@N-dj
I am sorry if my choice of words has caused you some confusion! This was not my intent. 
The concept of this project is to give people the opportunity to experience another mobile device, perhaps one they would normally steer clear of due to prejudice or a previous bad experience, or just out of curiosity.
The idea is to then pass on your experience with the phone to others. This could be in the form of a review as I mentioned, or a check list of abilities, perhaps a video or a song!
One of the phones I requested to look at was the N8. I am a keen amateur photographer, my intention would be to compare the N8's camera with my Olympus DSLR. I would take a series of pictures in different light conditions, use macro and take Video.
A lot of people use their phone as a mobile office. This could be the basis of a comparison. Can you copy and paste, is their document creation ability built in, this sort of thing.
What do you mainly use your phone for? Can this other device do it better or not at all. Is there sufficient help online? Were you able to set up email? Could you get help from the eForum?
What would you really want to know about a phone, before you sign to a long term contract?
The concept is:
There will be a list of phones. You will choose which phones you would like to get your hands on.Then you pitch your idea to Tom! If you meet the criteria, Level 4 Mentor, (at the moment). He would then decide who has the most interesting idea of what they want to do with the phone.
We wont all get the chance to try a phone. But we will know someone who has! This will encourage people to "Talk" to eForum members they may not usually come into contact with, also opening peoples eyes to perhaps different manufacturers, brands etc.
I hope this has cleared things up a bit?
TSD
Cheers tom that clears a lot up,
Most of us have some idea on the phones plus with youtube we get to see them before, Most of use are jealous of all the phone people going to lauches of new devices.
What happens after is people at the moment go made wanting to no when and were and how the phone will be avalable in the UK.
Some people simply can not waight for the phone to come out then when it does and does not live up to there expectations go nuts me personaly i wait and read reviews and experiances on the phone, but being able to try is better so that your happy when you get the phone. If you don't like the phone you just send it back, Now some will argue this is what the seven day cool off, well the seven day cool off i used and when you change your phone you don't get another so have a chance to road test one is a cool idea
Why not FOLLOW my Blog at www.tsd-dlp.blogspot.com
You can find out how I am getting on with the Nokia N8.
What do you think of the Photo's?
TSD. 
@N-dj
I think AnnS got a phone today!
I guess some people may choose to give their feedback after they have finished with the phone.
I have chosen to do a daily Blog!
There are no rules, just experience the phone and let others know about it in different ways!
I don't know what anyone else is doing?
TSD
Ok, I was given the opportunity to do this, and was given an LG Optimus 7 Windows Phone to try out.
On taking it out of the box I really liked the size and weight of the device, think it was a 3.8" screen which was fine (though when I went back to the SGS the 4" felt better to look at)
I felt that the screen colours were fine, and first of all when I asked the phone to do things, I liked the way that the pages moved about - but honestly after 1 day of this I was well fed up with that movement. I could not find any way to change that. So either fail for the device, or fail for me.
It was quite easy setting the device up, putting google account on. Easy enough to use. It has a marketplace and downloads were easy, all worked well.
No problems with calls and text, didnt try MMS as Vodafone do not incude that in my allowance. Camera was ok for me.
GPS seemed to place me correctly but I didn't wander about checking it - for me not a high priority
Battery - as I am used to the pretty rubbish battery life on my SGS I was quite taken with the battery life on this device, it did last long.
But I usually have easy access to a charger so the battery thing does not affect me as much as it might others.
I thought that the Microsoft Office app with the device was a very good option.
BUT........its not an Android.......................
You can't customise it, make it how you want it to be.
Its just a phone that can download apps.
I can change how my phone looks/operates on a daily basis if I want (and sometimes I do) - for me now that is essential in a smartphone, not possible on this one.
So to sum up it is a nice enough phone, but not one that would interest me.
.
Thank you for letting me try it out Vodafone.
Can I just say, and I apologise if this is out of place, but comparing these phones to the SGS or any other high end android phone/iPhone may be a bit unfair as these phones are high end, cutting edge technology. The phones in the loan program cant be compared to android unless they are android themselves. This is just my personal view and I'm just putting it out there. I'm looking forward to reading more reviews as this feature of the forum may help me decide what phone I upgrade to next year.
@Thibor,
I would like to give a different view...
To have a comparison you need a Bench Mark, for me, I would measure the quality and usability of any device against my current Phone, this would be my Galaxy S.
By using my current phone I am more readily able to point out the Pro's and Con's of other devices. This also works in reverse, as there may be features on other phones that are better engineered than that of the SGS!
The very nature of the Device Loan Programme is to point out the differences of all the available handsets. Thus giving members of the forum an insight to what is available and what to expect from those devices that have been "reviewed" by real people putting the phones through real world uses!
Personally I want to know what the differences between a High end phone and perhaps what a mid range phone would be!
With Tariffs being so long these days, I believe we the customers need as much information as possible.
Just the flip side...
Carn't comment as I'm not on the list but I didn't think we were comparing like for like just a review of the phone. Well I'm now responsible for three company's mobile needs. As off to day thanks to My mates company so I could of thrown a lot of Business Vodafones way and if I had the phones I could see if they fitted my clients needs Sales reps are a strange bunch to please. I was hoping for a separate section on here so I could read the reviews its ok looking at a phone but the day to day use is a must weather the people can get to grips with it out off the box.
beckiemj wrote:Hi I am an employee from phones 4u and have been a loyal Vodafone customer for 3 years. I am really interested in becoming a device loan user and reviewing new handsets. I would be great for this as I already have a great knowledge of handsets and can offer assistance which a lot of queries through the e forums. Beckiemj
Hi beckiemj,
Welcome to the eForum, 
In your work with P4U, you will have access to many different handsets, so I am sure you will be able to offer a lot of help to our many members!
This will be crucial in enabling you to reach Level 4 Mentor status, at which point you would become elligable to participate in the programme.
It's important to give and recieve Kudos, as well as Tag your posts and others!
So make yourself an active member, and many benefits will open up to you!
TSD
@nickheywood
It's great that so many new members are taking an interest in the Device Loan Programme.
To qualify to take part you need to have a Member Rank of "Mentor" Level 3 or above!
Don't worry, it won't take long to achieve this if you decide to become an Active Member of the Community.
You can increase your "Rank" by Posting your own Threads, or answering questions on other threads.
The giving and receiving of Kudos, is very important in the process of heightening your status.
Also Tagging posts is an excellent way to rise through the ranks!
But most of all, the more active a member you become the greater the rewards you will receive!
TSD
