Tech Tools

Compiled by Ciara O’Brien

HTC HD7

From free to €289

The new generation of Windows on mobile phones is here. Forget about Windows Mobile 6 and all its flaws; the new Windows Phone 7 is completely different, offering users a vastly improved interface that you can customise yourself. Think of it as less like a desktop version of Windows jammed into a tiny handset and more like an operating system designed solely with mobile communications in mind. The HD 7 has a large 4.3in screen, which is great for watching movie clips, viewing photos, or playing games on. The dynamic tiles that are a feature of Windows Mobile 7 also work well on the screen, and are a decent enough size that you see the information being displayed. It even has a little stand that flips out from the back to keep it upright. It also takes movie clips at 720p resolution, and comes with a 5 megapixel camera built in, so it may lighten the load and replace a few gadgets for you, in some situations at least.

On the inside, it has a 1GHz processor, so the apps preloaded on to the device work quickly enough.

http://www.htc.com

O2 Hotshot

From €49 (billpay), €99 (prepay)

Although it has offered mobile broadband for some time now, O2 has just made it a little easier for users to get online with its new Hotshot broadband device. The device, made by Huawei, allows you to connect up to five devices at one time to your wireless broadband service. The “autoconnect mode is the easiest to deal with. From the moment you switch it on, the device will take over and do all the work for you. All you have to do is connect your Wifi enabled phone, iPad or laptop to the wireless network. The advantage to the Hotshot is that there are now mystifying icons or lights to decode; it’s all there on the screen, including a little icon to tell you how many devices are connected to it. Its rechargeable battery gives you about four hours of use, and it can also be hooked up to a USB port for use should your battery run down.

http://www.o2.ie

Sony NEX-5

€599.99

Sony’s NEX-5 offers budding photographers the chance to get digital SLR picture quality in a compact, lightweight body. Using mirrorless construction, the camera is that bit smaller than your standard digital SLR, making it more convenient but without sacrificing picture quality, thanks to a larger sensor than a normal compact camera. The NEX-5 allows you to record high definition movies and shoot 14.2 megapixel images, and has interchangeable lenses. Its lens system – E-mount – is compatible with Sony’s digital SLR lenses when you get the optional mount adapter, giving you a new range of about 30 lenses. It also features Sweep Panorama technology, which allows you to take wide shots by simply pressing the shutter button and swinging the camera side-to-side or up and down. The shots are stitched together and presented as a panoramic image.

http://www.sony.ie