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August 15, 2005

RIM BlackBerry 7290 Phone (T-Mobile)


This update to the tried and true BlackBerry 7200 series adds support for Bluetooth, a brighter display, quad-band GSM and 32 MB of internal memory. This integrated phone, email client (with support for corporate email servers), organizer and web browser is the ultimate weapon for mobile professionals.

  Design
The 7290 follows the standard BlackBerry form factor-- a large 240 x 160 color screen placed above a QWERTY thumb-pad. The screen offers plenty of real estate to view your emails, web browser content, messaging sessions and attachments. The popular BlackBerry user interface is here, too, which makes it easy to navigate the phone's functions. A jog dial is located on the right side of the unit for quick scrolling through menus and emails. There's also a standard 2.5mm headset jack that can be used with the included headset. And because the 7290 is Bluetooth enabled, you can connect a wide range of wireless Bluetooth headsets. A removable lithium-ion battery is housed in the rear of the unit.

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July 16, 2005

Motorola RAZR V3 Phone (T-Mobile)


Thin is definitely in. At just over a half-inch thick, the Motorola RAZR V3 is the perfect combination of sleek design and powerful features. With long-range Bluetooth, support for video playback, a VGA (640 x 480) camera and a gorgeous color screen, the RAZR V3 is everything you're looking for in a stylish mobile companion. Get the most out of your T-Mobile service with this impressive quad-band phone.

Design

Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Stay connected without wires. Choose from a range of optional Bluetooth accessories.
MPEG4 Video Playback
Download and watch sports action and music clips. They're all beautifully displayed on the large 2.2 color display.
Built-in Speakerphone
Keep the conversation flowing when you're busy by going hands-free. Or exchange ideas in a conference call.
Anodized Aluminum Case
The ultra-thin Moto Razr V3 has the distinctive metallic lustre of anodized aluminum.
Digital Camera
Capture your world in style. Create memorable images with the effective 4 x digital zoom and quick exposure controls.
The RAZR V3's design takes the standard clamshell form factor to the next level with an impressive, anodized aluminum construction. A large 176 x 220 color display with 262,000 colors dominates the inside of the top cover. The outside cover of the handset sports a supplementary 96 x 80 full-color display that can display pictures, time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. The VGA camera lens is housed above this display. Up/down buttons are placed on the left side for volume control while a voice button on the right side of the unit allows you to enter voice memos and create voice dialing profiles. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's backlit control pad, which is precision cut from a single sheet of nickel-plated copper alloy. A charging port and USB data cable port is placed on the bottom of the phone.

Calling Features
The RAZR V3's internal phone book can hold up to 1000 contacts while the phone's picture ID system allows you to assign pictures to your most common callers. It also supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3 ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. A number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. There's even an included application, MotoMixer, that lets you mix your own ringtones. For times when you want to be discreet, there's a vibrating alert. A built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear while voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names.

Because the RAZR V3 is Bluetooth enabled, wireless headsets can be configured with the phone for total handsfree operation.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The RAZR V3 is a messaging and wireless Internet powerhouse. Support is built in for sending and receiving pictures, text, graphics, sound and video via messages. When used in combination with the phone's built-in still and video camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. Instant messaging is also supported (T-Mobile messaging charges apply) and the phone ships with a built-in email client with support for POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP protocols.



Thin is in: The RAZR's keypad is precision cut from a single sheet of nickel-plated copper alloy.
There's also a built-in web browser for t-zones downloads and mobile web browsing. T-Mobile's t-zones service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. iTap text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users. When used with a T-Mobile data plan and the phone's Bluetooth or USB data capability, the phone can be used as a wireless modem for laptops and PDAs.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the RAZR V3 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator with currency converter, a calendar and an alarm clock. Use the phone's Bluetooth capability to set up a wireless link with a Bluetooth accessory or connect to a computer or hand-held device to exchange and synchronize data. The phone also supports the SyncML PC synchronization standard, can be used with Motorola's Mobile Phone Tools PC application to manage and synchronize contacts, calendar and other data with your PC.

Imaging and Entertainment
With 5 MB of internal memory storage, the RAZR V3 shines in the entertainment department. The phone's VGA camera features a 4x zoom, image quality options, and an auto-timer so you can be in your pictures, too. Capture stills and then send them to your friends via MMS messaging or email, or to your PC via USB or Bluetooth. The phone is capable of MPEG4 video playback when you receive a video message, or if you upload video to the phone via USB or Bluetooth. The RAZR V3 also supports custom graphics for wallpapers so you can dress up the phone to suit your fancy.

Support for gaming is built into the phone and games are available for download via the T-Mobile t-zones service.

Operating the RAZR Battery Door
The RAZR V3's battery cover is designed to have a very tight fit with the phone case. You may need to use your fingernail or a very thin instrument to depress the small battery cover release button. When replacing the cover, make sure the cover securely snaps into place before operating the phone.

Vital Statistics
The Motorola RAZR V3 weighs 3.35 ounces and measures 3.86 x 2.09 x .54 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6.67 hours of digital talk time, and up to 250 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 800/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
RAZR V3 handset, lithium-ion battery, travel charger, user's manual.

June 25, 2005

Samsung E335 Phone (T-Mobile)


With support for multimedia messaging and mobile instant messaging, this sleek companion will keep you in touch with the latest cell phone technologies. It's also got a vibrant color screen and a VGA camera (with a flash!) -- great for getting and sharing shots on the go.



Take a closer look at the E335's functions.
The E335 sports a slim, sleek clamshell design with a large 128 x 160 color display with 65,000 colors. A supplementary, 96 x 96 monochrome screen on the front of the cover keeps you up to speed on time, date, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. Up and down buttons for volume control are placed on the left side, and there's also a button for quick access to camera functions. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's control pad. There's also a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets, while the phone's charging and data ports are placed on the bottom of the unit. And because the E335's antenna is housed inside the phone, there's nothing to snag or break off.

Calling Features
With 6.3 MB of internal memory, and an expansive, 1000-contact address book, the E335 is designed to hold all of your important calling information. The phone also features 40-chord polyphonic ringtones, and in addition to the built-in ringers you can download additional ones from T-Mobile's t-zones service. A vibrate alert silently notifies you of incoming calls when you want to be discreet, and a handy speakerphone lets you talk handsfree or hold conference calls. Meanwhile, ringer and picture ID lets you assign photos and ringtones to callers. Like all T-Mobile phones, the E335 also supports voicemail, caller ID, conference calling, call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, built-in paging, and access to T-Mobile's 411 service.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
Powerful messaging and Internet capabilities are built into the E335. Support is provided for sending and receiving pictures, text, graphics, sound and video via MMS messages. When used in combination with the phone's camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. Instant messaging is also supported via the AIM and Yahoo! messenger clients (T-Mobile messaging charges apply), and there's also a built-in web browser for t-zones downloads and mobile web browsing. T-Mobile's t-zones service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the E335 including a calculator with currency converter, an alarm, a to-do list, a voice memo recorder, and a calendar.

Imaging and Entertainment
Kick the fun up a notch with the E335's integrated VGA (640x480) camera, which includes an LED flash for getting good shots in low-light situations. The phone also allows you to set screensavers, themes and wallpapers to suit your tastes. The phone is Java enabled, meaning it supports games written on the Java platform. The unit ships with several games and more are available via the t-zones service.

Vital Statistics
The E335 weighs 3 ounces and measures 3.43 x 1.81 x .91 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 220 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Samsung E335 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user manual.

June 06, 2005

Samsung C225 Phone (T-Mobile)


Looking for an affordable phone with a generous touch of class? The c225 delivers with a large color screen, support for instant messaging and wireless media downloads, as well as a voluminous phone book. It's all wrapped up in a sleek candybar form factor that will turn heads.

Design
The c225's sporty candybar form factor sports a large, 128 x 128, 65,000-color display. Meanwhile, most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. Up/down keys are provided on the left side of the handset.

Calling Features
The phone's built-in address book, which supports up to three numbers per entry, can store up to 1000 contacts for quick and easy management of your friends, family and associates. Forty-chord polyphonic ringtones, plus a vibrating alert, are built in and more ringtones can be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. Picture ID and ringer ID allow you to set graphics and ringtones for specific groups of callers. Like all T-Mobile phones, the c225 also supports voicemail, caller ID, conference calling, call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, built-in paging, and access to T-Mobile's 411 service.

Messaging and Internet
The c225 has robust messaging features designed to keep you in touch wherever you roam. In addition to basic text, picture and sound messaging, the phone features support for instant messaging from Yahoo, AOL and MSN (T-Mobile messaging charges apply). There's also a built-in web browser for t-zones downloads and mobile web browsing. T-Mobile's t-zones service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the c225 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator with currency conversion, a to-do list, a calendar and an alarm clock.

Imaging and Entertainment
Four games ship with the c225, and more Java-based games are available for mobile download from the t-zones service. Meanwhile, customizable wallpapers let you dress up your C207 to suit your style.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung c225 weighs 3.4 ounces and measures 4.30 x 1.80 x .90 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of digital talk time, and up to 100 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 900/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
c225 handset, hands-free headset, SIM card, lithium-ion battery, AC charger, user's manual.

May 24, 2005

Samsung S105 Phone (T-Mobile)


Impressive in terms of sheer design, this little flip phone approaches perfection. A combination of equal parts efficiency and flash, the Samsung S105 offers a comprehensive package of standard features and fun, useful extras. When closed, the phone appears alluringly hi-tech with its silver finish, rectangular body, and external LCD display, which shows date, time, battery level, service icon, and caller ID. And, even though the phone only weighs four ounces, it still feels substantial. When flipped open, the S105 doesn't disappoint. Its brilliant full-color LCD with its animated menus, uniquely shaped buttons, and blue backlit keypad numerals dazzles the eye. The folks at Samsung certainly know the power of symmetry, form, and color.

But what good is a cool-looking phone without practical features? The S105 is loaded with them. Extensive call records allow you to view missed incoming and outgoing calls, and the length of total and individual calls. The organizer contains a to-do list, calculator, alarm, currency exchange estimator, and calendar, in which you can write yourself memos for any given day. You can also read and write messages in text format (with SMS support from T-Mobile). The S105 also provides nine precomposed, time-saving templates for simple messages you can send in lieu of typing them yourself. Late for a date? Simply scroll and choose, "I am late and will be there in ___ minutes" and hit Send. These templates can of course be edited and saved. You can also attach sound or graphic objects to messages.

The phone book in the S105 allows for 500 entries in phone memory, and another 250 in the SIM card. Contacts can be organized in up to 10 groups, with each group having its own ring tone and graphic display. You can store up to nine speed-dial numbers.

When it comes to the ring tone, you’ve got many choices. In fact, customizing these settings might bring up unusual quandaries, such as deciding whether or not the phone should play "Carmen" or "Valse des Fleurs" when you get a call. If you’re feeling retro, you can just set the phone to ring like an old-fashioned rotary dial. There are 20 of these polyphonic ringer options to choose from. You can also set your alert to vibration, vibration plus melody, or display light only. Speaking of light, users can even change the color of the service indicator light (eight options), alter the contrast of both LCD displays, choose from 12 full-color animated wallpaper displays, and select menu color themes.

Changing the appearance and sounds of phones is great, but what about mission-critical features? In our tests we found the voice quality to be excellent. A long-distance call from a busy downtown Seattle street corner was successful. The answering party did not hear a huge truck rumble by, thanks to the phone's microphone noise-cancellation properties. The phone’s network services menu allows broad control over call waiting, call forwarding, and caller ID, as well as network selection (automatic or manual), and band selection (GSM 900/1,800 or GSM 1,900) for travel in foreign countries. Users can manipulate and store settings such as the SMS service center used for sending messages, and the channels on which broadcast messages are received. Depending on your service plan, the WAP-enabled browser allows access to mobile-friendly Internet sites. You can store URL favorites and set a home page, as well as download Java-enabled games and additional sounds for your phone. An infrared port lets you beam data to other IR-equipped units.

All of the many features of the S105 are easily accessed via the phone’s simple navigation interface. An oval-shaped four-position button is used for scrolling, and soft keys to the left and right allow for selection or cancellation/return to a previous menu. There is also a volume button on the side and a headphone jack for the hands-free ear microphone (included). For those times when you’re stuck at the airport, there are three full-color games loaded on the S105. Of these, we like My Pet (you have to see it).

Many of us want, even crave, the most futuristic devices, even ones that will provoke the curiosity and admiration of friends. To this end, the Samsung S105 should be the perfect choice. It’s a spectacular instrument that does the basic work of a cell phone--and much more--in grand fashion. The S105 has it all and never disappoints. --John Bosch

Pros:

  • - Overall design
  • - Large, color LCD screen
  • - Variety and functionality of features
  • - Animated graphics

Cons:

  • - No light on external LCD

April 27, 2005

Motorola V188 Phone (T-Mobile)


Billed as an entry-level phone, the Motorola v188 is actually a feature rich beauty with quad-band global coverage capability. Instant messaging, MP3 ringtones, dual displays, USB connectivity and gaming support are all here-- a significant step up from entry level phones of the past. It's the perfect companion to T-Mobile service.



Take a closer look at the V188's functions.
Design
The phone features a sleek clamshell design with a large 128 x 128 color display with 65,000 colors. The outside cover of the handset sports a supplementary 96 x 32 monochrome display that can display time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. A stub antenna is placed on the top right side of the unit. Up and down buttons for volume control are placed on the left side. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's control pad. A USB-capable data port is housed on the unit's top edge. There's a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets on the bottom of the handset, next to the phone's charging port. Face plates are available so you can create the look you're after on the phone's outer casing.

Calling Features
The v188 supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3 ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. You can also assign pictures and ringers to your most common callers. A number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. There's even an included application, MotoMixer, that enables you to mix your own ringtones.

Speed dialing, which allows you to call pre-programmed numbers with one button is built in, as is a vibrating alert. A built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The v188 has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging and Internet connectivity. The phone features support for AOL Instant Messenger (T-Mobile messaging charges apply), and there's also a built-in web browser for t-zones downloads and mobile web browsing. T-Mobile's t-zones service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. Traditional text messaging, as well as picture and sound messaging are also supported by the phone. iTap text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the v188 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator, a notepad, a calendar and an alarm clock.

Imaging and Entertainment
The v188's USB connectivity can be used to transfer pictures, sounds and graphics to the phone's memory from your PC. Screensavers, themes and wallpapers can be set to your tastes. The v188 is Java enabled, meaning it supports games and application downloads written on the Java platform. Games are available via the T-Mobile t-zones service.

Vital Statistics
The v188 weighs 3.39 ounces and measures 3.39 x 1.77 x .9 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.75 hours of digital talk time, and up to 14.5 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Motorola v188 handset, lithium-ion battery, power supply/charger, user's manual.

April 07, 2005

Samsung x475 Phone (T-Mobile)


Get some serious style with the x475 from Samsung. True, this phone is billed as entry-level, but it has features like MMS messaging, instant messaging, and a vibrant, high-resolution color screen that put it a notch above other phones that are this affordable. With the x475, you'll even get wireless Web capabilities that will keep you in step with the latest mobile Internet technologies.


Click the image to get a closer look at the x475's features.
Design
Inside the x475's sleek clamshell you'll find a large, 128 x 160 color display with support for 65,000 colors. The outside cover of the handset sports a supplementary 96 x 64 monochrome display that can display time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. Up and down buttons for volume control are placed on the left side, while most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's control pad. There's also a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets.

Calling Features
The x475's phonebook can handle up to 1000 of your contacts, and you can store up to three numbers per entry, plus an email address. In addition to having a discreet vibrating alert, the X475 supports 40-chord polyphonic ringtones, which means you can really jazz up your incoming calls with cool tunes. A number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. You can also assign icons and ringers to your most common callers. Like all T-Mobile phones, the x475 supports voice mail, caller ID, conference calling, call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, built-in paging, and access to T-Mobile's 411 service.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
When it comes to messaging and Internet connectivity, the x475 has you covered. The phone features support for ICQ and AOL instant messaging applications (T-Mobile messaging charges apply). There's also a built-in web browser for t-zones downloads and mobile web browsing. T-Mobile's t-zones service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. Traditional text messaging, as well as picture and sound messaging are also supported by the phone. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the x475, including a voice memo recorder, a calculator with currency converter, a to-do list, a calendar and an alarm clock.

Entertainment
The x475 is easy to customize to suit your style. Screensavers, themes and wallpapers can be set to your tastes, and you can even browse and download more wallpapers from the t-zones service. The x475 is Java enabled, meaning it supports games and application downloads written on the Java platform. Games are available via the T-Mobile t-zones service.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung x475 weighs 3.00 ounces and measures 3.45 x 1.81 x .90 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of digital talk time, and up to 180 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 900/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
x475 handset, lithium-ion battery, power supply/charger, euro-plug, handsfree headset, SIM card, user's manual.

February 26, 2005

Samsung E315 Phone (T-Mobile)


Compatible with T-Mobile cell phone service, the ultralight Samsung E315 sports world-band capability, a digital VGA camera, GPRS high-speed data download, and more, all displayed on two color screens: the 128 x 160-pixel, 65,000-color primary interior display, and a generous 96 x 64-pixel, 65,000-color external screen.

Calling Features


Click the image to get a closer look at the E315's features.
Used simply as a phone, the E315 features a 5-way navigation button that makes it easy for you got get to its handy features, which include a voice mail button, voice mail indicator, volume select/display, signal strength indicator, call timers, redial, missed call indicator, call log, any-key answer, auto-redial, roaming indicator, speed dial, phonebook lookup, phonebook scroll, mute control, no-answer transfer, usage alert, vibrating ring, differential ring, photo caller ID, and a hefty phone book capacity of 1000 entries.

Messaging and Internet
The phone's wireless Internet browser provides high-speed data transmission via GPRS, as well as MMS and advanced EMS messaging, which lets you send, receive and edit text, voice, and pictures (such as ones you take with the camera) to and from other compatible cell phones and computers. You'll also get instant messaging via Wireless Village, with predictive text input and text message templates. To expand your phone's functionality, simply surf the Web and Samsung's Web site for additional productivity software applications; this phone supports Java MIDP 2.0/CLDC 1.0.4.

Organizer
The Samsung E315's organizer features include an alarm, calendar, to-do list, clock with world time mode, calculator, currency exchange calculator, and voice memo, among others. You can also sync up data from your phone's organizer with your PC.

Cameras, Fun, and Games
As mentioned above, the E315 comes with an integrated VGA digital camera that takes 640 x 480-pixel photos, and provides digital zoom, a self-timer, multi-shot and night-shot modes, and some effects and digital frames. You can also download and play video clips from the Web. For more fun, a wide variety of games, polyphonic ring tones, and graphics are available for download from the Web.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung E315 weighs 2.83 ounces and measures 3.27 x 1.81 x 0.91 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at 210 minutes minimum talk time, and 240 hours minimum standby time. It runs on GSM 900/1900 MHz.

What's in the Box
Samsung E315 cell phone, battery, charger, hands-free headset, manual

November 24, 2004

Samsung p735 Phone (T-Mobile)


Samsung's P735 is one of a new breed of cameraphones. Not only does it offer a megapixel camera, but it also has a novel form factor that differentiates it from everything else on the market. It opens up to reveal a large display, but its hinge does more than just open and close. By twisting and turning the top half of the phone, the P735 can be put into a 'L' shape configuration, or actually be flipped around completely so that the main display is on the outside of the phone. This is useful for taking photos.


Taking photos is a snap when you twist and turn the main display to the outside of the phone.

The P735 is a triband GSM phone that works on T-Mobile USA's 1900Mhz network and the 900Mhz and 1800Mhz GSM networks found in most other parts of the world, meaning it will work on your European vacation. It weighs 4.5 ounces, and is 3.6" x 1.73" x 0.95" in size, which is a bit large. Included in that package is a battery that was good for over 6.5 hours of talk time in my tests - even though Samsung claims only 4 hours.

The P735's numeric keypad has a nice feel, but has unusual positioning of the its two softkeys and dedicated camera button: the camera button is above the softkeys, which means that you often hit the camera button instead of the right softkey. The P735 has a nice directional controller, or d-pad, but it is raised quite a bit from the level of the keypad. Everything is very usable; it just isn't optimal.

But one buys a P735 for the multimedia capabilities. The megapixel camera takes a decent photograph for a cell phone. Outdoors shots are a bit blue in color, but reasonable. Indoor shots are much better. The camera offers resolutions ranging from MMS to full 1024x864. Normally the P735 shoots photos in a vertical portrait format, but if you twist the phone's hinge into the 'L' configuration, it will automatically adjust the camera to records photos in landscape format.


The RS-MMC memory card slot supports up to 512MB cards.

Unlike most video capable cameraphones on the market, the P735 can record video clips of nearly unlimited length. The phone only stops recording when you tell it to or when it runs out of memory. Since the P735 has 60MB of internal memory and a RS-MMC memory card slot that supports up to 512MB cards, that's a lot of video.

The P735 also has a reasonable MP3 player included. While you can't create real playlists, you can pick and choose the songs to play. Songs can be in internal storage or on the RS-MMC card. The included stereo headset offers good sound, but uses a proprietary connection, so you won't be able to use your own headset. If a call comes in while you are listening to music, the MP3 player will stop so you can take the call.


The P735's very bright and ultra-crisp 262k TFT main display features 176x144 resolution.

The P735 has a nice 262k color TFT display with a 176x144 resolution. It is very bright, and very crisp, and large enough to get the job done. The external 65k color sub-display is an ultra-bright OLED type that you could read from across the room in the dark - it's that sharp. Both displays are used by the Picture Caller ID system so you can see a photo of who is calling you.

While the P735 doesn't support email, except through T-Zones, it does have nice MMS and SMS editors. It also comes with a nice suite of 3D games, including the 3D first-person flying robot game Metalion. New games, including Java based games, can be bought from T-Mobile or found elsewhere on the Internet.

The Samsung SGH-P735 is a good solid multimedia phone. Not only can it take a nice picture, but it has looks that will turn heads and start conversations. Business users will miss voice dialing and a speakerphone, but for the casual user the P735 will offer enough fun for those things to be overlooked.
--Reviewed by Michael Oryl, editor in chief of www.MobileBurn.com

Pros:

  • Megapixel Camera
  • MP3 Player
  • 3D Games

Cons:

  • Big
  • No Voice Dialing
  • No Speakerphone

What's in the Box: P735 phone, Battery, Charger, Hands-Free Headset, SIM Card, Euro Plug and 32 MB Multimedia Card.

November 19, 2004

Samsung E715 Phone (T-Mobile)


Compatible with T-Mobile cellular service, Samsung's dual-frequency GSM/GPRS SGH-E715 phone includes a Web browser, digital camera, some organizing software, and a host of other useful features. The phone's cover features a 80 x 64 pixel gray scale OLED subdisplay, which remains on even when your phone is closed, to display signal strength, battery power, and the time of day.

Send or receive data through the IrDA-compliant infrared port on your PC.
When a call comes in, caller ID is displayed on the outside so you can check who it is before answering. The area also displays message-received notices, and other alerts as they come in. The subdisplay also functions as a viewfinder if you want to take your own picture using the phone's 640x480 digital camera.

The camera's main lens is a rotating device that can take multiple consecutive photos at a time. You can also save the photos and send them to a friend or colleague in a text message vis MMS service. The camera includes snazzy functions such as frame setting , tone control, effects, rotation, and a self timer. It can take color, black and white, or sepia-tone pictures, and it comes with a variety of stored image templates that you can use to decorate your snapshots. There's also an LED flash, which helps provide a clear view of your subject in dim light environments.

The E715 sports 40 polyphonic ring tones, as well as many more available for download on the Web via the E715's built in Web browser. Also available for download are a variety of Java-based video games, compatible with the phone via Java MIDP version 2.0.

As an organizer, the E715 includes a 1,000 contact phonebook, a scheduler, to do list and alarm. And, its IrDA (infrared) interface enables easy, wireless phone to PC sync connection. The phone weighs 3.4-ounces.

SEE A DETAILED VIEW OF THE e715'S FEATURES

What's in the box:

Handset, travel adapter, battery, hand strap, user's manual, ear microphone.

October 10, 2004

Siemens CF62T TMO to Go Prepaid Phone (T-Mobile)


Compatible with T-Mobile cell phone service, the Siemens CF62T prepaid phone features a sleek design with a very cool-looking loop antenna, as well as a speakerphone, Openwave 6.4 Internet browsing software, advanced text messaging, and Java capabilities, all built-in to a clamshell/flip phone format and displayed on a 128 x 128 pixel, 65k color LCD screen. The small outer display, visible when the phone is closed, provides color resolution as well.

Calling Features
Used simply as a phone, the CF62T features a 4-way navigation key for easy access to a variety of handy features, including call timers, redial, missed call indicator, call log, any-key answer, auto-redial, roaming indicator, speed dial, phonebook look-up, phonebook scroll, mute control, no-answer transfer, usage alert, vibrating ring, differential ring voice mail button, voice mail indicator, volume select/display, signal strength indicator, phone status indicator, a phone book capacity of 250 entries, and more. It also supports TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf).

Messaging and Internet
When you want to get online, you'll enjoy EMS and MMS messaging, which allows you to create, send, receive, and edit text messages with photo attachments, and then send to any compatible cell phone or PC. There's also predictive text entry for your speedy text messaging convenience. The CF62T is Java-compatible, so you can download a wide variety of productivity and gaming software to further enhance your phone.

Organizer
Organizer capabilities on the CF62T include a calendar, calculator, alarm, and a scratch pad function for quick note-taking.

Fun and Games
This phone includes customizable wallpaper and graphics, and 16-chord polyphonic ring tones. Since it's Java-compatible, you can also easily download new wallpaper, graphics, ring tones, and games, in addition to the ones already included with the phone. An attachable VGA camera is also available separately.

Vital Statistics
The Siemens CF62T weighs 3.00 oz. and measures 3.2 x 1.7 x 0.87 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at 5 hours of digital talk time, and 220 hours of digital standby time. It runs on GSM 800/1800/1900 MHz.

What's in the box
Siemens CF62T phone, AC charger, hands-free headset, manual

September 04, 2004

Sharp TM150 Phone (T-Mobile)


A huge screen, a high-resolution camera, an SD memory card slot, robust email and mobile internet capabilities. Sound good? With the Sharp TM150 from T-Mobile, you'll get all that and more. With this phone, you can share life's moments with picture and video messaging, while staying in touch with all the latest wireless technologies.


Click the image to get a closer look at the TM150's features.
Design
The TM150 sticks with the traditional clamshell design, but adds a stylish, colored exterior and, as well as a supplementary 64 x 96 color screen that can display photos, images, time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. The 1+ megapixel (858 x 1144) camera unit housed just above this display. Inside the front cover, you'll find a massive QVGA color screen with 240 x 320 resolution and support for 262,000 colors. A standard 2.5mm headset jack is provided, and a multi-directional selection button controls most of the phone's user-friendly menus and options. There's also a slot for an SD memory card -- great for storing all those photos and videos you'll be taking -- as well as a USB-compatible connector port for data connectivity with your PC or other device.

Calling Features
The TM150's phone book can hold up to 500 contacts with multiple entries per contact. The phone features built-in polyphonic and music ringtones and more ringtones can also be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. Pictures of your friends (or enemies) can used as caller ID alerts, or you can set ringers to coincide with certain callers. Speed dialing can be programmed so you're always one button away from your most important numbers. Plus, for those times you want to keep things discreet, there's a vibrate ringer mode. Like other T-Mobile phones, the TM150 supports voicemail, caller ID, conference calling, call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, built-in paging, and access to T-Mobile's "411 And More" service.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The TM150 is a powerful mobile messaging tool. Support is built in for sending and receiving text, pictures, video and sound via messages. When used in combination with the phone's built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. There's also a built-in email client with support for your POP3-based accounts and SMTP outgoing mail authentication. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Getting on the Internet is easy with the TM150, too. Use the phone to access T-Mobile's t-zones service, which lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get sports scores, download games and ringtones, and more. A number of handy software tools are bundled with the TM150 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator with currency converter, a calendar, and an alarm clock with a countdown timer. And because the phone supports the PC Sync protocol, you can use its USB data connectivity to synchronize your calendars, contacts and other data with your PC.

Imaging and Entertainment
With the TM150's megapixel camera, you can capture high-resolution images wherever you roam. There's also a digital zoom for getting shots from far away. Other camera features include a self-timer, a multi-shot mode, a night mode, and macro functions. While the camera is great for stills, it can also capture videos up to 15 seconds in length.

Java application and gaming support is also built into the TM150. Many games and applications can be downloaded from the t-zones service. The phone also features customizable wallpapers and screensavers.

Vital Statistics
The Sharp TM150 weighs 3.92 ounces and measures 3.66 x 1.69 x 0.98 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.33 hours of digital talk time, and up to 200 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
TM150 handset, lithium-ion battery, AC charger, hands-free headset, SIM card.

August 27, 2004

Samsung E105 Phone (T-Mobile)

August 16, 2004

Samsung V205 Phone (T-Mobile)


Overview

Compatible with T-Mobile cell phone service, the Samsung V205 GSM phone sports a swiveling built-in color camera, a WAP Internet browser, and plenty of phone and organizer features, all displayed on an easy to read, 128 x 160 pixel, 65K color TFD main display with 20480 lines of resolution.

Calling Features

Used simply as a phone, the V205 benefits from a 5-way scroll key for easy menu navigation and dialing. Primary calling features include incoming call display on the external screen, multiparty calling with soft key privacy switch, 40-instrument polyphonic ring tones, a handy voice mail button, speed dial, call waiting and forwarding, call timers, redial, any-key answer, roaming indicator, phonebook look-up, phonebook scroll, mute control, no-answer transfer, usage alert, differential ring, and a 500 entry phone book.

Messaging and Internet

Access to the wireless Internet lets you download new ring tones, games, multimedia messages, and send and receive photos to and from your phone or PC. SMS two way messaging provides sending, receiving and storage of text messaging with multimedia attachments.

Organizer

Organizer features include a PIM (Personal Information Manager), alarm, and a scratch pad.

Vital Statistics

The Samsung V205 weighs 3.39 ounces and measures 1.87 x 3.57 x 0.91 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 240 minutes digital talk time and up to 100 hours continuous digital standby. The phone supports English French and Spanish text prompts. The package includes a battery, charger, headset and user documentation.

August 05, 2004

Motorola V66 TMO to Go Prepaid Phone (T-Mobile)


Overview

Compatible with T-Mobile prepaid cell phone service, the Motorola V66 features an Internet browser, GPRS data service, two-way SMS messaging, and more--all displayed on a 96x64 pixel, backlit screen with a customizable main menu. You can even get additional bezel inserts (sold separately) to personalize your phone's appearance. The phone runs on GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz service.

Calling Features

Used simply as a phone, the V300 features a popular, clamshell design and a host of calling features, including caller ID with time/date stamp, vibrating alert, one-touch and voice dialing, a phone book of up to 500 entries, voice message waiting, and call restrictions, as well as last numbers dialed and calls received memory.

Messaging and Internet

The V66's WAP 1.1-enabled microbrowser provides access to the wireless internet for up-to-the-minute information on stock prices, news, sports, and more. You'll also enjoy basic SMS text messaging service, so you can send, receive, and store short alphanumeric text messages on your phone and with other compatible phones or PCs. There's a text-message waiting icon, and built in iTAP software provides predictive text assistance in email, short messages or other edit modes.

Organizer

Minimal organizer features include a voice recorder, calculator with currency converter, and a clock.

Fun and Games

For fun, the V66 includes a few games--Paddleball, Blackjack, and Mindblaster--and an FM stereo radio with an integrated headset jack.

Vital Statistics

The Motorola V300's security features include call restrictions, phone lock, application lock, and new password capability. The phone weighs 2.79 ounces and measures 3.3 x 1.5 x 0.8 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 180 hours talk time, and up to 120 hours standby time. The package includes the phone, plus a battery, mid rate charger with UK and Euro plugs, headset, onyx bezel, user manual, and a one year limited warranty.

Continue reading "Motorola V66 TMO to Go Prepaid Phone (T-Mobile)" »

July 31, 2004

Siemens CF62T Phone (T-Mobile)


Compatible with T-Mobile cell phone service, the Siemens CF62T phone features a sleek design with a very cool-looking loop antenna, as well as a speakerphone, Openwave 6.4 Internet browsing software, advanced text messaging, and Java capabilities, all built-in to a clamshell/flip phone format and displayed on a 128 x 128 pixel, 65k color LCD screen. The small outer display, visible when the phone is closed, provides color resolution, as well.



Take a closer look at the CF62T's functions.
Calling Features
Used simply as a phone, the CF62T features a 4-way navigation key for easy access to a variety of handy features, including call timers, redial, missed call indicator, call log, any-key answer, auto-redial, roaming indicator, speed dial, phonebook look-up, phonebook scroll, mute control, no-answer transfer, usage alert, vibrating ring, differential ring voice mail button, voice mail indicator, volume select/display, signal strength indicator, phone status indicator, a phone book capacity of 250 entries, and more. It also supports TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf).

Messaging and Internet
When you want to get online, you'll enjoy EMS and MMS messaging, which allows you to create, send, receive, and edit text messages with photo attachments, and then send to any compatible cell phone or PC. There's also predictive text entry for your speedy text messaging convenience. The CF62T is Java-compatible, so you can download a wide variety of productivity and gaming software to further enhance your phone.

Organizer
Organizer capabilities on the CF62T include a calendar, calculator, alarm, and a scratch pad function for quick note-taking.

Fun and Games
This phone includes customizable wallpaper and graphics, and 16-chord polyphonic ring tones. Since it's Java-compatible, you can also easily download new wallpaper, graphics, ring tones, and games, in addition to the ones already included with the phone. An attachable VGA camera is also available separately.

Vital Statistics
The Siemens CF62T weighs 3.14 oz. and measures 3.2 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at 240 minutes minimum digital talk time, and 300 hours minimum digital standby time. It runs on GSM 800/1800/1900 MHz.

What's in the Box
Siemens CF62T phone, AC charger, hands-free headset, manual

Samsung D415 Phone (T-Mobile)


Samsung's SGH-D415 rides a wave of high style and broad functionality. As you take the ringing phone from your pocket and lift it to your face in answer, its silver cover slides up all of its own accord, converting to a full-size phone. Just these few seconds are enough to catch the eyes of people around you, and you'll save valuable time in not having to stop to open the phone before talking.

And, the phone is compact when closed but still offers a wide display (176 pixels by 220 tall) and a large keypad. The phone's 262,144-colors deliver richer, brighter, and clearer images than conventional displays.

Calling Features


Click the image to get a closer look at the D415's features.
When the SGH-D415 rings it will attract the ears--and eyes--of everyone around you thanks to its 64 polyphonic ringtones. You can heighten the excitement of owning this phone with its clear and vivid ringtones by applying your own original sounds. With the SGH-D415 you can select a variety of sound effects to use for key tones, message alerts, opening or closing the cover, and simply turning the phone on and off. Making phone calls will be more fun with its unique keypad tones.

Messaging and Internet
Multimedia messaging service (MMS), an outgrowth of SMS (short messaging service), permits you to send multimedia messages with a combination of text, voice, music, and images to MMS-capable mobile phones. You can receive and send messages of up to 100 KB and store up to a total of 1 MB worth.

Cameras, Fun, and Games
Spruce up your documents with eye-catching images you've captured with your mobile phone's VGA digital camera. You can shoot up to 15 consecutive pictures in high-speed mode or up to 9 pictures in normal speed, so you won't miss the best shot. Select the best images to keep from those pictures, or keep all of them.

The phone's unique, 180-degree rotating lens lets you shoot from every angle by simply turning the lens. Take self-portraits by pointing the high-quality lens on yourself while prepping your expression right there on the screen Four JAVA games--Bubble Smile, Fun2Link, Ultimate Golf Challenger, and Mobile Chess--come preloaded. The phone's JAVA ability lets you download programs you need of up to 850 KB from a variety of JAVA applets, including games and travel information, from various Web sites.

Vital Statistics
The SGH-D415 measures 1.9 x 3.8 x .96 inches (W x H x D, with standard battery) and weighs .25 pounds with battery. Standard talk time is 200 to 300 minutes, with standby time clocking in at 3.5 to 9 hours. It runs on the 900/1900 GSM/GPRS frequencies.

What's in the Box
SGH-D415 handset, standard battery, hands-free headset, SIM card, travel charger, and user's manual.

November 09, 2003

RIM BlackBerry 7230 Phone (T-Mobile)


Now Blackberry users can wirelessly read email, make phone calls, book meetings, and more--in color. In addition to being the first color BlackBerry, the 7230 is also the first with support for gaming, and it's one of the first with tri-band GSM-- a real must for world travelers. This integrated phone, email client (with support for corporate email servers), organizer and web browser is the ultimate weapon for mobile professionals.

Design


Click the image to get a closer look at the BlackBerry 7230's features.
The 7230 follows the standard BlackBerry form factor-- a large 240 x 160 color screen placed above a QWERTY thumbpad. The screen offers plenty of real estate to view your emails, web browser content, messaging sessions and attachments. The popular BlackBerry user interface is here, too, which makes it easy to navigate the phone's functions. A jog dial is located on the right side of the unit for quick scrolling through menus and emails. There's also a standard 2.5mm headset jack that can be used with the included headset. A removable lithium-ion battery is housed in the rear of the unit, and there is a USB port for data connectivity.

Calling Features
Many of the calling capabilities folks have come to expect in a wireless phone are present in the 7230. A vibrating alert and speed dial capability are present, as is a contacts list/address book that is limited only by the unit's 16 MB of internal memory.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The 7230 delivers the legendary BlackBerry email experience. With T-Mobile's BlackBerry Internet Service plans, you can receive emails instantaneously from personal and corporate accounts. With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your email. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new email arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing email attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).

If your company has BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry device calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees and more, all on your 7230. Users without Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts using BlackBerry Desktop software and the device's USB data port.

Use the 7230's Web browser to access the Internet from the palm of your hand. Browse Web sites, get up-to-date stock quotes, read the latest news, check weather reports and more. Wireless text messaging is also supported by the 7230.

The 7230 ships with a number of tools, including a calculator with a unit converter, and a to-do list. The unit's software is based on the Java platform, meaning Java-compatible games and applications can be added to the device.

Vital Statistics
The RIM BlackBerry 7230 weighs 4.9 ounces and measures 4.4 x 2.9 x 0.94 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of digital talk time, and up to 240 hours digital standby time. It runs on the 900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
BlackBerry 7230 handset, travel charger, USB cable, battery, holster, hands-free headset, SIM card, BlackBerry Desktop software.

August 25, 2003

Motorola V66 Phone (T-Mobile)


Overview

Compatible with T-Mobile cell phone service, the Motorola V66 features an Internet browser, GPRS data service, two-way SMS messaging, and more--all displayed on a 96x64 pixel, backlit screen with a customizable main menu. You can even get additional bezel inserts (sold separately) to personalize your phone's appearance. The phone runs on GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz service.

Calling Features

Used simply as a phone, the V66 features a popular, clamshell design and a host of calling features, including caller ID with time/date stamp, vibrating alert, one-touch and voice dialing, a phone book of up to 500 entries, voice message waiting, and call restrictions, as well as last numbers dialed and calls received memory.

Messaging and Internet

The V66's WAP 1.1-enabled microbrowser provides access to the wireless Internet for up-to-the-minute information on stock prices, news, sports, and more. You'll also enjoy basic SMS text messaging service, so you can send, receive, and store short alphanumeric text messages on your phone and with other compatible phones or PCs. There's a text-message waiting icon, and built in iTAP software provides predictive text assistance in e-mail, short messages or other edit modes.

Organizer

Minimal organizer features include a voice recorder, calculator with currency converter, and a clock.

Fun and Games

For fun, the V66 includes a few games--Paddleball, Blackjack, and Mindblaster--and an FM stereo radio with an integrated headset jack.

Vital Statistics

The Motorola V66's security features include call restrictions, phone lock, application lock, and new password capability. The phone weighs 2.79 ounces and measures 3.3 x 1.5 x 0.8 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 180 hours talk time, and up to 120 hours standby time. The package includes the phone, plus a battery, mid rate charger with UK and Euro plugs, headset, onyx bezel, user manual, and a one year limited warranty.

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