Mobile Phones

Stereo Bluetooth headsets are becoming more and more popular, and Samsung isn't one to be left out in the cold. The SBH500 is an around-the-neck headset, with nicely padded earpieces and several convenient features. How well does the Samsung SBH500 stand up to constant music and loud backgrounds? We put the SBH500 through the gauntlet to see how it handles.

The Samsung SBH500 is clad in matte black plastic and comes with a proprietary AC wall charger. The earpads are not interchangeable, though there's also no need for them to be. Both are covered in a luxurious thick pad, similar to that of high-end full-can headphones.

The right hand earpiece is where you'll find all the controls, with the dead center offering the end/send button, and the LED notification light forming a thin ring around it. To the left and right of this main button are the forward and back buttons, respectively. Above the end/send button is a play/pause button, so that all controls are within easy reach. The volume rocker is also located on the right side, just above the play/pause button, but on the side of the headset.

Motorola's famous RAZR has returned in yet another iteration. Telstra's new Next-G network is the latest beneficiary of the thin, clamshell design for the MOTORAZR maxx V6. Sporting a 2 megapixel camera, microSD memory card support, touch sensitive front multimedia keys and Bluetooth, the maxx V6 is packed with features.

The maxx V6 is an upgrade to Motorola's previous 3G phone, the RAZR V3x.

The maxx V6 includes standard SMS, MMS and email messaging with POP3, IMAP, and SMTP protocols supported. Once again, Motorola has used the iTap predictive text method for text entry, rather than more common T9 method. The V6 can synchronise your messages and address book with Microsoft Outlook using the included USB cable.

The maxx V6 is one of a new generation of Next-G phones, so it is capable of high data speeds. When in a HSDPA coverage area, the V6 maxx displays a 3G+ icon on its screen. As users move out of coverage it reverts to standard 3G, then GSM where there is no 3G coverage available. For connectivity, the maxx V6 offers Bluetooth 2.0 and USB 2.0. A USB data cable is included in the package, which means users can synchronise data between the phone and their PC straight out of the box.

Designed for mobile TV and exclusively operating on Telstra's Next G network in Australia, the Samsung Widescreen features a unique dual-flip form factor, combining a regular flip handset with the option of folding open to a landscape layout. The Widescreen also boasts a full QWERTY keyboard, 2.3in display, HSDPA connection speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and a 2-megapixel camera.

The Widescreen employs a similar design to Nokia's N93i. It can be used in a regular flip mode for all phone functions, but also flips open sideways for landscape mode, making it ideal for watching video. The design means the Widescreen can sit on a desk with the angle of the display adjusted for the best possible view. Unfortunately, it isn't the most attractive device.

The key selling point of the Widescreen is a combination of its dual-flip design, and access to Telstra's Next G content portal -- in particular the Mobile Foxtel service. Content includes a range of mobile TV on 33 channels in categories such as entertainment, sports, news and documentaries, kids, music and many more, each available as a day pass, or via a monthly, packaged subscription. Also available is a Foxtel TV guide -- in addition to accessing the guide wherever you are, the Telstra service allows users of Foxtel iQ to log into the service on the handset and record programs to their set-top box at home via the EPG (Electronic Programming Guide). This is an excellent and handy feature if you forget to record your favourite TV shows, are out of the house, or are away travelling.

The MOTOROKR EQ7 is an extremely versatile wireless stereo system. This UFO-shaped audio system provides A2DP Bluetooth audio streaming, a traditional audio-in jack and a wireless speakerphone for mobile phone conversations.

Taking into account its MOTOROKR branding and partnership with JBL, Motorola clearly considers the EQ7 first and foremost a music accessory. Although it's JBL branded, the EQ7 is distributed and sold solely by Motorola, so it's not really a JBL product.

The design is definitely eye catching. A nice touch is the gloss black edging surrounding the unit and the chrome volume buttons on the front. The anti-slip rubber on the bottom ensures the speaker remains firmly in place on a desk or table. On top, the black speaker grill hides four transducers, while a bass port is located at the rear of the unit. In addition to steaming A2DP audio, the EQ7 has basic playback controls, specifically volume, previous and next track and play/pause.

One of the best features of the EQ7 is its versatility. This unit is compatible with a whole range of devices, including iPods, notebook PCs, mobile phones that support A2DP and any device that supports a standard 3.5mm audio jack - including the iPhone and iPhone 3G.

A tag line of "tough, but always reliable as nails" makes clear what the M110's target market is. A rugged phone that's dust and water resistant and features a rubberised shell, this tough handset is a reliable performer but it has limited features.

The M110 is IEC-60529 certified, meaning this handset is dust and water resistant in accordance with International Electrotechnical Commission standards. One point to note is that the M110 is not waterproof - it can handle splashes and drops of water, but it hasn't been designed to be submerged in the ocean, for example. As it's been designed specifically for tradespeople, the M110 features a rubberised shell. As expected, build quality is excellent. A key feature is the battery cover, which is locked using a screw that needs to be opened with a coin. It sits firmly in place and prevents dust and water from getting inside the handset.

A downside to the M110's tough and reliable design is usability. The keys and controls don't have any gaps, meaning it's easy to accidentally press the wrong key. Tactility is fairly poor - the keypad and controls require a firmer than usual press to activate, and this soon becomes uncomfortable, especially when text messaging.