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GAMES & GADGETS

ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE BEST SMARTPHONES

RIVALS: The Google G1 and the Apple iPhone

Wednesday October 29,2008

By Bonnie Estridge

WE CUT through the technobabble to bring you the best advice on the latest gadgets...

BEST iPHONE RIVAL
Google Android Phone (G1), free on a T-Mobile contact

Exclusive to Carphone Warehouse, the new Google phone performs well and, yes, it is a pretty good rival to the iPhone – the most serious threat to the title of must-have super mobile because it looks similar and performs well.

However, because it is chunkier and has a cheaper feel, it just lacks the iPhone's glossy sex appeal.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: LGKC910 and Samsung Omnia

Carphone Warehouse: 0800 925 925

BEST SUPER STYLE
iPhone, from free on an O2 18-month contract

Apart from its gorgeous style and many innovative functions, this operates brilliantly as a widescreen iPod on which you can access all your music and album art – everything that is in your computer's iTunes music library (on Mac or PC). You can also download songs and music videos from the online store via WiFi.

O2: 0870 241 0202

BEST SKINNY SIZE
Nokia E71, from free on a contract

This new Nokia claims to be the world's thinnest full QWERTY (you type on buttons rather than a touchscreen) device.

You can switch between two home screens, choosing between work and leisure modes. The software will handle most types of business documents, letting you read and edit Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel files, plus there's a camera, MP3 player and video player.

Nokia: 0845 045 5555

BEST FOR WORKAHOLICS
BlackBerry Storm, from free on a Vodafone contract

DECISIONS: Nokia E71 & Blackberry Storm

Not only is this greatlooking smartphone the first BlackBerry to have a touchscreen but it's also the world's first "clickable touchscreen" so you can hear the satisfying sound of a virtual key connecting with your finger.

Could attract attention away from both the G1 and the iPhone and plenty of BlackBerry addicts will want to upgrade.

Vodafone: 08080 044 423

BEST CAMERA
LG KC910, from free on a contract

Despite being ultra-slim and packed with applications for work and play, this attractive smartphone (available soon) packs in WiFi, a good eight-megapixel camera with auto and manual focus, a xenon (bulb) flash and image stabilisation for good quality photos. The video recorder has both high-speed and slow-motion playback.

Carphone Warehouse: 0800 925 925

BEST OFFICE SOFTWARE
Samsung Omnia, from free on a contract

Good-looking phone with a particularly attractive display has Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, and Word) for working away from the office and a large touchscreen with attractive icons.

The five-megapixel camera boasts auto-focus, face and smile detection and auto-panorama shot. Also has GPS for satnav.

Carphone Warehouse: 0800 925 925