While the on-board memory is good for games and apps (16 MB), you'll have to buy any additional memory card if you are serious about using this as a music player. BREW 2.1 drives this phone, which supports MMS, multiple languages, the oft-annoying T9 input mechanism, and utilities like Tip Calculator.

Supporting MP3, AAC, MP4 and other file formats, the display of this CDMA phone is a crisp 1.9" 262,000 color TFT screen.

More info is available on Kyocera's website.

SoundBridge radio comes in the same size as your tabletop radio, but combines a host of features: stereo speakers with subwoofer, AM/FM radio, alarm and streaming audio content. This time, they've gone in for a vacuum-fluorescent display (VFD) resulting in a clear display that can show the artist, title, album, genre, etc. when listening to digital music.

This is one product which you won't mind waking up to, now that you can set any music to be your wake-up alarm. With SoundBridge radio, you don't have to turn on your PC to listen to your favorite music stations, which IMHO is a good thing.

Other features include the ability to access playlists from Mac and Windows, support for MP3/WMA/AIFF/WAV/unprotected AAC streaming and is certified to work with Rhapsody music service.

Priced at $399, the SoundBridge radio will start selling in November. You can also pre-order from Roku's website. If you order before Oct. 31, you will receive a $50 discount as well!

The most noteworthy new feature is the addition of manual shooting options, including aperture and shutter priority modes which were lacking in the F10. The 6.3 megapixel F11 also features a sensitivity of ISO levels 80-1600 using Fujifilm's Real Photo Processor technology, giving clean images whether they are shot in sunshine, low light or without flash.

Fujifilm has also got on the bandwagon and added a hi-res 2.5" LCD screen claiming 153,000 pixels, and this will definitely be helpful in previewing images. Close-up photography (up to 5 cm) is now possible, thanks to improved focus response in macro mode.

The FinePix F11 Zoom looks to be a very good candidate for your next travel companion, allowing an impressive 500 shots on a single battery charge. www.fujifilm.co.uk

Kyocera has launched the new Xcursion KX160 clamshell CDMA phone. It comes with a VGA camera with flash, 5X digital zoom and external camera buttons. The handset also comes with two displays: an internal display at 128x160 pixels and an external one at 96x64 pixels.

The camera, although supporting just VGA res pics, has some neat features that include multi-shot, timer, color effects and fun frames for easy picture editing.

The platform under the hood is BREW 2.1, and it supports Bluetooth wireless technology (although it is not clear which Bluetooth profiles are supported). The phone also comes with built-in software like tip calculator, countdown timer, stopwatch, world clock and voice memos, so this is good news for consumers looking for a phone with a couple of useful PDA functionalities thrown in.

The Kyocera Xcursion KX160 is slated to be available with CDMA carriers in November 2005. kyocera.com

The 2.5" display was a good choice by BenQ. Previewing photos and selecting menu options should be as easy and comfortable as possible. Many of the new DCs now are concentrating on this aspect as well.

The C500 is the lightest 5 megapixel camera, while the C800 is an 8 megapixel one, also with 3x optical zoon. Both of them are reasonably priced as well, according to BenQ.

The C800 offers a 2.4" LCD, and comes with 32MB built-in memory (which is quite insufficient, of course). It features a burst mode allowing you to take 4 shots per snap, and a special printer mode for direct printing to a compatible printer.

Along with the Panasonic SVMP120, Panasonic has newly released the SVMP710 digital music player. While the SVMP120 is much smaller, the SVMP710 is slightly bigger, about the size of a matchbox. The new design is appealing for both the casual user and the gadget guru.

The SVMP710 offers Panasonic's D-Sound technology, and gives you 256 MB of storage. While this may not match with the iPod's mammoth storage, it gives you easy listening access as you won't have to search around too many files to find your favorite songs. MP3/WMA/DRM playback is supported.

Features of the SVMP710 include:

It comes with a 32MB microSD card, standard 3.5mm stereo headphones (thank god), and to help transfer files, a USB cable. Incorporating some of the hot-selling goodies like camera (although it's just VGA right now), video recording capabilities, MP3 and WMA playback, it comes with a 1.9" display and claims of 3.7 hours of talk time.

Convergence is the buzz word, there's no denying that. Kyocera could have, however, included a higher-resolution camera. At the current market situation, it really doesn't make sense to include just a VGA res camera anymore, unless you are targeting for mass market consumers.

Slated for an October release for $249.99, it will be available at Virgin Mobile's website. More info is available at Kyocera's website.

While Apple will have you believe that the iPod is a personal device, Altec Lansing feels the need to introduce the new inMotion iM5 Mobile Audio Dock, a travel companion that produces big sound, thanks to the special bass enhancement. The dock is small enough (and light, at 20 ounces) for you to carry in a suitcase.

The iPod dock itself slides in and out much like a drawer, in the center of the iM5. Just push a button, and the dock comes out; dock your iPod or iPod mini and chill out. The speakers incorporate the patented MaxxBass technology enhancing low frequencies without needing a subwoofer. When plugged to an AC source, the iM5 will also recharge the docked iPod.

Another interesting feature is the video connectivity; simply plug in a composite video jack into the back of the iM5 and browse through your iPod photo albums on a telly. Another inMotion first is the option to plug in a subwoofer.

For me, the iM5 would be an ideal travel companion. I seldom like headphones or earphones when listening to music. But I wonder how this thing would perform in a car, for example.

The inMotion iM5 Mobile Audio Dock is available online at Altec Lansing's website and consumer electronic stores, at a suggested MSRP of $149.95.

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The Nokia 9300 is slated for a November release through Cingular.

Being EDGE capable, the Nokia 9300 is in a unique position to provide a lot of functionality to the power user, combining PDA functions, phone, web, and now BlackBerry Connect. Although it looks like a 'normal' phone on the outside, opening it reveals a full-featured QWERTY keyboard for fast text input. The wide, 64k color screen means a never-before web browsing experience on a mobile phone. The tri-band (850/1800/1900) phone runs the immensely popular Symbian OS and has Bluetooth capabilities.

Launched as part of HP's drive to replace the successful Deskjet 450 series, the 460 also supports Bluetooth printing (you can print from your smartphones easily!), and produces high-quality color documents.

Obviously aimed at the business user than the home user in mind, this is a valuable addition to the mobile user. With upteem dozen portable devices, this is one device you shouldn't leave home without. Very innovative, and kudos to HP for including Wi-Fi as well this time around.

Prices start at $249, and are available from HP's website.

It also provides audio recording functionality and FM tuner.

While the body is compact, it also looks delicate at the same time, so you have to be careful when carrying it around. Also, one of the biggest disadvantages of such tiny MP3 players is that you cannot wear it comfortably, and it's probably not a good idea to fix it to your cycle.

More information is available at Sanyo's website.

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SouthernLINC Wireless, today announced the availability of the Motorola i275 phone, it features a digital camera, adding a visual element to communications. When used with LINC View(R)*, it transmits My Info contents, pictures, and other contact information via the push-to-talk button.

In addition to the digital camera, the Motorola i275 includes a color screen and speakerphone for hands free use. The user-friendly, voice activated dialing phone also offers GPS capability.

The stylish and slender phone includes Java(TM) technology-enabled pre-loaded programs and games with a host of diverse ring tones and wallpapers. The i275 will particularly appeal to users who are looking for an affordable, yet technologically advanced and multi-functional phone that will enhance their daily routines. SouthernLinc

The display is a 10.4" XGA TFT LCD, and the 910E also comes with a 2.5" 30 GB hard drive. Along with the 4-cell Li-ion battery pack, it weighs in at 3.08 lbs (1.4 kg).

The biometric security system is extremely useful in a personal device such as the 910E. Fingerprint will be used as a basis for accessing secure websites, applications and other log-ons.

Connectivity is available in the form of 802.11 b/g using Mini PCI, a 56k V.92 modem, LAN port and IrDA built into the motherboard. If you want Bluetooth, you also have two USB 2.0 ports at your disposal. Card bus slots for Type I/II, Mini PCI and MDC are also available.

OQO launched their latest personal computer, the OQO model 01+, heavily upgraded from its previous avataar, the modem 01. At first looks, the memory (512 MB!) and hard drive (30 GB!) capacities have increased, and it supports faster USB. 01+ also comes with a new universal power supply to take advantage of airplane and automobile DC power outlets.

The size and weight (14 ounce) remain the same, giving users the power of Windows XP truly in their pockets. Targeted at a varying range of fields - sales, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, etc. - the new 01+ looks set to increase productivity. The pen-based digitizer has been improved as well.

Other new features include the ability to rotate the screen and support for booting over a network, apart from additional USB and FireWire ports.

The model 01+ is priced from $1899 and can be purchased from OQO's online store.

The new handset models are named Motorola C118, C139, C168, C257 and C261. While the names may seem thoroughly confusing, they sport varying feature such as thin form factors, integrated FM radio, camera and TFT display. These fall under the portfolio of GSMA Emerging Markets Handset Program. Motorola claimed that the focus is on the best of the basics, while at the same time providing valuable extras to increase usefulness.

With the Motorola C118, Expect battery life to be anything between good and better. Claiming an impressive 350 hours of standby, it comes with alarm clock, screensavers and games, and is an affordable phone.

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The Motorola C139 comes with anti-slip side grips, a 64k brilliant color display, and a huge 450 hours of standby time. It also comes with the usual goodies: internal phonebook, SMS, downloadable ringtones and calendar.

If you are looking for additional memory (600 phonebook entries, 250 SMS messages), then the Motorola C168 is for you. Available in a sleek and slim form factor, the Motorola C168 also has a 64k color TFT display, MMS messaging, polyphonic ringtones and an integrated FM stereo radio. This one would be an essential feature, if ya ask me. While it supports MMS, it doesn't come with its own camera - so you can only receive and forward MMS content.

Motorola C257/C261 focus on ultra-thin design. Both offer 250 hours of standby time, 64k color TFT screen and provide speakerphone functionality. While the C257 does not have a camera, the C261 also comes with a VGA camera. This being a mass-market phone, don't expect Motorola to upgrade it to a megapixel camera right now!

All the mass market handsets are being showcased by Motorola at the Emerging Market Pavilion, 3GSM Asia, Suntec City Convention Center, Singapore.

For more info, check out Motorola's website.

Priced at $1,049, the Toshiba M45-S169 delivers an affordable multimedia option. It also features an iLINK(TM) IEEE 1394 port, designed to enable fast and easy connections to a digital camcorder and external drives, Toshiba Express Media Player for instant access to CD and DVD playback without booting up the Windows operating system, and SRS TruSurround XT technology for a rich, virtual surround sound experience.

Sony Ericsson has just announced the Sony Ericsson EE54, it is a Quad-Band/Edge/GPRS radio device, it has been designed for applications where remote management and data communication is critical to the business. The radio device meets stringent, reliability and environmental requirements making it uniquely suitable for markets with high-demand applications.

Sony Ericsson’s EE54 can be used in many applications such as autonomous remote cameras to monitor security and surveillance of outdoor activity on roads or private property or in portable wide-area network devices.

This new telemetry module is ideal for global communications and features wide-range power supply input of 5.5-20 VDC, on-board SIM holder, full speed USB 2.0 interface, lead-free compliance to international RoHS standards.

With the focus on security across the world, products like the EE54 make it easy for citizens, companies and governments to have the necessary information at the exact time they need it. Sony Ericsson provides the kind of reliability and rugged wireless technology that gives customers the confidence to run their operations and business in a 24/7 environment.

Samsung unveiled their new YM-PD1 Portable Multimedia Player with Digital Multimedia Broadcasting functionality. The player allows you to watch movies, listen to music when mobile and access DMB TV content.

Equipped with a 30 gig hard drive, the device sports a 4" TFT-LCD screen. Samsung's proprietary Digital Natural Sound engine (DNSe) ensures that you get the best of both audio and video quality.

The screen size looks just about right for the portable device, but it remains to be seen how well it performs. People are already stuck to their iPods; would they want to change over to something that promises TV content in their hands? The one problem I see with TV on a portable device is that you cannot expect people to watch it for more than, say, 20 minutes. Unless they are sitting in a vehicle for long durations when commuting.

In any case, the YM-PD1 is available, and it also has a TV-out option for indoor viewing as well.

More info is available on Samsung's website.

The Hp rx1950 is equipped with an SD slot for memory expansion, while 33 MB is available on-board. It is lightweight at just 4.4 lbs. The screen is a TFT QVGA at 240x320 pixel. Another neat thing about the rx1950 is the standard 3.5mm audio jack for stereo sound.

The rx1950 looks to be aimed at value-conscious users (32 MB of memory? Uhhh... right) and is a good buy for anyone switching over to the digital world. With Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0, life can only become easier for them.The rest of you may want to stay away! No, I'm kidding, really.

One of the things I like foremost: the arrangement of keys. It is so simple that newbies shouldn't have any problem in understang what each key is for. As for the spacing between the keys, it's just right if you ask me. It supporst Java MIDP 2.0 and comes pre-installed with Sonic The Hedgehog game.

That said, the VS2 lacks Bluetooth (and I wouldn't touch a Bluetooth-less phone with a 15-foot stick). It does have an Infrared port, but umm, okay, I don't know how useful this could be given the penetration of Bluetooth right now. The other option of connectivity, of course, is with a bundled USB cable.

The VS2 also comes with a built-in MP3 player, but with 32 MB of shared memory and no external card slot, there's not much use for this. panasonic.com