T Mobile Wing Phone T Mobile

Posted by Smartphone Review on February 28, 2009

T Mobile Wing Phone T Mobile

The successor to the popular MDA Smartphone, the T-Mobile Wing quad-band phone has a surprise waiting up its sleeve: just slide the top of the phone sideways to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. It’s especially handy with the inclusion of the new Windows Mobile 6 operating system, which enables you to view and edit Word and Excel documents as well as provides instant message capabilities via Windows Live Messenger. (See more details about Windows Mobile 6 below.) The included Outlook Mobile software offers up-to-date e-mail, calendar and contact information. If you use the T-Mobile Wing in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange Server, you can get instant e-mail from your work account as well as enhanced security features that let you clear data from a device if it is stolen or require high-security passwords to access information.

The T-Mobile slides open sideways to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, and the screen reorients itself depending on how you hold the phone.

Click the image to view a larger version of the keyboard.

Key features at a glance:

• Slide-out screen exposing full QWERTY keypad
• Soft-touch exterior with deep blue color
• Wi-Fi and EDGE-enabled high-speed Internet access
• Full HTML Web browsing
• Support for Microsoft Office Mobile enables document viewing and editing
• Windows Live for Windows Mobile including Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Hotmail, Live Search, and Windows Live Spaces
• Direct Push e-mail available with Exchange Server 2003 SP2 and later; Windows Live Hotmail also supports push mail
• Voice dialing, voice commands and voice recorder
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 2.0 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom
• Video capture and playback music and video player
• Micro SD memory card slot

The T-Mobile Wing has a sleek profile that measures just 17mm (0.7 inches) thick, and it weighs a svelte 6 ounces (with battery loaded). The 2.8-inch color touchscreen transreflective TFT screen automatically orients itself depending on how you hold the phone (i.e., from portrait to landscape and back again). It displays 65,000 colors and has a 320 x 240-pixel resolution. You can scroll through onscreen functions with a pen or finger, or you can use the function buttons placed on the front of the phone.

In addition to supporting GSM/GPRS and EDGE, the Wing also features Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), which enables you to use open wireless networks (as well as T-Mobile’s more than 8,000 HotSpot locations) to access the Internet as well as access all four major instant messaging providers–AOL, Yahoo!, Windows Live Messenger, and ICQ. With the Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, you can go hands-free with a headset or listen to music with wireless-enabled headphones.

The phone offers 128 MB of ROM (which stores the Windows Mobile 6 operating system and applications) and 64 MB of RAM (which can be used to store user files). It’s powered by a 1130 mAh lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery, which offers between 150 and 200 hours of standby time and 3 to 5 hours of talk time.

A small mirror next to the 2-megapixel lens on the back is handy for taking self portraits..

The 2-megapixel autofocus camera (with 10x digitazl zoom) on the back of the Wing captures images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels (good enough for prints up to 8 x 10 inches), and it includes a small mirror to the left of the lens that’s helpful for taking self portraits. You can make such camera adjustments as white balance and exposure metering, choose from several capture modes (such as sports for fast-moving action), or set a self-timer of either 2 or 10 seconds. After an image has been captured, you can edit it right within the Wing, with functions ranging from cropping to correcting color.

Additionally, the Wing can capture video with or without audio (in MPEG-4 or H.263 format, the latter being best for sending via MMS). In addition to starting and stopping video capture at your leisure, you can also specifiy the length of a recording in terms of ime or file size. You can also play back audio and video files downloaded from the Internet or sent to you via email using the integrated Windows Media Player.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6

Windows Mobile 6 adds power to your mobile office with up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars.

Edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets on your phone, just as you would on your desktop/laptop PC.

Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6 updates the Windows Mobile 5 platform with a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file.

With Windows Mobile 6, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC’s Microsoft Office suite. You’ll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting–without affecting tables, images or text–as well as view PowerPoint presentations.

• Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
• With Excel Mobile, you’re not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
• PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
• After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.

All Windows Mobile 6 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way. The HTC P4350 uses an 1130 mAh Polymer battery for its energy. This high capacity battery offers a standby time of 150 hours and a call time of 3 hours, according to the manufacturer.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star I hate this phone, it suckes.
I got this phone last summer, and i thought i made smart decision, but i was wrong.

I really hate this phone… mostly because its really slow.

And i hate the touch screen…. like when i am talking with someone,

this phone calls some other people too bcz my cheek push the screen…

and, it does not react soon, when i open the slide,

it takes forever to show the appropriate window.

anyways, there are so many reasons why i hate it.

I would rather choose really basic cell phone than this.

Good Luck

3 Stars cheap slow PDA phone requires several workarounds
This is the first affordable ($50) feature-rich phone to replace the phone/Palm PDA duo. After removing deletable files and adjusting the size of the PAGE file, this phone has adequate RAM, but is too slow to get 4 stars and emits a high pitch when overclocked.

Syncing contacts, tasks, and calendar events from a computer to the Wing requires Outlook. The workarounds aren’t as comprehensive. Syncing Thunderbird contacts requires importing into Outlook Express, then to Outlook, and formatting. This can takes hours. Outlook is relatively much slower, especially with search and synchronized folders enabled. Individual “Tasks” can’t be categorized and flagged as they could on a Palm, and I eventually abondoned using it. As for alarms, WM6’s requires delving too deep into submenus and way too many clicks to set one. An alarm set in the calendar program is a workaround but will ring only a few times and can go unnoticed.

There’s no good way to have all contacts on this phone with only some showing up on the phone list. With too many contacts, this phone will pause for a couple seconds after the first numbers are inputted while it compiles a list of matches. During this time it is unresponsive to other buttons presses. You’ll have to disable “smart-dialing” if you enjoy dialing numbers quickly, but will now only be able to search for contacts via the “contacts” button not by the “phone” dialog. This can make it difficult for others to use your phone. The built-in keyboard is nice, but the accompanying screen rotation is too slow to be useful for anything but long messages. I miss the dedicated writing area of other PDAs.

Browsing the net on the Wing is a few times faster via Wi-fi, loading pages at 20kB/s versus a few kB/s on EDGE. This is bad for viewing larger web pages, great for google maps. I get 2-3 days of battery life with normal use, but having a spare battery provides plenty of juice for heavy use. Counterintuitively, turning the phone feature off (airplane mode) quickly drains the battery unless it is rebooted afterwards. Doing this can take up to a minute.

Overall I’m happy with this phone is an inexpensive all-in-one device, but I find myself wanting to switch away from Outlook and the clunky programs that handle the phone menu, contacts, tasks, and alarms on the phone.

1 Star Burned by T-Mobile, dishonest lying company!!!
This is not a review for the phone which is probably great. This is a rant about T-Mobile. T-Mobile had lied to me when I was going to the Carribean with my Black Berry. The Representative had told me that I would be charged according to the data used and instead signed me up for BB International Roaming, which is $19.99. The service had never worked, I wasn’t able to recieve or send email, but this is not what this is about. Four months later I had opened a bill, which I usually don’t do since the bill is paid automatically every month, and discovered that I am being charged $19.99 for the past 4 months. Manager at T-Mobile insisted that there’s nothing that they can do regardless of the fact that I am being charged for the service that never been used. The Manager (Walter) did not even attempt to accomodate me in any way, no partial credit offer, not even for one month, not even free text messages for next month.

T-Mobile is out there to take advantage of you. They take no responsibility for lying to their customers and charging them for services not provided.

Avoid T-Mobile

2 Stars Chunky, poor battery life and performance
I’ve had this phone for about 6 months now and use it for both personal and work. There are several issues with this phone that make it a poor choice for use all around. There are a few redeeming qualities, but for the most part … it’s a bummer. First, the battery life. This phone needs to be charged seemingly on a daily basis. It definitely needs to be turned off when not in use for long periods of time, even when you are using energy saving things like a low backlight. Second, memory. It comes with 128MB of ROM (which seems hardly enough to run WM 6) and 16MB of RAM. I have frequent issues with memory (though I have an additional MicroSD card in and the hanging of applications. Admittedly, this could be Windows Mobile, but based on the memory warnings I frequently get, it’s not that alone. And did I mention that this phone is a brick? It’s heavy and thick which makes it awkward to ever put in a pocket.

The few redeeming things? The screen resolution and backlight is quite bright and clear and the button placement and shape are pretty intuitive. The keys for the physical keyboard are slightly rounded which makes it pretty easy to type quickly. If you’re stuck with a T-Mobile smartphone, go with the Dash or the Shadow … or even better, the new HTC Tytan!

5 Stars Pretty incredible
I had the Wing for 2 weeks; what can I say, it’s pretty amazing! Note that I have the unlimited data plan ($20 or so) which is a must.

1. The phone works great, including speaker phone

2. It is a real computer: I can read Word documents, PDF’s, Powerpoints, etc.

3. Finally got synchronization to our Exchange server to work, via VPN: Note: the trick is to set dialing exceptions, so that when you go to the respective IP address it knows not to go through the Web, but through your VPN

4. Voice commands are pretty nice: It recognizes every one of my 100 or so contacts in my contact list; so just say “Call bill smith” and it will find a contact that is “Smith Bill”, or “Bill, Smith”, etc. in your contact list and call it: Almost eerie!

5. I loaded Skype (which is supposedly released for Windows Mobile 6.1; my Wing has 6.0); it works flawlessly and without problems! So I can sit at any place anywhere in the world with a fast WIFI connection, and carry on a conversation via Skype for free!! Note that the sound comes through the speaker, but with the headset you have complete privacy. Very nice for international travellers!

6. I can easily teather the phone to my (Vista 64) laptop; because there are Hotspots everywhere (in all major hub airports), I now have WIFI access to my email via my laptop, using the Wing as the modem (neat! Only drawback is that you cannot originate or receive phone calls while doing this). Also, you can use the GPRS and/or Edge networks teathered to your laptop; so while driving in the back of a car, I can work through my emails on my laptop!

7. The Edge/GPRS network is slower and the phone is NOT 3G enabled! That is ok by me, because don’t care about streaming video or cruising Youtube. Also note that the web browser doesn’t support Java addins (which is a real bummer), nor could I find a third-party addin that would work; so some websites that use Java addins won’t work. Youtube uses flash, which is not supported either, but there are free downloads that will support it.

8. I have 8 Gig of memory I added; makes for a nice MP3 player.

9. There are other nice free programs (in addition to Skype); for example, there is a very workable remote desktop client, so I have remote access (via VPN) to my work computers

10. Main memory is limited to 64Meg, so you DO have to make choices; for example, I tried to install TomTom navigation software, but it won’t fit unless I remove Skype and the Remote Desktop Client from the main memory (the Remote Desktop Client has to be in main memory, for the keyboard to work); I chose to keep Skype. Besides, the Live Search program from Microsoft (free) is pretty neat as it is, when paird with an external GPS; I use a Pharos Bluetooth.

11. I am still learning about this thing, but I have to say that it is an incredible computer for what I do (traveling for work, etc.). I do not know how it stacks up against Iphone or GooglePhone, but if your infrastructure is Windows based, I guess that the Windows Mobile 6 solution will integrate more easily.

12. Finally: The camera is good; voice notes are useful, etc. There is NO internal GPS, and the only wired “hard” connection is via a small USB connector, so your regular 3.5 MM headset won’t work (nor will your cheap 2.5 MM phone plug with mic); there are adapters for most standard plugs etc., but you will need to plug in via USB; note that the phone comes with a headset, charging and sync cable etc.; there is tons of low-cost stuff on ebay if you need extra cables, windshield mounts, ….

Buy/More Info

HTC Touch Diamond Phone Black Sprint

Posted by Smartphone Review on

HTC Touch Diamond Phone Black Sprint

Delivering unmistakable style and meticulous craftsmanship the HTC Touch Diamond for Sprint is defined by its compact size, captivating 3D touch interface, and sophisticated communication tools. You’ll be able to access to Sprint’s EV-DO 3G network–perfect for surfing the Web as well as downloading music and video from Sprint’s Music Store and TV service. And with the power of the updated Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, you’ll stay easily connected to your business and personal data on the go with support for a wide variety of email accounts as well as the ability to edit Microsoft Office documents.

The Touch Diamond’s TouchFLO 3D user interface responds perfectly to your finger gestures when scrolling through contacts, browsing the web, and launching media–all vividly displayed as photos and artwork on the 2.8-inch screen powered by the 3D graphics processor. The phone also features a 4 GB internal memory, Bluetooth connectivity for both communication headsets and stereo music streaming, Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), 3.2-megapixel camera, a built-in GPS receiver (for use with Google Maps and Sprint Navigation), multi-format digital audio player, and up to 4.2 hours of talk time.

The Touch Diamond features a sharp 2.8-inch touch screen, Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth stereo music, and GPS navigation capabilities.

Sprint Service
Supporting the EV-DO Rev. A high-speed data standard, Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Network provides blazing fast speeds on the nation’s largest mobile broadband network (based on covered square miles), covering more than 15,000 cities and 1,400 airports. With EV-DO Rev. A, peak download data rates increase to 3.1 Mbps and peak upload data rates increase to 1.8 Mbps; average download speeds improve to 600 kbps to 1.4 mbps and average uplink speeds increase to 350 to 500 kbps.

The Sprint Music Store enables you to buy, download, and then jam out wherever you are with new songs or old favorites. Offering a growing selection of more than 1.6 million songs, the store provides you two copies of each song–one for the phone and another for the PC, as well as the ability to burn songs to a CD using Windows Media Player. Save your songs to a memory card with a capacity that’s right for you. Use the Sprint Music Store to listen to music while sending text messages, browsing the Web, or playing a downloaded game. And get over 30 channels of music–Hip Hop, Top Hits, Latin Pop, music videos and shows from NPR, Sporting News and more–treamed to your phone.

With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive video service combines high-quality streaming audio and video from channels including the NFL Network, ABC, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, E!, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and more.

This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone–by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, “Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street.” As you approach the turn, you will hear, “Turn right on Elm Street.” Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it’s easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.

With the TouchFLO 3D interface, album artwork, calendar items and snapshots are brought to life for you to interact, play and launch at your fingertips.

Phone Features
HTC has taken a great leap forward in touch screen innovation with the introduction of its new 3D touch interface called TouchFLO 3D, which provides animated access to people, messaging, email, photos, music, weather and more with just a swipe of your finger. The home screen provides one-touch access to emails, text messages, calendar appointments and contacts. New text messages fly onto your screen–just swipe your finger to spin through recent messages or tap a message to reply. Your Email appears in an open envelope–just touch it to read it in full. In addition to Outlook email, you can also add personal accounts and Web-mail accounts like Google and Yahoo. The phone also includes touch-sensitive buttons at the bottom as well as a five-way navigational rocker.

The Touch Diamond is crafted with precision to fit comfortably in a user’s hand without compromising on features or functionality. Blending contrasting design elements of metal and unique geometric facets, the Touch Diamond complements a your personal style. The 2.8-inch screen has a 480 x 640-pixel resolution–providing near-print quality viewing of photographs and crisp Web browsing–and support for 65K colors.

HTC provides a new customized mobile Web browser that enables easy viewing and effortless navigation of Web sites in the way they were designed. You can zoom and pan Web sites with one-hand and automatically view optimized content that has been specially created to fit the display. An integrated accelerometer senses when you change the position of the phone from portrait to landscape viewing, and it auto-rotates the screen’s orientation.

This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity with EDR (enhanced data rate), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and audio/video remote control. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You’ll also be able to access open Wi-Fi networks in offices and hotspots via the integrated 802.11b/g wireless connectivity. And with the embedded GPS receiver, you’ll be able to easily locate your next appointment in unfamiliar cities. (Third-party software required for routing information.)

Other features include:

• 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus on the back of the phone, additional VGA camera on the front of the phone for video conferencing (requires compatible network)
• Windows Media Player compatible with MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WAV file formats
• Use the Sprint Music Store to listen to music while sending text messages, browsing the Web, or playing a downloaded game
• 4 GB of internal memory for storing all your contacts, important documents, and your favorite multimedia
• 256 MB of RAM, 192 MB of DDR RAM
• Support for polyphonic ringtones as well as real-music ringers
• Speaker-Independent Voice Dialing: Say the name of any entry in your phone book and the number is dialed automatically without using the keypad. This feature is speaker-independent, so there is no need to train the phone to respond to any one person’s voice. Receive an audible status report of your phone/s coverage, signal strength, and battery strength.
• Hearing Aid Compatibility: M3
• Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), HID (support for mice or joysticks), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PAN (personal area networking), PBA (transfer contacts)

Vital Statistics
The HTC Touch Diamond weighs 4.1 ounces and measures 4.0 x 2.0 x 0.6 inches. Its 1340 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.2 hours of talk time, and up to 285 hours of standby time. This international version of the Touch Diamond runs on the 900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as the 900/2100 MHz HSDPA frequencies for 3G access.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6.1
Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.1 offers a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file.

With Windows Mobile 6.1, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC’s Microsoft Office suite. You’ll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting–without affecting tables, images or text–as well as view PowerPoint presentations.

• Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
• With Excel Mobile, you’re not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
• PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
• After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.

All Windows Mobile 6.1 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star BAD phone
I’m reviewing this after using the phone for approximately 2 months. My friend has the same phone, and here are the goods and the bads of HTC Touch Diamond that we both agreed on. This is the first HTC phone I’ve used, and I’m not impressed and probably not going to get an HTC ever again.

Pros:

- 3MP camera is awesome. It’s a bit slow to take pictures, but picture quality is great.

- Phone looks very nice and thin. The screen is bright and attractive.

- Virtual keyboard is usable. It’s not as good as a real keyboard, but it’s good enough. I textmessage a lot and it’s been working for me. I’m getting used to it.

- Email application is good. I added Gmail and Y!Mail with ease.

Here are some of the major flaws:

- The phone freezes very frequently. The phone cannot handle some of the applications, even the ones that came with the phone like textmessaging.

- I need to restart the phone every day because applications stop loading.

- The phone screen turns on and off on its own. So if you don’t install a third party lock application, it will probably turn on and call people by accident when it’s inside your bag or pocket.

- Voice quality is poor. The voices blur and buzz if you put it on the highest volume.

- POOR battery life. Sometimes, the phone drains the battery at night when not in used. Really strange and disappointing.

- It has 5 buttons but they’re not useful. Some buttons are quite useless.

3 Stars Good Phone With Potential
I’ve had my HTC Touch Diamond from Sprint for two months now and so far it’s been a bit of a mixed bag. My previous Sprint phone was a Motorola Q9c and compared to that excellent phone this one has things that make it better and, sadly, quite a few that make it less than ideal.

Pros:

Beautiful looking device that is both sleek and modern

TouchFlo 3D is an excellent interface overlay for Windows Mobile 6.1

Snappy, 524Mhz CPU comes in handy when launching and switching between applications

Stunning, VGA screen

Excellent 3.2MP camera

Customized Opera Mobile 9.5 web browser

Nice selection of bundled apps

Doubles as a hand warmer after data use or voice calls lasting more than two minutes

Cons:

This phone locks up at least once or twice a day

Phone gets VERY warm after more than a few minutes of data or voice use

Battery life could be a lot better

Bluetooth connectivity is hit or miss

There are other things that I do not consider to be either pros or cons such as the onscreen keyboards which can depend on the end user or the inclusion of WiFi. As for the keyboards I feel there are enough options to appeal to most users however, having come from a full QWERTY keyboard it may be an issue for heavy texters or emailers. I have large fingers and thumbs and I can use the full onscreen keyboard with few issues after a few days of use. The WiFi inclusion is really moot for me as I live in an area with excellent EVDO Rev. A coverage and don’t spend a lot of time around hotspots.

The main issues I have with the phone which are all too frequent lock ups and poor battery life I feel can be addressed by an eventual firmware update from HTC. This has been the typical history from this manufacturer, get a new device out the door and let all the customers be their beta testers. To me this is just poor customer service and if an update is not out within a few more months I can see me replacing this with something new such as the forthcoming Palm Pre.

As for features this phone is a device that just wants to be loved. Sprint TV looks acceptable on the VGA screen and the music interface of TochFlo 3D is heads and shoulders above that offered by Windows Media Player Mobile. The included Opera Mobil web browser is light years ahead of PIE (pocket Internet Explorer) but still leaves something to be desired. It’s capable of displaying “full” web sites but all too frequently defaults to the mobile version of sites.

Overall, this phone is a mixed bag and if I had it over I would have probably opted for the Blackberry Curve 8330 instead of this phone. I want to love this phone but it’s faults are deal breakers for me.

Buy/More Info

T Mobile G1 Phone with Google White T Mobile

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T Mobile G1 Phone with Google White T Mobile

The long-awaited T-Mobile G1 smartphone combines full touchscreen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes many Google tools you’ve come to rely on with your PC, including Google Maps Street View Gmail, and one-touch Google search. It’s also the first phone to be powered by Google’s new open-source Android operating system, which offers an intuitive interface easily customizable home screen. You can also purchase optional software via the Android Market to personalize your G1 with a variety of software applications like games, social networking, and on-the-go shopping.

Just tap the screen and go with access to all your favorite Google tools.

In addition to a vibrantly colorful 3.2-inch touchscreen, the G1’s hinged screen slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and closes to prevent accidental dialing. It runs on T-Mobile’s new and growing 3G network, and also offers Wi-Fi connectivity for surfing the web on your wireless network or at hotspots as well as Bluetooth for handsfree communication. Other features include a 3-megapixel camera for still photos, a digital audio player (and easy access to Amazon’s MP3 store), an included 1 GB MicroSD memory card, and up to 5 hours of talk time.

T-Mobile Service
The T-Mobile G1 operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and is compatible with T-Mobile’s UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. T-Mobile is currently rolling out its 3G network, and it expects by year’s end that its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services. In those areas where 3G is not available, the phone will access data using T-Mobile’s EDGE network, which is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps). This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web or downloading content from the T-Mobile t-zones content portal.

Call your favorite people with T-Mobile’s myFaves service, which allows you to call up to five of your most common contacts–on any network, even landlines–without using any of your minutes. You’ll also get free domestic long distance and no digital roaming charges anywhere across the US on all calls. (All myFaves plans require a two-year contract.) Learn more about myFaves from T-Mobile.

Android OS and Market
The T-Mobile G1 with Google is the first phone to run on the Android operating system, which provides easy access to a wide assortment of messaging tools and Google apps. Additionally, this open source OS empowers developers to to create and offer applications that add value to the G1. The G1’s Home screen (seen at right) is your starting point for using all the applications on your phone. You can customize your Home screen to display applications, shortcuts, and widgets.

Just drag and drop any of your favorite applications, photos, or folders onto your home screen for quick access to what you use all the time (see larger version).

The Android Market hosts a wide variety of unique applications, and with the G1’s one-click access to it you can find and download a wide range of innovative software applications–from games to social networking and on-the-go shopping–to personalize your phone. Some examples of applications include:

• With the comparative shopping ShopSavvy application, you can scan the UPC code of a product with your phone’s camera while shopping, and instantly compare prices from online merchants and nearby local stores.
• Ecorio was developed to help people keep track of their daily travels and view what their carbon footprint looks like. With access to tips and tricks, Ecorio allows you to record the steps you take throughout their day to help offset your impact on the environment.
• BreadCrumbz enables you to create a step-by-step visual map using photos. Create your own routes, share them with friends or with the world.

Additionally, the T-Mobile G1 comes pre-loaded with a new application developed by Amazon.com that provides easy access to the Amazon MP3 digital music download store with more than 6 million DRM-free MP3 tracks. You’ll be able to search, sample, purchase and download music from Amazon MP3 directly to the G1 (downloading music from Amazon MP3 using the T-Mobile G1 requires a Wi-Fi connection; searching, sampling and purchasing music can be done anywhere with a cellular connection).

Phone Features
The T-Mobile G1’s vibrant, high-quality screen slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, great for communicating with friends online or using the phone’s email, IM and mobile messaging capabilities. As another option for accessing the device, the T-Mobile G1 comes equipped with a convenient trackball for more precise, one-handed navigation. The 3.2-inch touchscreen has a 320 x 480-pixel resolution and a 65K color depth. The T-Mobile G1’s touchscreen interface is unique, providing you with a more customizable, interactive touch experience. For example, you can set a signature gesture to unlock the screen (there are 30 million possible combinations). There are also different taps for different types of commands–for example, you can use a short touch to launch an application, or a long press on any screen will give you additional options, similar to that of a right click on a mouse.

The phone has an internal 192 MB RAM/256 MB ROM memory, and it’s expandable via optional MicroSD memory cards up to 8 GB in size (a 1 GB MicroSD card comes with the phone).

The hinged screen slides open to reveal keypad and closes to prevent accidental dialing.

With one-click contextual search, you can search for relevant information in a flash with a touch of a finger. A full HTML Web browser allows users to see any Web page the way it was designed to be seen, and then easily zoom in to expand any section by simply tapping on the screen. Built-in support for YouTube allows you to enjoy YouTube’s originally-created content, easily navigate through YouTube’s familiar video browsing categories or search for specific videos.

With Google Maps, Google’s groundbreaking maps service, you can instantly view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and get driving directions, all from the phone’s easy-to-use touch interface. The T-Mobile G1 also includes Google Maps Street View, enabling you to explore cities at street-level virtually while on the go. Without taking a step, you can tour a far-away place as if they were there–standing on the street corner. Even better, the Google Maps feature syncs with a built-in compass on the phone–an industry first–to allow you to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with your hand.

Use the G1’s 3G and Wi-Fi connection to attach and share pictures over email and MMS or download music from your favorite web sites, as well as upload and post pictures to your personal blog.

The G1 features a rich HTML email client, which seamlessly syncs your email, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP email services. The Gmail application provides features such as conversation view, spam filtering, search, and labels that Gmail users enjoy on their computer while offering new features such as integration with the phone’s contact list. And it multitasks, so you can read a Web page while also downloading your email in the background.

It also combines Instant Messaging support for Google Talk, as well as AOL, Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messenger in the U.S., and IM presence allows you to see whether your friends are online, offline, away. The G1 also supports advanced text messaging features, enabling you to easily flag, delete or move groups of messages and keep track of group conversations through threaded text messaging. The Google Calendar app on the G1 syncs with the Web-based version, so any event that you add to your phone will show up on the Web-based Google Calendar (and vice versa).

Other features include:

• 3-megapixel camera with autofocus for still photos (no video recording)
• Digital audio player with four categories (Artists, Albums, Songs, and Playlists) and support for MP3, M4A (iTunes AAC, DRM-free), AMR, WMA (8), WAF, and OGG Vorbis
• Use digital audio songs as ringtone
• Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets)
• Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g)
• Messaging: email (IMAP/POP3/SMTP), instant messaging, SMS text, MMS photo
• Voice-recognition
• USB 2.0 connectivity with USB mass storage capability

Vital Statistics
The T-Mobile G1 with Google weighs 5.6 ounces and measures 4.6 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 130 hours (5+ days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as the 1700/2100 MHz HSDPA 3G frequencies.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have to have a Google account to use T-Mobile G1?
A: Yes, customers must log into the phone using a Google account login when they first use the device. Once you do log into T-Mobile G1 using a Google account, your Gmail and Google Calendar will all sync to your phone providing secure, up-to-date access to your personal information. If you don’t already have an account, the startup process will walk you through creating one. Creating a Google account is free.

Q: Do customers need a voice and/or data plan to use T-Mobile G1?
A: Yes, when you purchase T-Mobile G1, you must add one of two T-Mobile G1-specific data plans to their account. This is similar to other all-in-one devices we offer like the T-Mobile Sidekick or the T-Mobile Shadow. Customers must also have a voice plan.

Q: Is the G1 compatible with your HotSpot @Home service?
A: No. Unlimited HotSpot Calling (formerly named T-Mobile HotSpot @Home) is not included in the T-Mobile G1, although the device can browse the Web over high-speed wireless connections including Wi-Fi and our 3G network.

Q: Are there any advantages to using Gmail on the device versus another type of personal (POP3 or IMAP) account?
A: Yes. After first logging into their Google account, you will have all your Gmail, Google Contacts, Calendar and Talk data automatically synchronize with the phone. Anything you do on the phone with these products will seconds later become available on the computer and vice versa. If you were to ever lose their phone, their information will still be available and seamlessly synchronize with a replacement G1. You will also benefit from push email and calendar alerts (this is also available for the multi-headed email client). Finally, Gmail’s contacts are synchronized automatically with the phone’s contact list.

Q: What is the “search from everywhere” feature?
A: “Search from everywhere” provides customers the ability to do contextual searches. T-Mobile G1 has a hard key on the QWERTY keyboard that you can touch in order to start a search within any application you are in. For example, if you are in your contact list and hit the search key, the device will search your contact list. If you are in your email and you hit the search key, the device will search your email. You can also start a search within each application through a search option within the application.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Always connected, with lots of applications
This phone combines multi-media features, a touch screen, and constant internet connection with a phone that actually works really well! My other smart phones had poor reception, and poor to really bad voice quality. I also love the openness of the platform, and while it is just the first of the Android family of devices, a lot of cool free applications are available already. The maps integration is really nice and the GPS seems to be much faster to fix your location than other devices I have had (including dedicated GPS devices).

The built in MP3 store is good for Amazon users, and doesn’t tie your purchases to the device with DRM like iTunes does. My only warning is that like most HTC phones, using headphones requires an tiny adapter.

5 Stars AWESOME!
I’m not sure why the average review for this phone is 3.5 stars.

I would give it 5!! I used to be a Blackberry user and I won’t go back unless T-Mobile eliminates the full, slide out qwerty keyboard on the next version of this phone, which I have heard they are going to do.

Pros:

BROWSER! Awesome, quick, faster than my friends’ blackberry 8900 when performing the same search.

Touchscreen. I had a Samsung Behold for two days before I returned it and went for the G1. The G1 screen is SO much more responsive and so easy to use.

Scroll Ball. SOOOO much better than my Curve’s scroll bar. And it doesn’t get dirty so easily.

Notification bar. I love this feature–it’s a great place for consolidated information on what you missed while in a meeting, etc.

Speakerphone. This is great, compared to other phones I’ve had.

Android Market. Super easy.

Gmail. This makes keeping my calendar, email and address book together SO easy.

Cons: It’s a little large, but I guess that’s needed as it’s the first model of this phone and is pretty much a small computer.

The camera sucks, but I only need it for basic picture taking. I have a digital camera for taking quality pictures, so this doesn’t bother me.

Battery life–a LOT of people have complained about this, but I regularly get two whole days out of it before it needs to charge. I just keep the 3g turned off unless I know I’m in a 3g area (I don’t live in one) and this seems to keep the battery life up.

I definitely recommend this phone! It’s made on the go searches and emails SO easy.

1 Star T-Mobile Released this phone too early!
T-Mobile and HTC released this phone way too early! There are many bugs that people should know about. The bugs are related to e-mail and internet. Downloaded software updates only made the problem worse. Spent many hours on the phone with T-Mobile and T-Mobile basically told me that I have to deal with the phone not working properly. What a joke!

4 Stars Great OS, Good Hardware
The Android platform is the selling point of this phone. Any bugs I had when I initially got this device were resolved with a speed that I’ve never seen before. Getting involved with the developer/android community is really what makes this device shine. Amateurs and novices in tech really shouldn’t be buying this phone. The Hardware is Good, not great. And rumor has it that HTC has already created it’s second Andriod device and is currently working on it’s third. It’s the right buy for early adopters, but unless you need a new device NOW, you might want to wait until Q1 of 2009 for a worth second gen Andriod phone.

Buy/More Info

HTC Touch PRO Phone Black Sprint

Posted by Smartphone Review on February 27, 2009

HTC Touch PRO Phone Black Sprint

Get down to business and stay close to all your most important contacts and documents while on the go with the HTC Touch Pro Smartphone for Sprint, which combines a slide-out QWERTY keyboard paired with HTC’s intuitive, graphic-rich TouchFLO 3D touchscreen user interface. The TouchFLO 3D user interface responds perfectly to your finger gestures when scrolling through contacts, browsing the web, and launching media–all vividly displayed as photos and artwork on the 2.8-inch screen powered by the 3D graphics processor. And with the power of the updated Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, you’ll stay easily connected to your business and personal data on the go with support for a wide variety of email accounts as well as the ability to edit Microsoft Office documents.

With the TouchFLO 3D interface, album artwork, calendar items and snapshots are brought to life for you to interact, play and launch at your fingertips.

The HTC Touch Pro for Sprint provides a mobile Internet experience that uses the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (EV-DO Rev. A). You’ll also enjoy GPS navigation capabilities for accessing the optional Sprint Navigation turn-by-turn direction service as well as access to Sprint TV’s video-on-demand with full-motion video and vivid sound. Other features include built-in Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, and up to 4 hours of talk time. Compatible with MicroSD memory cards for expansion up to 16 GB, this package includes a 1 GB MicroSD card to give you the room you need for larger work files, presentations, reports, documents or fun files like photos and music.

Sprint Service
Supporting the EV-DO Rev. A high-speed data standard, this phone enables you to download and stream high-quality video, straight onto your phone. Where coverage is available, EV-DO Rev. A connectivity provides peak network download data rates of up to 3.1 Mbps and peak upload data rates of up to 1.8 Mbps; average download speeds range from 600 kbps to 1.4 mbps and average uplink speeds range from 350 to 500 kbps.

With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive service allows you to access your favorite channels and networks within seconds to watch live TV or video-on-demand with full-motion video. Choose from more than 50 live television channels and watch programs such as CNN mobile, FOX sports and E! Entertainment; access NFL Network and special programming via Sprint Exclusive Entertainment.

Sprint brings you closer to this season’s NFL action with NFL Mobile Live, which enables you to listen to the live radio broadcasts of every NFL game throughout the 2008 regular season. Sprint is making it easier to follow a specific team by carrying a live radio broadcast for each game, including pregame and postgame reports in most instances. NFL Mobile Live also allows NFL.com fantasy owners to monitor the performance of every player in real time directly from their phone. Key information for individual players will be easily accessible, including real-time game and season cumulative stats, rankings, player profiles and photos. NFL Mobile Live is free of charge to Sprint data subscribers.

The slide-out, backlit QWERTY keyboard makes sending email and editing documents fast and familiar.

This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone–by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, “Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street.” As you approach the turn, you will hear, “Turn right on Elm Street.” Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it’s easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.

The Sprint Mobile Sync service enables you to store and manage up to 5,000 contacts in your Sprint Mobile Sync address book, including phone numbers, addresses, notes and other fields. After your phone is activated, every change you make to your address book will be automatically saved on the Sprint network and every change you make online will be updated on your phone. Create and manage personal Group Connect groups to instantly reach up to 20 other users, at the same time, via Nextel Direct Connect or texting. Import contact fields to your address book or synchronize them with your Microsoft Outlook contacts.

Phone Features
With the TouchFLO 3D interface, HTC has taken a great leap forward in touchscreen innovation. It’s designed for one-hand operation using simple, gesture-based navigation, allowing you to simply touch, hold and slide along the screen tabs. A quick slide on the home screen quickly activates the most used features such as e-mail, text messaging, music player and camera. This instinctive interface extends to the powerful Web browser, where a useful “zoom in, zoom out” feature makes it especially easy to access the Web via the included Opera browser, which provides for desktop-like Web page renderings and user interactions. An integrated accelerometer senses when you change the position of the phone from portrait to landscape viewing, and it auto-rotates the screen’s orientation.

The HTC Touch Pro features a sharp, 262K-color 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen (480 x 640 pixels) for touch-sensitive navigation control, complete with three-dimensional animated transitions. For email, messaging and other data input, the HTC Touch Pro also comes equipped with a full QWERTY keyboard that slides out from the smartphone’s side.

Business users can choose from several popular platforms to access your corporate e-mail. The Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional platform offers seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook information including email, contacts, calendar and to-do lists. You can access and edit email attachments using mobile versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint.

In addition, the HTC Touch Pro supports scores of industry-specific applications as well as Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager (MDM), an enterprise-grade mobile device management solution that also provides security, mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) and software distribution for Windows Mobile devices enabled for Windows Mobile 6.1. For maximum flexibility, customers can choose to use either the classic Windows Mobile interface or HTC’s acclaimed TouchFLO 3D graphical interface, which makes popular applications easily available at the swipe of a finger.

This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity with EDR (enhanced data rate), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and audio/video remote control. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You’ll also be able to access open Wi-Fi networks in offices and hotspots via the integrated 802.11b/g wireless connectivity.

Other features include:

• 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus; video capture up to CIF resolution (352 x 288 pixels)
• Windows Media Player compatible with MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WAV file formats
• 512 MB of ROM, 288 MB of RAM
• Compatible with ActiveSync 4.5 and Windows Mobile Device Center
• Support for polyphonic ringtones as well as real-music ringers
• Voice command capable.
• MicroSD memory card expansion (up to 16 GB capacities)
• WorldCard Mobile business card reader
• USB 2.0 connectivity with mass storage capabilities
• Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), HID (support for mice or joysticks), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PAN (personal area networking), PBA (transfer contacts)
• Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3

Vital Statistics
The HTC Touch Pro weighs 4.94 ounces and measures 4.17 x 2.04 x 0.71 inches. Its 1340 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.0 hours of talk time, and up to 350 hours (14.6 days) of standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies as well as Sprint’s EV-DO Rev. A data network.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6.1
Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.1 offers a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file.

With Windows Mobile 6.1, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC’s Microsoft Office suite. You’ll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting–without affecting tables, images or text–as well as view PowerPoint presentations.

• Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
• With Excel Mobile, you’re not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
• PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
• After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.

All Windows Mobile 6.1 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Feature full phone but lacks battery power
I’ve purchased this phone and I’d have to say, its the best phone I’ve ever owned. It is packed with many features that you would expect from a PDA phone plus more. The only thing that I don’t like is the stock battery that it comes with, it only last for about 12 hrs with low to moderate use (30 mins talk time and about 1hr to 2hrs of playing with the device such as playing MP3’s and surfing the net). I thought it was a defected battery or device so Amazon rushed out a new one and even that was doing the same. Battery gets drained too quick. Other than that, the phone is great and I would buy it again if I have to, despite the battery issue.

Yes!!!! This phone, in my opinion, better than the Fuze for AT&T. First, the design and material of the phone is far more sturdy than the Fuze. The sides of the Touch Pro has that chrome look and is not as flimsy as the Fuze (which I throughly inspected at a local ATT store). Second, the keyboard on the Fuze has those akward numerical arrangements on the far right side (like a laptop keyboard using the function key) which I dont like much. The Touch Pro has its own dedicated numerical keys on the top row. And last, the back of the Touch Pro is not a finger print storage place for your local CSI’s to inspect like the Fuze. A slight touch of the back of the Fuze would store every smudge and grime, even after washing your hands. Other than that, both phones are identical (besides the differences in service). Hope this was helpful.

4 Stars Awesome Device
I love this device. When I take it out and use it in public people say wow thats cool. It is sharp and does everything I need it to do. It sync’s with my Exchange server for my business email, 3.2 mega pixal camera, video recording, text messaging, supports AIM, Yahoo and MSN instant messaging, bluetooth, wi-fi, Microsoft mobile s/w supports word, excel, etc, Keyboard is easy to use and the keys are big enough for me not to make a mistake (i can palm a basketball). plus so much more impossible to list everything.

I only have one negative. Once and awhile it locks up on certain applications. All I do is turn it on and off and it everything is fine.

I would recommend this device to anyone.

5 Stars The most powerful phone for technology professionals
Windows Mobile phones require a little more dedication and knowledge to use but with a small amount of googling you will discover enormous potential. HTC has been a savior for the Windows Mobile platform and their products keep getting better. This phone is a mobile computer.

I am a self-employed home theater and automation installer. I love pushing technology to it’s limits. This phone continues to wow me each time that I find the time to explore it’s power.

Here are the reasons why I own the HTC Touch Pro:

- VGA Screen

- Slide out keyboard

- Fast Internet

- Microsoft Office Mobile (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)

- Exchange Server Support

- GPS Mapping / Tracking / Trip Logging / Geotagging Applications

- Google Maps Navigation

- WiFi Connection Testing

- Bluetooth Internet Connection Sharing

- Bluetooth mouse and keyboard input

- AV output cable to TV

- Remote Office Desktop viewing with gotomypc

- Opera Browser capable of using most websites

- Replaceable Battery

- Home Automation Control

- Bluetooth Printer Support

- Threaded Text Messages

- Contacts and Calendar Integration

- PIM contacts file export and duplication

- TouchFlo Interface

- MicroSD expansion

- 3.2 MP Camera

- Panoramic Photo Stitching Application

- Sitewalk videos

- Voice Recorder

- Mobile Media Player

- Plays the XM radio site.

- Drag and Drop media files

- TiVo Desktop Support

- SlingBox Support

- Tilt Sensor

- Charging Cable is mini-USB

- Video Conferencing Ability (not tested)

- Nice Speaker Phone

- Dedicated number keys on the keyboard.

- Windows Mobile 6.1 allows applications to easily close without opening the task manager in the control panel.

- The look on an iPhone user’s face when they realize there’s something better.

Here’s what it needs:

- Hard keys to close windows, open contacts, launch applications.

- A standard Headphone Jack on the top of the phone.

- Louder Speaker

- Better Scratch Protection

- TouchFlo interface input, it’s mainly for viewing only

- Visual Voicemail

- Stronger Vibrate Ring

- OK button on keyboard

- Ability to launch selected applications at Start Up

- A real flash for the camera, it’s the flashlight type.

- A stronger magnet or more friction to hold in the stylus.

- Phone shouldn’t unlock itself if the keyboard slides out a little bit, only if fully extended.

- More responsive landscape/portrait video switching

Dream Features:

- Desktops and Phones use an OS where applications will install on either machine

- Mini DisplayPort external monitor support

- Dedicated Number and Programmable hardkeys with small display screen on the back side.

- IR emitter on top

- Universal remote control programming support

3 Stars Cool Phone but overheating problem
This is a cool phone. A lot of features are there, but it is still not iPhone. The touch screen is not that sensitive. It has an battery over heating problem. It is very difficult to hold it and talk. Battery life is poor too.

5 Stars Major improvement over the Mogul.
This phone is fast and has a high resolution screen. As a former Mogul user I had to get used to the lack of exterior buttons and the fact that the keyboard slides out in a different direction. (Its good for left handed individuals… but I am not left handed.)

The tilt sensor is fun with games and integrates smoothly with Opera Mobile. GPS is very useful if you download the Google Maps application, its free unlike the pre-installed GPS app from Sprint. The camera is quite good for a phone, and is a significant improvement over the Mogul’s.

TouchFLO is neat but not very customizable with out 3rd party applications. This is the wonderful advantage Windows Mobile phones have over the iPhone… I can change the interface and install anything I want with out jailbreaking it.

Windows Mobile phones are for adults and experienced users. You can’t just flip it open and start dialing, that’s not why you buy a Windows Mobile phone. Its a hand held computer/GPS/MP3 Player/Video player/Browser/Camera/E-mail/Scheduler/Etc. that also happens to be a decent phone.

The HTC Pro has a better battery life than the Mogul and a brighter screen. It charges with mini USB, which is ubiquitous, and you can choose to connect to your computer with Active sync or as a Hard Drive.

Finally, anyone who buy’s a Windows Mobile device and expects it to never crash or lock up is crazy. Its WINDOWS! BTW I have witnessed many iPhones lock up in the same way!

Buy/More Info

BlackBerry Curve 8330 Phone Titanium Sprint

Posted by Smartphone Review on

BlackBerry Curve 8330 Phone Titanium Sprint

Adding a fashionable touch to Research in Motion’s formidable arsenal of telephonic, PIM, and media tools, the BlackBerry 8330 Curve for Sprint is also the smallest, lightest BlackBerry phone that includes a full QWERTY keyboard. This amalgam of the svelte BlackBerry Pearl and the more business-oriented 8800 combines RIM’s long-valued corporate email and messaging platform with a host of advanced multimedia features, including a 2-megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth (for listening to music via wireless headphones). It also offers GPS navigation capabilities for accessing the optional Sprint Navigation turn-by-turn direction service. Compatible with MicroSD memory cards for expansion, this package includes a 1 GB MicroSD card to give you the room you need for larger work files, presentations, reports, documents or fun files like photos and music.

Sprint Service
Supporting the EV-DO high-speed data standard, this phone enables you to download and stream high-quality video, straight onto your phone. Where coverage is available, EV-DO connectivity provides average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps, with peak rates up to 2 Mbps. With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive video service combines high-quality streaming audio and video from channels including the NFL Network, ABC, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, E!, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and more.

Sprint brings you closer to this season’s NFL action with NFL Mobile Live, which enables you to listen to the live radio broadcasts of every NFL game throughout the 2008 regular season. Sprint is making it easier to follow a specific team by carrying a live radio broadcast for each game, including pregame and postgame reports in most instances. NFL Mobile Live also allows NFL.com fantasy owners to monitor the performance of every player in real time directly from their phone. Key information for individual players will be easily accessible, including real-time game and season cumulative stats, rankings, player profiles and photos. NFL Mobile Live is free of charge to Sprint data subscribers.

The Sprint Music Store enables you to buy, download, and then jam out wherever you are with new songs or old favorites. Offering a growing selection of more than 1.6 million songs, the store provides you two copies of each song–one for the phone and another for the PC, as well as the ability to burn songs to a CD using Windows Media Player. Save your songs to a memory card with a capacity that’s right for you.

The Curve’s full QWERTY keyboard and the innovative trackball navigation system (placed above the keyboard) makes accessing your data and writing email a breeze.

The 2-megapixel camera makes it easy to capture pictures to send via email or upload to your online photo collection.

This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone–by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, “Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street.” As you approach the turn, you will hear, “Turn right on Elm Street.” Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it’s easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.

Phone Features
The Curve 8330 is fashioned with subtly curving corners and chrome highlights. Measuring 4.2 x 2.4 inches, the Curve is just as slim as the Pearl (0.63 inches) and weighs in at 4 ounces. It features a bright 2.5-inch color TFT screen that provides 65,000 colors and a 320 x 240-pixel resolution, and it includes a light-sensing feature that automatically adjusts backlighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments. Like the BlackBerry 8800, the Curve includes a trackball navigation system located on the top of the QWERTY keypad, and it also features an integrated spell checker with a customizable dictionary to help maintain accuracy while on the go. It has 96 MB of internal ROM memory, and is expandable using MicroSD/MicroSDHC memory cards (up to 8 GB in size).

You can snap vivid photos (though no video) using the 2-megapixel camera on the back of the Curve, which also features a 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full screen viewfinder. It can capture images in up to three picture quality and size resolutions that can be shared instantly by email, MMS or BlackBerry Messenger, or even uploaded to your Flickr account with the Yahoo! Go service. Photos can also be immediately set as a unique caller ID or Home Screen image. You can edit photos and create albums within the Curve using the PhotoSuite application. Pictures can be cropped, rotated and straightened, and flaws can be fixed by removing redeye or changing the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels.

Listen to your favorite music and watch downloaded videos using the included stereo headset, or use an optional wireless headphone thanks to the Curve’s support for the Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP). The Curve is compatible with MP3 and WMA audio files, and dedicated volume controls are conveniently located on the side of the handset.

With the Voice-Activated Dialing (VAD) feature, you can initiate a call just by telling the Curve who to call from your contact list–either via the integrated speakerphone or using an optional Bluetooth wireless headset. Other advanced phone features include advanced sound technology that cancels out background noise and echo, dedicated volume and mute keys, and the ability to customize the Curve with polyphonic and MP3 ringtones.

The BlackBerry Maps application enables you to view maps and driving directions as well as email maps to other BlackBerry users and launch maps from your address book. It also includes a local search capability that allows users to find local businesses, such as banks, hotels and restaurants, within a short driving distance.

Other features include:

• Instant messaging and SMS text messaging
• Use the included USB cable to connect to laptops for a wireless modem, or choose to run this capability via Bluetooth with no USB cable requirement.
• 3.5mm headphone jack; stereo headset with microphone and mute switch included
• Make a voice note and send as an email .wmv file attachment
• Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), DUN (dial-up networking)

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Curve 8330 weighs 4 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.63 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.9 hours of talk time, and up to 264 hours (11 days) of digital standby time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars A Crude Tool
This is my first Blackberry. I got it for free for work, even though I don’t really need to be in contact that often.

This phone is like a swiss army knife with 50 tools. Technically, it can do many things, but it does none of them well. The menus are a jumbled mess of indistinct icons, and the drop down menus contain endless items to scroll through to get to the one or two you actually use. There are lots of options screens with lots of choices, but they are so disparate and poorly laid out you will always have to hunt around to find the setting you are looking for. Overall, the device’s software seems like a project where several different teams worked separately, never talking to each other until the day before it shipped, when they hurriedly pasted it all together.

Navigation with the little thumb stick is ok, often not very precise, and frequently frustrating. The small keyboard is actually not bad, and I have big hands, though I hear others at work who have the same model complain about it. Battery life is also just ok. I don’t make many calls and I have to recharge every couple days. Call quality with Sprint is good and I haven’t had any problems with reception. The web speed is also ok. Email sync methods leave a lot to be desired, but I wouldn’t blame RIM for that.

If it were my money, I would have bought an iPhone or the Google phone. I have tried them and they are much more elegant and user friendly. The Blackberry is crude tool at best, and at worst it’s a lot of frustrating scrolling and clicking trying to find what you are looking for.

5 Stars It’s my best phone so far.
I’ve been an user of cell phones from a long time ago, and I owned 6 different brands (Siemens, Nokia, HTC, Hyundai, Motorola & Sony Ericcson), and I got a new offer from my cell phone operator giving me this Blackberry. So far, after one month using it, I can’t be more surprised (and pleased) of the capabilities and the functioning of the cell phone. I highly recommend this Blackberry.

4 Stars An Excellent Phone
I bought this phone two weeks ago from Sprint for the Sprint/Best Buy price of $49.00 with a new plan. I was nervous about upgrading to a smart phone after using a simple phone for years. The transition was smooth and Sprint did a great job of anwering all of my questions about the phone and the service. The rep spent about an hour and a half helping me choose a phone and getting me set up. I chose this phone over the Palm Pilot because of its larger screen, GPS, and the voice dial feature. The track ball took a little getting used to, but I was navigating around menus fairly swiftly within a few hours.

Pros:

*Large, bright high resolution screen

*Good video quality

*Voice Dial Command

*Track Ball for easy navigation

*Clear phone calls

*Push Email - It’s very simple to check email

*Doubles as an MP3 player with exceptional sound quality

*GPS works well, voice directions are generally easy to understand

*Sprint network fairly quickly loads web pages

*Streaming radio from Sprint is clear and has a good variety of music

*Value for the money: Box includes stereo headphones that double as a hands-free, case, 1G MircoSD card, USB cable, charger

Cons/The reason for 4 stars over 5:

*Voice Dial does not consistently recognize the name from the address book, but does get it on the second or third try

*Manual does not include all the information new users should know - for example, my new phone was making a tone every time I got an email-annoying in the middle of the night. I also had some trouble figuring out how to download MP3s from my computer directly to the SD card.

I have been able to solve all both of the technology questions above by going to the help forums at www.blackberry.com within a few minute of searching for answers. The support from users on this site is extremely helpful.

I highly recommend this phone and can’t imagine living without my Blackberry now!

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