fight for the megaphone

Lindzi Armstrong

The onslaught of mega-phone love has tempted us once again, as we fall victim to the siren call of a sleek high-tech portable device, a “do everything-er”. Based on Apple’s success with iTunes, the iPhone is designed to look like its musical cousin. This multimedia internet-based mobile revolutionizes the touch screen into the palm of our hands, sorts voicemail, has a super smart keyboard system which actually corrects mistakes for you, takes clear photos with a two megapixel cam, feeds the pet and makes a wicked casserole. Okay the last two bits are made up, but the idea is clear- the iPhone seems like an iDream.

Americans are lining up, some even creating mini-shanty towns to be one of the lucky who acquire this marvelous piece of tech. This begs the question, though: how many of these lucky few will have to trudge back to the iStore to deal with mega-malfunctions on this new piece? Did no one learn from the iTunes nano incident? Walk before you run, boys.

With the iPhone making waves in our portable handheld world, competitors are scrambling to think of an excellent alternative to the piece of magic. Enter the Prada LG. This delectable mobile is smothered in Prada sex appeal – raising the stakes for designers bridging into the mobile market (*cough D&G cough*).

This white-on-black number is not a far cry from the iPhone, and it is decidedly more compact with its 98.8 x 54 x 12mm dimensions and 3.0-inch display. It houses a two megapixel cam just like its competitor but fails to measure up to the iPhone’s long list of features. Still, the Prada LG phone is one hell of a sexy piece of work – ultra skinny, too. How fitting.

The downside for both of these wondrous mini machines? None are a go in Canada. Apple Canada says it has no plans of launching here, and at $499 to $599 US a unit, AT&T is lapping up the glory. The Prada LG phone has no North American launch in sight and is taking all other countries by storm priced at around 600 euros.

Let the Mega–phone battle rage on.