Samsung BlackJack II Phone, Black (AT&T) Review

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(More customer reviews)Personal background: I am a medical resident who loves tech/gadgets, and who has used a PocketPC (HP Ipaq 1910) since 2003 and a Blackjack (i607) since 2007. Currently an AT&T customer.
So I recently sold my Blackjack I on the world's favorite auction site and bought a Blackjack II (i617) from the same site. Here's my breakdown, but keep in mind that some pros and some cons are based on the phone or the operating system. Anywayz...The Good:
1. Design
I thought I would hate it when I saw the first images released months ago, and did not like the glossy appearance when I first tried one out at an AT&T store, but actually owning one now, I think it's great. The shape simply feels good in my hand. It is nicely weighted, but not too heavy or too light. The width is great, and is also not too wide or narrow. Obviously, this depends on your own hand size. The glossy surface I found I prefer to the matte/soft-rubbery surface texture of the original Blackjack. IMO, it looks much more upper-end than the original. The glossiness is not a big deal in terms of being a fingerprint magnet because there is not much exposed to the fingers, except for the soft keys. This device is not a fingerprint magnet like, say, a black iPod or a Sony PSP. Much attention has been paid to details, and it is a very clean design. No more "jog dial" on the right side (more on that later), and only a MicroSD port on the right and a proprietary port for power/headphones on the left, and both are covered with a removable and "swivel-able" cover. I compared this with various other smartphones including the Motorola Q9h and various Nokias and Blackberries, and think that they all look quite cheesy and tacky compared to the i617. Of course, design is subjective, but I really like the design.
-Scroll Wheel
The jog dial on the right side of the i607 is indeed gone, but not missed at all. I used the jog dial extensively on the i607 and so I was initially concerned that it would be a pain to navigate on the i617, but not so at all. The direction pad also functions as a spinning scroll wheel, and it works great. It cannot be adjusted for scroll speed, but it will scroll through contacts, mp3s in your library, etc., with much speed and ease. For menus, though, like the start menu, it is not as speedy but hardly slow or cumbersome. I find it much more comfortable to use than the jog dial on the old Blackjack or the Moto Q.
-Keypad
Improved significantly by slightly wider buttons. They do not seem much bigger, but the ease of typing has increased noticeably for me, and it is possible to type much quicklier. Also, the number pad are located next to each other which is an improvement over the i607.
-LED
Useful in that the light shines red when charging, and green when fully charged. Otherwise, not so useful in that there is no documentation of what magenta and blue lights signify, and no ability for the LED to continuously flash when there was a missed call/message. Still, better than no LED.
2. Performance:
Of course, performance matters more for a smartphone, and the i617 does not disappoint in any respect. The RAM memory has been upped from about 50MB on the Blackjack I, to about 100MB on the i617, while onboard storage memory ROM has been upped to approximately 150MB from about 50MB as well. The processor is an ARM 926E at about 300Mhz, a modest improvement from the i607. Basically, this all means that the i617 can handle programs with more ease and with better multitasking. It opens applications noticeably faster than the i607, and can handle more open applications at the same time. I personally have tried several third party programs, including Skype, SlingPlayer Mobile, Pocket Nester Plus (a Nintendo NES emulator), Garmin Mobile XT (GPS navigation software), Opera Mobile browser, and a variety of Skyscape medical software (including Tabers medical dictionary and Washington Manual), and all have run swiftly and smoothly. Also, Windows Mobile 6 runs at a decent speed on the i617.
3. GPS:
Built in GPS receiver is one of the best features of this phone. I have used it successfully, out of the box, with Google Maps, Microsoft Live Search, and Garmin Mobile XT without any problems in Baltimore, New York, and points in between. On average, it takes the i617 about 2-5 minutes to pick up the satellites from a cold start in the city. In certain locations, like the parking lot of Walmart in Baltimore, it picked up the satellites in 10 seconds from a cold start (e.g. turned on after being powered off)! Note, there are reports that some i617s do not have GPS enabled out of the box for use with non-TeleNav applications (e.g. Google Maps, Live Search, Garmin, etc.), but you can google the way that others have worked around this issue (involves hard resetting your phone until it works, or installing a hack... checkout modaco-dot=com for more details). The other great thing about GPS integrated is that you can use it in your car with only one charger to charge both GPS and phone, which is nice after using a bluetooth GPS receiver on my i607. And you will need a car charger as the GPS is a power hog.
One nice improvement over the i607 (not sure if it's the phone or WM6), but when actively using GPS in an application, the backlight will not turn off, which is nice when you are using it in the car. On my i607, I would need to go to power management settings to turn the backlight on when using GPS and turn it off when I was done with it, which was a bit of a hassle.
4. Smartphone!
Yes, it is great having a smartphone versus a cool, yet dull iPhone. You can use programs like Skype (works decently with 3G network), SlingPlayer Mobile (also works well with 3G), NES and SNES emulators (with individual games ~1/3 of a MB in size), all sorts of cool 3rd party software. YouTube works as well! Not with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, but with TCPMP (the core player mobile player) which is a free-download. I have sat in a deli in New York streaming YouTube clips in fullscreen (320x240 resolution) with minimal stuttering. It is seriously awesome.
Unlike the iPhone (a great phone otherwise), with a smartphone, not only can you use a huge number of 3rd party applications, but you can also easily hack your phone (search for i617 hacks) to change you start menu, get rid of the power on/off video and sounds, edit backgrounds, and basically change things to your preference.
5. MicroSD:
Yes, you can use 8GB MicroSD cards! I have a Sandisk MicroSD that I bought for about $82 and it works without any problems. Supposedly, they will work on the i607 as well.
6. Music/Video:
MP3s sound great on the i617 as they did on the i607. Videos look and sound great too, and can be easily created with freeware (like 3GP converter). I have made tons of TV show, movie, and music video files this way, and with a 8GB MicroSD card, you can store A LOT of media files on your phone. At least as much as the 8GB iPhone ;)
7. Ringtones:
You can, of course, use your own MP3 files as ringtones, which is great. Sadly, there is a size limit of 300KB, but you can easily hack this so that you can use any size MP3 for a ringtone (involves a simple deletion of a registry key, which can easily be done).
8. 3G and Tethering:
3G is absolutely a required feature on any smartphone, and this will enable you to stream YouTube, SlingPlayer Mobile, etc., on your i617 without difficulty, and without need of a wifi hotspot and additional subscription fees. Also, you can USB "tether" this phone and use it as a high-speed modem for you laptop when you are traveling (especially in 3G regions)! How cool is that?
9. Various Preinstalled Applications:
I like using World Map (improved from i607), the PDF viewer (which sadly runs out of memory when trying to view the New York MTA subway map, but works fine with other PDF files I have used), the calculator, and especially the alarm (can set multiple alarms, with specific ring tones, and personalize-able days of the week and times). Java is now included in the i617 so that you can use the gmail application (although I prefer the web-based gmail better) and other java applets. The Mediocre:
1. Windows Mobile 6:
WM6 offers some improvements over WM5, the most noticeable one perhaps being the inclusion of Office Mobile. With this, you can view Powerpoint, Excel, and Word files, and you can edit Excel and Word files. While nice, it is not that great as it is just not really feasible to edit or view a huge Excel spreadsheet on the tiny 2.4" screen, and the functionality and viewing options are limited and make navigating difficult. Word fares a bit better, and can be considered a useful addition. Powerpoint files, oddly, cannot be edited with Office Mobile, which is odd because PPT files are the only ones that can generally be viewed decently on the 2.4" screen. An entire slide looks decent when viewed on the screen, so long as it is not jam packed with text. It takes about 5 seconds to transition between slides, which makes it frustrating when viewing a long PPT presentation.
2. Battery Life:
Samsung improved upon the much maligned (unjustly, IMO, as much of the drainage occurred as a result of the phone automatically switching between 3G and EDGE networks, which could be addressed by using a simple "hidden" application already present in the i607 to set the data network to only 3G or EDGE) battery life of the i607 by putting a 1700mAh lithium battery as the standard battery. This is significantly larger than the 1100mAh standard battery of the i607, and almost the capacity of the...Read more›

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The successor to the original, highly popular Blackjack smartphone, the Samsung Blackjack II (SGH-I617) retains the thin, lightweight design, QWERTY keyboard, and large screen from its predecessor while adding the power of the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, integrated GPS, and upping image capture quality to 2.0 megapixels. It can access AT&T's tri-band HSDPA/UMTS high-speed 3G network, which makes it easy to download music purchased from AT&T Mobile Music, stream tunes from Napster and eMusic, and watch video streamed from CNN and Comedy Central via AT&T's Cellular Video. It also supports AT&T's Video Share service, which offers a one-way video stream during a mobile-to-mobile phone call.
The Windows Mobile 6 Professional operating system offers a familiar office experience and the ability to read and edit in applications such as Word or Excel as well as review Powerpoint presentations. You can also receive Outlook email and update your contacts and calendar on the go. Other features include quad-band global connectivity. And you'll be able to get to where you're going fast with the integrated GPS receiver and support for TeleNav GPS Navigator software. Other features include Bluetooth connectivity for headsets and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion, speakerphone, instant messaging, and simultaneous voice and data capabilities.
AT&T Service This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the tri-band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 MHz network (also known as WCDMA), making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services with speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. It also gives AT&T the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.
With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.)
It's packed with multimedia streaming and download capabilities. AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster subscription music service, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.
Phone Features Glossier than its predecessor, the Samsung BlackJack II impresses immediately with its striking looks, thin frame, and larger 2.4-inch LCD screen (320 x 240 pixels, 65K colors). The Samsung BlackJack II makes every aspect of your life look easy. The full QWERTY keypad gives you every letter at a touch. And the Jog Wheel lets you quickly access, scroll through and select whatever you're searching for.
With Windows Mobile 6, the BlackJack II brings a powerful personal computer experience to the small screen. The BlackJack II helps you keep track of schedules and contacts through Outlook Mobile, browse the Internet by using Internet Explorer Mobile, as well as manage Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents using Office Mobile. Windows Mobile 6 also supports HTML e-mail so that you can view and compose e-mail messages in their native format with live links to Web sites, support for images, tables and bullets.
BlackJack II will be among the first Windows Mobile 6 devices from AT&T to support Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, which offers companies an end-to-end solution for managing and securing Windows Mobile devices. Employees will also have access to company information and a line of business applications from a single, secure place behind the firewall by using a cutting-edge Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN).
In addition to a robust feature set, BlackJack II provides access to multiple e-mail accounts, both personal and business, through Microsoft Direct Push technology with Outlook Mobile and AT&T Xpress Mail, which includes most major POP3/IMAP providers. The BlackJack II also offers over-the-air synchronization of contacts, calendar and task lists with Microsoft Exchange Server or AT&T Xpress Mail.
This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity, and includes profiles for mono and stereo headset, handsfree, dial-up networking, object push, file transfer, and basic print. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server. It also offers USB 2.0 wired connectivity and USB mass storage capability.
Other features include:
Memory expansion via MicroSD cards up to 4 GB
PIM tools: Calendar, clock, world time, alarm, currency converter, unit converter, calculator, stopwatch
Instant messaging via AOL, Windows Live, Yahoo!
Hands-free loudspeaker and microphone
Fast loading HTML browser; RSS reader
2.0-megapixel camera with 4x zoom and multi-shot capability
256 MB ROM / 128 MB RAM

Vital Statistics The Samsung Blackjack II weighs 3.52 ounces and measures 4.4 x 2.3 x. 0.4 inches. Its 1700 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 7 hours of talk time, and up to 14 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as 850/1900/2100 WCDMA (3G) frequencies.
Powered by Windows Mobile 6 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. This device runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional, which is designed for smartphones with touchscreens
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.

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Sony Ericsson W580i Urban Grey Phone (AT&T) Review

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(More customer reviews)A long-time Motorola phone user now converted. Not only is this phone lightweight and amazing looking, it's feature packed.
Pros:
- Crystal-clear calling. No static and loud when needed.
- The screen is amazing. The resolution is awesome. By far the best I've ever seen on a phone this size.
- This phone is tiny; in a good way. Super-slim and tucks nicely in your pocket. Being that it's a slider, you'll never have to worry about pocket-dialing. :)
- The software is very easy to navigate. This is nicely improved over the Motorola interface of my older RAZR.
- The MP3 player rocks; no pun intended. The Walkman software lets you sort by Artists, Albums, Tracks, Playlists and more. This is light-years ahead of the my old RAZR's MP3 player. This one rivals any standalone MP3 device I've used.
- The stereo headphones that comes with it include a 3.5mm adapter. While the included headphones sound great, this adapter gives you the flexibility to use your Bose, Shure or other stereo headphones. A very nice option.
- Carbon grey and anodized blue color is slick; nothing else like it. The back side of the phone, when in the up position, is where the anodized blue metal is. Amazon doesn't show a photo of it. It is stunning.
- Unlike "some" other sliders, the camera is protected and kept under cover when the slide is closed. This works great in keeping dust off the lens.
- The 2.0MP camera is actually pretty good. It takes great outdoor photos.
- I LOVE the fitness/step counter. It measures distance in steps and calculated miles along with the calories you've burned. It also keeps a daily average and each days results.
Cons:
- No 3G
- Sony Proprietary Memory Stick Micro M2 versus easy to find and less expensive MicroSD
- No LED Flash or Photo Light
In conclusion, if you are looking for a super-slim phone with great call quality and superb music capability, look no further. This Sony wears the Walkman name with pride.
UPDATE 9/27/07: I bought a SanDisk SDMSM2-4096-A11M 4GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) and it works perfectly. 4GB of music!!!


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Sony Ericsson shakes things up with its new quad-band W580i Walkman phone, introducing an innovative "shake to shuffle" feature that randomly chooses another song stored on your phone with just a flick of the wrist. This thin, slider-style phone also features a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, fast Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR connectivity with music streaming, Memory Stick Micro expansion, Web browser for viewing full Internet sites, email access, an FM radio with RDS, and EDGE data support.
AT&T Service The W580i operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"), with availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. This third-generation, high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service lets you do more than just stream videos--it enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. It also features AT&T Mobile Music, which provides access to the Napster subscription music service in addition to Music ID song-recognition software, music videos and The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)
Phone Features The W580i Walkman phone offers a full-function digital audio player that's compatible with MP3 and AAC files. The front of this slider phone includes dedicated music control buttons, and it includes Sony Ericsson's innovative "shake to shuffle" feature. With Shake control activated, press and hold the Walkman key and flick your wrist. A vibration lets you know that the track has been changed--a new song from your current playlist is randomly selected and automatically played.
With the TrackID service, you can identify any song that you can hear by just recording a snippet of sound using the microphone. After sending the file for recognition, you'll have the name, artist and album sent to your phone. Other Walkman features include MegaBass enhancement for added depth of sound, a flight mode that lets you keep listening to tunes with the phone's network connectivity turned off, and Disc2Phone software for easy transfer of song files between phone and PC. It also includes a built-in FM radio with RDS, which displays the name of the currently playing song (when tuned to compatible radio stations).
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 can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.
The built-in 2.0 megapixel camera captures stills and video--and playback of video or still pictures is only limited to the memory card size. Picture effects and custom screensavers, backgrounds, and themes can be setup to fit your personality. It provides support for PictBridge technology so you can print your photos without the need of a PC (either using USB or Bluetooth). And the W580i makes it easy to send snapped photos directly to a blog or an online photo, complete with text. This phone is also compatible with RTSP/3GPP streaming video playback
You can even take your favorite tracks to the track with the W580i, which will count your steps, your calories and monitor your running speed/distance/time with the integrated motion sensor. Your workout results are stored in your phone so you can monitor your progress.
The phone also ships with a built-in email client with support for POP3 and IMAP4 protocols, while the included Access NetFront Web Browser allows you to surf full HTML web sites. It also supports RSS feeds, allowing you to use your phone to view up-to-the-minute news and other content from selected Web sites and blogs. Just subscribe to the feed and let it come to you. Support is built in for sending and receiving text, video, graphics and sound via messages.
The phone also supports the SyncML PC synchronization standard. This means the phone can be used with the included Sony Ericsson Sync Station software, which lets you synchronize your Microsoft Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks on your PC with the phone.
Other features include:
2-inch LCD with a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and support for 262K colors
Up to 1000 contact entries, each with five number fields
Built-in pedometer and fitness applications
Picture blogging with Google Blogger
Mobile email and messaging via AOL/AIM, Yahoo!, and MSN
Java support for online and offline 3D games (preloaded games include PacMan and Ms. PacMan)
USB 2.0 wired connectivity with mass storage capability
PIM functions including calendar, tasks, notes, alarm, calculator, stopwatch, and timer
T9 text entry technology
72-chord polyphonic ringtones and MP3 ringtones
Digital audio file formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+

Vital Statistics The W580i weighs 3.32 ounces and measures 3.9 x 1.85 x 0.55 inches. Its 930 mAh lithium-polymer battery is rated at up to 9 hours of talk time, and up to 370 hours of digital standby time; the phone will also play for up to 20 hours when in Music Mode. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.

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LG CU400 - Cellular phone - 3G - WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM - folder (flip) - black - AT&T Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this phone as a christmas gift, and, aside from the battery issue my first one had, this is an absolutely terrific and easy to use phone. the keypad is the best i have seen on any phone, and the size of the screen is perfect. I had my previous phone, a samsung x4217 or whatever it was, for well over 4 years, and i had just about had it with that phone, so pretty much anything was an upgrade. All i wanted from my new phone was a screen on the outside to show the time, and a camera that i could quickly pull out and snap a quick pic of something, and this has both. this phone also has a video camera, which is a great extra feature. the outside screen doesn't have any fancy bells and whistles, it just shows the time and whatever symbols you have at the top of the interior screen. this phone has great sound quality, and the speaker phone works like a champ. the ringer is nice and loud, and being able to use the bluetooth to send sound files to my phone, instead of downloading tones from cingular for an arm and a leg, is another great bonus. We also signed up for the multimedia package, which nets you unlimited internet and Cingular Video access. Cingular Video is great for espn mobile and cnn quickies, along with funny shorts from shows like letterman, family guy, and the brak show.
at the end of the day this is just a phone, and it does everything that a phone should do, ie. not drop calls and it has great sound quality. it doesn't do any particular added bonus that great, but it does all of them well, and that's how it should be. if you are looking for an inexpensive phone with a lot of well-rounded features, this is by far the one to get.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LG CU400 - Cellular phone - 3G - WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM - folder (flip) - black - AT&T

If you're looking for superior multimedia capability wherever you go, and don't want to take out a second mortgage, look no further than the LG CU400. Loaded all the latest cell phone technology, this quad-band world phone with domestic UMTS capabilities will allow you to download data at speeds only dreamed of before. In fact, because the CU400 supports the UMTS protocol for high-speed data transfer, you'll be able to stream TV, video, and more, straight to the CU400.
Other key features include Bluetooth technology, Cingular Push to Talk compatibility, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Packaged in a stylish clamshell design, the CU400 phone is the ultimate multimedia device, and the perfect complement to Cingular Wireless service.
Design The CU400 design takes the standard clamshell form factor to the next level with its impressive media and data capabilities while maintaining a stylish exterior. A large 176 x 220 color display with over 65,000 colors dominates the inside of the top cover. The outside cover of the handset sports a supplementary 96 x 64 full-color display that can display pictures, time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. A 1.3 megapixel camera lens is housed above the external display, while 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. Lastly, the right side of the phone houses the Push to Talk button, as well as up/down volume controls.
Calling Features The CU400's internal phone book can hold up to 500 contacts while the phone's picture ID system allows you to assign pictures to your most common callers. It also supports polyphonic ringtones, and comes stock with 10 unique ringtones built right into the unit, while more ringtones can be downloaded from Cingular Wireless' MEdia Net service. For times when you want to be discreet, there's a vibrating alert, and a built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Meanwhile, voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family, and associates as easy as saying their names.
Because the CU400 is Bluetooth enabled, wireless headsets can be configured with the phone for total handsfree operation.
The CU400 is fully compatible with Cingular's latest Push to Talk technology, a feature that allows you to place calls with the simple touch of a button (Cingular Push to Talk charges apply). Cingular's Push to Talk feature lets you see whether family, friends, and coworkers are available to talk before you call, while the feature also lets you place a call individually, or call everyone at once via group call. Need to stay hands free? The unit's Push to Talk feature is fully compatible with your favorite Bluetooth headset.
Messaging, Internet and Tools The CU400 is a messaging and wireless Internet powerhouse. With UMTS and HSDPA support built right into the phone, you'll be streaming and downloading at speeds so fast your head will spin. Used in combination with one of Cingular's MEdia Max plans that supports Cingular Video (additional Cingular charges apply), the CU400 will allow you to play high-quality news clips, sports clips, weather clips, and more--right on your phone. And with Cingular's exclusive partnership with HBO Mobile and HBO Family Mobile, you'll never be at a loss for something good to watch.
Into sending and receiving pictures, text, graphics, and sound and video via messages? When used in combination with the phone's built-in still and video cameras, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. Instant messaging is also supported via AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and ICQ (Cingular messaging charges apply). There's also a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. Cingular's MEdia Net service lets you do more than just stream videos--it 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 email and text messaging users.
Getting on the Internet is easy with the CU400. When used with a Cingular data plan and the phone's Bluetooth or USB data capability, the phone can be used as a wireless modem for laptops and PDAs. And as an added convenience, voice and data features can be used simultaneously--so you'll never have to worry about missing that important call.
A number of handy software tools are bundled with the CU400 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator with a unit conversion feature, a calendar and an alarm clock. The CU400 will also allow you to upgrade the phone's software over the air without ever having to plug the phone into anything.
Imaging and Entertainment The CU400 features support for Java based games and applications, so you'll never be at a loss for something fun to do. And because the phone supports MobiRadio, in addition to streaming video and TV, you can listen to your favorite radio station via the supported digital radio service--great for times when you feel like listening to new music (additional Cingular charges apply).
The phone's 1.3 megapixel camera features a 4x zoom, image quality options, a camcorder mode, 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 CU400 also supports custom graphics for wallpapers so you can dress up the phone to suit your fancy.
Lastly, the CU400 sports an airplane mode feature, which allows you to safely use the non-wireless functions of a phone (such as music, games or organizer functions) on an airplane during flight.
UMTS Wireless Broadband Coverage Learn More about where UMTS coverage is offered.

Warning: If you want to enjoy the full audio and video capabilities of your UMTS phone, please select a MEdia Max service plan option during checkout. If you do not sign up for a MEdia Max service plan option, you will be paying per KB when you use the over-the-air UMTS audio and video features on your phone (upwards of $10 per minute).
Vital Statistics The LG CU400 weighs 3.27 ounces and measures 3.36 x 1.89 x 0.90 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 300 hours of digital standby time. It features domestic UMTS with HSDPA capability, and runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE and 850/1900 WCDMA frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

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LG Shine CU720 Phone, Red (AT&T) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I upgraded to this phone nearly 2 months ago, and overall I like it a lot. I have not taken advantage of all the features on this phone, so I will only talk about the things I have experience with: cell-phone quality, camera, and audio/video player ability. There is a silver version available, but I was more partial to red.
First off, the cell phone is sleek and smart looking. The not-too-slim profile fits easily in any standard shirt or pant pocket. The 2.2 inch screen is very generous for a cell phone, and is easier on the eyes when watching videos, surfing the web, etc. You can receive calls without having to open the phone and thankfully the audio quality of the calls is very good.
The 2 mega-pixel camera is good for a cell phone. The pictures taken are crisp and lack the fuzziness that some other cell-phone cameras have. The zoom is not all that great, but certainly it is better than having none. However, when taking pictures, you cannot zoom in when your resolution is set to the highest setting. You can also take pictures on the fly without having to open the phone to access the camera. Good enough for still photographs, but pretty useless for anything fast. Pretty much what I would expect from a cell phone.
I am not that impressed with the video-capturing option, though you can use zoom during filming. My old cell phone was not able to do that.
I am very happy with both the audio/video player functions. With a 4 gig microsd card, you can play a lot of music or videos on the shine with little noticeable skip between different songs/videos. With the ear-buds, music is surprisingly crisp and clear. This can function as a good audio player. You can create folders on the microsd card, which can be similar to playlists.
The video quality was clear in the small portrait view, but suffers in quality when the larger landscape view is used. Although, it is not so bad that you cannot tell what you are looking at. For me, the landscape view quality was adequate (not good or great).
However, what is great is that if you find a good converter for the .gpp video file extension, you can play full length movies fairly well. You can find a .gpp converter for free on the internet.
The skip forward function is useful because it speeds after a little while (good for long video files), but takes some time to get used to because of the joystick navigation.
And speaking of the joystick navigation, it does take time to become proficient in it. But it does not detract from using the phone at all.
There are two negative things about this phone that I want to mention which prevent me from giving it 5 stars:
I can see how this phone would not be a good text-messenger phone, since the keys seem a little squished and can be difficult for people with big fingers.
While I like this feature a lot, it can be argued that the landscape video quality is poor.
I wanted a phone that could play music and videos, have expandable storage capacity, and looks good. The LG Shine fits the bill very well.


Click Here to see more reviews about: LG Shine CU720 Phone, Red (AT&T)

Combining glamorous form with advanced multimedia function, the LG Shine is available exclusively from AT&T. It can access AT&T's tri-band HSDPA/UMTS high-speed 3G network, which makes it easy to download music purchased from AT&T Mobile Music, stream tunes from Napster and eMusic, and watch video streamed from CNN and Comedy Central via AT&T's Cellular Video. It also supports AT&T's Video Share service, which offers a one-way video stream during a mobile-to-mobile phone call. This elegantly minimalist slider phone has a unique, reflective mirror finish that activates into a brilliantly colorful LCD screen and a brushed stainless steel housing. Other features include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, MicroSD memory card expansion, Bluetooth connectivity for both communication headsets and stereo music streaming, mobile email and instant messaging, and quad-band GSM network capability for global roaming.
AT&T ServiceThis AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900 MHz network (also known as WCDMA), making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services with speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. It also gives AT&T the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.
With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.)
It's packed with multimedia streaming and download capabilities. AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster subscription music service, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal.
The handset is XM Radio Mobile-capable, so you can enjoy streaming live digital radio as well. It's also MobiTV capable, which enables you to stream or download video content from providers ranging from MSNBC, ABC News Now, and CNN. MobiRadio lets you listen to more than 50 channels of digital radio. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.
Phone Features The centerpiece 2.2-inch screen is hidden when inactive, a key feature to save battery life or when keeping a low profile is a must, and it has a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and 262K color support. The multi-angle vision technology enables you to view display contents from all different angles. A five-way navigation joystick and is found just beneath the screen, and it's joined by two softkeys. The top of the phone smoothly slides up to reveal the light blue backlit numeric keypad. The unit's advanced camera lens and flash can be found on the backside, just above the battery cover.
This phone also shines as a mobile digital music player, with compatibility for MP3, WMA, AAC, and AAC+/eAAC+ files, customizable equalizer, playlist creation and management, and large capacity storage via MicroSD memory cards (up to 4 GB in size). Synchronize music from your PC (including music files from online services such as Napster and eMusic) via USB 2.0. The phone also offers USB mass storage capabilities for storing your most important documents and files.
This phone provides Bluetooth version 1.2 wireless connectivity, and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, object push, file transfer, and audio/video remote control. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server. Send contacts, calendar events, and pictures/videos/voice memos wirelessly. The phone stores up to 20 Bluetooth pairings.
The Shine is also great as a digital camera/camcorder, with a 2-megapixel resolution for still images (including five resolution settings ranging from 160 x 120 to 1600 x 1200 pixels). Other imaging features include a 2x zoom, integrated flash, brightness and white balance controls, multi-shot capability, self timer, and an in-phone image editor (for resizing, cropping, rotating, and adding color effects). You can capture video in two resolutions--320 x 240 (QVGA) and 176 x 144 (QCIF)--and the phone can record small files up to 42 seconds for sending via MMS or as long as you have capacity on an optional MicroSD memory card for saving.
In addition to voice calls, text messaging, and MMS capability, the phone is also compatible with mobile email from services including Yahoo!, AOL, Windows Live, AT&T Yahoo!, and BellSouth, as well as instant messaging (IM) from AIM, Windows Live, and Yahoo!. The Shine also comes stock with a built-in web browser for downloads and mobile web browsing via MEdia Net (with WAP 2.0, WML, iHTML, xHTML, and WCSS compatibility). T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for entering text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
Other features include:
One-touch speakerphone
Speaker-independent voice commands
Voice memo recording (MMS and general modes)
10 unique ringtones, vibrate and silent modes, and music ringtone support
Address Book with 500 contacts--each stores 5 numbers, 2 e-mail addresses, & a picture ID
Flight mode
USB charging via PC
Tools: Alarm Clock, Calendar, Notepad, Calculator, Tip Calculator, World Clock, Tasks, Stop Watch, Unit Converter, Date Finder, D-Day Counter
Java 2.0 support for application and game downloads

Vital Statistics The LG Shine weighs 4.28 ounces and measures 3.93 x 1.99 x 0.59 inches. Its 900 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of talk time, and up to 10 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as 850/1900 WCDMA (3G) frequencies.

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Pantech Duo - Smartphone - 3G - WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM - slider / dual - Windows Mobile - AT&T Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I dropped my iphone in the sink, it sunk, and since a new version comes out in a month, I had to get something to tide me over---so I took a chance on the dreaded Microsoft and an often panned Pantech Duo. I've had it two weeks now and I have to say: this was a lucky find.
First of all, this is not a flimsy phone as has been reported. With two sliding keyboards (much like a magic trick!), it is amazingly solid. The screen is extremely bright and vivid.The QUERTY keyboard is small, but way better than a touch screen, however, there is almost no sense of feedback, so you still have to be careful.
Phone-wise, it sounds very good to me, and gets signal where Iphone couldn't. It has a bounty of software, including To-Do and various versions of OFFICE.3G internet access is pretty fast, nothing compared to a good laptop on a DSL, but usable.
I like that it is very easy to change ringers, from silent to normal to vibrate.The camera is just ok, but I don't really count on my phone to serve as my photographic equipment.
It's a little chunky, but its other dimensions are quite small.
All in all, I haven't seen a phone out there without a touch screen which is better. The ATT tilt is way bigger and heavier, and has no mechanical buttons for dialing.
I think most people would enjoy this phone. It does not sync with a Mac, by the way, unless you buy 3rd party software.Aside from that, it's a winner for me.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pantech Duo - Smartphone - 3G - WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM - slider / dual - Windows Mobile - AT&T

Featuring an innovative dual slide/double-keyboard design, the Pantech Duo smartphone is as comfortable dealing with 9 to 5 business as it is with keeping up with your 24-hour-a-day communication needs. Powered by the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, it includes Microsoft's Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts. In addition to its quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity, it also runs on AT&T's 3G HSDPA/UMTS network for fast Internet browsing, high-speed music downloads, video streaming/casting. The ultimate all-in-one device, it also features a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth connectivity with stereo music streaming, and MicroSD memory expansion.
AT&T Service This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the UMTS 850/1900 network (also known as WCDMA), making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services with speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. It also gives AT&T the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.
With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service and the Internet while on the go. Cellular Video features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster subscription music service, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.
Phone FeaturesThe Pantech Duo intuitively and stylishly transitions between your communication and computing needs with the dual sliding keyboards. When holding the Duo in a wide, landscape orientation, the QWERTY keyboard slides open for writing e-mail and editing Microsoft Word and Excel documents. And the drop-down numeric keypad is ideal for sending quick texts and dialing on the run. A flip of the wrist initiates either keyboard to address any mobile need. The Duo's lean design houses both keypads and a large 2.2-inch color screen in a device that measures just 0.83 inches thick, 4 inches tall, and 2 inches wide.
With Microsoft Office Mobile you can leave your laptop behind. Synchronize with your computer and Mobile Outlook provides up-to-the-minute management of your calendar, contacts and e-mail. Windows Mobile 6 also delivers the ability to view e-mail messages in their original rich HTML format with live links to Web sites and Microsoft Office SharePoint sites, which means that text and images are displayed as they would be on a Windows PC. View and edit Excel, Word and PowerPoint documents.
In addition to having the ability to take the office on the road, the Pantech duo includes the AT&T Xpress Mail push e-mail service--with support for most popular POP3/IMAP personal e-mail services--instant messaging capabilities, and the ability to send and receive multimedia messages with color videos and photos. You'll also be able to use Windows Media Player to store and access pictures, videos and music.
Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 1.2), which 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.
Simple, intuitive controls allow for easy access to any of features of the Pantech Duo. Use the 5-way navigation key to locate and select options appearing on the display. Instantly answer and end calls or initiate a call from your contact list, all without using the concealed numeric keypad or QWERTY keyboard. Other features include:
1.3-megapixel camera captures video in QCIF resolution (maximum length based on available memory)
Real music ringers from MP3, WMA, and WAV files and 64-chord polyphonic tones
XT9 predictive text entry
Speakerphone
50 MB internal memory, expandable via optional MicroSD memory cards

Vital Statistics The Pantech Duo weighs 3.88 ounces and measures 4.02 x 1.97 x 0.83 inches. Its 1320 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of talk time, and up to 150 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as 850/1900 WCDMA (3G) frequencies.
Powered by Windows Mobile 6 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.

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Palm Treo 750 Smartphone (AT&T) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got my Treo 750 this week as a replacement for a Blackberry 8700c, which I really liked. My company is heading away from BB and towards Windows Mobile technology, so here I am.
I should say, too, that I've had pretty much every flavor of BB ever made, as well as an Ipaq, Treo 650, Cingular 8125 and many others. I had concluded that for a business user who needs 100% reliable e-mail, and uses the Internet and text messaging a fair amount, the BB 8700 was by far the most reliable way for me.
So as I make the transition from 8700 to 750, here is my list (not too long at this point) of likes and dislikes:
1. The Treo 750 comes new in the box without a holster, belt clip or carrying case of any kind. Unless you want to carry it in your pocket, automatically add $30 to the cost of the phone. Thanks, Cingular.
2. Battery life is not good on the 750. I send and receive well over 100 e-mail messages a day, and my phone usage and Internet use varies. I could go two days without charging my BB, and even given my usage patterns, seldom ran out of battery power.
Yesterday I flew from Chicago to Los Angeles and caught a connecting flight to Palm Springs. The point is, I had the 750 turned off for at least five hours during the day. I took it off the charger at about 6 a.m. Chicago time yesterday morning, and, even after being turned off for five hours, by 6 p.m. Chicago time yesterday afternoon the battery was almost dead.
Buying a spare battery ($30 to $50) seems like a decent solution, but devices that charge the battery only (while it's not on the phone) are hard to find for this phone, and will cost around $50. So the logistics of getting two batteries recharged over night are not that simple - primarily because if you don't have a phone-independent battery charger, you will have to change the battery in the phone every day in order to get two batteries charged. And if you forget to charge the second one, you have potential problems the next day.
As an alternative, you can keep the phone tethered to your computer or on the AC charger (have to have one or the other with you at all times) during the day, and/or buy a car charger, about $20 (if you'll be in the car). But if you're just out and about, battery life will be a significant issue for many.
3. The display is pretty good. But brightness and readability of the screen while outside is an issue. Anyone who's had a BB 8700 knows how easy it is to read that screen outside. The Treo 750 takes a big step backward by comparison.
4. Push e-mail reliability. For phones other than BBs, my company uses Good technology for interfacing with Outlook. Getting e-mail on my previous phones (Treo 650, Cingular 8125, etc.) that used Good Link was not reliable - I constantly had to use the "send/receive now" function to make sure my e-mail was up to date.
So far so good with the 750. I have gotten my e-mails reliably so far - it seems as good as my 8700.
5. Windows Mobile OS. One frequent complaint I hear about with Windows Mobile phones is that they lock up and need to be reset (soft or hard) frequently. Again, so far, so good for the 750. I did reset it yesterday because it went totally mute on me - no beeps, no notification sounds, no ringer on the phone! And no, I did not accidentally set the ringer switch to silent. After I reset it, all the sounds worked again. It's too early to tell whether this will be a persistent problem.
That's about all that comes to mind right now. I hope this helps anyone make up their mind about moving to this phone, especially if you would be leaving a BB 8700 behind.
So far, my regrets are minor, and I plan on learning to love this phone once I figure out how to deal with the battery problem. Good luck with yours.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Palm Treo 750 Smartphone (AT&T)

The Palm Treo 750 boasts all the legendary features of the previous Treo smartphones, plus a whole lot more. Now with WCDMA 3G data capabilities, stereo Bluetooth, and an internal antenna, the 750 puts Palm once again on the cutting edge of smartphone technology. With features like the Windows Mobile 5 operating system, a QWERTY keyboard, a 1.3 megapixel camera, a miniSD memory card slot, and voice control, simply put, the 750 is the ultimate mobile office companion, and the perfect complement to Cingular Wireless service.
Design Under the hood, the Treo 750 features the Windows Mobile 5 operating system and 60 MB of internal memory. The design retains the same popular form factor and QWERTY keyboard as other Treo phones, but with a few subtle, yet significant, changes. The external antenna has been tucked away, and the unit's camera has been dramatically upgraded to 1.3 megapixels. The 750 has been on a diet too--weighing in at only 5.40 ounces, the 750 is one of the lightest Treo phones ever released.
On top of the unit you'll find an expansion slot for SD and MMC-based memory cards, and there's also an infrared port here for line-of-sight data transfers, as well as a handy switch for turning off the phone's ringer. Below the amazingly clear 240 x 240 color touch screen, you'll find a five-way navigator that controls most of the phone's menus and operating system functions, while quick application buttons on either side of the navigator will get you to your favorite applications in a snap. The left side of the unit features a volume up/down toggle plus a handy user-customizable button that can be assigned to any phone or PDA function. The rear of the Treo 750 houses a loudspeaker, as well as the camera unit. A touch-screen stylus can be tucked away on the right side of the phone. Meanwhile, a combined charging, data, and accessory attachment port is housed on the bottom of the unit, as is a standard 2.5 mm stereo headset jack.
Calling and PDA FeaturesAll of the Treo 750's phone and PDA functions are designed to provide an integrated, seamless experience. For instance, you can type in the name or initials of a contact on the keypad to dial them. Or, use the touch-screen and stylus to copy information from an email and quickly paste it into another email or text message. You can even use Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile, a feature that combines email, calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes into a single application.
Staying productive on the road is made possible by the Microsoft Office Mobile suite, which includes Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile. Meanwhile, the File Explorer application makes it easy to browse the files on your Treo 750.
All of the latest phone features folks expect are built-in, too, like a handsfree speakerphone, polyphonic ringtones, a vibrate mode and picture caller ID. The 750 comes stock with unique ringtones built right into the unit, and more ringtones can be downloaded from Cingular Wireless' MEdia Net service. The capacity of the unit's address book is only limited by the amount of internal and expansion memory available. Use the Treo 750's Bluetooth capability to wirelessly sync your contacts with your PC. Headsets, car kits and other wireless peripherals can also be paired with the unit via Bluetooth.
The unit's memory expansion slot allows you to transfer music, photos, and video from your desktop. Or, use it to load additional games and applications.
Messaging, Internet, and EntertainmentThe device fully supports MMS messaging for rapid exchange of pictures, text and video via Cingular's instant messaging system. The Treo 750's Web browser supports full-size web pages, and you can enter secure pages with 128-bit SSL encryption. POP3 email accounts provided by SBC, BellSouth, Yahoo, Earthlink, Comcast and AT&T Worldnet are all compatible with the 750's email client application. IMAP and Exchange-based email systems are also supported, and you can view photos, HTML, Word, Excel and PowerPoint attachments. With WCDMA/UMTS support built right into the phone, you'll be streaming and downloading at speeds so fast your head will spin.
The 750 also sports an airplane mode, which allows you to safely use the non-wireless functions of a phone (such as music, games or organizer functions) on an airplane during flight.
Vital Statistics The Palm Treo 750 weighs 5.40 ounces and measures 4.37 x 2.28 x 0.87 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 240 hours of digital standby time. It features UMTS with HSDPA capability and runs on the GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA 850/1900/2100 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

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LG Shine CU720 - Cellular phone - 3G - WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM - slider - AT&T Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I waited about 3 weeks for this phone but it was well worth it. I was overdue for an equipment upgrade via AT&T but I really couldn't find a phone with style and function until I came upon the Shine. It's not a very popular phone and I decided to take a chance.
I know it's hard to tell the size by just looking at pictures but to give you a comparison, I had the first gen black razor. The shine basically has the same width, and height dimensions only it's a wee bit thicker but not by much at all. I was so used to the compact size of the razor that I didn't want a bulky smartphone.
This phone has some weight to it, which by my standards gives me the feeling of a quality phone and not made of cheap plastic. Hopefully this will last me at least until my next upgrade.
Navigation with the joystick takes some time to get used to, but the good thing about it is, you do really need to give it a firm push downwards to select. I haven't come across an issue where I wanted to go left, right, up or down and the joystick input it as a mistake "push/select."
I wish you could come up with your own quick options with the joystick instead of what is pre-programmed already. i.e. toggle up and you get a new message for texting. That really doesn't make sense because you have to slide open the phone? Go right and you get your AIM/Yahoo Mess. log on options. I will probably never use this feture. Down is your phone book and left is "my stuff." You do have control to customize 12 quick access options with the soft key on the right which somewhat makes up for not being able to customize the joystick.
One issue I read was the mirror finish of the screen during the daytime. Yes, it is harder to see and to read your screen in direct sunlight but cupping your hand to shade the screen shouldn't deter one from such a flaw. I had the same visibility issues with my razor as well.
When your phone rings you don't need to slide it open, you can just press the soft key on the left that says "accept." The problem I have is after I finish with the call, I feel somewhat lost in a sense that I'm used to either 1. closing the phone to end the call or 2. pressing an 'end' button. The shine's display turns off after a few seconds and it's a mirror finish so when I'm done talking I look at the phone and think, "How do I end this call??" Basically, I have learned you just let the other person end the call and you do not have to do anything.
AT&T's media is okay but the screen's resolution isn't that great at all. I think it's a good option to have if you are bored in a waiting room or to kill some time, but the picture quality isn't anywhere near that of an iphone. It's very choppy. Browsing the web on G is pretty fast for checking sports scores. I found that it came in handy.
I would highly suggest a clearshield or some sort of cover/protector to prevent scratches on the screen and the back metal plate. I have heard that if you get scratches on the front screen it shows up A LOT with the mirror finish.
Ringtones absolutely SUCK. I find that ringtone volume is loud enough. The vibe feature is very strong. Cool feature -- you can opt to have a lady SPEAK the numbers dialed instead of beeps. Something a little different. The keypad is cramped and I do hit several buttons while texting.
Even though I pointed out a lot of small flaws with this phone, I still like it A LOT MORE than my razr. Would be awesome if it had a qwerty keyboard as well. Overall, a solid phone. Can't beat it for the price either.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LG Shine CU720 - Cellular phone - 3G - WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM - slider - AT&T

Combining glamorous form with advanced multimedia function, the LG CU720 Shine is available exclusively from AT&T. It can access AT&T's tri-band HSDPA/UMTS high-speed 3G network, which makes it easy to download music purchased from AT&T Mobile Music, stream tunes from Napster and eMusic, and watch video streamed from CNN and Comedy Central via AT&T's Cellular Video. It also supports AT&T's Video Share service, which offers a one-way video stream during a mobile-to-mobile phone call. This elegantly minimalist slider phone has a unique, reflective mirror finish that activates into a brilliantly colorful LCD screen and a brushed stainless steel housing. Other features include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, MicroSD memory card expansion, Bluetooth connectivity for both communication headsets and stereo music streaming, mobile email and instant messaging, and quad-band GSM network capability for global roaming.
AT&T Service This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900 MHz network (also known as WCDMA), making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services with speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. It also gives AT&T the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.
With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.)
It's packed with multimedia streaming and download capabilities. AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster subscription music service, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal.
The handset is XM Radio Mobile-capable, so you can enjoy streaming live digital radio as well. It's also MobiTV capable, which enables you to stream or download video content from providers ranging from MSNBC, ABC News Now, and CNN. MobiRadio lets you listen to more than 50 channels of digital radio. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.
Phone Features The centerpiece 2.2-inch screen is hidden when inactive, a key feature to save battery life or when keeping a low profile is a must, and it has a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and 262K color support. The multi-angle vision technology enables you to view display contents from all different angles. A five-way navigation joystick and is found just beneath the screen, and it's joined by two softkeys. The top of the phone smoothly slides up to reveal the light blue backlit numeric keypad. The unit's advanced camera lens and flash can be found on the backside, just above the battery cover.
The CU720 shines as a mobile digital music player, with compatibility for MP3, WMA, AAC, and AAC+/eAAC+ files, customizable equalizer, playlist creation and management, and large capacity storage via MicroSD memory cards (up to 4 GB in size). Synchronize music from your PC (including music files from online services such as Napster and eMusic) via USB 2.0. The phone also offers USB mass storage capabilities for storing your most important documents and files.
This phone provides Bluetooth version 1.2 wireless connectivity, and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, object push, file transfer, and audio/video remote control. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server. Send contacts, calendar events, and pictures/videos/voice memos wirelessly. The phone stores up to 20 Bluetooth pairings.
The CU720 Shine is also great as a digital camera/camcorder, with a 2-megapixel resolution for still images (including five resolution settings ranging from 160 x 120 to 1600 x 1200 pixels). Other imaging features include a 2x zoom, integrated flash, brightness and white balance controls, multi-shot capability, self timer, and an in-phone image editor (for resizing, cropping, rotating, and adding color effects). You can capture video in two resolutions--320 x 240 (QVGA) and 176 x 144 (QCIF)--and the phone can record small files up to 42 seconds for sending via MMS or as long as you have capacity on an optional MicroSD memory card for saving.
In addition to voice calls, text messaging, and MMS capability, the phone is also compatible with mobile email from services including Yahoo!, AOL, Windows Live, AT&T Yahoo!, and BellSouth, as well as instant messaging (IM) from AIM, Windows Live, and Yahoo!. The CU720 also comes stock with a built-in web browser for downloads and mobile web browsing via MEdia Net (with WAP 2.0, WML, iHTML, xHTML, and WCSS compatibility). T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for entering text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
Other features include:
One-touch speakerphone
Speaker-independent voice commands
Voice memo recording (MMS and general modes)
10 unique ringtones, vibrate and silent modes, and music ringtone support
Address Book with 500 contacts--each stores 5 numbers, 2 e-mail addresses, & a picture ID
Flight mode
USB charging via PC
Tools: Alarm Clock, Calendar, Notepad, Calculator, Tip Calculator, World Clock, Tasks, Stop Watch, Unit Converter, Date Finder, D-Day Counter
Java 2.0 support for application and game downloads

Vital Statistics The LG Shine weighs 4.28 ounces and measures 3.93 x 1.99 x 0.59 inches. Its 900 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of talk time, and up to 10 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as 850/1900 WCDMA (3G) frequencies.

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Nokia 2610 Unlocked Cell Phone--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The 2610 had all the promise of a great upgrade that improved some of the issues I had with my GREAT 3120 and 3220 previous, and almost perfectly enjoyable, Nokia phones. But, alas they blew it with a couple of stupid and totally unnecessary killers.
First the GREAT things did with the 2610. They allow you to customize(assign)the navigation(arrow)keys to functions of YOUR choice. not theirs. They added a needed center button to the navigation keys. They replaced the infuriating proprietary NOKIA POP-PORT combination USB and HEADPHONE access port with separate STANDARD USB and HEADPHONE jacks. And they expanded the number and length of info that can be added to each addr book contact.
The killers for me? The USB port is not a PC Sync port. It CANNOT be used with Nokia's PC Suite sync software, or any other mfgs, to back up personal contact, etc info you so laboriously put into your phone. Nokia, if your reading this, without an IR or Bluetooth wireless connection on this phone, how is one to BACKUP their data on this otherwise excellent phone you put a USB port on??? Second, why to heck would you reduce the readeability of this phone in daylight by removing the ability to remove wallpaper(increases contrast) behind contact lists, remove the ability to choose a list in place of stupid miniuature unreadeable wallpapered icons in Menus, then add insult to injury by then decreasing the readeability in daylight with a non-removeable shade over the display.
FIX these things PLEASE so I can come back to you and this otherwise excellent phone.


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The words "entry level" no longer mean "low-end," especially when it comes to the Nokia 2610. Offering advanced media and calling features without breaking the bank, this unlocked Nokia 2610 is an easy to use device that combines multiple messaging options including email, instant messaging, and more. You can even download MP3 ringtones, graphics, and games straight to the phone, or surf the Web with your network's Internet service.
This unlocked cell phone can be used with a GSM network service provider and it provides dual-band connectivity (850/1900 MHz). It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider.
Design Compact and stylish, the 2610 features a candybar design sporting a bright 128 x 128 pixel display capable of displaying over 65,000 colors. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a center toggle on the control pad. A standard hands-free headphone jack is provided, as are volume control keys, and there's even a "Go-To" button that can be assigned by the user for quick access to favorite applications. Lastly, the included speakerphone allows you to talk handsfree, and because the phone sports an internal antenna, there's nothing to snag or break off.
Calling Features The 2610's built-in address book can store up to 300 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers. Choose from up to 34 built-in ringers, plus downloadable ringtones from your network (additional fees applicable). This phone supports 24-chord polyphonic ringtones as well as real-music MP3 ringtones. There's also a vibrating alert for when you want to be discreet.
Messaging and Tools If you need text messaging capabilities, the 2610 has you covered as support is built-in for sending and receiving SMS and MMS messages. Instant messaging is also supported too, and comes preloaded with AOL, Yahoo!, and MSN IM clients. When it's time to connect to the Web, you can do so quickly over the supported GPRS data protocol (Internet data service required; additional fees applicable). T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit--a plus for text messaging users.
A number of handy software tools are bundled with the 2610 including a calendar, a calculator, and an alarm clock. The 2610 lets you carry these tools wherever you go so you can create appointments and view your schedule at a moment's notice. The 2610 also allows the user to dress up the phone with different custom graphics and wallpapers--a great way to add subtle flavor to an otherwise boring day.
Entertainment The 2610 has plenty of fun built-in, too, thanks to the pre-loaded games that make your daily commute on the train or bus something you almost look forward to. Java support was also bundled with the phone, as well, so you can really get your feet wet with some advanced gaming during down time.
Vital Statistics The Nokia 2610 weighs 3.21 ounces and measures 4.09 x 1.69 x 0.71 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.0 hours of digital talk time, and up to 120 hours (5 days) of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM/GPRS 850/1900 frequency.

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