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Quite a nice job (with some minor annoying details
Posted by jurreta on 6/26/2008
Involvement: Expert (understands the inner workings) - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week

Price:
Ease of Use:
Build Quality:
Usefulness:
Overall Rating:

Pros: * The design (copying the HTC TyTN/Kaiser) is quite nice.
* Build quality also quite nice, although the top part moves slightly (also caused by having a sliding keyboard and tiltable screen).
* Excellent sound quality. mp3 files sound better than in my old Razr v3.
* Nice and useful file manager.
* Configurable front keys.
* Excellent video quality. Video playing is quite smooth and the full screen display is a plus.
* Excellent tv playing quality. Antenna reception (given the signal is strong enough) is very good. A 3" display is not the best for tv or video, but it can save you while travelling.
* Java support. That's one of the reasons why I chose this phone over others. It supports Java without trouble and installing new software is as simple as copying a .jar file into the memory card (with card reader or connecting the phone via usb), opening the file manager and choosing install. Java games and apps run quite smoothly and I've been able to install various apps, such as games, a notepad and others. This opens the door for software like Opera Mini, which is quite useful.
* Nice and responsive touch screen. I've been able to use it with my fingers, even if they are not exactly thin. Of course, it's better to use the included stylus.
* Bluetooth works like a charm. I had no problems to set it up and use it. By default, authentication is enabled, so you should disable it if you're gonna connect to a device not expecting a password.
* Dual cameras. 1.3 mpx is not the best, but the quality is enough and what you'd expect from such cameras. The front camera can be used to take photos of yourself or to turn the phone into a webcam. In the
latter case, you only have to connect the phone via usb and choose webcam. No driver needed, at least in my case.
* Dialling application is nice and responsive, with big buttons and no need to use the stylus. I've had no problems dialling, and signal strenght was always enough.
* Full qwerty keyboard, allowing you to type your sms easier.
* Dual sim feature works very well, although both sims can't be online at the same time.
* The included no-name microsd card works just as expected
* Contrary to DX specs, user interface comes in more languages than chinese and english, but I'm afraid they are quite useless. I tried the Spanish translation and I reverted back to English, since it had may mistakes.
* Comes with a "leather" case, which can be put on your belt, so you can don't have to carry any bag or put the phone into your pocket. The case is just a carrying case, and the phone can't be used while inside.


Cons: * Although the keyboard is qwerty, for some obscure reason the designer decided to turn the space bar into a special function key to insert various symbols, and not the space. This is very annoying, since to type a space, you need to press the "0" key three times. I've tried all the input methods and setting available, but no joy. A firmware update could fix that and allow us to use the space bar as a normal space bar, but I don't expect any firmware update for this phone to appear.
* The stylus looks quite weak and not very well built. Today I¡ll go to a local store and look if I can find a suitable replacement, but I think DX should think about stocking replacements. Maybe I'll make a product request on this.
* A bit bulky, bigger than the HTC model copied. Despite this, weight is not an issue, since it's quite light.
* Video recording quality is not very good, but you can't expect more. Zoom using is specially annoying, since it's not very smooth.
* If you're, for example, writing a sms with the qwerty keyboard and close it, the sms application closed without notice and you're brought back to the main menu. Quite annoying until to get used to it.
* No tv-out function, although the settings menu does mention it. I think there's another similar model with tv-out and number keys on the front.
* Connected via usb the phone can be used as mobile storage, webcam or modem. If set up as a modem, Windows detects it and asks for drivers, but there's no driver cd included. I guess it could work with some standard driver, but I still have to test that


Other Thoughts: If only the space bar worked just as expected...


Bottomline: Very nice if you're looking for a dual sim phone which can support java, which is what I was looking for. Most Windows Mobile phones don't support two sims, and those that support them are quite bulky and still not very functional.

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