Consumer Media

The mobile phone industry in the UK has always been a world leading market because of our national obsession with new gadgets and our disposable income which we have available to spend on technology. It`s for this reason that there are more active mobiles in the UK than there are people to use them, and with technology progressing so fast soon mobile phones will be replacing more and more of our everyday gadgets.

We are also in the middle of a smart phone boom that isn`t showing any signs of slowing down, quite the contrary is in fact true.

Some experts expect that the number of smartphone owners will grow 15% every quarter throughout 2009 whilst the more optimistic are predicting a 30% growth spurt. This is coming about because users are realising the ultimate convenience that smartphones offer, whether it`s the inclusion of cameras that match or beat stand alone digital alternatives or the super fast mobile internet that 3G and HSDPA connections are offering.

People are more aware that a smartphone with internet and email will allow them far more freedom than before, and they`re now replacing PDAs and other mobile devices thanks to their wide range of applications.

Top Smartphones of the Moment

1. Apple iPhone – The Apple iPhone 3G was released a little under a year ago but Apple have just announced the up coming iPhone 3G S. this latest model will improve on some of the areas in which the iPhone 3G is currently lacking, including a 3 mega pixel camera that can record video as well as a wealth of new software including on board video editing programs. This will all come on top of what is already arguably the best smartphone around with its large 3.5″ touch sensitive screen, 8 or 16GB of built in memory, unrivalled application choice thanks to the App Store and GPS sat nav to top it all off.
2. Samsung Tocco Ultra – Though this may not be top of its class in terms of connectivity what with lacking Wi-Fi and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the Tocco Ultra certainly wins the smartphone beauty contest. At just a sliver over 1cm thick and with a touch screen as well as a slide away alphanumeric keypad this is a serious phone with looks to die for. It`s also got an 8 mega pixel camera which trounces Apple`s seminal phone.
3. T-Mobile G1 – The first smartphone to take advantage of Google`s Android operating platform, what the G1 lacks in styling it more than makes up for in functionality. As well as the huge touch screen it`s got a full QWERTY keyboard housed beneath for those who like their buttons to be physical, and of course the web browsing software is second to none.
4. LG Arena- This is the first true smartphone ever produced by LG and to the casual observer it looks a lot like the iPhone even down to the design of the on screen icons. However, it trumps the iPhone in terms of functionality, including an FM radio and a wealth of multimedia options. This does mean that the battery life can be pretty poor if you use some of the more intensive programs and features, but as an iPhone alternative it`s a worthy option.

The smartphone market is going to continue to grow over the coming years with its peak supposedly arriving in 2012.

With the Apple iPhone getting an update soon and with most mobile phones becoming generally smarter the average consumer will have access to more and more mobile greatness and the array of essential gadgets will be shrunk into a pocket sized hero.

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