New Cells: Cool, Capable

If you are still using your cell phone merely for talking these days, you're behind the times. The latest models feature increasingly sophisticated integrated cameras, the fastest data speeds yet for Internet access, and gaming capabilities--and they're all packaged in innovative designs.

Kyocera's Koi, for example, has a built-in 1.2-megapixel camera, a tiny flash, and a 5X digital zoom; you can use it to capture still images or 15-second MPEG-4 video clips. When open, the Koi resembles a clamshell, but the roomy 2-inch display swivels closed rather than clapping shut. The unit's 16MB of on-board memory lets you store up to 40 images at the highest-resolution setting.

LG Electronics, meanwhile, is launching one of the first true 3G (third-generation wireless network) phones. Due out this fall, the LG8000 will support 1X EVDO (Evolution Data Only) speeds, which ran from 180 to 300 kilobits per second in tests of Verizon's EVDO network (see "Cellular Nets Reach DSL Speed", February 2004), a significant improvement over the typical 10 to 50 kbps offered on today's 2.5G networks. This phone also comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera, a flash, and a 10X digital zoom, and it can record MPEG-4 video clips of up to 15 seconds.

According to the phone manufacturers, you will need these 3G speeds for the new generation of data applications, which include video messaging, music downloads, and gaming. Another new cell phone that is designed to accommodate the growing number of games for these devices is the CX66 by Siemens. In place of the navigational button seen on most cellular phones, the CX66 offers a tiny joystick.

Nokia and Sony Ericsson are introducing innovative new phones of their own, as well. Nokia's stylish 7610 comes with a swirly, asymmetric keypad and a 64MB MultiMediaCard for storing the images captured by its 1-megapixel camera. Sony Ericsson's S700i camera phone, fittingly, borrows its design from Sony's Cyber-shot line of digital cameras.

Handset manufacturers say cellular carriers will be launching these new models by next fall. Expect to pay premium prices for these new handsets--the usual surcharge for sporting the latest and greatest in mobile technology.