Top mobile devices of 2005

In mobile computing, we saw fast and flashy Ferarris, found that tablets had become easier to swallow, and PDAs became spacially aware with inbuilt GPS receivers.

Mobile telephony was characterised by heightened convergence, the return of the "brick" (albeit a 3G-enabled brick), and a blurring of the distinction between phone and PDA. Slider and clamshell designs continued to make inroads in the Australian market, which seems to have finally accepted that a candybar-shaped mobile isn't the only way to go.

We take a look back at the mobile devices that defined 2005 and offer our picks. The 10 products were chosen based on innovative design, superior performance, or because they offer a killer feature or two that sets them apart from the pack.

All Stars 2005

Sony Ericsson K750i Read review	We can barely fault the 2-megapixel K750i from Sony Ericsson, which is a very compelling and easy-to-use handset for mobile users looking to upgrade.
O2 Xda Atom Read review	The Xda Atom has Wi-Fi, a 2-megapixel camera and runs on Windows Mobile 5.0, yet shares the same dimensions as the Xda II Mini.
Samsung D600 Read review	Samsung's D600 builds on the success of the D500, voted the best phone of 2005 by the GSM Association, by brightening up the screen, adding a 2-megapixel camera, a Transflash memory card slot for up to 512MB of storage and a TV output.
Sony Ericsson W800i Read review	The W800i has a funky, eye-catching design and a music-centric feature set that will appeal to a youthful, fun-loving audience.
Nokia N70 Read review	It might be the baby of Nokia's N Series, but the N70 still sports a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth and a 64MB reduced-size MMC.
Panasonic VS3 Read review	It has been a while since we've put a Panasonic mobile through its paces and we must say we are impressed with the overall performance of the VS3.
Samsung Z500 Read review	Samsung claims the Z500 is the world's most compact 3G phone. It uses TransFlash media cards and features a dual camera -- one-mexapixel for stills and VGA resolution for video calls.
Dell Inspiron 630m Read review	Dell's mid-range Inspiron 630m provides excellent value for money with a hearty system under its hood, a 14.1-inch widescreen display and the option of Windows Media Center.
LG LW70 Express Read review	LG's LW70 Express has a magnificant 17-inch widescreen display. High-end specs ensure smooth performance and its swag of DVD features and will leave couch potatoes drooling.
Apple PowerBook G4 Read review	The high-performance, fully loaded, simply beautiful 15-inch PowerBook G4 will satisfy students and creative professionals who can afford to sacrifice cash for style.