Cell phones: Smart, trendy and more versatile
Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Cell phone users now have more choices of trendy multimedia camera phones with the entry of several new series, providing them with access to a wide range of fun and business support.
Nokia, for instance, has launched its Nokia 6680 and 6681 imaging smartphone, Siemens has its SK65 and CX70, Samsung the SGH-D500 and SGH610, Sony Ericsson has the K750i and Z800i and Motorola the RAZR v3 and A780.
The latest models have sophisticated features that benefit users seeking pleasure and those who use a handset to support their business activities.
With the new models, users not only take pictures, shoot videos, listen to stereo music, and play games, but they also send and receive email, images and data or documents.
Even though previous models have come with in-built cameras, the latest models are much better because they have an increased memory and higher resolution, with more colors displayed on the pixel screen.
"The increased memory enables users to take more pictures. The higher resolution, with more colors, allows them to have better quality pictures," said a salesman at a mobile phone shop in the city.
The latest series also feature Bluetooth wireless technology. This technology provides users with the power of a Personal Area Network (PAN) to immediately improve communication channels, increase productivity, make data sharing and synchronization easier, supply instant access to key information and create the freedom to work when and wherever business needs arise.
"In particular, Bluetooth solutions in wireless headsets and hands-free car kits allow users to talk easily and comfortably anytime, anywhere," he said.
Certain models like the Nokia 6680 imaging smartphone have two integrated cameras for video calls and imaging. With video sharing capability, this model enables users to share and view video clips in the middle of a call.
"The Nokia 6680 enables the full benefits of high-speed 3G networks to be enjoyed with a wide range of multimedia services, including video, email, music downloads and Internet browsing," said the salesman.
Nokia's latest models for business users include the Nokia 7710 and the Nokia 9500 Communicator.
The tri-band Nokia 7710 smartphone, with its pen input and handwriting recognition, combines the capabilities of a smartphone and a handheld computer.
The wide touch screen with 65,536 colors makes the Nokia 7710 a pleasure to use for a variety of tasks. "The powerful Nokia 7710 includes a full Internet browser, an integrated music player with stereo audio, an extensive set of video features such as playback, streaming and recording, a megapixel camera with 2x digital zoom and FM radio," said a trader at Nokia's handphone shop.
To seize the camera-phone market opportunity, Motorola has launched the sophisticated Motorola RAZR v3. This model features long-range Bluetooth wireless technology, MPEG4 video and 4x optical zoom digital camera.
With MPEG4 video playback, this model enables users to watch sports action or music clips that they have downloaded. "They are all beautifully displayed on the large 2.2 color display," said one salesman at Motorola's mobile phones.
Users of Motorola RAZR v3 can use the phone for talking for 200 to 430 minutes, he said.
Motorola's new models expected to enter the market this month include the Motorola A1000, E1000 and C975.
The models take advantage of cutting-edge 3G technology to give mobile professionals a new way to communicate and share information.
The model A1000 delivers video conferencing capabilities, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and PDF document viewing capabilities via Piccel Document Viewer and full HTML browsing for a true mobile office experience, according to PT Motorola Indonesia's country manager, mobile devices, Robert van Tilburg.
"Our new model A1000 gives mobile users the ability to experience the true benefit of 3G in a compact, good-looking device," he said.
"With a lighter, compact design and sophisticated features set, our new 3G handset will deliver the true benefit of 3G to a broader audience of mobile professionals," he added.
The pocket-sized model A1000 also boasts an integrated 1.2 megapixel digital camera with 4x digital zoom, multi-media streaming, capture and playback with MPEG4 and MP3 files and dual audio speakers to satisfy the fun-seeking side of all professionals.
Lovers of Siemens can now also see the SK65 focusing on highest level of e-mail management available on a mobile phone.
Siemens boasts the SK65 as the first handset to offer complete e-mail management thanks to Blackberry Built-In technology.
"The tri-band SK65 brings speed and efficiency to business professionals on the move," said www.phonecontent.com, a website focusing on latest models of handset.
It said that the SK65 incorporates a unique, x2type (cross-to- type) full-sized keyboard which is revealed by turning the phone and that can be folded away discreetly when no longer needed.
"Designed to be functional, the x2type keyboard allows fast, easy text input and uncomplicated e-mailing for when you really need to stay in touch," it said.
With the Blackberry application, the SK65 enables users to know that emails have been received on their desktop computer because the emails are automatically sent to the user's mobile phone. "So, you can read and reply to them while out of the office," it said.
Other Siemens' models entering the market include the CX70 and SL65.
To help expand the business capabilities of users, Samsung's SGH-D500 includes 80MB of storage. The 80 MB memory allows users to store over 1,000 megapixel images, capture 60 minutes of video, save 15 to 20 MP3s, enter up to 60 minutes of voice recording, or just use the space for receiving and sending file attachments.
The 1.3-megapixel camera not only allows users to take pictures but also gives them creative freedom with the availability of 10 embedded special effects and emotions.
"The significantly bright flash digital linear zoom smoothly catches the best moments to remember," crooned a Samsung salesman.
With a variety of sync options, the D500 supports Email Client, vCard and vCalendar for quick information transfer. It has advanced MMS, Java and WAP 2.0 capabilities as well as USB and SyncML DS.
The D500 also supports video recording as well as video playback and MP3 files, just like a PC with a full range of entertainment options.
Sony-Ericsson's K7001 has a VGA camera that has been enhanced with a camcorder capability for recording videos. The model has also increased its memory - to 41 MB, enabling users to store more photos, videos and music.
Sony-Ericsson's models that are expected to enter the market in 2005 include the J200i, T290i, K300i, Z800i and W800i.
Meanwhile, more new models with more highly sophisticated features are expected to enter the market within the next few months. They include Samsung's SPH-M4300, a WiFi-enabled phone.
In addition to being able to access the Web via WiFi Internet connections, the device features a 1.3 megapixel camera and a 2.8-inch LCD, and will run on the Pocket PC operating system made by Microsoft, according to www.ecommercetimes.com.
WiFi-enabled mobile phones are seen as having the potential to spread mobile Web use by giving phone users more options and price points for that connectivity, the website said.
Sony-Ericsson will also launch its MMV-200 in the second quarter of 2005.
The model not only enables users to capture superb images and music on a mobile phone, but also to share their pictures, video footage and music with others and enjoy them in comfort on their home entertainment system.
With Bluetooth wireless technology, the MMV-200 enables you to transfer sound files from your phone to the sound system and enjoy them through the speakers by plugging the MMV-200 into your hi-fi, according to www.contentphone.com.
It will allow users to share their photos and video clips with friends and family comfortably around the home TV by simply plugging the MMV-200 into the TV and sharing the shots and footage stored in the phone.
The truly versatile device, the MMV-200 accepts all kinds of memory cards - from your phone, PC or digital camera.