Called My X-5 the new model displays eight lines with 256 colours.

The X-5 includes EMS which allows animations and images to be attached to text messages.

It is compliant with the latest M-Services specifications and features GPRS.

The NEC 515 uses the fold form design. NEC sees it as a high-end product with metallic casing and a weight of 100 grams. It has a 2.2-inch screen which can display 65000 colours. Designed to enhance icon-driven software the screen can accommodate up to 14 lines of text.

GPRS-compatible the handset has a tri-browser that can manage cHTML WML and xHTML Basic. Users will be able to download content from a special section of the NECmobile.com website.

The NEC 515 supports both EMS and multimedia messaging service (MMS) enabling users not only to send text messages ringtones and logos but also to integrate text melodies pictures sounds and animations.

NEC also showcased its high-end DB7000 which comes with a 256-colour graphic display that can accommodate up to 15 lines of text. The DB7000 comes with GPRS WAP and 16-channel harmony ringer.

Four one-touch buttons allow instant access to WAP SMS voicemail and memo. A link to the NEC website allows ringtones animations phone books etc to be created and downloaded onto the phone.

Polyphonic ringtones can be assigned to individuals or groups of people enabling instant identification. One of seven LED colours can also be assigned to signal the callers identity.

The Nokia 3410 also introduces personalised animated 3D screensavers. Users will be able to download screensavers via WAP from Club Nokia.

The Nokia 3510 has GPRS changeable covers polyphonic ringtones and five games as well as 15 preloaded MIDI ringtones and four MIDI alert tones in addition to traditional ringtone facilities.

The 7210 has a high-resolution colour display stereo FM radio MMS downloadable personal applications via Java technology and polyphonic ringtones. It will ship in the third quarter.

The 7210 is also the first Nokia phone with a Pop-Port interface connector which will appear on future Nokia phones. It supports advanced functions such as digital accessory identification stereo audio and fast data connectivity.

The 6310i offers tri-band connection Bluetooth and GPRS high-speed data. It also comes with a mobile wallet application which allows users to make online transactions via WAP. The security module Wireless Identity Module (WIM) enables users to digitally sign their transactions.

At CeBIT Nokia also announced a tie-in with Lucasfilm to bring Star Wars media to Club Nokia members around the cinema release of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.

Star Wars-themed mobile services will be available in Europe the Middle East and Africa offering interactive services and the ability for users to download Star Wars-related graphics such as phone logos caller group graphics picture messages and screensavers as well as standard and polyphonic ringtones MMS services and mobile games.

Star Wars-themed Nokia Xpress-on phone covers will also be available for selected phones including the 3410 3510 and 3300.

Also at CeBIT Nokia revealed a souped-up 9210 Communicator with enhanced Web browsing capability improved security faster data processing support for streaming and flash content.

The revised Nokia 9210i Communicator also has a full set of new applications and enlarged internal memory. The Flash Player is for the playback of Macromedia flash animations and a RealPlayer is for real-time video and audio streaming on HSCSD networks.

Shipments of the Nokia 9210i Communicator are expected to begin in Europe and Asia in the next few months.

The 9210i has an enhanced design with silver-coloured keys on the front.

An optional attachable GPS module accessory is available which plugs into the 9210i to turn it into a street-level address finder and route finder for various European cities.

It comes with GPRS Class 8 specification and the WAP 1.2.1 browser. The M50 will be available with either an amber or blue display.

The Calling Images feature allows digital pictures to be directly downloaded over WAP or sent via EMS to a mobile phone and attributed to a number in the phone book – always putting a face to a name.

The M50 will be available in the UK later in the year at a price to be confirmed.

Siemens also launched the S45i mobile phone the successor to the S45 with new features such as email client. It also announced a free GPRS upgrade for existing S45 and ME45 users.

Among Siemens futuristic concepts shown at CeBIT was a Pendant Phone with integrated digital camera and MP3 player which weighs less than 60 grams.

Cityphone managing director Barry Donaghey confirmed Cornhill had gone.

Graham was employed on a consultancy business. The immediate deal was to get the shops open again and the old management team in place and to get the business running as it had been. There were no promises from either side beyond that.

Cornhill says he plans to remain in retail but not necessarily in mobile phones.

Talk4all had a different retail culture to what I believe in he told Mobile News.

There was no falling out. I helped with the integration of the former WAP stores in to Talk 4 All. Once that was achieved I had served my purpose.

I wish them every success but I can see them having a rough ride ahead. There is no future for independent retailers. The market is all being controlled by networks.

Any independent has to think about the future because the networks want to move away from independent dealers.

Networks are all strapped for cash. They think they can upgrade customers themselves. They are closing doors to prevent the same old business being passed around. I will remain in retail because that is what I am good at. But Im questioning as to whether it will be mobile phone retail.

TRS recently won the Repair and Service category in the recent Mobile News Awards. TRS repairs around 50000 phones a month and claims to be one of the leading mobile phone repair companies in Europe. The company has grown from a workforce of four in 1994 to almost 300 today.

He left just weeks after an 8 million investment by a UK private investment group saw the arrival of new chief executive officer Paolo Fidanza.

Fidanza said: Paul has made a significant contribution to Vanguards success and he makes this move with our fullest support.

As part of the changes Vanguard sales director Ian Heritage becomes business development director.

Vodafone customers in 12 countries including Belgium France Germany Greece Ireland Italy The Netherlands Portugal Spain

Sweden Switzerland and the UK will be able to access services such as corporate email intranet and personalised information on their phones laptops or PDAs over GPRS.

Vodafone intends to expand GPRS roaming to cover other networks including all remaining

European Vodafone operators and partner networks by the end of the year.

There is no requirement for customers to input additional service access codes to use its services.

Vodafone customers will be billed on a volume basis for accessing their data services over GPRS while roaming in Europe (see Webwatch P50).

PDA manufacturer Handspring has started its first European marketing campaign for its Treo combined GSM phone and handheld computer. A trio of promotion girls (pictured) will demonstrate the Treo at major

London railway stations.

Customers pick the new handset they want and call 17298 from their existing Vodafone pre-pay mobile to transfer their old number to the new SIM card and handset.

When changing their phone customers will also receive an upgraded SIM card that allows access to all the latest services.

If customers take their mobile phone overseas the updated SIM means it will automatically log on to the local Vodafone network so that features like voicemail work as they do in the UK.

Customers can choose from a range of handsets including the Sony J6 Siemens C45 Nokia 8210 and Samsung A300.

Vodafone is also giving people who upgrade their pre-pay phones and remain on the Vodafone network a 20 loyalty credit.