Like it or not, Apple knows how to get worldwide attention focused on its new
devices, and the latest incarnation of the iPhone is no different.
This time, however, the coverage has been as much negative as positive,
thanks to the now infamous
difficulties
with signal quality that some users have experienced, and Apple's
admission
that a software bug in every handset right back to the original iPhone has been
misleading users about network signal strength.
These problems have almost overshadowed the device itself, which has
nevertheless proved even more popular with buyers (if that were possible) than
previous iPhone models.
It may seem a little unkind to Apple, but we thought this would be the
perfect time to remind everyone that the iPhone is not the only smartphone on
the market.
In a move guaranteed to annoy the fanboys, and anyone whose favourite device
we have inevitably overlooked, V3.co.uk proudly presents the top 10
current alternatives to the iPhone, as nominated by our team.
10.
Palm Pre
Palm may not have enjoyed the success it hoped for with its new
generation of smartphone handsets, but the
Pre
is still worthy of inclusion for its webOS platform, which is arguably a match
for Android or Apple's iOS in features and ease of use.
WebOS supports multi-tasking, allowing the user to keep lots of apps open at
the same time, and the use of web technologies such as JavaScript, CSS and XML
for creating applications should make it easier for developers to code for
webOS.
Although about the same size as Apple's iPhone, the Pre boasts a slide-out
Qwerty keypad that makes messaging a breeze, plus its multi-touch screen
supports gesture-based controls.
On the downside, the Pre has no slot for Flash memory cards, but then neither
does the iPhone, and that has not put off buyers.
Sadly, competition from Apple and Android-based phones proved too much and,
with Palm
now
part of HP, a question mark hangs over the future of webOS as a smartphone
platform.
9.
HTC Evo 4G
The Evo gets on the list for being one of the first 4G smartphones on
the market. On the downside, this takes the form of WiMax, which rules it out
for the UK market as mobile networks here are likely to go down the
LTE
route. But for the moment, the
Evo
has the fastest network connection you can get.
As a device it's around 20 per cent thicker and heavier than an iPhone, but
that nets you a 4.3in touchscreen, 8-megapixel camera, decent battery life and a
naff but surprisingly useful kickstand.
The phone uses micro SD for storage and an HDMI port for multimedia output.
It runs Android 2.2, and looks highly specified enough to handle future
upgrades.
Google's open source operating system is attracting developers, and
early
data suggests that Android is getting more corporate development software
than Apple, but a fraction of overall app sales.
The Evo can also become a wireless hotspot, an application so popular it
crashed the demos
at
Apple's iPhone launch.
Computeractive
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