New multimedia phone buffet

Exciting times are here again, cellphone lovers! It’s the season when handset manufacturers are rolling out their new models to whet your appetite ahead of the holidays. Nokia just recently announced eight new handsets for release; a few shall debut starting this month. Predominantly, the new phone models boast MMS and J2ME, an indication of the company’s growing commitment to combining devices with content services. Here is a peek at the upcoming models.

The 2100 model is an affordable and easy-to-use phone geared toward voice and basic messaging for personal and work life, but offering its users modern looks and good performance. This phone is aimed at low mobile penetration markets in Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific. The Nokia 5100 phone boasts a high-resolution, full-color display and sports a chic design. It’s optimized for those with an "active leisure lifestyle" – it has an outer splash proof shell, temperature and sound gauge, FM radio, hands-free speaker and even a flashlight! This phone is scheduled for shipping in Q1 2003. The next phone, the Nokia 6100, purports to be the world’s smallest and lightest GPRS and MMS-enabled phone. This slim, 76-gram model is a tri-band world phone with a color display that is capable of sending and receiving text messages 450 characters long. The 6100 should be available in stores as early as next month. The 6800 is built up for efficient text input by providing a foldable full two-in-one keyboard. Aimed at the enterprise market, the 6800, with eight lines in view, also comes with a color display, SyncML support, e-mail and Web connectivity, 459 characters per text message capability, mobile chat and a stereo FM radio. The dual-band 6800 is expected to start shipping in Q1 2003.

The fifth device, the Nokia 7250, is a swanky designer phone with built-in camera. The tri-band device sports an eight-line color display and sports the first Pop-Port interface connector that is designed to support stereo audio and such options. It is expected to start shipping in the first quarter of 2003 globally. The Nokia 8910i is an MMS, Java, Bluetooth, HSCSD and GPRS device in a sleek black titanium case. This tri-band, color-display premium phone will be available in Q1 2003 as well. Also, a new Communicator called the 9230 will be launched in Q2 2003 as a tri-band GSM/GRPS clamshell model with MMS capabilities. Lastly, in partnership with Sega, a unit called the N-Gage will take mobile gaming to new heights as it will allow gaming over cellular networks among multiple N-Gage users sometime in Q1 2003.

Not to be outdone, Sony Ericsson is starting to debut its latest hip T line models. The entry level T100 is a 75-gram, five-line EMS and WAP-capable phone that is designed for efficient core voice and messaging use. A tri-band, GPRS-ready T200 model shall provide great value, with its EMS capabilities, calendar, mobile chat and five new games for your fancy. The elegant tri-band T300 is more than for show. A vibrant color display enhances images on this MMS and GPRS model which touts PC-like quality games. Also, it brags messaging capabilities of 960 characters, as well as mobile chat and provisions for a snap on CommuniCam digital camera. Weighing in at a mere 60 grams, the T600 model will be the lightest, feature-packed phone in the market. Its sleek high-table appeal is complemented by a center option key for quick navigation through WAP sites and accessing e-mail messages, to say the least.

Okay folks, you better have been good all year for Santa to bring you one of these hot phones for Christmas.

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Patrick R. Garcia is managing director of Bidshot Wireless Services. For comments or suggestions, text your message to 233011 (Globe) or 243011 (Smart) or e-mail [email protected].