(UPDATE: READ MY GUIDE "UNLOCKED IPHONE STOPPED BY APPLE)

The iPhone is far from perfect. Yes, in many ways it lives up to the hype. Yes, it is an innovative, fabulous, desirable gadget. And yes, it is the best thing since sliced bread. But it is still a very long way from the truly "convergent" device, the holy grail that will revolutionize the way we use mobile technology.

I won't bore you by listing all of its shortcomings here, except to say that anyone looking for a mobile office will find the iPhone experience a frustrating one and would be best advised to stick with one of the many Smartphones already on the market.
 
Some of the iPhone's weaknesses will no doubt be fixed by a future "software update" from Apple. Others, like the non-expandable, measly 8GB of flash memory, no changeable battery, the disappointing 2 mega-pixel camera and the frustrating 2G data transfer speeds on the mobile network owners will just have to live with.

However, despite its shortcomings, the iPhone is the device that has strapped a much needed rocket to the rear end of the mobile industry. It's forcing manufacturers to raise their game. Things move quickly in the world of mobile technology and, in just a few short months, rest assured there'll be a host of devices boasting iPhone type features at much more affordable prices.

And how are today's iPhone pioneers going to feel when Apple, faced with all this competition and innovation, produces an improved device? The blogosphere is already abuzz with rumor about plans for iPhone Mk2 and they'll be stuck with Mk1 until the end of their contracts.

So, if I were you, I'd resist the temptation to get an iPhone. Just for a few more months. You'll be glad you did. You never know what's around the corner, but I bet it'll be worth the wait.

IS HTC IS WERE IT'S AT?

THE MOTOROLA ROKR E8

The Motorola ROKR E8 (pronounced Rocker and 2008 CES winner) is going to be primarily a music phone, and will also have a backlit keyboard which will change depending on the function being undertaken on the phone. The keyboard will also include a vibration function which will vibrate to inform users they have pressed a key.

Navigation will also be assisted by a device known as the “Omega Wheel” which one can only assume will function similar to that of an ipod wheel. The phone will also contain all the standard functions now expected from phones including: 2-megapixel camera, fm radio, QVGA display, 2 GB internal memory and Micro SD capabilities.

The ROKR E8 is predicted to be launched in November in Europe and cost around 280 Euros..

The phone is free of physical keys (morphin' keypad) with a completely smooth face and vibrating haptics to denote key "presses." There's a nav wheel in the middle, which might not be the revolution Motorola is touting it as, but sure looks nice. The handset has 3.5mm headphone jack, 2GB of flash storage, a microSD slot, FM radio and a microUSB plug. The phone is Linux-based, and Moto is quite proud of its audio fidelity.

RESEARCH IT FIRST!