Nokia introduced last week three trendy mobile phones targeted at the fashion aficionados. These are the Nokia 7360, Nokia 7370 and Nokia 7380. These phones are patterned after previous Nokia fashion cell phones: Nokia 7280, 7270 and 7260. These phones are meant for those who want to stand out instead of blending with the crowds, as these Nokia fashion phones will get you instantly noticed. They are meant for the trendy, cultural and fashion conscious individuals who like to show off their high tastes in quality devices.

The Nokia 7360 Phone

The chart below compares the key features of the Nokia 7360, Nokia 7370 and Nokia 7380.

The Nokia 7370 Phone

The Nokia 7360, Nokia 7370 and Nokia 7380 are expected to be available for sales from the first quarter of year 2006. For those who are fans of the previous models of the fashion phones, you don’t have too long to wait.

The Nokia 7380 Phone

Nokia recently announced the inclusion of the E-Series of smartphones, which are directly targeted at the business class. There are three of such phones, which are Nokia E60, Nokia E61 and Nokia E70. All the three smartphones came in different designs and are specifically engineered with the typical businessman in mind.

All phones are of the Symbian 9.1 OS Series 60, and in terms of connectivity support GPRS, EDGE and Wireless LAN. They also all supported infrared, bluetooth and USB connectivity. Only the Nokia E70 has camera and video support. This further goes to emphasise that the Nokia E-Series of phones are for those who are serious with mobile business communication. The comparison chart below summarises the features of these great phones that are expected to hit the market in the first quarter of year 2006.

Nokia E60 Smartphone

Nokia E-Series Comparison Chart

While the Nokia E60 phone is designed for active voice communications in and out of the office, the Nokia E61 and Nokia E70 are designed with making mobile email easier than ever before. This includes the full capability to handle attachments of various types. Both the Nokia E61 and Nokia E70 are equipped with full QWERTY keyboards for fast and easy thumb typing.

Nokia E61 Smartphone

These three products of Nokia Business Family offer every individual the choice of whichever device suits them most. Moreover, of course, for those who cannot do without a camera in their phone, the Nokia E70 offers a way out with a 2MP camera to deliver good printable pictures. What more can we say to these? Nothing more except to clap our hands in admiration and appreciation to Nokia for producing these top qualities mobile devices.

Nokia E70 Smartphone

As the world bodies are coming together politically, the digital devices are not left out of the amalgamation. It is very common now to find a singular digital device incorporating the functions of two or more other digital devices. Nowadays, it is possible to find one device that is performing the function of a PDA, cell phone, digital camera, camcorder, MP3 player and FM Stereo tuner. In a situation where a device is performing two or more of the afore-mentioned functions, we have what is called Digital Convergence Device (DCD).

It was with amusement I watched Victor, an old classmate, two Saturdays ago when we met at a wedding ceremony reception somewhere in Lagos. He was holding in his left hand his iPod and a digital camera, while using the other hand to answer a call on his Nokia handset. “You look as if you need a bag”, I said to him jokingly, as I sighted him near the exit of the reception hall. I myself was also guilty, though to a lesser extent, as I was holding in both hands my Siemens handset and an HP digital camera. Later I started thinking how life will be easier if man can just have all his digital devices in one.

However, there are still many folks who prefer to have their MP3 players different from their cell phones, and at the same time having their digital cameras separated from there mobile handsets. Nevertheless, the fact remains that many manufacturers of handheld devices, with a few exceptions are already sold to the technology of DCD, because most users of such technologies prefer that arrangement.

Pros of DCD

• It makes you inefficient carrying about a cell phone, PDA, MP3 player and a camera all at the same time.
• The cost of a DCD having a PDA, camera and MP3 player functionality is definitely lower than the total cost of those three devices separated.
• It is less confusion for the user who does not have to remember to carry three or more separate devices any more.
• Gone are the burdens of charging three or more devices daily
• One insurance covers the many-in-one digitally convergence device.

Cons of DCD

• There is no way an MP3 player in a cell phone can contain as many songs as a 40GB iPod.
• Let us face it; a fully functional digital camera will always perform better than a cell phone with camera functionality.
• If you lose your digitally convergence device to thieves, that is saying bye-bye to your digital life (cell phone, camera, camcorder, MP3 player, etc).
• You are stuck with one manufacturer who may not be too good in all aspects of your digitally convergence device.
• Think of this, when your DCD develops fault, then you are separated from three or more devices while it is being repaired.

A 40GB iPod, able to store over 10,000 songs 

Examples of DCDs

* Not yet available for sale

Separation or Convergence?
I am in total support of Digital Convergence Devices anytime, as a 1GB or 2GB memory card in my DCD is enough for me to store my photos, MP3 files and any other files I fancy to put in my device. This is with the exception of video files or movies, as these can take a significant chunk of space with just a handful of files. This means that it would have certainly been better with bigger memory capacity. Nevertheless, others will differ with me, especially great lovers of iPod who have the possibility of being able to carry about thousands of songs in 40GB of storage. However, it is a different issue whether one will be able to listen to all the songs within a week or so. Nevertheless, the assurance of knowing that all your favourite songs are within reach is a comfort to many.

It all narrowed down on what you want for yourself. Look smart and efficient with one device that does All-In-One for you, but be limited as in storage space and battery life or have all your separate digital devices with you and a little stress of carrying them all about and also keeping them properly charged. It all depends on the individual. But one thing I know for sure, there will be many times you will have to leave one or two behind as a matter of convenience. Also, you will definitely have a favourite among them, or the one you cannot do without and always have with you, to which I can safely bet will be your cell phone.

To all great lovers of digital music, Sony Ericsson has announced a new entrant to mobile digital music. This is the Sony Ericsson W900 UMTS Walkman handset, the first UMTS handset to join the Sony Ericsson Walkman range of music phones. This phone also enjoys the advantage of bigger screen over its predecessor, the SE W800.

The SE W900 is available in black or white colour and will be available for sales towards the end of the year 2005. It came in two models:

- W900i: 900/1800/1900 for Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
- W900c: 900/1800/900 for mainland China.

Features of the SE W900 Walkman
- UMTS (3G) Support
- Large 2.2 inch QVGA 262K TFT screen
- 2 Megapixel Autofocus camera with Flash + Video
- Large internal memory of 470MB + Memory Stick Duo Pro Slot
- Memory expandable to 2GB
- Bluetooth, Infrared & USB Connectivity
- GPRS

Other Features Include:
- Import or transfer music from operators (Over-The Air) directly to the phone or drag and drop music from     PC to phone through USB connection.
- Swivel design similar to SE 700i facilitates multitasking functions
- Fast and smooth downloads/browsing of music, videos, games, sound and graphics
- Free stereo portable handsfree HPM-80 with remote control
- Disc2phone PC software for transfer and management of music files.

Sony Ericsson has taken the world of mobile digital music to the next level. This phone will be a favourite of all music and photo lovers all over the world. With the 2MP autofocus camera with flash, you can take those momentary photos at short notice anywhere anytime. The SE W900 will be the fourth Sony Ericsson cell phone in the Walkman range. Others are SE W800 (the first one in the range which hit the market early 2005), SE W600 and SE W550 which have been previously announced and will soon be launched.

Sony Ericsson has finally announced the latest addition to its smartphones devices, the Sony Ericsson P990. Before the announcement, there have been various speculations as to the name of the much-expected device, chief among them were P950 and P1000. The announcement made on Monday, 10 October 2005 has put to rest all speculations. However, the phone will not be available for sale until the first quarter of year 2006.