On the other side we had mobile giants like HTC with their HTC Touch Pro, as well as Sony Ericsson with the Xperia, and Nokia with phones like the future N97 and the E75. Of course the biggest representative of the QWERTY school of thought was none other than the mobile superpower, RIM (for RIM’s sake I am going to pretend the Storm never happened).

The balance these phone makers were trying to achieve was of course ease of use when it comes to text input on the one hand, and a compact and relatively thin form factor on the other. I think it is pretty safe to say that the ultimate device that combines these two important factors has not been introduced yet.

Comes along two, let’s call them “creative” companies and offer an alternate solution to this problem. Their angle is “If we can’t make a phone that has both a full QWERTY and comfortable dimensions out of the box, then let’s add a few accessories to the box”.

Let me explain. They are called modular phones, and if you liked The Transformers (awesome movie, if you have not seen it yet, you should. Oh, and you can also follow the lead actor on Twitter @ShiaLabeouf), chances are you will digg this concept. Of course the company that introduced this new idea is Modu (pronounced M-oh-doo). Modu announced the concept of a small cellular device (that I was fortunate enough to get my hands on, and it is seriously small) that can change its function-set based on the jacket into which it is inserted.

OK, sounds a little wacky I know, but somehow they manage to pull it off. Basically, you can put the Modu device, which by the way functions itself as a full fledged phone, into a slider, candybar, or flip form factor to accompany your mood that day. More importantly though, you can slip the little guy into a full QWERTY jacket, enabling you to input text the way you like to. What’s cool about Modu is that every time I look at their site (sucks for them that Modu.com was taken) they are offering new jackets.

I have debated multiple times with colleagues whether or not this concept is on its way to success or failure, always siding with success. The latest news of Modu signing contracts with Telecom Italia, VimpelCom, AND Lynk Communications seem to be indicating that I was right, but we should wait and see if Modu is around in 5 years before I do my “I was right, I told you so” dance.

The reason I bring this topic up today is that another company seems to be going in the footsteps of Modu by creating their own modular device of sorts. OK, they did not go as far as Modu did, but it seems like they definitely took a peak at Modu’s technology when introducing this phone. LG just announced a new phone for Verizon wireless dubbed the LG Versa (does Versa mean modular in another language?).

The idea is that the phone comes with an attachable QWERTY keyboard that can be connected to the phone when needed and left at home when a slim sexy touch screen device is what you are looking for. I cannot say this excites me as much as the Modu does. This device kinda reminds more of a phone with a Bluetooth Keyboard more than it does Modu.

What’s important to point out here is not if the specific phones or companies will succeed. It is more important to be able to recognize new trends in the mobile world. I, for one, can totally see Jack Bauer changing Modu jackets based on the mission he has that day, or should I say hour.

The big question is, are modular phones a new trend or just a passing fad? Let me know what you think in the comments.

-Hillel

Anyway, the Memoir will run on T-Mobile’s 3G network. In addition to its 8-megapixel camera, it also has a full-touch virtual QWERTY keypad, built in GPS, and Bluetooth. We do not know much else about the handset, besides of course the fact that it looks and functions like a standard point and shoot 8mp camera. Kinda reminds me of the Samsung Innov8. In other news, there are Web rumors all over the place about an apparent mid-March release for the Palm Pre. Even with all the other buzz lately, I am still extremely excited about Palm’s new bad boy. Hope it wont be another Storm syndrome.

Lastly, I just finished watching a video review in English, of the famous Meizu M8. For all of you who are not familiar, this phone is made by a Chinese company, who specialize in portable multimedia devices. Now until today, I just released this phone as another iPhone knockoff, but after watching this video, I am thinking this thing is actually pretty impressive. The interface is even nicer than the iPhone’s in certain areas, and the scrolling is pretty much identical. This is pretty amazing seeing as it runs Windows Mobile. The reviewer claims it is the nicest interface on any Windows Mobile device out there, and I have to agree.

The camera is better than the iPhone’s, with a 3.2 mp sensor, and the phone offers other features, like Flash support, missing on the iPhone. The video quality is disappointing according to the review, although it did look pretty decent to me. Anyway, I am actually pretty impressed with Meizu, and I am sure they will sell a huge amount of these phones in China and Japan. This phone might be the first knockoff of any phone, that outdid the original, or came pretty darn close anyway.

-Hillel

The day just kept getting better with LG’s new KM900 Arena device (name isn’t great but it is better than the Toshiba TG01). We do not know all that much about it, besides of course its stunning looks. GSMArena claims that its dimensions are smaller than the Omnia, and that it runs on a new 3d interface called S-Class. Other specs include a 5mp camera with DVD quality video recording capabilities and DivX playback. The connectivity options include Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi. Not bad. Sounds like a great phone, but is it just me or do the looks kinda resemble another phone we have seen?

Moving on. A mysterious picture appeared on the Web of a new Acer handset, looks kinda funky if you ask me, and I do not mean the good kind of funky. See below. Kinda reminds me of the G1, I guess their philosophy must be that looks aren’t everything.

Last piece of news in the mobile world is an announced partnership between Garmin and Asus. Looks like they will be working on the new nuvifone line, yes it has now evolved from a single device into a line, with the G60 being the first to hit the market. Remember what I said about the XPERIA’s hype ruining its chances for success? Same applies to the nuvifone. Lots of talk already for months, but nothing released. What are they waiting for?

Another big piece of news being tweeted about a lot today is of course, Google’s newly announced service, dubbed Latitude. I have to learn more about it, but it seems like it brings Google one step closer to its well known goal of Web domination. Watch the video below.

I will just conclude with one more piece of news not from the mobile industry. Looks like Windows 7 is not all roses. According to all the reviews, Microsoft did a great job righting all of Vista’s wrongs, except one little issue, which seems to be recurring. Windows 7 is being released in 6 different versions. So, before you even take the installation CD out, you are already confused. Great job Microsoft.

-Hillel

Watch CBS Videos Online

If I would have told you three years ago that I would be trying to determine which 8 megapixel cellphone is the best handset, and there are quite a few to choose from, I don’t think you would have believed me, in fact I don’t think I would’ve believed me.

I am not sure which made bigger waves in 2008, the touch screen or the 8 megapixel phones, but what’s for sure, they are both pretty unbelievable achievements.

GSMArena has a detailed comparison between the four 8 megapixel monsters:

• Samsung i8510 INNOV8: The most feature packed out of the bunch. You already know what I think of this powerhouse, although there is no question I prefer the full touch screen over the slider form factor.
• Samsung M8800 Pixon: According to GSMArena’s conclusion, the Pixon does not meet the image quality of the other touch screen 8MP handset, the LG Renoir. However, its user interface is superior to that of the Renoir’s.
• Sony Ericsson C905: I personally like this one the least, but GSMArena claims it has the best camera interface out of the group.
  
• LG Renoir: Out of the two touch screens, this offers the best image quality and video performance.

In any case, I think it is safe to say we are no longer in the era that camera phones are inferior to standard digital cameras, with these 8 MP shooters, no need to carry around an additional camera.

In other big news, the HTC Touch HD is available in stores, and I for one cannot think of a better way to spend $800 right now. The only thing that can stop me now from getting myself a nice HD is some sort of a natural disaster, like say for example, a Storm.

-Hillel