2009 Smartphones Reviews-- TopTenREVIEWS

Why Buy a Smartphone?

As a busy person, you know the importance of staying a step ahead of your clients and your family. You probably know the feeling of being tied to your desk or home so as not to miss that important email or phone call and to maintain convenient access to essential data—proposals, schedules, contact information, business news or the stock market. However, thousands have newfound freedom using PDA-style smartphones designed for business (and fun). Today’s smartphone traces its roots back to the personal digital assistant or PDA. Originally used as businessperson’s right hand to track important client information, project statuses, and task lists, smartphones have evolved into an everyman’s (and woman’s) tool.

Smartphones are much more than just cell phones; they provide instant access to the web. Whether you’re researching news to predict the stock market or looking for the perfect golf course on the weekend, you’ll find it on the net.

Many smartphones allow you to sync with your desktop computer. This means you can store, view, and work on documents directly on your handheld. You can also receive and respond to emails as they arrive in your inbox on your home computer with real-time push email.

Smartphones can also serve as multimedia devices, so your entertainment goes with you. They can store and display pictures and videos of friends and family and even entire feature-length movies. Most smartphones take pictures and capture video, but the most common multimedia function is the ability to play MP3s—sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite tunes while traveling or during breaks.

Another perk of using a smartphone is the fairly recent development of third-party applications (or apps). These apps range from those geared toward hardworking business tasks to entertaining games and everything in between. With thousands of apps available to download in a range of prices, there’s sure to be something that will appeal.

In this site, you'll find articles on cell phones, comprehensive reviews and a side-by-side comparison that will help you make an informed decision on which smartphone is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS, we do the research so you don’t have to.™

What to Look for in a Smartphone for Business

In the past, business people were easily identifiable—they carried large briefcases, binder planners and perhaps a brick cell phone. The scene has changed and so has the way we conduct life and business. A smartphone stores important data and documents, offers a calendar planner, provides instant access to the internet and email and keeps you in touch with clients, coworkers, friends and family – anytime and anywhere.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate business smartphones.

* Productivity/ Lifestyle Tools—Smartphones act as life management devices and include organizing features like calendars and task lists. Most sync with home computers allowing for document viewing and editing. They also include practical tools like calculators, map applications and GPS. Some have the ability to support third-party or browser-based programs that can perform a variety of specific functions. Third-party apps are becoming a key component of a smartphone, allowing the user to customize their phones to support their lifestyles.

* Voice/Text Features—The foundation of business is communication, and a smartphone’s first function is as a cellular phone. Smartphones for business should include all typical cell phone features including speakerphone, three-way calling, voice dialing, call waiting, etc.

* Internet Features—Most smartphones can access the internet and display full webpages. Top ranked phones will connect via Wi-Fi and 3G for faster browsing speeds.

* Multimedia Features—The best business cell phones have at least a 2 megapixel camera with zoom features and the ability to play and record audio and video.

* Technical Specifications—The most practical smartphones are compact, include good input and display options, and enough battery life to last through a full day’s work, and beyond

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Smartphones Review

Your Smartest Business (and Life) Plan Yet

Smartphones offer the features you need to manage the myriad details of your life whether that includes scheduling business meetings, tracking your family’s schedule, reading email, or surfing the web. The line between business smartphones and the more consumer-oriented multimedia phones is becoming blurrier with every new smartphone that’s announced.

2009 Smartphones Product Comparisons

Rank	#1	#2	#3	#4	#5	#6	#7	#8	#9	#10
Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor	Apple iPhone 3G 16GB	BlackBerry Bold 9000	T-Mobile G1	Samsung Omnia SGH-i900	BlackBerry Storm	BlackBerry Curve 8320	Palm Treo 800w	BlackBerry 8820	Apple iPhone 3G 8GB	BlackBerry Pearl 8220
Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor
Reviewer Comments
Lowest Price	$299	$299	$148	$199	$199	$99	$249	$249	$199	$149
Price Comparisons

Overall Rating
Ratings
Features
Value
Expert Reviews
User Reviews
View Specifications	Go	Go	Go	Go	Go	Go	Go	Go	Go	Go
Features
Memory	16 GB	1.128GB	192 MB	8.128GB	128 MB	64 MB	256 MB	64 MB	8 GB	128 MB
Battery Life	Up to 300 min	Up to 250 min	Up to 300 min	Up to 360 min	Up to 330 min	Up to 240 min	Up to 270 min	Up to 300 min	Up to 600 min	up to 240 min
Screen Size	3.5 in	2.8 in	3.2 in	3.2 in		2.4 in			3.5 in
3G
Display Resolution	320 x 480	320 x 480	320 x 480	240 x 400	320 x 480	320 x 240	320 x 320	320 x 240	320 x 240	320 x 240
GPS
Bluetooth
Digital Player
Internet Browser	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi
Digital Camera	2.0 MP	2.0 MP	3.0 MP	5.0 MP	3.2 MP	2.0 MP	2.0 MP			2.0 MP
Video Recorder
3 way Calling	3-way	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Hold
Call Timer
Call Waiting
Caller ID
Depth	0.5 in	0.6 in	0.6 in	0.5 in	0.6 in	0.6 in	0.7 in	0.6 in	0.5 in	0.7 in
Email
Height	4.5 in	4.4 in	4.6 in	4.4 in	4.3 in	4.2 in	4.4 in	4.5 in	4.6 in	4 in
Operating System	OS X	BlackBerry Handheld Software	Google Android	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional	BlackBerry Handheld Software	BlackBerry Handheld Software	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional	BlackBerry Handheld Software	OS X	BlackBerry Handheld Software
Phone Style	Candy bar	Candy bar	Slider	Candy bar	Candy bar	Candy bar	Candy bar	Candy bar	Candy bar	Flip
Polyphonic Ringer	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes				Yes
Standby Time	Up to 300 h	Up to 222 h		Up to 450 h	Up to 360 h	Up to 408 h	Up to 200 h	528 h		Up to 336 h
Vibrating Alert
Warranty	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year
Weight	4.7 oz	4.8 oz	5.6 oz	4.3 oz	5.5 oz	3.9 oz	5 oz	4.7 oz	4.7 oz	3.6 oz
Width	2.4 in	2.6 in	2.2 in	2.2 in	2.4 in	2.4 in	2.3 in	2.6 in	2.4 in	2 in

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