Vodafone’s latest foray into the handset market aims to change that as they’re offering their first budget priced branded Android handset loaded up with their social 360 interface. Though they’ve already shown a willingness to embrace the Android OS by signing up to the HTC Desire and HTC Legend, the Vodafone 845 is their first branded foray into the world of Android. Boasting the latest Éclair 2.1 OS (following on from the equally tasty Donut and Cupcake updates) the handset has one touch access to the wealth of the Android marketplace allowing you to download a myriad of apps with ease.

The screen measures in at 2.8 inches with measurements of 100 x 55 x 13 mm. The handset features an optical trackpad, and the screen can be navigated with the trackpad or the touchscreen and it has built in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G/HSDPA connectivity. The camera is rather low spec with a mere 3.2MP camera and it has 512MB of built in storage, and no obvious flash (details are still fairly scarce at this point).

What’s interesting about this handset is that is has Vodafone’s built in 360 interface, which offers the user complete aggregation of their social networks and address book through a rather jazzy interface. The 360 software pulls information about your contact from all sources, including your texts, phone numbers, Facebook account and photo library and will give you updates in all of these in one long stream of consciousness. This is the 3rd Smartphone released for Vodafone that features the 360 software, following on from the dubious reception of the M1 and H1 handsets. With Android onboard, this is sure to be more successful though, and they’re positioning it as an affordable mid range phone.

I quite like the slick look of the handset, as though it doesn’t contain and premium features, it nonetheless looks rather stylish and the matt black finish with the red button accents gives it a rather modern look. This handset might not win any style awards, but with the Éclair installed upon it and the Vodafone 360 features, this is a phone full of multimedia and networking goodness. Hopefully the low price will make this option open to more people, but we’d like them to clarify that, as we don’t have a definite figure..yet.

[Source: Say hello to the Vodafone 845: The first Android Smartphone featuring Vodafone 360]

Here’s the lowdown on the latest handsets

The Zylo

This is undoubtedly the Daddy of the pair, featuring a more comprehensive spec list and a rather stylish candybar slider. Interestingly (and great for audiophiles) it’s the only one of the pair to support the FLAC lossless codec which means it lets you enjoy a premium audio experience on compressed files. A nice feature about this handset is its ability to let you listen to tracks whilst taking phone calls (cleverly titled the Music Call), which adds to the sharing element of the phone, and enables you to integrate music into every aspect of your life. The handset also comes preloaded with sounds so the user can pretend they’re hanging out in the office or sitting in a restaurant- that is, if you like adding an element of subterfuge to your friendships.

The Zylo is 3G enabled and boats quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE for world-wide accessibility. It features a 2.6 inch screen and a 3.2 megapixel camera with 2x digital zoom, which is a little bit of a letdown as their more premium music phones such as the W995 and the Satio have 8.1 and 12.1 megapixels respectively. However, it does let you geotag snaps, which you can then upload to YouTube, Facebook or Twitter all of which are integrated into the homepage of the handset for easy access. As with all Sony Ericsson phones there are certain features you can expect, and this doesn’t disappoint, featuring Track ID (a Sony Ericsson version of Shazam which lets you identify music that’s playing on the radio by using the internal mic), WalkMate (an internal pedometer) and Shake Control which lets you alter the volume and switch songs with a deft flick of the wrist.
It boasts a 240×320 QVGA screen and features USB 2.0 connectivity as well as Bluetooth, and you get the option to purchase a snap on speaker stand for easier ways to share your tunes. There’s 260 MB of internal memory, but you’ll really want to invest in a microSD card (up to 16GB) to really make use of the phone facilities.

It will be available in three colours, Black, Silver and Pink, from Autumn 2010

The Sony Ericsson Spiro

Not to be confused with the beloved purple dragon (Spyro, for those not in the know) this handset bears few similarities. Fire breathing qualities? Zilch, but it does however have some stake in the cuteness department, as it will be available in a selection of colours. At 90g, it’s 25g lighter than its big brother and is a trimmed down version of the Zylo. This handset has a 2.2 inch QVGA screen, but features so little onboard memory, that forking out for a microSD card is mandatory- but it can handle up to 16GB which is a fair amount of tunes.

The Spiro features many of the same Walkman benefits as the Zylo, with enabled networking applications, TrackID and access to the PlayNow store, but has a 2 megapixel camera and lacks the FLAC codec. It doe however double up as torch (handy when hiking late at night) and features a micro USB connector which makes charging simpler and more efficient.

The handset also features a 3.5mm jack, which means you can use it with your own headphones (hurrah!) and it will be available in Contrast Black, Sunset Pink, Spring Green and Stealth Black. I’m not sure the difference between those two types of black- possibly one will be gloss and the other matte?

Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a mid ranged mobile with music functionality, these babies could make you very happy come Autumn.

[Source: Spyro and Zylo join Sony Ericsson’s Walkman family]

It does this by utilizing Surface sound technology, which let sound waves pass through any surface it’s attached too, making any surface a workable speaker. The TuneBug Shake connect to your MP3 player or mobile via Bluetooth (or a 3.5mm jack, should one be needed) and has a battery life of 5 hours. It comes packaged with a special strap and mount harness so you can secure it to your helmet, and will mean you get to spend your ride immersed with the likes of Bon Jovi and Aerosmith (my personal favourite riding accompaniments).

The TuneBug has a rubber moulded grip and is water resistant so should fit quite snugly on the head. I’m a bit concerned about the ‘resistant’ aspect however, as the UK is not well known for its beautiful weather and I’d like to think this device could hold up under the random torrential downpours we’re subjected to.

It also features a handy touch sensitive on/off switch as well as a volume control button, so you can easily tune in to the outside world. As it’s compatible with Bluetooth mobiles there would be potential for a future version that comes with an inline mic to allow you to make calls, but then you probably shouldn’t ride and chat, even if it’s hands free.

Pre-order price is $120 (approx £76)

[Source: Tunebug Shake: Surround sound in your bike helmet]

Sure, it’s a super stylish 9.7 inch screen, with access to the vibrant Apple app store, but does it truly deserve its worldwide adulation? Whilst some might gaze longingly at its sleek contours, I can’t help but feel we’ve been misled. Look beyond the shiny veneer and you’ll find a whole host of issues that Apple have carefully omitted to mention.

1. Forget about Flash

Steve Jobs suggest that the iPad bridges the gap between computer and phone, dismissing the idea of netbooks with a self satisfied smirk. Netbooks however are much cheaper than the iPad, and allow you to play flash video. This then turns what’s supposed to be an enriching multimedia experience into something with severe limitations, as this will also affect flash based websites and graphic interlays when browsing. This limits you to what you can do whilst on the web- so why bother using this device? What an enriching experience web browsing will be with no access to sites. Big FAIL Apple.

2. It’s an eReader that doesn’t use eInk

Many, many devices don’t use eInk- laptops, toasters, and MP3 players, but none of these profess to be eBooks. Apple has said that their device will spearhead a new generation of eReaders but I beg to differ. Sure their screen is uber bright and attractive to look at, and colours will look fantastic, but I stopped reading illustrated novels at 8 years old. They’re giving us a comprehensive iBookstore where you can download classic novels for free and buy new releases, but you’ll still be reading them on an LED screen. LED technology is great for displaying high contrast images, but can be tiring when stared at for a long time, so it will make the reading experience rather painful and protracted. It also has a built in accelerometer- imagine how frustrating that would be when you read at an angle (as many are wont to do). I think this will be a great way to view magazines and newspapers, but books? I think not. And have you considered the size of the thing? It’s big and heavy, hardly optimal for reading on the go.

3. It’s JUST a giant iPod Touch

Now I love the iPod Touch, I think it does a great job of playing music, letting me browse the web, and giving me access to the huge app store. I don’t however feel that I need to supersize this device, as a) it won’t be very particularly pocket friendly, and b) if I was going to upgrade my iPod Touch it would be to an iPhone, not a giant tablet. Seriously, what could lugging around this 1.6 pound device add to my life? I want internet on the go, I’ll use a netbook, if I want a phone I’ll use one. So why does this device exist? Ummm, I can’t really think of a reason.

4. Miss out on Multi-Tasking

The one major flaw of the iPhone is that it doesn’t allow apps to run simultaneously. Sure you can get push email, but it would be nice if you could have an array of apps open on the go. Whilst we might put up with this for a small device, it’s incredibly inconvenient for a larger product, as you’d like to download items whilst browsing the web, and not being able to multitask is a major flaw.

5. The memory isn’t expandable

Say you can’t afford to pay full whack for the 64GB version and opt for 16GB. That’s OK, you’ll just buy an upgrade at some point or add content via USB or SD card. Nope. The memory is fixed and there are no extra ports, which means all data has to be sent wirelessly or through linking to a computer- forget about just slotting in and SD card to view images or files.

6. There is no camera

Like, seriously. No SKYPE video calls, no TwitPics, need I say more?

And when can you expect to get this in the UK?

The WiFi version will be available in March and the 3G version in April. Pricing hasn’t been given in sterling yet, but we’ve translated the USA prices for you here, and hopefully they’ll be relatively similar.

[Source: Apple’s iPad: 6 reasons why we’re disappointed]

The camera has a 2.5 inch LCD screen and is waterproof to 10 feet and freezeproof till -10 degrees. It features a variety of preset modes which include the usual snow scene, beach scene, as well as adjustable ISO settings from 63-3200. There’s a handy interval shooting mode which can be setup to take pictures at timed intervals, allowing you to strap it on whilst on the move, yet still capture your experience.

The camera uses a microSD or SDHC card (common with rugged cameras) and is available in two colours, black and red.

You can see the care taken in creating the camera, as the back of the EX-G1 has a ruggedized finish, with buttons strategically placed to make them accessible if wearing gloves or equipment. They’re raised rather than recessed to be easy to use, and there’s a scroll wheel for circling through modes placed on the right hand side.

This might be quite a smart choice for Casio as the marketplace for this type of camera tends to be quite slim with the main competitors being Canon’s Fisher Price Powershot D10 styled and the Olympus Tough range.

They’re releasing it in January which is a little unusual, as that’s when consumer will be looking to save money on sale bargains, rather than invest in a full priced model, for their upcoming snowboarding holidays.

I’m pleased the marketplace for this type of camera is expanding, and the face that Casio are getting into the game means they recognize this is a sector that should experience some growth. The EX-G1 is the slimmest ruggedized camera on the market, which suggests that Olympus and Canon will have their R&D men working night and day to better them, which means more choice for us.

[Source: Casio toughens up with rugged EX-G1 camera]

But would this be any good?

The Oral B Triumph 5000 aims to be the most comprehensive brush on the market, and it has a price tag to match. The overly large box (think wasted packaging) loses points on eco-credentials it comes packed with an assortment of brush heads (3) a carry case, a wall bracket, and the wireless SmartGuide display.  The basic idea is that you charge up your brush, choose your favourite settings (Clean/Polish etc) and the brush wirelessly syncs with the SmartGuide, giving you a time goal to brush to. Whilst it’s a nice but gimmicky idea, you have to wonder if this will really encourage people to brush more. I bared my gnashers and prepared to dig in.

The toothbrush

The brush is fairly heavy, with a weighted base, and contoured to make it easy to grip, whether right to left handed. It has a battery meter which indicates the level of power remaining, and two buttons on it for changing the modes. It comes with an easy to use charger, and a full charge takes approximately 5 hours, which will then give you weeks of use. You also get a portable base plate to store your extra brush heads in and this can attach to the charger. There’s a plastic blue carry case for when you travel and the brush feels very comfortable in the hand. With electric toothbrushes, the idea is to let it do all the work, as if you try to apply pressure to the teeth with it the built in pressure sensor will make the brush pulsation stop, so as not to damage the mouth, and you’ll hear an odd whiny sound.

It uses 3D rotate pulsating technology to reach every corner of the mouth, with the bristles performing around 8800 rotations and 40,000 pulsations a minute. Initially I was a little unused to the pressure in my mouth and kept trying to press down on the brush, but once I’d learned to simply allow it float over the teeth I fared much better. I did experience a few days of bleeding gums, as they were unused to the thorough clean, but now they’re used to the deeper clean that doesn’t happen anymore. My mouth feels a lot fresher after use, and  , as I’m removing more stains I do feel that I’m seeing a slight change in colour as well.

The SmartGuide

This white water-resistant device is what Oral-B have based their marketing  around, as they’re very proud of the wireless capabilities it offers. I know, a toothbrush that’s wireless- sounds like an ad man got a little too creative right? Surprisingly, this idea isn’t a total flop, as it works pretty well. True, it has limited functions, but if you’re the type of person who used to love getting gold stars in school, this could be the device for you. The toothbrush has no digital display, so any changes in mode you make are displayed on the SmartGuide. It works as a clock till you switch the brush on, and includes a timer to tell you how long you’ve been brushing for. You can set it for 2-3 minutes, and arrange for it to count up or down.

I found counting up made the brush feel a little too much like hard work, whilst the countdown timer made you feel like you were close to achieving your goal. The timer is displayed in numbers and with a little segmented circle, which is supposed to relate to the quadrants of the mouth. At equal intervals different parts darken, telling you to starts brushing in another section- handy if you forget to brush all around. When you reach your goal a smiley face appears, which should be enough incentive for you to keep going and not cut your session short.

Brushing action and modes

The Oral-B 5000 comes with three brush heads, two for everyday use called FlossAction and one called proBright which provides a deeper polishing clean to help remove those pesky coffee stains. The brushes all feature blue indicator bristles, which not only complement the white/blue colours scheme of the Oral-B brush, but also indicate when they need replacing by fading halfway down the brush in around 3 months.

There are five brushing modes available, to allow you to vary your daily routine. You can pick from Daily Clean, Sensitive, Massage, Polish and Deep Clean. You select a mode by pressing the smaller button on the toothbrush, and different icons will appear on the LCD SmartGuide on the  screen which you can scroll through. The Massage mode helps address sensitive gums by stimulating blood flow there, whilst the Polish mode is best used with the proBright brush head for optimum results. You can actually change mode during brushing, but it’s quite a strange sensation if you do so.

The verdict

Once you’ve mastered the various modes of the brush, you’ll find your mouth feels exceptionally fresh and clean. After a few weeks of use, you’ll notice a difference to the colour of your teeth, and your gums will be a lot healthier as well. It comes with a seal of approval from the British Dental Health Association, so you know it has been thoroughly tested, and though the SmartGuide wireless display won’t be for everyone, I found it really encouraged me to brush for longer.

[Source: Hands on: Oral B Triumph with Smart Guide 5000]