Toshiba announces TG01 - the latest iPhone Challenger

Toshiba has formally announced the latest challenger to the iPhone: A slick-looking Windows Mobile-based touch screen phone with super-high screen resolution powered by a new, high-performance Qualcomm mobile chipset.

This iPhone challenger from Toshiba has been named TG01. The device will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress at Barcelona which begins on Monday.

Slated to appear in Europe this summer, the TG01 will boast a 4.1-inch screen with 800-by-480-pixel resolution. In fact, the TG01's display specifications are more similar to those of Sony Ericsson's debut Windows Mobile handset, the Xperia X1.

Toshiba says the screen uses fine-tuning technology developed for its Regza line of LCD-TVs to ensure vivid colors and quality playback of fast-moving video images.

The TG01 will be the first handset based onQualcomm’s Snapdragon Technology, which integrates a 1GHz CPU with support for GPS, multimedia, Wi-Fi and quad-band 3G networks with HSDPA/HSUPA data support in order to enable the handset's super-skinny and lightweight profile.

While based on Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows Mobile 6.1 platform for handhelds, the TG01 will have its own custom user interface, including a couple of imaginative innovations. You'll be able to shake the phone to answer it, and you'll be able to switch between applications by tilting the phone.

Toshiba rates the phone's 1000mAh battery life as up to 11 days standby time and 5 hours talk time.

The TG01 will have 512MB of ROM and 250MB of RAM, but its micro SDHC slot will support up to 32GB of additional storage. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera and Java support.

The TG01 boasts excellent multimedia support. It will play H.263, H.264, MPEG4, and WMV videos, and MP3, AAC, AAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, WMA, and WAV audio files.

At launch the TG01 will be available in two colors- white and black. However, information about the cost of the TG01 is not available yet.

Xperia X1 from Sony Ericsson at Rs. 44,500

Sony Ericsson has recently launched a new hi-tech mobile phone, integrated with nine-panel user interfaces, for the high-end mobile users against a price tag of Rs. 44,500. The new smartphone, ‘Xperia X1’, is highly customized particularly to stimulate the fashion conscious tech-savvy GenNext youngsters.

Xperia X1 has been designed exclusively keeping in mind the style needs of the GenNext fashion conscious youngsters. The new 3.0-inch Sony Ericsson model with its 16-bit color TFT touchscreen amidst 800×480 resolution will surely affect lifestyle of its users.

It is expected that the arrivals of ‘Xperia X1’ will open a new chapter in the history of mobile-phone evolution. Primarily, the company has targeted to deliver a new dimension in the spheres of web communication experience by designing the high cost phone. According to Sony Ericsson India President Anil Sethi, “Xperia, aimed to offer energizing communication and premium mobile experience, with the promise of quality and functionality.” “We have launched this high-end phone to target the premium multi-media devices market, which is doubling every year”, he added.

According to Sudhin Mathur, General Manager of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, “Xperia X1 can be personalized through nine panel user interfaces to suit to the user’s mood and lifestyle. Users can access content quickly and directly through touch-screen, easily switching between applications by touching one of the unique customized panels. With Windows Mobile, high data transfer rate and Wi-Fi support, one can enjoy favorite entertainment and work efficiently on the move”.

Across US “Xperia X1” is available from November 28 @ $799. The handset is available in two shades: Steel Silver and Solid Black.

The mind blowing ‘Xperia X1’ model is loaded with Windows Mobile 6.1 Operating System. Its technical specifications include 3inch wide touchscreen supporting a resolution of 800 × 480 pixels (WVGA), metal-finish body, a 4 GB card extendable up to 32 GB, a full keyboard, one 158 grams Lithium-Polymer battery with 1500 mAh capacity sufficient enough for 10 hrs GSM talk time and 6 hrs of WCDMA usage, and 65-thousand color TFT display, etc.

Other vital characteristics include operating compatibility for HSPA and Quad-band GSM networks, 3G, Handwriting recognition, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.1, Optical joystick, and USB, etc.