Neonode N2 review: Simply cool

It is impractical, imperfect, overdone, striking, unique and beautifully crafted! Neonode N2 is loveable at first sight.

Generally, a handset is not manufactured until it has gone through an arduous period of development and maturing. OK, we said handset, not Neonode N2. The second Neonode kinda went straight into labors. You don't believe it? The N2 was first mentioned on its main designer's private blog. The note was even accompanied by an ultrasound image.

Neonode N2
Ultrasound only revealed that the new-born was going to have rounded edges

So, an unusual device came to life in an unusual way. What's more, we dare say that if there is one exceptional mobile in today's uniform world at all, it must be the Neonode N2. The device is unique in so many ways, we must be extra careful not to overlook any of its unprecedented features: extraordinary body construction, simple and distinctive design, unprecedented pair of holes, unique interface featuring almost "extraterrestrial" navigation, and a calling system, which is so unusual, it's almost funny.

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Neonode N2 official photos



At first glance, the Neonode N2 specs sheet may seem rather dry and standard. It's not until you have the device in your hand that you understand what this phone is really about. Neonode N2 is tiny, compact, and solid. At the same time, you'll simply have to read the manual, its introduction at least. Otherwise, you won't manage to even confirm your own PIN code.

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Have you ever seen a handset with such holes? And have you ever seen a gadget so neat? It's a phone after all, but they didn't let the earpiece spoil the front view of the device.
Key features

* Unique to the last inch
* Great looks
* Solid construction
* Synchronizing options
* Excellent headphones
* Acceptable camera
* Small size

Main disadvantages

* Problematic universal port
* No EDGE or 3G
* No email
* Limited 3-rd party applications compatibility

Motorola Q 9h review: Moto messenger

The Motorola Q 9h seems an interesting offer if you're after a smartphone. There's no stylus, nor touchscreen, and neither is likely to be missed. In return you get a full QWERTY keypad, almost complete data equipment and Windows Mobile 6 Standard. If you want a Windows Mobile gadget but are trying to steer clear of touchscreen displays, the Q 9h might just do the job for you.

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Key features

* UMTS including HSDPA
* 512MB microSD card in the package
* quality construction
* perfect keyboard

Main disadvantages

* no WiFi
* system connector
* middling camera

The Motorola Q9h has probably changed its name more times than Cher did facelifts. Interestingly enough, it's still the same handset. The only exception is the Motorola Q9 Global sold exclusively by AT&T in US. It has one tiny difference and that is the integrated GPS receiver.

There are not that many Windows Mobile smartphones, and the few around get somewhat overshadowed by the PocketPCs, both in terms of price and functionality. (By the way, this seems the right place for a quick fact: latest smartphones use the Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard, whereas PocketPCs run on Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional. The most obvious difference is the touchscreen functionality, which the Windows Mobile Standard doesn't support. To finish off our trivia update, the Windows Mobile 6.0 Classic is also around, used in devices without phone capabilities.)

Regardless of the name of the OS, smartphones are in high enough regard for the enhanced functionality and expandability they offer with extra features and applications. It's also true that not all users would welcome touchscreen, let alone stylus. All that said, the rare combination of a full QWERTY keyboard and Windows Mobile without touchscreen makes the new Motorola an intriguing proposal.

Nokia N81 8GB review: N-series N-gaged

The Nokia N81 8GB is a truly exciting smartphone combining the power of Symbian 9.2 OS spiced up with the new N-Gage platform. What we have in N81 8GB is entertainment and multimedia unleashed. Not only does its specs sheet impress, but it promises tons of fun. With that said you cannot blame us for being too eager to test it out, can you? So please make yourselves comfortable and join us for this review.

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Nokia N81 official photos
Key features:

* Massive storage space (8GB version)
* Symbian OS 9.2 S60 3.1 UI
* Wi-Fi support
* Unique gaming experience with the new N-Gage platform and dedicated gaming keys above the display
* Brilliant 2.4" 16M-color QVGA display
* 2 megapixel camera
* 3.5 mm audio jack
* Touch sensitive Navi wheel
* Dedicated music keys and hardware keypad lock switch
* 3G with video calls
* Nice multimedia menu

Main disadvantages:

* Mediocre camera
* Awkward D-pad
* Hefty weight
* Uncomfortable keypad
* No HSDPA

As you all know, there are two versions of the handset - standard and 8GB. The standard version features a memory card slot, the other has none but offers the exciting 8GB of onboard memory. We are looking at the Nokia N81 8GB but all of it holds true for the standard Nokia N81 as well. Therefore, from now on we are going to simply call it Nokia N81.

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Nokia N81 review photos

Both versions of Nokia N81 have been in the spotlight ever since their official announcement at the Nokia Go Play Event in London back than in August. The air is getting thick with anticipation, as N81 seems to have earned quite a lot of fans. No wonder with a specs sheet like this, though we know better than taking anything for granted. After all, the question is whether performance cashes the checks written by the specs. Besides, we just couldn't wait to play a few games and see if those dedicated keys are worth the fuss.

A word of warning is due as our review is based on a beta version of the handset it's possible that the retail version will have some minor changes. But enough chit-chat, you are welcome on the Nokia N81 tour right after the jump.

Toshiba Portege G900 review: PC in your pocket

The Toshiba Portege G900 begs to be called cutting edge. With its massive set of features it does manage to deliver on almost all fronts - HSDPA, 3" WVGA touch screen display, spacious QWERTY keyboard, 2 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, fingerprint scanner, Wi-Fi and USB host mode. It does take a heavyweight bloke to handle that much of a feature load, but more than ever PocketPC comes really close to a PC in your pocket.

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Toshiba Portege G900 official photos
Key features

* 3" 65K color TFT touchscreen display with a 800 x 480 pixels WVGA resolution
* Tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
* HSDPA 3.6 Mbps with video calls
* Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional
* Intel XScale 520 MHz processor
* 128MB RAM
* Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
* miniSD memory card slot with hot-swap capabilities
* USB host function via miniUSB port
* 2.5 mm standard audio jack
* 2 megapixel camera
* Stereo Bluetooth audio (A2DP)
* Fingerprint scan feature for security and menu navigation
* Large QWERTY keyboard

Main disadvantages

* Hefty size and weight
* Slow interface response
* Poor display legibility under sunlight
* No FM radio
* Only 40MB of internal memory available to the user
* Mediocre camera performance
* No external reset switch
* No dedicated graphics chip (at least not officially confirmed)
* USB host function works only with devices with power consumption under 100mA
* Poor battery life

The Toshiba Portege G900 sure feels excitingly refreshing in a world of Windows Mobile PocketPC dominated by HTC. The high resolution display is keen to impress, while the large keyboard makes typing a piece of cake. Join us on this preview of all the wonderful possibilities that come with Windows Mobile 6 and Toshiba Portege G900. Be right back after the jump.

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Sony Ericsson W910 review: Walkman in style

The Sony Ericsson W910 reinforced the Walkman ranks with a suave, yet strong performer. The thin and elegant slider does look the part, while HSDPA (3.6 Mbps) and Walkman 3.0 are the right features to expect in a high-end device. At first glance, the W910 brings a few brand new software and hardware solutions to the scene. Stay with us as we go beyond the disarming looks and try to determine whether Sony Ericsson W910 has what it takes to win the hearts of the customers.

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Sony Ericsson W910 official pictures
Key features

* HSDPA (3.6 Mbps), EDGE, Bluetooth (with A2DP)
* SensMe™ and Shake control features
* Slim sliding construction
* Media Center, Walkman 3.0
* Dedicated Call and End keys
* Fast photo browser
* Ample 2.4" display
* Powerful loudspeaker
* FM radio with RDS
* 1GB or 2GB M2 card included, M2 USB card reader

Main disadvantages

* Comes at an overpriced price tag
* Wobbly slider
* 2 MP camera with neither autofocus, nor flash
* Only 40 MB internal memory
* Video recording in QVGA resolution at 15fps
* Irrelevant gaming/photo keys
* No skins for the Walkman player

Compared to the recently reviewed Nokia N81 8GB, the refined Sony Ericsson W910 outdoes its Nokia rival in both looks and size.

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Sony Ericsson W910 compared to Nokia N81 8GB - the W910 is better in design

Sony Ericsson W910 comes in a nice compact black-and-orange box with all the necessary gear to get you started - charger, USB data cable, stereo headset, 1GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) (in our case, you may get yours with 2GB card), plus the usual papers and installation CDs. A tiny piece of hardware will make your face broaden into a grin. For the first time, a compact Sony Ericsson USB 2.0 M2 card reader with a status LED and a strap is included in the retail box. We ran a quick test on it comparing performance to a regular card reader on USB 2.0. The standard reader transferred 113 tracks totaling 492 MB in 4:30 min, while the Sony Ericsson USB 2.0 M2 card reader executed the task in almost the same time - 4:20 min. So, you get the same transfer rate and the compact dimensions are an added gain.

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HP iPAQ 910c

HP iPAQ 910 version without camera support

General	Network	HSDPA / GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	Announced	2007, September
	Status	Coming Soon

Size	Dimensions	113 x 64 x 16 mm
	Weight	146 g

Display	Type	TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
	Size	240 x 320 pixels, 2.46 inches
		- QWERTY keyboard

Ringtones	Type	Polyphonic, MP3, AAC
	Customization	Download
	Vibration	Yes

Memory	Phonebook	In shared memory
	Call records	Yes
	Card slot	microSD (TransFlash)
		- 128MB SDRAM, 256MB flash ROM - Marvell PXA270 520 MHz processor

Data	GPRS	Yes
	HSCSD	No
	EDGE	Yes
	3G	HSDPA
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Features	OS	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional
	Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE)
	Games	Yes
	Colors	Black
	Camera	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, video(QCIF )
		- A-GPS - Pocket Office(Word, Excel, Outlook, Media Player) - Java MIDP 2.0 - Video/audio album - T9 - Voice memo - Built-in handsfree

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Ion 1840 mAh
	Stand-by
	Talk time

Motorola RAZR2 V8 review: New edge to RAZR

After three long years of waiting we face the RAZR V3 successor: the slim and refined Motorola RAZR2 V8. Sporting a full metal jacket with gradating hues of dark pearl gray, the RAZR2 V8 is made to impress. With two high-quality displays with QVGA resolution, plus quad-band GSM support, two megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth, it’s a handset that delivers functionality besides style. As we're writing this review, the top-of-the-bill RAZR2 V8 Luxury edition is on its way to the shelves too, with a gold-plated body and soft snake-skin-like back for those who like their calls with a pinch of exotic glamour. Join us on this review as we discover what the Motorola RAZR2 V8 is all about.

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Official photos of Motorola RAZR2 V8

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Official photos of Motorola RAZR2 V8 Luxury Edition

Official photos of Motorola RAZR2 V8

Key features

* Quality metal casing and appealing design
* Really thin, measuring 11.9 mm in thickness
* Large internal and external displays, touch-sensitive keys on the outer display
* CrystalTalk for excellent voice quality
* Talking Phone with SMS and Email readout
* Quad band with EDGE Class 12
* Ample-to-abundant onboard memory: 420 MB or 2 GB
* 2 megapixel camera with video recording
* A lot of useful extra applications
* Full Exchange server synchronization
* Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP support
* Very good Opera 8.5 browser pre-installed

Main disadvantages

* No 3G support
* No memory card slot
* No brightness settings for the external display
* The handset is easy to slip off the hands
* Large size when opened

Motorola RAZR2 V8 has a truly graceful silhouette, but the 11.9 mm of thickness get to be appreciated even more considering the clamshell form factor. Clean shape and rounded edges make the slim handset look solid, yet elegant. It does manage to impress at first sight, but more on that after the jump.

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