2 Cell Phone Reivews

very reasonable $79 with service. DesignExcept for a color change, the Motorola Razr V3xx is no different from the original Razr V3. You get the same iconic profile that sparked the thin phone tsunami, but it still looks just as boxy when viewed straight on. At 4.05 inches long by 2.08 inches thick by 0.6 inch thick, and weighing 3.8 ounces, its slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessor, but the change is hardly noticeable in the phones ergonomics. It feels just the same when held in the hand and its slips just as easily into a pocket or bag. And of course, its just as difficult to feel the phone vibrate when its in your pocket. Like most of its siblings, the Razr V3xx is available in multiple color schemes. We reviewed the dark gray version but you can also find it in a flashy gold hue reminiscent of T-Mobiles gaudy Razr V3i Dolce & Gabbana. As the carrier is in the midst of a name change, the Razr V3xx has a Cingular logo on its rear face, while the AT&T globe shows up on the external display.Speaking of which, the external display is the same as on the Razr V3. Well say again thats its a tad small for the phones size (96 x 80 pixels) but the 64,000-color resolution is more than adequate for most uses. And in any case, its a big improvement over the V3s 4,000-color screen. The display also works as a viewfinder for the camera but its annoying that theres no dedicated button for activating the camera. Instead, you must open the phone, start the camera, and then close it again to snap vanity shots using the Motorola \"smart\" key. The camera lens sits just above the display, and once again theres no flash.A volume rocker sits on the left spine of the front flap just above the mini-USB slot and the aforementioned smart key. The latter control also locks the external buttons with you hold it down for a couple seconds. A voice recorder button sits on the right spine but it can be used only when the phone is open. The single speaker is located on the rear face of the phone just below the battery cover. While weve dinged previous Razrs because they put the microSD card slot behind the battery cover, were more willing to let it slide this time around. Though you have to remove the battery cover to change the card, you don't have to remove the battery itself as well. Were glad to see a 262,000-color internal display on the V3xx. Motorola has been inconsistent with its Razr displays--some models get 65,000-color screens while others get 262,000-color resolutions--and wed expect nothing less from an HSDPA phone. At 2.25 inches (320x240 pixels), its large, bright, and vibrant, and it displays everything from text to graphics well. Though it shows a few design tweaks, Motos dull menu system is the only distraction. We hope the company redesigns the interface soon, as its been looking long in the tooth for a couple years now. The navigation array just below the display is standard Razr. Like the later models in the series, the Razr V3xx has tiny raised ridges between the individual controls. Dialing by feel still takes some getting used to, but its an improvement over the completely flat controls on the Razr V3. Shortcut options abound. The navigation toggle doubles as a shortcut to four user-defined applications, and you can set the smart key as a shortcut to another chosen feature when the phone is open. In standby mode the left soft key opens a further shortcuts menu while the right soft key and the central OK button activate the main menu. While some users have complained that you cant change the settings on the soft keys, we don't really mind. Below the toggle are dedicated buttons for the Web browser and the Cingular Video application, a Clear button, and the Talk and End/power controls. On the whole its a spacious easy-to-use arrangement despite the lack of a dedicated speakerphone button. The keypad also shows no difference from other Razrs. The keys are flat with the surface of the phone but the numbers are rather large and lit by a bright backlighting. Tiny raised ridges separate the individual rows, but new Razr users should still give the phone a test drive first.FeaturesAs we said earlier, the Razr V3xx is more of an update to the Razr family rather than an entirely new phone altogether. The changes are all on the high-end features, so well get the basics out of the way first. The phone book holds 1,000 contacts with room in each entry for six phone numbers, three e-mail addresses, a Web address, three street addresses, a nickname, a birthday, and notes (the SIM card holds an additional 250 names). You can save contacts to groups and pair them with a photo and one of eight polyphonic ringtones or 14 monophonic tones. You also can use voice notes as ringtones but in all honestly, the selection of integrated sounds is disappointing for such a multimedia phone. Other essentials include a choice of vibrate modes, text and multimedia messaging, a voice recorder, a world clock, a calendar, and a calculator. Worker bees who arent quite ready for a smart phone should get some use out of the Razr V3xx. Inside youll find full Bluetooth with a stereo profile (yay!), PC syncing, USB storage support, PC modem capability, a speakerphone (minus a dedicated button), and e-mail and instant messaging for AOL, Windows, and Yahoo clients. Connecting to the instant messenger is relatively zippy, thanks to the HSDPA connection, but we still cant imagine having full conversations on an alphanumeric keypad. Voice dialing is onboard as well but we found it harder to use than many other phones. More often than not, it couldnt register the contact we were naming.As a 3.5G HSDPA phone, the Razr V3xx supports the full range of Cingular broadband multimedia applications. Cingular Video brings a satisfying range of streaming video clips from such channels as NBC, Comedy Central, ESPN, The Weather Channel, VH1, and CNN. Theres a special channel for kids as well, with programming from The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and The Cartoon Network. We have to admit, though, that we spent plenty of time on Muppets Mobile. Premium entertainment is offered from HBO Mobile and Music Choice for an extra charge. For a full analysis of the offerings see our Cingular Video review. MobiTV applications are integrated as well.If youre more interested in listening to tunes, the Razr V3xx also supports the Cingular Music application (the phone identifies it as \"AT&T Music,\" however). When it went live late last year, Cingular Music filled a hole in the carriers multimedia offerings by offering a central application for downloading tunes to the music player and accessing related music content. We like that Cingular uses partners rather than operating its stores, but at present you cant download music wirelessly. Theres also a Music ID application, support for streaming radio, and a community section. The music player interface is strictly utilitarian but it offers Shuffle and Repeat modes, spatial audio, and bass boost. The Opera Web browser is easy to use and offers a more pleasant interface than on other Cingular phones. And since it operates over the carriers HSDPA network, data speeds can fall in the 1.8Mbps with bursts at higher speeds possible. As well cover in the Performance section below, browsing was fast and efficient but the phones default security settings severely limit the usability of third-party applications. For instance, when using the mobile version of Google Maps, the browser asked us whether we wanted to proceed every time we requested data. Its quite frustrating, particularly since you cant change the settings. Like every other Razr, theres no flash with the camera.Though the Razr V3xxs 1.3-megaixel camera is an improvement over the Razr V3, we were hoping for a 2-megapixel shooter on such a media-centric handset. In all seriousness, as high-resolution camera phones proliferate, 1.3-megapixel models are becoming the new VGA. Were also disappointed that unlike the Razr V3x, Motos V3xx didnt include a second interior camera for future use with video calling. You can take pictures in four resolutions and choose from a variety of editing options, including three quality settings, an 8x zoom, six lighting conditions, a self timer, seven color effects, and three shutter sounds plus a silent option. The video recorder shoots clips with sound in three quality settings and a choice of similar editing options. Clips meant for multimedia messages are limited to 16 seconds; otherwise you can shoot for as long as the available memory permits. And while were on the subject, you get a healthy 60MB of shared internal memory but you can always use a microSD card slot (up to 2GB) for more space. Picture and video quality are improved over the Razr V3s, with distinct edges and colors. At times, however, the images are washed out, and since theres no flash, darker conditions arent ideal. Video quality is about average for a 1.3-megapixel camera phone.The Razr v3xx has decent photo quality.You can personalize the Razr V3xx with a variety of wallpaper, screensavers, color themes, and alert sounds. You can always get more choices from the carriers MediaNet application and the wireless Web browser. You can buy more ringtones as well, but sadly, you wont be able to use downloaded MP3 files for your calls. As for gaming, the Razr v3xx comes with demo versions of four Java (J2ME) tiles: EA Air Hockey, Midnight Pool, Platinum Sudoku, and Tetris. Youll have to buy the full versions for extended play.PerformanceWe tested the triband (GSM 850/1800/1900; HSDPA) Motorola Razr V3xx in San Francisco using Cingular service. Its disappointing that the phone is not fully quadband like the Razr V3. As such, it wont have as much coverage outside of the United States. Its a baffling change to say the least, and one that makes the phone significantly less consumer-friendly.Call quality was very decent with strong audio clarity and signal reception. Voices sounded natural and there was little static or interference. Even better, the volume level was much improved over previous Razr models. Low volume had been a recurring problem since the original V3. Callers said we sounded fine and didnt report any significant problems. Also, voice recognition systems (like when calling an airline) could understand us. Our only complaint was that voices sounded tinny from time to time. It wasnt a bother, but it was noticeable just the same. Sound quality also can diminish in noisy environments but it wasnt a deal breaker either. Speakerphone quality was loud enough, but not unexpectedly, voices sounded more muffled. On their end, callers had trouble hearing us over the speakerphone unless we spoke close to the phone. Lastly, Bluetooth calls were decent.Streaming video quality was quite sharp on the whole. There was very little pixelation, and videos suffered from almost no choppiness or color distortion. We did have to rebuffer a few times (mostly when inside interior rooms of a building), but it wasnt too bothersome. Sound quality was good as well and voices matched the speakers mouths. Music quality was serviceable but nothing special. There was a tinny quality at times, and wed prefer stereo speakers.Due to the strong HSDPA connection, we had a strong wireless Internet connection without any major hiccups. Individual Web pages loaded in an instant, while moving backward to cached pages was even faster. In all, its a satisfying experience that involves none of the usual waiting that comes with mobile Web browsing. Downloads were also painless--we were able to download a game in just 8 seconds. Just be warned that the strength of the HSDPA connection will waver outside of urban areas. The Razr V3xx has a rated battery life of three hours talk time and 12 days standby time. Three hours is quite low for a GSM phone, but 12 days is about average. We eked out a talk time of 3 hours, 30 minutes in our tests. According to FCC radiation tests, the Razr V3xx has a digital SAR rating of 1.21 watts per kilogram. ),
(810,Samsung SGH-T219 (Chocolate),Positives: The Samsung SGH-T219 is easy to use and comes with ample memory and a speakerphone. Negatives: The Samsung SGH-T219 has disappointing sound quality. Facts: Though its red color is definitely eye-catching, the Samsung SGH-T219 doesnt impress. Note: This product is part of the Samsung SGH-T219 series. ., Red has become a popular color for cell phones in the past couple of years, but on most crimson handsets the hue is restricted to the front face. Now Samsung takes the design trend a step further with the new Samsung SGH-T219 for T-Mobile. Rather than just show red on the outside, the SGH-T219 brings the color inside as well for a brilliantly colored keypad. The phone also comes in a chocolate (aka brown) version, but the red handset certainly is more exciting. The feature set on both models is quite simple--instant messaging support and a speakerphone are the main highlights--but the call quality didnt live up to expectations. You can get it for $19.99 with service.Design The Samsung SGH-T219 takes its basic design cue from Samsungs previous SGH-T619. Though it lacks a camera, the SGH-T219 has almost the same hinge design as the SGH-T619 and, except for the color change, the two handsets have near-identical profiles. The SGH-T219 also weighs the same (2.8 ounces) as its sibling, though its slightly smaller at 3.5 by 1.8 by 0.8 inches. The phone fits comfortably in our hands, but its overall construction didnt feel very sturdy and the hinge mechanism was a tad loose. This doesnt feel like a phone for an active user.The postage stamp external display sits in the center of the large black panel on the phones front face. Though its a bit small for the SGH-T219s size, it shows the date, time, battery life, signal strength, and caller ID (where available). As is the case with most low-tier phones, it has a monochrome resolution--but thats hardly an issue since the handset doesnt have a camera. You can change the contrast, but the backlighting time and font size arent customizable. Users with vision impairments should take a close look before buying, as the display becomes very dim when the backlighting is off. Other exterior features are limited to a volume rocker and combination headset jack and charger port on the left spine. The 1.75-inch (160x128 pixels) internal display is serviceable, but it wont knock your socks off. The 65,000-color resolution is about what wed expect of this caliber of phone; the user-friendly menu interface looks fine, but games and graphics arent very sharp. You can change the brightness, the backlighting time, the background color, and the font size and style. Just below the display is the spacious navigation array. Though the circular toggle is very un-Samsung--the company usually goes with a square toggle--its easy to use and we like that it has some texture. An OK button sits inside the toggle, but its annoying that it wont open the menu when the phone is in standby mode. Two soft keys, a clear control, and the Talk and End power buttons surround the toggle, which also functions as a shortcut to the call list, the voice recorder, the contacts list, and the text message menu. The Samsung SGHT219 has an eye-catching red keypad. As previously mentioned, the SGH-T219s keypad is entirely red. On the whole, its a nice change from black and silver. The individual keys have only a slight tactile feel, but theyre lit by bright backlighting and the numbers on the keys are rather large. Fast text messengers may want to give it a test drive, though, as the keys can be difficult to use by feel. FeaturesThe Samsung SGH-T219 has a basic feature set that will appeal to users who just want to make calls. The phone book holds 1,000 contacts with room in each entry for five phone numbers, an e-mail address, and notes (the SIM card holds an additional 250 names). You can save contacts to groups or pair them with one of 10 polyphonic ringtones. The phone supports photo caller ID as well, but since theres no camera, youll need to receive photos of your friends in a multimedia message. And in any case, the photos wont show on the external display. Other basics include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, a one-minute voice recorder, an alarm clock, a calendar, a task list, a calculator, a world clock, a unit converter, a stopwatch, and a timer. And to prove that LG doesnt have a monopoly on the nifty application, Samsung is beginning to include a tip calculator in its phones as well. Instant messaging for AOL, ICQ, Windows Live, and Yahoo clients is here too, while a speakerphone rounds out the offerings. Unfortunately, theres no dedicated speakerphone button. You can personalize the SGH-T219 with a variety of wallpaper, color schemes, and alert sounds. If youre bored with the variety on the phone you can download more options with the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. Gamers only get demo versions of five titles (Forgotten Warrior, Freekick, Arch Angel, Lumines Block Challenge, and Midnight Pool), so youll need to buy the full versions for extended play. The SGH-T219 has a hefty 22MB of shared space for all downloads. Performance We tested the triband (GSM 850/1800/1900) Samsung SGH-T219 in San Francisco using T-Mobile service. Unfortunately, sound quality wasnt quite up to par. Though the volume level was fine, voices had a muffled effect that came and went during conversations. At times, our friends sounded natural and clear, but at other times it was difficult to understand them fully. Callers didnt report any big problems on their end, but on the whole our experience wasnt the greatest. Speakerphone calls were about the same, but the speaker on the front flap did allow for plenty of volume. For a better T-Mobile basic phone, try the Motorola V195 or the Nokia 6030. The Samsung SGH-T219 has a rated battery life of six hours talk time and almost nine days standby time. We only got five hours of talk time in our tests. According to FCC radiation tests, the Samsung SGH-T219 has a digital SAR rating of 1.28 watts per kilogram. ),
(811,Samsung SGH-T219 (Red),Positives: The Samsung SGH-T219 is easy to use and comes with ample memory and a speakerphone. Negatives: The Samsung SGH-T219 has disappointing sound quality. Facts: Though its red color is definitely eye-catching, the Samsung SGH-T219 doesnt impress. Note: This product is part of the Samsung SGH-T219 series. ., Red has become a popular color for cell phones in the past couple of years, but on most crimson handsets the hue is restricted to the front face. Now Samsung takes the design trend a step further with the new Samsung SGH-T219 for T-Mobile. Rather than just show red on the outside, the SGH-T219 brings the color inside as well for a brilliantly colored keypad. The phone also comes in a chocolate (aka brown) version, but the red handset certainly is more exciting. The feature set on both models is quite simple--instant messaging support and a speakerphone are the main highlights--but the call quality didnt live up to expectations. You can get it for $19.99 with service.Design The Samsung SGH-T219 takes its basic design cue from Samsungs previous SGH-T619. Though it lacks a camera, the SGH-T219 has almost the same hinge design as the SGH-T619 and, except for the color change, the two handsets have near-identical profiles. The SGH-T219 also weighs the same (2.8 ounces) as its sibling, though its slightly smaller at 3.5 by 1.8 by 0.8 inches. The phone fits comfortably in our hands, but its overall construction didnt feel very sturdy and the hinge mechanism was a tad loose. This doesnt feel like a phone for an active user.The postage stamp external display sits in the center of the large black panel on the phones front face. Though its a bit small for the SGH-T219s size, it shows the date, time, battery life, signal strength, and caller ID (where available). As is the case with most low-tier phones, it has a monochrome resolution--but thats hardly an issue since the handset doesnt have a camera. You can change the contrast, but the backlighting time and font size arent customizable. Users with vision impairments should take a close look before buying, as the display becomes very dim when the backlighting is off. Other exterior features are limited to a volume rocker and combination headset jack and charger port on the left spine. The 1.75-inch (160x128 pixels) internal display is serviceable, but it wont knock your socks off. The 65,000-color resolution is about what wed expect of this caliber of phone; the user-friendly menu interface looks fine, but games and graphics arent very sharp. You can change the brightness, the backlighting time, the background color, and the font size and style. Just below the display is the spacious navigation array. Though the circular toggle is very un-Samsung--the company usually goes with a square toggle--its easy to use and we like that it has some texture. An OK button sits inside the toggle, but its annoying that it wont open the menu when the phone is in standby mode. Two soft keys, a clear control, and the Talk and End power buttons surround the toggle, which also functions as a shortcut to the call list, the voice recorder, the contacts list, and the text message menu. The Samsung SGHT219 has an eye-catching red keypad. As previously mentioned, the SGH-T219s keypad is entirely red. On the whole, its a nice change from black and silver. The individual keys have only a slight tactile feel, but theyre lit by bright backlighting and the numbers on the keys are rather large. Fast text messengers may want to give it a test drive, though, as the keys can be difficult to use by feel. FeaturesThe Samsung SGH-T219 has a basic feature set that will appeal to users who just want to make calls. The phone book holds 1,000 contacts with room in each entry for five phone numbers, an e-mail address, and notes (the SIM card holds an additional 250 names). You can save contacts to groups or pair them with one of 10 polyphonic ringtones. The phone supports photo caller ID as well, but since theres no camera, youll need to receive photos of your friends in a multimedia message. And in any case, the photos wont show on the external display. Other basics include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, a one-minute voice recorder, an alarm clock, a calendar, a task list, a calculator, a world clock, a unit converter, a stopwatch, and a timer. And to prove that LG doesnt have a monopoly on the nifty application, Samsung is beginning to include a tip calculator in its phones as well. Instant messaging for AOL, ICQ, Windows Live, and Yahoo clients is here too, while a speakerphone rounds out the offerings. Unfortunately, theres no dedicated speakerphone button. You can personalize the SGH-T219 with a variety of wallpaper, color schemes, and alert sounds. If youre bored with the variety on the phone you can download more options with the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. Gamers only get demo versions of five titles (Forgotten Warrior, Freekick, Arch Angel, Lumines Block Challenge, and Midnight Pool), so youll need to buy the full versions for extended play. The SGH-T219 has a hefty 22MB of shared space for all downloads. Performance We tested the triband (GSM 850/1800/1900) Samsung SGH-T219 in San Francisco using T-Mobile service. Unfortunately, sound quality wasnt quite up to par. Though the volume level was fine, voices had a muffled effect that came and went during conversations. At times, our friends sounded natural and clear, but at other times it was difficult to understand them fully. Callers didnt report any big problems on their end, but on the whole our experience wasnt the greatest. Speakerphone calls were about the same, but the speaker on the front flap did allow for plenty of volume. For a better T-Mobile basic phone, try the Motorola V195 or the Nokia 6030. The Samsung SGH-T219 has a rated battery life of six hours talk time and almost nine days standby time. We only got five hours of talk time in our tests. According to FCC radiation tests, the Samsung SGH-T219 has a digital SAR rating of 1.28 watts per kilogram. ),
(812,I-mate Jaq3,Positives: The I-mate Jaq3 sports a sleeker design and adds a 2-megapixel camera and integrated Wi-Fi. The Windows Mobile 5 smart phone also has integrated Bluetooth, push e-mail capabilities, and the I-mate Suite, which provides extra productivity and security utilities to the business user. Negatives: The Jaq3s performance is sluggish and call quality was poor. Video playback was choppy, and theres no 3G support. Facts: While the I-mate Jaq3 offers a number of improvements over its predecessor, this Windows Mobile smart phone falls way short of the competition with poor performance. , I-mates last smart phone, the I-mate Jaq, was...well, lets just say wed put it in the \"What were they thinking?\" category. It was bulky, slow--pretty much everything you wouldnt want in your smart phone. Fortunately, it looks like the company may have learned a lesson or two as the I-mate Jaq3 is quite an improvement over the Jaq, but its still no standout. The Jaq3 answers some of the problems we had with the Jaq; its sleeker and adds a 2-megapixel camera and Wi-Fi. I-mate also includes its own suite of productivity and security apps to help the mobile professional. However, all this wasnt enough to win us over. The device still has poor call quality, and performance is extremely sluggish. Also, its a little late to get to the market, as Windows Mobile 6 was just announced and I-mate even introduced the Jaq4. We cant really find any reason to justify shelling out $599 for an unlocked version of the I-mate Jaq3 when you can get a better performing smart phone, such as the Cingular 8525 or the T-Mobile Dash for less.DesignMuch to our relief, the I-mate Jaq3 looks nothing like its bulky, plasticky predecessor, but that doesnt mean were in love with the design either. At 4.9x2.6x0.5 inches and 5.6 ounces, the Jaq3 is definitely sleeker and sexier with its black casing. In fact, it pretty much looks like all the other slim, black QWERTY smart phones in the market today--the Samsung BlackJack, the Motorola Q, or the RIM BlackBerry 8800, take your pick. Like the rest of these devices, the Jaq3 is on the wider side, so holding it up to your ear as a phone will take some getting used to if youre new to this type of handset. To make things a bit easier, the Jaq3 features a soft-touch finish to give the exterior a rubber-like texture and make it easier to grip.There is a 2.4-inch diagonal, 65,000-color display on front thats just a shy smaller than the BlackBerry 8800s and the Moto Qs. Were a bit disappointed that Invertec (the devices manufacturer) didnt make the screen larger, given that it looks like there was room to do so with the extra space below the display and QWERTY keyboard. That said, the I-mate Jaq3 certainly trumps the aforementioned smart phones since it is a touch screen. Its quite responsive, and text and images looked sharp thanks to 320x240 pixel resolution. We found the I-mate Jaq3s navigation controls and QWERTY keyboard roomy and easy to use. Aside from the touch screen, you also can operate the Jaq3 with the controls beneath the display. The navigation array consists of a start button, two soft keys, talk and end buttons, an OK key, shortcuts to your messages and Internet Explorer Mobile, and a four-way toggle with a center select button. The controls are large and easy to press, and they made it possible to navigate most of the device without having to use the touch screen. The full QWERTY keyboard is excellent; fair warning to e-mail and text-messaging fanatics, you could easily get carried away with this thing. The keyboard features bubbly, tactile buttons with adequate spacing between them so mistakes should be kept to a minimum. The backlighting also is bright enough for typing in darker environments. On the left spine, there is a scroll wheel (which you can depress to select an item), a Today screen key, and a camera activation button, while a 2.5mm headset jack, a mini USB port, and the power button are on the right side. We found the last one to be set a bit too far beneath the phones surface, so you have to have some nails to access it. We experienced a similar problem with the microSD slot on top of the Jaq3, as inserting and ejecting the card needs some nimble handiwork. Finally, you will find the camera lens on back of the unit as well as the stylus holder on the bottom left. Theres a microSD slot on top of the device, but good luck trying to get the memory card in or out of the phone. I-mate packages the Jaq3 with an AC adapter, a USB cable, a wired headset, a leather belt holster, and reference material. FeaturesThe I-mate Jaq3 offers a number of improvements over the Jaq as well as some proprietary apps to differentiate it from other Windows Mobile Pocket PC phones. First, as we noted in the beginning, the Jaq3 runs Windows Mobile 5 (Pocket PC Phone Edition) and not the latest Windows Mobile 6, so youll miss out on some of the cool enhancements like e-mail search and the new Calendar ribbon. You do get the full Office Mobile Suite, including Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and a PowerPoint viewer. ClearVue PDF is onboard if you need to view PDFs. Outlook Mobile comes with the Jaq3 as part of the Office Mobile Suite and supports Microsofts Direct Push technology for real-time e-mail delivery. I-mate includes its own e-mail client, which you can set up via the phones Club I-mate e-mail app. Instant, text, and multimedia messaging are all supported.In addition to these apps, the Jaq3 also ships with the I-mate Suite, which provides productivity and security tools to the business user and a solution that allows IT professionals to manage the device. There are three apps in total: I-mate 1-View for remote access to your desktop or network; I-mate Backup for remotely backing up data and; I-mate Control so your companys IT department can remotely configure or troubleshoot the Jaq3. There are a couple of other extra utilities and PIM tools, such as an eTrust Antivirus app, a calculator, a voice recorder, and a download agent.The I-mate Jaq3 is a quad-band phone so globe-trotting execs will be able to use the mobile overseas. The address book is limited only by the available memory (the SIM card holds an additional 250 contacts) and is quite robust. You can store up to 11 numbers for a single entry as well as home and work addresses, e-mail, IM screen name, birthday, and spouses name. For caller ID purposes, you can pair a contact with a photo, a caller group, or one of eight polyphonic ringtones. You also get a vibrate mode, a speakerphone, conference calling, voice dialing, and a SIM manager. The wireless options are improved on the Jaq3, namely it now has integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g). The Wireless Manager immediately found our test access point, and we were able to connect and start surfing the Web in seconds. Bluetooth 1.2 is still onboard with support for a number of profiles, including A2DP for stereo Bluetooth headsets, hands-free kits, object exchange, and dial-up networking (DUN) so you can use the Jaq3 as a modem for your laptop. There also is an Internet Sharing utility in the Programs menu that can help you set up the device for DUN capabilities, either via USB or Bluetooth. Unfortunately, theres no support for 3G, though it does operate on EDGE networks. Even with a 2-megapixel lens, the photo quality wasnt great. The final enhancement is the addition of a 2-megapixel camera with video-recording capabilities and a 4x zoom. Theres no flash, but there are brightness settings and a choice of five environment settings (auto, daylight, fluorescent, tungsten, or night). Other editing options include different effects, three quality settings, and seven resolutions. However, videos only have one resolution option, but you can set the recording length to 15 or 30 minutes or to the limit of available memory. Onboard memory is limited at about 60MB for user storage, so save these types of files onto a microSD card. Photo quality was disappointing as images looked slightly blurred and the colors were dull.PerformanceWe tested the quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900; GPRS/EDGE) I-mate Jaq3 in San Francisco using Cingular service, and call quality was pretty poor. There was a noticeable hiss as we were talking to our friends, so much so it was quite distracting, and our callers said we sounded crackly and muddled--not good. Activating the speakerphone actually helped clear things up on the other end as friends said the audio was better, but we thought they sounded far away and had a hard time hearing them. The one bright note is we had no problems pairing the phone with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset.General performance was subpar. The smart phone is powered by a 200MHz processor and theres only about 20MB free to run programs, so when we had numerous applications open, the device slowed to crawl. Also, the screen froze on us several times, and we had to power the handset off then on again to get back on track. Web browsing on the Jaq3 was fairly quick with EDGE speeds, though we would much prefer 3G. Multimedia performance also was pretty bad. Songs played through the phones speakers sounded weak and lacked bass; however, plugging in the included headset definitely improved the situation and could stand in for your MP3 player if youre in a pinch. Video playback was choppy, and the audio and video rarely synced up. The I-mate Jaq3s battery is rated for 4 hours of talk time and up to 6 days of standby time. In our tests, we were able to get 4.5 hours of talk time on a single charge. ),
(813,Nokia 7390,Positives: The Nokia 7390 has a stylish, user-friendly design with attractive displays, a full range of features, and reliable sound quality. Negatives: The Nokia 7390 supports only European 3G networks. Also, the volume level is a tad low and the camera lens is in a poor location. Facts: The Nokia 7390 is a lovely cell phone with a generous feature set and solid performance. Its not optimized for U.S. cellular networks, but its impressive just the same. , You can usually count on two qualities in Nokia cell phones: good audio quality and unique design touches. Sure, the company misses a couple beats here and there, but the reliability of Finnish handsets like the Nokia 7390 is well-known in the cell phone world. As part of Nokias LAmour design collection, this phone definitely meets the unique design criteria, but unlike its LAmour sibling the Nokia 7380, the 7390 doesnt go out on a limb to do so. And yes, it also fits the first criteria while offering a solid set of features. Its not offered by a U.S. carrier but you can get it unlocked in the States for about $350.DesignWhile the Nokia 7380 tackled a wholly unconventional cell phone form factor and the Nokia 7370 (also a LAmour model) brought the swivel design to Nokia, the 7390 is a traditional flip phone. Granted, Nokias flip-phone gallery is still outweighed by its candy bar selection, but the 7390 succeeds in what it sets out to do. Available in two distinctive color schemes--powder pink and bronze black (we looked at the latter model)--the 7390 is without a doubt an eye-catching and stylish phone. Despite being a bit boxy, the bronze faceplate contrasts nicely with the phones overall dark color and we liked the swirled patterns etched into the front face. The leather-like square on the rear of phone is a nice touch too, but we continue to be divided on the little fabric tag that adorns all LAmour models. Some think that its cool, while others think that its just unnecessary.The lovely looks do come at a slight cost. At 3.5 inches long by 1.8 inches wide by 0.7 inch thick, the 7390 is a tad large as far as flip phones go, and its 4.0 ounces of weight is more than we expected. It still slips easy into a pocket and its comfortable to hold in the hand, but the rear flap is a tad weighty. On the upside, the 7390 has a sturdy construction.The front face is dominated by a 1.25-inch (160x128 pixels) external display that shows a solid 262,000 colors. As external displays go, its quite bright and vibrant and a big step up from other Nokia models. It shows the date, time, battery life, signal strength, and photo caller ID, and it functions as a viewfinder for taking pictures when the phone is closed. Yet because the camera lens is in the rear face, you cant use the external display to take self-portraits. You can choose a wallpaper selection but no other options are customizable.The 7390 has external controls that sit just below the attractive external display.We like that the display also lets you browse through a few menu functions when the phone is closed. Below the display are three small buttons that serve a variety of functions. You can use the right and left controls to select the desired feature and then use the central key to select an option. The buttons also control the music player when the phone is closed. As we mentioned earlier, the camera lens sits on the top of the rear face of the phone next to the flash. Unfortunately, its not the most ideal place overall--it was the natural place to rest our finger--and its disappointing theres no self-portrait mirror with a 3-megapixel camera. We also arent thrilled that Nokia put the mini-USB port and the charger jack at the top of the phone, because it makes for more awkward ergonomics when you charge the phone while talking. A volume rocker and a camera shutter sit on the right spine, while a power button and the Infrared port sit on the left spine. The MicroSD card slot is behind the battery cover. No, thats not the best place, but you don't have to remove the battery too.The internal display is even more impressive than its external sibling. With support for 16 million colors its quite lovely indeed, with rich colors and easy-to-read text even in direct light. Its also quite large at 2.25 inches (240x320 pixels), and the Nokia Series 40 menu interface is attractive. You can change the font color and the font size and personalize it with a background. We also like that the swirled patter from the front flap is also visible in a silver border surrounding the display. For video calls, a second VGA camera lens sits on the top of the flap.Below the display is the amply-sized navigation array consisting of a four-way toggle with a central OK button, two soft keys, and the Talk and End buttons. The toggle and shift keys can be set as shortcuts to user-defined shortcuts, and the OK button opens the menu when the phone is in standby mode. The design is very simple yet perhaps its a bit too simple. The Talk and End keys arent marked in the traditional green and red colors, and the controls are too flat against the surface of the phone. The toggle is raised somewhat but its not quite enough. The backlit keypad buttons are also flat with the surface of the phone and are a tad slick. On the upside, though, theyre quite large and tactile and their bronze color makes them easy to see. FeaturesThe Nokia 7390s feature set proves its much more than a pretty face. Armed with a 3-meagapixel camera, a music player with FM radio, an Infrared port, and Bluetooth, the phone has the brains to go with the beauty. But first well detail the basics. The phone book is smaller than wed prefer, but each entry has room for six phone numbers plus a push-to-talk number, an e-mail address, a job tile and company name, a Web address, a nickname and formal name, a street address, and notes. For even more room, the SIM card holds an additional 250 contacts. You save contacts to groups and for caller ID pair them with one of 23 polyphonic ringtones and a photo or video. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, voice commands and dialing, a calendar, a to-do list, a notepad, a calculator, a countdown timer, and a stopwatch.On the higher end, the 7390 also offers full Bluetooth (with a stereo profile), an Infrared port, e-mail, instant messaging, support for push-to-talk networks (operator dependent), a voice recorder, and PC syncing. Globetrotters can take advantage of the world clock, a nifty size-converter sensor for changing between U.S. and European clothing and shoe sizes, and support for Nokias Sensor application, which is a quasi-social networking feature that scans nearby Bluetooth users. The 7390 also supports the WCDMA (3G) 2100 band, but that frequency is used only in Europe and not the United States. The 7390s camera has a bright flash but no self-portrait mirror.The Nokia 7390 has a fantastic 3-megaixel camera that far outshines most other camera shooters on the market. It takes pictures in five resolutions--from 1,536x2,048 down to 120x160. Other options include three quality settings, three color effects, nine fun frames, an autofocus, a self-timer, a multishot mode, a white-balance setting, a digital zoom, and a selection of camera sounds. The flash provides an exceptional amount of light, but as noted, self-portraits are tricky. The second VGA camera inside the phone is available for video calls, but keep in mind those are only really effective when youre using a 3G network.We like the 7390s photo quality.The camcorder records clips in four resolutions (640x480 down to 128x96) with sound. You can choose from three quality settings and you can mute the sound. Clips meant for multimedia messages are capped at 20 seconds; otherwise you can shoot for about four minutes. Internal memory for all of your work is a bit small--just 21MB of shared space--so we suggest using a MicroSD card (the 7390 supports cards up to 2GB). Photo quality is decent for a megapixel camera phone, with distinct colors and object outlines. Video quality was above average but not really impressive.The 7390 also includes a music player. The interface is pretty generic but it supports a variety of file formats including MP3, AAC, and WMA. Theres an equalizer as well and you can save music files as ringtones. The FM radio lets you store station presets; just remember youll need a wired headset to act as an antenna.You can personalize the 7390 with a variety of wallpapers, screensavers, color themes, and alert sounds. You can always get more options via the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. For playtime, the 7390 comes with three Java (J2ME) games: Music Guess, Rally 3D, Snake III, and Sudoku.PerformanceWe tested the triband (GSM 900/1800/1900; EDGE) Nokia 7390 in San Francisco using T-Mobile service. Call quality was reliable overall and we had little trouble getting a signal. Voices sounded natural, though the volume was a tad low. It wasnt a big problem for us, but users with hearing impairments should test the phone first. Though they could tell we were using a cell phone, callers said they could hear us plainly, and the voice automated system had little trouble understanding us. The sound was diminished on both ends when we were in noisy environments, so again, you might want to test this phone first. Speakerphone quality was also decent; the sound was a little more muffled but thats pretty common on cell phone speakerphones.Since the phone doesnt use the GSM 850 band, reception can vary depending on how strong the 1900 coverage is in your area. Indeed, when we traveled outside the city or went deep into buildings, the connection grew patchier. And don't forget, although the 7390 supports the WCDMA 2100 band, its not used in the United States.The Nokia 7390 has a rated battery life of four hours talk time and up to 11 and a quarter days of standby time. Though the standby rating is decent, the promised talk time is rather low, especially for a GSM phone. Our tests confirmed that the talk time is indeed only four hours. According to FCC radiation tests, the 7390 has a digital SAR rating of 0.26 watts. ),
(814,Samsung SCH-W559, , Editors note: The Samsung SCH-W559 is usable only in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It will not work in North America One of the biggest gripes we have with the current crop of touch screen phones has been the lack of tactile feedback. Though were still waiting for the Apple iPhone, our experience with the NEC N908 tells us that manipulating a touch screen phone takes quite a bit of getting used to--you cant dial by feel and texting can be a pain. The Samsung SCH-W559 attempts to solve this problem, however, with the integration of Immersions VibeTonez technology that provides tactile feedback in the form of tiny vibrations. While its not quite perfect, it is a step in the right direction. Combined with the W559s multimedia feature set and its support for both GSM and CDMA networks, this is one phone that is sure to be a conversation piece. The price is $150 but as noted above, it isnt compatible with U.S. cellular networks.At first glance, the Samsung SCH-W559 resembles an ordinary slider phone like the Samsung SGH-T629. Clad head to toe in silver, it measures a very slim 3.56 by 1.9 by 0.54 inches and weighs a lightweight 3.17 ounces. Yet, as you attempt to open the W559, youll notice it is actually a candy bar phone without a keypad. Its impressive 2.2-inch display is one large touch screen, with all inputs done via your fingers or the included stylus. The stylus is attached via a charm-like lanyard off the corner of the phone, which became quite annoying after awhile--it was often in the way when we were answering calls. We wouldve preferred it if Samsung had incorporated the stylus into the design of the phone, rather than include it as an accessory. As we said previously, the integration of VibeTones sets the W559 apart from other touch screen phones weve tried. The technology causes the display to vibrate whenever you touch a menu option or a virtual key, thus giving tactile feedback. You even can adjust the level of vibration--from a soft gentle shake to a full-on rumble. Though this is a step in the right direction in getting feedback from a touch screen phone, it doesnt quite work the way we want. For one thing, you still cant dial by feel--its still mandatory to look at the phone while youre dialing since there arent any textural differences between different keys. Also, texting should still be done with the stylus rather than the finger--we messed up way too often otherwise because of the tiny keys on the virtual keyboard. We also had more success using the handwriting mode of writing out text messages, which is similar to the Graffiti style used on the Palm Treo smart phones. While the W559s vibrating touch screen is certainly a conversation starter, it packs quite a wallop in phone and multimedia features too. Basic features include text and multimedia messaging, voice commands, an alarm clock, a world clock, a calendar, a calculator, a unit converter, a dictionary, memo, PC sync, voice recording, a sketch pad, a microSD card slot, a wireless Web browser, Bluetooth 2.0, and a vibrate mode. It also comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera with video recording and video playback functionality and an MP3 player.The W559 has both GSM and 3G capabilities. It utilizes CDMA 2000 and is provisioned through a hidden R-UIM slot. It also has two SIM slots in the back so you can switch between two GSM carriers. Unfortunately, the phone does not support GSM 850/1900, so it will not work in North America. Once we receive a full review of the phone, well be sure to link to the final verdict. ),
(815,RIM BlackBerry 8800,Positives: Boasting a sleek and sexy design, the RIM BlackBerry 8800 offers integrated GPS, push-to-talk capabilities, and multimedia features. The quadband smart phone also has Bluetooth, push e-mail, a full QWERTY keyboard, and long talk-time battery life. Negatives: Unfortunately, the BlackBerry 8800 doesnt work on Cingulars 3G network nor does it have integrated Wi-Fi. Call quality was a little muffled, and the phone is quite wide and awkward to hold. The media player could also use some refinements, and instant messaging is limited to the BlackBerry Messenger client. Facts: Despite some minor issues, the RIM BlackBerry 8800 offers mobile professionals a well-rounded smart phone with added multimedia functions, GPS, and push-to-talk capabilities. That said, messaging remains its forte. Note: This product is part of the RIM BlackBerry 8800 series. ., Since its release in September, the RIM BlackBerry Pearl has received much praise from users, earning an average 8.2 user rating. The sleek new design and added multimedia capabilities were a hit, and they made the Pearl a more attractive and viable option for consumers. Yet, there were segments of the market--power business users and SureType keyboard haters--who shunned the Pearl in favor of the full QWERTY keyboards on their traditional BlackBerrys. Not so anymore. Making its debut at the 3GSM World Congress, the RIM BlackBerry 8800 brings the sexier look and versatility of the Pearl to a full QWERTY device. Not only do you get multimedia functionality and expandable memory, but the 8800 also offers integrated GPS and push-to-talk capabilities. Mobile professionals will be served well by this device. Of course, its not perfect. Were disappointed by the lack of 3G support and integrated Wi-Fi, and call quality wasnt as good as we had hoped. Also, the device is quite wide, making it a tad awkward to hold as a phone. All that said, messaging is still king on this device, and it performs those duties well. The RIM BlackBerry 8800 is available now for $299.99 with a two-year contract and after mail-in rebates.DesignTaking its style points from the BlackBerry Pearl, the RIM BlackBerry 8800 is a far cry from the days of the blocky and drab BlackBerry 6280 or even the most recent BlackBerry 8700c, which was fine but still a little lackluster in the design department. Thats all changed now with the BlackBerry 8800; its sleek and sexy with its smoothed edges and a deep midnight blue casing and chrome accents. At 4.4x2.6x0.5 inches and 4.7 ounces, its slightly taller than the 8700c (4.3x2.7x0.7 inches; 4.7 ounces), but its definitely thinner and thus, easier to slip into a pants pocket or purse. That said, the phones pretty wide, so clutching it in your hand and holding it up to your ear is a bit awkward and cumbersome. To be fair, this is typical of the full QWERTY BlackBerrys as well as Pocket PC phones and Treos but even still, the Samsung BlackJack is probably the slimmest of such devices out there.The BlackBerry 8800 and the BlackBerry 8700c, side by side. Which would you choose?The BlackBerry 8800 features a beautiful 2.5-inch (diagonal), 65,000-color display with a 320x240 resolution. Text and images are clear and vibrant, and the screen also features light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the backlighting of the screen, as well as the keyboard and trackball, depending on whether youre indoors or outdoors. We found that this function works well, and we had no problems reading the display under harsh lighting. However, the screen, as well as the casing, tends to hold a lot of smudges and fingerprints.Also, carried over from the Pearl to the BlackBerry 8800 is the trackball. Its great because you can scroll four ways and also select items by pressing down, but we wish it were larger and raised more above the phones surface. Also, its easy to get carried away with the rolling of the trackball and go right past your selection, though you can adjust the trackballs sensitivity under the Options, Screen/keyboard menu. For that reason, we missed the jog dial and Escape key that have been mainstays of BlackBerrys past, but as with anything new, these changes just take some acclimation. Like the BlackBerry Pearl, the 8800 has a trackball for four-way scrolling, but we still miss the jog dial.Surrounding the trackball are the Talk and End keys and the Menu and Escape buttons. Below that navigation array is the 35-button QWERTY keyboard. Though there isnt much space between the keys as with the BlackBerry 8700c or the BlackBerry 8700g, the buttons are pretty large so you should be fine. Each key also has a raised ridge to make them more tactile, but even so, we found the lacquered finish made the buttons slippery. The number keys are highlighted in white, and theres also a shortcut on the keyboard to activate the speakerphone.We found the BlackBerry 8800s QWERTY keyboard fairly easy to use, though a bit slippery.On the right spine, there are volume up and down keys, while on the left side, you will find a 2.5mm headset jack, a mini USB port, and a convenience key which, for the Cingular version, has been programmed to launch the push-to-talk (PTT) services. There is a microSD expansion slot behind the battery, but good luck getting to it since it took some superhuman strength to take off the battery cover. We hope RIM reconsiders the placement of the expansion slot on future devices. Finally, the power and mute buttons are on the top of the unit. Cingular packages the BlackBerry 8800 with a travel charger, a USB cable, a wired headset, a belt holster, a CD-ROM with BlackBerry Desktop software, and reference material. FeaturesThe RIM BlackBerry 8800 keeps a lot of the same features that made it such a staple among the business set, but it also adds some to make it more than a messaging device. Well start with those highlights first. To start, the BlackBerry 8800 now has multimedia capabilities. More specifically, you can use the built-in media player to listen to music (MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, and MIDI formats) and watch video (MPEG4, WMV, and H.263 files). We should note that theres about 64MB of flash memory available, but we suggest using a microSD card to store such larger media files.Theres a microSD card slot for carrying large files like music and video, but good luck getting the battery cover off to access it.The music player is pretty basic. Aside from standard stop and play functions, you can create playlists as \"folders\" and shuffle and repeat songs within a certain folder. It also displays some track information, such as title, artist, and album art if available. As we noted in our BlackBerry Pearl review, external player controls would have been nice, rather than having to press the Menu key first and then choose to skip a track or go back to the previous song. Theres also an option to set a song as your ringtone. You can continue to play music as you use the devices other programs, and if you happen to get an incoming call, the BlackBerry 8800 will pause the music and pick up where you left off after you hang up. For videos, the player has play and stop buttons, and you can fast-forward and rewind clips by clicking the trackball and scrolling right or left. Theres still no full-screen mode, but since player controls only take up minimal space of the bottom of the 8800s spacious display, were less forgiving of this fact than we were with the Pearl. In addition to moving pictures, the BlackBerry 8800 has an image viewer that lets you peruse your favorite photos. However, there is no camera on the 8800, so youll have to get your images onto your device another way, whether its via USB, multimedia message, and so on. As of this writing, RIM has no plans to offer a camera-equipped version of the 8800, in an attempt to appease customers who don't want or cant have camera phones. While we certainly appreciate this precaution and understand its a growing trend among businesses (for security reasons), we still would have liked the option of having a model with a camera.Road warriors will certainly appreciate the integrated GPS feature. There arent a whole lot of smart phones out there that have this feature, so the BlackBerry 8800 certainly holds the advantage there against the likes of other popular smart phones, like the T-Mobile Dash, the Motorola Q, and the Samsung BlackJack. Theres no need for a Bluetooth GPS receiver or the hassle of an extra gadget. All you need is the help of a location-based service, such as TeleNav GPS Navigator, and you can get color maps and text- and voice-guided driving directions right on the BlackBerry 8800, as well as points of interest and other navigation tools. We had TeleNav installed on our review unit, and it worked like a charm (see Performance for more), but be aware that if you choose TeleNav GPS Navigator, this is an add-on service from Cingular that will cost $9.99 per month for unlimited trips or $5.99 for up to 10 trips; check out our full review of TeleNav for more information. Another Cingular-specific offering is push-to-talk capabilities. Plans start at $9.99 per month, and with it, you can instantly see the availability of your contacts before calling them and make individual or group PTT calls. As far as other voice features, the RIM BlackBerry 8800 offers a speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, smart dialing, conference calling, speed dial, and world roaming. The phone book is only limited by the available memory (the SIM card holds an additional 250 contacts) with room in each entry eight phone numbers, e-mail addresses, work and home address, job title, and more. For caller ID purposes, you can assign a photo to a contact as well a group category, business or personal.Wireless options are pretty much limited to Bluetooth 2.0, which you can use for headsets or hands-free kits. There is no A2DP support for Bluetooth stereo headphones, but the 8800 can be used as a wireless modem for your laptop. Though RIM has hinted at adding Wi-Fi to future devices, it doesnt start with the BlackBerry 8800. Even more bad news, the device doesnt work on Cingulars 3G network so youll have to settle for EDGE speeds when surfing the Net. While were on the subject, the BlackBerrys browser supports full HTML Web browsing.Of course, we cannot forget what makes BlackBerrys famous in the first place: e-mail. The RIM BlackBerry 8800 offers the famed push technology and can sync with your companys BlackBerry Enterprise server with support for Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino, or Novell GroupWise to deliver corporate e-mail in real time. All in all, the device can support up to 10 accounts, including POP3 or IMAP4 e-mail accounts, and there is an e-mail wizard on the device to guide you through the setup process. An attachment viewer is also onboard to open popular file formats, such as those from Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Corel WordPerfect, as well as PDFs, JPEGs, GIFs, and more. Other messaging options include text, multimedia, and instant messaging, although the IMs are once again limited to the proprietary BlackBerry Messenger client.Finally, the BlackBerry 8800 includes a number of PIM tools for the business users, including a calendar, a tasks list, a memo pad, an alarm, and a calculator. PerformanceWe tested the quadband (GSM 850/900/1800/1900; EDGE) RIM BlackBerry 8800 world phone in San Francisco using Cingular Wireless service, and call quality was decent. Voices sounded a bit muffled on our end, and our friends reported the same results. Its nothing that prevented us from carrying on a conversation, but things certainly could have been better. Surprisingly, sound quality greatly improved when we activated the speakerphone. Everything was clear, and volume was more than adequate. We also had no problem pairing the 8800 with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset.As far as the GPS functionality, the 8800 was adequate, and we were certainly impressed by the strength of the GPS receiver. From a cold start, it took the unit about two minutes to lock onto a satellite fix and held steady as we drove around the city. It accurately tracked our location on a free drive. On a planned trip, TeleNav provided us with accurate but sometimes convoluted driving directions. On a couple of occasions, we knew there was a more direct route than the one that was presented to us. Still, for a mobile professional heading to a client meeting in a new place, this could be a huge timesaver.Music playback sounded OK through the phones speakers, though there was tinny tone to some songs. Video performance was quite good with clear image quality, although there was some pixilation during action sequences as to be expected. The BlackBerry 8800 did falter a bit in the arena of Web browsing. After spending time with a number of 3G-enabled smart phones, the EDGE speeds of the BlackBerry 8800 seemed pokey, and we began to lose our patience waiting for pages to load--call us spoiled if you will. Overall, the BlackBerry 8800 delivered responsive and solid performance. The BlackBerry 8800s battery is rated for 5 hours of talk time and up to 22 days of standby time. In our tests, we were able to get 7.5 hours of talk time on a single charge. ),
(816,Sanyo SCP-7000,Positives: The Sanyo SCP-7000 has a sturdy, user-friendly design and solid call quality. It also works with Sprints Ready Link service. Negatives: The Sanyo SCP-7000 has a lackluster internal display and a small phone book, and it cant send multimedia messages. Facts: The Sanyo SCP-7000 is a thoroughly decent cell phone for anyone who wants a simple handset for making calls. , If youre an aficionado of Sanyo cell phones, your only recourse for a carrier is Sprint. And if youre a Sprint fan with a fondness for solid, basic phones that just make calls, then Sanyo handsets tent to be perfect choices. The latest model weve come across is the Sanyo SCP-7000. Though it supports Sprints Ready Link push-to-talk (PTT) network, the SCP-7000 doesnt offer many frills. Yet you do get a user-friendly phone with a decent call quality and a sturdy design. Its cheap, too, at just $29 with service. The Sanyo SCP-7000 closely resembles other Sanyos before it, such as the SCP-2400. A large speaker grille dominates the front face, while a rectangular external display sits just below. Like the SCP-2400, its not the prettiest phone around, but the SCP-7000 comes with a couple of design improvements that make it slightly more attractive then its predecessor. Though the phone is black overall, you can swap out the faceplate with an eye-catching blue covering. Also, the rubberized sidings give the phone a solid feel in the hand. At 3.4x1.9x1.05 inches, the SCP-7000 is about average size as flip phones go, but its 3.7-ounce weight puts it on the somewhat heftier side. Its hardly enough to be a bother though, as the phone slides easily into a pocket. The stubby antenna extends even more, but its construction is pretty flimsy so youll need to be careful. On the other hand, the hinge feels mighty burly, and we like that it clicks into place when you open the phone. The 1-inch (96x32-pixel) external display is monochrome, but thats to be expected on such a basic phone. And in any case, it shows all the necessary information, including the time, battery life, signal strength, and caller ID (where available). Other exterior features are limited to a covered headset jack, a volume rocker, and a Ready link button on the left spine. The Sanyo SCP-7000 comes with changeable faceplates. The internal display measures 1.8 inches diagonally (128x160 pixels). Though that may sound adequate, its actually a tad small for the phones overall size. The 65,536-color resolution isnt exactly eye-popping either, but on the whole, its serviceable. You can change the backlighting time and the font size for both displays while the internal screens contrast is customizable as well. The menu interface is standard Sanyo--nothing special but easy to understand. You can choose from two styles and change the overall background color. The navigation array shows a slight departure from that of other Sanyo models. Instead of a circular toggle, the SCP-7000s control is octagonal. The change of shape hardly makes a difference, but we like that the toggle is slightly depressed in the center and that the central OK button is easy to find by feel. The toggle also acts as a shortcut to the phone book, the My Content folder, the My Favorites folder, and the messaging menu. The other controls included two soft keys, a back button, a Web browser shortcut, the talk and end/power controls, and a dedicated speakerphone key. The controls are mostly easy to use, but the soft keys are a tad slick. Also, its worth mentioning that in standby mode, the Talk key activates voice dialing rather than opening a full list of recent calls. The rectangular keypad buttons are raised slightly above the surface of the phone and have a bright backlighting. Though the SCP-7000s feature set wont wow you, it comes with all the basics. The 300-contact phone book is a bit small, but you can store six phone numbers, an e-mail address, and a Web address under each contact. For more personalization, you can assign contacts to caller groups and pair them with one of 16 polyphonic 32-chord ring tones. Photo caller ID is available as well, but since photos don't appear on the external display, we wonder why Sanyo even bothered. Also, its disappointing that the SCP-7000 can receive multimedia messages but cant send them.Other features include a vibrate mode, text messaging, access to Sprints Ready Link PTT service, a voice memo recorder (the phone holds as many as a dozen 18-second recordings), an alarm clock, a calculator, a stop watch, a world clock, a calendar, e-mail, and instant messaging. Theres also support for Sprints Wireless backup service, and parents can activate a number of family-friendly features inherited from the SCP-2400. You can restrict certain features, limit calling, and lock the phone book. You can personalize the SCP-7000 with a selection of screen savers, animation, and alert sounds. You can get more options form Sprint via the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. Gaming options are limited to demo versions of four Java (J2ME) titles (Diner Dash, Midnight Bowling, Pac-man and Tetris) so youll need to purchase the full versions for extended play time. Alternatively, the SCP-7000 supports Sprints PCS Vision service for a variety of applications such as the carriers NFL Mobile application and Sprint Radio. We tested the dual-band, dual mode (CDMA 800/1900; AMPS 800) Sanyo SCP-7000 in San Francisco using Sprint service. Call quality was admirable and was on a par with that of the Sanyo SCP-2400. Voices sounded loud and clear, and we encountered little static or interference on our end. At times there was a slight echoed effect at higher volume levels, but it wasnt too much of a bother. We had slightly more trouble hearing in noisy situations but thats not entirely unexpected. Callers said they could hear us without any problems, though they also reported slightly more trouble when we were in a noisy environment. On the other hand, voice-automated systems had little trouble understanding us. Speakerphone calls had remarkable clarity on both ends, yet the sound does become muffled if you turn up the volume too high. The Sanyo SCP-700 has a rated battery life of 3.5 hours talk time, and our tests showed a talk time of 3 hours and 42 minutes. An optional extended battery lengthens the promised talk time to 5.5 hours. According to FCC radiation tests the Sanyo SCP-7000 has a digital SAR rating of 0.9 watt per kilogram and 1.08 watts per kilogram. ),
(817,Verizon Wireless, , variety of physical locations, we do not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our User opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.Verizon Wireless is the largest CDMA carrier in the United States. It was one of the first to offer a 3G network, and it recently launched the first mobile TV network for a carrier. A joint venture between Verizon Communications and Vodafone, Verizon Wireless was formed in 2000 through a merger between GTE Wireless and Bell Atlantic; Verizon was the largest carrier in the country until Cingular acquired AT&T Wireless in 2004. Although its phone lineup was once limited and somewhat ordinary, in the past year it has grown rapidly to include several popular, high-end handsets.Things you should know:High-speed 3G networks are limited to urban areas.Verizon was slow to introduce Bluetooth into its phone lineup and still limits the Bluetooth profiles in some handsets by restricting file transfers.Uses BREW instead of Java for games and other applications, which can limit the number of choices available to consumers. Uses a standardized--but somewhat poorly received--menu interface across most of its phones.Verizon claims it has the most reliable network nationwide, and the network quality has been rated highly in consumer and analyst studies. Tell us what you think in our User opinions section.Offers a wide selection of LG phones, including the LG enV and LG Chocolate, and is the only major carrier to offer Kyocera phones. Its smart phone selection is varied and includes Treos and BlackBerrys.As a CDMA carrier, Verizons international coverage is limited to a handful of countries.Fast facts:Subscribers: 56.7 millionCoverage: Verizon Wireless has nationwide coverage with service in every state (though not all services are available in Alaska). Of course, actual reception will vary by location. CDMA international roaming using a Verizon phone is available in 11 countries.Technology: CDMA, 1xRTT3G network: Yes, EV-DOStreaming video service: Yes, Verizon V CastMusic download service: Yes, V Cast Wireless MusicPush-to-talk: Available, depending on phone modelAnalog roaming: YesPrepaid plans: YesFamily plans: Yes Comparison chart:   Cingular Wireless T-Mobile Sprint Nextel Verizon Wireless Coverage map Cingular coverage map T-Mobile coverage map Sprint coverage map; Nextel coverage map Verizon Wireless coverage map Technology GSM, GPRS, EDGE GSM, GPRS, EDGE CDMA, 1xRTT, iDEN CDMA, 1xRTT 3G network Yes, UMTS and HSDPA No (coming in 2007) Yes, EV-DO Yes, EV-DO Data plans Yes Yes Yes Yes Streaming video network Yes, Cingular Video No Yes, Sprint Power Vision Yes, Verizon V Cast Music download service Yes, Cingular Music No Yes, Sprint Music Store Yes, Verizon V Cast Wireless Music Push-to-talk Available, depending on phone model No Available, depending on phone model Available, depending on phone model Analog roaming No No Yes Yes Prepaid plans Yes Yes No Yes Family plans Yes Yes Yes Yes),
(818,T-Mobile, , variety of physical locations, we do not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.The second-largest GSM carrier, T-Mobile, grew out of the former VoiceStream Wireless in 2001 when Voice Stream was acquired by Germanys Deutsche Telekom. T-Mobile operates one of the smaller U.S. networks of the big four carriers, but it has roaming agreements with Cingular and other smaller operators. Though different from Cingulars, T-Mobiles phone lineup is still quite varied and includes a number of smart phones.Things you should know:T-Mobiles myFaves feature gives you unlimited calling minutes to any five numbers on any network, even landlines. As a GSM carrier and a subsidiary of Germanys Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile has extensive international roaming and thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in the United States and Europe. Of the major carriers, T-Mobile received the highest customer service rating by J.D. Power and Associates for six consecutive years. Offers mostly Samsung, Motorola, and Nokia phones. Does not feature LG handsets but is the exclusive provider of the Sidekick and the T-Mobile Dash smart phone. T-Mobile has a wide selection of phones in different colors and designer-styled patterns.T-Mobiles plans are some of the most competitively priced among the major carriers.3G high-speed data network still in development but it should launch a preliminary network in 2007.Fast facts:Subscribers: 14.8 millionCoverage: Though T-Mobile has network coverage in every state except Alaska, reception in rural areas can be spotty. Also, as with all carriers, reception will vary due to location. Internationalcoverage is available in more than 180 countries. Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE3G network: No (scheduled rollout for 2007) Streaming video service: NoMusic download service: No Push-to-talk: NoAnalog roaming: NoPrepay plans: YesFamily plans: YesComparison chart:   Cingular Wireless T-Mobile Sprint Nextel Verizon Wireless Coverage map Cingular coverage map T-Mobile coverage map Sprint coverage map; Nextel coverage map Verizon Wireless coverage map Technology GSM, GPRS, EDGE GSM, GPRS, EDGE CDMA, 1xRTT, iDEN CDMA, 1xRTT 3G network Yes, UMTS and HSDPA No (coming in 2007) Yes, EV-DO Yes, EV-DO Data plans Yes Yes Yes Yes Streaming video network Yes, Cingular Video No Yes, Sprint Power Vision Yes, Verizon V Cast Music download service Yes, Cingular Music No Yes, Sprint Music Store Yes, Verizon V Cast Wireless Music Push-to-talk Available, depending on phone model No Available, depending on phone model Available, depending on phone model Analog roaming No No Yes Yes Prepaid plans Yes Yes No Yes Family plans Yes Yes Yes Yes),
(819,Sprint Nextel, , variety of physical locations, we do not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section. The more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.Once the oddest of odd couples, Sprint and Nextel are now married after a 2005 merger. The combined company is now the third largest wireless carrier and the second largest CDMA carrier in the United States. Though they will retain separate brands for the time being, the company has said that eventually it will move all voice calls onto the CDMA network. As part of this push, the carrier has begun to introduce dual-mode iDEN/CDMA phones that use iDEN for push-to-talk calls and Sprints CDMA network for voice services. Sprint began wireless service under its brand in 1995, and Nextel was founded in 1987.Things you should know:Sprint was the second major carrier to offer a 3G (EV-DO) network. However, coverage is limited to urban areas.Nextel phones offer a strong set of business-friendly features, including adding a second line to a handset. Also, the carrier pioneered push-to-talk technology with its Direct Connect (now called Walkie-Talkie) service. Among the major carriers, Sprint is the sole provider of Sanyo phones. Its handset lineup also includes a fair number of Samsung and LG handsets as well as Treo and BlackBerry smart phones. Nextels iDEN handsets, which are all made by Motorola, are characterized by durable and rugged designs. Sprints Power Pack plans have extended night and weekend hours. Nextel offers plans with unlimited incoming calls.Sprints CDMA network and Nextels iDEN network are distinct technologies that use separate networks with different coverage areas. Also, with the exception of the dual-mode handsets, the two networks are incompatible. Tell us what you think in our user opinions section.International CDMA and iDEN coverage has a smaller footprint than GSM. Fast facts:Subscribers: 51.9 millionCoverage: Sprint has CDMA coverage in every state, but coverage in Alaska is limited to analog roaming only. Nextels iDEN network has coverage in every state except Alaska and Montana. As with all carriers, individual coverage will vary by location. For international coverage CDMA roaming is available in 32 countries while Nextel iDEN roaming is available in 12 countries. Technology: CDMA, 1xRTT, iDEN3G network: Yes, EV-DOStreaming video service: Yes, Sprint Power VisionMusic download service: Yes, Sprint Music StorePush-to-talk: Available, depending on phone modelAnalog roaming: YesPrepay plans: NoFamily plans: Yes Comparison chart:   Cingular Wireless T-Mobile Sprint Nextel Verizon Wireless Coverage map Cingular coverage map T-Mobile coverage map Sprint coverage map; Nextel coverage map Verizon Wireless coverage map Technology GSM, GPRS, EDGE GSM, GPRS, EDGE CDMA, 1xRTT, iDEN CDMA, 1xRTT 3G network Yes, UMTS and HSDPA No (coming in 2007) Yes, EV-DO Yes, EV-DO Data plans Yes Yes Yes Yes Streaming video network Yes, Cingular Video No Yes, Sprint Power Vision Yes, Verizon V Cast Music download service Yes, Cingular Music No Yes, Sprint Music Store Yes, Verizon V Cast Wireless Music Push-to-talk Available, depending on phone model No Available, depending on phone model Available, depending on phone model Analog roaming No No Yes Yes Prepaid plans Yes Yes No Yes Family plans Yes Yes Yes Yes),
(820,Samsung SCH-u740 (Champagne),Positives: The Samsung SCH-u740 has a sleek and attractive design with a cool, dual-flip hinge that lets you view the display in either portrait or landscape mode. It has a QWERTY keyboard, access to Verizons V Cast offerings, and a full array of multimedia goodies. Negatives: The Samsung SCH-u740 lacks a dedicated camera key on the phones exterior, and the video quality is mediocre. Were also not fans of the touch screen music controls. Facts: The Samsung SCH-u740s dual-flip design and QWERTY keyboard are great for text-messaging fans, and its impressive feature set seals its deal as one of Verizons strongest multimedia handsets. Note: This product is part of the Samsung SCH-u740 series. ., Despite the recent trend toward touch screen phones such as the NEC N908 and the Apple iPhone, phones with actual buttons are not going away any time soon--tactile feedback is still king in the cell phone world. Handsets with a built-in QWERTY keyboard are especially desirable for many a texting fanatic, and the brand-new Samsung SCH-u740 for Verizon Wireless is one such example. Similar to Cingulars Samsung SGH-d307, the u740 features a cool, dual-flip design that lets you switch between portrait and landscape view for easy messaging. The SCH-u740 is a huge improvement over its predecessor in almost every way -- not only does it have much better navigation controls, the SCH-u740 also comes packed with a megapixel camera, a music player, and access to the full stable of Verizon Wireless multimedia services including V Cast Music and Video. A decent alternative to the LG enV (VX9900), the SCH-u740 is a solid multimedia offering for Verizon customers. Its currently available for $149.99 with a two-year service agreement.DesignUnlike the SGH-d307, the SCH-u740 is quite a handsome phone. Its wide yet slim body is a subtle metallic-champagne color, and simple black accents give it a sophisticated and stylish look. Though its not nearly as skinny as the Motorola Razr (which is 0.5-inch thick) at 3.84x2.04x0.58 inches, the u740 is still thin enough to slip into your pants pocket with ease. It also has a nice heft when held in the hand, thanks to its 3.6-ounce weight, and it cradles nicely next to the ear when opened.Located on the SCH-u740s front flap is a small yet bright 1.1-inch external display that shows the date, the time, signal and battery strength, and photo caller ID. We were impressed with its 65,000-color display, especially because we could use it as a camera viewfinder for self-portraits. When the music player is active, you can use the external screen to view the album art as well as the current track playing. In a nice touch, you can change the wallpaper or clock format of the external display if you wish. Above the screen and the Samsung logo is the camera lens, while touch-sensitive music player controls are underneath the display. Slightly reminiscent of the controls on the LG VX8600, the music player controls can only be used when the music player is on. We arent fans of the touch-sensitive music controls, which required unlocking every time we want to change the track. Its possible to leave them unlocked, but this might lead to accidental track changes with a quick swipe of your finger.The rest of the phones exterior is pretty basic: The left spine is home to a Hold button to lock or unlock the aforementioned music player controls, a volume rocker, and the charger/accessory jack; the speakerphone key and a microSD card slot are on the right spine. We were disappointed that there wasnt a dedicated camera button on the phones exterior, which meant we could only activate the camera with the phone open.The SCH-u740 has a dual-flip design.As we mentioned earlier, the u740 features the same dual-flip design as the SGH-d307. This innovative design lets you open the phone vertically like a traditional clamshell, or you could open the phone horizontally and rotate it so the orientation of the display changes to landscape mode. The hinge felt quite sturdy when opening and closing the phone in both directions. Speaking of the display, we were delighted to see a lovely 2.2-inch, 262,000-color LCD inside. Images were saturated with color, and navigating the phones colorful and photorealistic menu was a delight. You can adjust the screens contrast and backlight time, plus the style and the size of the phones dialing fonts. The SCH-u740 has a QWERTY keyboard.Thankfully, Samsung appears to have learned its mistake from the d307s quirky navigation controls. While the d307s navigation controls did double duty with the QWERTY keyboard, the u740s navigation controls are decidedly separate from the rest of the keypad. There are two soft keys underneath the display when viewed in portrait mode, and a third soft key on the lower-left corner is for use when viewing in landscape mode. The familiar circular navigation controls with a middle OK key is also present, and they double as shortcuts to four user-defined functions. Below the soft keys and the navigation controls are the Send and End/Power key, the camera/camcorder key, the Clear key, and the voice command key. We were surprisingly pleased with the mini QWERTY keyboard and the button layout of the phone. A block of 12 keys at the top double as the number keypad, and they are colored grey to stand out against the black. There is a NumLock key next to the spacebar so you can still type out numbers and make calls when in landscape mode. All the keys were raised above the surface of the phone, and we found the keyboard to be spacious and tactile enough to type out text messages with ease. The backlight time of the keypad can also be adjusted.FeaturesThough u740s improved keyboard was notable by itself, its the features that make the u740 really shine over its predecessor. The SGH-d307 lacked multimedia features, but the u740 ramps it up with a megapixel camera, a music player, and full access to Verizons V Cast capabilities. And its phone offerings are pretty good as well. The u740 comes with an address book including room in each entry for five phone numbers, two e-mail addresses, and a note. You can also save contacts to a group and pair each contact with a photo for caller ID or one of 10 polyphonic ringtones. Other basic features include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, instant messaging (AOL, MSN, and Yahoo messengers are supported), e-mail, voice commands and dialing, a calculator, a calendar, an alarm clock, a world clock, a stop watch, a notepad, a speakerphone, a wireless web browser, and Bluetooth connectivity. Theres also an optional Wireless Sync e-mail feature that lets you sync up with your business or personal e-mail addresses. Wireless Sync supports Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, POP3, and IMAP e-mail systems. The Bluetooth technology on the u740 supports profiles for Vcard Push plus headset, hands-free operation, serial port, and dial-up networking. The u740s EV-DO support comes in handy especially when it comes to accessing Verizons multimedia broadband offerings like V Cast Music and V Cast Video. Its worth noting that you can only access the music player plus the V Cast services when the phone is in landscape mode. The music player and V Cast interface is similar to that of other Verizon phones, right down to the red-and-white navigation menus. You also have the option of purchasing and downloading other applications such as VZ Navigator, Chaperone Parent, and many more via Verizons Get It Now service.The SCH-u740 took decent photos.The 1.3-megapixel camera has a healthy array of settings, which include five different resolutions (1,280x960, 640x480, 320x240, 160x120, and a Picture ID setting), three quality settings (Fine, Normal, Economy), up to 4x zoom, color effects, white balance, light metering, flash, a self-timer of up to 10 seconds, auto save, preview mode, multishot, three \"ready\" sounds (\"Say Cheese!\", \"Look here,\" and \"1,2,3!\") plus a silent option, and three shutter sounds also with a silent option. The camcorder has two recording modes: Clips meant for multimedia messages are limited to 15 seconds, but Normal mode lets you record for as long as the available memory permits. Of course, you always can use a microSD card for more space. The quality of the photos was acceptable; though the images appeared a little blurry, they werent as pixilated as that of a VGA camera, and colors remained bright and bold. The video quality on the other hand was pretty shoddy, especially in low-light conditions. Personalization options are plenty with the u740. Not only can you use the wide array of preloaded wallpapers and graphics, you can download more from Verizons Get It Now service. The same goes for ringtones and alerts. The u740 doesnt come with any games, but you can download more BREW games from Verizon. We managed to download Pac-Man in a mere second, and playing it in the phones landscape mode was quite fun. PerformanceWe tested the dual-band Samsung SCH-u740 (CDMA 800/1900; EV-DO) in San Francisco using Verizon Wireless service. We were impressed with the call quality, which was very good, and callers reported little to no static. The speakerphone quality was excellent as well; callers reported that we sounded loud and clear even though we placed the phone a couple feet away. The audio quality did sound a little metallic, and people still knew we were calling from a cell phone, but it wasnt a deal breaker. We managed to pair the SCH-u740 with the Technocel T50 Bluetooth headset without a problem, and call quality from the headset was quite good as well.We downloaded music files via V Cast Music within seconds. Browsing the web was also quite speedy, and video streamed without buffering issues. The video quality was pretty mediocre, however, with a lot of pixilation that was especially noticeable in action shots such as sports video clips. On the other hand, music quality was very good. It sounded loud and clear from the phones speakers and through a headset. The Samsung SCH-u740 has a rated talk time of 3.5 hours and a rated standby time of 8.3 days. Our tests revealed an impressive talk time of 4 hours and 18 minutes. According to FCC radiation tests, the SCH-u740 has a digital SAR rating of 0.68 watts per kilogram. ),
(821,Samsung SCH-u740 (Black),Positives: The Samsung SCH-u740 has a sleek and attractive design with a cool, dual-flip hinge that lets you view the display in either portrait or landscape mode. It has a QWERTY keyboard, access to Verizons V Cast offerings, and a full array of multimedia goodies. Negatives: The Samsung SCH-u740 lacks a dedicated camera key on the phones exterior, and the video quality is mediocre. Were also not fans of the touch screen music controls. Facts: The Samsung SCH-u740s dual-flip design and QWERTY keyboard are great for text-messaging fans, and its impressive feature set seals its deal as one of Verizons strongest multimedia handsets. Note: This product is part of the Samsung SCH-u740 series. ., Despite the recent trend toward touch screen phones such as the NEC N908 and the Apple iPhone, phones with actual buttons are not going away any time soon--tactile feedback is still king in the cell phone world. Handsets with a built-in QWERTY keyboard are especially desirable for many a texting fanatic, and the brand-new Samsung SCH-u740 for Verizon Wireless is one such example. Similar to Cingulars Samsung SGH-d307, the u740 features a cool, dual-flip design that lets you switch between portrait and landscape view for easy messaging. The SCH-u740 is a huge improvement over its predecessor in almost every way -- not only does it have much better navigation controls, the SCH-u740 also comes packed with a megapixel camera, a music player, and access to the full stable of Verizon Wireless multimedia services including V Cast Music and Video. A decent alternative to the LG enV (VX9900), the SCH-u740 is a solid multimedia offering for Verizon customers. Its currently available for $149.99 with a two-year service agreement.DesignUnlike the SGH-d307, the SCH-u740 is quite a handsome phone. Its wide yet slim body is a subtle metallic-champagne color, and simple black accents give it a sophisticated and stylish look. Though its not nearly as skinny as the Motorola Razr (which is 0.5-inch thick) at 3.84x2.04x0.58 inches, the u740 is still thin enough to slip into your pants pocket with ease. It also has a nice heft when held in the hand, thanks to its 3.6-ounce weight, and it cradles nicely next to the ear when opened.Located on the SCH-u740s front flap is a small yet bright 1.1-inch external display that shows the date, the time, signal and battery strength, and photo caller ID. We were impressed with its 65,000-color display, especially because we could use it as a camera viewfinder for self-portraits. When the music player is active, you can use the external screen to view the album art as well as the current track playing. In a nice touch, you can change the wallpaper or clock format of the external display if you wish. Above the screen and the Samsung logo is the camera lens, while touch-sensitive music player controls are underneath the display. Slightly reminiscent of the controls on the LG VX8600, the music player controls can only be used when the music player is on. We arent fans of the touch-sensitive music controls, which required unlocking every time we want to change the track. Its possible to leave them unlocked, but this might lead to accidental track changes with a quick swipe of your finger.The rest of the phones exterior is pretty basic: The left spine is home to a Hold button to lock or unlock the aforementioned music player controls, a volume rocker, and the charger/accessory jack; the speakerphone key and a microSD card slot are on the right spine. We were disappointed that there wasnt a dedicated camera button on the phones exterior, which meant we could only activate the camera with the phone open.The SCH-u740 has a dual-flip design.As we mentioned earlier, the u740 features the same dual-flip design as the SGH-d307. This innovative design lets you open the phone vertically like a traditional clamshell, or you could open the phone horizontally and rotate it so the orientation of the display changes to landscape mode. The hinge felt quite sturdy when opening and closing the phone in both directions. Speaking of the display, we were delighted to see a lovely 2.2-inch, 262,000-color LCD inside. Images were saturated with color, and navigating the phones colorful and photorealistic menu was a delight. You can adjust the screens contrast and backlight time, plus the style and the size of the phones dialing fonts. The SCH-u740 has a QWERTY keyboard.Thankfully, Samsung appears to have learned its mistake from the d307s quirky navigation controls. While the d307s navigation controls did double duty with the QWERTY keyboard, the u740s navigation controls are decidedly separate from the rest of the keypad. There are two soft keys underneath the display when viewed in portrait mode, and a third soft key on the lower-left corner is for use when viewing in landscape mode. The familiar circular navigation controls with a middle OK key is also present, and they double as shortcuts to four user-defined functions. Below the soft keys and the navigation controls are the Send and End/Power key, the camera/camcorder key, the Clear key, and the voice command key. We were surprisingly pleased with the mini QWERTY keyboard and the button layout of the phone. A block of 12 keys at the top double as the number keypad, and they are colored grey to stand out against the black. There is a NumLock key next to the spacebar so you can still type out numbers and make calls when in landscape mode. All the keys were raised above the surface of the phone, and we found the keyboard to be spacious and tactile enough to type out text messages with ease. The backlight time of the keypad can also be adjusted.FeaturesThough u740s improved keyboard was notable by itself, its the features that make the u740 really shine over its predecessor. The SGH-d307 lacked multimedia features, but the u740 ramps it up with a megapixel camera, a music player, and full access to Verizons V Cast capabilities. And its phone offerings are pretty good as well. The u740 comes with an address book including room in each entry for five phone numbers, two e-mail addresses, and a note. You can also save contacts to a group and pair each contact with a photo for caller ID or one of 10 polyphonic ringtones. Other basic features include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, instant messaging (AOL, MSN, and Yahoo messengers are supported), e-mail, voice commands and dialing, a calculator, a calendar, an alarm clock, a world clock, a stop watch, a notepad, a speakerphone, a wireless web browser, and Bluetooth connectivity. Theres also an optional Wireless Sync e-mail feature that lets you sync up with your business or personal e-mail addresses. Wireless Sync supports Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, POP3, and IMAP e-mail systems. The Bluetooth technology on the u740 supports profiles for Vcard Push plus headset, hands-free operation, serial port, and dial-up networking. The u740s EV-DO support comes in handy especially when it comes to accessing Verizons multimedia broadband offerings like V Cast Music and V Cast Video. Its worth noting that you can only access the music player plus the V Cast services when the phone is in landscape mode. The music player and V Cast interface is similar to that of other Verizon phones, right down to the red-and-white navigation menus. You also have the option of purchasing and downloading other applications such as VZ Navigator, Chaperone Parent, and many more via Verizons Get It Now service.The SCH-u740 took decent photos.The 1.3-megapixel camera has a healthy array of settings, which include five different resolutions (1,280x960, 640x480, 320x240, 160x120, and a Picture ID setting), three quality settings (Fine, Normal, Economy), up to 4x zoom, color effects, white balance, light metering, flash, a self-timer of up to 10 seconds, auto save, preview mode, multishot, three \"ready\" sounds (\"Say Cheese!\", \"Look here,\" and \"1,2,3!\") plus a silent option, and three shutter sounds also with a silent option. The camcorder has two recording modes: Clips meant for multimedia messages are limited to 15 seconds, but Normal mode lets you record for as long as the available memory permits. Of course, you always can use a microSD card for more space. The quality of the photos was acceptable; though the images appeared a little blurry, they werent as pixilated as that of a VGA camera, and colors remained bright and bold. The video quality on the other hand was pretty shoddy, especially in low-light conditions. Personalization options are plenty with the u740. Not only can you use the wide array of preloaded wallpapers and graphics, you can download more from Verizons Get It Now service. The same goes for ringtones and alerts. The u740 doesnt come with any games, but you can download more BREW games from Verizon. We managed to download Pac-Man in a mere second, and playing it in the phones landscape mode was quite fun. PerformanceWe tested the dual-band Samsung SCH-u740 (CDMA 800/1900; EV-DO) in San Francisco using Verizon Wireless service. We were impressed with the call quality, which was very good, and callers reported little to no static. The speakerphone quality was excellent as well; callers reported that we sounded loud and clear even though we placed the phone a couple feet away. The audio quality did sound a little metallic, and people still knew we were calling from a cell phone, but it wasnt a deal breaker. We managed to pair the SCH-u740 with the Technocel T50 Bluetooth headset without a problem, and call quality from the headset was quite good as well.We downloaded music files via V Cast Music within seconds. Browsing the web was also quite speedy, and video streamed without buffering issues. The video quality was pretty mediocre, however, with a lot of pixilation that was especially noticeable in action shots such as sports video clips. On the other hand, music quality was very good. It sounded loud and clear from the phones speakers and through a headset. The Samsung SCH-u740 has a rated talk time of 3.5 hours and a rated standby time of 8.3 days. Our tests revealed an impressive talk time of 4 hours and 18 minutes. According to FCC radiation tests, the SCH-u740 has a digital SAR rating of 0.68 watts per kilogram. ),
(822,Cingular Wireless, , variety of physical locations, we do not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section. The more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.After it acquired AT&T Wireless in 2004, Cingular became the largest wireless carrier in the United States, with almost 60 million subscribers. Today it offers a widespread network and arguably the largest and most varied selection of cell and smart phones. Originally formed in 2001 as a joint venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth, Cingular is now fully owned by AT&T Inc. and is gradually changing its name back to its parent companys in 2007. Things you should know:Cingulars \"rollover\" plans let you roll unused minutes over to the following month.A GSM carrier, Cingular offers extensive international roaming.Customers can pay an extra fee to expand night and weekend hours.Cingular tends to pick up the hottest phones soon after their release date. It was the first carrier to offer the Motorola Razr and will be the exclusive provider of the Apple iPhone.Offers the most Sony Ericsson and Nokia phones of the major carriers but also offers LG and Samsung handsets. Has a varied selection of smart phones and is the largest provider of BlackBerry service.Every carrier claims they have the best network, and Cingular boasts that independent studies have shown that it has the fewest dropped calls of any wireless carrier. Tell us what you think in the user opinions section.High-speed 3G networks are limited to urban areas.Fast facts:Subscribers: 58.7 millionCoverage: Though Cingular provides coverage in every state, reception will vary due sharply based on the users location. Through roaming agreements it also provides service in more than 180 countries.Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE3G network: Yes, UMTS and HSDPAStreaming video service: Yes, Cingular VideoMusic download service: Yes, Cingular MusicPush-to-talk service: Available, depending on phone modelAnalog roaming: NoPrepaid plans: YesFamily plans: YesComparison chart:   Cingular Wireless T-Mobile Sprint Nextel Verizon Wireless Coverage map Cingular coverage map T-Mobile coverage map Sprint coverage map; Nextel coverage map Verizon Wireless coverage map Technology GSM, GPRS, EDGE GSM, GPRS, EDGE CDMA, 1xRTT, iDEN CDMA, 1xRTT 3G network Yes, UMTS and HSDPA No (coming in 2007) Yes, EV-DO Yes, EV-DO Data plans Yes Yes Yes Yes Streaming video network Yes, Cingular Video No Yes, Sprint Power Vision Yes, Verizon V Cast Music download service Yes, Cingular Music No Yes, Sprint Music Store Yes, Verizon V Cast Wireless Music Push-to-talk Available, depending on phone model No Available, depending on phone model Available, depending on phone model Analog roaming No No Yes Yes Prepaid plans Yes Yes No Yes Family plans Yes Yes Yes Yes),
(823,HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger,Positives: The HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger features advanced voice-command functions and the new Windows Mobile 6 operating system with enhanced e-mail functions and Office Mobile tools. The smart phone also has a compact design, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and VoIP capabilities. Negatives: Unfortunately, the iPaq 510s speakerphone quality was subpar, and there is no support for 3G. The phones keypad and navigation controls also are cramped, and it has a lower resolution screen. Facts: Despite some niggling design flaws and the lack of 3G support, the HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger offers outstanding voice-command features as well as the enhanced productivity tools of Windows Mobile 6. , Here it is: The first Windows Mobile 6 smart phone, and it comes from none other than HP. Its a good choice for mobile professionals who want to keep on top of their e-mail and occasionally work on documents while on the road. The HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger is a departure from the companys other smart phones as it focuses more on voice features and fills a void in its mobile device lineup, falling somewhere between its workhorse Pocket PC phones and standalone PDAs. Comparable to the Cingular 2125 or the T-Mobile SDA, the iPaq 510 looks and feels like a cell phone with its compact design; consequently, the controls are a touch cramped. However, this design flaw is tempered slightly by the fact that the smart phone has outstanding voice-command capabilities and convenient shortcuts to frequently used programs. Of course, the other big news here is the new operating system. The HP iPaq 510 runs Windows Mobile 6 Standard Edition (formerly known as Smartphone Edition), which brings the full Mobile Office Suite for working on the go as well as enhanced e-mail capabilities, Windows Vista synchronization, and more. Though weve only had a couple of days with our review unit, weve been impressed so far with the new capabilities and the iPaq 510s performance. Were still running it through our Labs test, however, so well update the performance section as soon as we have results.HP has not made any carrier announcements at the time of this writing, but as a quadband GSM phone, itll either be Cingular or T-Mobile. In addition, the company said it will start selling unlocked versions of the HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger some time in the spring, with prices starting around $299. Who knows how many other Windows Mobile 6 smart phones will have cropped up by then, and though were not completely sold on the design, we think the HP iPaq 510 is off to a good start.DesignOut of all the companys smart phones, the HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger most resembles a traditional cell phone. Unlike the HP iPaq hw6900 series, the candy bar phone iPaq 510 is compact and lightweight at 4.6x2.8x0.7 inches and 5.8 ounces, and the overall design reminded us a lot of the Sony Ericsson K790a. The iPaq 510 certainly doesnt earn many style points with its utilitarian design and basic color scheme of charcoal gray and black. That said, its completely appropriate for its intended audience of mobile professionals. In general, the HP iPaq 510 has a solid construction and feels comfortable in the hand and when held up to the ear.On front of the device, there is a 2-inch-diagonal TFT screen that displays 65,000 colors at a disappointing 176x220 pixel resolution. Though text and images were clear, the iPaq 510s screen simply didnt have the crispness and pop like the displays found on the Cingular 2125 or T-Mobile SDA. Also, we noticed it had a tendency to hold a lot of smudges and fingerprints. The good news is we could still read the screen contents even under harsh lighting. Unfortunately, the HP iPaq 510s navigation controls and keypad are a bit cramped. We should note that the HP iPaq 510 runs Windows Mobile 6 Standard Edition, and like Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone Edition before it, this version of the OS doesnt support touch screens, so youll have to navigate the phone through the controls below the display. At your disposal are the standard talk and end/power buttons, two soft keys, a home page shortcut, a back button, a four-way directional keypad with a center select button, and of course, the numeric keypad. Now, heres where the smart phones compact size works against it. The layout of the controls and dial pad is cramped, so itll take some finesse to press the right button. It was very reminiscent of our experience with the T-Mobile SDA, and even with our smaller hands, we still had problems hitting the right key or texting without errors, so we can only imagine itll be more difficult for those with larger thumbs. The keys also are a bit stiff, but looking on the bright side, they are adequately backlit. The good news is, however, HP has added some handy shortcuts for easily launching frequently used apps and tasks. The phones interface combines some of the old and some of the new. The Today screen keeps the layout of Windows Mobile 5 devices, but the icons and font have more of a Windows Vista look and feel about it; youll also notice this in the Start menu. HP has done a really nice thing by adding a Shortcuts menu at the bottom of the Today screen, where you can easily launch frequently used applications or functions with a click of a button. This is a huge time-saver as one of the biggest complaints about the Windows Mobile operating system is the number of steps it takes just to complete one task.Other controls and design features include a volume rocker, a microSD slot, and a 2.5mm headset jack on the left spine, a voice-command launch key on the right, and a mini USB port on the bottom edge. Also, on the back of the smart phone, you will find the speaker, camera lens, and self-portrait mirror. The smart phone also comes equipped with a 1.3 megapixel camera and self-portrait mirror. HP packages the iPaq 510 Voice Messenger with a USB cable, an AC adapter, a wired stereo headset, reference material, and a companion CD. A belt holster would have been nice, but the handset is small enough to easily slip into a pants pocket. However, if youre throwing it into your bag or purse, you might want to think about investing in some kind of protective case.FeaturesAs the name would imply, the HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger is all about delivering voice features. The iPaq 510 is a quadband world phone so you can use it overseas. The address book is only limited by the available memory (the SIM card holds an additional 250 contacts), and you can store up to 12 numbers for a single entry as well as home and work addresses, e-mail, IM screen name, birthday, spouses name, and more. For caller ID purposes, you can pair a contact with a photo, a caller group, or one of 28 ringtones. A new contact function that comes with the arrival of Windows Mobile 6 is that call history is now sorted to the appropriate contact page, so you can easily see when you received and made calls to that specific person, time of call, duration, and so forth. (There is a traditional call history list as well.) Also, the new OS provides a quick Send text message shortcut so with one click, you can be on your way to text message heaven rather than having to go through several steps. Other phone highlights of the iPaq 510 include a vibrate mode, a speakerphone, speed dialing, conference calling, and VoIP support. Were not done with the voice features quite yet. One of the coolest things about this smart phone is its advanced voice-command functions. The iPaq 510s Voice Commander is one of the best voice-command systems weve seen to date. Its easy to use with no training required and more importantly, it actually works. Plus, you can use it to perform a number of tasks, such as making calls, opening applications, and playing music. You even can compose and send an e-mail, and then your recipient will receive an audio file (no speech-to-text functionality yet) in his or her in-box with your message. There are just more than 20 commands in total. We tested a variety of them, and rarely did we have to repeat ourselves to get the right command. Speaking at your phone might seem geeky, but we cant deny the ease and convenience of calling up tasks by barking out a quick command, rather than going through several layers of menus. The Voice Commander program on the HP iPaq 510 is top-notch. Moving on to regular ol messaging, the e-mail experience on the iPaq 510 is much more enhanced, thanks to Windows Mobile 6. First, it ships with Microsofts Direct Push technology so you get real-time e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization with your Outlook calendar, tasks, and contacts via the Exchange Server. Microsoft has also added nine new one-click shortcuts; plus, you get more of the true Outlook experience as your Inbox view shows messages that are flagged, marked as high importance, and so forth, and you don't have to comb through all your messages just to find that one e-mail you need. A new search function allows you to simply start typing in a word while in your Inbox, and it will automatically pull up messages with that term. There is, of course, continued support for POP3 and IMAP accounts, but now you can view e-mails in their original HTML format, regardless of account type. If there happens to be a hyperlink within a message, you can select to go to that page or if a phone number is listed, you can dial out directly from that message as well.The integration of Windows Live for Mobile brings not only your Hotmail and Windows Live e-mail accounts to the device, but the Messenger client and search capabilities as well. Of the former, we wish we werent restricted to only that instant-messaging client. The search function is extremely useful, however, for quick Web results, and you have the option of installing a Live search toolbar on the Today screen for even easier access. To do all that Web browsing, you, of course, need wireless options, and the HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger has integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) as well as Bluetooth 1.2 for connecting to wireless headsets, car kits, and other peripherals. There also is a new Internet Sharing utility, courtesy of Windows Mobile 6, that allows you to easily set up your phone as a wireless modem for your laptop via Bluetooth, or you can use a USB connection as well. Sadly, there is no 3G support for this smart phone.The HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger was designed to help mobile professionals, and now they can be even more productive on the go with the addition of the Mobile Office Suite. Whereas Windows Mobile 5 smart phones typically came installed with the Picsel Viewer Suite opening and viewing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents, Windows Mobile 6 brings the real deal to the iPaq 510 so you can not only see said files but also edit them. Of note, the PowerPoint edit capabilities are pretty much limited to changing playback options. We were able to transfer all three document types using ActiveSync 4.5 and had no problems viewing them. Admittedly, trying to edit manuscripts and spreadsheets without a touch screen and a QWERTY keyboard was a bit challenging. Business users might be interested to know that Windows Mobile 6 includes new mobile versions of the .NET Compact Framework and SQL Server so you can access sales tools and other relevant apps. Windows Mobile 6 didnt bring any major changes in the multimedia department, so your experience will be much of the same as it would be on a Windows Mobile 5 device. The HP iPaq 510 has a 1.3-megapixel camera with video-recording capabilities and a 6x digital zoom. All the standard options are there, including brightness and white balance settings, five resolutions, and three shooting modes for still images. Your choices are drastically reduced, however, when recording video. Picture quality was mediocre. There was a grainy look to images, but colors were relatively bright. Picture quality of the iPaq 510s 1.3-megapixel camera was just OK. Finally, the HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger offers a number of other useful utilities, PIM tools, and games. The Resource Manager and Space Manager found in the Accessories folder are particularly handy as they show you your battery strength and how much memory you have available. The Space Manager also has a menu where you can erase such items as call history and voice notes to free up device storage. Overall, the iPaq 510 has 128MB flash ROM and 64MB SDRAM with about 65MB available for storage and 44MB for program memory. PerformanceWe tested the quadband (GSM 850/900/1800/1900; GPRS/EDGE) HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger in San Francisco using Cingular service, and call quality was good overall. On a couple of occasions, our friends voices sounded garbled but for the most part we enjoyed clear calls with no interference. On the other end, our callers said we sounded great, and they couldnt tell we were using a cell phone. Unfortunately, once we activated the speakerphone, things took a bit of a dive. We had a hard time hearing the conversation, and our callers said we sounded far away and repeatedly asked us to speak up. Pairing with a Bluetooth headset was a cinch, as we easily connected the smart phone with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Headset.Overall, the iPaq 510 offered swift performance. Whether we were working on Office documents, activating the camera, or performing other tasks, the device was always responsive. Web browsing was also great. Pages loaded within seconds, and the new Favorites and History listing was quite convenient. The multimedia experience was lacking, however. Music playback through the phones speakers was awful. Video performance was OK, but the screen was really too small to enjoy anything beyond a minute. HP claims that the iPaq 510 leads the competition in battery life with a rated 6.5 hours of continuous talk time and up to 7.8 days of standby time. Were still conducting our Labs tests to see if this holds true, and well update this section as soon as we have results. That said, weve already seen a number of smart phones, such as the previously mentioned Cingular 2125 and T-Mobile SDA, pass the 6.5 hour mark. ),
(824,Palm Treo 680 (unlocked),Positives: The Palm Treo 680 features a sleeker design; integrated Bluetooth with the ability to use it as a wireless modem; more user-accessible memory; and e-mail capabilities. It also offers a bright touch screen and productivity tools and is easy to use. Negatives: The smart phone doesnt have integrated Wi-Fi nor does it support Palms Wi-Fi card or voice dialing. Whats more, the VGA camera is disappointing, the QWERTY keyboard is a bit cramped, and the speakerphone quality is a bit scratchy. Facts: With a user-friendly interface, decent performance, and an affordable price point, the Palm Treo 680 is a good smart phone for the first-time buyer or for mobile users looking to be more productive on the road; we just wish it had a better camera and Wi-Fi support. Note: This product is part of the Palm Treo 680 series. ., Photo gallery: Palm Treo 680),
(825,Palm Treo 680 (arctic),Positives: The Palm Treo 680 features a sleeker design; integrated Bluetooth with the ability to use it as a wireless modem; more user-accessible memory; and e-mail capabilities. It also offers a bright touch screen and productivity tools and is easy to use. Negatives: The smart phone doesnt have integrated Wi-Fi nor does it support Palms Wi-Fi card or voice dialing. Whats more, the VGA camera is disappointing, the QWERTY keyboard is a bit cramped, and the speakerphone quality is a bit scratchy. Facts: With a user-friendly interface, decent performance, and an affordable price point, the Palm Treo 680 is a good smart phone for the first-time buyer or for mobile users looking to be more productive on the road; we just wish it had a better camera and Wi-Fi support. Note: This product is part of the Palm Treo 680 series. ., Photo gallery: Palm Treo 680),
(826,Palm Treo 680 (copper),Positives: The Palm Treo 680 features a sleeker design; integrated Bluetooth with the ability to use it as a wireless modem; more user-accessible memory; and e-mail capabilities. It also offers a bright touch screen and productivity tools and is easy to use. Negatives: The smart phone doesnt have integrated Wi-Fi nor does it support Palms Wi-Fi card or voice dialing. Whats more, the VGA camera is disappointing, the QWERTY keyboard is a bit cramped, and the speakerphone quality is a bit scratchy. Facts: With a user-friendly interface, decent performance, and an affordable price point, the Palm Treo 680 is a good smart phone for the first-time buyer or for mobile users looking to be more productive on the road; we just wish it had a better camera and Wi-Fi support. Note: This product is part of the Palm Treo 680 series. ., Photo gallery: Palm Treo 680),
(827,Palm Treo 680 (crimson),Positives: The Palm Treo 680 features a sleeker design; integrated Bluetooth with the ability to use it as a wireless modem; more user-accessible memory; and e-mail capabilities. It also offers a bright touch screen and productivity tools and is easy to use. Negatives: The smart phone doesnt have integrated Wi-Fi nor does it support Palms Wi-Fi card or voice dialing. Whats more, the VGA camera is disappointing, the QWERTY keyboard is a bit cramped, and the speakerphone quality is a bit scratchy. Facts: With a user-friendly interface, decent performance, and an affordable price point, the Palm Treo 680 is a good smart phone for the first-time buyer or for mobile users looking to be more productive on the road; we just wish it had a better camera and Wi-Fi support. Note: This product is part of the Palm Treo 680 series. ., Photo gallery: Palm Treo 680),
(828,LG VX8500 Chocolate (strawberry),Positives: The LG Chocolate has a sharp design; satisfying overall performance; and a multimedia-rich feature set that includes Bluetooth, a digital music player, and a megapixel camera with admirable photo quality. Negatives: The LG Chocolates unique touch pad and controls entail a steep learning curve, and the phone suffers from poor streaming video quality and low talk-time battery life. The lack of a speakerphone is disappointing. Facts: Though the LG Chocolate is beautifully designed and offers a respectable mix of features and performance, it doesnt quite live up to the hype. Note: This product is part of the LG Chocolate series. ., Editors note: As of September 27, 2006, LG has released a firmware update to the LG Chocolate that adds speakerphone functionality to the phone. It was not available at the time of this review.Its not uncommon for the introduction of a new cell phone to be preceded by a ton of hype. Take for instance, the LG VX85000. Otherwise known as the Chocolate, the VX8500 became the talk of the mobile world after its stateside debut last April at the annual CTIA show. Rumors flew back and forth regarding when wed see it with a U.S. carrier, and finally this week, after being available in Europe and Asia for several months, the Chocolate has landed at Verizon Wireless. After so much speculation, we were eager to find out just what type of chocolate the Chocolate really is. Is it Hersheys or Godiva? The answer seems to lie somewhere in between. By all means, its beautiful and offers decent call quality, but the keys and controls take some getting used to. And though it has stereo Bluetooth, a megapixel camera, a digital music player, and support for Verizons 3G video and music services, it doesnt do much that other cell phones don't do already. And more to the point, it lacks a speakerphone, something even the most basic cell phones offer. On the upside, the Chocolate is fairly priced at $149 with service. From what we can tell the \"Chocolate\" in the LG VX8500s name comes from its basic shape. Sporting a sharply rectangular form factor, the all-black phone does somewhat resemble a dark-chocolate candy bar, but thats all the resemblance we could find. However, it is very sleek and sexy, and we love the cool slider form factor. The dimensions with the slider closed are average (3.8 by 1.58 by 0.69 inches; 3.5 ounces), but it will fit in almost any pocket and wont add significant weight to a bag. Also, while its hardly as thin as the Motorola Razr, it nonetheless has a trim profile that will catch attention. The slider mechanism slips up and down with a solid click, and the phone seems well constructed overall. Though you can make calls with the slider closed, we found it more comfortable to talk in the open position. The LG Chocolates touch pad is unique on a cell phone. The gorgeous display measures two inches diagonally (320x240 pixels) and supports 11 lines of text. With support for 262,000 colors, its one of the most attractive displays weve seen on a cell phone and arguably the best on an LG handset. Graphics and animation were sharp, and colors popped. Our only gripes, and these are small, is that the display has a reflective quality and attracts smudges and fingerprints easily. Also, its hard to see in direct light and nearly impossible to see when the backlighting is off. You can change the clock style, the backlighting time, and the font size but no other options are customizable. Below the display are the navigation controls, which are unlike anything weve seen on a cell phone thus far. Well say off the bat that while theyre intriguing and pretty, they have some big trade-offs. Not only is their overall design and placement on the phone somewhat baffling, it takes practice to understand how to use the controls. The most prominent feature is a round iPod-like touch pad that sits just below the display. Much like a navigation toggle on a more traditional cell phone, the touch pad is divided into four quadrants for each direction (up, down, left, and right) with an OK button in the middle that also open the main menu. The four directional buttons can be set as shortcuts to four user-defined functions, while the left and right keys also serve as back and forward controls when using the music player. The other navigation keys consist of two soft keys that double as shortcuts to the messaging menu and the phone book, a talk button and a dedicated (but oddly marked) back key. Wheres the end/power key you ask? Thats been moved to the Chocolates left spine, which is an odd and unintuitive location for such an oft-used key. Before we grew accustomed to the arrangement, our finger kept pressing the back button by mistake when we wanted to hang up a call. Like the touch pad, all the navigation buttons are touch keys, which means they are extremely sensitive. You can change the sensitivity, but even in the lowest setting, we would activate a button by simply brushing our finger across the phones face. Moreover, you don't get the tactile feel of pressing down on a button when using the controls, and when the backlighting is off, the navigation buttons outside of the circular touch pad disappear completely. Another consequence of the touch-pad controls is that the navigation array locks immediately when the phone is closed and when youre on a call. Though the lock mechanism is necessary to avoid any misdials, it also means you have to press the voice-dialing button on the left spine in order to unlock the controls. The keys also lock when the phone is open, but a quick press of any spine-mounted control will activate them again. Above the voice-dialing button is a volume rocker, while a covered headset jack sits just below it. On the right spine are camera shutter control and music player shortcut buttons, the aforementioned end/power key (also used to stop the media player), and the Micro SD card slot. The camera lens is located behind the slider mechanism, so you must have the phone open to take pictures.The numeric keypad is well designed, with large buttons that are brightly backlit. Theyre also set far enough below the bottom off the slider so that your finger doesnt bump up against it. Though the alphanumeric keys can be slippery are not separated into individual buttons, they do have a tactile feel and move downward when you press them, while giving off an audible click. Fortunately, the Chocolate offers menu themes beyond the standard Verizon design that is now commonplace on the carriers phone. The default \"Rock n Roll\" option uses a Flash-based design where the menu options are arranged in a circle. With this arrangement, our initial instinct was to use the touch pad much like an iPod scrollwheel in order to get to the choice we wanted. Yet we learned quickly that our instincts were wrong, and we had to use the left and right keys to turn the circle instead. Options in the secondary menus are arranged in a simple list format, which is scrollable using the up and down directional buttons but not the volume rocker. We like that you can navigate sideways through secondary menu options. The LG Chocolate comes loaded with multimedia options, but well get the basics out of the way first. The phone book holds 500 contacts, which was below our expectation, but each entry holds five phone numbers and two e-mail addresses. You can organize callers into groups, assign them a picture, or pair them with one of 13 polyphonic ring tones. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, voice command and dialing, a calculator, a calendar, an alarm clock, a world clock, a notepad, a tip calculator, and support for e-mail and instant messaging. Bluetooth is onboard as well and, though in typical Verizon style most object exchange profiles arent supported, you can use the Bluetooth to make calls, send a wireless business card to another Bluetooth device, sync your contacts and calendar with your PC, or connect to a PC for modem calls. And even better, the Chocolate does have a stereo Bluetooth profile, which is still too rare on most phones today. Yet for all that hands-free functionality we were extremely disappointed to learn that the Chocolate does not have a speakerphone. Since even the most basic handsets on the market today, such as the LG C1500, have a speakerphone, its omission on the Chocolate is perplexing and frustrating. Verizon is pushing music as one of the core components of the Chocolate. Like all Verizon phones compatible with the carriers V Cast Music service, you can download tunes directly to the phone. Most of the same restrictions and costs apply here as well: songs downloaded to a PC are 99 cents, while simultaneous downloads to a PC and the phone are $1.99 each. Also, while the integrated digital music player supports both WMA and MP3 formats, any files transferred from a PC must be converted to WMA format first. The music player interface is similar to those on other V Cast Music phones, and we like that you can activate and turn off the player via the spine-mounted shortcut buttons. Navigation through the round touch pad was easy enough, but the other keys proved tricky for the reasons we mentioned earlier. Features on the player include shuffle and repeat modes and an airplane mode. And as previously mentioned, the stereo Bluetooth support is a great touch.Besides downloading music wirelessly, you can transfer it from a PC using a USB cable and Verizons software, or you can load tracks on the phone from a Micro SD card. None of these items comes with the phone, however, so youll need to shell out an additional $30 for the Music Essentials Kit, which includes the software, a USB cable, and a stereo headset for making calls and listening to music. Unfortunately, the only in-box accessory with the Chocolate is an adapter for using your own 2.5mm wired headset (the Chocolate uses a proprietary plug). A Micro SD memory card is also a good investment, since the phones internal memory caps out at 62MB for music and 66MB shared for other applications. The Chocolates camera lacks a flash. As part of its 3G, EV-DO support, the Chocolate is also compatible with Verizons V Cast streaming video service with the full range of content offerings. Also on the visual side is the 1.3-megapixel camera. You can take pictures in five resolutions: 1,280x960, 640x480, 320x240, 176x144, and 160x120. Camera options include a self-timer, brightness and white balance controls, a night mode, five color effects, and three shutter sounds (plus a silent option). Theres no flash, but there is a self-portrait mirror and a 2X zoom for use at the lower resolutions. The camcorder takes 3G2 videos in one resolution (176x144) with sound; editing options are similar to the still camera. Clips meant for multimedia messages are capped at 15 seconds; otherwise you can record up to an hour depending on the available memory. Photo quality was quite good in our tests, with sharp colors and distinct object outlines. In bright conditions, the lighting was a bit washed out. Videos were decent but nothing special as they tended to be grainy and pixelated. We love the Chocolates photo quality. You can personalize the LG Chocolate with a variety of wallpapers, alert sounds, and display themes. If you want more options or more ring tones, polyphonic or MP3, you can download them via the WAP 2.0 wireless browser. No games or special applications are included on the phone, but a variety of options are available for purchase from Verizons Get It Now service. Be advised that gameplay through the touch pad is a bit difficult. We tested the dual-band, dual-mode (CDMA 800/1900; EV-DO) LG VX8500 Chocolate in San Francisco using Verizons service. Call quality was decent overall, and we had no problem getting a signal. There was little static or interference, but at times, callers sounded a bit harsh and robotic. Callers could tell we were using a cell, but they had little trouble hearing or understanding us in most conditions. We were able to pair the Chocolate with the Plantronics Explorer 320 Bluetooth headset and enjoyed reasonable call quality.EV-DO coverage was admirable, and connection speeds were sufficiently speedy. Game downloads took less than a minute, and browsing was hassle-free. On the other hand, streaming video quality on the Chocolate wasnt very sharp. There was heavy choppiness and pixelation, and the sound didnt match the action. Whats more, clips paused for rebuffering on more than a few occasions and at times even froze completely. We were impressed with the music quality overall and found it to be Verizons best-sounding music phone to date, surpassing the LG VX8300 and on a par with Sony Ericssons Walkman phones. You can listen to music without the headphones, but your tunes will sound much better with them. Yet we didnt like the phones proprietary connection, which didnt fit very securely. Keep in mind, the music player wont provide the full range of bass and equalizer options as youll find on a stand-alone MP3 player, but it will do the trick for short to moderate stints. V Cast Music takes a few seconds to access, and song downloads take just over a minute. Check back soon for a full report on Verizons Music Essentials software.The Chocolate has a rated talk time of 3.5 hours and a promised standby time of 10 days. However, our talk-time tests came up short at just 2.5 hours. According to FCC radiation tests, the LG VX8500 Chocolate has a digital SAR rating of 1.13 watts per kilogram. ),
(829,Motorola Q (Sprint),Positives: The Motorola Q for Sprint features a revamped design with an attractive charcoal gray casing and rubberized cover. It also continues to offer a sharp display, a full QWERTY keyboard, EV-DO support, push e-mail, and a 1.3-megapixel camera. You can also use the device as a wireless modem. Negatives: Sprints version of the Moto Q doesnt support some of the carriers 3G content like Sprint TV and Sprint Music. It also lacks Wi-Fi. Facts: The Motorola Q for Sprint sports a revamped design and some carrier specific content, but there are no revolutionary upgrades here. Still, the sleek design and Sprints reasonably priced data plan make it an attractive option. Note: This product is part of the Motorola Q series. ., The Samsung BlackJack and T-Mobile Dash have pretty much stolen the spotlight from the Motorola Q, but to be fair, the Q was the original slim, QWERTY keyboard device that influenced the likes of the two aforementioned smart phones. Though Verizon Wireless long had an exclusive on the Q, Sprint now has a version on its own (no official word yet on a GSM model, although there are rumblings of its imminent release). Though the core applications remain the same between the Verizon and Sprint versions, there are changes in the design as well as software enhancements and different carrier content. We will highlight those differences in this review, but in short, there are no revolutionary upgrades here. Its a decent smart phone for Sprint customers looking for a sleek device to help them be more productive on the go. Plus, Sprint offers the best-priced data plan at around $15 a month for unlimited data, compared to Verizons $49.99, Cingulars $39.99, and T-Mobiles $29.99. All that said, if you need more a workhorse smart phone, check out the Palm Treo 700wx or Sprint PPC-6700, or if mobile e-mail is your thing, the RIM BlackBerry 8703e is a good fit. The Motorola Q for Sprint is available now for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates and discounts.DesignVerizon offers a silver Q and a sleek black version, while Sprint combines the two colors to offer an attractive charcoal gray casing. To complement the darker hue, Motorola has switched the colors on the QWERTY keyboard--where the silver Q had the number keys highlighted in dark gray and the rest of the buttons in silver; this is reversed with the Sprint Moto Q. Disappointingly, we still found the backlighting on the keyboard to be a bit dim.Another new feature is the rubberized texture of the phone. We much prefer it over the original Q as it makes the smart phone easier to grip and hold, and the soft finish also makes it less prone to scratches. It keeps the same compact dimensions (4.5x2.5x0.4 inches; 4.1 ounces), and as we noted in our earlier review, if you havent used this type of convergence device before, there may be a period of adjustment to get used to the extra width, as well as holding it up to your ear as a phone. For comparison, the Samsung BlackJack measures 4.4x2.3x0.6 inches and weighs 3.5 ounces. Aside from the color and material changes, the rest of the design elements remain the same. Please check our review of the Verizon Motorola Q for a full rundown of these features. Now, as we mentioned earlier, since the Qs launch, there have been several comparable smart phones to come out, including the Samsung BlackJack and the T-Mobile Dash, and they do have some advantages over the Q in the design department. For example, we like the curved edges and overall shape of the Dash better, while we appreciate the dedicated volume controls on the BlackJack. Yet, none of these devices are perfect, and we still favor the Qs spacious QWERTY keyboard over the other two. Sprint is very stingy with accessories as it packages the Motorola Q with an AC charger, a mini USB cable, and reference material. At least Verizon included a holster. FeaturesThe Motorola Q for Sprint has all the same core features as the Verizon version, including Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone Edition, 128MB of flash memory and 64MB of RAM, a 312MHz processor, push e-mail capabilities, EV-DO support, a 1.3-megapixel camera with video recording, and so forth (see the Features section of the Verizon Moto Q for more). However, the benefit of the Sprint version is it ships with the latest software update from Motorola that is supposed to resolve some of the sluggish performance and battery issues that users experienced with the original model. Of course, there also are differences with the carriers content offerings. The Sprint Q comes with OnDemand content, which pulls all the current headlines, sports scores, and weather for the users region (based on zip code), as well as stock quotes, maps, movie times, and more, and puts it into the palm of your hand. For sports nuts, you also can check out Sprints NFL Mobile service, where you can get real-time scores and stats. Both services are offered as part of the Sprint Power Vision pack, which ranges in price from $15 to $25 per month. We are, however, disappointed that the Q does not support Sprints other 3G content, such as Sprint TV and Sprint Music. To be fair, Verizons Q doesnt support the carriers comparable V cast service either.There are a couple of other carrier nuances. First, in Internet Explorer Mobile, Sprint has added an item on the Favorites list called Sprint Powerdeck, which allows you to quickly scan for software updates, search FAQs, contact Sprint, and check out other useful links. There also is a shortcut from the Start menu to the Sprint software store where you can buy and download more applications, games, ringtones, and screensavers.One final note: the Sprint Motorola Q does support dial-up networking via Bluetooth and USB, but you will have to subscribe to the phone as a modem service plan. Pricing for this starts at $39.99 for 40MB per month, or if you sign a two-year service agreement, you can get an unlimited data plan for $49.99.PerformanceWe tested the dual-band Motorola Q (CDMA 850/1900; EV-DO) in San Francisco using Sprints network and call quality was OK. We could hear our callers just fine but noticed a slight hiss in the background; nothing that prevented us from having a conversation though. On the other end, friends said our voice sounded a bit digitized, and they could tell we were using a cell phone, but overall, still clear and loud. Activating the speakerphone yielded similar results. We also were able to pair the Motorola Q with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset without a hitch.General performance was a bit sluggish. Though we had no problems transferring and viewing Word and Excel documents and various PDFs, there was a noticeable lag when opening said files. Web browsing on the Q was good for the most part. Sites such as EBAY.com and ESPN.com took about 10 to 15 seconds to come up, while less graphic-intensive pages took less time. Multimedia was a mixed bag. Listening to music through the Qs speakers was pretty much atrocious. The sound was hollow and faint, and like most cell phones, the Moto Q has a 2.5mm headset jack, so you cant plug in a good pair of headphones. The Q does, however, support Bluetooth stereo headsets. Video performance was much better. We watched a WMV clip, and enjoyed smooth playback with some slight pixelation. The Motorola Qs battery is rated for 4 hours of talk time and up to 8 days of standby time. In our tests, we were able to get 4 hours and 51 minutes of continuous talk time from a single charge. ),
(830,Samsung SCH-u520,Positives: The Samsung SCH-u520 offers an attractive new user interface. It also has a worthy set of features including Bluetooth, a megapixel camera, and a microSD card slot. Negatives: The Samsung SCH-u520 has slick buttons and controls, and its voice quality is variable. Facts: Though there are better choices for a midrange phone, the Samsung SCH-u520 is remarkable and offers the innovative Celltop application. , Though its far from the largest carrier in the United States, Alltel is not shy when it comes to promoting new technologies. It was the first U.S. carrier to introduce the Fastap-enabled LG AX490, and now with its new Samsung SCH-u520, Alltel unveils a completely new cell phone interface. Celltop allows users to organize information on the phones display without having to search through multiple menus to find it. Though its not quite perfect, Celltop earns points for originality and certainly is a solid step toward making cell phones easier to use. On the practical side, the SCH-u520s design is unexceptional and the call quality was uneven, but the phone offers some nice features such as a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, a speakerphone, and a microSD card slot. You can get the phone for a reasonable $59 with service.DesignSamsung loves its slim phones and though the SCH-u520 isnt the skinniest model weve seen, it certainly makes a nod in that direction. At 1.92x3.74x1.0 inches and 2.96 ounces, its small enough to be carried around easily while maintaining a comfortable feel in the hand. The basic black color scheme and simple lines are unassuming, which make it a good choice for anyone who favors plain styling. The flip mechanism seems mostly solid but the plastic face did feel a tad cheap. The postage stamp (176x16 pixels) external display packs in all the necessary information including the date, time, battery life, signal strength, and caller ID. And since its color, it supports photo caller ID, and you also can use it as a camera viewfinder. You can change the contrast but not the font size. Unfortunately, its also a fingerprint magnet. Below the display are dedicated keys for the music player--a nice and surprising touch for this caliber of phone--while below them are the stereo speakers (another nice touch). The camera lens sits above the display with a flash for minimal light in dim situations. The SCH-u520 features dedicated music buttons. Other exterior features were few. A volume rocker sits on the left spine while a small camera shutter/speakerphone button sits on the right spine. While we usually like a speakerphone button, we werent so satisfied here. Since you must press the left side of the key once for the speakerphone and the right side of the key for the camera, it can be a bit tricky if you have big fingers. Whats more, since a longer press activated the video camera, it can get even more confusing the first few times you use it. Also on the left spine are a covered headset jack and a microSD card slot. The charger port is in its usual location on the bottom of the phone.Inside the phone is the main 262,000-color display. At 2 inches diagonally (176x220 pixels), its bright and vivid and displays graphics and pictures well. Like most Samsung displays, it disappears in direct light but its quite serviceable overall. You can change the backlighting time, the brightness, and the font size and style. Alltels menus, which are available in two styles, are functional and easy to use. Of course the new Celltop feature is the main news here, but well discuss that below.Due to the SCH-u520s slim stature, the navigation controls are flat with the surface of the phone. Though this arrangement is now quite common, we continue to prefer controls that are more tactile and not so slippery. On the upside, the array is large so even users with bigger hands should have no trouble. A four-way toggle surrounds a central OK button thats also used to open the menu when the phone is in standby mode. As for shortcuts, the toggle gives one-touch access to the phone book, the Web browser, Alltels application menu, and the memory card storage. There also are two soft keys, a clear button, and the talk and end/power controls. The keypad buttons werent the easiest to use as theyre also flush with the phone and rather slick. On the other hand, they have bright backlighting for easy dialing in the dark.FeaturesThe Samsung SCH-u520 offers all the usual features youd expect on a midtier phone. The phone book holds 5,000 contacts with room in each entry for five phone numbers and two e-mail addresses. You can save contacts to groups and pair them with a photo or one of 15 polyphonic ringtones. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, a speakerphone, a memo pad, a calendar, an alarm clock, a world clock, a calculator, a stop watch, a unit converter, and a tip calculator. On the higher end, there are also voice commands, Bluetooth, PC syncing, and e-mail support.It goes without saying that the most notable feature of the SCH-u520 is the new Celltop application. Celltop consists of interactive, changeable windows or \"cells\" on the phones display that provide shortcuts to a variety of features, including your call log and message in-box. The idea is to let you scan such information without having to sort through multiple menus. Each cell, which takes up half of the display, sits on top of the phones existing applications. Besides your call log and message in-box, eight other cells are available, including weather (customizable by city); news reports; stock quotes; your ringtones folder; and scores for basketball, football, and baseball. Rodeo is the quirkiest cell of them all, but there may just be a market for this one.The result is mostly effective though its worth noting that Celltop doesnt just appear on the SCH-u520s display when you turn it on. Instead, you must actually open the application and wait for it to load. While it takes just a couple clicks and a few seconds, its not quite as time-saving as Alltel might have you think. Yet once it is open, it does provide a lot of useful information at your fingertips. You can scroll easily through the available cells, and the interface is intuitive and attractive. We were able to load San Francisco weather and a few stock quotes and liked that you could jump straight to your message in-box by selecting the corresponding cell. On the other hand, each cell needs to reload once you scroll back to it, which takes more time. Also, every time you refresh a cell, Alltel charges you for one minute of air time. This applies even to your call log and message in-box.You can personalize Celltop by choosing which cells you want on your phone, the order in which they appear, and their color. Whats more, open-source fans will be pleased that Celltop is open to the developer community for new and unique cells. The SCH-u520s camera comes with a flash. The SCH-u520s 1.3 meagpixel camera takes pictures in four resolutions (1,280x960, 640x480, 320x240, and 96x96) and comes with a generous assortment of editing options. You can adjust the white balance and the brightness, choose from five color effects and select one of three shutter sounds (theres also a silent option). Other features include spot metering, three quality settings, a self timer, and modes for multi, series, and divided shots. Theres also an 8x zoom but its unusable at the highest resolution. Photo quality was a bit below average for a megapixel camera. Colors looked decent but objects looked fuzzy and lacked distinct outlines. Also, while the camera menu interface is easy to use, the white text can be hard to discern if youre pointing the camera at a bright light. The SCH-u520 has average photo quality. The camcorder takes clips with sound and offers a set of editing options similar to the still camera. Videos meant for multimedia messages are capped at 15 seconds; otherwise you can shoot for as long as the available memory permits. And speaking of which, you get a respectable 65MB of shared internal memory, and you can add more using a microSD card (not included). The SCH-u520 comes with a basic digital music player for your audio needs. Though it offers just the simplest features and sports a minimalist interface, its perfectly serviceable for shorts stints. And theres an airplane mode for turning off the phones calling feature during air travel. On the downside, its bothersome that it will only play tracks from the microSD card. Other multimedia features include Alltels Axcess TV and support for XM Satellite Radio.You can personalize the SCH-u520 with a variety of wallpapers, screensavers, color themes, and clock styles. You can write a personalized banner as well. More options are available for download via the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. Unfortunately, no integrated games are included on the phone--not even demo versions.PerformanceWe tested the dual-band (CDMA 800/1900; EV-DO) Samsung SC-U520 in San Francisco using Alltels service. Call quality was decent but not quite exceptional. Though we could hear callers plainly and there was enough volume, voices had a slight echoed effect and at times sounded a bit metallic as well. Callers reported a similar issue and could tell we were using a cell phone. They said the volume level was fine, however. We had more trouble in noisy situations, such as walking down the street, but thats not unusual with a phone of this caliber. Voice response systems could understand us most of the time.Speakerphone calls were about the same but they sounded less muffled than on other speakerphones weve tried. Bluetooth calls were about average as well. Wed recommend using a wired headset for music as tunes over the phones speakers were too tinny. We give Samsung points for stereo speakers but wish they offered a stereo Bluetooth profile as well.The SCH-u520 has a rated battery life of 3.6 hours talk time and 10.4 days standby time. We only managed to eke out a disappointing 2 hours of talk time in our tests. According to FCC radiation tests, the SCH-u520 has a digital SAR rating of 1.17 watts per kilogram. ),
(831,RIM BlackBerry Pearl White (T-Mobile),Positives: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl is the first BlackBerry to offer a 1.3-megapixel camera, music and video playback, expandable memory, and a mapping application. The supersleek phone also continues to offer superior push e-mail capabilities, EDGE support, and Bluetooth. Negatives: The RIM BlackBerry Pearls microSD slot is inconveniently located behind the battery, and call quality was subpar in our tests. The phones camera doesnt record video, and we wish there were external controls for the music player and integrated Wi-Fi. Facts: Though nothing revolutionary, the addition of multimedia features and the already solid e-mail capabilities make the RIM BlackBerry Pearl an attractive device for business users and consumers alike. Note: This product is part of the RIM BlackBerry Pearl series. ., \t\t\tPhoto gallery:RIM BlackBerry Pearl ),
(832,Nokia N80ie, Note: This product is part of the Nokia N series. ., The Nokia N80ie is largely like its predecessor, the N80, keeping the same hardware but adding some nice software upgrades to enhance the Web experience of the smart phone. The N80ie now includes a download client that provides an easy way to get new apps on the handset. In addition, there are shortcuts for Yahoo Go, Gizmo VoIP, F-Secure, and other programs preloaded on the device for easy download. We were able to quickly and easily download several of the apps using T-Mobile service. Similar to the rest of the Nokia N series, the N80ie also features multimedia capabilities, including a 3-megapixel camera, a built-in music player, and an FM tuner. The quad-band device also has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and PIM functionality. The N80ie is available now and costs $499.99 for an unlocked version. For more information about the Nokia N80ie, please read our review of the Nokia N80. ),
(833,NEC N908,Positives: The NEC N908 is a credit card-size phone thats stylish and elegant. It has a beautiful 2.2-inch touch screen interface, and its features include a 1.3-megapixel camera, a camcorder, and an MP3 player. It has great audio quality and call performance as well. Negatives: The NEC N908s touch screen interface can take acclimation. You have to remove the battery to access the microSD card slot. Facts: The NEC N908 is a beautiful design-centric phone with a luscious touch screen interface. Dialing and texting were a bit difficult due to the lack of a keypad, so its not a phone for everyone. But those who love compact and uniquely beautiful handsets will not be disappointed. , At first glance its easy to mistake the NEC N908 for a slim digital camera or maybe even an MP3 player. It lacks one of the major features on a cell phone--that being a keypad--so youre left wondering just how it makes calls. Yet look a bit closer and youll discover the device really is a phone, albeit one with a unique touch screen interface. The lack of a keypad means that the N908 is able to pack a large 2.2-inch display into a body the size of a credit card but it also means that like the new Apple iPhone, the N908 may not be for everybody. While the sheer elegance of the device combined with an intuitive menu system makes it a great choice for techies who want a cell phone that is not like any other, dialing and texting may an issue for more novice cell phones users. Fortunately, its not only a pretty face either, as the feature set was admirable and the performance was satisfactory. The N908 is not available with a carrier in the U.S. but you can get it an unlocked version from Dynamism.com for $329. DesignOne of the most outstanding design elements of the NEC N908 is its slim and compact design. At 3.28x2.09x0.5 inches, the N908 is smaller than most credit cards and slimmer than most wallets, which is around the same size as the Samsung SGH-P300. It fits so comfortably in a pants pocket, you might not even realize its there, which can be tricky as its difficult to feel the phone when it vibrates. At 2.96 ounces, its actually a bit heavy for its size but this is good since it gives it a nice heft in the hand. Outfitted in a cool gun metal, the overall body of the phone has tiny unnoticeable grooves so you can grip it more securely. Holding it next to the ear is fairly comfortable but you probably wont want to hold it there too long since you cant cradle the phone between the ear and the shoulder. The NEC N908 is a compact phone. As we mentioned, the 2.2-inch QVGA display is simply stunning. Decked out in 262,000 colors, images look great on the screen and the text is easy to read. You can adjust the screens backlight time, color theme, and brightness. You cant adjust the font size but we found the default font size large enough. There are five shortcut icons on the bottom row of the main display that lead to the main menu, the contacts list, text messaging, the Web browser, and My Menu, which is a list of often-used applications. The menu interface is really intuitive and easy to navigate, thanks to the bright animated icons and the arrangement of the menu options. On the left spine are the dedicated camera button, the volume rocker, and a power button, while the charger jack and the keylock button are on the right. The N908 comes with an earphone adapter that fits neatly into the charger jack so you can use your favorite earbuds instead of the ones provided. The camera lens is on the back and theres a stylus sleeve on the top-right corner of the phone. There is a microSD card slot, but unfortunately you have to remove the battery to insert it. The NEC N908 has a 1.3-megapixel camera. As noted earlier, the 2.2-inch display is entirely touch screen, so you have to dial numbers and type out text messages via the touch screen interface. You simply tap the main display once, and a number keypad will show up on the screen. Enter in the number, and tap the Call button to make the call. During the call, you also can place the call on hold, transfer the call to your headset, or drop the call entirely, all from the touch screen. There is no handwriting system in the N908, so youre forced to use the virtual QWERTY keyboard. While you can get away with dialing numbers with your finger instead of the stylus, you should use the stylus when typing out text messages simply because the keys are so small. The screen attracts finger smudges, so thats even more incentive to use the stylus instead. Obviously, you cant dial by feel, and texting may take a bit longer than usual. FeaturesThe NEC N908 has an impressive feature set despite its diminutive size. It comes with a 500-entry address book, and each entry can accommodate up to four numbers, an e-mail address, a company name, a department name, a title, a street address, a birthday, and a memo. Each contact also can be assigned a group and a photo for caller ID. Though you cant assign one of 16 polyphonic ringtones to an individual person, you can assign one to a caller group. You also have the option of sideloading your own MP3 tracks to be used as ringtones. Other basic features include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, e-mail, a wireless Web browser, a voice recorder, a scheduler, an alarm clock, a notepad, a calculator, a dictionary, a currency converter, a world clock, a stopwatch, a countdown clock, and a unit converter. The NEC N908 is a tri-band world phone, and you can tether it to a laptop via Bluetooth or USB to be used as a modem. However, since NEC N908 is only a GPRS phone without support for EDGE or 3G networks, you would get a really slow connection. The NEC N908 took pretty good photos.The N908 has pretty good multimedia offerings. The 1.3-megapixel camera is fairly good, with camera settings that include six resolutions (64x64, 176x144, 240x320, 320x240, 640x480, and1280x1024), three image quality settings, five brightness settings, up to 6x zoom, five frames, three shutter sounds, a self-timer mode, a single and burst mode, lighting adjustments for daylight and night environments, and three photo effects (Normal, Sepia, and Monochrome). The phone only has about 31MB of memory, but the N908 does come with an included 128MB microSD card for more space. We were disappointed that the N908 did not come with either a flash or a self-portrait mirror. Theres also a built-in camcorder feature. The photos we took from the camera looked impressive. They were a bit blurry, but still good when compared with VGA camera phones. Video quality was fairly bad -- grainy and low resolution -- but thats to be expected with a camera phone.The NEC N908s MP3 and video players are fairly basic. You can load your favorite music and video files from your PC to the microSD card, and it can support MP3, AAC, AAC+, 3GP, and MPEG-4 file formats. The interfaces for both the music player and the video player are very similar, but music features are limited to a repeat setting. The audio quality of the music was fairly good when heard through headphones, and although the stereo speakers sounded a bit tinny, it was pretty decent overall.Personalization options are good with the NEC N908. You can choose from a variety of wallpapers and ringtones, but you also can load your own images and MP3s via the microSD card. The N908 comes with two Java games, Boxman and Balloon. PerformanceWe tested the triband (GSM 900/1800/1900; GPRS) NEC N908 world phone in San Francisco using T-Mobiles service. Call quality was excellent, with callers reporting us coming through loud and clear and vice versa. They could even hear us when we were walking along the busy city sidewalk. There was a slight amount of static but nothing too obnoxious. Reception was fairly even throughout the city, though it faded out a bit when we headed toward the outskirts of town. We paired the phone successfully with the Plantronics Discovery 665 Bluetooth headset Plantronics Discovery 665 Bluetooth headsetThe NEC N908 has a rated talk time of three hours and the rated standby time is four days. ),
(834,Motorola Slvr L7c (Sprint),Positives: The Motorola Slvr L7c has decent call quality and multimedia performance. It also has a nice list of features, including EV-DO capability, Bluetooth, and a speakerphone. Negatives: The Motorola Slvr L7c has a low-grade VGA camera and a low-resolution display. The memory card slot is in a poor location, and the phones EV-DO performance was a tad slow. Facts: The Motorola Slvr L7c for Sprint is a more powerful alternative to the GSM Slvr L7, but it comes with some minor design differences. Note: This product is part of the Motorola Slvr series. ., Thought it has never garnered the enormous following of the Razr, the Motorola Slvr still has been a big player in the thin-phone phenomenon. Motorola has produced several models of the slim handset with varying design and features, but only one version thus far, the Slvr L7c, is CDMA. Now out for Sprint and expected soon for Verizon Wireless, the Slvr L7c bears a striking resemblance to its closest GSM cousin, the Motorola Slvr L7. Features are similar as well, but the L7c replaces support for mobile iTunes with compatibility for Sprints EV-DO network. At the time of this writing, Sprints Slvr L7c is available exclusively at Best Buy for a reasonable $39 with service. Otherwise, youll pay a whopping $329. DesignThough Sprint was a little late to the Moto party, the carrier now offers almost all the models in the companys skinny-phone lineup. As a reminder, the Slvr is the candy bar alternative to both the Razr V3m and the Krzr K1m. We prefer the latter in terms of overall looks, but if youre into thin and you hate flip phones, the Slvr L7c is for you. It offers almost the same dimensions as the Slvr L7 (4.48 by 1.96 by 0.51 inches) except that its profile is just a hair wider. At 3.7 ounces, its also a tad heavier than the Slvr L7, but it still manages to be both lightweight and trim. It also has a more solid feel in the hand when compared with the Razr V3c, and the L7cs all-black color is attractive.Though the Slvr L7c looks very much like the Slvr L7, it does have some significant design differences. Most importantly, the display has a lower color resolution, with support for 65,000 hues instead of 262,000. The change is annoying, as we just don't see why you have to shift to a less vivid display when you change transmission technologies. On the upside, the 1.9-inch screen is quite large for the phones size. You can alter the backlighting time, and while the font size isnt changeable, it should be fine for most users. The menus reflect the simplified design thats beginning to show up on most Sprint phones. Splashed with lots of yellow, the interface is simple and easy to use and is a big improvement over Motos clunky system. The display is difficult to see in direct light and disappears completely when the backlighting is off.The navigation array and the keypad buttons are taken from the Slvr L7 with few changes. That means theyre somewhat cramped and completely flat with the surface of the phone, with only minor separation between individual buttons and rows. Fortunately, theyre a bit less slick than on the Slvr L7, but they still can take some acclimation. A four-way toggle with a central OK button serves as your primary navigation tool; there are also two soft keys, a dedicated speakerphone key, a back button, and the traditional Talk and End/power controls. As always, the toggle doubles as a shortcut to four user-defined functions. All the keys are brightly backlit.The Slvr L7cs Micro SD card slot is in a terrible location.A volume rocker and the Motorola \"smart\" key sit on the Slvr L7cs left spine. Though theyre large enough, theyre too flat with the surface of the phone and are a bit slick. The mini-USB/charger port sits on the right spine just above a camera shortcut. Though we were expecting to find the Micro SD slot here as well, it is behind the battery instead. This new location is a major design flaw on the Slvr L7c, as you have to remove both the battery cover and the battery to access it. But thats not all, as the slot itself requires a lot of dexterity and patience to secure the card correctly. The camera lens is on the top rear face of the phone. As with the Slvr L7, theres no self-portrait mirror or flash.FeaturesThe Slvr L7cs phone book holds 1,000 contacts, each of which can take five phone numbers, an e-mail address, a Web address, and notes. You can assign contacts to caller groups, pair them with a picture for photo caller ID or assign them one of the polyphonic ringtones. Other features include a vibrate mode, voice commands and dialing, text and multimedia messaging, a calendar, a voice recorder, a calculator, a world clock, and an alarm clock. On the higher-end, theres also PC syncing, instant messaging and e-mail, Bluetooth, and a speakerphone.The Slvr L7c has a simple VGA camera with no flash or self-portrait mirror.Though its no different from the Slvr L7, its disappointing that a 3G multimedia-friendly handset such as the Slvr L7c has a low-grade VGA camera. A megapixel really is the bare minimum on a phone of this caliber. As such, the camera takes pictures in just three resolutions (640x480, 320x240, and 160x120), but you can choose from a number of editing options, including three quality settings, a self-timer, adjustable brightness and white balance settings, an 8x zoom, three color effects, three fun frames, and six shutter sounds (theres also a silent option). The camcorder shoots 30-second clips with sound. Editing options for videos are similar to those of the still camera. Photo quality wasnt too impressive--colors looked a bit washed-out, and objects were a bit fuzzy. Videos werent remarkable either, with a lot of jerkiness. Youre allotted a paltry 18MB of internal memory to store your work, but you can use a Micro SD card for more space.The Slvr L7c has average photo quality.As an EV-DO cell phone, the Slvr L7c is compatible with Sprints Power Vision streaming video service and its Sprint Music Store for music downloads to the onboard digital music player. It also supports Sprints On Demand service, Sirius radio channels, and the carriers new NFL Mobile application. You also get Sprints Power View feature for watching full-length movies on the handset, though were not quite sure why youd want to do that. And if that isnt enough, theres also special programming from Comedy Central and trial versions of AccuWeather Premium and TeleNav Navigator. The interface for Power Vision and the music player is no different from that of other Sprint phones, which is to say its easy to use. We don't miss the iTunes feature at all.You can personalize the Slvr L7c with a variety of screensavers, menus and clock styles, and message tones. If youd like more options or ringtones, you can download them from Sprint with the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. You get demo versions of four Java (J2ME) games--Zuma, Midnight Bowling, Pac-Man and Tetris--but you can always download more if youre an avid gamer.PerformanceWe tested the dual-band (CDMA 800/1900, EV-DO) Motorola Slvr L7c in San Francisco using Sprints service. Call quality was satisfactory on the whole. We enjoyed clear conversations with little voice distortion on our end. Callers occasionally could tell we were using a cell phone, but they reported decent audio quality, as well. Volume was somewhat better than that of the other Slvrs weve seen, but it still may not be enough for some users. Also, we had more trouble hearing in noisy environments and had to turn up the volume a few notches to hear people clearly. Static was rare, but reception seemed to fade out now and then, especially when we were around natural obstructions. On the other hand, we encountered no interference from other electronic devices.The speakerphone was loud and only occasionally muffled, but it performed admirably overall. Putting the speaker facedown on a table affects outgoing sound somewhat, and callers had trouble hearing us at times under that condition. Call quality was clear with the Bluetooth headset, but volume on both ends was low.Music quality was on a par with that of Sprints other Motorola EV-DO phones, such as the Razr V3m and the Krzr K1m. Our tracks sounded a bit tinny, and there were noticeable bass-heavy effects. The sole speaker on the rear face provides decent output, but the music diminishes in quality the louder it becomes. You get better quality with a stereo headset, but take note that the phone uses a proprietary connection. Streaming video was a bit better than it is with most of the other Sprint Power Vision phones weve seen lately. Pixilation was kept to a minimum, and motions were fluid. The sound level was acceptable as well, and voices matched the speakers mouth. Our only real complaint is that the EV-DO connection was a bit slow, and videos took a long time to load. On the upside, videos didnt have to rebuffer once they started. The Slvr L7c has a rated battery life of 3.6 hours of talk time and 7 days of standby time. We managed to eke out a decent 4 hours of talk time in our tests. According to FCC radiation tests, the Motorola Slvr L7c has a digital SAR rating of 1.23 watts per kilogram. ),
(835,Motorola Q Black (Verizon), Note: This product is part of the Motorola Q series. ., Verizon Wireless is now offering an all-black version of the Motorola Q, and it features a rubberized casing thats black all the way through, so scratches shouldnt be too evident. While the Windows Mobile smart phone sports a new look on the outside, it remains largely the same on the inside. The device does ship with the second software update, which should help improve battery life and fix other bugs. The Motorola Q Black is available now for $149.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates, while the silver Q is currently being offered for $99.99. For more information about the smart phone, please read our review of the Motorola Q. ),
(836,Motorola Razr V3x (Pink),Positives: The Motorola Razr V3x has a stylish and sturdy design, decent call quality, and a generous feature set that offers two digital cameras with a flash, stereo Bluetooth, and a speakerphone, as well as and support for (European) 3G networks. Negatives: The Motorola Razr V3x isnt compatible with U.S. 3G networks. Also, the volume is a tad low, the internal memory is limited, and its memory card is in an inconvenient location. Facts: Despite some minor complaints, the Motorola Razr V3x is top of the line for the Razr family. Its just too bad it isnt for use in the United States. Note: This product is part of the Motorola Razr series. ., Just because you may be tired of the Razr, that doesnt mean Motorola is bored of it as well. In fact, Moto has done all it can to capitalize on the success of its famous thin phone by introducing a gallery of new versions for almost every niche. The latest model to fall into our hands, the GSM Razr V3x, made its worldwide debut more than a year ago but never made a formal entry into the U.S. market. And thats a sad thing, as the V3x is the most satisfying Razr weve seen to date, with a several feature and design improvements. The 3G Razr V3x supports only the UMTS band used in Europe, but if thats not an issue, you can get an unlocked model in the States for around $250. A final word of warning though: you may not want to get too excited, as the HSDPA Razr V3xx will be out soon for Cingular Wireless. Razr enthusiasts will notice immediately that the Motorola Razr V3x looks a bit different than the original Razr V3. Though its also available in a selection of colors (black, silver, pumpkin, pink, and blue) the V3x has a camera flash, a larger hinge, and a slightly more appealing look. Were not sure why we like the design better, but it did catch our eye just the same. At 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.8 inches, its also a tad taller and wider than its predecessor (3.8 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches), and it weighs a full ounce more (4.4 ounces). Though thin-phone purists may shun the fatter profile, we didnt mind it at all, as the extra girth makes for a much more solid feel in the hand. We also like the rubberized covering on the front and rear face. The postage-stamp external display is the same size as the Razr V3s, but with a 65,000-color resolution, its more in line with the Razr V3is. The display shows the date, the time, battery life, signal strength, and photo caller ID. It goes almost completely dark when the backlighting is off, but a flick of one of the side-mounted controls will activate it again. Alternatively, you can change the backlighting time for a longer shine. Just above the display is the 2.0-megaixel cameras lens in its usual location, but this time Motorola included a flash, a feature thats sadly absent from the other Razr models. Completing the exterior is an arc-shaped LED on the bottom of the front flap that flashes when you receive a call. The Motorola Razr V3xs exterior camera has a 2-megapixel resolution. Shortcuts for the camera and the voice dialing feature sit on the right spine, while a volume rocker and the Motorola \"smart\" key are placed on the left. All the side-mounted keys are easy to use, but be advised they can be pressed accidentally while the phone is in a pocket or a bag. Also on the left spine is the mini USB port, standard on all Razrs, which serves both as a data connection point and the charging jack. The MicroSD slot is located somewhat inconveniently behind the battery cover, but we like that you don't have to remove the battery itself as well. Just below the battery cover on the bottom of the rear face is the V3xs exterior speaker. The Razr V3x has a large speaker, but its memory card slot is hidden behind the battery cover. The internal display shows a solid 262,000 colors and measures 2.2 inches (240x320 pixels). Though some colors appeared a tad washed out, the display did a great job overall of showing photos, graphics, and games. On the other hand, Motorolas outdated menu interface continues to wear a bit thin. You can change the backlighting time and the brightness, but not the font size. Look below the display and youll discover why the V3x has such an oversize hinge: Situated almost in its center is a second digital camera. Since its used for video calling, the camera is only VGA, but that shouldnt be a problem. Theres also a small macro switch for taking close-up shots using the main camera on the V3xs front face. The Motorola Razr V3xs interior camera is next to the macro switch. As with the more recent Razr models, the Razr V3x has a refined keypad thats easier to use than that of the Razr V3. Though the dialpad resembles one large touch pad, tactile ridges between the individual number keys make it easier to dial by feel. The keys also have bright backlighting for dialing in the dark. The ridges also surround the navigation array which consist of a four-way toggle with a central Menu/OK button, two soft keys, a clear/back button, Talk and End/power keys, and dedicated shortcuts for the Web browser and video-calling functions. And speaking of shortcuts, you can program the toggle to give one-touch access to four user-defined functions. The Motorola Razr V3x offers a powerful feature set that outstrips Verizons 3G Razrs, including the V3c and the V3m. But before we address the flashy extras, well tell you the basics first. The V3x has a 1,000-contact phone book with room in each entry for six phone numbers, three e-mail addresses, three Web addresses, three street addresses, a birthday, a nickname, and notes. You can save callers to groups and pair them with a photo or one of 30 polyphonic ring tones. You also can save a special number for video calls, but keep in mind that feature will work only when you have access to a compatible UMTS network. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a calculator, and a date book. On the higher end, youll find full Bluetooth for connecting to a stereo headset or for exchanging files, PC syncing, voice dialing, a speakerphone, USB cable support, a sound recorder, and POP3 and IMAP4 e-mail. The V3x also supports Motorolas Screen3 technology, but that feature is carrier-dependent, unfortunately. The Razr V3x is stocked with multimedia applications such as the aforementioned dual digital cameras. The primary shooter takes photos in four resolutions (2-megapixel down to 240x320 pixels) and includes a variety of editing applications, such as three quality settings, an 8x zoom, three color modes, five lighting choices, an exposure adjustment, and five shutter sounds (plus a silent option). The main display works well as a viewfinder, or you can use the external screen to take self-portraits when the phone is closed. And as we mentioned earlier, the flash is a welcome addition to the Razr family, even if it does take a lot of clicks to use. The Motorola Razr V3x had decent photo quality, though colors werent quite sharp. The camera function defaults to the exterior lens, but it takes just two clicks to switch to the internal shooter. For that camera, three resolutions (640x480, 320x240, and 160x120) are available and editing options are similar to the other cameras. The zoom, however, is limited to 4x. For saving photos, the V3x has a somewhat stingy 64MB of internal space, but you can use a MicroSD card for even more room. As is the case with Moto phones, a handy meter keeps track of how much memory you have left. Video is a big theme of the Razr V3x. Both the internal and external cameras record clips in three quality settings (Good, Better, and Best) with sound. Editing options include much of the same choices found in the still camera with the addition of such features as auto repeat, spatial audio, and bass boost. Clips meant for multimedia messages are capped at 20 seconds; otherwise you can record for as long as the available memory permits. If youd rather listen to some tunes, the Razr V3x also comes with a simple audio player for playing your favorite music. The interface is rather basic, but it does the trick for short stints. You can organize music by playlist, song title, artist name, album, or genre. Features are limited to repeat and shuffle modes, so equalizer fans will have to look elsewhere. The music player shares the same memory space as the camera. You can personalize the Razr V3x with a variety of wallpaper, screen savers, and color themes, as well as alter sounds. If you want additional choices beyond whats included with the phone, you can download them via the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. Gaming options were limited for such a high-end phone. You get just two Java (J2ME) titles--Crazy and Escape--so avid players will have to buy more. We tested the Motorola Razr V3x in San Francisco using Cingulars service. The phone is a tri-band world phone (GSM 900/900/1900) so it will work in the United States, but as we said earlier, it supports the 2100 UMTS band, which is used only in Europe. Voice calls, however, were mostly clear, and voices sounded natural. Callers could tell we were using a cell phone, but they didnt report any significant problems. As is the case with most Razrs, the volume was a tad low, but overall, there was a slight improvement over that of other Razrs. Bluetooth calls were satisfactory, though speakerphone calls were a tad muffled. The speakerphone on the Razr line as a whole has had mixed success in our experience, and the V3x is no exception. We werent able to test the video calling or streaming video quality, but music sounded decent if a bit low in volume. The Razr V3x has a rated battery life of 2.2 hours talk time and 9.5 days standby time. The standby time is about average, but we were expecting more juice from a promised talk time. Video talk time is rated at 1.5 hours. According to FCC radiation tests, the Motorola Razr V3x has a digital SAR rating of 0.13 watts per kilogram. ),
(837,Motorola Razr V3x (Pumpkin),Positives: The Motorola Razr V3x has a stylish and sturdy design, decent call quality, and a generous feature set that offers two digital cameras with a flash, stereo Bluetooth, and a speakerphone, as well as and support for (European) 3G networks. Negatives: The Motorola Razr V3x isnt compatible with U.S. 3G networks. Also, the volume is a tad low, the internal memory is limited, and its memory card is in an inconvenient location. Facts: Despite some minor complaints, the Motorola Razr V3x is top of the line for the Razr family. Its just too bad it isnt for use in the United States. Note: This product is part of the Motorola Razr series. ., Just because you may be tired of the Razr, that doesnt mean Motorola is bored of it as well. In fact, Moto has done all it can to capitalize on the success of its famous thin phone by introducing a gallery of new versions for almost every niche. The latest model to fall into our hands, the GSM Razr V3x, made its worldwide debut more than a year ago but never made a formal entry into the U.S. market. And thats a sad thing, as the V3x is the most satisfying Razr weve seen to date, with a several feature and design improvements. The 3G Razr V3x supports only the UMTS band used in Europe, but if thats not an issue, you can get an unlocked model in the States for around $250. A final word of warning though: you may not want to get too excited, as the HSDPA Razr V3xx will be out soon for Cingular Wireless. Razr enthusiasts will notice immediately that the Motorola Razr V3x looks a bit different than the original Razr V3. Though its also available in a selection of colors (black, silver, pumpkin, pink, and blue) the V3x has a camera flash, a larger hinge, and a slightly more appealing look. Were not sure why we like the design better, but it did catch our eye just the same. At 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.8 inches, its also a tad taller and wider than its predecessor (3.8 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches), and it weighs a full ounce more (4.4 ounces). Though thin-phone purists may shun the fatter profile, we didnt mind it at all, as the extra girth makes for a much more solid feel in the hand. We also like the rubberized covering on the front and rear face. The postage-stamp external display is the same size as the Razr V3s, but with a 65,000-color resolution, its more in line with the Razr V3is. The display shows the date, the time, battery life, signal strength, and photo caller ID. It goes almost completely dark when the backlighting is off, but a flick of one of the side-mounted controls will activate it again. Alternatively, you can change the backlighting time for a longer shine. Just above the display is the 2.0-megaixel cameras lens in its usual location, but this time Motorola included a flash, a feature thats sadly absent from the other Razr models. Completing the exterior is an arc-shaped LED on the bottom of the front flap that flashes when you receive a call. The Motorola Razr V3xs exterior camera has a 2-megapixel resolution. Shortcuts for the camera and the voice dialing feature sit on the right spine, while a volume rocker and the Motorola \"smart\" key are placed on the left. All the side-mounted keys are easy to use, but be advised they can be pressed accidentally while the phone is in a pocket or a bag. Also on the left spine is the mini USB port, standard on all Razrs, which serves both as a data connection point and the charging jack. The MicroSD slot is located somewhat inconveniently behind the battery cover, but we like that you don't have to remove the battery itself as well. Just below the battery cover on the bottom of the rear face is the V3xs exterior speaker. The Razr V3x has a large speaker, but its memory card slot is hidden behind the battery cover. The internal display shows a solid 262,000 colors and measures 2.2 inches (240x320 pixels). Though some colors appeared a tad washed out, the display did a great job overall of showing photos, graphics, and games. On the other hand, Motorolas outdated menu interface continues to wear a bit thin. You can change the backlighting time and the brightness, but not the font size. Look below the display and youll discover why the V3x has such an oversize hinge: Situated almost in its center is a second digital camera. Since its used for video calling, the camera is only VGA, but that shouldnt be a problem. Theres also a small macro switch for taking close-up shots using the main camera on the V3xs front face. The Motorola Razr V3xs interior camera is next to the macro switch. As with the more recent Razr models, the Razr V3x has a refined keypad thats easier to use than that of the Razr V3. Though the dialpad resembles one large touch pad, tactile ridges between the individual number keys make it easier to dial by feel. The keys also have bright backlighting for dialing in the dark. The ridges also surround the navigation array which consist of a four-way toggle with a central Menu/OK button, two soft keys, a clear/back button, Talk and End/power keys, and dedicated shortcuts for the Web browser and video-calling functions. And speaking of shortcuts, you can program the toggle to give one-touch access to four user-defined functions. The Motorola Razr V3x offers a powerful feature set that outstrips Verizons 3G Razrs, including the V3c and the V3m. But before we address the flashy extras, well tell you the basics first. The V3x has a 1,000-contact phone book with room in each entry for six phone numbers, three e-mail addresses, three Web addresses, three street addresses, a birthday, a nickname, and notes. You can save callers to groups and pair them with a photo or one of 30 polyphonic ring tones. You also can save a special number for video calls, but keep in mind that feature will work only when you have access to a compatible UMTS network. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a calculator, and a date book. On the higher end, youll find full Bluetooth for connecting to a stereo headset or for exchanging files, PC syncing, voice dialing, a speakerphone, USB cable support, a sound recorder, and POP3 and IMAP4 e-mail. The V3x also supports Motorolas Screen3 technology, but that feature is carrier-dependent, unfortunately. The Razr V3x is stocked with multimedia applications such as the aforementioned dual digital cameras. The primary shooter takes photos in four resolutions (2-megapixel down to 240x320 pixels) and includes a variety of editing applications, such as three quality settings, an 8x zoom, three color modes, five lighting choices, an exposure adjustment, and five shutter sounds (plus a silent option). The main display works well as a viewfinder, or you can use the external screen to take self-portraits when the phone is closed. And as we mentioned earlier, the flash is a welcome addition to the Razr family, even if it does take a lot of clicks to use. The Motorola Razr V3x had decent photo quality, though colors werent quite sharp. The camera function defaults to the exterior lens, but it takes just two clicks to switch to the internal shooter. For that camera, three resolutions (640x480, 320x240, and 160x120) are available and editing options are similar to the other cameras. The zoom, however, is limited to 4x. For saving photos, the V3x has a somewhat stingy 64MB of internal space, but you can use a MicroSD card for even more room. As is the case with Moto phones, a handy meter keeps track of how much memory you have left. Video is a big theme of the Razr V3x. Both the internal and external cameras record clips in three quality settings (Good, Better, and Best) with sound. Editing options include much of the same choices found in the still camera with the addition of such features as auto repeat, spatial audio, and bass boost. Clips meant for multimedia messages are capped at 20 seconds; otherwise you can record for as long as the available memory permits. If youd rather listen to some tunes, the Razr V3x also comes with a simple audio player for playing your favorite music. The interface is rather basic, but it does the trick for short stints. You can organize music by playlist, song title, artist name, album, or genre. Features are limited to repeat and shuffle modes, so equalizer fans will have to look elsewhere. The music player shares the same memory space as the camera. You can personalize the Razr V3x with a variety of wallpaper, screen savers, and color themes, as well as alter sounds. If you want additional choices beyond whats included with the phone, you can download them via the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. Gaming options were limited for such a high-end phone. You get just two Java (J2ME) titles--Crazy and Escape--so avid players will have to buy more. We tested the Motorola Razr V3x in San Francisco using Cingulars service. The phone is a tri-band world phone (GSM 900/900/1900) so it will work in the United States, but as we said earlier, it supports the 2100 UMTS band, which is used only in Europe. Voice calls, however, were mostly clear, and voices sounded natural. Callers could tell we were using a cell phone, but they didnt report any significant problems. As is the case with most Razrs, the volume was a tad low, but overall, there was a slight improvement over that of other Razrs. Bluetooth calls were satisfactory, though speakerphone calls were a tad muffled. The speakerphone on the Razr line as a whole has had mixed success in our experience, and the V3x is no exception. We werent able to test the video calling or streaming video quality, but music sounded decent if a bit low in volume. The Razr V3x has a rated battery life of 2.2 hours talk time and 9.5 days standby time. The standby time is about average, but we were expecting more juice from a promised talk time. Video talk time is rated at 1.5 hours. According to FCC radiation tests, the Motorola Razr V3x has a digital SAR rating of 0.13 watts per kilogram. ),
(838,Motorola Razr V3x (Silver),Positives: The Motorola Razr V3x has a stylish and sturdy design, decent call quality, and a generous feature set that offers two digital cameras with a flash, stereo Bluetooth, and a speakerphone, as well as and support for (European) 3G networks. Negatives: The Motorola Razr V3x isnt compatible with U.S. 3G networks. Also, the volume is a tad low, the internal memory is limited, and its memory card is in an inconvenient location. Facts: Despite some minor complaints, the Motorola Razr V3x is top of the line for the Razr family. Its just too bad it isnt for use in the United States. Note: This product is part of the Motorola Razr series. ., Just because you may be tired of the Razr, that doesnt mean Motorola is bored of it as well. In fact, Moto has done all it can to capitalize on the success of its famous thin phone by introducing a gallery of new versions for almost every niche. The latest model to fall into our hands, the GSM Razr V3x, made its worldwide debut more than a year ago but never made a formal entry into the U.S. market. And thats a sad thing, as the V3x is the most satisfying Razr weve seen to date, with a several feature and design improvements. The 3G Razr V3x supports only the UMTS band used in Europe, but if thats not an issue, you can get an unlocked model in the States for around $250. A final word of warning though: you may not want to get too excited, as the HSDPA Razr V3xx will be out soon for Cingular Wireless. Razr enthusiasts will notice immediately that the Motorola Razr V3x looks a bit different than the original Razr V3. Though its also available in a selection of colors (black, silver, pumpkin, pink, and blue) the V3x has a camera flash, a larger hinge, and a slightly more appealing look. Were not sure why we like the design better, but it did catch our eye just the same. At 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.8 inches, its also a tad taller and wider than its predecessor (3.8 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches), and it weighs a full ounce more (4.4 ounces). Though thin-phone purists may shun the fatter profile, we didnt mind it at all, as the extra girth makes for a much more solid feel in the hand. We also like the rubberized covering on the front and rear face. The postage-stamp external display is the same size as the Razr V3s, but with a 65,000-color resolution, its more in line with the Razr V3is. The display shows the date, the time, battery life, signal strength, and photo caller ID. It goes almost completely dark when the backlighting is off, but a flick of one of the side-mounted controls will activate it again. Alternatively, you can change the backlighting time for a longer shine. Just above the display is the 2.0-megaixel cameras lens in its usual location, but this time Motorola included a flash, a feature thats sadly absent from the other Razr models. Completing the exterior is an arc-shaped LED on the bottom of the front flap that flashes when you receive a call. The Motorola Razr V3xs exterior camera has a 2-megapixel resolution. Shortcuts for the camera and the voice dialing feature sit on the right spine, while a volume rocker and the Motorola \"smart\" key are placed on the left. All the side-mounted keys are easy to use, but be advised they can be pressed accidentally while the phone is in a pocket or a bag. Also on the left spine is the mini USB port, standard on all Razrs, which serves both as a data connection point and the charging jack. The MicroSD slot is located somewhat inconveniently behind the battery cover, but we like that you don't have to remove the battery itself as well. Just below the battery cover on the bottom of the rear face is the V3xs exterior speaker. The Razr V3x has a large speaker, but its memory card slot is hidden behind the battery cover. The internal display shows a solid 262,000 colors and measures 2.2 inches (240x320 pixels). Though some colors appeared a tad washed out, the display did a great job overall of showing photos, graphics, and games. On the other hand, Motorolas outdated menu interface continues to wear a bit thin. You can change the backlighting time and the brightness, but not the font size. Look below the display and youll discover why the V3x has such an oversize hinge: Situated almost in its center is a second digital camera. Since its used for video calling, the camera is only VGA, but that shouldnt be a problem. Theres also a small macro switch for taking close-up shots using the main camera on the V3xs front face. The Motorola Razr V3xs interior camera is next to the macro switch. As with the more recent Razr models, the Razr V3x has a refined keypad thats easier to use than that of the Razr V3. Though the dialpad resembles one large touch pad, tactile ridges between the individual number keys make it easier to dial by feel. The keys also have bright backlighting for dialing in the dark. The ridges also surround the navigation array which consist of a four-way toggle with a central Menu/OK button, two soft keys, a clear/back button, Talk and End/power keys, and dedicated shortcuts for the Web browser and video-calling functions. And speaking of shortcuts, you can program the toggle to give one-touch access to four user-defined functions. The Motorola Razr V3x offers a powerful feature set that outstrips Verizons 3G Razrs, including the V3c and the V3m. But before we address the flashy extras, well tell you the basics first. The V3x has a 1,000-contact phone book with room in each entry for six phone numbers, three e-mail addresses, three Web addresses, three street addresses, a birthday, a nickname, and notes. You can save callers to groups and pair them with a photo or one of 30 polyphonic ring tones. You also can save a special number for video calls, but keep in mind that feature will work only when you have access to a compatible UMTS network. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a calculator, and a date book. On the higher end, youll find full Bluetooth for connecting to a stereo headset or for exchanging