Sony Ericsson K790i/K800

The Sony-Ericsson K790i is the upgraded version of SE's K750i now sporting EDGE technology, a 3.2 mega-pixel camera with Sony's Cybershot technology and a browser that reformats web pages to conveniently fit the screen. Responsiveness to phone commands is outstanding and reception of this tri-band phone (900/1800/1900mhz) here in the San Francisco Bay Area is excellent.

This is the first integration of Cybershot technology into a mobile phone, clearly distinguishing Sony-Ericsson as the leader in small, compact multi-media phones. The camera and video controls are hot. You can set everything from resolution (1 to 3 mega-pixels), to indoor/outdoor lighting to special effects, such as inserting a frame around a picture. Best Pics allows you to press the camera button once and choose from up to 10 pics taken simultaneously.

There's additional audio and video software built into the phone so you can compose multi-media shows. Be prepared to purchase a larger M2 (mini-micro chip) if you serious about taking lots of pics, videos, saving audio files or using the multi-media software. The megabytes get eaten up quickly; so you probably want to pick up either a 512MB or 1GB chip.

As typical with smaller form-factor phones, compromises have to be made. One example: the Internet button is positioned close to the left activity button. If your finger slips a bit, you've launched the browser. A minor snafu. This is the first EDGE phone I've tested with an Opera-like screen reformatting browser. Like a BlackBerry, text, graphics and pictures wrap automatically so you never need to scroll left or right. There's much more to tell, but suffice it to say, SE has done it again with the integration of audio, video and phone functions in a compact design.

BlackBerry 8830

The RIM 8830 is the best BlackBerry I've tested to date. While the stalwart 8700 model offered by all of the major carriers is an outstanding BlackBerry, the 8800 series from RIM is a new line of BlackBerry's touting multi-media viewing (music, pictures and streaming video) and GPS in a thin form factor. Emulating the Moto Q, iPhone, Blackjack and other GSM and CDMA phones, the BlackBerry 8830, running on Sprint's EVDO broadband network, offers lightening fast HTML browsing and the usual calendar, tasks, address book and memopad interface. If you've used BlackBerry's before, you'll have no problem learning how to use the 8830.

The is the first CDMA/GSM quadband phone, meaning it will operate worldwide. Sprint has already inserted a GSM SIM. But there's room for another SIM using a carrier of your choice. So if you plan a trip outside the U.S., you add international coverage through Sprint or a third-party carrier, reducing your per minute charges when roaming off of Sprint. This capability resolves a problem faced by international travelers, who need to purchase a SIM card when switching to a GSM network, the world standard for cellular networks.

BlackBerry Messenger is built-in for instant messaging and I found the Password Keeper very handy. It's password protected so you can store your myriad passwords in one place and never worry about someone accessing them. A search function on the 8830 makes it easy to locate files in messages, calendar, address book, memopad and tasks.

Managing your network and bluetooth connections is easily accomplished in a separate program on the 8830. Speaking of Bluetooth, I experienced excellent call quality and signal strength when I paired the 8830 via Bluetooth in my Prius. In fact, the 8830 delivered the best sound quality I've experienced using handsfree in my car.

During my recent trip to Minnesota, I tested Sprint Navigation with the built-in GPS and was quite amazed at how well it identified and tracked farm country roads. The Sprint signal remained strong from the Twin Cities airport through central Minnesota with a few drop-offs here-and-there.

While the GPS won't replace my Toyota Prius' GPS, it's quite powerful and also offers turn-by-turn voice directions as well. The mapping program is also excellent.

BlackBerry email clients, unlike Palm Treo's and other smartphones, have always been problematic when encountering HTML. Sending and receiving text email is not a problem. However, if you subscribe to the online versions of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal or other publications in HTML, you'll see numerous HTML links and, perhaps, some text. Clicking on the correct link opens the browser, but you have to know which link to choose.

Fortunately, a company called Empower offers an HTML Mail viewer for only $10 that turns the BlackBerry HTML links into readable text immediately upon opening an email. It's extremely fast converting HTML links into readable emails. Check it out at Handango: http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&platformId=5&N=5%2096515&R=209518&productId=209518.

Overall, I'd rate the BlackBerry 8830 "good"--only knocking it down a notch from excellent due to the email client. Otherwise, RIM is finally offering BlackBerry's that are useful for more than just email. Great mobile device.

Twas the Night Before Christmas 2007 Cell Phone Review

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the realm

Not a Samsung was stirring not even a twelve-nine.

The iPhones were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Steven soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug with their phones,

While visions of Motos danced in their tones.

And mamma with her widget and I with my jack,

Had just settled down to play with our crack.

When out on the lawn there arose such a chatter,

I threw down my smartphone and sought out my fatter.

Away to the window I brought out my flash.

Tore open the shutters and threw out the Dash.

The tune in my breast as the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects that GO.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a moguled Android and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so googled and knoogled

I knew in a moment he must have been snoogled.

More rapid than nanos his courses they zuned

And he whistled and shouted, and called them ituned!

Now Dasher! now Dancer!, now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet!, On Cupid!, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of Redmond! to the top of Mountain View!

Now crash away! crash away! crash away all!

As dry leaves that before the wild tornado fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew

With a sleigh full of Toys, and St. Steven too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The ringtones and vibrations of each little hoof

As I drew in my head, and was churning around, 

Down the chimney St. Steven came with an iphone.

He was dressed all in denim, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all covered with logos and loot.

A bundle of Ipods he had flung on his back

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, he nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly.

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"