Technology

Cell Phone Competition

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Apple promised its iPhone would revolutionize smart phones and it did. So now, it's got strong competition!

GPS navigators, the new faster 3G network, and even Wi-Fi access is available in other phones.

We've put together a few alternative options for you in a few different categories:

First, let's take a look at some options with keyboards! We've heard a lot of complaints from women with long nails having trouble touching the right key when texting. If that's you, these phones might be more appealing:

Slide Out Keyboard Phones:

ATT Tilt: (199.99 after rebates and contract)
The ATT Tilt is a great all in one phone! It has a touchscreen and a slide out keyboard that makes it much easier to text with. Plus, the touchscreen swivels and tilts up so you can set it on a table like a mini computer if you want. Plus, it packs 32 gigabytes (twice the storage of the iPhone) so you could think of it as a computer. It has Wi-Fi and GPS, and a 3 megapixel camera that captures video. The iPhone's 2 megapixel camera doesn't capture video. It even plays MP3 music.

Our partners at CNET have their own review and all the specs: Review

Sprint's HTC Mogul: (299.99 after rebates and contract)
The Mogul also has a slide out keyboard. It also has a camera that also records and shares video. It's on the 3g network, has Wi-Fi, and GPS Navigation.

Check out the review at CNET for more details Review

Pantech Duo: (99.99)
ATT says this is one of their biggest sellers for keyboard lovers because it's small and has two slideout keyboards! One with number buttons for phone calls, and the other as a keyboard for texting. It has a camera that takes video and is even on the 3G network, but this phone does not have GPS capabilities.

Check out all the specs at our partner CNET's review : Review


Keyboard On Phones:

ATT Blackjack II by Samsung: (99.99 after rebates)
ATT says this blackjack is extremely popular because not only does it have a camera that takes and shares video and runs mp3 music, but it's on the 3g network and has GPS. It's a nice alternative to the Blackberry, but it does not offer Wi-Fi access.

For more information here's the link to the specs on CNET: Review

Blackberry Curve: These are the most popular phones with keyboards on the front. They come with a variety of features: if you go with Sprint's version you'll get live television and GPS Navigation but no Wi-Fi. If you go with T Mobile's version you'll get Wi-Fi but no GPS. The Blackberry 8820 has both, and so will the new upcoming Blackberry Bold. That's expected to be the best blackberry yet, released soon by AT&T!

To take a look at the specs on the bold go to: Info

And to compare all the Blackberry Curve devices available at various networks Blackberry's website has a side by side comparison, just click here: Info

Full Touch Screen Phones:

Sprint Instinct by Samsung: The Samsung Instinct is the iPhone's biggest competitor. Their website even displays videos comparing the Instinct to the iPhone side by side, here's their video:
Video

The bottom line, the Instinct does have a very similar look to the iPhone and a similar touchscreen. If you love the multi-touch you might prefer the iPhone because the instinct is only sensitive to one touch. The screen is also thinner, which could be better for you if you're looking for a smaller phone that's like the iPhone. It's also missing Wi-Fi access. Still, Samsung's Instinct has several features the iPhone doesn't have like live TV, a camera that also captures and shares video, and live streaming music. Its GPS system also talks to you just like the ones in your car's navigation system, and it responds to voice commands. No need to type in where you want to go, just tell it.

Here's CNET's complete review: Review


Verizon's LG Dare:
This smart phone is a multimedia winner. It has a strong camera that also captures video and even has a fancy editing system. It's got a sleek look just like the iPhone, but this touch screen just broke the mold because it also recognizes handwriting!

You can see the demonstration on Verizon's Web site:
Info

And for more info here's CNET's review: Review


ATT's LG Vu:
This is not a smart phone and lacks most of the high capacity features on the iPhone competitors listed above, but we decided to include this phone just because it's brand new and looks great. If you just want a phone with some cool multimedia capabilities this might be the one for you. It actually transforms into a mini TV with an antenna and live reception! It has a nice touch screen too.

The reviewers at CNET love this phone, here's what they have to say: Review

iPHONE:
You all know about the iPhone, which has had the biggest sales in cell phone history. But just in case you're wondering how it matches up, here are the basic specifications:
Price= 199.99 (8 gigs) 299.99 (16 gigs)
Camera= 2 mega pixels, but it does not take video
Video= NO
Live TV= NO
GPS Navigation= YES
Wi Fi= YES
Music with MP3= YES

Here's the review on CNET: Review


By the way, Wirefly.com also did its own comparison of all the best touch screen phones available.

Here's their list Review


What's Next?

As always in the cell phone industry the best is yet to come. Right now the CTIA Wireless Exhibit is underway in Las Vegas featuring new smart phones coming out in the next couple months like the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220, the BlackBerry Curve 8350i, and the HTC Touch Pro.

See the reviews here: Reviews

Don't forget about the BlackBerry Bold coming soon.

But, the biggest talker is the Google based phone that is expected to be released by T-Mobile by the end of the year. It's rumored to be called the HTC Dream. It's expected to have the touch capabilities of the iPhone along with a slide out keyboard. The Dream will also be unlocked which means your software options are limitless.

Here are some links to demonstrations leaked on YouTube that further detail why this phone may offer even more features than the iPhone.

Video (YouTube)

Video (YouTube)

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