The next generation of Smartphones

iPhone 3G
Price: 8GB version: Approx. $150/£100. 16 GB version: $220/£150

The iPhone's canonisation is well-earned. A real game-changer, the user interface is the most intuitive about, and comes with only one button: ëhome.í All other buttons appear as and when theyíre needed, on the unique 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display. The iPhone OS 2.0 has the power and capabilities of a real ?computer, while the functions of an iPod have been thrown in, too. The 3G model comes with double or quadruple the memory of an original iPhone, depending on model. This slightly lighter version boasts a variety of extras for an already-innovative design. 3G wireless technology ensures faster, better connections while an inspired combination of Assisted GPS and Google Maps gives users the ability to find their way anywhere. With more applications available for download on iTunes by the day, it seems you can use your iPhone for almost anything.

Palm Pre (pictured)
Price: Approx. $400/£270

Best known for its genre-defining Pilot and Treo models, Palm seemed to be fading into the background until the Pre changed all that. Available from May, it has been developed under the watchful eye of Jon Rubenstein, who was key in the development of the iPod. If that alone isn't enough to convince you, feast your eyes on these details: The Palm Pre, unlike the Blackberry Storm, has Wi-Fi, and charges wirelessly via its touchstone dock. The touchscreen, meanwhile, makes for simple scrolling and zooming, while the area below the screen allows users to perform tasks without hiding what is currently on the screen. The ergonomically curved handset comes with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 8GB of memory and a three megapixel camera. The Palm Web OS is based around code such as Javascript and HTML, making for an extremely smooth browsing experience.

Blackberry Storm RIM
Price: Approx. $800/£501

The most iconic Smartphone brand about, famed for its email and messaging capabilities. The 3G Blackberry Storm is an innovative Smartphone, building on the existing user interface to add touchscreen capabilities. The 3.2 megapixel camera puts the iPhone's two megapixels in the shade, while features like 3G, GPS, and noise cancellation are not to be sniffed at; but the real change is in the 480 x 360 pixel screenís SurePress technology. Users click the touchscreen itself, while an accelerometer detects if the phone is in portrait or landscape, offering QWERTY or SureType keyboards accordingly. The Click Through takes some getting used to, and can make typing more long-winded, but the fact that many consumer reviews have focused on the drawbacks of this handset also demonstrates the high standards RIM has set itself. The Storm model is Blackberry upping its game post-iPhone, but itís a more user-friendly version of a business model rather than an all-round toy.