With three generations of iPod Touch handsets now on the market, it can be very difficult to distinguish between the models. The original 1^st generation model was available with both 8GB, 16GB and 32GB memory storage, weighing in at just 120g. The 1^st generation iPod Touch was connective via USB 2.0, with iPod Touch data leads and cables available to both synchronise and charge the device simultaneously.

The most significant developments and enhancements in the 2^nd generation were its improved battery life, which enabled users to listen to audio for over 50% longer. A variety of iPod Touch accessories are available to maintain connectivity and accessibility on the move. Car chargers simply plug into your car’s cigarette lighter running on 12/24 volts.

September 2009 saw the reissue of the 2^nd generation iPod Touch and the current 3^rd generation models, which boast the current 3.1.1 iPhone OS. Storage capabilities of the 3^rd generation models were improved to offer 32GB and 64GB capacities, including an increased memory from 128 to 256MB of RAM. While the reissued 2^nd generation and 3^rd generation models were lighter at 115g and ergonomically pleasing to the eye, they are still vulnerable to cosmetic damage. Purchasing iPod Touch cases complete with moulded holder offers first-class protection whilst maintaining the ultra-slim qualities of the iPod Touch 3^rd gen.

The delay of Google’s first own-branded mobile device will allow Vodafone to present the HTC Legend well before the release of the Nexus One. The HTC Legend has already received glowing reviews from experts and analysts, and Google launching their very own smartphone has proved a more time-consuming decision than previously expected.

The Nexus One has been available to purchase in the United States since January, although consumers and industry experts have criticised Google’s decision to make the handset available only through online web sales.

The argument surrounding the Nexus One and the HTC Legend is that both handsets contain the much-vaunted Android operating system; however the HTC Legend is thought to pip the Nexus One in terms of style and ergonomic features.

Apple’s arrival of the iPad is also set to coincide with the release of the Nexus One, with a number of mobile phone carriers clamouring for rights to distribute the iPad’s online capabilities through their own networks.

Google has confirmed that the mid-April release of the Nexus One is a more realistic date for UK consumers, with interested parties having to wait an extra six weeks to get their hands on the Android 2.1 device powered by a Qualcomm 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, which is capable of running multiple applications simultaneously for the ultimate smartphone user experience.

With the vast selection of tariffs available amongst a variety of mobile phone carriers there is no excuse not to find a deal that offers the optimum level of talk-time minutes and texts. Purchasing a tariff that includes thousands of free minutes and text messages obviously sounds advantageous, but if you end up using only a small percentage of this allowance that is a considerable amount of money wasted.

This latest service comparison document, Consumer Focus and the Communications Consumer Panel is designed with the simple idea of directing mobile consumers to the most cost-effective monthly deals and services.

Ofcom uses the price comparison service, BillMonitor, to track down the best offers using online billing account details that allow the service to suggest a tailored recommendation.

Ed Richards, Ofcom CEO, said: “Ofcom wants to ensure that consumers are getting the best from their mobile deal.

“This guide is designed to help consumers make informed decisions and to get the best from what’s on offer in the market today.”

The latest mobiles and smartphones demand hefty tariffs in order to carry out the most basic mobile working tasks, from Wi-Fi and 3G data bandwidth to conference calling. However, this guide works to give consumers a realistic tariff relative to their most recent monthly bills.

We’ve all found ourselves frustrated at our mobile phones, smartphones, laptops and netbooks losing charge at the most inopportune of moments, whilst having to become accustomed to a mass of wires and chargers by our side.

However this latest technological breakthrough aims to supply wireless power to mobile phones and smartphones. Researchers are believed to have found a method of using ambient radio waves and kinetic energy to enable to handset to receive enough energy to remain fully charged.

The Piezoelectric Kinetic Energy Harvester, as it is affectionately known, could cause a major change in usage methods for our mobile devices. The simplicity of the process means that when your phone is in your pocket and you are on the move, the movement of your body will work to charge your handset, including any motion while your phone is in your hand.

The need for mobile phone accessories and in particular, battery chargers could be a thing of the past, but it is thought that this process is unlikely to come into universal practice for a number of years.

This would be an extremely exciting development for mobile phones and smartphones users, with the drain on batteries with 3G and Wi-Fi usage often considerable. However, if this latest enhancement comes to fruition, consumers will be able to complete mobile working tasks, visit social media networks and communicate via calls and texts on a continuous basis.

Mobile phone users will have the ability to purchase both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi and 3G accessible iPads towards the end of next month, with the latter version likely to cost significantly more with the option of connecting to 3G services on public transport where there are very few Wi-Fi hotspots.

Competition to secure the ranging for the Apple iPad is expected to be fierce, with Orange a potential frontrunner at present. While the Apple iPad does not allow for mobile phone calls, its expansive 10” touch screen provides users with the ability to view web pages, video and digitised newspapers and magazines – making it a leading mobile working device.

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, said: “The iPad is something completely new. We’re excited for customers to get their hands on this magical and revolutionary product and connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

The sheer mass of mobile accessories related to the Apple iPad will make this a very unique and interesting device to use. With over 150,000 applications available from the Apple App Store and completely remodelled iWork software the ability to create word documents, spreadsheets and presentations on the move has never been easier.

It would appear that customers wishing to facilitate the service must currently apply through their provider, but from July 1 it is to become automatic across the board.

The agreed default limit set by the European Commission stands at around £45 a month, although that limit is negotiable between the consumer and the provider on an individual basis. Mobile phones and smartphones users will be warned when reaching 80% of their set limit.

Neelie Kroes, Digital Agenda Commissioner, said: “Protection against data roaming bill shocks is a useful step towards building customers’ confidence to use mobile networks to surf the internet when travelling around Europe.

“Such confidence is essential if people and businesses are to use the Internet to its full potential.”

It is incredibly easy for users to use data roaming when they are abroad on business or on holiday. The ease of access via smartphones and netbooks means that consumers have previously been hit by staggering roaming bills in the past, but this new legislation should ensure that it is a thing of the past.

UK mobile phones consumers concerned by the new internet roaming charges can contact telecoms regulators, Ofcom to talk over any issues that may arise from using such capped limits.

Interestingly the EU Commission could not find any just cause to reject the merger, with no direct concerns in relation to the mobile phones market and provisions for all mobile telecommunications products.

The agreement from the European Commission has seen the Office of Fair Trading withdraw its request to appeal, after the Commission smoothed over fears from the OFT that the approaching merger would make the UK mobile phones market weaker and uncompetitive with fewer carriers for consumers to choose from.

The main outcome from the go-ahead of the merger is that Orange and T-Mobile can now combine its market share of 37% – 28.4 million customers – and work to providing an efficient blanket service.

European Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, said: “I am happy that we managed to resolve the competition issues in this case quickly in close cooperation with the Member State concerned.”

Meanwhile, Tim Alexander, chief executive of Orange and the figurehead for the joint venture, said: “We’re delighted. This represents an exciting step in our ambition to set new standards for mobile customers in Britain. We’ll offer better value, better service, better network speed and coverage and will create the biggest and best mobile company in the UK.”

This increase underlines the immense growth that the mobile industry has engineered over the last eight years. Even in 2002 just 1 billion people were signed up to use mobile phone services – with 3.6 billion new users in the last eight years.

It would seem that communications technology products are becoming much more accessible and economical to all corners of the globe. In comparison to global average income, mobile phone costs are lowest in Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Kuwait and Luxembourg, with the United States interestingly also on the horizon.

The one statistic which underlines the power of mobile phone usage is that mobile phone subscriber figures dwarf that of global Internet users. The Internet remains influential in communications technology, but with only a quarter of the world’s population enjoying access, it is expanding at a much slower pace. Surprisingly, even in developing nations, fixed broadband internet access is still unaffordable for all but the most affluent of users.

The latest smartphone devices facilitate an excellent mobile working environment, with many questioning the need for the Internet when 3G mobile network signals are becoming just as common and reliable. The ease of access into smartphones via mobile phone accessories has contributed to these powerful laptop-esque products the size of your palm.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, three of the largest global mobile phone manufacturers registered fewer unit sales throughout 2009. Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola experienced a decline in sales, with their market shares dropping as much as 3-4% in a single calendar year.

Carolina Milanesi, Gartner’s research director, said: “The mobile devices market finished on a very positive note, driven by growth in smartphones and low-end devices.”

It is felt that the declining Average Selling Prices of the latest smartphone handsets will put the success of Nokia’s Symbian and Meego devices in jeopardy during a difficult 2010.

Milanesi added: “Nokia will face a tough first half of 2010 as improvement to Symbian and new products based on the Meego platform will not reach the market well before the second half of 2010.

“Its very strong mid-tier portfolio will help it hold market share, but its ongoing weakness at the high end of the portfolio will hurt its share of market value.”

One of the rare success stories of 2009 saw Korean mobile manufacturers Samsung increase its market share from 16.3% and 19.5% with much of its improvement due to a strong mid-range smartphone portfolio.

The growing demand for Apple iPhone smartphones and HTC smartphones threatens the strength of the Symbian platform on Nokia handsets. However, much is being done behind the scenes to try and reverse its fortunes in the coming year.

The lightweight aluminium shell of the handset creates a design and feels reminiscent to that of the Apple MacBook Pro. However, there are still remnants of the successful HTC Hero design, with the unforgettable ‘chin’ still present.

As the phone is integrated with the latest Android 2.1 software, the HTC Legend is fully controllable via voice, supports multi-touch usage and its upgrade of RAM from 288MB to 384MB will enable users to use a significant number of applications simultaneously.

The multi-touch option allows users to navigate and switch between home-screens, as well as inviting swift and clinical use for e-mail and web pages, with the ability to zoom in and zoom out on images and text alike.

Perhaps the most innovative addition to the HTC Sense interface is the brand new Friendstream application, bringing together all forms of social media, including Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and additional contacts to allow users to keep their finger on the pulse socially – a news feed of status updates across all platforms can be accessed at the touch of a button.

With the HTC Legend in line for release on the UK market at the beginning of Q2, the Legend could truly become a figurehead for mainstream HTC smartphones.