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Interface-wise, the Phone application is very reminiscent of a simple phone of the 90s; a window where caller information is displayed, and a traditional keypad where numbers and signs are entered. The 'old phone' vibe can be even be taken a step further by choosing a ring tone reminiscent of phones from the 1930s. In addition, there are shortcuts for a Speed Dial function that allows users to quickly call any of 10 pre-stored Speed Dials by pressing and holding the desired number on the keypad, and a Call Log that tracks incoming and outgoing calls as well as missed calls. Also supported is call waiting and conference calling (depending on whether such features are present in the GSM network in which the device is operating), and of course GPRS even though this doesn't have anything to do with the Phone application in particular.
The Settings dialog for the Phone settings is also very simple but contains a sufficient amount of settings. Here, users can choose which ringtone they want to use - as long as it's stored in .WAV format, control settings such as Caller ID, Call forwarding, Call waiting and Voice mail and SMS numbers, choose whether network selection should be automatic or manual, set preferred networks and also control functions such as whether the MDA should automatically pick up calls after a certain number of rings, locking buttons (except the power button) when the device is switched off and enable SMS broadcast channels.
A PIN code is required to gain access to the GSM network through the SIM card, and once connected a network reception indicator is present at all times in the Start menu bar next to the clock. For some reason, however, Microsoft has chosen only to indicate signal reception and not battery life; a vital requirement for battery-intensive devices, and as such racks up another minus.
The T-Mobile Experience
The MDA comes with a CD containing Activesync to synchronize MDA with Outlook on the Desktop (which is included on the CD in case you don’t have it), which also provides new users with an introduction to their device, but other than that, there are no more applications included on the CD. However, PacketVideo's PVPlayer comes pre-installed on the device. When switching on the MDA with a SIM card in it for the first time, a pop-up screen will also appear, asking the user whether he or she wants to auto configure the device for their SIM card and carrier. This procedure progressed smoothly - but unfortunately, takes place every time a new SIM card is inserted or the user's own card for some reason is removed and then reinserted. Optionally, this dialog can be switched off for good.
The audio quality of the MDA is very good, and so is the reception of the speakerphone which is engaged through pressing and holding the place call button for a few moments whilst in a call. In relation to antenna reception, the T-Mobile MDA seems to be in the same league as good mobile phones, but doesn't excel in this particular area.
Talk time and standby time are both impressive for a device of this kind; the device didn't quite live up to the claims of 3,5 hours of talk time, 150 hours of standby time and 15 hours of PDA usage, but by placing the MDA in its cradle each night after heavy usage, I never ever ran into problems.
Unfortunately, there are a few small kinks that limit useful features that have been put in place. For instance, the SD Card expansion slot isn't SDIO compatible which means it will only be able to use storage cards and not for instance a Bluetooth expansion card. The GPRS is Class B, allowing users to monitor both GSM and GPRS channels at the same time but not engage in a voice call and do web browsing over GPRS simultaneously, which would have been a nice touch since it's possible to multitask in other ways whilst engaged in a call.
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