Candy bar phones aren't new. In fact, they are so old school that Nokia's modern looking N78 can't even claim to be a retro redesign of an old school concept. The candy bar design has never died since its inception all those years ago. But with flip phones and sliders and smartphones all pushing mobile phone style forward in leaps and bounds, why would you still go with the good old candy bar?

Because it looks like the Nokia N78, that's why. As soon as you pull the phone out of the box you can't help but be impressed with the glossy black front and back. The back even has stylised lines running across it. It features a generous 2.4-inch display and seriously sexy buttons that just look like four straight lines running across the phone.

When you switch it on you will find an array of features, enough to almost make it a smartphone. As soon as you turn it on you will be taken to the home page that gives you easy access to SMS, your phone book, maps, the internet, Bluetooth, calendar and wireless network set ups. Navigating through the menus is done with the touch-sensitive navigation button in the middle, which Nokia call the 'Navi Wheel'. Although it is a standard button, it is also touch sensitive and allows you to scroll through menus by winding your thumb around it. Being that it is quicker to just use it as a standard button, you¹ll soon tire of the novelty.

Particularly interesting features of the N78 are the office applications, media menu and maps. To be able to use the QuickOffice application though, you will need to purchase a license. But when you do you can create spreadsheets, documents and presentations on the go. You can already read Adobe files using the N78.

The N78 is also a complete media device. By pressing the silver media key on the front of the phone you are immediately taken to the media menu. It gives you easy access to music, images, games, maps, the Internet and contacts.