Marketing striding across the planet. Which only tricks are not resorted manufacturers of various technical devices to raise revenue - and sometimes can not be assumed. Naturally, this trend has not spared the market and pocket PCs. Still, it would seem, only recently attention has shifted from manufacturers of traditional PDAs to communicators, and now we face a new round of technological race - fashion on the GPS. Fairly well-known company E-Ten, apparently decided to be among the first to learn yet another trendy niche and released device, equipped with a GSM-module and a GPS-receiver - E-Ten G500. In fairness, I must say that fast all came up to install a navigation company communicators HP - champion of innovation, which spied on the idea of the company Garmin, are produced in different years is not very popular Pocket PC with GPS - is running Palm OS, is based on the Pocket PC. But back to HP. The first pancake, as usual, came from this manufacturer lumpy, and the communicator HP iPAQ hw6515, which was charged with so much hope, has not won acceptance among users. The reason for that served mostly to relatively high starting price of the device and square screen (240x240 pixels resolution), a stripped-down, in pixels, because it placed under the QWERTY-keyboard. Nevertheless, GPS as a new feature for buyers has been estimated mobile device manufacturers, software companies software and miniature embedded satellite receivers. So after some time, many have begun to report the news of the withdrawal of communicators, navigators. Among the first publisher of such a device actually turned out to be E-Ten. You've got to say that the G500 is basically a remake of her latest popular model M600. Only in new items Wi-Fi module replaced today demanded GPS. Let's see what can offer this device.
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Specifications: - Operating system: Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone Edition
- Processor: Samsung S3C 2440A 400 MHz
- Memory: 64M RAM (48 MB user available) and 128 MB Flash ROM (80 MB available)
- Screen: 2.8 "(72 mm) transflective TFT, 240x320, 65536 colors
- Expandable memory: miniSD Card
- Wireless Interfaces: Bluetooth 2.0 (class 2), GSM 850/900/1800/1900, GPRS Class 10
- GPS: SiRF Star III
- Battery: Li-Ion, 1440 mAh
- Audio: microphone, speaker, 2.5 mm stereo headphone jack
- Dimensions and weight: 119 x 62 x 23 mm and 186, the
Of the next class and capabilities of devices for E-Ten G500 can be distinguished already mentioned here iPAQ hw6515, big brother E-Ten M600, as well as communicator Mio A700 and the upcoming apparatus FS Pocket Loox T830, Qtek G200. Compare these machines can use the "Compare devices" in the "Catalogue of the CPC on HPCru.
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| E-Ten M600, E-Ten G500 and HP iPAQ hw6515 |
Supplied
As expected from the handheld GPS-enabled, E-Ten G500 is equipped with a set of accessories for mobile navigation, which consists of the usual rod-holder with suction cup to attach to the windshield and car charger. Complaints to equip new cars not only upset the lack of a spare stylus and cradle.
So, set: - communicator
- charger
- USB-cable for synchronization and charging
- Conveying Charger
- Stereo Headset
- Car Holder
- cover
- User guide
- software.
Appearance
It seems that E-Ten, finally ceased to experiment over the appearance of devices and have developed their own style. The new communicator is quite recognizable - the same black plastic body with silver lining on the sides. A distinctive feature of the new machines - a bright luminescent band framing the screen and keys. Light color - fashionable today bright blue. Looks like designers have taken this decision at Motorola, with its now popular RAZR V3. At the very least, a sense of borrowing design is present. You can not call it a solution uniquely enjoyable - past the key now is impossible to miss, but the light is strongly straining his eyes in the dark.
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Machine itself looks pretty big and heavy. Although it is not very strong difference in size and weight with the Qtek s100 (traditionally taken as a reference point when comparing modern communicators with display 2,8 "), the new device seems to be more cumbersome. Nevertheless, due to non-standard ratio of height to width, in hand, he is quite comfortable. Arrangement of controls is not quite traditional, as the control keys are not only under, but over the screen. Below, under the display unit passed from the control keys and joystick. Designation of their habit: "Call," "Hang" and two shortcut soft keys used by Windows Mobile 5.0. Joystick large, square shape, with a dedicated center button. And the joystick and buttons are clearly separated by a plastic illuminated strip, use them conveniently.
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Above the screen, around the hole dynamics, there are two more buttons. By default, they are responsible for the launch of utilities and Frequency Dial M-Desk, but they can be reset. Above the buttons are two LEDs - battery and the wireless interfaces.
Upper end of the PDA is pretty empty, all other controls are located on each side of the device.
On the left side are buttons run the camera and voice recorder, a slider for volume control and reset button, which should push the stylus.
On the right - the power button and a slot for memory cards miniSD.A little awkward that the charger can not be connected directly to a PDA, it must be done via USB-cable. So if you plan to take with you when you travel charger, and still have to take an extra cable.
At the rear of the G500 business as usual: a camera with a mirror for self portraits and a connector for external GPS-antenna, covered by a rubber plug. Under the removable cap resting battery, under which slot for SIM-cards.
In principle, the body produces new items rather favorable impression. Maybe somebody does not really like a solution with backlit keys, but overall the company E-Ten to be congratulated on successfully. Finally, the quality of the performance of its units reached a stable level.
Processor, memory and performance
Here, everything has remained unchanged since the previous model, E-Ten M600. All the same processor Samsung S3C2440 and the same amount of memory - 64 MB RAM, of which the user can use 48 MB and 128 MB Flash ROM, where for the personal use of allocated 80 MB. Since the E-Ten G500 is not only a communicator but also the navigator, it makes sense to just buy a memory expansion card, for navigation systems - rather extensive piece. Expansion slot in the new device is now more compact than its predecessor - the format miniSD. This - a smaller version of the same SD, so that complete them usually go adapters that allow use of the new stick in the more familiar SD slots. With regard to the maximum available amount of these cards, but now you can easily get 1 GB miniSD. In the near future, the producers promise to release a 2 GB card for this standard. For the price they are slightly more expensive than their relatives. In general, problems with memory, you should not have, so let's get on to the next chapter - testing. Measurement speed E-Ten G500 produced by means of the program SPB Benchmark. No surprises - the results coincide with the ETen M600 up to several percent, which is quite possible to justify the measurement error. Machine was one of the fastest in its class.
Below shows the test results: - CPU speed
Complete test results can be found in the summary table, but we must remember that not all the tests package Spb Benchmark is correct (for example, test the graphics subsystem), so the final result (the index of the platform) can not be called objective.
Similar results were obtained when testing the video program BetaPlayer. Communicator is easy to cope with "the mobile" video and hardly reproduces not converted into a mobile format movies.
Subjectively, the E-Ten G500 works pretty quickly, except for intensive tasks such as navigation and viewing of heavy video. I must say that with a slight deceleration in the navigation programs are facing almost all owners of mobile devices, so it's an inevitable moment when dealing with such a machine. However, for too long the communicator will not make you wait, but this just below. In regard to the video, it is simply Burn source movie, and everything will be okay. Another thing, he wonders if viewing on a small screen. Large pdf-files and documents Word Mobile machine opens up pretty quickly. With a fairly high-quality toys and copes with a bang. In general, to perform basic tasks of its future owner's performance device is enough.
Screen
The new device is installed the same screen as that of the M600 - transflective, 320x240 at diagonal 2.8 inch (72 mm). It's smaller than most PDAs, but the standard for communicators. So that those who "transplanted" from handhelds to G500 or other smart phones have become accustomed to a more compact display. It seems that G500 increased brightness compared with its predecessor, the screen at maximum backlight makes it comfortable to work with data even in bright sunlight. The matrix has excellent viewing angles, no artifacts were not observed.
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At 10 levels of backlight brightness, which is enough to adjust under any lighting. If it is completely off, the screen remains lit by dim light, making it easy for continuous operation in total darkness. Still not possible to specify backlight level separately for battery and AC power. Also unchanged were automatic adjustment: "Autoadjust by battery's cap" - change the backlighting depending on battery level, and "Autoadjust backlight by idle time" - a smooth decrease in light as the omission of the CCP.
Battery
E-Ten G600 is equipped with a lithium-ion battery 1440 mAh, as his predecessor. Capacity is quite decent, but let's not forget that we face communicator, so even with the GPS-module, which in itself is pretty hungry. So potestiruem time.
Testing was performed with a full charge before the warning "Main battery low" in four different modes. - Stress test. GSM-module, Bluetooth and GPS enabled, the brightness and volume maximum, the unit lost in a series of "hard" video. Hours - 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Normal operation. GSM and GPS-module is included, Bluetooth - off. Speaker volume was set at half the maximum brightness - in the first division of the minimum. Device is lost in a cycle of regular video. Hours - 4 hours 50 min.
- Reading e-books. Bluetooth - off, the lights - in the first division of the minimum, the reading program was carried Haali Reader mode avtoskrolla. Hours - 7 hours 20 min.
- Play audio. Bluetooth and the screen - are off. Play was performed on a set of headphones attached.Used the program GS Player, files with a bitrate of 192-256 KBps played with the memory card. Hours - 8 hours 40 min.
- Playing audio via Bluetooth-headset. Bluetooth-enabled module, the volume put up half. Use headphones Sonorix OBH-0110. Hours - 4 hours 17 min.
- Standby mode. Opening hours - just over four days.
But looks like the communicator on the background of "classmates":
In general, E-Ten G500 can not be assigned to the record for most time of work, but poor results of his test, too, will not name. As with all the neighbors in the class, the machine is designed for the average work day. Active users are advised to always keep the charger nearby. Incidentally, the latter also not be confused especially small runtime system, because, being involved for car navigation, G500 can always a little "snack" on-board network. Fortunately, a special charger from the cigarette lighter is in his normal kit.
Wireless interfaces
Programm Wireless Manager - Centre for the management of all wireless capabilities of the device - from the phone module to the Bluetooth.
GSM
In the E-Ten G500 is installed quad-band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM-module. Data transfer may be a protocol GPRS Class 10 (3 slots to accept, 2 to transfer). Unfortunately, E-Ten has not embed into their communicators support vysoskorostnogo data transfer standard EDGE, it is not in the device. All phone functions normally performs built-in application Windows Mobile Phone, pretty easy to learn.
E-Ten G500 supports all the standard features of GSM-networks: - call barring
- waiting
- call forwarding
- AON
- Voicemail
- index of the network and broadcast messages.
Acceptance and sending SMS messages in the standard application of the operating system - Messaging.
To create an MMS is a special supplement - MMS Composer.
For speed dialing uses a proprietary utility Frequency Dialing.
It is also possible to organize a "black" and "white" lists of subscribers using the utility Call Filter.
In general, the functionality of the phone module is absolutely the same as that of its predecessor M600, nothing has changed. With regard to such an important moment of the phone as the communication quality with the original G500 has a small problem, manifested for some users in the form of an echo effect or metallic voice. Resolve this issue will help audiopatch released E-Ten. Learn more about where to download and how to install the update can be found in our forum. By the way, there talked about the release of new firmware for the machines, which helps deal with a number of other equally annoying bugs.
Bluetooth
As stated above, our hero is equipped with Bluetooth 2.0, which is controlled by the drivers own production E-Ten, is built on standard Bluetooth drivers from Microsoft. For the first time such an option Bluetooth control was tested on a model M600 and it seems liked the producers and users. All necessary services are configured in a single interface, instability and disruption almost not noticed. The program is integrated Bluetooth Manager Utility Connection Wizard, which allows a novice to configure any service interface. Let's see what opportunities are "blue tooth" will be available to users of G500. Firstly, it is, of course, search and connect Bluetooth-enabled devices. For example, with a cell phone.
Secondly, work with Bluetooth-headsets and devices allowing hands-free communication.
Third, synchronization with your desktop PC with the ability to exchange data. And finally, work with the necessary data as a PC on your device, and with the device to your PC.
And finally, we mention another profile, which became available to users even in version Bluetooth 1.2. It's about newfangled A2DP, which allows voproizvodit (for example, through a wireless headset) stereo sound quality. About him tell you a little later.
GPS-navigation
You have not forgotten that we face not only the device, but the navigation device? Excellent! It's time to test it. Thus, in the E-Ten G500 navigation module is installed on the chipset SiRFstar III. Quite a fresh solution shows good sensitivity and positioning accuracy. However, we are repeatedly told about it (eg here). The first inclusion is performed on a conventional narrow city street in cloudy weather. After only a three minute cold start CCP saw 12 satellites and recorded signal from the 8 of them. The result is certainly worthy. Further testing was carried out using the navigation Systems Pocket GPS Pro (version 2.4.199) with a map of Moscow. On this program we are repeatedly told in our surveys, therefore, not repeat it here. Details about PocketGPS you'll find at her site - www.pocketgps.ru. On the possibilities of the latest available version is available here. The screenshots below you can see how the full version.
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| PocketGPS Pro: download the program |
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| Settings PocketGPS Pro |
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| Routing |
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| Marshurt laid |
G500 was placed under the windshield in the standard holder, an external antenna is not used. The results pleased. CCP loses its signal only where and relies decent GPS-receiver - a wide bridges and in tunnels. In other situations, ETen G500 does its job as "excellent." Especially gratifying is that now this device is sold complete with a fully functional commercial version PocketGPS Pro at a price per unit. Thus, the user gets ready to use navigation solution plus communicator "in one bottle."
Multimedia
Sound
Audio path remains unchanged. The sound is quite loud and clear.The headset is still equipped with a passive volume control and answer button, which can be reprogrammed. Unfortunately, the bass level is still quite weak, which is not very pleasant to those who are going to use the G500 as an MP3-player. It's nice that now the recording level can be adjusted separately for voice recording, phone calls and conversations with Bluetooth-headset.
Have E-Ten G500 is another interesting feature in terms of audio capabilities - to support the transfer stereo via Bluetooth, using the new protocol A2DP, which appeared in the version of Bluetooth 1.2. True, when testing this feature with headphones Sonorix OBH-0110, it was observed that the quality of the transmitted stream is poor.
Practically non-existent upper and lower frequencies, the sound quality would suit only a very undemanding users. By the very same functionality no gripes, headphones on the first attempt were "paired" with the communicator, no involuntary breaks connection was not observed.
With regard to the dynamics of E-Ten G500, then call in a noisy place and can not hear, will not save even activated vibration, working with the ordinary as a pair, so we recommend to use the headset if you do not want to miss anything. By the way, headset jack at the E-Ten G500 is not too comfortable - 2.5 mm, so that the selection of alternative "ears" and have to buy an adapter for them.
FM-radio
E-Ten G500, unlike its competitors has a very valuable fichey - built-in radio. However, until recently, take advantage of this with the owners of the device was not possible. Now, when the E-Ten has released a special program G500 FM Radio 1.0, allows you to work with the receiver, anyone can download it and install on your device.
In an antenna device supports headset, without the radio will not work. To install the program copy the contents of the archive in the folder \ windows on the E-Ten, then make a shortcut on FMtuner.exe and run the receiver. In the application everything is also pretty simple.On the main screen are buttons for the tuner search for stations off the screen (in the form of stars), the scale of the volume control and mute. The top is displayed the frequency at which is currently in the receiver, the radio station without a name or other information transmitted by FM.
Necessary wave is easy to find either through the usual rewind, or click on the indicator of the current frequency. In this case, you will see a box the exact input frequency, resembling in appearance a normal telephone panel with buttons Ok and Cancel buttons at the bottom.
Also in the annex provides the opportunity to bookmark your favorite radio station, hold the stylus on the 1.5 second socket on the right. In general, everything is simple and without any frills.
For the doubters in their own strength provides very short Help.
As for the quality of work, the receiver listens G500 noise and small distortion. In general, it is quite usable. In addition, good catches and holds the frequency. We tested the E-Ten at the reception at 107 MHz.
Luggage
Built-in camera, again borrowed from the previous model, resolution - 1.3 megapixel. No improvement in the quality of images has not happened. On the possibilities of the camera can be found in the review of M600. For the curious represent examples of photos taken at the G500.
Software
In the E-Ten G500 has the latest version of the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone Edition, a list of full-time programs, which can be found in almost any of our review. Tell better about the additional software, which, of course, decorate and make it more user-friendly devices E-Ten. First on stage - handy plugin for launching applications QuickLink.
The second - a nice looking alternative shell for launching programs and quick access to system settings - M-Desk. The default is caused by a button with an icon Home. Has a lot of options and opportunities.
Another good thing - a program for Pocket PC voice control Voice Commander, which is quite easy to tame by a very good-looking of the mechanism of recognition: works with voice tags, as well as with conventional teams.
There have G500 and two graphics editor - to work with images (Image Maker) and for editing MMS (Image Wizard).
Branded utility Scenarios can help to quickly set up the brightness, volume and vibration alert mode.
G500 cmozhet render good service as a GPRS-modem for your laptop. With this program helps Modem Link.
As the curtain - a small plugin that shows battery life on the screen of Today, so it will not have to look into the configuration section.
Conclusions
E-Ten G500 - smartphone, designed to fill in the model number of the company formed as a result of market trends GPS-niche. In fact, we have the same E-Ten M600, in which Wi-Fi module is replaced with a GPS-receiver. It is this point to consider when choosing between the G500 and other apparatus. Thus, the device as a full-fledged navigator will be particularly interesting to motorists and users who lead active lifestyles.If you just need a Wi-Fi, but completely satisfied with the functionality of this machine, you can either take advantage of the market periphery in the form of WLAN-module on the cards miniSD (for example, from Pretec), or wait for the next device E-Ten, which, according to employees, will be a hybrid of the M600 and G500. Expected release date - this autumn. Another undoubted trump G500, as well as all the devices from E-Ten - this is their low price, usually fully justified. In this light, is particularly interesting that the communicators of the brand, supplied by "MakTsentr, completed the full version of navigation software PocketGPS Pro 2. At the same retail price of devices will remain the same - $ 670. Is called a kit - E-Ten G500 Pro.
Pros: - turnkey solution for car navigation + communicator
- FM-tuner
- good set of embedded software
- reasonable price
Cons: - large size and weight
- low battery life.
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