Free-roaming freelancer and technology evangelist Jim Hatley has been out and about putting a few mobiles phones through their paces finding out which work best for freelancers and contractors who need to stay connected on the road.

Time to upgrade? Two great mobile phones for freelancers

Mobile phones are big business, both for those who make them and for those of us who use them. Fortunately the manufacturers are getting pretty darned good at it these days, so this week I want to take a look into the current generation of mobile phones and try and pick a few that really shine in the ways that we, as freelancers,  need them to.

Read on for a review of two of the latest mobiles from Blackberry and Sony Ericsson

Blackberry Storm

The latest, and possibly greatest offspring in a lineage that requires no introduction to anyone who has ever seen the inside of a briefcase. Indeed, what began as a lowly two-way paging device has now evolved into something quite beautiful. The biggest difference in the Storm from previous models is the employment of a full size touch screen, which is able to display a generously sized QWERTY keyboard when used in portrait mode.

Now, the idea of a touchscreen keyboard may have the more die-hard QWERTY fans shaking in their boots, but I am here to reassure all that within about 20 minutes or so I was completely converted to the touchscreen approach to e-mail typing. In fact, compared to the much wider, QWERTY-toting Blackberries of recent years, I found experience of gently tapping out a few e-mails a great deal more relaxed and natural than the old-style Blackberry button-mashing.

As usual, the Blackberry is fully loaded with business-related features; including e-mail connectivity unlike any other device on the market, as well as the special treat of built-in GPS. However, as the Blackberry’s target audience are the business generation, don’t get too excited about the rest – the 3.2 megapixel camera is certainly no Hasselblad, the 1Gb of built-in memory is merely adequate and the video player is nothing you haven’t seen before. However, it is an elegant phone that will allow you to conduct business with ease whilst on the move and the battery life will effortlessly endure the longest journey you’re ever likely to make.

So the Blackberry Storm is darned good at what it does, but now let’s take a look at a phone that is a little more likely to make you swoon…

Sony Ericsson C905

Hot off the press and still a little hard to get hold of, this phone is a dream. Its looks are exceedingly tasty (I am a real fan of dual-sliders), and the operating system is as natural to use as any other phone I’ve tried. The key selling point of the C905 is the 8.1 megapixel camera and the exceedingly high-powered software engine that drives it. Add Sony’s excellent music capabilities, GPS and superb design all-round and you’ve got yourself a pretty sweet gadget.

Unlike the Blackberry it’s no e-mailer, and it’s not the music/video playback toy that is the iPhone, but if you want a rock solid, excellent looking all-rounder, then it simply doesn’t get better than this.

The best of the rest?

I wanted to round this article out with a third competitor for your affections, but to be honest no other manufacturer is really doing phones as well as Blackberry and Sony Ericsson at the moment. Although I spent many, many years a die-hard Nokia fan, I am sad to say that our Finnish friends have really lost their grip on the mobile market in recent years. The business models that Nokia offer are about 3 years behind anything the Blackberry range in both design and features, while the more ‘streetwise’ models are simply not good enough next to a Sony Ericsson. I’m sorry Nokia, you’ve lost my affections.

Is the iPhone worth all the fuss?

As for the iPhone, as much as I think it is a beautiful and functional piece of kit, I just don’t think it’s quite worth it yet. Yes, it’s beautiful, it’s from the guys that do some of the best computers and mp3 players out there, but as an all-singing, all dancing technological powerhouse it’s simply not the messiah we all want it to be.

Much like the earlier iPods were plagued with massive technical problems and a refusal to do anything for you without having iTunes trying to mess up your music collection on your desktop, it’s going to take Apple’s brave little do-it-all device a little while to fully develop. That’s not to say I don’t think it is good, but I feel that it is trying to do too many great things at once without being overwhelmingly good at anything in particular. I reckon the next generation or two will be absolutely outstanding and I’ll probably be pleased to own one then, but for now I’m afraid I’d rather opt for a decent phone and a proper iPod.

By Jim Hatley

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Image: Alain Bachellier

More information:

• Blackberry Storm offical website
• Sony Ericsson C905: Fall in love with the C905

• Blackberry on pre-order from Vodafone – free on £35+ plans
• Sony Ericsson C905 deals – from Vodafone, O2, Orange, Tmobile, 3 and Virgin