First Else: A smartphone game-changer?

A phone called the First Else, from the Israeli phone manufacturer Else, promises to be a breakthrough in the smartphone segment.

The first else comes with a one-click interface, a feature that the manufacturers say will get rid of the "pain" of the "Main Menu" syndrome, that typically requires multiple clicks to reach the desired target.

The phone puts the thumb in command with its one-thumb, one-sPlay interface.

EZ Keys on the First Else combines a full QWERTY keyboard with text prediction and correction service to speed up typing.

The smart sensor feature works intuitively without the need for activation or prompt. When the device is turned face down it turns the camera button into a sound recording button. When the phone is placed close to the face, the proximity sensors auto-lock the device to prevent any accidental key presses.

The QuiCorder feature, to record sound, automatically activates the camera button into a sound recording button when the phone is flipped over.

Gesture control lets users create shortcuts with their most common thumb movements.

One central database powers all the applications (contacts, e-mails, SMS, reminders, calls...) enabling the First Else to access all applications and their data regardless of the current in-use application.

The Call Log Plus feature includes access to automatic recordings of all voice mails and all voice calls from a single spot.

Contextual reminders relates the reminder with relevant task, media or data files. For example, a call from the boss at work will pop up any relevant task. It is also linked to the current location. If you happen to be passing by the supermarket, it will display any relevant task that the user might have stored.

First Else uses a unified message composer, irrespective of the protocol involved (SMS, MMS or e-mail).

If the user is unable to take a call, the SilenTalker feature allows users to check the urgency of the call and communicates back with the appropriate message.

The First Else has a built-in e-mail application that configures the mail server across mail platforms (Exchange, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail...).

First Else Live Paper is a digital newspaper that offers real-time information based on the user's personal interests and preferences.

The device allows internet access over 3G or Wi-Fi networks.

The Photo AlbuMaps geotags images so that users can view them in context of time and place. The images can also be stored on the private First Else website.

The phone comes with a 5 megapixel autofocus camera equipped with 3x optical and 7x digital zoom. The First Else can record video at 30 FPS and has an anti-shake feature.

The First Else is also a personal navigation device with a 3D graphic experience.

The device comes pre-integrated with a music store allowing users to access millions of tracks without login sessions.

The live search on First Else looks through the data-pool of all phone data and also the server bases to find answers to a user's query.

The First Else has an 854x480 pixel (FWVGA) screen.

The First Else mobile phone runs on Access Linux Platform 3.0 mobile OS and is expected to release in the second quarter of 2010.