I have been out of touch with gadgets for over two years now. I considered myeslf a bit of a maven according to Malcom Gladwell’s The Tipping Point in the department of buying cell phones as friends would usually consult me before buying one. Well none of that for over 2 years since we use TDMA phones here (though we are about to enter the GSM world, even though a little late for me).

But as I am prepering to depart from Haifa, having a cell phone once again is going to be important, mostly because I find them very useful for different puposes and it is probably my most appreciated and used gadget. Having said that I find myself to be in a bit of unknown terrirtory with cellphones these days as things have moved forward and I have no idea who and what the best brands, players and features are in the market so its back to basics to learn what has happened since I got disconnected and what my choices are. Reading gadget blogs helps a lot actually. For instance this entry by Endgadget is very helpful. For now, this is my list of features I want to see in my (dream) future phone:

  • Networking: GSM (triple band), GPRS, WAP
  • Good battery time
  • Bluetooth and infrared
  • Sync with PC (I guess having windows CE or Mobile makes this easier)
  • Small and light (< 100 grams and < palm size)
  • GPS
  • MP3 and Radio
  • Storage capabilities like SD card
  • Megapixel camera (> 1)
  • Email and surfing (surfing for only really important situations)
  • Running skype on it (I am pushing it now, huh?)

I know, its a long list but you know what? I already have found such a phone! Almost anyways and it has made me seriuosly want to commit to it and that months ahead of me even leaving. The phone in question is the Neonode N1m. Basically it has everything but what makes it only almost my dream cell phone is lack of bluetooth, GPS and Skype. I remember when I was planing to come to Haifa the Neonode N1 was being planned for release and it took them another 1.5 years before it actually happened, but the result is pretty nice. So unless I find a better option than this I will buy this one. Do you have a better option to suggest?