A great array of new mobile handsets is heading our way, writes STEPHEN FENECH

THE CommunicAsia trade show held every year in Singapore is the biggest mobile-phone event in the region and a great indicator for the new handsets for Australia.

One thing that was apparent is that devices are now getting faster and smarter.

The built-in cameras are taking better pictures and the on-board media players can hold even more songs, pictures and movies.

Being able to access the web on our handsets is no longer a novelty but a necessity – and having emails at our fingertips is something we expect, not just hope for. 

Here are the standout handsets of CommunicAsia 08.

NOKIA E71

The world’s No. 1 mobile manufacturer was a conspicuous absentee in the touchscreen stakes at the show.

Word is Nokia has a touchscreen handset planned for later in the year once all the iPhone hype blows over.

Nokia likes to pride itself on not necessarily being the first to market with a particular style of product, but of being the best.

A major announcement at the show was Nokia’s E71 a smartphone with full qwerty keyboard, HSDPA and wi-fi connectivity, 3.2-megapixel camera, customisable home screen and quick access to contacts and email.

LG SECRET (KF750)

Style meets technology in LG’s KF750 handset also labelled as the Secret (pictured). 

It’s well and truly out now, though.

The slider device features a tempered glass 7cm screen and carbon-fibre construction, which makes it both light and sturdy.

On board the KF750 is a new Neon Touch navigation system that gives a small vibrating feedback and blue glow when each button is activated.

The HSDPA handset has a 5-megapixel camera, 100MB internal memory and an expandable memory card slot to go up to 4GB storage.

SAMSUNG P960

If you’ve ever fancied having a TV in your pocket, then the Samsung P960 is the handset for you. 

If you’ve ever fancied having a TV in your pocket, then the Samsung P960 is the handset for you. 

The TV being watched on handsets is sent down the pipe across the network, sometimes at great expense.

The P960 uses a technology called DVB-H, which is short for Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld.

It has a miniature digital set-top box inside, along with an aerial to pick up digital signals just like TV at home.

Australians can expect this service in the next year or so.

SAMSUNG D780

Sometimes one SIM card is not enough.

Many users have two handsets, one for personal use and the other for work, but the Samsung D780 fits two SIM cards inside.

Users switch between the SIMs when making a call and can access contacts from each card.

NOKIA E66

While it has many of the features seen in the E71, the Nokia E66 is an elegant slider that adds assisted GPS to the package.

While it has many of the features seen in the E71, the Nokia E66 is an elegant slider that adds assisted GPS to the package.

It also has a turn-to-full-view feature which, by tipping the device on its side, allows users to view pictures, videos and documents in full-screen mode.

SONY ERICSSON C905

Higher sales are being driven by handsets with higher megapixel cameras so Sony Ericsson has responded with the best of their Cybershot devices.

Higher sales are being driven by handsets with higher megapixel cameras so Sony Ericsson has responded with the best of their Cybershot devices.

The C905 has an 8.1-megapixel camera on board.

It has all the characteristics of a dedicated camera, including face detection, auto focus and smart contrast.

It’s also a super-fast HSDPA phone with the ability to share images wirelessly with a television.

There’s also a GPS.

 

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