Dial a mail

But you may not be able to visit all websites with a regular GPRS connection as operators tend to restrict certain addresses. For unrestrictive browsing you will need a WAP connection which will let you access modified Internet sites,that too at much faster speeds.
To set up your mail account on the phone,you will also need an e-mail client like ActiveSync,POP3 or IMAP4 that lets you log on to your Gmail,Yahoo or Hotmail. You need not worry about the jargon,as most companies have pushed the technicalities under the carpet without bothering the consumers. Though you can also set up real-time business e-mail using platforms like Exchange ActiveSync and Mail for Exchange,those using Lotus mail will find the going a bit tough.

While mail on the phone was for long the exclusive domain of Research in Motion’s BlackBerry,Nokia is going all out to put an end to what they call “e-mail elitism” by offering professional as well as consumer e-mail solutions that ensure round-the-clock connectivity. Consumers can now set up as many as 16 e-mail accounts on any Nokia device,all in three simple steps. While there is a built-in mail application,you can download the much better,and far more effective,Nokia Messaging Service from email.nokia.com or nokia.com/email. This is truly an amazing platform and comes closest to the BlackBerry feel,thanks to its “push” factor,which directly receives mails without users having to retrieve them manually. This service is free,but only on a trial basis. Nokia is planning to charge users beyond the flat data rate plan once the service becomes fully operational.

You will,however,need some help from your office IT department if you want to use the Mail for Exchange to access corporate mail,calendars,contacts and tasks. Most new Nokia phones,including the E and N series,are compatible with this service,while the mid-range phones can access regular GPRS.
Sony Ericsson,on the other hand,has taken things a step further with its NetFront browser which does not get intimidated by heavy pages and automatically formats them for better viewing,creates files,bookmarks and support RSS feeds. It uses the Rapid-Render technology to accelerate presentation of webpages,while Smart-Fit Rendering renders pages to fit the screen-width of your device. Alternatively,you can use Internet Explorer too. Moreover,Sony Ericsson is among the first companies to integrate the splendid Opera Mini browser. Meanwhile,Exchange ActiveSync allows you to synchronise your corporate e-mail,calendar items and contacts.

This is not all; the Sony Ericsson X1 even allows users to activate the BlackBerry service. While the W995 and W705 are ‘Net savvy’,the C903 comes with a built-in Facebook application which allows you to directly upload pictures to the account.
If there was ever a contender to BlackBerry’s mobile e-mail capabilities,it has to be HTC. To start with,HTC phones come with SIM-sensor abilities that automatically activate GPRS settings without the customary call to the service provider. The fantastic display,coupled with the Opera Browser,makes for an excellent web browsing experience. The high-end models also come with the Push Internet facility that downloads and caches your favourite websites at pre-configured intervals. This means you can access the latest website version without having to wait for the pages to load. You can also setup up to seven Pop3 and IMAP accounts in a few simple steps. HTC too gives you the option of synchronise your corporate Microsoft Outlook e-mail.

Meanwhile,with everyone else trying to steal its thunder,Research in Motion seems to have decided to change the game itself. Integrating multimedia functions with smartphone technology seems to be next step for RIM. The recently launched BlackBerry Curve 8520 allows users to connect directly to MySpace,Flickr and Facebook,while the Storm 9500,launched earlier this year,features the world’s first “clickable” touchscreen.
Seems the online games have just begun.