Now, while the market there is a lull before the start of a new generation of mobile devices running Windows Mobile 6.0, many players are in a hurry to release low-end models designed for those who want to "change seats with the usual tube on a smart, having spent a small amount. Thus, the Rover and the company is relatively modest in terms of hardware features, but very attractive and very affordable smartphone RoverPC M5.
Specifications: - Operating System: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition
- Processor: Texas Instruments OMAP730, 200 MHz
- Memory: 64 MB RAM and 64 MB Flash ROM
- Screen: 1.9 inch, 176 x 220 pixels, 65,536 colors
- Expandable memory: microSD, up to 2 GB inclusive
- Communication capabilities: GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz, GRPS (Class 10), Bluetooth (1.2), Infrared
- Camera: 1.3 megapixels, no autofocus
- Battery: removable, Li-Pol, 1100 mAh
- Audio: microphone, speaker
- Dimensions and weight: 108 x 45 x 16.5 mm and 99 g
- Claimed battery life: 150 hours standby, 4 hours of talk time.
RoverPC M5 - the smartphone as usual on the lower price level specification, that is, not too fast 200 MHz processor OMAP 730, and the least possible amount of memory on board. However, and that both will be sufficient for normal "life" of this model. Display at RoverPC M5 by today's standards, too small - 1.9 inches diagonal with a resolution of 176x220 pixels. However, due to such a small screen, smartphone came out very compact. As can be seen in the photo, the size of our hero is no different from most modern mobile phones that can be brought safely into his pluses.
Communication capabilities M5 also not wealthy: a tri-band GSM, GPRS and Bluetooth support, coupled with an infrared port. At the moment it is a necessary minimum. As a result, the main advantage of the apparatus - the reasonable price for an existing set of characteristics. The closest competitors to this model - newcomer Voxtel W210 and somewhat outdated Qtek 8310.
Supplied
To us the Editor smartphone arrived only with the sync cable. This often happens with pre-sales models. If we believe the company Rover, then the counters M5 will go into the following components:
- Charger 220 V
- USB-cable for synchronization
- Wired Headset
- CD with software
- user manual and warranty card.
There are no surprises. Normal set for state employees. By the way, most have passed through our hands the tubes were almost the same set. In some cases, still present and cover (with HTC MTeoR, for example) or a spare battery. True, it was rather an exception to the rule.
Appearance
First, note the size of M5. Visually, the device looks much sleeker same Qtek 8310 (108 x 45 x 16.5 mm versus 108 x 46 x 18 mm), but serves the same dimensionally-weight category with Voxtel W210 (107 x 45 x 16 mm, 100 g). Weight is also happy - only 99 g. For comparison, Qtek 8310 pulls in 106, the So RoverPC M5 can be called one of the most compact smartphones on the market. It is gratifying that this dignity is not restricted.
Design unit also did not disappoint, because the time-tested combination of strict forms and contrasting colors. The smartphone is fully made of plastic, slightly rough to the touch. Primary color - silver, slightly dilute black decorative elements - the frame around the screen and on the perimeter of the housing. These details do not bear any functional loads, but superficially make the model "slimmer and brighter, and therefore more attractive.
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Button numeric keypad M5 are of medium size and work with them quite comfortable, thanks to a good cruising range, clear response and a convex shape that completely eliminates the possibility of simultaneously pressing two keys. Font reads well as places to add Russian letters was enough. Illumination of buttons - the average in brightness, the inscriptions are distinguishable, and even in complete darkness do not have to strain your eyes. It would seem that the bottom row of buttons (*, 0 and #) is placed too close to the edge of the body. However, with quite comfortably, hold the smartphone with one hand.
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As for the main control - joystick M5, he also implemented well. Firstly, the different large size. Secondly, is located in a small easy-to-toe recess. I must say that the backlight for joystick is provided, but in the dark it is visible through the screen and the adjacent buttons. Slightly higher in the black box is located a couple of buttons to control the soft-keyboard Windows Mobile. They are also difficult to find fault.
Above the screen is hidden under the narrow slit voice speaker. And perhaps this is all that can be noted on the front panel RoverPC M5.
Let us turn to the ends. The top is completely empty, and the bottom is equipped with a microphone and a jack for charging and syncing. Unfortunately, the M5 is not installed miniUSB, to whom all grown accustomed, and his own slot. So that in case of loss or damage to the cable will have to contact the service center. This is one of the obvious shortcomings of the device, but will continue to scan.
On the right side wall of the smartphone you can see a couple of key responsible for volume control and covered with a flap slot microSD. And the left has IrDA and click the camera launch / shutter button (the same function in shooting mode, performs, and the central position of the joystick).
Oh, and the rear side of the case as usually equipped with a camera lens located on a black lacquered box and bars, hide system speaker. To remove the battery cover has small round projections on which rests a finger. And the cover itself has traditionally moved downward. Fixing a simple and very reliable. Cover, despite the small thickness and the apparent weakness of the "sitting" tight enough and not a "backlash". Inside the battery compartment all the standard - the battery and the SIM-card.
To summarize, external examination. Dimensions and weight M5 - very small. This is certainly good news. Build quality and materials of the shell is also quite on the level. Perfectly realized digital keys and other buttons. So with the ease of operation - the order. Smartphone looks nice, though unpretentious, but given the fact that is positioned as a budget solution, pay attention to the relevance of this design is not worth it. So here we put a strong M5 "Quartet" and move on.
Screen
Screen at the M5, as mentioned above, some too small. Here at our disposal, a modest resolution of 176x220 pixels and 65,000 colors. Small and the diagonal - 1.9 inches, but such permission is the optimal size: the picture seems more clear and smooth, due to smaller pixels.
The brightness enough for almost any lighting conditions, with the exception of the sun. Under the direct rays of the picture is fairly "fade", and indeed in most similar models.
Speed and memory
RoverPC M5 is equipped with a processor from Texas Instruments OMAP730 200 MHz.In the case of a PDA or smartphone such power would be insufficient, but for the modest needs of the budget smartphone performance of the "stone" mostly lacking. Slight braking are only observed when working with graphics and photo shoot with a maximum resolution.
Since RoverPC M5 running WM 5.0 Smartphone Edition and on the evolutionary ladder is closer to the phone, rather than to the PDA, the method of testing was selected accordingly. Performance of the apparatus was assessed with the player The Core Pocket Media Player (TCPMP), as well as two versions of Jbenchmark, which measures the performance for Java-applications.
Let's start with TCPMP version 0.72RC1 and recall that were used for testing videos from the official site, encoded by DivX and XviD. Here are the results demonstrated a guinea:
As seen from the test performance smartphone enough for comfortable video playback in 320h176 pixels and below. Recall that the unit itself has a low screen resolution, and therefore the most logical would be watching movies, encoded by its size or 216x160. It's nice that such files will take up less space on your memory card. As for testing with Jbenchmark, then received here by the following figures:
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Results Jbenchmark 1.0.4 and Jbenchmark 2.0.4 quite well, and allow us to speak about the average performance for Java-applications. With them objectively M5 handles better than the average mobile phone. And in Java, as you know, written a great many quality games and applications fully functional different nature, so that through them a selection of software can vary significantly. True, have to do without 3D toys, because a three-dimensional test Jbenchmark 3D for RoverPC M5 did not start due to lack of support for the necessary technology. However, in this case it's not critical, since the smartphone is not being positioned as a multimedia solution. With regard to its own memory M5, everything here is strictly metered - 64 MB of RAM and the same amount of ROM. Of them are available for custom needs about 33 MB of RAM and about 18 MB of ROM, which is only enough to set the minimum required applications. The expansion slot supports microSD cards up to 2 GB inclusive. The familiar figure, as in all analogues.
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Sound
Voice speaker M5 has sufficient volume, gives a clean sound. But at the same time, it is inherent in some kind of shade. No, the caller's voice is quite recognizable, especially in areas of good signal strength, but it sounds somewhat different. No better and no worse than most cell phones, but a little differently. Maximum volume level is enough for a comfortable conversation in public places, such as the Moscow metro, or a busy street. These words are true and in relation to the system dynamics.Its volume is also sufficient for any situation. Vibrate weak, but if the smartphone is in the jeans pocket, the call will be hard to miss.
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On the complete headset to judge, we can not, because to us it was not hit, but I think the quality of these headphones will not differ from the majority counterparts. The only thing that upset - no 2.5 or 3.5 mm audiodzheka. The headset will be connected to the same connector as the USB-cable with a charger (the same connector extUSB most recent models HTC) ..
Sociability
A set of wireless capabilities M5 standard for devices of economy class. Telephone module RoverPC M5 "friendly" with the networks of GSM (the 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz). It also supports GPRS (Class 10). Support for third-generation networks, as well as EDGE available. This is both frustrating and pleasing. Frustrating because in our country, a growing number of people actively using EDGE, but happy for the reason that users with modest needs will not overpay for unused features. There is a M5 Infrared, as well as module Bluetooth 1.2. The latter is controlled by a set of drivers from Microsoft. The other is not expected. Working IR port with Bluetooth-module correctly and consistently.
Capabilities built-in camera
Luggage from M5 - average quality, that is devoid of auto-focus and has a standard for budget-matrix with a resolution of 1.3 megapixels. Snapshot allows you to make a resolution of 1280 x 960 640 x 480 320 x 240 and 160 x 120. Effects are only three: black & white, sepia and cool colors. However, often in the automatic mode is well defined white balance. Very few smartphones can boast. On the other hand, expect something supernatural from the budget solution, of course, is not worth it.
Examples of the camera suggest you evaluate yourself.
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| 1280 x 960 jpg |
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| 1280 x 960 jpg |
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| 1280 x 960 jpg |
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| 1280 x 960 jpg |
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| 1280 x 960 jpg |
In addition, the camera can shoot video with a resolution of 160x120 pixels. An example of the video, see below.
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| 160 x 120 (wmv, 653 KB) |
Runtime
Battery life - one of the most important criteria for selecting a smartphone, as well as phone, PDA or smartphone. Recall that the claimed battery life for RoverPC M5 in standby is 150 hours and talk time - 4 hours. Before giving the test results, we recall that a communicator comes complete with a battery capacity - 1100 mAh. 1. Maximum load - the screen is enabled, the wireless modules are enabled, through Windows Media Player in a series of reproduced video file. Opening hours - 2 hours 45 minutes. 2. MP3 playback mode - the screen is off, the speaker volume set to maximum, using Windows Media Player in the loop play MP3-files with a bitrate of 128 kb / c. Battery life in this mode was - 9 hours 27 minutes. 3. Read mode. While reading e-books in the program AlReader Light c-enabled scrolling device worked 11 hours 15 minutes. In normal use, M5, which includes 20 minutes of calls a day, a small session with Bluetooth and checking email via GPRS-connection, the unit employs about one and a half days, and for more active service lasts approximately day. Those who use a smartphone exclusively for calls and SMS-messages should be enough of a charge RoverPC M5 for two days. Well, the device showed mediocre by today's standards the results. Not outstanding, but not prohibitively low. Not bad for a budget solution.
Software stuffing
A set of software is almost limited to the software that comes with the operating system Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition. First of all, is the manager of wireless interfaces (telephone module and Bluetooth), organizer of Internet Explorer, Outlook Mobile, Windows Media Player 10, the agent downloads, Internet Sharing, a calculator and so on. Of the additional programs there is only Esmertec Java - A utility for running Java-programs that really useful for those who decide to fill the park software. Moreover any software manufacturer does not offer.
Price issue
At the beginning of sales of the retail price of a smartphone RoverPC M5 online stores MakTsentr - A computer in the palm of "amount to approximately $ 299. The device will go into retail in late April of this year.
Conclusions
So, RoverPC M5 - a typical budget smartphone based on Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition, which can attract a potential buyer a nice design, small size, more features compared to conventional tube and a very low cost. So you may well be able to compile a rough idea about the work of such devices and pay them for a smart phone as a simple cell phone. Well, in the completion of the review is traditionally reduce all the advantages and disadvantages of the device in the boxes.
Pros: - ultra compact size and light weight
- nice design
- Acceptable performance and time
- very reasonable price
Cons: - non-standard connector for charging
- the absence of a separate headphone jack
The authors, translation:
Victor Zaikovsky
