BlackBerry Bold

The BlackBerry Bold (aka RIM BlackBerry 9000) is the latest smartphone (announced on May 12, 2008) from RIM to be released sometime in the summer of 2008, expected to retail for around $300 - $400. The Bold has high-speed data connectivity with support for 3G networks (quad-band EDGE and tri-band HSDPA) and WiFi (802.11 a/b/g). Other improvements over the BlackBerry Curve including a doubling of CPU speed to 624 MHz and a doubling of screen resolution to 480 x 320 resolution display (Half-VGA). The BlackBerry Bold is a competitor to the latest 3G version of the Apple iPhone announced on June 9th, 2008.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•3G network connectivity
•Faster CPU @ 624 MHz
•Built-in GPS
•WiFi access (802.11 a/b/g)
•Very similar in size to the Apple iPhone
•Twice the resolution @ 480 x 320
•Expandable memory with microSD cards up to 16 GB

Cons:

•Not a touch screen
•Small display compared to iPhone

More information

Features

* 624MHz Intel PXA270/Marvell Tavor PXA930 processor (increase from 312 MHz)
* data connectivity: 3G (HDSPA + EDGE), WiFi (802.11 a/b/g)
* screen: 480 x 320 (up from 320 x 240) (size ??) with 65,000 colors
* operating system: BlackBerry OS 4.6
* redesigned keyboard
* memory: 1 GB built-in + expandable microSD up to 16 GB
* dimensions: 4.5" H x 2.6" W x 0.5" D
* weight: 4.7 oz
* 2 megapixel camera + flash
* GPS functionality
* price: $300 - $400
* release date: Summer 2008 (speculative)

HTC Touch Pro

The Touch Pro is HTC's flagship phone for 2008 and expands on the premium Touch Diamond with a full QWERTY keyboard and expandable microSD storage. Nearly all the specifications between the Touch Diamand and Touch Pro are the same, including the screen, interface, and connectivity options that include WiFi and 3G wireless. The Touch Pro is the second HTC device to use the TouchFLO 3D interface which is one of the most graphically intensive mobile device interfaces released in 2008.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•High resolution screen
•Integrated GPS
•Expandable storage
•QWERTY keyboard
•High quality camera

Cons:

•Expensive
•Uses Windows Mobile for the Operating System

More information

Specs

* 2.8" touch screen
* 640x480 resolution
* TV-out capabilities with optional cable
* 3.2MP camera with auto focus and flash
* integrated GPS
* WiFi and HSDPA connectivity
* microSD slot
* battery: 400 minutes of talk time, 450 hours standby

Samsung Instinct

The Samsung Instinct is a Sprint-specific mobile device that aims to compete with Apple's iPhone. The interface is touchscreen (no keyboard and no stylus) with 3 additional navigation keys. A web browser is included with built-in web apps for weather, news and sports. It uses Sprint's 3G EV-DO Rev. A network and has built-in GPS navigation using Telenav software. The Instinct comes with 2 batteries, each with a battery life of 5.75 hours, allowing you to swap one for the other if one runs out.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Standard headphone jack - no need for adapter
•Visual voicemail lets you choose the messages you want to listen to
•Comes with 2 batteries
•Great GPS navigation

Cons:

•Slow web browser
•GPS maps don't go into landscape mode

More information

Features

* 3.1" touchscreen
* Web browser
* 2MP camera
* Removable batteries
* 5.75 hours battery life (talk)
* 2GB microSD card included (expandable memory up to 8GB)
* Standard headphone jack
* Visual voicemail
* Landscape QWERTY keyboard
* Music player
* Video player

iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G is the successor to the popular cell phone from Apple. The biggest changes over the first version is the addition of 3G high-speed data access, which Apple claims is over two times faster than the original when accessing the Internet, and the addition of Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities. Outside of these changes, most of the unit remains the same as the previous, with the same touch screen, camera and memory sizes. Apple releases the iPhone 3G in 22 different countries on July 11th, with the goal of 70 countries by the end of 2008. The marketed price of $200/$300USD is with a 2-year contract in the United States, details on contractual plans in other countries are still unknown.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•GPS Support
•High speed 3G
•Very vibrant developer community
•Affordable (depending on service plan)
•Available in white (16 GB version only)
•Still has the best web browser on a cell phone

Cons:

•No improvement in storage
•No front-facing camera lens for video chat
•No text selection or copy/paste functionality.
•No MMS capabilities
•Battery life is disappointing when using 3G
•Can't replace the battery yourself, can't replace with a "spare"
•Camera didn't get improved

More information

Specs

* 3.5" multi-touch screen
* 480x320 resolution with 163ppi
* WiFi B/G access
* UTMS, and HSDPA connectivity (GSM only)
* Bluetooth 2.0
* 2MP camera
* GPS support
* Battery: 10hrs 2G talk | 5 hours 3G talk | 5hrs 3G Data | 6hrs Wi-Fi | 7hrs video | 24hrs audio | 300hrs standby
* Price: $199 for 8GB | $299 for 16GB. Contract required.

Unclear details

GPS - It is currently unknown whether the iPhone 3G's GPS implementation is "real" GPS, or Assisted GPS. While the differences are mostly technical, a full GPS implementation offers faster responsiveness and stability.

Difference between iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G

3G support - when accessing the data network the data transfer speeds are substantially faster (over twice as fast according to Apple).

GPS - the iPhone 2G had basic location finding that was accurate to hundreds of meters, while the iPhone 3G's implementation should be accurate to a few feet.

Case design - the iPhone 3G is slightly thicker at 12.3mm versus the 2G's 11.6mm. The 3G uses a plastic backing instead of brushed metal like on the 2G, and now the iPhone's headphone jack is "flush" which lets you use regular headphones without the need for an adapter.

iPhone 2.0 Software Additions

Enterprise Features - supports VPNs, Exchange Server, remote wiping, expanded documents compatibility (Powerpoint now supported, iWorks support). No document editing supported.

* saves images in e-mails to photo library
* bulk delete and move
* contact search
* more language support
* parental controls

App Store

iPod Touch and iPhone owners can download new applications and programs developed for the devices from the official App Store. Any 3rd party can develop and publish applications to the App Store and can set the price to anything they want, with Apple getting 30% of the revenue. Unofficial applications have already been created for the iPhone 2G, so Apple is hoping that official support and distribution for 3rd party apps will allow for an improved application ecosystem. The App Store can be accessed from the iPhone itself, or from iTunes.