The latest cellphones
For mobile phone fans September was most likely the highlight of the year. At the end of September Vodacom and Apple together launched the iPhone 3G in South Africa for the first time. It was also in September that the iPhone-killer, the Nokia E71, started to appear in local outlets.
In comparison, October looks to be a lot less exciting month for mobile phone releases with just one device really standing out as being worth the wait.
And that phone is the Sony Ericsson X1, otherwise known as the Xperia. The X1 ships with a 3-inch wide VGA touchscreen, which slides out to reveal a full Qwerty keyboard below. The X1 also includes an optical joystick for navigation as well as four-way keys for controlling functions.
The X1’s slider makes the phone really stand out and its touch screen is every bit as good looking as the iPhone. For some the Windows Mobile operating system is a put off, especially as new operating systems emerge for mobile devices.
Further ahead, the Android-based HTC G1 is expected to be released in South Africa next year. The Google-backed Android operating system is an open source operating system for mobile phones. The ZA Tech Show (www.zatechshow.co.za) team reported that HTC sources had indicated that the G1 handset would become available in South Africa in 2009. The phone is expected to be released by Vodacom.
Also, users can expect the Blackberry Storm next year. The Blackberry Storm includes a touchscreen with a unique tactile "click" feel that gives users feedback. The Storm also includes support for multi-touches, taps, slides and other touch-screen gestures.
The Blackberry Storm includes an accelerometer which means the screen can be switched between landscape and portrait mode automatically. A full Qwerty keyboard and 3G support rounds out the Storm.
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