What's the matter with Windows Mobile? - iPhone shows Microsoft's mobile OS is ageing badly

The pressure is mounting on Windows Mobile, Microsoft's increasingly antiquated mobile operating system.

Last week, Google lifted the lid on world's worst-kept secret and confirmed the existence of Android, a mobile OS of its own.

But it's the Apple iPhone juggernaut that's really putting the squeeze on Windows Mobile. Friday's UK launch of the iPhone drew an enormous rabble of both punters and press, despite the fact that the thing is relatively ancient news. It's been available in the US since June.

But is the iPhone really that much better than your typical Window Mobile-powered smartphone? And if so, what does Microsoft need to do to close the gap?

Age old dichotomy

When it comes to iPhone vs. Windows Mobile, it's the same age old Apple vs. Microsoft dichotomy. It's a contest between peerless usability and polish on the one hand and almost infinite flexibility and configurability on the other.

In that sense, Windows Mobile is identical to full-fat Windows for desktop PCs. It's a completely open platform with a huge ecosystem of supporting third-party software. If you need it or can even think of it, odds are somebody has coded it for Windows Mobile.

But just as it shares many traditional Windows strengths, it's also shot through with the all too familiar failings. Whether it's the clunky interface and piss poor usability or patchy stability and questionable security. It's the same story in Windows Mobile as it is in Windows Major.

And just like Windows on the desktop, if you dig deep enough, you'll find some pretty ancient underpinnings. In the case of Vista, its lineage can be traced back to Windows NT. For Windows Mobile, there are some pretty ripe Windows CE gubbins in there. As with Vista's deceptively snazzy 3D interface, the fancy icons of latest Windows Mobile 6 version won't fool you for long.

OS X all over again

The arrival of the iPhone has only made Windows Mobile's shortcomings all the more obvious. It's had a similar impact to that which Apple's OS X originally had way back in 2001; to instantly show the Windows alternative as utterly antiquated and outmoded.

The iPhone's biggest advantage is its interface. The application that arguably showcases it the best is web browsing.

The iPhone's awesome gesture-controlled Safari web browser is so much better than Windows Mobile's feature-light and maddeningly scroll-intensive build of Internet Explorer, it's not funny. You can't even have more than one web page open at a time in Mobile Internet Explorer, for goodness sake.

Switching between portrait and landscape viewing is a mere flick of the wrist away on the iPhone. On a Windows Mobile device, you'll be battling context menus with that fiddly little pointing stick. Yuck.

Elsewhere, it's a similar story. Whether its navigating contacts or just sending a text message, the iPhone is an infinitely more pleasant mobile companion. Anyone with a touchscreen Windows Mobile Device will be aware of just how ludicrously bad it is for finger prodding operation.

Not a nice gesture

Windows Mobile has absolutely none of the slickness or intuitiveness that you get with an iPhone. The idea of effortless gesture control simply has not entered the Windows interface lexicon.

And yet all is not lost for Windows Mobile users. There are legions of alternatives to the standard, bundled applications. Opera already offers a browser with tabbed browsing, for instance (and it's working on a new version with similar overview and intelligent zoom to Safari on the iPhone).

Similarly, with the right software installed, you can play back a far wider range of video files and codecs on Windows Mobile.

To be fair to Windows Mobile, one must also acknowledge the huge range of handsets it has to cope with. There's tons of choice in terms of hardware. That's in stark contrast to the tightly controlled iPhone and iPod touch platform upon which Apple's cut-down mobile OS X is installed.

Failings and foibles

Ultimately, however, I can't see Microsoft really addressing Windows Mobile's major failings. In recent years, it has shown absolutely no evidence of being able to respond to customer needs in terms of interfaces and usability.

Windows Mobile 6 is already way behind the curve and the next major build, codenamed Photon, isn't even due for a couple of years.

That could be a serious problem for Microsoft. Compared with the effective monopoly it enjoys on the desktop, it's much, much more vulnerable in the mobile sector. If Apple stays true to its word and opens up the iPhone platform to developers, the sky's the limit.

Already, the iPhone is popular enough in the US to encourage wide ranging third party software development. An open-platform iPhone really would offer the best of both worlds.

Jeremy Laird

17 expert tips for iPhone owners - Restore system crashes, stream music, extend battery life

1. Remedy system lockups

Apple's iPhone runs a scaled down version of Mac OS X, and, just like Mac OS X, problems occasionally occur. If your iPhone locks up on you, try pressing the Home button for six seconds. This will force quit the application you're currently using. Still no response? Then press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the top of the iPhone for ten seconds. This will force the handset to restart.

2. Alarming issues

If you want to sleep peacefully without being woken by audible message alerts or emails, go into the Settings menu and set your iPhone to Airplane Mode before hitting the sack. This disables all of the iPhone's communication capabilities, but the alarm will still sound off in the morning.

3. Easy text deletion

The inability to select text on the iPhone not only prevents you from copying and pasting, but also from deleting large swathes of text at a time. Fortunately, you don't have to peck away at the delete key when you want to rewrite something; just press it once and keep your finger on it. Text will start being deleted letter by letter, then, after a couple seconds, word by word.

4. Accurate text placement

Inserting text in exactly the right place can sometimes be difficult if you just tap a fat finger on the desired area on the iPhone screen. To make things easier, press the area and then keep your finger held down. After a second, a small magnifying glass with a cursor will appear above your finger, enabling you to precisely place the insertion point, even if it's within a word or URL. Much better.

5. Improve the battery life

If you wish to maximise your iPhone's battery life, there are a few key settings you should adjust. First, turn the screen brightness down as low as you can without losing legibility. Even in direct sunlight, you might be surprised to find that 50% brightness (or less) is still perfectly adequate.

Next, disable Wi-Fi when you're out and about - your iPhone will consume extra battery power monitoring nearby wireless networks and looking for open ones to join.

6. Quick-browse your files

When your iPhone is chocka with contact information, iTunes tracks and video files, browsing through them all can be a pain. But there is a shortcut that many iPhone users often forget about. See the small letters on the right-hand side of the lists? These enable you to jump immediately to the entries that begin with that letter. Better still, if you keep your finger on that area and flick it up or down, you can also rapidly scroll through entries by their first letter.

7. How to easily transfer images

Create a new folder on your Mac or PC for pictures you want to transfer to the iPhone. Then set this folder to synchronise with the iPhone through iTunes. Then all you have to do to transfer a picture from computer to phone is drop it into the afforementioned folder and sync.

8. Take a picture of yourself

Taking a photo of yourself can be trickier than you'd think with the iPhone, since the camera is on the back of the device and it lacks a tactile button (or a mini-mirror). But there is an easy solution: fire up the Camera application, put your finger on the camera button to take a picture, but don't lift it off. Now flip the iPhone around - only when you release your finger will the picture be captured.

9. Minimise interference

The iPhone can work with many existing iPod accessories, including plenty of speaker systems. The only problem is that the iPhone's GSM wireless signal can create interference that speakers output as a hiss of static. Avoid this by simply putting your iPhone into Airplane Mode when docked.

10. Ensure a scratch-free screen

Protect that glass! The iPhone is impressively durable and the glass screen can stand up to considerable abuse, but why risk chipping or scratching the display when a cheap solution can prevent that from happening? Plenty of custom-cut iPhone screen protectors are available for purchase for around £5, while some casesalso include them. Get one with a privacy finish that prevents the screen from being viewed at an angle. The best part is that the touchscreen's performance is not at all impeded.

11. Use RSS when you're on EDGE

Loading large websites on the iPhone can be an experiment in patience, especially when the data is arriving over O2's currently patchy EDGE network. Using RSS feeds (viewed via the .Mac Reader) can help. For example, you can get tech.co.uk's main feed here. The BBC news head lines are here. And so on.

For a similar experience, check out Leaflets. This site featrures iPhone apps that run within Safari and deliver an iPhone experience for sites, including Flickr, the New York Times, Digg, del.icio.us, and more.

12. Visit iPhone-friendly sites

Many websites now have iPhone-optimised versions of their pages, like Facebook and Amazon UK, while others have elements crafted entirely for the iPhone from the ground up, like a version of Bejeweled for the iPhone from Pop Cap games. Other sites, meanwhile, serve as directories for these excellent iPhone sites, one good one being Launchrz.

13. Instant messaging

One of the iPhone's biggest omissions thus far is a native IM application. Thankfully, web-based solutions can bring that functionality to the iPhone. You can try Mundu, which supports Yahoo!, MSN, AIM, and GTalk; or Meebo, which also has a newly implemented iPhone page.

14. Skype on the iPhone

Running Skype on your iPhone is a relatively new development, but the folks at Germany-based SHAPE Services have come up with an elegant solution called IM+ for Skype. After logging in with your Skype details and mobile number, you get full access to your Skype account, including free instant messaging and support for paid SkypeOut calls. It was a bit ropey when we tried it, so there's room for improvement. Registration for the service will cost you $25.

15. Turn your iPhone into a hard drive

Unlike an iPod, an out-of-the-box iPhone can't be used as a portable hard drive. The file system remains hidden when it's plugged into a Mac or PC. Ecamm's iPhoneDrive works around this limitation, providing drag-and-drop file transfer between a Mac and iPhone. Yeah, it's a fudge. But it works.

16. Great free music on tap

If you're pver-played the tunes on your iPhone, scour the web for more. To make things easy, point Safari to SeeqPod, a website that links you to music freely available online and bands you never even knew existed. SeeqPod has a slick iPhone-optimised interface (that automatically loads when you access it from your iPhone), and since Safari can play MP3 files in the background, once you have a tune playing you can return to using your iPhone for other things.

17. Insure your iPhone

The iPhone is slim; it feels fragile; you wouldn't want to test the fact that it can apparently survive a drop of about three feet. Phone insurance is the obvious answer, but shop around for the cheapest deal. Carphone Warehouse offers Lifeline Mobile Phone Insurance at £11.98 per month (with one month free). O2, meanwhile, offers their own insurance for £7.50 per month. Or add the iPhone to your existing house insurance...

This article is adapted frrom an article that first appeared in MacFormat, issue 189.

MacFormat

10 of the best 32-inch HD TVs - Nobody in their right mind buys two 50-inch plasmas

Did you know that 32-inch TVs have apparently now been usurped by 37 inch models as the UK's TV size of choice? Nevertheless, the humble 32-incher still has a heck of a lot to offer. It satisfies two completely different buyers: people after a decent-sized TV for their decent-sized living room; and those more TV-centric people who fancy a second high-def TV in the house.

So now that we've established just how many of you could potentially be interested in buying a 32-inch LCD, it's time we got down to business. Here's tech.co.uk's Top Ten best 32-inch TVs... all HD ready, of course... (prices quoted are best online prices as of November 19)

10. Toshiba 32C3030, £458

It wasn't our original intention to include this Toshiba TV in this Top 10. But then we noticed that it's now available for an absolute song (£450 or so) from a number of reputable online retailers.

The bargain price makes its rather average black level response and limited viewing angle way easier to live with. And its strengths, very sharp HD pictures, good motion handling and rich colours, look even more appealing. [Read full Toshiba 32C3030 review]

Key specs: 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * Active Vision processing * two HDMI inputs * 15.2kg

9. Hitachi 32LD9700, £889

There was a time when this now slightly ageing LCD TV was pretty much state of the art. But it's now being usurped from its class-leading position by younger, fitter models. Nevertheless, its punchy, noiseless, colour-rich and ultra-stable pictures, neat design and unusually wide viewing angle still combine to make it one to consider. Especially now that age appears to have substantially withered its price... [Read full Hitachi 32LD9700 review]

Key specs: * 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * Picture Master HD processing * two HDMI inputs * 28kg (weight)

8. Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD700, £739

This is the first of three Panasonic LCD models to make our top 10 - not bad for a brand supposedly more into plasma. With outstanding pictures and features galore, the 32LXD700 is actually Panasonic's flagship 32-inch LCD. So why isn't it higher up our chart? Because we don't think its distinguishing features of an extra HDMI port, SD card slot and more powerful speaker system justify the price hike over the brand's cheaper models. [Read full Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD700 review]

Key specs: * 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 and 100Hz processing * two HDMI inputs * 19kg (weight)

7. Panasonic Viera TX-32LMD70, £513

And so we come to Panasonic's second top 10 model. And this one's actually the brand's entry-level offering. Which means that, as well as the third HDMI, SD card slot and enhanced audio of the 32LXD700, it also lacks that model's 100Hz processing for smoother, crisper motion handling. But while we do certainly miss 100Hz here, the set still manages to deliver a performance that trounces the majority of its direct competitors. [Read full Panasonic Viera TX-32LMD70 review]

Key specs: 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 processing * two HDMI inputs * 19kg (weight)

6. Sony KDL-32D3000, £624

In terms of specifications and features, the first of Sony's 'proper' second-generation Bravia LCDs is outstanding. New v1.3 HDMIs, 100Hz processing, 24fps signal handling and 10-bit colour reproduction join the already impressive Bravia Engine imaging system.

Our only quibble is that it's hard to appreciate the full worth of some of these features on a 32-inch screen, which makes the TV look a touch expensive. [Read full Sony KDL-32D3000 review]

Key specs: 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * Bravia and 100Hz processing * three v1.3 HDMI inputs * 17.5kg (weight)

5. Philips 32PF9641D, £650

Philips has a confusing habit of using different generations of its Pixel Plus picture processing system on different models across its LCD range. And it turns out that the Pixel Plus version on the 32PF9641D is now two generations old.

But that doesn't stop the TV from producing superbly sharp, detailed, colour-rich and high-contrast images. Instead it just means you can pick the set up for a relative song. Kerching! [Read full Philips 32PF9641D review]

Key specs: 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * Pixel Plus 2 HD processing * two HDMI inputs * 23kg (weight)

4. LG 32LB75, £444

Obviously we're not so shallow as to be seduced by looks alone. But, well, they do help... And anyway, even though the first TV from LG's new Design Art range is possibly the prettiest 32-inch TV ever, that's certainly not the end of its charms. It also boasts all manner of excellent features - including 1080p/24fps compatibility and LG's XD Engine processing - and comfortably LG's best LCD pictures yet.

Key specs: 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * Advanced XD Engine processing * three HDMI inputs * 12.6kg (weight)

3. Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD70, £589

We've picked Panasonic's mid-range 32-inch LCD, the 32LXD70, as the brand's highest-placed model for the simple reason that it seems to offer the best combination of price and features.

Plus, of course, with 100Hz processing on hand to join the ever-dependable Panasonic V-Real image engine, its pictures are an absolute joy from start to finish. [Read full Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD70 review]

Key specs: 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 and 100Hz processing * two HDMI inputs * 23kg (weight)

2. Samsung LE-32R87BD, £471

Samsung's enviable position as the world's biggest producer of LCD screens means it can sell LCD TVs like the 32R87BD at prices rival brands frankly have to crucify themselves to match.

Crucially, the 32R87BD's appeal isn't exclusively its groundbreaking price. It's also adorable to look at, crammed with unexpected features and flexibility, and - with the exception of a little motion blur - a really excellent performer to boot. [Read full Samsung LE-32R87BD review]

Key specs: 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * DNIe and Movie Plus processing * three HDMI inputs * 13.1kg (weight)

1. Philips 32PFL9632D, £693

This Philips model may not be the most expensive in our top 10, but it's also comfortably the best. Driving it right to the top of our 32-inch pile is its remarkable new Perfect Pixel Engine processing, which works in tandem with an innovative multi-source backlight system to largely eradicate LCD's problems with motion handling. At the same time, it serves up sensational sharpness, colours and black levels. Truly benchmark stuff. [Read full Philips 32PFL9632D review]

Key specs: 1366x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * Perfect Pixel Engine processing * three HDMI inputs * 18.2kg (weight)

John Archer

10 of the best digital compact Cameras - When you want semi-pro photography on a budget

There's still a great deal of variety amongst the latest digital compact cameras. Physically speaking, the market is split in two. There are slimline models that are barely big enough to make a bulge in your pocket. And there are the chunkier cameras that tend to be more of a handful.

Even in the slimmest cameras, manufacturers are now managing to squeeze in an awful lot of technology. Features typically include image stabilisation, face-detection autofocus modes and high-resolution sensors of up to 12Mp - enough to put many a D-SLR in the shade. Here is tech.co.uk's Top Ten best digital compact cameras...

10. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7, £219

Based on an original concept by Konica-Minolta, the quirky DSC-H7 feels like a 'proper' camera with a sturdy, ergonomic hand grip. This helps for keeping the camera steady and making full use of the monster 15x zoom lens, equivalent to 31-465mm, which is thankfully backed up by optical image stabilisation. There's a good range of scene modes on offer, along with full manual exposure settings for when you're feeling creative, making the Sony a good choice for serious photographers.

Key specs: 8.1Mp * 15x zoom * 3.0-inch LCD * MS Duo/Pro memory * 110x83x84mm * 407g

9. Nikon Coolpix L11, £79

How much do you really need to spend to get great quality photos? The surprisingly cheap Coolpix L11 has some fancy features like face-priority autofocus, advanced red-eye reduction and Nikon's D-Lighting system to boost lowlight detail in high-contrast scenes. More importantly, the image quality is excellent. Shooting modes are pretty basic but the L11's metering system gets things spot on most of the time.

Key specs: 6.0Mp * 3x zoom * 2.4-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 89x60x27mm * 125g

8. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55, £245

This Panasonic lets you see the bigger picture, not so much because of its 8.1Mp sensor, but because its 3.6x optical zoom lens goes wider than most, equivalent to 28mm at the wide-angle end. The most novel feature, however, is its 'intelligent' Auto mode. If motion is detected, the ISO sensitivity is boosted and the optical image stabiliser is switched on. If it detects any faces, it'll automatically switch to face-detection autofocus. Uncannily, it gets things right most of the time. [Read full Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55 review]

Key specs: 8.1Mp * 3.6x zoom * 3.0-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 95x57x23mm * 143g

7. Casio Exilim EX-Z1200, £239

Only slightly larger than the credit-card sized length and height of Casio's original Exilim Card camera, the EX-Z1200 shoehorns a mighty 12Mp sensor into its tiny frame, as well as a 2.8-inch LCD around the back.

Like most current slimline cameras, there's no separate optical viewfinder so you have to hold the camera at arm's length making camera shake a potential problem. This is combated by an effective anti-shake system. Simple menu systems and excellent image sharpness add to the attraction. [Read full Casio Exilim EX-Z1200 review]

Key specs: 12.1Mp * 3x zoom * 2.8-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 93x59x22mm * 152g

6. Pentax Optio W30, £229

Most digital cameras risk a premature death at the slightest splash of water but the W30 is positively fish-like by comparison. Engineered to endure dunkings at depths of up to three metres (and for periods of up to two hours), the Casio's holiday photo opportunities can bring a new dimension to your photography. Other qualities include face-recognition autofocus and digital shake reduction in both still and movie capture modes, along with typically excellent Pentax colour rendition.

Key specs: 7.1Mp * 3x zoom * 2.5-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 107x54x23mm * 140g

5. Canon Digital Ixus 950 IS, £209

Style icons in their own right, Canon's Ixus cameras have always been sought after, and the 950 IS adds a wealth of features including optical image stabilisation, 9-point intelligent autofocus and evaluative, centre-weighted and spot metering options. There's also a stronger than average 4x zoom lens and, although you only get the standard 35mm wide-angle, it stretches to an impressive 140mm at the telephoto end. Image quality is impeccable. [Read full Canon Digital Ixus 950 IS review]

Key specs: 8.0Mp * 4x zoom * 2.5-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 90x57x26mm * 165g

4. Canon PowerShot G9, £359

With a price tag as high as some D-SLR cameras, the mighty G9 has image quality to match. Fronted by a stunning 6x zoom lens, equivalent to 35-210mm, the Canon has plenty of creative features that will appeal to serious photographers, including a full range of exposure and metering options, RAW image capture and really rugged build quality. It's a little larger and heavier than slimline cameras but, where image quality is the key concern, the G9 is a cracker. [Read full Canon PowerShot G9 review]

Key specs: 12.1Mp * 6x zoom * 3.0-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 106x72x43mm * 320g

3. Nikon Coolpix S510, £189

The stylish, compact new S510 features a tough stainless steel body and is ready for action in an instant, thanks to a blisteringly fast 0.7 power-up time and, in Response-Priority shooting mode, a shutter lag of just five thousandths of a second. Nikon's new EXPEED image processing engine produces stunning results in almost any shooting conditions. Additional features include face-priority AF which can detect up to 12 faces simultaneously and a particularly good optical vibration reduction system.

Key specs: 8.1Mp * 3x zoom * 2.5-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 88x51x22mm * 125g

2. Ricoh Caplio R6, £219

Over the last few years, Ricoh seems to have perpetually been playing catch-up to the big boys in the camera market. However, with the launch of its latest Caplio R6, it seems to have overtaken many of them, producing a camera with a fabulous 7.1x zoom lens that stretches all the way from 28-200mm. With extremely lifelike colour, excellent metering and super-sharp images, the R6 is a top choice, especially if you want the extra zoom range. [Read full Ricoh Caplio R6 review]

Key specs: 7.2Mp * 7.1x zoom * 2.7-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 99x23x55mm * 135g

1. Fujifilm FinePix F50fd, £249

There's a brand new generation of Fujifilm's legendary Super CCD HR sensors at the heart of the F50fd, offering 12Mp compact photography with surprisingly excellent low-light performance, thanks to low image noise at high ISO ratings being one of the sensor's key benefits.

On top of that, there's a wealth of fully automatic and manual exposure and shooting modes, image stabilisation and razor-sharp, beautifully rendered image quality. The next-generation face recognition system is equally impressive and, overall, the F50fd simply injects enormous fun into photography.

Key specs: 12.0Mp * 3x zoom * 2.7-inch LCD * SD/MMC memory * 93x60x23mm * 155g

tech.co.uk

10 of the best 42-inch HD plasmas - For when you've just got to buy a BIG telly

To us, there's something strangely 'right' about 42-inch plasma TVs these days. Partly it's the size; 42 inches strikes a seemingly perfect balance. It's big enough to realise your home cinema ambitions, yet small enough not to dominate your beautifully designed living room.

Plasma delivers the AV goods more consistently well at this sort of screen size. Though it's a testament to how LCD seems to be winning the battle for the public's hearts and minds that we only just found enough 42-inch plasma models still on sale to make this Top 10 possible.

10. Loewe Modus L 42, £1,800

Given that our reviews of this model, from high-end German brand Loewe, haven't been especially complimentary, you may wonder why it's included in this list. Its picture quality is rather off the pace by today's standards, especially with standard definition.

But we have no doubt that its combination of terrific classical looks and truly outstanding sonics will still find it an image-conscious audience. [Read full Loewe Modus L42 review]

Key specs: 1024x1024 native resolution (ALIS) * Digital tuner * Image + processing * one HDMI input * 39.5kg

9. Hitachi 42PD9700, £930

There are a number of things we like about this Hitachi TV. Firstly, it's capable of producing HD pictures with stunning detail and sharpness. Also it's got vivid colours, a decent (though not truly outstanding) black level response, plenty of features and a very aggressive sub-£1k price. Stopping it climbing higher up our 42-inch chart, though, are its noisy and fuzzy standard definition pictures. [Read full Hitachi 42PD9700 review]

Key specs : * 1024x1080 native resolution (ALIS) * Digital tuner * Picture Master HD processing * two HDMI inputs * 45kg (weight)

8. LG 42PC55, £600

Like the Hitachi at number 9, this LG fails to rise higher up our chart courtesy of a decidedly underwhelming standard definition performance. It leaves the likes of Eastenders looking noisy and even slightly unfocussed. But also like the Hitachi, it provides a really enjoyable take on HD that's stuffed with sharpness and detail. Plus it boasts some of the most intense colours known to man. Or beast. [Read full LG 42PC55 review]

Key specs: * 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * XD Engine processing * two HDMI inputs * 24.6kg (weight)

7. Hitachi P42T01U, £1,000

We can't give this Hitachi an unreserved recommendation for the simple reason that its pictures just don't have the sort of black level response or colour richness of the best plasma TVs these days. But if you're looking for a set that offers a truly prodigious feature count for surprisingly little money, it's still definitely worth considering.

Key specs: 1280x1080 native resolution * Digital tuner * Picture Master Full HD processing * two HDMI inputs * 41kg (weight)

6. Fujitsu P42XHA58EB, £1,900

Few brands know how to make HD look better on a plasma TV than Fujitsu. But even by Fujitsu's own high standards, the P42XHA58EB's HD performance is a bit special. The clarity and subtlety on show is simply mesmerising. On the downside black levels could be a touch deeper, there's no built-in tuner, and it's far from being a cheap option. But HD obsessives should ignore it at their peril. [Read full Fujitsu P42XHA58EB review]

Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * No tuner * AVM II processing * two HDMI inputs * 36kg (weight)

5. Panasonic TH-42PX700, £1,200

Panasonic's long history of impressive plasma TVs is instantly reflected in the terrific picture quality found on this mid-range 42in model. Black level response is particularly outstanding, but images also look engagingly sharp, natural and cinematic thanks to the set's impressive 'V-Real' image processing. It also has more connections and better sound than the cheaper 42PX70 that ranks higher up in this top 10. But in our opinion this isn't quite enough to justify its price hike. [Read full Panasonic TH-42PX700 review]

Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 processing * three HDMI inputs * 38kg (weight)

4. Panasonic TH-42PX70, £930

The 42PX70 retains every last drop of the terrific picture quality reported with the 42PX700 at number five, but it gives it to you for a substantially reduced price. Which, in our opinion, makes it actually the better option to go for unless having the 42PX700's extra HDMI, louder sonics and SD card slot particularly float your boat. [Read full Panasonic TH-42PX70 review]

Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 processing * two HDMI inputs * 38kg (weight)

3. Samsung PS42Q97, £800

Once upon a time, not very long ago, Samsung's plasma TVs weren't very good at all. But as we're coming to expect from the Korean giant, it didn't take the criticism lying down. The result is the truly superb - and amazingly affordable - PS42Q97BD, which boasts pictures containing scintillating colours, remarkable black level response and some real sharpness. It's all wrapped up in as pretty a body as you'll find in the TV world today.

Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * DNIE processing * three HDMI inputs * 30.6kg (weight)

2. Panasonic TH-42PZ70, £1,100

Panasonic's third entry into our 42-inch plasma Top 10 has one very special feature up its sleeve: it's full HD. In fact, it's the only full HD 42-inch plasma to enter our test labs to date, and it makes this advantage count in fine style with unprecedented fine detailing for a plasma TV. Not to mention HD images that seem completely devoid of video noise. It's not even very expensive considering how cutting edge it is. [Read full Panasonic TH-42PZ70 review]

Key specs: 1920x1080 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 processing * two HDMI inputs * 38kg (weight)

1. Pioneer PDP-428XD, £1,900

Unlike our second-place Panasonic, this Pioneer isn't full HD. But it has a different and no less potent attraction: a revolutionarily deep black level response. This might not sound as immediately interesting as the Panny's full HD, but it actually has a profound impact on just about every part of the 428XD's visual makeup, resulting in the single most cinematic image we've yet seen on a flat TV. [Read full Pioneer PDP-428XD review]

Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * PureDrive processing * three HDMI inputs * 29.6kg (weight)

John Archer

Should your next laptop have an HD drive? - Weighing the pros and cons of notebook high definition

After a slow start, the options for watching HD movies are coming thick and fast. Apart from the obvious set-top box, you could add a drive to your desktop PC for about £300. You could get a Playstation 3, or the HD-DVD upgrade for the Xbox 360.

But if you're just about to purchase a new laptop, why not consider getting one with Blu-ray or HD-DVD built in? Here are the pros and cons.

Long-term specifications

A notebook generally lasts you longer than a desktop. Regular upgrades can render your PC unrecognisable in a few years, as a gradual process of improvement keeps things up to date. But there's a good chance you will be using the same laptop in three years' time that you bought today.

Notebooks still cost a bit more than desktops, especially for a top-of-the-range model. So they're not the kind of kit you can afford to swap wholesale for the latest and greatest on a regular basis. This means you need to choose a specification that will last you long enough until your budget allows a new one.

Aside from a memory upgrade, there's not much room to change a notebook's components. Virtually everything will be particular to that notebook design. So that would imply that if your notebook has a Blu-ray or HD-DVD option, you should get it - because there's a good chance that even if you don't need it now, you will before you next upgrade your portable.

Format wars - again

But it's not as simple as that. Whether you choose to have an HD drive or not will be something you will have to live with for some years to come. And currently you still have to select either Blu-ray or HD-DVD - with Versatile Multilayer Discs now an additional contender lurking in the wings.

Although LG has released a desktop PC drive which will play both Blu-ray and HD-DVD, the LG GGW-H10N, there's nothing like this available for notebooks just yet.

Even worse, most notebooks only offer one of the options. So your choice of HD format will dictate the notebook you can buy, or vice versa. For example, Dell's high-end Inspiron XPS and Sony's VAIOs back Blu-ray, whereas Toshiba's Qosmio (unsurprisingly) and Rock's xtreme 770 plump for HD-DVD.

None of these models are thin and light, either. The 1,920 x 1,200 display necessary to do HD video justice already means a 17in widescreen, and all manufacturers so far have opted to make HD opticals an option in their biggest, all-singing desktop replacements.

Is it still too early for HD?

These aren't cheap notebooks, and where HD is an option, rather than standard, it's not a cheap one either. Swapping from a regular DVD rewriter to a Blu-ray drive costs between £200 and £300, and we haven't seen any notebooks with HD-DVD drives for under £1,300. Contrasting this with current prices for standalone players , Blu-ray is available for under £300, HD-DVD for even less - and the games console route is much the same price, with the console thrown in for free.

So a notebook is an expensive choice if you simply want to watch high definition movies. You can now pick up a 37in HDTV capable of Full HD for well under a grand, making a console-plus-HDTV package cheaper than a notebook with an HD optical drive.

Although buying a notebook with the best spec you can afford is always a good idea, because of the lack of upgrade potential we mentioned earlier, you pay a hefty premium for one with a HD drive built in. You will be limiting yourself to a hefty model, too.

So Blu-ray or HD-DVD might be nice features to have if you can afford them - and want this kind of power 'portable' - but they're far from essential just yet. Only when prices go down, and multi-format drives appear, should you make an HD optical drive an essential checkbox in your next notebook purchase.

James Morris

Top 10 smartphones - The most versatile mobiles you can currently buy

There are plenty of good smartphones out there. Narrowing down a list of 10, and then ranking them in order of preference, certainly isn't been easy.

Inevitably, any such Top 10 list ends up being a subjective process. And any buying decision is going to be one based on a balance between need, affordability, desirability and brand loyalty.

When we originally compiled this list in June, the Nokia N95 was our favourite. But the mobile phone market doesn't stand still, and things have changed a lot in six months, particularly with the arrival of a certain much-awaited new face in the market...

10 HTC TyTN

You may already know it as the Orange M3100 or the T-Mobile MDA Vario II. But even under its manufacturer's name this really is a titan (get it?) in features and screen size. It's also big on size and weight, which won't suit everyone. But it remains a great multimedia smartphone despite this. It's now been replaced by the TyTN II, so keep an eye out for second-hand bargains. [Read full HTC TyTN review]

9 Sony Ericsson P1i

Praise for the P1i hasn't been unanimous, but its spec sheet can't be faulted. A slightly modified candybar design, its features check list has most of the ticks in the 'Yes' column. But there has been criticism of its non-standard button design, and of its complexity to use. But if this isn't an issue, you won't be disappointed.

8 HTC S710

On Orange, the S710 is known as the SPV E650. It's not 3G and there's no touchscreen here. But with a typewriter keyboard hidden away neatly, it adds some interesting extras that you might not expect. But it's the basics this phone excels at. Good basic communication features, good music and camera tools, and good looks all feature highly here. [Read full HTC S710 review]

7 Nokia E61i

The E61i is a minor update to the E61, which we were very impressed by in February. It addresses our one major criticism of the E61, which was the lack of an on-board camera. The other changes are all minor, but improve the look, feel and function of what was already a very good Qwerty smartphone. [Read full Nokia E61 review]

6 Nokia N81 8GB

Smartphones come in many guises, and this one clearly has entertainment at its heart. Music and gaming are what it's all about, with Nokia's N-Gage software and a decent amount of on-board memory setting the tone. But criticism of its interface and a disappointing camera stop it from featuring further up the order. [Read full Nokia N81 8GB review]

5 HTC Touch

Probably the closest iPhone-alike on the market, the Touch does a lot of things well. And while it doesn't have the style of the iPhone, it's no ugly duckling, and has strong features and performance too. A lack of 3G and an average camera are the main failings on what is otherwise an excellent smartphone. [Read full HTC Touch review]

4 Nokia N95

It's a mark of how quickly the mobile phone market moves that the N95 was our favourite smartphone six months ago, but can't even make the top three now. But it's still a formidable phone - 3G, HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS are all present, along with a 5-megapixel camera. Yet the N95 doesn't get lost in its own features, and is simply designed and easy to use. [Read full Nokia N95 review]

3 HTC TyTN II

We've already likened the TyTN II to a miniature laptop thanks to its tilting screen, and its features list certainly is more computer than phone. This gives it natural appeal to the business user who isn't swayed by the iPhone's more sensory allure. The flipside is that the TyTN II is big and bulky, but it's no surprise considering the huge amount of technology packed inside. [Read full HTC TyTN II review]

2 Nokia N95 8GB

The N95 8GB doubles the on-board memory of the original N95 - that much is obvious from the name. But it also sports a better screen, improved GPS and Nokia's N-Gage gaming software. These tweaks help maintain the N95's appeal, even if it doesn't have a touchscreen. If an iPhone doesn't appeal to you, then you won't go wrong with either this or the TyTN II. Nokia's ultimate smartphone just got more... er, ultimate.

1 Apple iPhone

It had to be, didn't it? Well, no actually. The iPhone earns its place at the top of the tree not because of any perceived desirability or 'cool' factor. It's undoubtedly the biggest new product to hit the technology market this year, and we're already looking for the 'iPhone killer' in the same way we spent years searching for the 'iPod killer'. Throw in the fact that this is a starting point rather than an end point for Apple and you have our clear winner. [Read full Apple iPhone review]

tech.co.uk