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Other general features include the ability to zoom most in-application text to three different levels, as well as a Find dialogue being present in most embedded applications. There is no central Find dialogue, so users will have to know precisely what format the data they are looking for is stored in for then to carry out a search from within the appropriate application. Another feature which seems puzzling at first, but is obviously devised with simplifying the user experience in mind, is the fact that each application that needs to store data has its own set of folders. A folder created in application is not visible in another, and for each application there is a default Unfiled folder where all data is stored until users start arranging their files into folders. Speaking of data storage, unsaved work will be saved by an application when leaving it, meaning less hassle for users.
 | Looking up contacts on the P800 leaves something to be desired, and categories not being transferred in a desktop PIM synchronization is outright horrid
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There is no file manager included with the platform, which is another sign of its application-centric approach. Rather than navigating files, users open the appropriate application and subsequently folders to locate content from therein - which works great for novice and intermediate users. For power users, however, the lack of a file manager represents an obstacle since there is no method to quickly open and view information stored in different files in multiple formats in a folder. Also, since a file manager is lacking, the embedded applications typically allow users to send content directly from within an application depending on the nature of the content. This can be either as MMS or e-mail messages, or directly via Infrared and Bluetooth.
A vast number of embedded applications is included with the P800, beginning with the most important applications which are by default placed in the application picker at the top. Moving from left to right, the Messages application is first in line, providing a unified interface for SMS, MMS and e-mail messages and files received by means of Infrared. The user interface is intuitive and simple, and creating and sending SMS and MMS messages is a breeze, although the Contacts lookup can throw some spanners into the works (more about this shortly). Additionally, it is possible to set different alerts for different types of incoming messages, letting users tell what has just arrived by means of the audible cue.
 | A comprehensive call log keeps careful track of who you've called - or been called by, when and for how long
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E-mail support is excellent, with support for both POP3 and IMAP4 and scheduled e-mail retrievals at up to three different points in time through the day or at intervals ranging from every 15 minutes to up to every 4 hours. Apparently, users can set up an unlimited number of e-mail accounts, and also decide whether they want to just check headers, download e-mails only below a certain size or download everything which arrives - in other words, an impressive setup for e-mail communications on the move. Users of IMAP accounts with folders below root level need to beware though, as the client only synchronizes the Inbox, Outbox, Draft and Sent folders. This is also the case when synchronizing e-mail with a PC, which lets users carry with them drafts and also see which e-mails have recently been sent. This enables users to keep track of not only incoming, but also to a large degree outgoing communications while on the move.
The Contacts application is far from as impressive as the Messaging application, despite it being capable of synchronizing virtually all information stored in a desktop PIM application such as Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes. The details view for a contact is excellent, with vital information being displayed at the top, complete with hyperlinked phone numbers, e-mail addresses and web site URLs - and even the option of sending an MMS to an e-mail address. Also, users can assign pictures to callers here, which are then displayed upon incoming calls from a contact: a nice touch.
But in terms of listing and search functions, the Contacts application quickly runs into trouble. The Contacts list can only be formatted in four pre-defined ways, each of which shows only two fields. This can make looking up business and personal contacts in the same view a very tricky procedure, for several reasons too lengthy to describe, and to make matters worse, these views are also replicated when looking up contacts from the Messaging application. In addition, despite the Contacts application synchronizing with Microsoft Outlook, it does not apply categories or folders for contacts stored there to contacts stored on the phone - wiping the slate clean of previous efforts to organize contacts. Users with large numbers of contacts are likely to resort to the search function to locate the appropriate contact, but this also chalks up as another drawback through requiring more screen taps than necessary.
The Phone application is where calls are placed and received, contains an icon-based menu with speed dials which can be assigned to flip buttons 1-9, as well as comprehensive lists with detailed entries for Incoming, Outgoing and Missed calls. Users can easily set up conference calls, and also bounce and switch between incoming calls with similar ease. Settings for a multitude of GSM network functions such as call waiting, diverting calls and more are also controlled here, along with volume levels for various phone-related sounds and alerts. Profiles are non-existent, but a user can quickly switch to silent mode.
 | The Calendar lets users get a good overview of their schedule, and makes for easy input of appointments and reminders
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Various voice controls, such as voice dialing and answering are also managed from within the Phone application. Users can record a so-called 'magic word' to initiate voice control, and then either command the phone to direct an incoming call to the handset, handsfree or car kit - or dial a contact by saying its name. For the latter to work, users must have added a voice tag for the contact in regard (carried out through the Contacts application). Another important option is the ability to set a Device Lock, which can request a PIN code whenever the device is turned on or when the SIM card has been changed to protect data stored on the device.
For people on the move, a Calendar is obviously an important tool - and the one embedded in the P800 lets users keep track of appointments and events through Day, Week and Month views. It accomplishes that task well, by providing ample alternatives for making data entry on the go easy, and by offering intelligent views and navigation through these. One of its biggest advantages is actually the clever method it uses to adjust numbers for time and dates, which drastically speeds up input of appointments. Still, just like with Contacts, categories are not transferred to the P800 when synchronizing with Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes - a drawback for those relying heavily on such categorization.
 | The Internet browser boasts a veritable smorgasboard of features: no other connected handheld ships with a browser this versatile
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As a connected handheld, the inclusion of an Internet browser in the P800 is more obvious than most features. The browser supports a vast number of standards, including WAP 2.0, HTML 3.2, WML 1.x, xHTML Basic, xHTML Mobile Profile, cHTML and more, enabling it to deal with virtually all websites in existence that have been designed for mobile devices - and quite a few ordinary websites too, despite the results being less than excellent. For security, it supports WTLS Class 1, 2 and 3, as well as TLS/SSL Class 1, 2 and 3, and also sports a combination of pre-installed and downloadable certificates. The browser also incorporates support for less fancy features such as cookies, enables WAP push messages to be sent to the P800, and lets users bookmark sites of particular interest. To dot the i, it includes a progress bar which shows the amount of time spent loading a page and a graphical percentage indicator. To sum it all up, this browser is in fact the most capable embedded browser to appear in a connected handheld to date, and by far outperforms all of its competition feature-wise.
In addition to these main applications, the P800 also comes with a range of other applications. This includes the CommuniCam application, which obviously controls the integrated digital camera of the P800, offering several options for making the most out of a picture opportunity. Users can manually control brightness, contrast, backlight and lighting settings, and also engage flicker-free modes and even set a 15-second delay timer. Picture resolution and quality are also defined here, giving users full control over the quality of their pictures.
For the most part a companion to the CommuniCam application, there is also a Pictures application which manages pictures stored on the P800. Its viewing options are unfortunately somewhat limited as it cannot display pictures in full screen mode, and only offers two zoom states - one of which is for the most part useful. Thankfully, sending pictures elsewhere for viewing either as an e-mail or MMS, or over a Bluetooth or Infrared connection is a simple task.
The Video and Audio applications let users - you guessed it - play back video either from local files or streaming in MPEG4 format, or sound files in MP3, WAV, AU, AMR and MIDI format. In fact, had it not been for Sony Ericsson's decision to go with Memory Stick Duo, the P800 would be an excellent device for playing both video and particularly audio on the move - the audio quality of its speaker is simply brilliant, and the video playback isn't bad either.
 | Even Tasks can be synchronized to the P800, but alas - there's no category support here either
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Then there are the Tasks and Jotter applications, both which synchronize with desktop PIMs - and like the other applications doing it completely disregarding categories and folders. Merely by offering synchronization, though, they provide a time-saving alternative to the dreadful task of keeping notes and tasks in manual sync. Speaking of synchronization, the P800 also comes with a SyncML client to allow users to remotely connect to a SyncML server and synchronize information stored in the Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Jotter applications as well as e-mail.
A Voice Memo application lets users record snippets of their voice and then send these in several formats, while a basic Calculator provides simple math functions, a Time application the time (who would have guessed) - and a GPRS data log keeps track of how many KB has been consumed since the counter was last reset on each of the GPRS accounts available on the device.
The last, particularly useful application on the P800 is a Viewer which is capable of viewing Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Powerpoint files without requiring conversion. This opens up for viewing most common attachments to e-mails on the fly, rather than having to rely on 3rd party solutions or a conduit which ties the user to the desktop. Granted, one might not be able to afford sending these files back and forth from the P800 with today's GPRS prices, but the option is there should all-you-can-eat price plans show up, or should users simply decide to copy a couple of files onto the P800 from their desktop.
 | With the CommuniCam, you'll be snapping pictures of everything, everywhere in a matter of minutes
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The P800's desktop software is rather comprehensive, and offers users the option to both synchronize data in a range of embedded applications with that present in desktop PIMs Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes. The speed at which it performs the synchronization is vastly improved when compared to previous Symbian OS-based units, although in the case of Microsoft Outlook users are still required to manually approve access to Outlook's contacts database. The suite also allows users to backup and restore their phone in a short amount of time at regular intervals - perfect for busy road warriors who have too much to do to remember taking backups. Other features include the option to download additional languages for the P800, install software through the installation manager and a dial-up networking wizard which aids PC users in connecting to the Internet by means of the P800.
Availability
The Sony Ericsson P800 without contract is available in most countries throughout Europe at prices around the 800 EUR mark. A P802 version will follow shortly for the Asian market, and Sony Ericsson is currently accepting pre-orders for the P800 from customers in the U.S. for $650 USD.
Conclusion
The Sony Ericsson P800 is a solid product which provides a vast amount of voice and data functionality, but at the same time struggles to find a balance between its myriad of alternatives while retaining usability. The embedded applications provide a well rounded offering, while synchronization with desktop PIMs is thorough and extensive, despite some flaws that mar the overall impression. Fortunately, the P800' manual is extremely detailed and does a good job of explaining its features and quirks - and is, just like the device itself, reliability embodied.
- What's positive: Incredibly feature-laden; great messaging support; standards-compliant; good battery life; powerful
- What's negative: Several usability issues; proprietary expansion format; low amount of internal RAM; low-speed desktop connectivity
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Price and availability
The will start selling for TBA () in November 1999.
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