Britain on October 30th and this had been confirmed to staff members directly from management. It was also advised that prices had yet to be decided, but it was expected these would be along similar lines to those of the Apple iPhone 3G S.

Earlier this year, an article for Tech Radar covered the launch of the Palm Pre in the US, where it has been on shelves since June. The piece considered some of the frenzied activity that surrounded the device in stores such as Wal-Mart, Radio Shack and Best Buy, as well as the retail outlets of Sprint. It was noted that the phone had already been tipped to potentially topple the iPhone and was meeting with a "warm response from critics and consumers alike".

"Another of the most innovative features is the Cards system. Using the centre button at the foot of the device, users can see a full set of all the open windows and either flick through them or throw them up the screen to discard," it explained, noting other facilities such as the gesture zone for easier access to onboard applications, a "sexy" multi-touch display and "slick, innovative interface" were worthy of praise.

So with anticipation building for the smartphone in the UK, a number of people may have turned to reviews that have come out of the US in the last few months, many of which have addressed the point that it could potentially be a real challenger to the multimedia, touchscreen dominance of the iPhone – which is also currently an O2-exclusive model.

One such article posted on the RantRave website earlier this month looked at many of the smartphone elements of the Palm Pre and said one drawback which has been known to affect such devices is the inability to multi-task using a range of different applications without slowing the gadget down to near inoperable levels. However, this was something the reviewer said was not a problem with this particular handset.

He explained the Pre was "definitely a device that will put Palm back as a key player in the smartphone arena for a long time to come", but on the matter of whether it was strong enough to derail its fiercest competitor was slightly less certain. "The obvious question is […] how does it compare to the iPhone? The answer is I have no idea. Honestly I doubt this phone will win over many iPhone users. They are after all a culture all their own."


However, praise was given to the various parts of the Pre that make it a solid mobile in its own right. The WebOS system, developed especially for the gadget, was a major part of this as it was able to link services from Google, Facebook and others along with phone book contacts. Calendar options were highlighted as an improvement as those the reviewer had experienced with a BlackBerry and the three-megapixel camera was described as capable of producing "excellent photos".

Palm itself unveiled the details of the webOS mobile platform alongside the Pre at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year, stating the system was designed "to be constantly connected to the web" and able to exist as a standalone option that did not require partnership with a PC or laptop in order to be updated. "The new Palm Pre and webOS are designed to be so in sync with your needs that it feels like Pre is thinking ahead for you," the manufacturer added.

In addition, the firm’s president and chief executive officer Ed Colligan said the smartphone would be something of a game changer when used alongside the operating system and this would be in response to the ever-changing needs of the modern consumer. "Palm products have always been about simplifying lives and delivering great user experiences," he added.

On announcing that it had secured the rights to distribute the Pre, O2 took the opportunity to highlight some of the reasons why the smartphone was so special, including the Palm Touchstone charging dock which replenished the battery without the need for a traditional docking connection.

Matthew Key, chairman and chief executive officer of the network’s parent company Telefonica Europe added that it was clear the firm was emerging as the "home of the smartphone", something which was being illustrated by its acquisition of the new device. "Our customers will be the first outside of North America to experience one of the most successful mobile devices of the year," he added.

The Palm Pre is equipped with HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, integrated GPS, a 3.1-inch touch screen, slide-out qwerty keyboard, media player, standard 3.5mm headset jack, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP stereo support, 8GB of internal user storage, USB and MicroUSB ports, a proximity sensor, light sensor and accelerometer.

The Apple iPhone 3G S and its predecessors have been something of a coup for O2 in the UK as since the very first model appeared in 2007 they have remained network-exclusive. However, reports are starting to emerge that would suggest this may be about to change.

In November that year, O2 announced that the deal to distribute the new and much-anticipated gadget would allow it to boost its workforce in the UK by around 1,427 people. It was estimated that 700 new employees would be needed to cope with the extra level of customer support while a further 727 would be recruited for the network’s retail across the nation.

Mark Stansfeld, sales director of the carrier, explained that the firm was dedicated to giving the best service possible on what was sure to be something of a "revolutionary device".

"We are investing in training and increasing our workforce to ensure this good experience from the moment you purchase the iPhone through to activation and on-going support," he added.

Later that month, on November 9th at 18:02 GMT, the handset finally went on sale to visitors to one of the 1,300 O2, Apple and Carphonewarehouse stores in Britain, which gave the network the opportunity to outline once more exactly why the device was so special.

It was noted that the iPhone had the capability of three different devices in its status as a mobile phone, widescreen iPod and web-surfing gadget, while the integrated multi-touch interface was described as "pioneering".

"O2 stores are fully geared up for what will be the year’s biggest product launch," Mr Stansfeld concluded. "We’ve hired and trained hundreds of new iPhone specialists who will be in all 450 O2 stores giving live demos and showing customers how to get the most out of their iPhone."

The following year, O2 was once again chosen as the exclusive carrier of the handset when Apple announced the launch of the iPhone 3G, a slimmer, faster and better equipped version of the model that had seen such success across the globe the previous year. In June 2008, O2 confirmed the new pricing structure for the gadget and said it was pleased to once again be associated with such an important mobile – particularly as the last one had sold so well. Ronan Dunne, chief executive officer of the network in the UK, commented: "iPhone quickly became our fastest-selling device ever and with this new pricing, iPhone 3G is an unbeatable proposition."

One year later, when the time came for the Cupertino-based technology company to put out another revised version of the handset, the announcement was much swifter and to the point as far as O2 were concerned, with the firm simply confirming what many may have already expected – they would be the only carrier to offer the Apple iPhone 3G S in the UK. This incarnation of the mobile was described by O2 as "the fastest most powerful iPhone yet" and hit stores on June 19th this year. Along the way, the operator has announced pay-as-you-go versions, revised 24-month contracts and upgrade deals, but no-one else has ever officially provided an Apple phone – until now it seems.

Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that there were murmurings in the industry that suggested O2 might be about to lose its much-coveted deal with Apple, with the newspaper explaining that this would represent a "significant setback" for the company, should the manufacturer choose to exercise a clause in the contract that said the arrangement could be broken at this point in the relationship.

Citing "people familiar with the situation", it claimed changes could happen as soon as November, although it added no final decisions had been taken. The publication went on to say a number of the network’s rivals were lining up to take advantage of the possibility that the Apple contract would be up for grabs, adding that the future could involve more than one carrier making the iPhone 3G S and its potential successors available to UK customers.

It concluded by stating that although Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao had already admitted the firm was being hurt in Britain by not having access to the gadget, an O2 spokesperson had already come forward to issue a statement. "We have a multi-year exclusive deal with Apple which remains in place and both parties are very happy with it," it said.

However, on the same day the Telegraph reported that the first non-O2 official Apple iPhone sales – with the exception of sim-free purchases – had already taken place through T Mobile, with the operator offering older versions of the device to customers who said they were considering changing providers in order to get their hands on the touchscreen, multimedia handset. It explained this incentive was being rolled out to "some long-standing, high-spending customers who are considering switching to O2", but explained it was the second-generation device that was on offer and not its third-generation replacement which was launched this year.

Commenting on the news, electronics information and reviews resource T3 said that although the fact T Mobile was now offering the Apple iPhone was significant, the details of what specifically it was trying to tempt people with was unlikely to excite some. It added around 150 per week were thought to be available through the firm’s retentions team and that potential buyers would "need to be splashing out £75 a month with the network to be in with a hope of seeing one too". "So that’s an old iPhone for a £75 monthly spend," it concluded. "We’re guessing you’re not sold on the deal."

Since this time more speculation has arisen that calls into question the likelihood that O2 will be the exclusive provider of the Apple iPhone 3G S by Christmas and although there is nothing to suggest this will definitely be the case, the extra competition in the market if it does could be good news for those who have been waiting for the price of the gadget to come down.

A new service listing the contact details of handset users across the UK was launched this month and has been met with its fair share of problems, debate and controversy.

For many people, the first they had ever heard of the 118 800 Mobile Phone Directory (MFD) will have been when a friend or colleague passed on a link to opt out via an office email or a social networking portal like Facebook or Twitter.

However, the service may be listing the details of millions of people across the UK who may be unaware that their private number is now visible to anyone who chooses to use the service. Inevitably, this has led to much speculation from sector commentators as to whether or not this type of system should be allowed to go live – and the matter has been debated across blogs, newspapers and pub tables across the UK over the course of July.

The move has spawned a number of Facebook groups where people have registered their disdain for the service, allowing them to express their anger at having been included in a system that works on an opt-out only basis. One member of the ‘Opt out of 118 800 mobile phone directory enquiries’ group wrote in a wall post: "The fact ism, lots of people don’t want their number listed and adding them without their approval isn’t right. And to say it will take four weeks to remove is a disgrace."

Elsewhere, the BBC’s Working Lunch conducted its own investigation into the launch of the MFD service, explaining for the price of £1, subscribers would be offered access to all of the listed mobile numbers just by searching for individuals via their name and location.

The group behind the project, which claims to have around 15 million numbers listed at this time, was named as Connectivity and the broadcaster spoke to its chief executive Raj Raithatha, who suggested the option was an innovation.

However, it was noted by the programme the concerns behind the launch were difficult to ignore and these had been fuelled by the fact that the Information Commissioner’s Office had backed the MFD, stating it was within the legal rules and was no different from the many contact lists held by companies who work in sales and operate cold calling schemes.

Shona Foster, marketing director for 118 800 said the firm was acting in an ethical manner and was resourcing its information from existing listings such as those held by market research companies, online businesses and information brokers. "We are accessing data in the same way that lots of other companies do for marketing purposes," she noted. "The difference is that we don’t use that data for marketing purposes and we don’t sell it on to anybody else."

However, Chris Watson, a lawyer for legal group CMS Cameron McKenna, did not agree and said it was essential that permission was pre-approved for any organisation looking to pass on people’s personal details. "You are supposed to have people’s consent if you are going to pass their number around and they need to know where it is going to go," he said. "When people tick a box, saying they have no objection to their number going to the company they are dealing with, they don’t anticipate that it could then be sold."

However, a matter of weeks after the MFD system went live last month, the Guardian reported the deluge of people trying to get their number taken off the service could be behind its apparent unavailability – with visitors to the site being met with a notice that explained "major developments" were being undertaken, with a view to improving customer experience.

Since then, the company behind 188 800 issued a statement that said: "The high number of queries 118 800 has received since launching have highlighted some technical glitches in the system. To ensure 118 800 provides faultless customer service the decision has been made to temporarily suspend the service allowing for technical work to be completed."

One of the latest people to weigh in to the arguments over whether or not the service is ethically sound or not is Katy Clark, an MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, who told the Largs & Millport Daily News her constituents should be strongly considering the negative aspects to having their name and mobile phone number posted on an internet site without their prior consent.

She expressed concern at the nature of the service and encouraged anyone who had yet to do so to make sure they removed their details – or risk having them available to anyone prepared to pay the £1 fee to get hold of them.

"The 118 800 service claims to have 15 million mobile phone numbers in its database sourced from market researchers and online businesses. The only information the user needs to obtain your number is your name and location. Most people do not expect that their mobile number will be available in this way."

Ms Clark added it was clear that a number of people were worried about having such private details available online and going ex-directory was an option that was an available right that should be pursued if this is how they feel.

She continued, "I understand these services are currently suspended as too many people are using them and must say I am not impressed by the whole exercise. Surely something like this should be voluntary and your mobile phone operator should ask you if you want your number advertised in this way".

Competition in the smartphone market has now driven many mobile operators to offer network-exclusive handsets to try and tempt new customers away from their rivals. However, as these devices are increasingly becoming some of the most sought-after models on the market, does this mean that third-party suppliers are in danger of being pushed out?

One of the most recent examples of a highly anticipated handset being made available only to one carrier in the UK came earlier this month, when O2 announced it would add the Palm Pre to its line of products. Customers across Britain will see the device hit the company’s high street and online stores later this month and the deal to become the sole provider of the gadget will also be rolled out across Ireland, Spain and Germany.

At this point, O2 has only confirmed that the Palm Pre will be available to its subscribers "in time for the winter holidays" and no pricing has been announced. But the fact the firm has got the exclusive rights to a phone that has been receiving some great reviews in the US – where it is already available on the Sprint network – is arguably something of a coup which may only fire up its rivals the next time a high profile model is scheduled for a release.

Commenting on the launch, chairman and chief executive officer of Telefonica Europe – O2′s parent company – Matthew Key said the move helped establish the carrier as "the home of the smartphone" and boasted the acquisition would be a big deal to its UK user base. "Our customers will be the first outside of North America to experience one of the most successful mobile devices of the year," he added.

Jon Rubinstein, chairman and chief executive officer of Palm, added the announcement of availability of the Pre in Europe was something a lot of people were waiting to hear about – making the unveiling of the device as a network exclusive important.

"Europe continues to be an important region for Palm and we’re proud to work with O2 … to spread the excitement Palm Pre has already ignited in North America," he stated.

Of course, this is not the first time the carrier has been able to secure the UK rights to one of the most anxiously awaited touchscreen smartphones to hit the market. Following the deal with Apple to make it the only operator in Britain to supply the original iPhone, the firm announced last month it had extended its partnership with the electronics manufacturer in time for the release of its upgrade – the Apple iPhone 3G S.

The device went on general sale at 08.02 BST on Friday June 19th in O2, Apple and Carphone Warehouse stores, but was strictly limited to the one network provider on 18 and 24-month Pay Monthly tariffs, as well as its Pay & Go option. O2 even sweetened the deal with unlimited web browsing and Wi-Fi offers for an initial 12-month period, although it could be argued that, regardless of this, the iPhone fanbase would ensure the gadget would still sell very well indeed.

"The iPhone continues to be a phenomenal device with over a million O2 customers owning one. The combination of the new software update available to all and the new range of iPhone 3G S devices allows us to continue to differentiate O2 in the marketplace." said Ronan Dunne, chief executive officer of O2 in the UK.

It was confirmed the very next day that this confidence was well placed, as the 3G S version of the handset went on to outsells its predecessor on its launch, with the firm predicting sales would be around double what they had seen on the previous occasion. Footfall to O2 retail outlets was reportedly ten times that of any other day and it was noted the carrier’s web page had seen a traffic increase of around 150 per cent.

However, the network is not the only one to have secured the rights to one of the most sought after mobile phones on the market. Following T Mobile’s launch of the Google Android-powered G1, Vodafone announced it had entered a partnership with the makers of the HTC Magic – the second device to come to Britain that uses the new operating system – to offer the handset exclusively.

Once again, Spain and Germany would be involved in the deal, as well as France. It was announced a non-exclusive partnership had been struck for the Italian market and the carrier invited interested parties to sign up for information on availability, pricing and pre-ordering by entering their details online.

Patrick Chomet, global director of terminals at the firm, said: "Following our joining of the Open Handset Alliance, we have worked very closely with HTC to bring this cool new phone to the market. Our customers want to access a wide range of the most attractive mobile devices to help them make the most of their time – the HTC Magic helps meet that need."

Earlier this month, Orange grabbed a couple of its own devices it claimed would be available nowhere else including the Toshiba TG01 and the limited edition LG Touchscreen watch Phone – noting these would be the first of many new and innovative additions to its line of telecommunications solutions.

One of the key selling points of the former was reported to be its high-definition display that was designed with movie fans in mind – and the exclusives kept on coming from the network with the revelation that the device would also come pre-loaded with a special trailer for the upcoming blockbuster movie GI Joe. This was something the carrier claimed would offer buyers the chance to test out the model’s 4.1-inch WVGA front panel, which is "the perfect size for watching TV, videos and looking at pictures".

Francois Mathieu, director of devices at Orange UK, said: "We’re really pleased to have teamed up with Toshiba to bring the TG01 exclusively to the UK. We believe the TG01 is a prime example of manufacturer innovation and is a device that is at the very top of its game which will allow users to make the most from their mobile experience."

One thing that is clear is the new focus on single network devices could prove to be a big battlefield when it comes to the latest smartphone technology. Now it is up to the consumer as to whether they opt for the models in question, or go to third party providers to seek out a more affordable solution that is tailored to their individual needs.

O2 has announced that the opening day of sales for the new Apple iPhone 3G was a major success, outperforming the achievements set out by its predecessor – but not everyone is happy with some of the network’s recent actions.

With the carrier announcing that by lunchtime sales had outstripped those attained by the original device when it was launched in 2008, it seemed the firm had another major hit on its hands – but this followed some other numbers the group was probably less pleased to see on paper.

Customers of O2 were apparently outraged at suggestions they would have to buy themselves out of their contract in order to upgrade to the Apple iPhone 3G S and started a ‘Twitition’ to register this disdain using social networking and micro-blogging website Twitter.

According to a Telegraph report on June 10th, it was not long before the initiative had gathered pace, generating more than 3,000 signatures – a figure that was soon increasing by around 200 per entries every hour.

Emma Barnett, technology and digital media correspondent for the publication, said forums and chat rooms across the UK rapidly filled up with complaints about the having to lay out the extra cost to upgrade to the new faster model – which claims to be twice as quick as its predecessor – as well as the money involved with buying the new model itself.

In response, O2′s general manager of devices Steve Alder told TechRadar it was simply not commercially viable for the network to allow people a free trade in on their older iPhone, although he did acknowledge consumers’ frustrations.

"Much as we understand the desire of many customers to have the latest version, this would be a loss-making deal for O2 and would be a distinct set of business terms for iPhone customers that don’t apply to our other customers," he said.

Another result of the mini-blogging phenomena was on the O2 Twitter account itself, where the carrier saw an extra 2,000 followers join up to keep track of its movements within the 24 hours following Apple’s iPhone 3G S announcement at the Worldwide Developers Conference, in San Francisco.

Previously, O2 had provided its customers the opportunity to trade in their second generation iPhone for the original 3G version when it went on sale in 2008 – provided they set up a new 18-month contract. It seems much of the anger comes from the fact that many were expecting a similar deal that never transpired.

Five days after the Telegraph had covered the story, blogstorm noted the figure had reached more than 12,809 and more than 10,000 people had passed on a link – a practice often referred to as re-tweeting – for the Twitition. It said this was "probably the most important milestone yet in terms of viral marketing" and illustrated the strength of feeling that was being seen by the online community.

Web User echoed the comments on the day the Apple iPhone 3G S hit the shelves (June 19th), stating: "Many current iPhone owners have expressed outrage at the lack of free or discounted upgrade deals available and have even set up a petition to demand that O2 ‘offer existing iPhone customers a reasonable way to upgrade to the iPhone 3G S’."

However, Trusted Reviews angle on the story just a day earlier was a little more positive, suggesting that the level of anger that was being expressed in the US had led AT&T – the exclusive carrier for the handset in North America – answering the consumer backlash with a revised offer.

"Consequently customers will now be able to upgrade from their iPhone 3G to a 3G S for the same $199 (£122) [for the 16 GB version] or $299 [for the 32GB model] cost given to new customers without existing contracts," the article said, but added "the catch" was that this offer would only be available to individuals with high tariff rates and everyone would need to check with the provider to see if they qualify.

"So how could this affect the UK?" the site asked. "In short, who knows? With the official launch tomorrow O2 may elect to remain quiet for now since stock is likely to be limited anyway. We can tell you one thing though – the network has already scored one major own goal – it would be wise to avoid another."

Prior to the Trusted Reviews reports, two other sites said it would be highly unlikely that O2 would backtrack and try to provide users a more affordable option – regardless of the amount of bad publicity it had already seen.

Citing one user on the O2 forum, PC Advisor’s Oliver Garnham said it was clear that many people felt as if they had been ripped off by having already signed up to an 18-month under a year ago and were now being told they would have to fork out more money rather than extend it.

"This is so dumb, I was happy to upgrade each time and sign up for another year, not now, if this happens, when my contract’s up, I’m unlocking and never coming back," it reported one such user said.

However, today (June 22nd) Apple reports that the popularity of the iPhone is as strong as ever, stating more than one million 3G S units were shifted globally between the opening day of sales and Sunday June 21st. It also notes over six million people have upgraded their old handset with the 3.0 version of the software in the five days it has been available.

The gadget went up against some tough competition last week, going head to head with the Nokia N97 and N86 – which were launched on the same day. But according to Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, the numbers very much seem to speak for themselves – suggesting that no matter how much people want a cheaper option, when it comes to desirability, the handset is as strong as ever.

"Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning," he said. "With over 50,000 applications available from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever."

As mobile manufacturers and networks battle for the attention of consumers, the field can get pretty heated – and since the launch of Nokia‘s Comes With Music service, Sony Ericsson has been just one of the firms that has upped its game.

More and more facilities are being made available to make the user experience more interesting and various offerings attempt to take advantage of this, whether they do so with audio and video content or photographic technology.

In December 2007, Nokia outlined its plans to bring a web-based music service to its customers that would bring about the next generation of downloadable facilities. As part of a wider vision for the mobile industry as a whole, company chief executive Olli-Pekka Kallasuvo delivered a keynote speech to the 2,700-strong crowd.

He suggested the sector was at something of a crossroads as web technology and portable telecommunications were converging quickly. This, he said would mean consumer demand for new services would be high – and Nokia should position itself to lead the charge.

It was at this very same event that the Finnish handset manufacturer announced Comes With Music, a service where users can buy a phone that is pre-packaged to offer unlimited access to a catalogue of music for a whole year – an offering that has since been applied to devices such as the 5800 XpressMusic.

Anssi Vanjoki, executive vice-president and general manager of multimedia services at Nokia, took the opportunity to comment on the planned audio downloading facility – suggesting it was the type of product that its customers had been searching for.

"Even if you listened to music 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you would still only scratch the surface of the music that we’re making available. Comes With Music fulfils our dream to give consumers all the music they want, wherever they want it," he added.

At this point, Nokia had already secured the backing of Universal Music Group International, stating that the first of the devices would offer access to its back catalogue of artists.

The firm’s chairman and chief executive Lucian Grainge said Comes With Music was a great idea that would be as good for artists as it was for music lovers.

"We feel it’s an innovative way for people to discover and enjoy new artists, while at the same time having access to the amazing depth of the Universal catalogue," he explained.

Of course, now that Comes With Music is readily available, other manufacturers have been keen to up their own game and provide services that take a similar model and apply it to video.

In March this year, Samsung Mobile announced the launch of Samsung Movies, which would allow users of its mobile phones access to an online store where they could download films directly to their device. Powered by Acetrax, the offering claimed to provide access to more than 500 movies including The Dark Knight, RocknRolla and Iron Man, as well as hosting TV shows such as Gossip Girl, ER and Friends.

Launched alongside the Samsung Tocco Ultra Edition – which boasts a 2.8-inch Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode screen and the ability to playback four hours and 20 minutes of video on a full charge – Samsung’s head of content Nick Turner-Samuels said the pair together would represent a great package for cinema fans.

"We’re very excited to be able to provide existing and future customers access to their favourite movies and TV shows across a number of different Samsung platforms. On top of this, it’s all in superior picture and sound quality to the standard currently available in the market." But with a service that charged £2.49 for a single 24-hour rental or £4.99 for a permanent download, the Samsung Movies offering could be seen as less of a game-changer than what Nokia had done for the music download market.

However, Sony Ericsson stepped up to the plate this week (May 28th) with an announcement that it would take a similar model to the Nokia music platform and apply it to movie downloads.

As part of its PlayNow arena, the firm said it had built on the ideas originally announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and would now provide packaged handsets that offered a certain amount of films per year in a bundle with specific handsets – the first of which being the W995 Walkman.

The service allows up to 60 movies to be watched over a 12-month period starting when the device is purchased and registered. Films can be downloaded to the owner’s home computer and transferred to their mobile phone through a process the manufacturer calls ‘side loading’. Adding them to a handset means that up to 15 can be queued at any one time to be watched at their own convenience.

Martin Blomkvist, head of content acquisition and management at Sony Ericsson, commented: "Consumers are increasingly looking for exciting content and premium entertainment experiences wherever they are. By adding a bundled movie proposition to PlayNow arena we continue to remove barriers for consumers to easily access entertainment through their mobile phone."

Yet this is not where it ends for the company, as it also took the opportunity to announce three new handsets at the same time – one of which was formerly known as the Idou and has been renamed the Satio. Also announced was the Aino and Yari.

The Satio offers a 3.5-inch screen in the 16:9 format as well as a 12.1-megapixel camera with intuitive touch focus, Xenon flash, face and smile detection and the latest version of the Symbian Foundation operating system. It has support for 3G and is expected to come in a range of colours including black, silver and Bordeaux.

Fredrik Mansson, market business manager at Sony Ericsson, concluded: "With Satio you can enjoy any form of entertainment anytime, anywhere. Whether its music or movies you will never be more than a tap away from your favourite tracks or shows."

With the launch of the eagerly-anticipated Nokia N97 now imminent, the Finnish manufacturer adds a new handset to its range that it will no doubt hope challenges other flagship devices like the Apple iPhone 3G and the HTC Magic. But what can consumers expect from the model when it hits stores in June?

Unveiled in December at an industry event in Barcelona, Nokia was quick to point out that the N97 would be much more than a regular phone. Billed as "the world’s most advanced mobile computer", it was announced as a gadget that would bring together some of the latest technologies in a single unit.

The touchscreen display, which measures 3.5 inches, is where users will be able to take advantage of the many services the handset provides and Nokia has also fitted it with a full qwerty keyboard for those who like a more traditional approach to messaging, email and web surfing.

One of the inclusions specifically highlighted in the press release that accompanied the announcement was the many ways in which the new device could employ sensors and A-GPS technology to allow consumers the ability to keep on top of their social networking accounts in a more geographically accurate fashion. It was explained that the integrated systems of the N97 meant the phone "intuitively understands where it is" and as such was a great way to let friends and family know what you are up to and where you are in real time – with the facility to add pictures and videos.

Jonas Geust, vice-president of Nokia‘s Nseries line – to which the N97 belongs – said the phone was the very next step in personalised web services through a portable gadget with a host of services. He also reiterated the model’s position as having more in common with modern computers.

"From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile computer in existence," he explained.

"The Nokia N97 mobile computer adjusts to the world around us, helping stay connected to the people and things that matter most. With the Nokia N97, Nseries leads the charge in helping to transform the internet into your internet".

As a multimedia unit, the N97 also offers a selection of options which could tempt buyers. In addition to its web-based features, the Finnish firm has equipped the phone with streaming Flash video and gaming support, 32 GB of on-board memory which can be expanded to 48 GB using a micro SD card and has boosted its photographic options with a five-megapixel snapper that features Carl Zeiss optics and can record at DVD standard in terms of quality.

In terms of taking on Apple, it is also important to include music facilities and as such Nokia explained full access to its Music Store would be available and the integrated media player would offer continuous playback of up to 1.5 days on a full charge.

The Carphonewarehouse is currently listing the launch date for the N97 as June 23rd and although there will no doubt be some looking to purchase the handset only it is largely expected that the device will be widely available on a number of UK networks on a range of contracts.

Having recently announced the abolishment of Europe-wide roaming charges this summer, Vodafone is one option some shoppers may be considering. The carrier has already confirmed that it will be supplying the N97, but may not be the first to have it available – as its website is currently showing a release date of July.

At the moment, O2, 3, T Mobile, Virgin and Orange are not listing the model online and as such tariff details have yet to emerge. However, it is widely expected it will come with full support for Skype – a move which could be scaring the big operators away, but could also make it popular with those looking to take advantage of the service’s free Skype to Skype voice calling.

Yet, Stuff.tv said last month that the N97 would be launched on O2 via the Carphone Warehouse and not in its dedicated stores. June was the date given by the source who spoke to the gadget news publication, but it was noted that apart from this the network were being "pretty tight lipped".

"Carphonewarehouse will be able to start pushing the phone out its doors from June 23rd, offering it for free on £45 contracts with O2 or Orange," the article explained. "If you were hoping of bagging the handset SIM-free and sans contract, you’ll need to cough up a massive £690, so get saving now."

This just leaves one question to ask for the buying public – will the Nokia N97 be worth all of the fanfare on its release and most importantly should you consider buying it? Well, some pre-release reviews have suggested the company may be on to a winner – with Gareth Beavis of techradar.com recently being given the opportunity to offer his own opinion after being given a sneak peek.

The phone’s internet browser zipped along nicely under the Wi-Fi we were connected to, although we didn’t have the chance to find out how it worked under 3G conditions… if the Wi-Fi effort was any kind of indicator, web pages should load fairly nicely, and the wide screen, once it had sorted out the page formatting, looked nice and easy to read.

He praised the customisable homescreen, suggested the addition of a keyboard was "frankly excellent" and reserved special consideration for improvements that have been made to its speed and functionality since it was originally previewed earlier this year.

"The phone’s internet browser zipped along nicely under the Wi-Fi we were connected to, although we didn’t have the chance to find out how it worked under 3G conditions. [However,] if the Wi-Fi effort was any kind of indicator, web pages should load fairly nicely and the wide screen, once it had sorted out the page formatting, looked nice and easy to read," Mr Beavis concluded.

The latest Android-powered mobile phone to become widely available in the UK has arrived on the Vodafone network – which may mean it’s a great time to see what it has to offer.

In February this year, Vodafone announced a partnership with the HTC Corporation that would bring the HTC Magic smartphone to its customers in the UK and across Europe.

Exclusive to Vodafone in Britain, Spain, Germany and France, the handset is now available to pre-order and will be fully available across the nation from May 5th – so far it will be the second device on general release in the UK that runs on Google’s Android operating system (OS) – the first being the T Mobile G1.

However, it is not just the innovative OS the HTC Magic has to offer. The gadget is equipped with a host of features that will make it a real contender for rivals like the BlackBerry Storm and Apple iPhone 3G, as well as its G1 predecessor which was also manufactured by HTC.

The Magic offers 3G, HSDPA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity as well as GPS navigation and quadband technology. Also onboard the model is a 3.2-megapixel camera and a host of multimedia features including an audio and video player – all accessible, of course, through the unit’s 3.2-inch QVGA touchscreen with built-in user interface.

Patrick Chomet, global director of terminals at the Vodafone Group, said the reason the network looked to get this latest Google Android device in its collection was based on its commitment to getting the best available technology to its customers.

"Following our joining of the Open Handset Alliance, we have worked very closely with HTC to bring this cool new phone to the market. Our customers want to access a wide range of the most attractive mobile devices to help them make the most of their time – the HTC Magic helps meet that need," he added.

Peter Chou, president and chief executive of the HTC Corporation, said the partnership with Vodafone was something the company was proud to have embarked on and would serve the company well in getting its mobile phones out to users in Europe. Also noted was the synchronicity of the Magic with the Android OS.

"The HTC Magic embodies the compact style and sophistication for which HTC has come to be known, with the powerful and intuitive internet experience for which the Android platform was designed," he concluded.

Since then, Vodafone has also now announced the details of what tariffs the HTC Magic will feature on when it is released in May. The firm revealed on April 20th that it would make the device free on two-year contracts priced at £35 per month and for this, buyers could expect unlimited mobile internet, as well as 600 free calling minutes and unlimited texts. In addition, the phone would come with a 2GB memory card for storing music, photos and other data files.

The cool white design of the device is likely to evoke memories of the Apple iPhone 3G or even the T Mobile G1 in some – and with new additions coming to the market such as LG’s latest – the Arena KM900 – as well as the upcoming Nokia N97, it is clear the HTC Magic will have its work cut out.

Ahead of the phones release next month, some reviewers have had the chance to get a bit of a hands-on with the HTC Magic and have offered their thoughts on how it compares to the above mobile phones – in particular, the G1.

In an article for Techradar, Gareth Beavis said half an hour spent with the phone recently gave him the chance to put the device through its paces and the first thing he noticed was the lightweight and thin design of the device – which he suggests may have been possible thanks to HTC’s decision not to equip the phone with a full qwerty keypad.

In comparison to its predecessor, the piece said the touchscreen itself was also something that had undergone some positive changes, stating it had more in common with the sensitivity one might see on an Apple handset or even the new Palm Pre.

"The interface, which uses the latest Cupcake version of Android, is clearly better," Mr Beavis added. "With little tweaks like being able to mark messages in Gmail and then assign them to a label or delete them making the whole experience a little bit nicer."

A little irritation with the handset’s screen configuration when using the mobile web was noted, but with Google features and the Android Market integrated with the same level of care as they were in the G1, the reviewer added it was well equipped to hold its own against Apple and its online App Store.

Another point raised was the omission of the qwerty keyboard which, although making the unit as a whole more "svelte", does mean you have to rely on an onscreen keyboard that is not as simple to operate as HTC would like you to believe.

"The keyboard covers a lot of the screen, not leaving you a lot to text into, and if you’re working on something that you need to see as you type, this isn’t the best," it was advised. However, Mr Beavis concluded that all in all the HTC Magic is "certainly a step up over the G1 and is probably going to be the best Android phone out there for a while".

When IT Pro’s Maggie Holland was given the opportunity to test out the device, its good looks were once again highlighted, as was its "very lightweight and slim" body. The user interface was noted as "excellent" and the touch sensitivity of the screen was praised at being set to just the right level of sensitivity.

Although rumours are abound that manufacturers including Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson have a slew of Google Android-powered handsets on the way, the HTC Magic is here and now – it might be time to check it out.

Since Nokia unveiled its first ever full touchscreen device in October last year, there has been no end of sector commentators offering their opinion on it. But now the 5800 XpressMusic has been with us for over two months, has it lived up to the hype of its big launch?

Ahead of its release in the UK, the 5800 appeared in such glamorous locations as the Britney Spears’ big comeback video Womanizer and the successful sequel to Batman Begins – The Dark Knight. It was clear from the online forums that anticipation was building for the device and when a press release emerged in October, potential buyers were told exactly what they could expect from it.

In addition to being the first handset from the Finnish manufacturer to take on the touchscreen might of the Apple iPhone – as so many other companies have attempted since its first incarnation in 2007 – Nokia also decided to set out its stall clearly. The 5800 would not go by the name of the ‘Tube’ – as had been rumoured – and the handset would come equipped with a number of multimedia features that would set it up as a music-focused phone.

The prefix XpressMusic – a title which had already been applied to audiologically-enhanced models of the past such as the 3250, 5200, 5320 and 5630 – was attached to the handset and the company announced it would also be one of the first to utilise its Comes With Music download service.

At the Nokia Remix event, the firm showcased the phone, calling it "a mobile device for music that brings innovative new features to the mass market". Also highlighted was the innovative way in which Comes With Music allowed users to purchase the phone and get access to a full year of unlimited downloads without having to pay per track in the same way as an Apple iTunes user, for example, would have to.

Jo Harlow, vice-president of Nokia, commented: "The way in which people enjoy music is different around the world. With that in mind, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic gives people the freedom to experience music they love in the way they prefer."

The firm revealed that the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic would also boast a Media Bar, which uses the touchscreen to provide a drop down menu with direct access to the library of music and video stored in the phone’s 8GB of internal memory. In addition, users could also share photos and videos with their contacts, surf the Java-enabled internet and enjoy all the audio features that came built-in to the phone itself – with all of this set to the backdrop of the latest version of the company’s Symbian S60 operating system.

"By adding the benefits of touch screen technology to S60 – the world’s leading smartphone interface – Nokia is taking the familiar and giving it a human touch. We have used touch technology where it really adds value such as the Contacts Bar, Media Bar and clever shortcuts from the home screen to menu items such as calendar, profiles and clock," Ms Harlow added.

So with the release of the phone well and truly setup, and websites such as noknok.tv providing a blow-by-blow account of the launch day itself, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic was turned over to the fans and the critics. Would the device be able to stand up against its fiercest competitors?
Trusted Reviews’ Sandra Vogel offered her own opinions of the phone a few weeks after the official launch at the end of January, giving the device a score of nine out of ten for features and eight out of ten for design, usability and value.

She noted the handset was available on contract, sim-free and in an exclusive blue version from Vodafone, giving many options for people to choose from. Also highlighted was some of the key features that might attract buyers including the first appearance of the Symbian S60 5th edition, 3.2-inch display with 640 x 360 pixel resolution, an accelerometer that was called "one of the most responsive I’ve used" and the various music features such as stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, TV-out connectivity and 3G download speeds of up to 3.6Mbps.

The Mad4MobilePhones website went one stage further, looking at the 5800 as a possible iPhone killer – weighing up its advantages and disadvantages against Apple’s 3G device. The site argued Nokia won the battle in terms of cost and the higher resolution display, Carl Zeiss Optics-powered camera and "apparently free" music service were also better reasons for opting for the newcomer.

Another glowing review came from pressemeldungen news service recently, which highlighted the user-friendly touchscreen interface and features that made the device something of a "multimedia powerhouse" – such as the ability to store between 4,000 and 8,000 music tracks. Wireless support was praised for "allowing you to browse the web the same way you do with those other business inclined units" and the web browser was described as fast.

"All of these great features have all been fused into a futuristic touchscreen phone that looks great. Despite its name, it is safe to say that even Nokia lovers who don’t need the audio functions can put this phone to good use," the article concluded.

The All About Symbian website also offered high praise for the phone, posting a piece earlier in the month entitled Ten Things that Nokia Did Right in making the 5800 XpressMusic. The items noted were an "elegant" full screen, a battery that can cope with the demands of a smartphone, photography technology that "makes a significant difference", the media key and keyguard options, haptic feedback, the "mature" S60 5th Edition operating system, Wi-Fi, TV-out and GPS inclusion, a microSD card that comes in the box and finally, "loud loudspeakers".

So, two months on, it is clear that the Nokia XpressMusic has impressed a number of people with its technical specifications, stylish good looks and music-focused facilities. The only question that now remains, is will it be your next touchscreen smartphone?