PhoneTalk

We just got in a LG Chocolate Touch. It's the first cell phone in that line of music mobiles to sport only a touchscreen. It's thin, shiny, and comes with two different back covers. But is it the perfect music phone? Watch the video below to find out.

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Almost a year later, the second touchscreen-only BlackBerry smartphone arrives for Verizon Wireless. Although there's not a lot that's changed in the BlackBerry Storm2, there are few nice enhancements. To see what they are watch the video below. Want a more in-depth look at the new BlackBerry cell phone? Read my expert review of the Blackberry Storm2.

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The much-anticipated Motorola DROID for Verizon Wireless launched today with an availability date of November 9th, which is less than 2 weeks away. The smartphone, which runs Google's Android v2.0 operating system will sport both a slide-out and touchscreen QWERTY keyboard, 5-megapixel camera, WiFi, 3G connectivity, and 16GB of on-board storage (expandable up to 32GB). Additionally, this smartphone is all about personalization with the ability to customize three home screens where you can add folders, apps and widgets for easy one-touch access. It also comes with Amazon's MP3 store. If you want the DROID, you'll need to subscribe to a nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access.

To get a better idea of what the DROID has to offer, check out the demonstration video below from Cesar Da Costa, marketing consultant for Verizon Wireless.

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Let's face it, Nextel push-to-talk cell phones haven't been the most attractive phones available to date. That's all about to change with the Motorola i856. The new slider cell phone sports a 1.3-megapixel camera, a 3.5mm headset jack so you can use your own headphones to listen to music, and Bluetooth 2.0. Combine that with its sleek design and red slide-out keypad and you've got a pocket friendly push-to-talk phone. Additionally, you can add up to an 8GB microSD card for storing pictures and music. Speaking of music, you can even have music playing while you text and talk on a direct connect call. Finally, this lightweight cell phone also has access to Sprint's mobile web features such as TeleNav Navigation, NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile and NFL Mobile Live.

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The latest flip phone from Motorola, the Entice W766, for Verizon Wireless is all about keeping you connected on the go. The cell phone sports a 2-megapixel camera, music player, Bluetooth and support for up to an 8GB MicroSD card. While that's not as large as what other cell phones will accept - many cell phones can accept twice that capacity - it's still plenty of storage space for music and pictures. The Motorola Entice will support many Verizon features such as VZ NavigatorSM, Family Locator, Mobile Email, Mobile IM and Dashboard. Perhaps the most attractive feature of this cell phone is the external one-touch access to the music player and camera even while the flip phone is closed.

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There's no doubting that Bluetooth headsets are popular, but when it comes to listening to music on your cell phone in stereo lots of people still turn to corded headsets. While it's true that cell phones with a 3.5mm headset jack work with your own 3.5mm headset for music, you still won't be able to take a call over them. Stereo headsets that are designed specifically for cell phones allow that functionality. We take a closer look at two such models from BlackBerry - one with an answer/end button and the other with music controls built-into the cord. Both models support a 3.5mm headset jack and ear cushions for extra comfort. Watch the video below to see which model is right for you?

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I've been checking out the BlackBerry Curve 8520 for T-Mobile and the first thing that's noticeably different about this Curve is its design. First, the trackball is gone and replaced with a trackpad. Think: the same sort of trackpad found on a laptop only infinitely smaller. The trackpad is fairly easy to use, however, if you're a long time BlackBerry trackball user it will take some adjustment to master navigation. Additionally the trademark four navigation keys aren't raised buttons; instead its a smooth surface and you simply press down on a preferred action (Send, Menu, Back, or End/Power). Another noticeable change in appearance is the rubberized sides. There are no actual buttons to press, instead, volume keys appear as bumps on the Curve 8520's spine. While there is a slot for a MicroSD card it is hidden beneath the battery cover. Good news is that you don't need to remove the battery in order to swap out a memory card. While the display is bright it's not nearly as sharp as that found on the BlackBerry Tour or BlackBerry Bold. All of this adds up to a device that's decidedly more geared toward a consumer.

The BlackBerry menu is as you'd expect from the latest BlackBerry OS for the most part. There are a few changes, for example, there's a dedicated icon for MyFaves, FaceBook, Music, and Web2Go. It also has 5 games pre loaded: BrickBreaker, Texas Hold'Em King 2, Soduku, Klondike, and WordMole. Clearly this BlackBerry is meant more for fun than business. This smartphone also sports WiFi and is UMA compatible so you get extended calling coverage via WiFi. It also has a 2-megapixel camera (sans a flash) and sports a 3.5mm headset jack, so you can use your own headphones with it to listen to music.

First impressions: Overall, the friendly icons, games, dedicated music icon, easy-to-customize web interface, and rubberized casing found on the BlackBerry 8520 definitely gives this smartphone a more fun than business feel to it. We'll have a full expert review of the new BlackBerry Curve 8520 up next week. Check back then for the full story.

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Verizon Wireless fans of Pearl Jam can hear snippets of the band's new album Backspacer (available at the end of September) by downloading ringtones and ringback tones (the music that plays instead of a ring while waiting for the person to answer the phone) right to a Verizon Wireless cell phone. Here's a list of songs and availability dates.

· Available Now: “The Fixer” and “Got Some” 

· Aug. 6: “Amongst The Waves” 

· Aug. 13: “Just Breathe” 

· Aug. 20: “Gonna See My Friend” 

· Aug. 27: “Supersonic” 

· Sept. 3: “Force of Nature” 

· Sept. 10: “Speed of Sound” 

· Sept. 17: “Johnny Guitar” / “Unthought Known” / “The End”

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BlackBerry Storm users will find a slight change appear on their smartphones over the next few days. What's the new addition? A Slacker Radio icon will appear on the home screen. Click on the app and you'll have free access to the personal radio app. The application that will appear on the BlackBerry is also connected to Verizon's V Cast Music service, so if you end up listening to the radio and wanted to buy that song, you can from the V Cast music library. No worries if you don't want the application - just delete it or movie it to another folder on the Storm.

Note: Slacker Radio is included with Email and Web for BlackBerry plans, which begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan.

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One of the latest trends in messaging-centric cell phones is access to social media sites pre-installed. The Samsung Exclaim for Sprint service is one such cell phone. It's also a dual-slider phone. But is it a winning combo? Watch the video below to find out.

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