For years, the layout of the T9 keypad has been a simple and easy to understand style. While, the Nokia X3 Touch and Type will not be changing any standards, it is certainly a fine point in any argument that variation and deviation can often result in slightly more advantageous situation. In this case, it seems as if the new layout of the keys has made typing a whole lot easier on this handset.

Small Changes, Big Differences

The one thing that users will be able to point out at first glance is the fact that the bottom row of keys has been moved into a fourth column for the handset. The positions have also been altered slightly, instead of the zero/space button being placed in the center row; it is located on the bottom right –which actually turns out to be a lot more intuitive a position than in the center.

In practice, it is easy to say that the Nokia Touch and Type handset is a device that is easy to get used to. Just type with it for a short while and it will seem as if this is how the keypads on all mobile phones should be. Of course, it also helps that the display is a touch screen that complements the controls of the keypad.

Resistive Touch

It is pretty understandable that the initial public reaction to resistive touch screen technology is one of mild dismay. After all, the convenience of capacitive technology is quite outstanding. But when one realizes that the display on both the Nokia X3 and Nokia C3 Touch and Type has been designed as a complementary input method as opposed to being a primary, one can see how the combination truly works in favor of the handset –and how redundant having a capacitive touch screen would have been.

While it may sound like some top secret plan to create super weapons, Project JAL is actually Orange Mobile’s new plan to develop an Android smart phone that carries their brand. Overall, the new handset design is not bad, it looks a lot like the ZTE Blade –for good reason too; apparently the phone will be manufactured by ZTE.

In terms of specs, the Project JAL: handset will definitely be a low end device. The most important factor is that the phone still sports very practical specs. If all you need to have is a decent smart phone that comes with all the basic features but is still friendly to the budget, then this is going to be a great start.

Of course, price is going to be the big determining factor here. And with estimates on the handset ranging from 100 to only 150 GBP, it is likely that this phone will get plenty of basic 2G users to shift up to 3G.

The screen is a nice big 3.5 inch OLED display –which is already quite big for this kind of handset. No QWERTY keyboard means that the virtual touch screen keyboard will be the main user interface and of course, the screen follows WGA standards (this means viewing content on landscape mode is going to be quite a familiar experience for existing smart phone users).

Other features will include GPS (expect location based apps and features), Bluetooth, WiFi, and of course, access to the Android Market and possibly, Orange’s own app store as well.

Switching over to Orange Mobile may not be such a great plan for some, but for those who want to try out something new and are having their current contracts expire in the next few months, this is a great smart phone and network to switch to.