Plemix

While HTC might be dominating the Android phone market, its competitors such as Samsung and now Acer are run closely after it. In fact, Acer just kicked out its first Android handsets-Acer Liquid into the mystical kingdom of donuts (Android 1.6) and snapdragons, which is running a 1GHz Snapdragon that's been under-clocked to 768MHz. And come with a bevy of additions -- but as always, the verdict is out until we get our hands on it.

What’s inside? The phone, a battery, a charger, a data cable, a handsfree set, a pouch, a CD and user’s guide.

The Acer Liquid got 3.5” WVGA glossy screen. Unfortunately, you have to greet it with fingerprint smudges. It relies heavily on the touchscreen capabilities with a few buttons underneath. Start from the left: Home button, Search button, Back button and the Menu button. Actually, you have to take some time to figure out where the Menu button will be as it is with no related icons present.

At the top of the device, you may find the 3.5mm audio port. The black bar actually is the indicator for the incoming call, mail/message and low battery.

On the right side, you may find the camera button and volume Rocker.

The power button is located on the right side. The white border looks clean and simple.

The Mini USB connector and the Microphone are located on the bottom.

At the back, you may find the 5MP camera.

Here is the main menu of Liquid. It holds true to the original Android UI and leaves it as intact as possible. Like HTC or other manufacturers, Liquid is also got its own widget presence in the Android OS, such as Bookmark widget, Multimedia widget.

For typing, you can use either the multi-tap alphanumeric keypad, or you can rotate it and go for the QWERTY keyboard. The touch feedback is very responsive, and typing is very accurate. The touchscreen is sense by heat only that can avoid you from any careless touch by the object inside your bag. Good though!

The Android 1.6 rides that peppy Snapdragon processor that makes this the fastest Android handset on the planet. The touch is very responsive, fast and received a nicer touch-optimized interface when you’re browsing the website, which can compete with iPhone. However, it doesn’t have the multi-touch but the zoom bar on the bottom right of the screen for zooming.

Liquid got a bevy of unique features such as improved power management, a new UI with tight entertainment and web integration, geo-tagging, a "Spinlets" application for access to streaming video and music, and full address book integration with Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and other social media houses. Together with the upgraded Android OS and the powerful Qualcomn Snapdragon processor, Acer liquid is definitely the most unique and modern device to date

Going green is the big issue of the day. When everyone’s eye is on Hopenhagen conference, Sony Ericsson has released another phone from its GreenHeart Program. The new Naite is a new addition to the green phone line-up after C901. It edits out a lot of the flashy features to keep it economical but still functional. Let us take a closer look at how Naite can possibly win our hearts.

Naite comes with a minimal packaging. Other than the phone, you can find a battery, a charger, a handsfree set and a user’s guide.

The phone is made of recycled lead-free plastic and less chemical is involved to go with the green policy. The phone weighs at 84g which is rather light for carriage too. There is no touchscreen but the QVGA TFT display is of good quality. The overall design is simple but classic.

The keyboard is very finger friendly. There is enough space between the keys. The elevation gives a very tactile response.

Here’s the charger/handsfree portal. No 3.5mm jack again!

Volume rocker on the right side of the rim.

Although the casing is plastic, it does not feel flimsy. The camera is very symbolic. Nowadays, a 2MP camera would not satisfy anyone.

The SIM card slot is hidden under the battery cover which may take you a little hassles to get access to it. The battery life is prolonged because of the energy saving strategy. Talk time can now reach almost 14 hrs.

The operation is simple and direct. You have got Media and Go which allows drag and drop file transfer. 3G, Push Email, video call are also on board.

Sony Ericsson Naite is a good option if you are looking for a phone-will-be-phone. Its pricing is fair. The features are definitely living up to every penny you pay. Besides the not-really-needed camera, Naite is a hidden gem.

LG has just released Chocolate (Link) with a 4-inch 21:9 HD LCD to capitalize the big screen phone fever. Its new offering GD910 (Yes no nick for it, just the nerdy android-ish designation.) is aiming for the minimal size, for a very good reason. LG GD910 is a childhood fantasy-come-true (This is Luke Skywaler calling R2-D2!). It's a wristwatch cellphone. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but technology can always find its way to stun and surprise.

Inside the could-be-Star-Wars-looking box we find the phone/the watch, a charger, a data cable, a bluetooth headset, a dock, CD-ROM and a user's guide.

The phone is equipped with a 1.43-inch TFT touchscreen. It may sound tiny for a phone, but for a wristwatch it is slightly bulky. However, who could blame it when it has packed a touchscreen, video calling, 3G, voice command and camera in a wearable unit of accessary, like a wristwatch? Texting on a display as small as the 1.43-incher tho is not a walk in the park.

On the right side of the watch lie three navigation keys- the call/menu key, the cancel/back key and the end call key.

The build of the watch is gorgeous. The stainless steel finish of the body and buckle is worthy of every penny that you invest.

Once again, LG prove it's mastery in design by paying attention to details. The interwoven leather strap has so much of a high-end feeling to it.

You will find the SIM card compartment underneath the firmly locked cover. Battery exchange, unlike a conventional cellphone, cannot be done by you. The inability to expand the memory is not really a big problem as it has 2GB internal memory on board.

The phonology of the phone is pretty good and you do not have to literally kiss your wrist to get crystal clear sound. If you still find talking to your wrist a bit dotty, the Bluetooth headset will help you with the embarrassing moments.

The Bluetooth headset is not a joke. It has the same expensive touch as the watchphone.

GD910 has the Flash UI that LG Prada and Viewty have. It works fine but there is some lagging at times. If you flip up and down, you'd get to switch between different dials.

To swing from left to right, you can browse through a series of standby screens and the calendar which works very well as an organizer.

I have always been doubling my phone as a time indicator, but to double my watch as a mobile, that's the first. The watch/phone duplex is still the highlight of the phone. It works very well on both criteria. If you expect it to be a camera, media player, radio and GPS, you may want to check out something else.

LG GD510 pop is ready to serve to the happy masses. It doesn’t come with any awe-inspiring features, the prototype runs after the LG Cookie and Arena which set the speed to “budget”. Or you may go ahead to call it the new Cookie, but the LG Pop is obviously keen to have its own purpose and personality: all-round eco-friendliness with solar charging feature. Let’s check how it’s work!

What’s inside? The phone, a battery, a solar panal, a charger, a data cable, a handsfree set, stylus and user’s guide.

It just look similar to the Arena, however, it does not feature the same functionality. The only Arena stuff inside is the S-Class-styled main menu. And the interface is like the one on Cookie. Pop is the smallest device with 3” display.

The power button is on the top of Pop, which also used for lock and unlocks the screen.

Turn to the left of Pop, you’ll find the volume rocker. And the lanyard eyelet which remind me of Samsung i900, both of them are metal-like finish.

The right side of Pop hosts the camera key. It is multi-functional which can launch the task switcher and the application launcher.

The back side of Pop features the 3 MP camera lens, has no flash here. All the way down on the left is the standard microUSB port covered by a plastic lid.

The one in front is the solar panel for Pop. The solar panel is said to provide over 2 minutes of talk time or 180 minutes of standby time per every 10 minutes of sunlight exposure. It seems very convenience and effective.

Pop after putting on the solar panel for charging. The design is quite work for the saving energy and help protect the environment.

The main menu is S-Class styled. Yes, the same as the Arena. It is the first LG mid-range phone to offer a budget version of the LG S-Class touch interface that's usually reserved for high tier devices.

For typing, you can use either the multi-tap alphanumeric keypad, or you can rotate the Pop and go for the virtual landscape QWERTY keyboard, just like all its previous.

Today basic touchscreen phones are all over the place and the solar charging feature of the GD510 Pop is impressive enough for it to stand out from the crowd. The environmentally friendly phone can last 7 days on a single charge, which included a total of about 90 minutes of talk time and shooting occasional photos, plus a bit of tinkering with the other phone features. It’s very convenient for the one having a busy life. Plus a fair camera and big display as well as an eye-candy price tag. The Pop may be a popular affordable device in the market. Why not get one as a Christmas present for your lover or family?

LG GD510 Pop Video Review