RifcoMobile

According to a recent study by M:Metrics, there is high awareness and strong demand for the iPhone among British and American mobile phone users.

56 Percent of Britons and 64 percent of Americans are aware of the iPhone.

19 million Americans reported strong interest in purchasing an iPhone.

In the UK, seven million, reported strong interest in buying one, even though a launch date in Europe has yet to be announced.

So why such a stir about the Apple iphone?

iPhone combines three amazing products a revolutionary mobile phone, a wide-screen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet Communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, maps, and searching into one small and lightweight hand-held device.

iPhone also introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software, letting you control everything with just your fingers.

With such a high demand for this product it is pleasing to know there are products just launched that can compete with the iPhone.

Sony Ericsson has just released 2 new walkman phones W910 and W960. The W960 looks the most likely contender to the iPhone.

It has 8GB memory which can hold 8,000 songs and includes a Walkman player for finger-touch navigation around playlists on the large screen.

The 2.6 display serves as an excellent viewfinder for a 3.2 mega pixel camera and as a wide-screen for surfing the web via the 3G network or a Wi-Fi access point.Or watching video in TV quality.

The Apple iphone or Sony Ericsson W910 and W960 are beautiful pieces of technology. But they have a beautiful price tag attached.

There is however a cheaper alternative to the models mentioned above that will leave a lot more cash in your pockets and may not necessarily involve upgrading your phone.

Omnifone launches MusicStation, a music industry backed next generation music service.

A low-cost, flat-rate music service that can be accessed on most handsets in Europe and Asia.

It allow users for a small weekly fee, to directly download an unlimited number of songs to their Mobile Phones">Mobile Phones, without the need to use a computer.

The group expects to launch MusicStation handsets in the UK before Christmas, and plans to charge users 1.99 per week.

Which Product Should I Choose?
How big is Your Budget? (You need several hundred pounds or a contract mobile phone, MusicStation is compatible with 75% of existing handsets)

Ipod owners will transfer their personal music catalogues onto the handset via a connecting cable or Wifi.

By contrast, with MusicStation and the Sony Ericsson W960, the tracks can be downloaded over the air via a 2.5G or 3G connexion.(With MusicStaion the data charges are included in monthly fee)

Isn't it nice to know that the eagerly awaited iPhone has contenders and contenders to suit varying budgets? This only spells good news for consumers, as these companies battle it out for your custom. This can only result in better deals on the market.

There are a few drawbacks to MusicStation.

Users cannot move their existing music collection from CD over to MusicStation

If they stop paying every week their music collection vanishes.

Anyone cancelling their subscription can store their music collection and play lists on the network and return to them some other time, but all tracks downloaded onto a phone will be locked

So there you have it. I hope I have erradicated your impatience on the release of the iPhone! Not to deter you from buying one, simply to erradicate the hype and ensure your next purchase meets your needs and budget.

Mary Aldoseri runs several websites and blogs in the telecoms industry. For great hints and tips and to keep updated visit