A recent visitor to our editorial board, the communicator Gigabyte GSmart i128, was interested in all respects. An impressive package, nice design, ergonomic body, good battery life, and of course, the presence of an analog TV tuner and FM-receiver allowed the manufacturer of this device, known primarily for motherboards large PC markedly debut with him in the Russian market. However, after i128 Gigabyte hastily released a new model - GSmart i120. It is basically a keyboard version of the i128 with a number of recent innovations. Numbering of our heroes in this case does not look quite logical, but so happened that the first at the domestic counters appeared it was "128-th."
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Cegodnyashny hero differs from cvoego predecessor, above all, a numeric keypad, increased memory and the ability to record video from TV tuner and audio - from FM-waves. Improvements - very popular. In any case, recent trends kommunikatorostroeniya strongly hinted at it. But we will not delay the entry and proceed to a detailed inspection of the unit. Let's start the tradition with an introduction to technical characteristics.
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Edition (AKU 3.0)
- Processor: Intel XScale PXA272, 416 MHz
- Memory: 64 MB RAM and 256 MB Flash ROM
- Screen: 2.4 "transflective TFT, 240x320, 65536 colors
- Expandable memory: miniSD
- Communication capabilities: GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz, GRPS (Class 10), Bluetooth (1.2), Wi-Fi (802.11b)
- Multimedia features: TV Tuner, FM-tuner
- Camera: 2.1 megapixels, flash, macro mode
- Battery: Li-Pol, 1300 mAh, removable + optional 920 mAh
- Audio: microphone, speaker, headset jack
- Dimensions and weight: 106 x 53 x 20 mm and 130 g.
No different from GSmart i128, we are not seeing. Except, perhaps, of ROM, which increased from 128 MB to 256 MB. Both models (i120 and i128) are built on the same platform, as evidenced by a similar processor (Intel XScale PXA272, 416 MHz), digital camera, the same wireless modules and an expansion slot. From this it follows that, theoretically, these devices must demonstrate the same performance, and similar results in longer battery life. However, in practice it does not look exactly as in theory. However, talk about it in the relevant chapters, and now look at the competitors i120.
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| Gigabyte GSmart i128 GSmart i120, and |
Obvious rivals Communicators GSmart not, because it only at this point the device with integrated TV / FM-tuners. In general, the idea of installing a TV tuner to your mobile device - a very brave decision, because the very concept of mobile TV is still too young and does not soon take hold in the market, in contrast to the increasingly popular GPS-navigation. Therefore, in a sense, products can be countered by Gigabyte devices with navigation functions. But it is very conditional.Of the nearest competitor GSmart i120, perhaps you can extract only the Asus P525, equipped with a similar numeric keypad. Otherwise, the choice will be to answer the question: "To buy or not buy?"
Supplied
Set i120 - exactly the same as that of the GSmart i128, that is very impressive and providing all sorts of situations and problems that may arise from the user - from the loss of the stylus to complete discharge device.
Inside the original box are actuated: - two stylus
- two lithium-ion battery is 1300 mAh and 920 mAh
- sync cable connector miniUSB
- charger from the 220V
- cradle for charging a spare battery
- wired headset
- case to be worn on a belt and a small strap
- adapter for connecting a standard TV antenna and headsets c 3.5-mm connector
- CD with accompanying software
- user guide
- documentation.
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The most enjoyable moment, no doubt, is the presence of two batteries. As well as in the case of the previous model, Gigabyte, batteries have different capacities (1300 and 920 mAh) and vary in thickness. Higher capacity - a couple of millimeters thicker than the standard, but the usability increase in thickness is almost no effect. Next little joy - a spare stylus. The local feathers are the same as that of the i128: metal, thin, telescopic, with plastic ends. We are quite comfortable, however, the foam on the stylus housing is lower, but this is quite possible to get used to. Detail about the other elements of the package (headset, cradle and carrying case) does not make sense because they are similar to those that come with the i128 (see review).
Appearance
But on the part of the design differences in GSmart i120 enough. This unit is much smaller than its predecessor looks like media player. Outwardly, because of the telephone keypad, rather, it resembles a smartphone than a communicator. On sale will appear in two colors - silver and black. We have, as you may have noticed, is staying black model, which has a silver box on the perimeter of the front panel.
In contrast to the matte i128, building new items made of painted plastic, which is very well noticeable fingerprints. And, as on the front and the back. Less convenient, of course, the apparatus of this becomes. However, it looks to put it mildly, unpresentable. So be ready for the daily rub, if you take yourself black version. On the silver your fingers will not be as noticeable.
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The hull shape i120 has not changed: it remains rectangular with slightly rounded corners. Confident and comfortable to hold in your hand, pleasing to the eye. Overall weight and dimensions characteristics also remained unchanged (106 x 53 x 20 mm). The new g-Smart - one of the smallest Windows Mobile smartphones.Compare it, for example, Qtek s200 (108 x 58 x 18) or keyboard ASUS P525 (116 x 59 x 19 mm). Our hero looks sleeker both. In the end, i120 is no problem to carry in any pocket (at least in the breast), and do not hesitate to talk to him without a headset. True, for the sake of compactness had to sacrifice screen size. Display of both devices is smaller than most smartphones - 2.4 "against the traditional 2.8". But this has the advantage, which - just below, and we will continue until the inspection. The front panel has traditionally placed a screen under which is a key block. In general, the very existence of the numeric keypad on the device is so small size deserves great respect. In fact it is the second device in candybar after Asus P525. So for those who need the numeric keypad - is another candidate for purchase.
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Keyboard i120 immediately attracts the attention of quite an unusual arrangement of buttons. For example, the navigation button is shifted to the lower right corner of the case. Decision is very controversial. Initially will be unusual, but after a couple of days you did work with her. Operate with one hand apparatus will also be without problems, without fear that he spikiruet down. But all other buttons somewhat disappointing. Firstly, they are very small and are almost close to each other. And, secondly, have very small stock of progress, again, have to get used to. However, despite the miniature they still managed to place the Russian font. Text input works without any problems, but it should be enabled through the keypad menu, selecting the Smart Input. This is the most common version of the input, as most cell phones, easy to set the SMS app, or just small notes. For email correspondence is still better to choose a virtual keyboard. Highlighted all the buttons a soft white color. With a wide variety of key sites for the soft keys at our hero, unfortunately, not enough. Part of the problem can be solved by re-programmed to carry out the responsibilities of the soft keys two buttons, perched between the intake and reject the call. Another interesting point - in the bottom corner of the navigation keys are placed a battery charge indicator. Agree, a non-trivial position. Typically, the indicators are placed above the screen, where our hero was a place only for the slot of voice dynamics. Perhaps, on keyboards large block is nothing to add. Decoration ends i120 is no different from the same GSmart i128. At the top - on / off button of the communicator, in the neighborhood which is located a couple of LED indicators. They perform the usual and familiar features - an indication of the operation of wireless modules and the availability of GSM-signal.
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Bottom is miniUSB connector for connecting the sync cable and power adapter, as well as cut the microphone, an ear for the strap and foam stylus. All connectors, by the way, covered with plugs that make housing a whole looks very neat.
On the right side wall of the device - a reset button, an expansion slot for miniSD cards and a connector for an antenna and a headset. Built-in exactly the same as the GSmart i128. You can connect any headphones with a 3.5 mm jack or a standard TV aerial. To do this in a set has the appropriate adapter.
Oh, and the left lateral face sheltered activation key, a camera and - yes! - Scroll wheel which is responsible for volume control and voice system dynamics. If desired, of course, you can assign it a function scroll through the pages and make the reading more comfortable. The back side of the body - is, first of all, the battery cover, which is combined with a battery. And just above is a speaker and camera lens, which, as before, nothing is covered. There is also a switch shooting modes (normal / macro) and a small LED that serves as the flash or a flashlight. "Shine", by the way, the default is activated by long pressing the "red tube".
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After removing the lid you can see the standard SIM-card holder, and ... nothing more. The battery is removed fairly easily - we need only move the locking shifting bottom. No difficulties should not arise. The quality of the assembly can not find fault at all desire. So once again repeat the old phrase that all the parts fit snugly together and backlash are excluded. Well, summing up the interim, let's put GSmart i120 for the design and ergonomics of a non-trivial "four", but the production quality is well worth evaluation "excellent".
Screen
Inherited from the previous model display i120, as we said above, not too big. But he looks good in comparison with analogues. Due to the small diagonal, the picture looks much more smooth and bright and contrast, rather than at 3 or 3.5 inch screens or even 2.8 ". Characteristics of the screen have not changed: the resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, displaying 65,536 colors. As far as viewing angles, they are very good. Together it is possible to watch a movie or TV show. backlight adjustable just 5 steps. However, it is enough.
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Turn off the backlight slider can (but do not worry, you can set up automatic shutdown, as well as any other device). The first division corresponds to the minimum level, which picked up best: he strained his eyes when working in the dark and does not seem excessive. So for the reasonable use of the charge can not help worrying. The maximum level lets you read from the screen in the sun. Although, of course, the picture fades nonweak and reading in this case is very difficult to call comfortable.
Speed and memory
Repeatable, GSmart i120 is on the same platform as its predecessor, and thus, theoretically, it should show exactly the same performance. Testing results will be presented below. And while we say that the subjective impressions of the work, no slowing down was observed. Texts in Word Mobile opened fairly quickly, the same can be said about the pdf-documents weighty tables in Excel Mobile, etc. Without problems and emulators game consoles, play videos and so on. So go straight to the tests using Spb Benchmark. Equal, as in the case of the GSmart i128, has passed the test with a few errors that made it impossible to display the results on several points. In general the estimates (indices) is the only correct result Graphics Index. Thus, the results table.
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So, on many points i120 avoids its predecessor. Though they operate on the same platform and use the same processors. Because of failures in testing the full comparison is not possible, but the results of the individual items (eg, writing speed, or organization of a large list of files in Windows Explorer) i120 surely beats the i128. Other devices we cited for comparison in the review of the GSmart i128, but again, we note that full-fledged competitor series GSmart none of them is not, because our heroes are TV / FM-Tuner. To test the performance of video system used by the player TCPMP (The Core Pocket Media Player) version 0.71 and the standard test clips from the official website of the program. Video files have a different resolution, and coded by two popular codecs - DivX and XviD. Samples for comparison are the same: Mitac Mio A700, E-Ten G500, and of course, GSmart i128.
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And here appears a little strange. Namely - a significant difference in results between the GSmart i120, and i128. The first demonstrates the enviable results, and kept on a par with the Mitac Mio A700, having a faster processor (520 MHz). It is not excluded that such poor outcomes i128 could occur because of software or other software problems. Whatever it was, i120 perfectly suited for watching videos in any resolution. With regard to the quality of the test clips (RL_XQ 640 x 480), the results of which we rarely give a comparative table, the average rate of play it was 116.15%. So any video to g-Smart i120, you can watch without conversion, if only allowed to place on the map. His title of "multimedia device" i120 from a performance standpoint is completely justified. It only remains to say a few words about the memory. RAM, as you already know, is the standard 64 MB, but the ROM area in comparison with all the same i128 doubled and is now 256 MB, which easily allow many to do without the memory card.
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With regard to support for memory cards, then paired with i120 can use miniSD up to 2 GB, inclusive, as in most modern smartphones. Fortunately, the maps of this format are available now with no problems and are inexpensive.
Sound
On the part of sonic possibilities GSmart i120 is virtually identical to its predecessor. However, no more than once again go through the main points. System speaker loud enough even at maximum volume begins to cut ear. To miss a call, you must either be completely deaf, or is just 100 meters from the unit. The sound quality can easily listen to music. Headset kit sounds pretty good too, but music fans are unlikely to meet its quality, have to use headphones more impressive, good going into the adapter kit allows you to connect absolutely any "ears". The voice speaker is also not able to call any complaints: the voice of the caller is always distinctively and recognizable, unless of course you're in an area of good signal reception. And finally, a microphone. About him, too, we do not say anything new, because it does not differ from the majority of analogues neither the sensitivity nor the quality of the recording. In the absence of extraneous noise sound great recorded from a distance of 4-6 meters.However, it should receive any strange noise, even if weak, the recording quality is significantly reduced.
Sociability
GSmart i120 phone module is designed to work exclusively in the networks of GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz). There is no support for third-generation networks, there is not even relevant and needs a lot of EDGE. All that the communicator can boast - GPRS (Class 10). Signal reception quality does not cause any complaints: The unit is very confident relationship holds even in the "problem" areas. For calls using the familiar applications you Phone, as well as a ring tone can be set to track virtually any format (MIDI, WAV, MP3, AAC, WMA). As for wireless connectivity, here we have all the same Bluetooth version 1.2 and Wi-Fi 802.11b in the form of several older versions. IrDA is absent. In general, no change compared to its predecessor. Repeated does not make sense, so details about the wireless capabilities of the device can be learned from the review GSmart i128.
Multimedia
Luggage
Camera capabilities GSmart i120, of course, delighted not result: picture quality is very mediocre and not much better than most similar cameras. As you can imagine, the local auto-focus photo-eye does not have, but there is a switch mode (normal / macro). The white balance is automatically determined by default, but if you want you can choose from several presets: Auto, night, day, cloudy and lyuministsent. Automatic mode, unfortunately, does not always work correctly, more or less do not trust him can only be in daylight in good weather. Pictures can be done in six resolutions: 1600 x 1200 1280 x 960 800 x 600 640 x 480 320 x 240 and 160 x 120. You can even choose the degree of compression of JPG, thereby regulating the quality and size of the finished images. In video mode the camera can record videos at a resolution of 320 x 240, storing them in formats 3GP, MPEG4 or WMV. Here are some photos taken a camera GSmart i120, so you could independently assess the quality.
TV and FM-tuner
Perhaps the most important distinguishing feature of GSmart i120 is the ability to record video with built-in TV tuner. Frankly, we expected here rather broad features and a variety of settings that you can choose the format and the recording quality, the ability to automatically switch the recorder at the scheduled time and so on. In fact, everything was much more modest. Recording is possible in a single format (3GP) and in a single resolution (160 x 120).The recording quality is good in principle, but the available resolution is not enough for comfortable viewing on your device. Obviously, the hardware capabilities do not yet allow for more. Although, of course, this is debatable. However, in that you can see the positive side. Recorded GSmart i120 rollers, without additional conversion may be reproduced in almost all slaboproizvoditelnyh devices such as phones. In general, the presence of the ability to record from TV - of course, a definite plus. But it is doubtful whether its implementation will include the device to a number of portable TV recorders. Oh, and included a record Long press camera. As for other features TV and FM-tuner, i120, then they are identical to those of the previous model. The utility, which manages the radio, allows you to create the database and save a few cities for each of 10 stations with a full description. Then you can quickly switch the radio station from the main menu of the touch stylus. FM-Tuner also allows you to record sound in its own memory device or a flash card. FM-quality reception of waves on the run - good signal - a steady, so write something to your favorite radio to your music collection is quite possible.
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A little added convenience provided to us to test the i120 antenna. Compared with the standard headset it much better than "catch" the signal and allows you to turn the device into a desktop radio or television. Very convenient, for example, to fix car on the dashboard in the car and watch the news during the idle time in traffic jams. Catch the signal to the headset can be, but it's not very rewarding. Firstly, this signal is not too stable, and, secondly, the low quality. So, if you want to watch TV, get a normal external antenna for your device.
Runtime
Testing the battery life, as well as in the case of the GSmart i128, we conducted a high-capacity battery (1300 mAh). To get pictures showing the time from the two batteries, simply increase the results stated below 60%. Laugh test remained unchanged. 1. Maximum load. Vykruchena the brightness to maximum volume of the speaker, too, including Wi-Fi network in the search mode, and Bluetooth, the Windows Media Player in a loop in the loop play "hard" video. Battery life in this mode was - 3 hours 37 minutes. 2. Normal operation. All wireless modules are disabled. The brightness is set to the second division of the account.On the PDA was started reading the text in Haali Reader with automatic scrolling. Time work was - 7 hours 50 minutes. 3. MP3 Playback. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the screen turned off. Listening through headphones at maximum volume. We used a Pocket Media Player and files with a bitrate 192 kbps. Hours - 12 hours 47 minutes.
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The results, as you see, do not differ much from the figures obtained during testing GSmart i128. More or less appreciable difference is observed only in the "play MP3". Overall, the results can be described as average. And given the presence of an extra battery, then we have "above average". With regard to these statements, they are 3.5 hours (in use) and 125 hours of standby time. In normal use the battery with 1300 mAh held not less than fifteen days, and sometimes even endured two days.
Software stuffing
Preinstalled software for Gigabyte GSmart i120 is as rich as the older model. By and large, and are not observed any changes, however, that once again not to send you a review of i128, a short walk through the main points. First of all, it is worth noting a very convenient organization of the menu Programs, in which the basic application placed in the appropriate folders: games, phone manager, media, and utilities.
Very useful at times can become the program a "black list" that will help get rid of unwanted calls. After securing at its disposal a number, the program will ignore it automatically, without asking questions and confirmations.
Not to mention, also on the answering machine and program for creating sound environment. These sounds are noises airport, subway, city street. It seems no need to explain how to use this tsenneyshney gizmo;)
In addition, there have i120 as a simple image editor application for opening a java-midlet, pleasant alternative to the standard program audio, utility, quick menu, as well as zip-archive and the program for backup and data recovery.
Once again we say that a set of software tools for this device - one of the most rewarding and thoughtful today. Of course, my favorite Opera, or Spb Pocket Plus you have to install separately, but, nevertheless, such a concern on the part of the manufacturer - it is always nice.
Price issue
Price Gigabyte GSmart i120 online stores MakTsentr - A computer in the palm of "around $ 800. Communicator will be available shortly.
Conclusions
Obviously, on the idea of the manufacturer Gigabyte GSmart i120 was supposed to be sort of a workhorse, flavored with a heap of multimedia features. In general, we can say that embody the idea failed. The unit boasts all the qualities of its predecessor, plus a numeric keypad, an increased amount of ROM, higher performance and more or less a function of recording TV. However, the very relevance of the device (read - "ideas") with the function of receiving TV signals - is open to question. Find any cemeystvo GSmart'ov their customers, and the idea of mobile TV viewing - fans, time will tell. However, if we consider the TV-i120 does not function as a key opportunity, and as an added bonus, like the camera, the picture is somewhat clearer. Before us is qualitatively made communicator with all necessary wireless kit (not EDGE) and good hardware stuffing coupled with newfangled radio. In addition, the price set for this device, it is quite reasonable and it is only necessary to answer the question whether you are ready to overpay a little for a TV tuner card, which will be rarely used. In conclusion, we have the habit sort through significant pros and cons of the device.
Pros: - excellent workmanship
- rich delivery
- compact size and light weight
- high performance
- availability of TV and FM receivers c recording functions
- excellent set of pre-installed software
- the presence of a scroll wheel.
Cons: - lack of EDGE
- not very easy to use digital keypad
- very small solution for recording from TV tuner
- poor quality of reception of TV signals without an additional external antenna.
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