Having introduced the new Black Label Series style by previewing the LG New Chocolate BL40, we now have the chance to take a closer look at the heir apparent to the all famous Chocolate. Meet the LG New Chocolate BL20, aimed at eager followers of fashion trends, who spend a lot of time in front of the mirror and would never, and we mean never, confuse a Ferre´s dress with something by Gucci (thanks, Google). Aside from its stylish overall design, you shouldn’t expect surprises from the LG New Chocolate BL20. Still, you´ll be getting a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and Schneider-Kreuznach optics, microSDHC card slot and HSDPA.

Design:

The LG New Chocolate BL20 stays true to the new, trendy style of the Black Label Series and in case you´ve read  our preview of the BL40, you already have a pretty good idea about the style of this slider. It is almost immaculately rectangular and we must say its black color goes perfectly with the red numeric keypad, upper and lower body. Alongside of the original Chocolate, the New Chocolate BL20 is taller and wider, but slimmer. It feels solid and comfy to use, even with the slider open and we have to say the phone gets respectably big in this case. The metal framing on either side contributes to a more sophisticated overall look. Our unit runs final software version, but bear in mind the retail device will come with slightly rounded edges.

The TFT screen measures 2.4 inches, has a native resolution of 240×320 pixels and delivers top notch image quality. Our only gripe relates to its love for fingerprints and you will have the phone all covered in them in seconds, which basically means you will have to clean it quite often.

The touch-sensitive buttons typical of Chocolate handsets are below the screen. They feature great touch sensitivity and light up in red, much in harmony with the overall color solution. Generally, the bad thing about this type of keys is you can easily press an adjacent button and activate something you don’t mean, which tends to be annoying. Fortunately, this is not the case with the BL20, since there is enough room in between the buttons. The key that calls up the multitasking menu is in the lower left corner, while the widget button is in the lower right one.

The mechanism of the slider feels really tight and we like that, but it tends to give off an unpleasant sound when being opened. Not that this is much of a problem really, because the more important thing is the numeric keypad is really handy. Dialing numbers on it is a pure joy. Our only gripe regards the uppermost button row, the one where the send, end and delete keys are. They are located close to the edge, so people with thicker fingers may find pressing them a bit uncomfortable. However, keeping in mind these buttons are used less frequently, we can definitely rate the keyboard excellent. But this is not all. When open, its color makes the LG New Chocolate BL20 look really exquisite.

The interesting thing about the new chocolate is that the volume rocker is also touch sensitive. LG, however, has showed ingenuity in making it slightly raised and not completely flat, so you can easily feel where it is. Getting your press registered takes certain effort, but this is good, because otherwise the volume rocker would have been really easy to accidentally touch and therefore – annoying.

The standard microUSB port is on the left hand side, the screen lock on the top and you can relish the beauty of the 5-megapixel Schneider-Kreuznach camera with LED flash if you take look at the back of the handset.

The LG New Chocolate BL20 looks just as stylish as the BL40. With its slider closed, however, it´s far more compact. It stays true to its name and wouldn’t look out of place in the company of handsets with even the fussiest design. We think LG has done a great job in coming up with a proper addition to the series, because the BL20 is a handset with uncomplicated, yet expressive design.

At first glance, we face the next reincarnation of the immortal clamshell from Samsung. Compared with the previous variations of the past years this is the company’s hardest commitment to retain the classical form, and for this reason we do not see another attempt to cross the impossible and elegantly elongated body with a minimum of sharp color shots. To fans of accurate data it can be proposed to estimate by eye the size of Samsung S5510, constituting 93,8 x 46,7 x17, 7 mm, that does not speak at all about anything, because of the lower shell width decreases to 4 cm smooth, thick and loses in size about another couple millimeters. It weighs 94 grams.

The interface and customization
Why do you need to know technological details, if S5510 attracts just with its design? That’s it that this was unnecessary, and therefore it’s better take a look at the standby mode of the most recent version of the software of the company for phones without touch screen. Yes, the developers have not forgotten about this, and novelty is all the joy of life that appeared in February in some phones and cost much higher.
Thus, the screen has all sorts of icons and indicators above, as well as the notes to the context keys on top. You can choose any wallpaper or just beautiful watches from LivingWorld.
From the main menu, decorations are already less, and in sections they are not altogether. Of course, there is a fallback position to choose one of three themes, as well as a scattering of other interesting details, but that’s no way impressive.

Calls and correspondence

Calls to Samsung implemented simplest way: dial a phone number, or look for it in convenient call list. The latter method is the most trivial, since reduced to see a list of contacts where there is a search by first letters of the name / surname, or an opportunity to review the whole range of groups. If you need to write a new contact, the owner gave access to a functional editor, which initially disclosed only a quarter of the possible fields in physical files for each of the 1000 possible entries.
Since all messages are somewhat simpler, although there is not only the usual SMS, but also advanced MMS, which is to provide an alternative to email, supports opening / adding attachments.

Connection

Modern mobile phone should not have limited communication abilities, and therefore S5510 is equipped with Bluetooth 2.1 with support for all kinds of profiles, from which we are interested in working with wireless headphones, as well as the possibility of transferring files at speed up to 130 Kbps.
If you connect your phone to PC, data transfer will take place at speed of 2-3 Mbps, which is very bad for a relatively unpretentious model.

Entertainment

Usually we are talking about alarm clocks and little-needed reminders in calendar. Yes, of course, in the case of a business machine strict exterior organizer and office content are extremely relevant, but at S5510 on the alarm for five independent detectors should not go.
But the entertainment portion of the device is failed, and not only by the availability of the full range of GoogleMobile services, but thanks to such fine amenities as RSS news for ease of absorption on your way to work / school, as well as editor of pictures and FM-radio. On top of the list are a few demo versions of games, and also affects the very easy to install Java on your phone.

Music

Here you have a player with all sorts of sorting and convenient playback window, where you can not just change the type of visualization, but also to quickly adjust the equalizer. Configure not to edit, so do not be surprised that you can not adjust manually a good sound in the headphones, because you have to use a ready-made presets.

Camera

For high quality photo Samsung is equipped with a brutal camera phone Pixon12, but for those who want to catch an interesting moment, a 3-megapixel camera hero of this review will be enough. Moreover, there are all the attributes of senior models in the face of full-screen viewfinder and a dozen parameters to set, but also a nimble shutter.

Other trifles

If a good quality signal reception is granted, then nice and loud speaker will be to the point quite, as noisy polyphonic speaker sound is well heard in the room, but on the whole volume on the street disappears somewhere. Well, it does not matter, because there is a disruptive vibro-engine of average power.

Conclusion

In the case of Samsung S5510, we see the triumph of simplicity and consistency of external design of the struggle for the heart of the consumer. Of course, the phone was created by a competitor, but there are so many of those nice details from Samsung, that any price for it is not a pity to give.

Design
If we consider the exterior of Nokia 5070 at a right angle, we can find visible design irregularities and the roughness of engineering. Judge yourself, while Asian budget sets flaunt slim metal body, and design “that won a stylish model”, Nokia launches phone with large dimensions, but the most terrible by it is thick.
Moreover, the phone resembles a model released in 2002, not only in size, but the keyboard, camera location, except that the screen became larger. In addition, the phone is almost similar to the earlier Model 6070. What are the goals pursued in Nokia, letting go of 5070? Make an exact copy of 6070 in the youth corps? This version seems most viable. However, you should bear in mind that 6070 appeared a year ago and there had already been complaints about its functional filling. Of course it could boast with a relatively pleasant design, but then 5070 would like to see a somewhat different guise.

You’ll laugh, but these two models, have even the same weight – 88 grams. Not surprisingly, if the panel from 6070 to 5070 will suit (as it was with 7210 and 7250, for example).
Since the phone is aimed for young people, the manufacturer offers two youthful colors – blue and red. This framework is always white and black, the only change bezel housing.
In the end, after dressing old skeleton in the youth look, the phone itself is not younger. Though it has modern color and style, the wrinkles can not be hidden under any make-up.

Display
The greatest thing in the novelty can be called the display. Again back to Asian counterparts. Here we are dealing with CSTN-dinosaur, looking fit to more or less sane resolution up to 128×160 pixels.
The screen produces not very good impression – pale, not bright, inertia. With such a display it is inconvenient and unpleasant to work. In this reality somewhere in the background is sent to support 65 thousand colors.

Keyboard
Keyboard of 5070 is a removable block of plastic keys on the rubberized basis. Such designs in Nokia phones we’ve seen more than once. It has a distinct advantage – can be easily replaced.
These apparent shortcomings are not seen progress in key middle, work with the phone conveniently. Navigation is the key to a four-input function in the middle. It is the optimum size and should satisfy all the fingers.
In terms of additional control 5070 is fiscally stingy, actually except for two volume buttons on the left side and there is nothing more (the key above the display take power as de facto).

Functions
In this section lies the main drawback of Nokia 5070. But let’s not just point out bad things.
We can note that Nokia 5070 has IR port, support for EDGE, voice recorder for five minutes of recording, FM-radio (stereo headset included).
Now let’s talk about the disadvantages. Let us turn again to 2002, when the first phone from Nokia with a camera (model 7250) was turned out. The latter has 5 MB memory on board. 5070 has only 4,3 MB user available memory.
Other moments, such as the organizer or a phone book (more than 8 fields in the contact group, plus the voice tags) have a good level for Nokia.
Preinstalled polyphonic sounds like something it does not matter, even the firm “Nokia tune”. Volume? Unfortunately you will not hear the device on the street, you should rely on power of vibrating alert.

Camera
Why the manufacturer should put the camera on the phone with 4.3 MB memory, it’s not quite logical. The camera in 5070 is rather for show than for a really useful feature.
If we should make a normal “youth” phone, we must remove it or just put a normal camera.
But anyway, in 5070 we have 0.3-megapixel camera with maximum resolution of 640×480 pixels. The images absolutely lose their quality when displaying on the PC.
As we see, the camera can not give us the sharpness and natural color of the image (although it’s not so bad), and the resulting pictures can hardly claim a place in a virtual photo album.

Conclusion
Each product group has its own life time, and it probably came to the Series 40 of the budget level. These phones do not fit into today’s realities, even strange, why spend money on their production.
Although, if you buy this product (even overpaying), it is someone and need.
In a large barrel with the inscription “Tar” happened to be a piece of sugar under the name “Li-Lion 860 mAh”. Excellent battery life, and for 5070’s appetite this is more than enough.
Phone with 30-minute calls a day, listening to the radio (no more than an hour) honestly worked for five days.
We can recommend this phone only to Nokia adherents and newcomers in the mobile world. However, the senior and having exactly the same functionality (mono headset included) 6070 now costs cheaper.

The communicator Glofiish X600 from E-Ten caused a lot of commotion on the market of devices of the series “all-in-one”. No wonder as it was the first budget model, equipped with a GPS-navigator, and FM-receiver, and a full set of communication tools. The model Glofiish X610 that came to replace it, among the rich arsenal of its capabilities, boasts also of a sensory management – the most fashionable feature at present.

Features and design
At a first glance it seems that the Glofiish X610 is almost not different from its predecessor, but a more detailed study shows that the appearance in general, and the control unit, in particular, have undergone major changes.
The first thing you will notice is the display – made on level with the shell and coated with glossy glass, it is ideally suited for finger management.
The body is made in black and gray colors – the front cover and the plastic edging around the perimeter are glossy, and the rear panel and separate inserts are made of nice soft-touch plastic.
Unlike other similar materials in general, no finger traces are left on it. In general, Glofiish X610 is heavy (132 g) and medium in size (107 x 58 x 15 mm), it will be difficult to carry it in a shirt pocket, but it fits perfectly in a pocket of trousers, jeans or jacket. Generally, the device will please more men than women, because the strict form and the dark color give the new device aggressiveness.

Below is the video on the exterior of the new item.
The management block is – four soft keys and a rectangular cursor with the confirmation key in the center. In addition, all keys are noted for the precision of course, however, they loaf from side to side all the same.
Additional controls are presented on the side ends of the device. The power button is located in the right upper corner, in the lower there is a camera activation button. The left facet is more saturated – two volume buttons, programmable soft-button.
In addition, in the lower left corner of the front the connector minijack 2,5 mm is located; you can connect your favourite headphones to the X610 without using an adapter for miniUSB. And the communicator is connected to a computer using a standard cable, miniUSB, the corresponding connector is on the lower end. There is also a microSD slot for memory cards.
Unlike most budget communicators the stylus of the Glofiish X610 deserves the highest praise. The telescopic metal shell is thick enough to be convenient to keep in hand, and the edge lines are made of high-quality plastic – without rough edges.
In general, the design of the new item, although not original, looks quite harmonious. The availability of a sufficient number of additional keys, as well as an additional audio output for connecting any headphones deserves respect.

Productivity
Like its predecessor X600, the device that came to replace it is equipped with a Samsung SCC32442 processor with clock frequency of 400 MHz. This is not a very powerful processor, but it is enough for the work with a vast number of applications. In addition, this platform is particular for more power economy.
But the memory on board, even for a budget model is insufficient: 128 MB ROM and 64 MB of RAM, of which only 20 MB with a “tail” is available to the user, so in order to install additional programs, you will necessarily have to buy expansion cards. However, a similar situation, has been observed and in the model X600.
The productivity of the communicator has traditionally been tested with the help of the Spb Benchmark 1.6 package.
For comparison, are given the results for the communicator Glofiish X600 (Samsung SCC32442 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM, Windows Mobile 6.0).
It is not surprising that the results were most similar – after all the platform of the predecessor, and of the model continuing the line is exactly the same. So those who have decided to change their “old” X600 to X610, desiring to increase the productivity of the device, should look for other, more “sophisticating” model.

Display
The novelty is equipped with the same screen as the model X600. This is a panel with a diagonal of 2.8″ display and a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. For a wide range of brightness, sharpness and high saturation of colors, as well as large viewing angles, this screen is quite worthy of commendation.
But the main advantage, and the difference from the model X600 is the absence of display skirting – the glossy panel is on one level with the body.
Of course, the low resolution does not allow enjoying movies or photos with comfort, but do not forget about the low cost of the device.

Camera
The integrated 2-MP camera as compared to the model X600 also did not undergo changes. It has no autofocus, no flash. The supplement of working with the camera is long known from the other models of communicators from E-Ten. It is an extremely simple monochrome interface, although in general it is very convenient for use.
The settings are few: the option of image resolution, white balance, and the imposition of special effects. Photos are stored in JPEG or BMP format with a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels. Well, the videos are saved in 3GP format with a resolution of up to 320 x 240 pixels.
For a camera with no autofocus, the quality of the photos can be evaluated as not particularly bad. Noise and loss of fine details are observed in any shooting conditions. The color rendition surprised pleasantly, especially because it was a serious problem with the X600. Below you can see some examples, taken under different light conditions. The photo archive can be downloaded here.

Communication capabilities and FM-radio
Glofiish X610 has a complete set of wireless interfaces inherent in most of today communicators of other models: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS / EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g.
The inclusion of modules is carried out through a new utility – Wireless Manager, executed with style and taste.
It is noteworthy that the FM-receiver is connected through the same tool as well. By the way it has not undergone specific changes. The user can select any frequency in the range from 76 to 108 MHz, and the reception has a high selectivity and precision – every station is determined purely, without interference.
As for the connection, there also no problems were observed. The unit confidently holds the signal in all corners of the capital and its suburbs. But the selectivity of search access points Wi-Fi can be assessed only with a “B” – the communicator refuses to identify a weak signal.

Time of autonomous work
The novelty is equipped with a Li-Ion battery with a capacity of1530 mAh. For a not very productive communicator it is a very high capacity. In a normal mode of operation (about 20 minutes of conversation a day, watching the news and mail) the new model works without problems for more than two days. If you actively use the X610 as a center of entertainment, then you will be required to charge the unit every day.

GPS-navigation
Glofiish X610 is equipped with integrated GPS-receiver based on the chip SiRFStar III. The cold start of the device occupies no more than 4 minutes, and the hot start takes a few seconds. Like other navigators on the basis of SiRFStar III, the X610 surely keeps in touch with satellites and does not lose signal even during the temporary narrowing of the visible sky. The accuracy of positioning is also difficult to criticize.
The new model is equipped with a program “Navitel Navigator”, with which we have already met earlier. In addition, the device was tested with the packages VisualGPSce and Autosputnik. No criticism – the integrated receiver quickly determined the program and subsequently worked as well as with the attached package Navitel Navigator.

Spb Mobile Shell
An important difference of the X610 from its predecessor is the availability of the on-board pre-installed utility Spb Mobile Shell, giving the user the possibility to manage the communicator through fingers. A partial waiver of the use of the stylus is in fashion – it is the fault of the HTC Company, with its unsurpassed brand of communicators of the series Touch. But the software from Spb is always of the highest quality, and therefore, you can expect something more of Mobile Shell than just a resemblance of TouchFLO shell.
Indeed, the new utility has a perfect stylish design and an interface easy to understand even for a novice. At the core of it are only three tabs, the selection of which is carried out by clicking on one of the large icons at the bottom of the desktop. By the way, the latter represents by default a calendar, and complete information about incoming calls, messages, and current weather conditions and forecasts.
The bookmark with the major programs is designed elegantly and simply. The main space is given to the sub-programs “Organizer”, “Internet”, “Multimedia”, “Service”, “Programs” and “Settings”. Interestingly, the transition from page to page is very impressive and unusually animated – the page is brought to the user in the form of an unfolding cube.
Well, and the third tab is a page of quick dialing.

Generally, the program has many settings, so that you can “chain” it your likings without any problems.
The transition from the Mobile Shell interface to the standard type of Windows Mobile is also originally done. The bottom line of the desktop has a soft-button “Spb Shell”. Well, and the shell itself has a tab of exit from the program. It is also worth noting that these operations take place almost immediately, despite the not most powerful platform of the new item.
But it is difficult to compare the new interface with the TouchFLO because they significantly differ from each other. However, it is safe to say that the Spb Mobile Shell will find many admirers. But one very significant drawback in this program is still there. As we have found out there is very few memory left for the user, and this situation has arisen partly because of the pre-installed Mobile Shell. Unfortunately, this program requires a lot of memory for its work, although without it the purchase of the new communicator loses its meaning because its main zest is the finger management.

Conclusions
So, the main difference of the new item from the communicator Glofiish X600 is exactly the interface of management, which has combined the new cover of the display, as well as the original software package from Spb. In addition, it is impossible not to note the updated design and the modified controls. Otherwise, (in particular, it concerns the output of the device) you will not find Glofiish X610 very different from the previous models. There is only one minus in the new model – small internal memory.
The recommended price of the new item is 16 400 roubles. It is about a thousand roubles more than for the communicator X600. We can say that the price is quite reasonable and competitive, especially as the device is replenished with a high quality and durable synthetic carrying case with a belt clip (by the way, another little evidence that the X610 – is primarily a men’s device).

Nokia N96 smart phone is perhaps the most stylish innovation of the year 2008. PDA’s full competitor multimedia Nokia N96 smart phone is made with a focus on the possibilities of a video playback. For not having any doubt in this just look at the design of the device. The wide diagonal screen, noticeably increased time during the video playback and an existence of a special Nokia N96 case give all the conditions for a pleasant view. The form factor of Nokia N96 device belongs to the so-called double sliders – it moves not only downward but also up. While moving it downward, you can manage the work with the player, or video, and while moving it up you will have access to digital keyword.

The screen of the smart phone, as the entire front part of the body, looks more than good; large diagonal, bright colors, almost complete absence of noise and fuzziness contribute to enjoy working with Nokia N96. Integrated Nokia N96 camera with a resolution of 5-megapixels allows shooting photos of a very good quality. A strong ring located around the lens serves as the base unit. An interesting feature of the keyboard – the buttons are sensory. Nokia N96 is the first Smartphone, which has an internal memory of 1 GB that does not negate the possibility of expanding memory through the card. The multimedia component of Nokia N6, as it was expected, is executed on the highest level. The player and the radio will produce a good sound with full bass, both through the headphones and loudspeakers.

General characteristics of Nokia N96

Standard connection: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

Weight: 125 g

Dimensions: 103×55x18 mm

Talk time: Up to 3.5 hours

Standby time: Up to 220 hours

Antenna: Integrated

Battery: Li-Ion 950 mAh

Display

Display Type: TFT, 16 million colors, 240×320, 2.8 ”

Lights: +

Sound

Polyphony: +

Silent call: +

Programming of ringing: +

Loudspeaker: +

Call Management

Call Hold: +

Conference Call: +

Call Forwarding: +

Identification numbers: +

Keyboard

Joystick: +

Lights: +

Blocking: +

Sound indication: +

T9: +

Russian letters Input: +

User Interface

Voice management: +

Adjustable profiles: +

Fast dialing: +

Volume: +

Organizer

Hours: +

Alarm clock: +

Calculator: +

Stopwatch: +

Timer: +

Calendar: +

Notebook: +

Currency converter: +

Recorder: +

Synchronization with PC: +

Security

Time control conversation: +

Barring a challenge: +

Transferring data

MMS: +

GPRS: Class 32, 107/64.2 kbps

WAP: 2.0/xHTML, HTML, RSS reader

Bluetooth: 2.0 (A2DP)

Built in modem: +

HSCSD: +

Communication with PC: microUSB interface 2.0

E-Mail: POP3; IMAP4; SMTP

Optional: OS – Symbian OS, S60 3.2; EDGE Class 32, 296; A-GPS Kbit / c; DTM Class 11, 177 Kbit / c; 3.5-mm audio

Nokia N96 Memory

Memory: 16 GB

Optional: 128 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM

Additional features

Games: +

Java applications: MIDP 2.0

FM-receiver: RDS

MP3 Player: MP3/AAC/AAC + / eAAC + / WMA

Flash Memory: microSD

Digital Camera: 5 MP (up to 2592×1944), optics Carl Zeiss, Autofocus, flash, ext. CIF-camera for videophone

Video: VGA (640×480) 30 fps

Extras: DVB-H TV; TV-Out

Samsung L320 is from a series of La Fleur –it has a stylish rounded body, apparently something which resembles a round stone on the seashore.

However, this idea is not new – certainly many of you saw the Motorola PEBL U6 or other devices of the «round» series. But the Corps Samsung L320 is not as simple as it seems at first glance. If you close your eyes, hold your hand over the phone, you will feel roughness, and if you look at the device in bright light, you will see a nice pattern. It doesn’t strike immediately, but it gives a mobile charm and elegance.
The flip is done very neatly. The size and weight of such a device is almost ideal for carrying it in a pocket or in the women’s purse. In addition, it is very simple to cope the Samsung L320 with one hand – a small deepening between the two halves of the phone makes it easy to open, and while open all the buttons are on hand.

General characteristics of Samsung SGH-L320
Standard connection: GSM 900/1900
Weight: 100 g
Dimensions: 89 x 45.5 x 23.5 mm
Antenna: Built
Battery: Li-Ion

Display
Display Type: 1.9 “, TFT, 176 x 220, 65000 colors
Lights: +

Sound
Polyphony: +
Vibrocall: +
Silent call: +
Loudspeaker: +

Call Management
Call Hold: +
Automatic redial: +
Call Forwarding: +
Identification numbers: +

Keypad
Lights: +
Blocking: +
T9: +

User interface
Fast dialing: +
Volume: +

Organizer
Hours: +
Alarm clock: +
Calculator: +
Calendar: +
Recorder: +

Data

SMS: +
EMS: +
MMS: +
GPRS: +
WAP: + (2.0)
Communication with PC: +
E-Mail: SMTP, POP3.
Memory Samsung SGH-L320
Number of entries: 1000 rooms
Memory: 20 MB

Additional features
Java applications: MIDP 2.0
MP3 player: AAC +, MP3, AAC
Flash Memory: microSD, microSDHC
Digital camera: + (2 MP, 1600 x 1200)