Mobile phones with inventive features

Although cell phones have come a long way in becoming powerful convergence devices, we still see an innovative feature now and then that gets a lot of attention and heralds big changes. For example, the arrival of 3G in the United States, the first camera phone, and the initial MP3 player handset all laid the groundwork for new trends in the cell phone world. Keep in mind that these pioneering phones aren't perfect--first tries rarely are--but we have to admire the effort nonetheless.

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	1.	Motorola ROKR E1   CNET Asia rating: 6.3 out of 10 The good:  Solid call and music playback quality; includes speakerphone and Bluetooth; bright display; user-friendly controls; integrated iTunes player. The bad:  Dull design; small 50-song memory; limited Bluetooth functionality; sluggish iTunes interface and transfer speeds; can't download songs wirelessly; VGA camera only. The bottom line: The Motorola ROKR E1 takes a step toward integrating a usable audio jukebox into a functional cell phone, but the 50-song limit and the slow processor performance will disappoint iPod users looking to carry a single do-it-all device. What's cool: First iTunes-enabled mobile phone Review  | See full specs  | Rate this
	2.	Nokia 5140i   CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10 The good:  Sturdy, waterproof design; some nifty features; FM radio; decent battery life. The bad:  Outdated display; unfriendly keypad. The bottom line: You don't get much with this handset, but what you do get is a tough phone that can survive more punishment than most. What's cool: Fitness Coach application; splash- and dirt-resistant. Review  | See full specs  | Rate this
	3.	Nokia N90   CNET Asia rating: 7.7 out of 10 The good:  Excellent build quality; innovative side joystick; cutting-edge feature set including 3G; superb picture quality; abundance of connectivity options. The bad:  Bulky and heavy; some design flaws; unfriendly keypad; slow operating system; limited music playback control; mediocre battery life. The bottom line: The N90 is well-suited to offer 3G, imaging and multimedia functions in one mean package, provided you can live with its slow speeds and various other minor flaws. What's cool: Camera-phone with Carl Zeiss lens Review  | See full specs  | Rate this
	4.	Samsung SGH-E760   CNET Asia rating: 7.7 out of 10 The good:  Classy design for a clamshell; non-slip rubber finish; motion-recognition sensor supports games and applications; lightweight and compact; sharp display; 90MB of onboard memory available. The bad:  No memory expansion slot; no FM radio; uses proprietary earphone jack. The bottom line: The unique motion-sensing technology, together with a decent set of multimedia features and a compact clamshell design, should make the E760 a popular phone among the fashion-trendy crowd. What's cool: Motion-recognition technology Review  | See full specs  | Rate this
	5.	Xcute DV1   CNET Asia rating: 7.1 out of 10 The good:  Strong multimedia features; smooth video captures; onboard high-resolution digital camera; loud speaker; sharp LCD display; memory expansion slot. The bad:  Bulky design; unintuitive user interface; voice recordings slightly muffled; poor keypad design. The bottom line: The DV1 makes a handy traveling companion, particularly for those into image/video recording and music playback. However, everyday mobile phone users may find it hard to compromise on the extra bulk and not-so-intuitive user interface. What's cool: 3-megapixel camera-phone with VGA video recording Review  | See full specs  | Rate this