The touch phone war

When the President and CEO of Nokia, still the world's mobile phone leader, sang the praises of Apple and Steve Jobs recently for the launch of the iPhone and doing the industry "a big favour", he wasn't being supercilious.

In fact, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo meant every word he said. The guys from Cupertino, he said, have helped to accelerate interest in using the internet on mobile phones, and that he needs to take his hat off to them.

"We have a new, credible competitor in this business," he said, addressing a speakers' forum in the US recently, referring to how the iPhone has raised expectations for phones. "Of course we need to be able to respond to any competitor and we will."

Although still with the lion's share of the global mobile phone market, Nokia's response to the hugely successful iPhone, will be launched in December this year, Emirates Business can confirm. Although an exact date has not been revealed, the UAE will be one of the first countries to officially receive the 5800 XpressMusic – dubbed by many as the "iPhone killer".

While Apple continues to hold a tight reign over the touch screen segment, it is still yet to see an official launch on our shores.

Now, Nokia's impending launch and Google's introduction last month of their first Android phone, in association with operator T-Mobile, is set to shake up the playing field for the touch phone – proclaimed by visionaries as the way of the future for the mobile phone.

Google's phone, the G1, made by HTC, will be first rolled out in the US later this month, to be followed by several T-Mobile markets in Europe. Manufacturers Samsung and LG have already launched their own versions.

Here's how the latest entries compare…


Blackberry Storm

What it is: Everybody's very hot on touch right now and beloved business phone maker Research in Motion (RIM) was not going to be left behind. Revealed on Wednesday, this one, say officials, will put a new twist on the technology.

Status: Launched. Available in the US, Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand late 2008

Phone size: 12.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm

Display size: 3.25 inches

Weight: 155 grammes

Operating system: BlackBerry OS

Camera: 3.15 megapixels

Messaging: Send SMS, MMS and email

Data: GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth, USB

Games: Inbuilt and downloadable

Battery: Upto 5.3 hours talk time

Colours available: Black


Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

What it is: Seven countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe will be the first to experience what some have called the ultimate "iPhone killer". December, 2008 will be the month of reckoning.

Status: Will officially launch in the UAE in December, 2008.

Phone size: 111 x 51.7 x 15.5mm

Display size: 3.2 inches

Weight: 109 grammes

Operating system: Symbian OS v9.4

Camera: 3.15 megapixels

Messaging: Send SMS, MMS and email

Data: GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth, USB

Games: Inbuilt and downloadable

Battery: Upto 8.45 hours talk time

Colours available: Black, red and blue



HTC T-Mobile G1

What it is: This highly-anticipated phone, introduced on September 23 is made by Taiwanese manufacturers HTC Corp. Featuring a touch-sensitive screen, a computer-like keyboard, wifi connections and powered by Google's new Android operating system, the phone is designed for people who want their internet on the move. Unlike Apple, which keeps a tight watch over their phone's hardware and operating software, Google's Android is open to be changed by outside developers. Because of this, officials say the Android is future-proof.

Status: Launched. Will officially be available in the US from October 22, 2008

Phone size: 117 x 55.7 x 17.1mm

Display size: 3.2 inches

Weight: 158 grammes

Operating system: Android OS

Camera: 3.15 megapixels

Messaging: Send SMS, MMS and email

Data: GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth, USB

Games: Inbuilt

Battery: Upto 5.2 hours talk time

Colours available: Black, white and brown