Our attentive reader may have already noticed long ago that the last year or two mobile phones mostly ceased to shrink in size (although some examples, of course, have a place to be) and have chosen to increase the number of different functions. Progress in this area is at such a rate that now is not so easy to make a clear distinction between the cell and, for example, smart phone, and even full-subnotebook. True, the "arms race" is not a gift for the appearance of these combo devices. The most fully featured of them, as a rule, heavyweights, no different noble lines. So that their owners have to sacrifice the compactness in favor of universality. But, apparently, more compromise is not necessary, because the producers did come down arms and to the miniaturization of communicators.
On one of these fine universal solutions - extension range communicator E-Ten, already famous in Russia, and will be discussed in our review, but first ...
A little history
We have repeatedly talked about mobile phones based on the latest operating system Windows Mobile for Smartphone, which by its versatility is practically not inferior enjoying popularity among Russians tandem - in conjunction with a handheld mobile phone. Obvious examples here may serve as a Motorola MPx200 and i-Mate SmartPhone. Based on the lesser-known Symbian OS also created a lot of cell, which supplies Russia with Nokia and SonyEricsson. Such tubes as Nokia 9210/9210i, 7650/3650 for a long time, by the standards of the mobile market appeared in the domestic market and formed a class of so-called smart phones or "smart phones".
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However, handheld computers, or rather their producers, were also on alert and quickly counterattacked, that is, began to equip their machines phone module. Thus was born the class of communicators. The first pancakes, as usual, turned out lumpy. Suffice it to recall Siemens SX45 - a device with GSM / GPRS-receiver (and in some versions do not even have GPRS), made based on the Casio E-125. Then the device weighed almost half a kilo, and a small battery of working is reduced to "no" to all the advantages of such a decision. If one considers that even after removing the model from the production of its price did not dropped below $ 1000, then immediately ask yourself, why is created this technique.
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| Siemens SX45: this is the picture he is a little ...:) |
A little later, began to appear more interesting news. If you continue to talk about «Powered by Windows»-solutions, then immediately come to mind not so distant past, when under different brands out pretty interesting communicators. Probably, the reader is familiar with Siemens SX56, QTek 1010 and O2 XDA - however strange it may seem, but all four do not differ much from each other (for example, QTek 1010 and O2 XDA vary only the logo). Particularly popular, none of these models are not used, although the chances they had, but apparently too high a price (originally about $ 1200) scared off potential buyers.
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However, recently the situation has considerably changed. PDA models were produced significantly greater, respectively, and the choice is made richer. Moreover, as noted by many reputable analysts are communicators and smart phones - is one of the most promising and fastest-growing areas of the industry of portable devices. On our site was even created a special section called "Communicators", which recently added to a curious novelty - a model of P300 from the Taiwanese company known under the brand name E-Ten. Recall that in the past year, the manufacturer has already debuted on the domestic market with their communicators P600 and P603. "Home" turned out good, so the E-Ten rushed to release a new model lineup.
We note immediately unusually low for a device of this class price - only $ 549, for which a year ago, the average selling PDA functionality, and today - one of the best communicators. Although not get ahead of ourselves. Everything in order.
Appearance
P300 housing is made of soft-touch, high-quality plastic. Dimensions - 117x67x23 mm, weight - 165 g. In comparison with his older brothers dropped a good communicator in weight, almost 70 grams, which is also better reflected in its size. E-Ten looks much sleeker and nicer. So in that sense would be a relief for fans of the combo-making and a pleasant discovery for those looking for the universal "two-in-one.
At the top of the front panel is cut the speaker LED which means charging P300 and the "eye" camera. Just above the antenna. Initially, its presence (or rather that it is not hidden inside the body) may scare off some users. In the life of the antenna does not prevent. Rather, even the opposite - it is very convenient to hide the stylus to get to is very simple.
Under the screen is the navigation button, similar to the one that has a SonyEricsson T68i or Nokia 7650. Immediately present and keyboard shortcuts launch frequently used applications. The two sides in combination are responsible for receiving and removal of an incoming call in phone mode.
At the bottom of the device is placed not only to the interface connector, but also a memory card slot MMC / SD / SDIO. To remove the card from the device, just click on it.Button "on / off" and a scroll wheel built into the left end. By the way, is the location button activation device seemed to us to be very successful: a finger on it falls just automatically (even though the direction in which his brother's hand drive).
On the back of the mount is the battery. Then installed a removable lithium-polymer battery with 1050 mAh and is located beneath the slot for a SIM-card. The words, all as a mobile phone.
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It is convenient that the cradle has a special slot for charging additional battery that would be useful to those who are often on business trips, but not ready for a long time to live in the "off-line. The largest portion of the front panel, of course, takes the screen. Here, the producers have set Transflective matrix, the standard for most Windows CE-making resolution of 320x240 pixels, capable of displaying 4096 colors (12 bits). Despite the relatively small color, all images (including photographs) appear on the screen very well. In many ways, these new required physical size of the matrix - its diagonal is only 2.9 inches (compared to a cult iPaq'ov - as much as 3.9 inches). Quite naturally, and reduce the size of individual point. Due to this, the screen looks very clear, although sometimes some of the details seem to be too small. On the other hand, that most office functions (reading, editing of any documents and travel across the network) to P300 did not cause any difficulties.
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However, if you're a big fan of games in which you want to quickly and accurately get the pen in the small icon (say, a strategy where each unit is represented by just 5.10 pixels), then a novelty, we advise you will not. In all other cases, the problems should arise. Admire the E-Ten P300 in three-dimensional form, please visit the manufacturer. The presentation provided with captions.
Soft
Operating System, under which the E-Ten, called Windows Mobile 2003 Phone Edition. In general, it is customary for many Pocket PC-computer with some minor differences. In this platform built a special "phone" utility, responsible for communication with the outside world via the existing GSM / GPRS-module. A striking example - the application Phone. With it you can call anywhere, here you can also select a ringtone, alarm options (with or without the vibrator).
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Phone also opens automatically when an incoming call. Admittedly, not always quickly: If you are running any resource-intensive application, the machine may ring only for 2-3 whistles. On the other hand, this problem occurred infrequently. For example, we are faced with it when "chased" to type test SPB Benchmark. In everyday life, nothing like has not been noticed.Recall that the Eten P300 is a smartphone, we have also during the configuration of Internet connection. Taking as a modem Cellular Line (GPRS), you can connect to the network through an integrated module. In this case, by the way, there is no need even to prescribe the modem initialization string. No problems with setup and operation of GPRS-connection have been reported (Moscow network "MTS"). If the GPRS was not available (as is, unfortunately, still happens) and it became necessary to install the CSD-compound (even at 9600 bps), we have to choose a normal Cellular Line.
Features
A pleasant surprise was the presence of the device USB-Host. USB connector itself is located, as, for example, Rover'a P5, in the cradle (at the back part of it, the same place where the power plug is connected). But if the domestic PDA quietly worked with any USB-devices without external power, then to the E-Ten P300 a must connect the AC adapter. From my own experience can say that, for example, USB-drives (including the latest, with the support of USB 2.0) and so many cameras, and any other appliances like MP3-players that appear in desktop systems in the form of removable storage devices, without any problems and can work with the P300.
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A similar function will be very useful visiting journalists, reporters, and just fans of trips that each step tend to shoot at the camera. For example, buying an external hard drive (whether or Ziv Maxtor - does not matter), you will regularly be able to fold it made the day Photos by E-Ten'a. Say a few words about the built-in camera. The maximum frame size is 640x480 pixels. Of course, admire the staff for the sake of aesthetic pleasure will not work. But here it is sometimes necessary to take a picture of a man and immediately send it to photograph a colleague with the comment: "This man will come to you in two hours."
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| Eye of the camera is placed directly above the signature of the Pocket PC |
Then, considering that the camera is on the front panel, not the back, like most similar devices, the device is very useful for spontaneous video conferencing. Benefit, NetMeeting or something like that right now there are virtually on any desktop PC, a GPRS support makes it possible to conduct such virtual meetings, while spending a minimal amount of money for the services of a cellular operator.
Runtime
Pleasantly pleased with the battery life. In real life, the device worked for more than two days at 15-20 minutes of phone calls and about 1,5-2 hours is not very hard work in PDA mode. In many respects, such a good indicator of merit is not only a relatively small (in area) of the screen, but also quite economical processor (here set ARM9, running at 200 MHz).
Performance
If we talk about the speed of the device, then give your attention the results of tests SPB BenchMark. From himself only to add that to work with office applications processor power enough "for the eye, but many of the new 3D-games do not work as fast as we would like. On the other hand, P300 and does not pretend to the title game console.
Russification
Communicator will be bundled with the system of national localization MacCentre Pocket RussKey 2003, which will provide a complete Russification of text input and translation of all the built-in device applications.
Price
Eten P300 purchase will be for $ 549 in the near future stores' computer in the palm, while wholesalers can now see the "live" examples and begin to make reservations.
Output
Cons: - Small physical dimensions of the screen
- External Antenna
- You can charge your device only through the cradle
Pros: - Small size and weight
- High functionality
- USB-Host
- The presence of a camera
- Careful placement of buttons
- Memory card slot MMC / SD / SDC
- Long battery life
- Replacement battery
Thus, E-Ten P300 is perfect for those who need to work with e-mail, mobile Internet and various Web applications. Moreover, quality and comfortable work. A small example - a utility that allows you to display on your desktop communicator, self-updating page Today rates. Those to whom such information is extremely important, certainly appreciate the option of wireless data on mobile devices. In addition, E-Ten P300 against the brothers in the class really stands Stylish design, small size and long battery life. In this sense, the device can easily replace a cell phone and PDA, and the cost will be cheaper than a kit. In a word, and a shirt pocket is not much draw it out, and the purse is not very easier ...;) authors, translation:
