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Virtually no one is there is no doubt that the development of cellular phones and handheld computers are parallel courses. But in contrast to the parallel lines they are destined sooner or later cross. The only question is what form will be mobile devices as a result of this intersection. Will this PDA-phone (as, for example, Visor with snap-on module of the phone) or phone-PDA. Ericsson is believed that the second option more likely. As proof of his conviction Swedish phone giant has released a smartphone R380, which will be discussed in this article. So, Ericsson R380 - is familiar to amateur mobile innovations on some of its predecessors, a hybrid cell phone and PDA, combining their features into one convenient package. By the way, this is the first cell phone running on OS EPOC (shell, created by Symbian - Union Ericsson, Nokia, Psion and Matsushita). In this review, the author considered a subspecies of R380s, which is a dual-GSM version (900/1800MHz), designed for European and Asian markets, although the American version and not long to wait. As always, start with the design. R380 design is impressive. Performed in a conservative blue-gray and greenish tones, smartphone, it seems, is aimed at business users. The only disadvantage of the design is that behind the model is painted under the metal, and therefore easily scratched. In addition, rumor has it that the battery compartment several "walks", but the tester did not have these problems. R380s can work in two orientations - portrait and landscape. When operating in landscape orientation, it acts like a standard cell phone, is that big already. Its size, by the way, 12.7h 5.8 x 2.54sm and weighs 170g. Since our site is dedicated to all the same for the most part PDAs, I dare suggest that PDA features R380 interested us a bit more than than the telephone. My only comment is that the last level with the requirements to the best cellular family members for business users. From the moment when the R380 keyboard appears, he appears before us in all its glory. The fact that a few seconds ago is a small screen resolution 120h116 pikcel becomes 320h160 display capable of portraying just a paragraph of text. This becomes possible due to a change landscape to portrait. Manage the touch screen with backlight, you can use cleverly concealed in the battery compartment of a feather. When working in the PDA, R380 offers six main options, access to which can be obtained through a rather large icons, conveniently located on the screen. Among these options are as follows:
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- PHONE (Phone) Here the user can change the configuration of the phone settings, view incoming calls and make calls using the technology hands-free. - CONTACTS (Contact) In this section, the user can create, view and edit an already created address book entries. - MESSAGING (Communications) Based on the title, this section is intended to send and receive SMS messages and e-mail (R380 supports POP3 and IMAP4 standards). - CALENDAR (Diary) Here, the owner of a smartphone creates, maintains and changes its schedule, whether for a day or month or year. In addition, we can obtain access to the partition of the Cause. - WAP SERVICES (Services WAP) With the help of this section, it becomes a way of navigating the Internet.
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- EXTRAS (Other) where the user expects a wide variety of applications. Notepad, recording in which can be viewed and edited, Clock, Calculator, Games - all this can be found here. From here you can also change the configuration of PDA-mode R380. According to the tester, in these applications is even nothing. True, at times, they are somewhat slow running (for example, there is a delay in the opening address). Perhaps this is explained by the peculiarities platform EPOC, which is written mostly in Java and C + +. At some donastroyke, pauses may be avoided. Although without it, does not run quite digestible. Generally, EPOC made a lasting impression on the lucky winner, to use the phone for three months. Icons are large and easy to read. The very same system is intuitive and user-familiar MAC or WINDOWS PC. In other words, to resort to the instructions on the use of R380 will very rarely. For the three months of use were not observed system failures, which also speaks in its favor. Entering information with the stylus can be done in two ways - via a virtual keyboard on the screen, or by means of software that recognizes handwritten letters. This text input easier to learn than Graffiti for Palm, but it is still far from recognizing software from Newton2000. Program for synchronizing data with the R380 desktop PC available, unfortunately only for PC owners. It provides a link with most existing and most commonly used PIM (Personal Information Manager) applications. Thus, the smartphone can download and diary Microsoft Outlook, and business, and address, and notes and even e-mail. True, our tester idea to download your mail, a daily amount which is not less than 10 megs on 1.2MV R380s, seemed a little sadistic. Despite all the positive characteristics, there is no limit to perfection, and therefore always have something to criticize and improve. For example, sometimes there is a desire that the R380 can be used only as a handheld computer to deactivate it dial the essence. This makes sense especially in situations where the use of a cell phone is strictly prohibited, for example, in airplanes or in hospitals. True, PDA-Smartphone portion can sometimes operate separately from its Siamese twin - the phone. This occurs when a disabled R380 awakens a reminder about the meeting. On the other hand, it would be nice to see a closer link with the mobile device. Tester said that the option "do not disturb" in the diary would be welcome. When a call comes in, R380 would have checked a check mark in this option and, depending on its availability, would direct it to either the phone or to voicemail. Another obvious omission of the manufacturer R380 is the inability to download additional software on your smartphone applications. Thus, the user, to some extent limited and completely tied to the fact that it chose Ericsson for a couple of Symbian. This factor is even more depressing because of the rather large amount of free memory. Even before scoring a failure address book and diary, is the order of one megabyte free. True, despite all these shortcomings, no doubt about the fact that the R380 - a good phone and a pretty decent PDA. Being the Version 1.0 product, this smartphone is quite an impressive demonstration of the possibilities EPOC. Talking about the price of the product, it's worth noting that it varies from country to country. Mostly it depends on the amount of the contract with the mobile operator. In any case, this miracle of technology will cost several hundred dollars. Despite some uncertainty in the price, many are happy to pay for the convenience to have a device that combines the capabilities of cell phone and PDA. Costs, by most accounts, pay for itself with a vengeance. Note that the R380 is only a first step in a new line of similar products.The only thing that can slow down the popularity of these smartphones - the limited band GSM, which increase dramatically with the widespread introduction of GPRS and UMTS standards. With the introduction of these standards is expected and the expansion of services offered by smartphones. In general, the idea of synchronizing the phone with a desktop computer rather attractive. In addition, Ericsson R380 is really stylish and sensible model. And because the expectation of further cooperation fruit Ericsson and Symbian could be really worthwhile. Sources, Materials: