Mobile phones are experiencing their second major evolution. Its not one of form factor, but of functionality.

For the most part, mobile phones are used for voice communication. SMS text messaging is fairly popular of course, but our current GSM and CDMA networks cant support more data intensive services. So, if you wanted to browse the Web (with colour and graphics), check your email or transfer files, you couldnt without a fundamental change in network infrastructure. Enter GPRS.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a new mobile network that allows much faster data transfers, which opens up a host of new mobile data services. You can already subscribe to GPRS via Telstra and Vodafone, and the network itself should have coverage similar to GSM once its fully rolled-out.

Because GPRS encapsulates data into packets, it is able to transfer information faster than conventional Circuit Switched Data networks. Although GPRS has a theoretical maximum transfer rate of 171K, in reality this is closer to that of a landline 56K modem probably less in most cases. However, compared to GSMs paltry 9.6K data transfer rate, this is certainly good news for people who are currently browsing the Net via WAP over GSM. Also, GPRS is always on you dont have to dial-up each time you want access and youre only charged for what you download, not how long youre online.

In order to use the GPRS network youll need a phone that supports it. Sony and Ericsson have joined forces to make phones suited to GPRS, but theyll also work on conventional GSM networks as well. Two models, the T65 and T68, both support GPRS and a number of other features.

The T65s main feature is GPRS support. Theres a handy blue button dedicated to one-touch Internet access, which is a quick way to access WAP. Also supported is EMS (Enhanced Message Service), similar to SMS except you can also attach music and picture files to you messages. The fun doesnt stop there you can also associate pictures to people in your phone list so the picture pops up whenever they call.

I like the shape of the T65 it doesnt have an aerial and its not much bigger than a Nokia 8210. Also, the screen is quite large and ideal for viewing WAP, email and long text messages. Finally, its made of a heavy, non-painted plastic so it shouldnt crack or scratch too easily. My big gripe with this phone is that the buttons are too small and close together: I feel uncoordinated when I try to dial or write a text message. But if you have small fingers, the T65s many features and WAP 1.2.1 support over GPRS and GSM make it a good choice.
Clad in gaudy gold painted plastic, Ericssons T68 is on the cutting edge of mobile technology. It has a colour screen, GPRS support and Bluetooth wireless networking. I initially thought that a colour screen was a bit much, but after you use the phone, send EMS messages, play the games, set your wallpaper and menu colours, it grows on you. Also, the icon-based menu system, in conjunction with the uni-directional joystick, is a pleasure to use.

As its a Bluetooth phone, you can use the T68 as an Internet gateway with other Bluetooth devices. Providing the T68 is in a ten meter radius of Bluetooth laptops and PDAs, you can access the Net at GPRS speeds through your phone meaning mobile Internet access at speeds practical for non-WAP Web browsing.

Both the T65 and T68 can synchronise with your Microsoft Outlook on your PC, meaning you can carry your contacts and calendar with you. The T68 has plenty of other features and will also be available in a more subdued and tasteful grey case.

Overall, there will be phones coming out from Nokia and others supporting colour screens, GPRS and Bluetooth. The T68 is a good example of this new direction and is great fun to play with. If youre an early adopter of technology, this phone is for you. Otherwise, its worth waiting a couple of months to see whats on offer from other mobile manufacturers.