Upwardly mobile – the Search for the Perfect Phone

25/11/2009

Stylish, speedy and with more technical wizardry than Dumbledore, mobile phones have improved dramatically in the past couple of years, but is there a ‘perfect’ mobile that we’re striving for?

Applications have recently become app-solutely integral to the smart phone market and networks with the best app stores rocketing in desirability. Who could have predicted Apple would cause such a stir with its iPhone and the array of extra applications available. Now all the manufacturers want a slice of the app-le pie.

Open-source mobile platforms such as Symbian and Google Android enable geeks to make their own add-ons and customise their phones. For the rest of us, we can snap up clever bits of pre-made functionality to make our lives easier .While Symbian currently leads the pack in phone operating systems, Google is gobbling up its share due to the strength of its consumer-friendly branding.

Fans can currently upload and share their applications on the Symbian community website, while the Android Market, where developers are encouraged to offer their apps for free or nominal amounts of cash, is Google’s bid to topple Apple’s App Store crown.

The internet is now a smart phone staple with network operators delivering growing 3G service coverage, while compatible devices can also connect wirelessly to WiFi hotspots. This next generation technology offers a high-speed service capable of powering video calls and bandwidth-hungry games. The ultimate phone would have high-speed download packet access, or HSDPA, a step up from 3G, giving users broader bandwidth and therefore speed.

Bluetooth has been around for a while now and is used as a method of transmitting information to compatible devices nearby, especially wireless headsets that allow you to talk and drive at the same time as well as giving passers by the impression you’re talking to yourself. The perfect phone would have stereo Bluetooth, which is capable of transferring stereo music from one device to another- ring a ding!

Music phones are increasingly popular and most phones can operate as an MP3 player on some level, but the best at the moment is the incredibly speedy iPhone 3GS which also makes use of the inimitable iTunes. However, the Nokia 5800 X-PressMusic offers a full music download service for no extra cost outside monthly subscription.

Storage is key when it comes to stashing your songs and you’ll need a memory card to squirrel away vast amounts of songs and pictures on most phones and removable memory cards are a popular solution.

Cameras have become an integral part of almost every phone, but the Sony Ericson Satio has broken new ground with an impressive 12.1MP camera and bright Xenon flash encased in its flawless body. So the ultimate phone would be loaded with mega pixels and have all manner of gadgetry including image stabilisation and face recognition to ensure picture perfection every time.

Screen quality is also vital to view your snaps in all their glory. The sleek Samsung Jet has an Organic LED (OLED) touch screen for luscious images and a similar screen would do nicely for the perfect phone.

The Casing and build quality holds a lot of sway. The definitive phone would be able to survive a fall down the stairs, dunk in a pint and have eco credentials like Sony Ericson’s Green Heart range or Samsung’s Blue Earth handset, which are made from recycled plastic and metal.

Phones have come a long way from their back-packing roots and thank goodness mobile manufacturers have no intention on calling it a day on improving every aspect about them. So while our perfect handset would have super reliable and speedy internet, a crystal clear screen and camera plus enough room for plenty of cheap games and music all wrapped up in eco casing, there’s no telling what they will come up with next – the phone industry really is upwardly mobile.