Here’s a rundown of the most popular phones in September of 2008. We have RCR Wireless to thank for the round-up. Enjoy!

#1 Blackberry Curve

Enjoying the number one spot is RIM’s Blackberry Curve. Available from all major US providers, it’s no surprise this smooth, rounded superphone is topping the list. The Curve comes in a variety of colors (titanium, silver, red, black, gold, and my personal favorite - pink) and has full internet and email capabilities. With a powerful camera and versatile mini-USB charger, the Curve is quite the universally friendly phone.

#2 Apple iPhone

The much-hyped newest 3G edition from Apple comes in 2nd - a pretty impressive feat considering their exclusive deal with AT&T and the expensive, mandatory data plan that comes along with it. Another hurdle the iPhone overcame is the flurry of problems when it first arrived. It looks like the Mac followers are a loyal, and as it turns out, expansive group.

#3 LG Dare

The LG Dare is Verizon’s answer to the iPhone, and the debut appears to have been a success. Occupying 7.9% of all cell phone purchases in September, the Dare kept touch-screen-wanting CDMA owners happy. In a slightly boxier housing than the iPhone, the Verizon utilized good advertising and a lack of alternatives to push the Dare into the number three spot.

 #4 Blackberry Pearl

A smaller version of the Curve, RIM’s other ultra-popular, found-at-all-carriers cell phone, the Pearl, made the cut as well. Without a full QWERTY keyboard, but with a smaller, easier-to-tote package, as well as a smaller pricetag, the 8100 series of phones has found a nice niche with the new-to-smartphone demographic.

#5 LG Voyager

Rounding out the top 5 is the LG Voyager. The 2nd LG to make the cut, the Voyager utilizes a full touchscreen AND a full tactile QWERTY keyboard when you open it up. At the end of the day, Verizon Wireless seems to be the big winner, as it offers 4 of the 5 top cell phones we see here.

 Read the whole story here at RCR Wireless!

Are you interested in Bluetooth but concerned it will cost you an arm and a leg to go hands-free? Worry no more - inexpensive headsets that get the job done are here! If you are not working in a construction zone and are seldom in the company of a crying baby while you converse on your Bluetooth headset, you might not need the impressive noise-cancellation technology offered by the higher-end models such as the Jawbone 2, BlueAnt V1, and Plantronics Discovery 925. While these headsets are more than worth the money, if you intend to use your Bluetooth only in the car with the windows up, or when you are alone in your home, you may be equally satisfied with a more economical headset.

Jabra BT2020 - $49.99

The Jabra BT2020 offers a unique shape for a Bluetooth headset. With the technology wrapped right around your ear, this headset is easily hidden by hair or a hat and is much less conspicuous than the headsets that extend towards your mouth. For those that worry about the headset falling off, the snug fit provided by the Jabra JB2020’s shape ensures your headset will stay right where it’s meant to be. With its behind-the-ear style and up to 8 hours of talk time and 360 hours of standby time, this headset is perfect for a consumer looking for a Bluetooth headset to wear all day.

LG HBM730 - $59.99

The style and lightweight, comfortable feel of this mid-range headset are impressive and allow the LG HBM-730 to compete with products beyond its price range. The LG HBM730 also measures up with higher-end models with its EZ Pair technology, and some noise and echo suppression characteristics as well. The rotating earloop allows you to choose to wear the headset on either your left or right without having to carry around extra earloops or worry about changing parts.

Bluetrek Mini Bluetooth Headset-$59.99

With up to 7 hours of talk time and up to 10 days of standby, this headset is a dream for a customer without the ability to charge up frequently. The Ergobud allows for loop-free use, which you will appreciate doubly if you wear glasses, and the multi-functional buttons on the Bluetrek Mini provide easy operation when your handset is out of reach.

Argard M11 - $79.99

This brand new headset is one of the smallest on the market. At only 10.5 grams, Argard succeeds in producing high-quality, low-weight headsets once again. The M11’s predecessor, the Argard M10 is a tiny bolt-like headset that sticks in your ear without an earloop and is smaller than a quarter. Both the M10 and the M11 work sans earloop for added comfort and have state of the art energy-saving technology to stretch the battery life of these tiny devices. With over 3 hours of talk time and 100 hours of standby for the Argard M10 and 5.5 hours of talk time and 170 hours of standby for the Argard M11, the comfort and small size comes without any sacrifice of usability.

While these headsets offer functionality at a low price, they might not satisfy everyone. The Jawbone 2 and Plantronics Discovery 925 offer unparalleled style in addition to state-of-the-art technology, not to mention a variety of colors. Depending on your needs, it’s important to find the right Bluetooth option for you -and Gammoth can help! Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll help pair your lifestyle with the perfect Bluetooth solution, at any price level.

We’re all looking for a device that can pack as much function into one package as possible, as is evident with the smartphone boom and emphasized by increasingly productive cell phones such as the upcoming iPhone 2.0 and the Blackberry Bold. Enter the LG Decoy, who has taken the notion of a multi-tasking cell phone in a new direction. With a Bluetooth headset tucked right into the back of the handset, that you can remove and use whenever you like, and then return to its handy hiding spot when you would rather do things the old-fashioned way, LG has made a statement. 

Doing Double Duty

A sleek slider phone barely larger than the LG Chocolate VX8550, the Decoy has a stylish with a shiny mirror front and a unique royal blue back plate. Complete with a 2MP Camera & Camcorder, EV-DO, a music player, 1000-entry contact list and VCast support, this is a great phone even without the integrated headset. But the included Bluetooth headset is more than just a cherry on top of this already great product - it sets it apart completely from any competition. The first phone to bring this idea to fruition is enjoying its spot as the only handset/Bluetooth headset combination on the market today.

Specifications  

Network:

• CDMA Dual Band (800/1900 MHz)
• CDMA2000 1xRTT/1xEV-DO rev.0
• 3G Capabilities

Size:

• TBD

Battery:

• Li-Ion

Display:

• 240 by 320 pixels
• 262 144 colors, TFT

Digital Camera:

• 2.0 megapixels Resolution
• Includes Digital Camcorder (Video)
• Self-Timer, Mirror

Multimedia:

• Supports Video Playback
• Supports MP3 audio files

Connectivity:

• WAP 2.0
• Micro USB
• Bluetooth Enabled (duh!)
• Headset Audio Jack (2.5mm)

Other:

• Caller groups supported, 1000-names capacity, Multiple Numbers Per Contact, Picture ID, Ring ID
• Alarm, Calendar, Calculator, Stopwatch, Notepad
• Dialing, Recording, Speaker Phone
• Supports Brew
• Supports Email
• Supports GPS

The Bottom Line

The obvious concern here is whether an integrated product like this will perform well in both areas. Has LG delivered 2 great products in one organized package? Or are we sacrificing quality for convenience? According to a few well-written reviews, including CNet’s, LG pulled it off. Both the handset and the headset deliver clear sound and good service, along with impressive battery life for both sub-products. For a consumer looking for both a new phone and Bluetooth headset, this is a great option for its compact shape, unique storage & charging options (the Bluetooth headset can charge in the handset) - and the organization of the whole package can’t be beat.