Smartphones are no longer simply a means to make calls, text, and organize important dates. They have come to embrace entertainment; becoming a one-stop multimedia machine in the process. The trick is to keep the phone affordable so as not to scare off a large number of customers, and the HTC Wildfire is a smartphone that aims to combine function and fun without breaking the bank.

The Android operating system has been a major player in smartphone technology for awhile now, and the HTC Wildfire continues the propagation of the system with by using the Android 2.1 OS and combines it with HTC Sense. The CPU operates at a speed of 528 MHz and is assisted by 512 MB of ROM and 384 MB of RAM. A slot is found on the handset that accommodates a standard micro-SD card in order to up memory to 32 GB. The screen on the Wildfire is a 3.2? capacitive touch screen and the ubiquitous pinch to zoom feature is included. The screen?s resolution is 240 x 320 QVGA, and though it is not huge by any means, the screen?s dimensions allow the user to comfortably store the handset in a pocket. This keeps the Wildfire?s body at a sleek 60.4mm x 12.19mm x 106.75mm.

No smartphone is complete without a camera, and the Wildfire possesses a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus and flash. Better yet, the user gets geotagging as part of the deal. There is also a digital compass and proximity sensor in order to keep your bearings. The Wildfire also features a 3.5mm stereo audio jack and standard micro-USB port. Bluetooth 2.1 with Enhanced Data Rate satisfies the Bluetooth itch and users connect to 3G networks with up to 7.2Mbps download speed and up to 384 Mbps upload speed.

Unless you have been living under a rock, it shouldn?t come as big news that people simply must stay connected to Facebook, Twitter, and other social network sites. The HTC Wildfire is a connectivity machine, providing Friend Stream that lets users check out all of the latest Facebook updates, tweets, and newest Flickr photos simultaneously and on one screen. All kinds of cool apps are available in the Android Market, and these can be recommended to friends right from the handset. The phone is equipped with YouTube video sharing capabilities.

Of course, some more expensive phones provide faster speeds and larger screens than the HTC Wildfire, but most do not provide the essential smartphone functions at a lower, more affordable cost. Customers will appreciate the fact that their favorite features are all on one, low-cost phone.

All of the big names in electronics seem to be dipping their feet into the smartphone pool, especially by creating operating systems on which the phones run. Microsoft has continued to develop its Windows Phone OS and unveiled WP7, and the HTC HD7 is a competent engine for the system and an impressive smartphone in its own right.

The HD7 instantly struts its stuff right out of the box with a huge, 4.3 inch screen. Featuring 480 x 800 WVGA resolution, it is large enough to let WP7 breathe and plays movies and video in more than adequate clarity. Pinch-to-zoom is one of its more advantageous functions, a feature that users ask for. The HD7 measures 68mm x 11.2mm x 122mm, which is not only large enough to comfortably handle the large screen, but small enough to fit into a pocket without issue. Found on the back of the phone is a kickstand that allows you to enjoy watching video for longer periods of time without having to hold it in your hand.

The HTC HD7 shouldn?t experience many instances that will bog down its operation due to the 1 GHz Snapdragon processor provided by Qualcomm and 576 MB of RAM. In addition to a speedy processing speed, the HTC HD7 offers a 5 megapixel autofocus camera. The camera comes complete with 720p movie mode. None of this may sound extraordinary and seems rather standard for modern smartphones, but HTC?s Hub heightens the already silky WP7 OS operation. Because the HD7 aims to be a multimedia powerhouse, two speakers are found at the top and bottom of the phone encased in by a metal band that surrounds the entire handset.

The HTC HD7 provides its users with an email client as part of its native application package. During certain tests, the HD7 outperformed computers with internet connections by receiving new emails first. The search feature is admirable on the HD7 because is accomplished just by swiping right or left to get to unread or flagged inbox messages. The HD7 employs Internet Explorer in order to surf the ?net. The phone also syncs to Zune Music and Videos and Microsoft Office is another app, complete with Google Docs.

Multimedia is the HTC HD7?s specialty. It handles movies, music, and web surfing assuredly and competently. Couple this with a display that presents it all with style, and you have a phone that is an all-in-one entertainment experience.

Strong market demands for full screen smartphones have convinced RIM to produce a Blackberry full screen smartphone that comes with a virtual keyboard instead of its trademark physical keyboard. The Blackberry Storm 3 is the name of their newest release and, as you would probably expect, it borrows heavily from its predecessor – the Storm 2.

The enhanced multimedia capabilities in the Storm 3 suggest that Blackberry might be edging slightly towards the multimedia market. However, the aesthetic look of the Storm 3 is pretty much similar to the Blackberry Storm 2. The curves at the edges of the smartphone work to bring out a trendy side of Blackberry that we have previously seen in the BB9700.

Some interesting aspects of the Storm 3 include the new Blackberry 6 operating system and the 1Ghz processor. The processor is the best that has ever appeared on Blackberry cell phones and we can?t help but wonder, is the new operating system performance taxing? Indeed, the new 6 OS comes with changes that will successfully satisfy the demands of Blackberry fans. One good example would be social network integration. The new web browser also serves to appease the Blackberry fans who have been demanding for a browser that renders websites accurately.

One of the most popular changes is the interface of the Blackberry Storm 3. A new intuitive graphical interface seeks to salvage the reputation of the sometimes labelled ‘outdated’ versions of past. The outdated set of icons has also been replaced, hence resulting in a modernized image that appeals to a younger audience.

The AMOLED 3.7 inch capacitive touchscreen came is an unexpected surprise. This signifies a huge leap in the display technology offered by Blackberry. Nevertheless, it is a joyful experience viewing images and videos on the large and vibrant screen. The 8 megapixel camera also produces great image quality with hi resolutions.

A majority of Storm 2 lovers are expected to rejoice, as one of the innovative features that Blackberry retains from the Storm 2 is the Surepress technology. Users are able to utilize the clickable touchscreen that effectively reduces the downsides of full touchscreen cell phones (accidental clicking).

RIM has undertaken applaudable steps to ensure that Blackberry users get their well-deserved entertainment. The modern interface also shows that Blackberry cell phones are not irrelevant and will be around for years to come.

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Sony Ericsson Xperia smartphones have been around since Sony Ericsson first moved into the smartphone market. Let us explore some of the Xperia smartphones that have made the biggest impact.

Xperia X10 – It has been a good 8 months since the launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. The flagship multimedia phone was first announced in 2009 and heavily advertised before its launch in March 2010. To date, the smartphone remains as one of the most desirable phones of its kind. A combination of the 4-inch capacitive touchscreen and the extensive social network integration proving to be a winning strategy for Sony Ericsson. Not many people will be able to resist the temptation to bring the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 home. You?ll love the Timescape UI that displays your social updates on an elegant animated interface. The 8 megapixel hi-res camera with HD video recording capabilities works great for spontaneous photography. Fans of the Android operating system will be thrilled to know that the Xperia X10 has a 1Ghz processor that compliments the quick Android 2.1 OS.

Xperia X10 Mini / Mini Pro – The names of the Sony Xperia X10 Mini and Mini Pro should you a good idea of their similarity to the Xperia 10. Aside from an additional slide out keyboard and removable battery, the X10 Mini and the X10 Mini Pro are otherwise two very similar cell phones. Apart from a common 2.55-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen, both the Xperia Mini smartphones share the identical 600 Mhz processor and the same version of Android 2.1 OS. Since the compact Mini smartphones are in the Xperia X10 family, they come with the Timescape social network integration as well. The Mini Xperia X10s are built with an impressive 5-megapixel camera that snaps photographs with a resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels. One of the downsides of a smaller touchscreen is the virtual keyboard. The small keys create opportunity for loads of frustrating typing mistakes. Hence, users who often draft emails or modify documents on the go are recommended to get the Xperia X10 Mini Pro – it comes with a slide out physical keyboard.

Xperia X8 – From a quick glance, the Xperia X8 looks pretty similar to the Xperia X10. The pretty smartphone is available in 5 different color schemes. Sony Ericsson?s Xperia X8 runs on the upgraded Android 2.1 OS and is a great choice for users with small budgets who don’t want to compromise on quality. The basic smartphone capabilities are present in the Xperia X8. These functions include Wi-fi, 3G connectivity and GPS. Moving along from the less impressive 600 Mhz processor, the Xperia X8 has a 3.0 Inch TFT capacitive touchscreen that displays 16M colors. Unless you are particularly demanding on performance, the Xperia X8 works as a great day-to-day smartphone.

Of course, much more could be written about all of the above! Look around online and you’ll find plenty more reviews.

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Things have not been smooth sailing for Motorola as they continue to lose their cell phone market share in the first quarter of 2010. The popular iPhone series has propelled consumer electronics giant Apple to the sixth position, leaving Motorola in eighth. As competition in the market gets stiff, Motorola seeks to repeat their prior success of the November 2009 Motorola Milestone with the Motorola Milestone 2 (Motorola Droid in America).

Quick looks at the phone?s capabilities reveal that the Motorola Milestone 2 is built to juggle the recreational and business side of life. Unlike its predecessor, the Motorola Milestone 2 comes with soft curves that make the smartphone look friendly and welcoming. In fact, it is one of the few aesthetic differences between the siblings.

Despite quick reactions and solid performances of the original Milestone, Motorola offers strong improvements to the hardware by installing a 1 Ghz processor in the Milestone 2. As for the software, the processor operates the latest Android OS, version 2.2, which is up to 5x the speed of Android OS version 2.1. With strong improvements in both the hardware and software, the Milestone 2 is quicker than ever. Complex applications run smoothly despite heavy-duty multitasking.

Similar to the iPhone 4GS, the Milestone 2 has a stunning TFT capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors; perfect for those you who love viewing pictures and video clips on your cell phone. The anti reflective screen is also very helpful when it comes to outdoor usage. As for the multimedia aspect, the new 5 megapixel camera comes with autofocus, LED flash and HD video recording (720p). Along with HD video recording, you should expect vast amounts of storage capacity. The Milestone 2 comes with 8gb of internal storage and an 8gb micro SD card. Should you require more memory, the phone supports up to 40GB of maximum storage.

The slide out QWERTY keyboard has been one of the strong determining advantages of the Motorola Milestone. Large fingers will rejoice upon hearing that the improved keyboard has the directional pad replaced with 4 arrow keys, hence allowing the Milestone 2 to provide a spacious layout for additional typing effectiveness. Virtual keyboard supporters will also be able to enjoy additional functions such as SWYPE and voice to text.

In today?s context, Social networking is indispensable and Motorola clearly understands this. Through their preinstalled Motoblur software, they bring advanced social network integration to the Milestone 2. Stay socially active by constantly viewing live status updates and tweets by your friends! Much has been said about the Motorola Milestone?s Internet tethering disability. As a result, the new Milestone 2 is now able to share its connection with not 1, but 5 different devices.

With a wide array of capabilities and crucial improvements in the Milestone 2, it takes a Motorola hater to ignore the appeal of this Android smartphone. Take the Milestone 2 to work and it will compliment your business with document browsing and email integration. Leave your work behind and you will find an interactive phone with a huge library of interesting applications. Be it for business or multimedia, it is undeniable that the Motorola Milestone 2 is one of the top Android phones in the market.

Now Try – Motorola Milestone 2 Deals

Mini but mighty is the focus of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro. Sony Ericsson figured that among the masses of large screen cell phones, there is an opportunity for a compact and powerful one.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro was recently released (June 2010) as an improved alternative to the X10 Mini. Both the Mini smartphones are powered by a Qualcomm 600 mhz processor and have Android installed as their operating system. The X10 Mini Pro was initially installed with Android OS version 1.6, but is upgradable to the quicker Android OS version 2.1. The newer version of the Android OS comes with essential upgrades such as an improved virtual keyboard and HTML 5 web browsing capabilities.

The Xperia X10 Mini Pro comes in 3 colors, Black, Red and Pink. Surprisingly, it is just a slight 2mm thicker than the Xperia X10 Mini, although it comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard. Both the phones feel similarly comfortable in our palms and pockets. You?ll most probably not notice the difference in thickness.

The additional QWERTY keyboard is very much welcomed on the X10 Mini Pro. In fact, there is much to gain and nothing to lose. This is especially true since gaps have been thoughtfully positioned between the keys to reduce typing errors. As a result of the clever initiative, the Mini Pro?s keyboard has been appraised to be one of the best in the smartphone industry.

The X10 Mini Pro interface comes with a ?PlayNow? online store, a familiar Xperia gallery and Timescape for social network integration. In case you are not aware, PlayNow is Sony Ericsson?s mobile store that sells games, music and applications. Timescape serves the same purpose as the HTC?s FriendStream – It gathers updates from your friends in social networks and displays them on a timeline. You will also be able to link your address book with social network profiles.

As for the multimedia capabilities of the Xperia X10 Mini Pro, we have already highlighted the beautiful gallery. On the other hand, the 5 MP camera provides quality pictures in solid resolution (2560×1920 pixels). It also comes with autofocus, LED flash, camera modes and video recording (640×480 pixels). You will be able to pick between auto, macro, twilight or sports mode when snapping pictures. The noise isolation handsfree kit also delivers great clarity and bass when listening to music.

Plenty of negative feedback have been heard about smaller touchscreen smartphones. It has, however, been a great experience with the Xperia X10 Mini Pro. Navigation has been a breeze and you shouldn?t expect to meet with difficulties such as small virtual buttons. One considerable downside is the lack of compatibility with a couple of Android applications, due to the slightly lower resolution display. On the other hand, the upside is the QWERTY keyboard. The precise keyboard facilitates accurate typing for people with larger fingers. This reduces the need for usage of the onscreen virtual keyboard.

For those of you who are particular about the size of your cell phones, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro will be a great choice. It comes with full smartphone capabilities and an affordable price tag!

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