The Taiwanese company HTC recently punctually pleases its fans with novelties. However, most devices produce revolutionary difficult to call. HTC prefers to follow the path of evolution, building on the success of models, a well-proven in the market. The main innovation of the last time was the transition to Windows Mobile 5.0, which, however, some tend to look more like a disadvantage, because of certain "wet" the new version. The model number of the company is now represented by two main areas (in terms of most HTC): PDA Phone (PDA with phone module, that is, communicators - type model Qtek S100/110, S200, 2020i, etc.) and Smartphone (smartphones - such as , Qtek 8020, 8200, 83xx). The hero of our review, Qtek 8500, the second group. Qtek 8500 - is not the first smartphone HTC, running Windows Mobile 5.0, and, besides, is not the most outstanding in performance, as we shall see. But still a novelty can be considered as a kind of experiment, HTC, this is the first clamshell in the phone line company.
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I must say that the flip phone conquered the market relatively recently through the efforts of Asian companies such as Samsung and LG. Prior to this major European phone makers - Nokia, SonyEricsson and Siemens - studiously avoided the subject (apparently wanted to avoid association with Motorola:). But gradually the "clamshell" became popular, and the same Nokia could not ignore this fact has already released quite a decent amount of models in this form factor. HTC also has not yet been able to please their fans some special design delights - all Smartphone models are similar, if not twins, then certainly like brothers. In part, this seems to be the bad influence of Microsoft, which likes things to be uniformly and exactly as she sees fit. But it seems that the ice slowly starts trogatsya (or HTC has dismissed all the old designers and gained new ones), Qtek 8500 but absolutely no resemblance to his "colleagues in the shop."
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| Qtek 8310 and Qtek 8500 |
However, as we shall see later, the appearance of otherness in the ground and the only thing, filling the device is quite standard for today and the almost identical model Qtek 8300, which appeared on the market about six months ago. By and large, the difference is only in the absence of a model 8500 integrated Wi-Fi.
Features: - Operating system: Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition
- Processor: Texas Instruments OMAP850 195 MHz
- Memory: 64 MB RAM, 64 or 64 MB flash ROM
- Display: internal 2.2 "transflective TFT, 240x320 pixels, 65,536 colors, an external 1,2" TFT, 128x128 pixels, 65536 colors
- Expandable memory: microSD card
- Wireless Interfaces: Bluetooth 1.2, without the support of EDR, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS Class 10, EDGE class B
- Battery: removable Li-Ion Battery 750 mAh
- Audio: microphone, speaker jack for stereo (nestandartnyy!)
- Dimensions (folded) and weight: 98.5 x 58 x 18.2 mm and 99 g
Direct competition with smartphones based on Windows Mobile smartphones can be called the Series 60 line of the Finnish company Nokia (for example, Nokia 3250): the same lack of touch screen and keyboard control.A closer look it becomes quite obvious that the interface of MS Smartphone is done with an eye to the Series 60, and many of the ideas (for example, two control buttons coft with varying depending on the context of the signatures on the screen) just "borrowed" from Nokia. However, that nobody is surprised. It is worth noting that the "borrowed" option is not always as successful as the original. True, the button has nothing to do with it, not too easy to blame the organization of the interface is still not completely adapted for the soft keys. Unfortunately, the testing we got an engineering sample, so the appearance of the box cause we can not. However, a relatively complete set you can say the following. In the box there is a battery, charger, cable for synchronization with your desktop computer, stereo headset (handsfree), pouch, CD with ActiveSync 4.1, user's guide. Qtek 8500 is equipped with a standard for all HTC devices plug miniUSB, and some special, more narrow and long. This is due obviously to the fact that the thickness of the halves of the phone is about 7-8 mm, and miniUSB just do not fit on it. The headset is quite standard for HTC (with the exception again of corporate non-standard connector) - earphones and a microphone with answer button on the call. Charger and sync cable is also very common.
Appearance
Here, finally, we got to the most important thing - the look of Qtek 8500, which immediately attracts the attention of others. Indeed, the phone is somewhat unusual. When your humble servant, risked his life smuggling carries the machine through Russian customs, it has been caught red-handed, and customs for a while with genuine interest attached to the novelties of the telecommunications industry. However, released to the world, gave the phone or even demanded money. Originally planned two options coloring apparatus: black with silver and black with red. Then it was added to a strict all black version, which we consider here.
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With flip closed attracts the attention of the external display of the phone - a small square in the middle of the display is a mirror of the circle. It looks very stylish. Above the display - the camera lens in a brilliant chrome bezel. At the bottom under the screen - the buttons control music playback (express music buttons, already familiar to some in 8300). Even lower - two small LEDs - display network, battery and operation Bluetooth.
Opening the phone, we see an unusual keyboard: flat, hardly protruding above the surface of a button. No joystick, instead of round two keys, one inside the other. In the test sample on the keyboard as if milled three brilliant circle, which gives it a very classy look. Unfortunately, in the final version will be only one - around the navigation keys.
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From each other by the number keys are separated purely formal, with small notches on the panel keyboard. But the actual buttons are large enough even for large male fingers, so that problems with them, no one should arise. The keyboard backlight - a light blue and dark it looks even more mysterious. In a word, mainstream. In addition, the device is equipped with a light sensor, and the backlight is activated only if you really dark. On each side of the upper part of the apparatus are buttons for volume control, voice dialing / voice recorder and the camera (by the way, the buttons without labels, so I have to remember that where there is).
Side on the bottom half - only 12-pin connector for charging cable or headset (one at all).
The back side is nothing remarkable - just the battery cover (underneath is also a SIM-card and slot for microSD) and a connector for external antenna under the rubber plug.
The workmanship of the phone calls only positive emotions - and to look at, and feel everything is done very soundly, something stylish and into the hands of her brother is very nice, despite the plastic housing. Screen Qtek 8500 - one more reason to be proud. Yes, there ... He's just great! For comparison, I put a number of 8310 and 8500 - the last screen noticeably clearer and brighter, and this despite the fact that the time difference between the yield not so much. Technology does not stand still, and it is gratifying. On the quality of the display screen is very reminiscent of the latest smartphone Qtek S200, only the lower diagonal (2.2 "vs. 2.8") at the same resolution (240x320), so the point is smaller and the picture looks sharper (photo, of course, does not reflect the real picture ).
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Viewing angles - great for sun screen can be seen, too bad. The brightness is not adjustable, standard for all smartphones. As a device for reading electronic books 8500, probably not the best option - because of screen size and battery life quite modest, and Web pages are viewed - not the most pleasant experience. As for the external screen, it is primarily intended to display performance information such as signal strength, battery, etc. In addition, this screen can be displayed an animated screen saver in the form of hours (to select several types are available) or a background image, date and time, and data music player - the duration of the current track, volume, etc.
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Now leave aside the enthusiasm for the appearance and close Let us ease of use. And here we are waiting for a slight disappointment: the phone is clearly designed for long fingers. Anyway I could not get normally open it with one hand. Of course, the persistent practice give the effect, but an adequate response that does not work: effectively reject the flip fingers of one hand does not work, we have to use the second hand. That is impressive, with a bang, close the flip - it please:)
Keyboard is convenient to use, no complaints there, the keys are arranged well and pressed easily and clearly. But before the buttons located on the upper half shell (flip), fly so far, not every petit ... in the sense dotyanet every finger. Anyway, my this is not possible.Without interception machine I can only press the button on the camera or voice dialing, volume up lacking. If you have long fingers, the situation is not so catastrophic, and you may well manage with one hand.
Processor and memory
In the Qtek 8500 is installed the same CPU as the model S200, 8300 & 8310, - TI OMAP 850, clocked at 195 MHz. Therefore hold benchmarks we do not, moreover, that visual and practical performance is not much different from those vehicles.
In the test device - 64 MB of RAM (of which programs are available for approximately 26 MB) and 64 MB flash memory (of which about 13 MB available for storage). In the Qtek 8500 is used slot standard microSD, which, in general, it is logical, given the small size of the device. Located as it is extremely uncomfortable - a SIM-card, so about "hot-swappable cards can be immediately forgotten. Alas, the beauty demands victims. With the volumes, however, there are no problems - the microSD card is now available up to 1 GB, so the problem of replacement cards should not be particularly relevant: a card more - and all the cases.
The sound quality and voice recorder
Speaker at the Qtek 8500, despite the small size of the device, very loud - do not miss a call with a warranty, in addition, there is a vibrating alert. Internal speaker is also pleased capacity - at full volume the phone to your ear, even applying is not necessary, everything is audible. Using the standard stereo audibility is also at altitude. Voice Recorder also works well, but the special quality, especially in a crowded place, do not expect from him - the noise obtained fairly decent, even indoors.
Wireless capabilities
In terms of wireless Qtek 8500 is not an extraordinary machine: there are quite standard by today's GSM / GPRS / EDGE and Bluetooth 1.2. The quality of connection and the speed with GPRS / EDGE no claims arose - everything is functioning very well. However, the voice of your devices HTC has no direct relationship - all the radio-filling has been developed by Texas Instruments and is licensed by the manufacturer. With regard to support Bluetooth, then here we have good news for audiophiles: Qtek 8500 works with the profile A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile). Thus, you can listen to music in stereo through a Bluetooth-headset.
Otherwise, the following profiles are supported: - Generic Access profile
- Serial Port profile
- Headset profile
- Object Push profile
- DUN profile
- Hands-free profile
- Generic Object Exchange
- Human Interface Device
- Advance Audio Distribution
- Audio / Video Remote control
As we mentioned above, another wireless standard, Wi-Fi, our hero, unlike his fellow series 83hh not support them. However, with such a battery is not surprising. Infrared port on the device either, but it is now rather an anachronism, since it generally dominates Bluetooth. All wireless functions, the user can operate through the now familiar application Comm Manager.
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By the way, pay attention to the middle button c "3" in the left column Qtek 8500. This key controls the function of Microsoft Direct Push, which appeared in Windows Mobile 5, version AKU2 (it's something like Serivce Pack 2 for Windows Mobile). Now, if your company uses a mail server is Microsoft Exchange, you can enjoy the benefits of the new service Push Mail. All that is required - this is GPRS-connection, and no additional settings. When using the Push Mail client e-mail program does not need to constantly check e-mail - the mail server itself loads a letter to your mobile phone as they arrive.The process itself is simple enough: through ActiveSync installed HTTPS-connection that the server and sends the data directly on the Qtek 8500. In practice, it works quickly and without problems:)
Luggage
Qtek 8500 camera is equipped with a standard resolution for today - 1,3 Mp. In general, it shows pictures of pretty average quality, when compared with the 2 megapixel camera Qtek S200. Settings include: self-timer, zoom, white balance, resolution and image quality, a place to store photos (internal memory or card), the availability date and time the picture, shooting mode (photo, video, MMS-photo or video for "Contacts" , the picture for the theme and the sports mode), effects (black and white photography, sepia, cool colors).
There is a camera Qtek 8500 is another interesting option, intended, apparently, to shoot a TV screen or monitor - sync on a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz to avoid flicker. Examples of photos taken by camera Qtek 8500, will be available later.
Runtime
Despite the rather modest battery (750 mAh), HTC promises 2,5-5 hours of talk time and 100-150 hours of standby time. Subjective sensations (on the exact measurements simply do not have the time), it's about the truth. Anyway, the ever-active GPRS-connection and enabled Direct Push, when batch of letters (more than 10 per day) from the server and performing a small number of calls, the phone worked for a little over two days on one battery charge. It seems that when using Bluetooth and listening to music this time will be reduced to about one day, and sometimes less.
Software
Software stuffing Qtek 8500 also absolutely standard for smarftonov based on Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition: browser Internet Explorer, ActiveSync, PIM-application (Tasks, Calendar, Contacts), e-mail client, Windows Media Player, File Manager, software for working with photo- and a video camera. In addition, the device pre-installed package of ClearVue Suite, allowing you to view documents in PDF, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint. If vac interested in the details of a selection of software and recommended programs to be installed on the device, you should look into the relevant chapter of the review of Qtek 8310.
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Qtek 8500 will be delivered to Russia with the Russian version of ROM. The quality of translation at the time gave rise to violent criticism of Microsoft, and as far as we know, the software giant, finally responded to her by hiring professional translators edit all found flaws. True, this applies only to applications written in Microsoft. Their own applications on HTC Russified independently, so that sometimes turns out pretty funny. For example, instead of the usual over the "Connections" we offer a "connection", or instead of "View status" - "view state":)
Term of appearance and price
According to available data, the starting price Qtek 8500 costavit about $ $ 500-600. In the Russian retail novelty appears around the end of May.
Conclusions
It seems that a rough idea about the Qtek 8500 you already have happened in spite of our cursory acquaintance with him. Therefore to sum up a little. So, Qtek 8500, primarily a fashion device. If you want a smart phone, as stuffed with all sorts of "twists" with the latest technology, this option is not for you. But if you - a music lover, a connoisseur of stylish clever gizmos, albeit at the expense of functionality, this new product is clearly to your taste. Also, recall that at your disposal will always be Windows Mobile co all available parks for smartphones - from assorted Organizer to programs for reading, watching videos, as well as a variety of toys.
Cons: - low battery life
- non-standard connectors for the headset and charging / synchronization
- no radio (with a pronounced musical direction smartphone)
- inconveniently located slot for expansion cards (under the SIM-card) and some buttons (camera, voice recorder, volume)
Pros: - cverhkompaktnye size and weight
- spectacular design - one of the first clamshell phone running Windows Mobile
- gorgeous screen
- stylish and comfortable keyboard
- external buttons for the player
PS Photos Qtek 8500 can also be found here. The authors, translation:
