Cmeem hope that our readers are experiencing a genuine interest in handheld technology, heard about the newest platform from Microsoft - Smartphone 2002 and realize that this operating system is designed to "computerized" mobile or smartphones (literally - "smart phones") that combine the functions of cell and PDAs. These combo devices are also often identified with known you communicators (Nokia 9210, for example, or the O2 XDA), but if you really delve into the details, smart phones - a first means of communication, and then later handhelds (PDA with a sort of "phone person" ). Today our guest is the representative of the class "savvy tubes - i-Mate Smartphone manufactured by HTC, which is likely to become a pioneer of the Russian market. But first a little digression. Despite the fact that clovosochetanie Microsoft Smartphone from hearing devices based on this platform released so far very little, and in Russia they are little known. In the west smartfonostroenie (we do not take into account the communicators) is gaining momentum and represented nearly two major competing with each other directions - Concern Nokia, producing Nokia 3650/7650 on the basis of Series 60 Platform, a kind of Symbian OS, and, in fact, Microsoft, diligently lobbying into their ranks licensees. Nevertheless, numerous analytical predictions now portend swift and secure the victory of these "hybrids" over other mobile communication devices, including mobile phones. And here is one of the first "savages" - in our editorial. He hides in a modest white cardboard box with no markings. Is proving to be small, but smart, judging by the name, tube Smartphone i-Mate.
What's in the box?
The bundled i-Mate has almost everything to "complete happiness". In addition to the device itself, in a box were found: a miniature cradle for syncing and charging, AC adapter, the adapter AC-serial, stereo handsfree headset with a button to answer an incoming call, which can also be used to listen to music CDs with drivers and a case for wearing on the belt. The latter is made of smooth black leatherette, and looks very stylish, but the tube is there pretty tightly, and do not exclude unwanted keystrokes. So before you pack the device in the "armor" is to lock the keypad.
Form Factor i-Mate
At first glance, i-Mate is difficult to distinguish from an ordinary cell phone hi-end class: large screen, a joystick, a few extra buttons. The hull shape is associated with expensive models in Samsung. Consider the smartphone more closely. Above the screen are the speaker and the light.
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The device is made in a small package of plastic two-tone: his facial parts - silver, rear - dark blue. As expected, the antenna is hidden inside. Above normal for the cell phones digital keyboard are Home button to go to the main menu screen and the Back to go back one step back. Slightly above the standard keys are answering the call, call and cancel the five-way joystick. Directly beneath the screen hiding two additional unnamed buttons for working with menus. Incidentally, the display is a smartphone, as opposed to screen handheld computers are not susceptible to depression, so that all navigation is via the keyboard and above the keys. Generally, the display i-Mate merits of individual words. Completed it on transflective technology ensures bright and sharp image. Diagonal screen size is 2.2 inches (55 mm), resolution 176 x 220 pixels with support for 65,536 colors. Adjust the backlight level is impossible, but to save batteries, you can specify the time after which it must be shut down.In addition, quite quickly, the system automatically lowers the brightness level. On the left edge of the body placed the call button the recorder, adjust the volume, power-off button and slot SD / MMC.
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All keys - big enough and respond well to push, so that dialing and menu navigation is carried out fairly easily and quickly. But with a joystick things a little differently. This miniature manipulator has a high sensitivity, and often attempt to move with it "up" turns around, if you are not graceful ladies fingers:), say, launching programs or opening the file. In short, the user requires a well-known sleight of hand ...
Case dimensions are 120.4 x 50.1 x 23.5, Weight - 105 grams.
Contents
The phone's
i-Mate is designed for use in cellular networks GSM 900/1800/1900. In this regard, it is almost not different from ordinary mobile phones, as it gives the user the full range of necessary services: caller ID, call forwarding, call hold, send SMS / MMS and so on. Create and read the message in the program are the same Inbox and your email. In the multimedia message, you can insert text, write with a voice recorder, pictures, and photos from the attached digital camera (more on this below), as well as a variety of tunes that you can write directly on the phone, using a simple synthesizer. Built-in GPRS class C can access the Internet directly from the tube. Unfortunately, the class does not support working with GSM. This means that while you are connected to the web, the usual calls to penetrate will not. Configuring the Internet c follows the same pattern as on Pocket PC, that is, you must specify the access point IP address and DNS and a password. The network can go through the cradle and using the Pass Through settings in ActiveSync on the desktop.
CPC-component
By modern standards, PDA, i-Mate features not high, but let's not forget that this is primarily a telephone. The handset is based on the ARM720 processor with a clock frequency of 120 MHz. Memory is 16 MB, of which the user is allotted only 12.53 MB. It is enough to store several dozen e-mails, MMS / SMS, information in the diary and notebook, but for the music will make an additional memory card.
Operating system for mobile
Smartphone 2002 inherited a little of almost all platforms, Microsoft, and users that experience with desktop or handheld versions of Windows, will quite simply get used to their small "telephone" edition. "Desktop» Smartphone 2002 is very similar to the Today screen of the Pocket PC. On it appear the planned meetings and events diary, information about received messages and emails, missed calls and recently used programs. Additional hardware buttons, as mentioned above, is responsible for calling the main program menu (the analog Start'a) and quick access to your notebook.
A set of installed applications, though not great, but It contains almost everything you need. PIM-utilities are the phone version of Outlook, the data from which you can synchronize with your desktop computer. Standard, it includes:
- Inbox application for working with text messaging and emails, including attachments (of course, open the Excel spreadsheet does not work, as with the standard Smartphone 2002 is not the appropriate software, but look at the resulting picture can be without problems)
- Contacts - address book (for some phones, you can create shortcuts and use them to speed dial from the keyboard)
- Calendar - organizer and planner of time (almost all the fields are similar to Pocket PC, there is the possibility to display the schedule for the day, week and month)
- Tasks - list (this program has been greatly simplified and can create only a few items with checkboxes).
Application interface redesigned and optimized for the small screen and a keyboard. However, the difficulties this causes, and, as already mentioned, the man who had to deal with the software on the desktop or Pocket PC, will not be difficult to deal with them. Data is entered from the telephone keypad. To expedite the process mode is provided Predictive T9 (naturally, at the moment only available in English). In today's mobile devices, voice recorder has become an integral costavlyayuschey. I-Mate is no exception. To record voice notes or telephone calls designed program Voice Memo. By default it is "hanging" on a button located on the left edge of the shell.
For his work with the media meets the Windows Media Player for Smartphone. When you run the program scans the contents of the memory card and transfer all suitable for playing files in the playlist. The player controls are carried out using a joystick.
Microsoft would not be Microsoft, if not included in the software browser Internet Explorer. At first glance, view web pages in the resolution of 176x220 pixels can seem a thankless task, but the program is adequately perform its duties. Web sites are formatted pretty high quality, images are reduced. Supports cookies, and the ability to change fonts.Unfortunately, our sample does not allow you to view the Cyrillic code page, so that by surfing on the internet to have to give up. A pity ...
Of the communication software can also distinguish "phone" option Internet pager MSN Messenger.
In addition, the smartphone supports multimedia messaging - MMS. To create them using the editor SmartMMS from the company EZOS. In MMS'ki can insert records with a voice recorder, music and pictures how to cook, and own production. However, to obtain personal photos to your phone will need to connect an external camera, allowing you to take pictures with resolutions from 80x64 up to 640x480 pixels. Our sample, unfortunately, was not equipped with such an accessory, and vouch for the quality of his work, we can not. However, as an example, we present the results of the test chamber, carried out by our colleagues from the site PPCW.net. These photos were taken in all possible modes, but your attention, we present only two of them - at the minimum and maximum resolution.
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| Photos made by smartphone i-Mate: Resolution 80 x 64 pixels |
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| Photos made by smartphone i-Mate: 640 x 480 |
To view the resulting images have a program Photo. You can use it to increase or expand the picture, put it on your desktop or send e-mail.
For his work with a digital camera built-in application meets the Camera.
Naturally none of the operating system from Microsoft is complete without a Solitaire. However, in the case of the i-Mate have to learn to play it c using the keyboard.
Here, perhaps, that's all. To summarize.
Conclusion
I-Mate has become one of the first computerized phones based on Microsoft Smartphone 2002, reach Russia. So, as a pioneer market forgiven him some shortcomings, which can be attributed to growing pains - dampness interface, slow system startup and operation of some programs. The fact that the concept of such a combo device has not yet taken root in the minds of potential users, and therefore, if we consider the novelty of the constituent units (PDAs and phones) will not very rosy picture.From the perspective of a mobile phone, i-Mate strikes, of course, its versatility: ability to surf the internet, with full e-mail, synchronize with a large computer via the cradle and the availability of excellent organizer. However, these benefits quickly fade when viewed with a PDA smartphone positions. Yes, and a decent software parks new OSes are not yet nazhila. Still, the unit made a good impression. Was respected, mainly trying to put Windows into the phone:) With i-Mate, and as with every concept that was pretty interesting work, but now present themselves to the user I am, alas, not able to. It's not even the price ($ 650), although it plays a role, and that my doubts about the new platform is not dispelled. That is why until quite difficult to objectively discuss the prospects of devices running Smartphone 2002. But if we ignore the subjective view, it is worth noting that in Western Europe have become increasingly popular similar in function and design of smart phones Orange SPV, proposed the largest cellular operator by Orange. Smart phones are predicting a great future, and perhaps they have it right. Time will tell. For all interested in this model can tell that the issue of commercial deliveries, i-Mate in Russia is still under consideration. At the moment MakTsentr has a small party of these devices, they can be purchased for $ 650. Smartphones are not yet Russified and sold in its original form. On the issue of purchase must be handled at sales@maccentre.ru. The authors, translation:
Trapeznikov Anton
