The central control buttons are traditionally located under the display and are made from a metal pleasant to the touch. The buttons are balanced with a little aggressive design and are responsible not only for the reception or the abolition of call, but even for charging and job-specific functions of the new operating system – call (or cancel) the Quick Launch toolbar utilities and applications.

It has all in all five buttons – first, the smallest, breaks the symmetry and extends slightly between the two buttons in the right side of the device.

This block of the cursor is surrounded by a thin chrome ring. In the center there is a confirmation button “Ok”. If this button is made convex, then the ring itself controls for greater convenience concave inward. Indeed, the buttons at the Samsung I7500 can be clicked blindly, random errors are eliminated. In addition, each time you feel very clear and confident, which is usually characteristic only with expensive machines.

Filling and Communications

The novelty is built on a Qualcomm MSM 7200A CPU platform at a frequency of 528 MHz. Nowadays this is one of the most powerful processors, which is convenient to work with absolutely any application. RAM on board is only 128 MB, but the device has a built-in flash 8 GB drive, in which you can install programs, store cards to work with navigation, etc.

Unfortunately, we can only subjectively evaluate the performance of Samsung I7500 – at the speed of those or other programs, because test packages for Android are extremely difficult to find. But dealing with Windows Mobile – communicators on Qualcomm MSM 7200A platform – we can say that such a powerful device will be quite suitable for small mobile activities, as well as for games and multimedia tasks – such as watching movies with high quality.

Developers paid particular attention to the fact that the Android OS is designed for those users who spend a significant part of their time in the network. Here they can (according to the developers) communicate, store personal data, work and relax.

Samsung I7500 supports module GSM / GPRS / EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) as well as new networks of third-generation UMTS / HSDPA / HSUPA (900/1700/2100 MHz. The presence of Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi is very important, because in the big cities there is Wi-Fi in many locations.

Display

The novelty is equipped with 3.2-inch display with HVGA resolution (320 x 480 pixels), established in AMOLED-technology. This is a very bright display with live (literally) images and natural color. Granularity is not visible on the display, and viewing angles can be described as the highest. Unfortunately the display fades in the sun so that reading at least some information is not possible. In general we can say that this is one of the most suitable displays for viewing mobile video and photo.

Camera

Samsung I7500 is equipped with a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash. Photos from this camera are obtained with a resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels.

But despite the large number of megapixels and a solid value of the smartphone, the quality of the images does not withstand serious criticism. Even when shooting in bright sunny weather in the photos it is easy to see a number of significant shortcomings, which should include low for such high-resolution detail and a strong distortion of colors.

Battery power and software

Samsung I7500 boasts with a fairly capacious battery (1500 mA ∙ h). With an average daily load (20 minutes of calls a day, work with address book and the Internet) without recharging the device works almost three days. Therefore, in order not to remain without communication in the morning on the third day of operation, it is better to charge the device in the evening.

Conclusions

If we talk about hardware of Samsung I7500, then we can say that this is a classic business-genre: high-quality and expensive shell, productive filling, the full range of communications, a convenient multitouch-control. There is practically nothing to fault – the device is placed on a high level. If it disappoints someone, it is only the most ardent opponents of the fashionable gloss and glitter, which after five minutes of work without gloves can easily turn the apparatus into the “criminal’s dream”.

Design
A501 is really small, its dimensions are 20.7 x 59.6 x 95.7 mm (weight 130 g), it is slightly less than similar communicators with the 2.7 display “. But unlike the majority, Mio A501 doesn’t have a very strict form of a brick – rounded edges and cut lower edge add special originality to its appearance.
The shell is divided into two pieces of different shades of gray, and dividing oval line of the section runs between two rows of buttons on the front panel below the display. From the first sight it looks like the device is made in the form of a slider, and there is a keyboard under the display.
Nevertheless, the A501 is not a slider, a game of colors is just an idea of design. However, the idea was successful! It is difficult to confuse the novelty with any other communicator. Furthermore, the quality of materials above all praises.
By the way, Mitac Mio A501 is already followed by the model Mio A502 (right photo), similar to A501, but with slightly different appearance, and with the 6th “Windows” on board.

The device stands out against a background of other communicators with its control keys. On the front panel, below the display, a unit with the main buttons and keys of quick launch of certain applications is located – six small and one elongated button. A joystick is located not next to these buttons, but at the top of the left end.
Thus, it’s more convenient to keep the communicator in the left hand and to work with joystick using you thumb.
So forefinger falls on volume control key, located on the opposite side of the shell. For many people, such way of controlling may seem unusual and even inconvenient. But from the first minutes of communication with communicator it became clear that this is not true. Another plus of such position of the device in the hand is a very little chance of that it will be stolen in transport; and just to drop it accidentally is not easy.

Near the joystick there is a camera activation button, as well as the socket for the headphone minijack 2.5 mm. Thanks to its compact dimensions, there are many possibilities. You can carry it in the pocket of the jacket or trousers or somewhere else. You can carry it in the original textile, but very hard protective case from a set, which has attachment to the belt.
Not ordinary control keys of Mitac Mio A501 contrast to the more unusual for communicators slot for SD memory cards instead of miniSD.
However, the SD format is much more common, and if you, for example, have a camera with such a type of memory, you can view the footage material directly on the communicator, it is very convenient. The memory card slot, located on the right edge of Mitac Mio A501, has a plastic cover, so that the chances of losing the card are minimized.
The novelty connects to the computer via simple USB cable – miniUSB, so in the case of loosing or damaging, it’s easy to buy a new one in any computer accessories store.

Display
LCD sensitive display, as has been said, has a 2.7 diagonal. The range of brightness change is wide and working with it comfortable in any lighting.
Also, we must note the large angle of view and excellent colors. So it is impossible to find fault in the display, well, may be resolution 320 х 240 points is already a bit outdated.
The device runs under Windows Mobile 5.0, with a processor by Texas Instruments – OMAP 850 with a frequency of 200 MHz. The processor is not productive, but it is fulfilling its function reliably – working with office programs and multimedia is stable.
Much more unusual is the situation with the memory of the novelty. The amount of RAM is standard – 64 MB, but the volume of ROM is not 128 MB, as in most of communicators, but 1 GB! Such amount of memory is enough to install almost any necessary software, including maps for GPS- navigation.

But, as it has been said, because of the weak performance of the processor, Mitac Mio A501 had not demonstrated high performance. We tested the possibility of using the Spb Benchmark device.

Communication capabilities
Unfortunately, the novelty doesn’t have all communication capabilities. Those who want to use A501 for internet connections through Wi-Fi will be disappointed, the communicator does not have such module. It has Bluetooth 2.0, but it can’t fill the gap of communication opportunities.

On the other hand, those who often enjoy the services of GPRS will like the novelty – it supports EDGE. Like most modern devices A501 has a very stable connection. It is interesting that for those who do not like to examine settings, the producer gave the possibility of connecting GPRS by pressing one key.

Four GSM- ranges are available – 850/900/1800/1900, so wherever you are gone, you will stay on line.
Sound and autonomy

Both dynamics of A501 have relatively high maximum volume and clear sound without noise.
Headset had shown good work, despite the fact that it can be easily replaced by another, more suitable to you, because the connector is a standard 2.5 mm minijack.
A501 has a removable lithium-ionic battery with a1050 mAh capacity. This is not too much, but the 501th is not the only one with such a battery. With an average intensity of work (calls, phone book editing, checking e-mail), the battery has ten hours of use. If you save energy, it would be necessary to charge the battery every two days.

Camera
Integrated camera of Mitac Mio A501 has nothing remarkable, despite the existence of auto focus, the flash and mirror for self-portrait. The location of the camera is not quite traditional so it pushes the user to hold communicator while shooting horizontally, as a normal camera. The camera has CMOS-sensor 2.0 Mp resolution and lets making photos in JPG format with a maximum resolution 1600 x1200.
The program interface is responsible for the photo / video filming, and it is quite simple, but attractive and understandable to anyone. Camera doesn’t have a lot of options (quality, turning flash on/out, a serial shooting, mode etc.), but it is hardly a disadvantage, because the quality of images cannot be compared even with the images from any modern low-cost digital camera.
The map can be placed not only in two, but in three planes. So you can expand a bit the area of the map without changing the scale. And for work at night, when bright light irritates eyes, the program provides a special regime of work with predominantly dark-colored elements.

A501 is built on the basis of the most popular todays chip SiRFStar III, that’s why the device starts quickly (cold start – about two minutes, hot – more than two seconds), and subsequently did not lose the connection to the satellites.
It is necessary to note an additional utility “Fast GPS- positioning”, which can substantially reduce the time of cold start, the information about the current location of satellites can be automatically downloaded from the internet, for example with the use of GPRS. But another tiny utility, pre-installed in A501, lets quickly send SMS messages.
Software
Another feature of the novelty is a rather large set of preloaded software. Producer worked even over the appearance of Windows Mobile – the desktop of the Mitac Mio A501 is in black and gray colors. There is a quick launch for some applications on it, as well as panel with updated through the Internet information about the weather in the selected region. However, if you do not like new interface, you can go back to a more accustomed one.

In addition, the manufacturer has developed a graphical menu imitating the menu of cell phone. With its help the user can run almost any standard system tool and application.
To the constant gaming set was added a third game – Sudoku.
Even the standard calculator now has a new interface and allows checking the measures of length and weight, as well as the currencies of the world.
Among the preloaded software, there are several small but useful tools. We have already met one above. Among them there is a very small but useful program for sending SMS with a request for emergency assistance. Mailing list, to which it will be sent out, is chosen by user.

Another utility is responsible for the rapid voice dialing, with which you can not only make voice calls but also run different applications.

Conclusion
Mio A501 is developed carefully. Stylish design, unusual, but convenient controlling, large amount of memory, SD slot, built-in navigational receiver with Mio Map GPS-package. Finally there is a rich equipment and extensive list of software – all these distinguish the novelty from other communicators available on the market today.
Sorry to say but there are also some minuses. The lack of Wi-Fi module could affect the range of potential users of the device. However, the price easily leaves behind some competitors.

Last spring, Acer has signed an agreement to purchase one of the leading players in the market of smartphones and communicators based on Windows Mobile.
The result of beneficial cooperation was the first line of communicators under the Acer brand name, which doesn’t have any common features with known Glofiish E-Ten devices. Today we’ll describe one of the representatives of the new line – Acer F900 communicator.

Construction and design

The first thing that comes to mind when looking at the novelty, is iPhone! The device is actually very similar to the famous “apple phone”: the same shell (118 x 64 mm), very large display, smooth glossy front panel, the rounded corners and edges, mirror framing around the perimeter and even metallic lid of the battery compartment! But … this is Acer.
Although the thickness of the shell (13 mm) and abundance buttons on the sides, connectors and interfaces are not peculiar to the device from Apple. However, judging by the quality of manufacture, materials and design in general, Acer F900, without a doubt, is one of the best communicators on the market.

Thanks to smoother edges, the novelty lies in the hand like a glove. The only shortcoming is that the glossy front panel covers with fingerprints.

Under the display four touch buttons which are illuminated with bright blue LEDs are located. These buttons are responsible for the reception and the abolition of the call, the opening of the standard menu “Start” and closing the current window. It’s nice that the manufacturer has taken care of those who are not fond of touch control, as any click is accompanied by vibration. But the lack of a joystick or even touch navigation button adds a bold minus to the developers.

On the right side in the upper part there is a button, swing to adjust the sound with an extra button in the center of confirmation. This group of buttons performs the role of the buttons and vertical scrolling of the document. Below there is a button activating the camera. Here the manufacturer placed a tight-fitting plastic plug – a slot for microSD memory cards.

You should pay special attention to the telescopic stylus and its place which is located in the bottom of the shell. Perhaps this is the best stylus from all we’ve seen recently. It has three sliding knees, one of which is made thick enough so that the fingers do not feel any discomfort.

Acer F900 looks really expensive, and even elitist. Unlike most competitors, who seem to be such only from a distance, the novelty does not lose its attractiveness even being in the hand. You feel that you hold the thing!

Filling and productivity

The filling of Acer F900 is far from the title of leader. The device has a Samsung S3C 6410 processor with frequency of 533 MHz. If the design of the novelty is a merit Acer, the platform is entirely borrowed from communicator E-Ten of the last generation.

Memory on-board is standard: 128 MB RAM and 256 MB ROM, from which the owner can use 16, and 42 MB respectively. All the rest is occupied by the operating system, preinstalled programs and, most importantly – a new graphical interface. It runs the operating system Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro.

Overall system performance we evaluated by using the Spb Benchmark 1.6, and for comparison we took communicators Toshiba Portege G810 (CPU Qualcomm MSM7200 400 MHz, RAM 128 MB RAM and 256 MB of ROM, a display QVGA, OS Windows Mobile 6.1) and Gigabyte GSmart MW720 (processor Marvell PXA270 520 MHz, RAM 128 MB RAM and 256 MB ROM Display VGA, OS Windows Mobile 6.1).

The novelty can be classified as a medium communicator, capable of performing almost any task. To find out how to handle the device with video playback, we tested it with the benchmark CorePlayer, which in its turn runs three videos, differing from each other qualitative characteristics: 320 x 240/550 kbps, 640 x 480/784 Kbit / s; 640 x 480/1320 Kbps.

While testing, the video lost with a score of 105%. The results can be called medium and say that Acer F900 is well suited for viewing movies on the road.

Display

The display can be proud to belong to Acer F900. Judge yourself: the diagonal of 3.8 inches and resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Now add to this a substantial margin of brightness, high clarity, excellent color reproduction and viewing angles. Do you need something else for comfortable viewing of movies or photos? Correct – G-sensor automatically deploys the image on the display while turning the device. By the way, G-sensor has a number of options, among which there is a function of binding any programs and utilities.

In addition, the device has a built-in light sensor that can automatically adjust the backlight level. It is noteworthy that the utility which is responsible for the control of this sensor has many flexible settings.

Camera

The device is equipped with 3 megapixel camera with auto-focus and LED flash. The camera belongs to the medium class. Its interface is designed for a Spartan, but this is the whole of its zest. Well, a set of settings is standard: the quality of shooting, white balance, brightness, exposure, etc.

But the camera has very bad focus at close distances. Another concern when using the camera – the lens is too close to the corner of the shell. As a result, the finger of your left hand always gets in the frame.

Communications

In addition to networks GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), it also supports third-generation networks, such as HSDPA / HSUPA (850/1900/2100 MHz). From wireless modules on board there are Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g, which work has been tested with HP iPAQ Pocket PCs 4700. The result raises no objections.

FM-radio has not only a good selective sensitivity, but also a stylish proprietary interface.

GPS-navigation

F900 among all Acer phones is equipped with a built-in GPS-module SiRFstar III, perhaps the best available on the market today. From the navigation software on board there is only one small utility that displays the main parameters – coordinates, altitude, speed, etc.

The Navigator was tested both in the city, among the sky-high buildings, and in the park area, among the trees. Everything was alright.

Conclusions

Acer F900 leaves an ambivalent impression. On the one hand, chic design, high quality, a great display, the availability of various hardware details (G-sensor, light sensor) and a giant set of useful proprietary software put the device in one row with the latest top models of the leading manufacturers of communicators. And the price for the novelty is not cheap. But the modest hardware stuffing spoils all these. Memory is not enough even to install all necessary programs, and processing power is not enough for comfortable video viewing. If shortly device should cost less, then such a purchase can already be called beneficial.

Specifications of LG GС900 Viewty Smart
Networks: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 1900/2100 MHz, GPRS/EDGE, HSDPA
Screen: 3- inches touch-screen TFT, capacitive technology, resolution 480 х 800 pixels, 16 millions of colures
Camera: 8 Mp (the resolution of the photo 3264 х 2448), optics Schneider-Kreuznach, video record D1 (720 x 480 @ 30 fps), no protective shutter.
Memory: 1,5 Gb build-in memory+ slot microSD HC (to 16 Gb)
Services: Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, A-GPS, FM-tuner с RDS
Other: 3D-interface, S-Class, accelerometer, illumination sensor, Dolby Mobile, ТВ-out
Accumulator: changeable, lithium-ion, 1000 mAh
The claimed time of off-line operation (GSM): till 330 hours in the waiting mode, till 5.5 hours in talking mode
Gabarites: 108.9 x 56.1 x 12.4 mm
Weight: 102 g
Sell start: end of July 2009

The Design and Ergonomics
LG Viewty Smart is a compact and light mono block with a big touch screen. Basically it is a typical combination, but not for a powerful camera phone. At present time it is the thinnest (12.4 mm) and the lightest (102g) 8 Mp mobile phone. As a result it is a real pleasure to use the novelty. Viewty Smart perfectly lies in the hand, it doesn’t bother in the pocket and it is simply ergonomic in every possible way. On the other hand it is a loss of a style. If Arena can boast of glass and metal, our hero is simpler in that sense, its case is completely of plastic. Therefore it is less durable. Two colors of Viewty Smart are accessible – black and grey, both look good.
In comparison with LG Arena the set of management elements has changed, it turned out in the style of iPhone – one mechanical button to return to the screen of “fast” start. The admirers of the Apple brainchild will obviously be happy. The rest of the elements are standard (the on-off button of the camera, swing of volume etc.). There are some changes on the end surfaces, too, the biggest one is the refusal from 3.5 mm of an audio socket which was decided to be left only for multimedia Arena. From the point of view of marketing it is an absolutely right position, however, it adds no usability. The biggest loss is, certainly, on a level of metal and glass in the case in comparison with Arena.

Services
The services are presented by version 2.1 Bluetooth module with EDR, and also Wi-Fi 802.11. Profile A2DP is supported and it allows to use stereo to Bluetooth-set with the phone (the quality is usual, nothing special here), and the speed of data transmission reaches 800 kb/ps. In the options of Bluetooth there is a mode of invisibility, a restriction of time detection, a list of profiles. There is TV-exit with standard options (as it was marked, the cable is not included in the package), demonstration of the image takeout to TV can be watched in our video. It was the program realization of Wi-Fi that one would not like. For example, if you do not have the established connection yet, the browser will not offer to activate the module; the absence of the connection will be simply verified –similarly to “children’s” diseases of Nokia and others. There are restrictions on Wi-Fi while SIM-card is absent (for example, the functionality of the E-mail). We do hope, the future insertions will correct the similar small troubles.
Against the iPhone background the screen of LG Viewty Smart looks small, but 3 inches is an objective norm for today. Elements are well optimized for a finger, they are quite small (for example, the reproduction line in the player) they are redoubled with separate buttons, no problems occur. In the model GC900 a capacitive TFT-display is used with high resolution 800х480 points which makes the image maximally accurate for the average diagonal, the granularity is imperceptible (unlike in the same iPhone). 16M colors are displayed, the quality of picture is not bad (the color rendition gives way to iPhone; the image seems rather turbid in the comparison). The corners of review are excellent, according to this parameter LG Viewty Smart is one of the best touch phones in the market. But in the sun the display behaves not the best way, under direct beams it is difficult to make out anything. It’s a perfect analogy to Arena.
In LG Viewty Smart 1.5 Gb of memory is set –according to the measures of modern phones it is not much, but it is not little either. For more demanding users an expansion with a microSD to 32 Gb is provided with support to “hot” replacement. The memory cards aren’t included in the Arena package, 1.5 Gb are supposed to be enough for base needs, and it is true.

Interface S-Class 3D
Even the debut PRADA (model KE850) from LG had a very pleasant interface with a striking animation. After some years, the LG program platform in touchphones has strongly changed, and together with decoration, the functionality in Viewty was pleasing too. At last, in the last edition from KC910, KP500, KS660 and other touch novelties of LG it turned out to be ideal with interesting discoveries including the ergonomics. Undoubtedly among the abovementioned is for example the possibility to order widgets at the expense of the movement sensor — it is simply enough to shake the case. The similar trifles make the interface of the LG touchphones the best in the market of phones, closely approaching the manufacturer to the smart phones (Symbian, Windows Mobile and, of course, ubiquitous iPhone). In the new GC900 the company LG has surpassed itself, as the software-platform here comes to be almost the most important advantage.

The program stuffing
During the first load or change of the SIM-card, the phone suggests adjusting the time, date and also informs on some features of their management. It is possible to refuse phone adjustment during the first load, but to do it later is possible only manually as the launch of the auxiliary mode from the menu is impossible. In a sleeping mode, the information isn’t displayable, but by pressing any of the keys, the information on time and date is highlighted. To remove blocking it is necessary to press the virtual key; there is not a separate button on the end surface. In an expectation mode, in the bottom of the display there are four icons to access the main menu, a telephone number dialing, the menu of messages and a phonebook. The top part of the display is traditionally taken for the status information and displays the following icons: multitask mode, level of battery charge, current profile, alarm clock if it is established, a background mode of a player, Bluetooth (depending on an operating mode of the module and the connected sets the icon changes) and the level of the network charge, and also Wi-Fi. By pressing these pictograms it is possible to cause the full list with the status information about the necessary functions, appendices. If the musical player works in the background mode, then а running line appears under the status line with the information on a current composition.

The organizer looks as follows. There are standard applications – the calculator, the converter of currencies, dictaphone without a limit for the period of record. There can be several alarm clocks, the operation time, the days of repetition and signal type are adjusted for each one. The calendar has two types of display, for a month, week and day. There is a system of removal of the old events; new events can be of three categories: a meeting, anniversary and birthday. For them the theme, the beginning and termination period are also fixed, the signal with repetition possibility is established. For a meeting it is possible to establish the date and beginning and termination time, to add the description (138 signs), the place, and also to specify time of operation for a signal: concrete, for 15, 30, 60 minutes or 1, 3, 7 seven days. Signal repetition can be fixed on disposable operation, daily, weekly, monthly, annual or by will of the user – daily, weekly, type of month 1 or 2, type of year 1 or 2. For each of personal options are also provided the separate ones where it is possible to specify that it will be every other Tuesday of the month, or every 77th day of year, for example, etc. Last field allows choosing the date of the end of the event. For an anniversary, similar possibilities are accessible as to meetings. The only thing that they differ from each other is the badges which are marked while viewing the calendar. Unlike the previous two types of events, birthday has only time and a date of start, description, time of operation of a signal and repetition – once or every year, and also fixing of the end of the event.
The player is completely processed. A lot of effective animations present, everything turns, runs… The Vertical list is automatically packed from the found compositions. Sorting is possible according to the performer, the album, the genre, and also the choice of the selected or all the compositions. Here it is possible to make your own playlists. To add a folder or to lose a folder is impossible – as in iPhone. It is an unpleasant nuance for the multimedia device against the same SE surface at which all is ideal with a player. In the basic lists sorting alphabetically or by date is accessible. There is a search.

Visualization in LG Viewty Smart concerns only to the allocated composition, its five types are available. Moving in a composition by pressing with a finger it a proper place does not work, it is required to rewind. Mode Dolby Mobile is activated by pressing the specially taken out element is similar to video. As it was marked, the mode makes the sound louder and full, it works similarly to an equalizer. Except it, 22 equalizers are also accessible. Standard options of an order of reproduction are not lost, and neither the Bluetooth-set.
The calculator allows making not only elementary calculations, but also calculation of cos, sin, tan, ln and other mathematical values. Probably, the presence of the given possibilities for someone will be a useful addition to the general functionality of the device. Realization of world time does not have anything new in itself except visual registration. Here it is possible to choose current time zone, and to establish simultaneously display for no more than six cities. The converter of sizes includes a possibility to transfer from one to another, for such popular sizes, as: currency, the area, length, weight, temperature, volume and speed. The stop watch is absolutely standard.

Camera
If in brief, for available dimensions and weight of 8 Mp the chamber is unique that is why it is inappropriate to demand the maximum quality, it is prerogative of Renoir. There is no protective barn door, a flash is light-emitting diode. The module almost does not act over the case. Ready photos and video turn out to be good, but not more that. It is not necessary to demand from Viewty Smart best 8 Mp results, and it will not disappoint. We will especially note the interface; it has turned out the best way without discounts for mobility. We liked mode Intelligent Shot: there is an analysis of a subject, a background and illumination conditions thanks to what shooting will be made in the most suitable mode from seven presented. There is nothing special in it, it is simply auto tune of parameters of shooting, but LG has displayed the indicator of real time which lets know what occurs and supervises the process – it is a very pleasant counter. For other details and shooting examples it is recommended to address to our separate materials on chamber Viewty Smart.

The communicator Glofiish X600 from E-Ten caused a lot of commotion on the market of devices of the series “all-in-one”. No wonder as it was the first budget model, equipped with a GPS-navigator, and FM-receiver, and a full set of communication tools. The model Glofiish X610 that came to replace it, among the rich arsenal of its capabilities, boasts also of a sensory management – the most fashionable feature at present.

Features and design
At a first glance it seems that the Glofiish X610 is almost not different from its predecessor, but a more detailed study shows that the appearance in general, and the control unit, in particular, have undergone major changes.
The first thing you will notice is the display – made on level with the shell and coated with glossy glass, it is ideally suited for finger management.
The body is made in black and gray colors – the front cover and the plastic edging around the perimeter are glossy, and the rear panel and separate inserts are made of nice soft-touch plastic.
Unlike other similar materials in general, no finger traces are left on it. In general, Glofiish X610 is heavy (132 g) and medium in size (107 x 58 x 15 mm), it will be difficult to carry it in a shirt pocket, but it fits perfectly in a pocket of trousers, jeans or jacket. Generally, the device will please more men than women, because the strict form and the dark color give the new device aggressiveness.

Below is the video on the exterior of the new item.
The management block is – four soft keys and a rectangular cursor with the confirmation key in the center. In addition, all keys are noted for the precision of course, however, they loaf from side to side all the same.
Additional controls are presented on the side ends of the device. The power button is located in the right upper corner, in the lower there is a camera activation button. The left facet is more saturated – two volume buttons, programmable soft-button.
In addition, in the lower left corner of the front the connector minijack 2,5 mm is located; you can connect your favourite headphones to the X610 without using an adapter for miniUSB. And the communicator is connected to a computer using a standard cable, miniUSB, the corresponding connector is on the lower end. There is also a microSD slot for memory cards.
Unlike most budget communicators the stylus of the Glofiish X610 deserves the highest praise. The telescopic metal shell is thick enough to be convenient to keep in hand, and the edge lines are made of high-quality plastic – without rough edges.
In general, the design of the new item, although not original, looks quite harmonious. The availability of a sufficient number of additional keys, as well as an additional audio output for connecting any headphones deserves respect.

Productivity
Like its predecessor X600, the device that came to replace it is equipped with a Samsung SCC32442 processor with clock frequency of 400 MHz. This is not a very powerful processor, but it is enough for the work with a vast number of applications. In addition, this platform is particular for more power economy.
But the memory on board, even for a budget model is insufficient: 128 MB ROM and 64 MB of RAM, of which only 20 MB with a “tail” is available to the user, so in order to install additional programs, you will necessarily have to buy expansion cards. However, a similar situation, has been observed and in the model X600.
The productivity of the communicator has traditionally been tested with the help of the Spb Benchmark 1.6 package.
For comparison, are given the results for the communicator Glofiish X600 (Samsung SCC32442 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM, Windows Mobile 6.0).
It is not surprising that the results were most similar – after all the platform of the predecessor, and of the model continuing the line is exactly the same. So those who have decided to change their “old” X600 to X610, desiring to increase the productivity of the device, should look for other, more “sophisticating” model.

Display
The novelty is equipped with the same screen as the model X600. This is a panel with a diagonal of 2.8″ display and a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. For a wide range of brightness, sharpness and high saturation of colors, as well as large viewing angles, this screen is quite worthy of commendation.
But the main advantage, and the difference from the model X600 is the absence of display skirting – the glossy panel is on one level with the body.
Of course, the low resolution does not allow enjoying movies or photos with comfort, but do not forget about the low cost of the device.

Camera
The integrated 2-MP camera as compared to the model X600 also did not undergo changes. It has no autofocus, no flash. The supplement of working with the camera is long known from the other models of communicators from E-Ten. It is an extremely simple monochrome interface, although in general it is very convenient for use.
The settings are few: the option of image resolution, white balance, and the imposition of special effects. Photos are stored in JPEG or BMP format with a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels. Well, the videos are saved in 3GP format with a resolution of up to 320 x 240 pixels.
For a camera with no autofocus, the quality of the photos can be evaluated as not particularly bad. Noise and loss of fine details are observed in any shooting conditions. The color rendition surprised pleasantly, especially because it was a serious problem with the X600. Below you can see some examples, taken under different light conditions. The photo archive can be downloaded here.

Communication capabilities and FM-radio
Glofiish X610 has a complete set of wireless interfaces inherent in most of today communicators of other models: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS / EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g.
The inclusion of modules is carried out through a new utility – Wireless Manager, executed with style and taste.
It is noteworthy that the FM-receiver is connected through the same tool as well. By the way it has not undergone specific changes. The user can select any frequency in the range from 76 to 108 MHz, and the reception has a high selectivity and precision – every station is determined purely, without interference.
As for the connection, there also no problems were observed. The unit confidently holds the signal in all corners of the capital and its suburbs. But the selectivity of search access points Wi-Fi can be assessed only with a “B” – the communicator refuses to identify a weak signal.

Time of autonomous work
The novelty is equipped with a Li-Ion battery with a capacity of1530 mAh. For a not very productive communicator it is a very high capacity. In a normal mode of operation (about 20 minutes of conversation a day, watching the news and mail) the new model works without problems for more than two days. If you actively use the X610 as a center of entertainment, then you will be required to charge the unit every day.

GPS-navigation
Glofiish X610 is equipped with integrated GPS-receiver based on the chip SiRFStar III. The cold start of the device occupies no more than 4 minutes, and the hot start takes a few seconds. Like other navigators on the basis of SiRFStar III, the X610 surely keeps in touch with satellites and does not lose signal even during the temporary narrowing of the visible sky. The accuracy of positioning is also difficult to criticize.
The new model is equipped with a program “Navitel Navigator”, with which we have already met earlier. In addition, the device was tested with the packages VisualGPSce and Autosputnik. No criticism – the integrated receiver quickly determined the program and subsequently worked as well as with the attached package Navitel Navigator.

Spb Mobile Shell
An important difference of the X610 from its predecessor is the availability of the on-board pre-installed utility Spb Mobile Shell, giving the user the possibility to manage the communicator through fingers. A partial waiver of the use of the stylus is in fashion – it is the fault of the HTC Company, with its unsurpassed brand of communicators of the series Touch. But the software from Spb is always of the highest quality, and therefore, you can expect something more of Mobile Shell than just a resemblance of TouchFLO shell.
Indeed, the new utility has a perfect stylish design and an interface easy to understand even for a novice. At the core of it are only three tabs, the selection of which is carried out by clicking on one of the large icons at the bottom of the desktop. By the way, the latter represents by default a calendar, and complete information about incoming calls, messages, and current weather conditions and forecasts.
The bookmark with the major programs is designed elegantly and simply. The main space is given to the sub-programs “Organizer”, “Internet”, “Multimedia”, “Service”, “Programs” and “Settings”. Interestingly, the transition from page to page is very impressive and unusually animated – the page is brought to the user in the form of an unfolding cube.
Well, and the third tab is a page of quick dialing.

Generally, the program has many settings, so that you can “chain” it your likings without any problems.
The transition from the Mobile Shell interface to the standard type of Windows Mobile is also originally done. The bottom line of the desktop has a soft-button “Spb Shell”. Well, and the shell itself has a tab of exit from the program. It is also worth noting that these operations take place almost immediately, despite the not most powerful platform of the new item.
But it is difficult to compare the new interface with the TouchFLO because they significantly differ from each other. However, it is safe to say that the Spb Mobile Shell will find many admirers. But one very significant drawback in this program is still there. As we have found out there is very few memory left for the user, and this situation has arisen partly because of the pre-installed Mobile Shell. Unfortunately, this program requires a lot of memory for its work, although without it the purchase of the new communicator loses its meaning because its main zest is the finger management.

Conclusions
So, the main difference of the new item from the communicator Glofiish X600 is exactly the interface of management, which has combined the new cover of the display, as well as the original software package from Spb. In addition, it is impossible not to note the updated design and the modified controls. Otherwise, (in particular, it concerns the output of the device) you will not find Glofiish X610 very different from the previous models. There is only one minus in the new model – small internal memory.
The recommended price of the new item is 16 400 roubles. It is about a thousand roubles more than for the communicator X600. We can say that the price is quite reasonable and competitive, especially as the device is replenished with a high quality and durable synthetic carrying case with a belt clip (by the way, another little evidence that the X610 – is primarily a men’s device).

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 can be called one of the most expected communicators of this season. The firstling on the platform of Windows Mobile from the Swedish-Japanese alliance claims to be a device with an exclusive design, maximum functionality and high performance. The best of the best. The proof of this is the fact that Chinese craftsmen have begun to flood the world market with all kinds of clones of Sony Ericsson X1 – a sign that the device of Sony Ericsson has turned to be truly worthy attention.

Design
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 – is a horizontal QWERTY-slider of very strict and regular forms. For its size (but not the design!), it looks more like a simple phone than a communicator: 111 x 53 x 17 mm/158 g.
The facets of Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 have a barely noticeable rounding, highlighting the elegance of the new model. In the main, the body is made of rugged metal nice for the touch, black outside and silver inside – it is included in the interior design and even the keyboard keys are also made from it.
The main control unit beyond the display is designed originally. Eight triangular buttons are folded into two squares, and two navigation buttons surround the central confirmation button on top and bottom.

That very key has a surprise. It has a touch surface, which will position the cursor in the same way as it is implemented in an Apple iPhone – you just need to hold your finger on the button in one direction or another. You get used to working with the panel at once – the movements of the cursor are measured and it does not “escape” more than you want. Two ways to control – this is the first strong point of the X1.
All other elements, located on the side faces, are standard for most communicators. Thus, at the right end are the buttons of volume adjustment and the activation of the built-in camera.
The right side bears the interface port miniUSB for charging the battery and connecting the device to your computer. In the upper part are the power button, a separate jack for connecting headphones with a minijack of 3,5 mm, and a case for the stylus.
The latter has a metal case, is well-made and is of a very high quality, but because of the too small diameters it is inconvenient to work with – constantly sneaks out of the hands.

QWERTY-keyboard
The second zest of the X1 (the first is the sensory management) is the QWERTY-keyboard, or rather its implementation. Firstly, the halves are made with a curve – the keyboard is concave and the lid is deflected.
It does not give an additional convenience to the work, but looks stylish and expensive. It is disappointing that the progress of the mechanism is very soft – shell halves are displaced relatively to each other even from the slightest pressing, although the slider does not open. When taking the device in your hand, it slides apart giving an unpleasant feeling. The second key feature is that it has relatively large buttons with big gaps between them. This came to be due to the fact that the producer was confined to the installation of only 42 buttons in four rows – the figures will have to be typed in the Fn register.All the buttons have a clear, but a little tight turn. For typing small text messages and even texts the keyboard fits perfectly, although it requires adaptation.

Filling and productivity
The communicator is built on a Qualcomm 7200A platform, the processor clock speed is 528 MHz. For now, this speed is enough for working with any applications and tasks. A 512 MB flash-memory and 256 MB of RAM are on board – capacities are quite corresponding to modern realities. More than half of the flash-memory (281.33 MB) is used for data storage. We can confidently say that with such amount of memory and such functionality of the processor the owner of the X1 can safely install on any application it – the main condition is that they are compatible with Windows Mobile 6.1 which administers the communicator.

The performance was tested using the package Spb Benchmark 1.6. For comparison there are the results obtained earlier for the Glofiish X900 communicator and HTC TyTN II.
The backlog from Glofiish X900 in the graphical test is expected due to the fact that the X1 has a non-standard widescreen display, the signal processing of which requires considerably more time. To find out which are the video capabilities, we tested the communicator with another well-known benchmark CorePlayer, and for this purpose a test video of the format 640 x 480 with bit rate 759 Kbps was played.
The ideal is considered to be the result of more than 100%. Our obtained results of 73.56% showed that the playing was accompanied with a loss of shots, although it was not noticeable for an eye. That is, this type of video formats is actually the limit for comfortable viewing. If you want to watch movies in a 800 x 480format size, you will have to reduce the bite rate.

Display
The large touch screen with a diagonal of 3 and resolution of 800h480 points, larger than in most communicators, is the third, perhaps the most important highlight of the new item. Due to the relatively small width it is virtually impossible to distinguish the individual points on the display. The clarity and color of the display are visible at the very first acquaintance with the Communicator.
In addition, it boasts of a wide range of brightness, maximum possible angles of view and very fast response, which could not be better suited for viewing movies and photos.
The only negative is that not all third-party developers will want to work with a non-standard resolution. But it can be safely recommended for reading. The well-known “reader” HaaliReader is easily adjusted to the non-standard resolution and allowed to enjoy a useful pastime, especially since the display of the X1, allows to read even the most minor texts quite easily.

Camera
3.2 MP, Autofocus, LED flash are typical of most modern cameras of smart phones. And the X1 is not an exception. The Russian interface of the camera is traditionally simple and easy to follow even for the beginner.
Settings in the main page are also standard, except for one – shooting in a wide format is fitting the display. At first sight, it is an interesting feature. In fact, there is little sense in it – the camera simply cuts the picture above and below. For example, a frame with a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 would be cut off to 2048 x 1280. Furthermore, for a night shooting in automatic mode, the camera exposes a very long shutter speed. On the one hand, dark images are obtained lighter, but on the other – most of them are lubricated because of shaking hands. For example, the next frame is done in almost total darkness – other mobile cameras could not shoot it at that time of day.
And this is the result of shaking hands – it was not possible to obtain clear images despite adequate street lighting.
If the device is placed on any fixed object, as was done when taking the next frame, the night images of city streets will be no worse than during the day.
The camera operates well when shooting in daylight, as well as in artificial light.

Communication capabilities and FM-radio
The X1 is equipped with a full set of communication modules: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz with support for data transmission via GPRS / EDGE, and HSPA 900/1900/2100 MHz. For video conferencing in 3G the VGA-camera, which is located above the display, is used.

Construction and Design

Big, heavy, but elegant – this is how the shape of GSmart MW720 can be described in a few words. The size and weight of the device (118 x 61 x 14 mm/130 g) are forcing the user to think about what to wear with the novelty in summer, when you walk down the street in a light jacket, light trousers, and ladies wear skirts. This communicator is more likely to fit in the deep pockets of a strict business suit or in a bottomless handbag. The appearance of GSmart is not easily remembered, as the model has a straight form, a minimum amount of fine details and a traditional office color – a dark gray front and rear panel in combination with silver buttons and the same bordering of side edges.

The body of GSmart MW720 is made of soft-touch plastic nice to touch, so the device can be securely held in hand. Fingerprints spoil only the mirror surface of the display which flattens the front panel with other elements of the shell.

The control unit below the display is plain: a 4-position navigation ring with a large round confirmation button in the center, and the buttons of adoption / cancellation of an incoming call, are adjacent to the ring from the left and right.

Additional keys are also few – the camera activation key and the double swing-key of volume sound, are located at the top of the left front. It should be noted that none of the buttons of the communicator is able to be converted by the standard means of Windows Mobile. And the absence of customized soft-buttons forces the user to take out the stylus more often in order to start a program.

The case for the stylus is located in the lower right corner of the shell. The feather itself, like other communicators of a budget class, looks primitive. Its thin plastic shell can hardly be described as the pinnacle of dreams of an enthusiast of chating in ICQ.

But of these minor things, eventually, the low cost of the device is reached- there are no miracles in this case.

The net of the built-in speaker for external connection, which is located on the back of the shell, is made very simply- a regular feature of budget models. And the camera lens and the flash situated next it, are in the true sense driven into a corner, threatening to cause inconvenience when shooting. However, we will return to this later.

In general, GSmart MW720 turned out to be nice in appearance and qualitative to the touch. All the elements are well adapted to each other, nothing creaks or hangs out.

Display

The display of the communicator is certainly one of the most important elements of the design. In addition, it is a clear indicator of the cost of the device. But if previously a budget LCD screen had a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, now it is 640 x 480. Our novelty is an example of this. The diagonal screen is quite standard – 2.8 inches, while the number of displayable colors – only 65 000.

For all other indicators the display of MW720 can be called classic – high maximum brightness, high definition, and average viewing angles. At the sun the matrix fades, but no more and no less than in other models. It is remarkable, that against the background of the large body, the display appears smaller than it really is. GSmart MW720 – is a model, in which we would very much like to see a 3-inch display, but the budget does not permit.

Camera

An autofocus 5 MP camera with an LED flash will not be superfluous. Not so long ago, this camera was installed only on expensive models of communicators. The overall picture is slightly spoilt by the strange angle of the lens and the unusual location of the shutter button in the upper left corner of the shell. As a result, if you shoot in a horizontal position, fingers would often close the lens or block the flash.

The settings are standard for the most communicators with camera. Through a modest graphical interface the user can change the quality of shooting and the balance of white, choose one of the preset scenes, etc. The camera makes photos with the resolution of up to 2560 x 1920 pixels, and the file size with the best shooting ranges from 800 KB to 2 MB. No delays were observed during the shooting, and the viewfinder image moves quickly on the display.

The quality of the images is high, with no color rendition problems, even when shooting night city streets. The only criticism – night photos turn out too noisy.

Communications

VGA-camera, traditionally located on the display, is used for video calls. Wireless data transfer between the Communicator and other devices is carried out by using modules Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g, which were tested with HP iPAQ Pocket PC 4700. The results are quite satisfactory. The work with wireless communication modules is performed through a standard program manager.

The device keeps communication, like most other modern communicators, including those with a relatively low cost. So in this respect there is nothing revolutionary.

The latent standard «all in one» includes not only a camera but also a set of additional modules. In the first place such modules include an FM-radio. In this case the user will find no changes (the same module and the same software interface can be seen in other models of GSmart), but no problems will arise with the reception of stations. The wire of the set is used, without which the radio cannot even be switched on.

Time of autonomous work

Li-Ion battery of 1300 mAh capacity, is standard for most modern low-cost devices, and therefore no miracles should be expected. With an average daily load of the communicator (20 minutes per day, with an address book and the Internet), the 720 works without charging maximum two working days. It is an average index, and we have to admit, the most common for today.

Software

The GSmart communicators always had a rich set of embedded software, and MW720 is no exception. Here you can find tools to work with the calls («black» and «white» lists, quick typing, etc.), a program for creating a backup data copy Spb Backup, ZIP archive, flashlight, software to work with voice control, original media player, voice recorder, audio mixer, etc.

But the most important feature of the preinstalled software is the graphical shell of Smart Touch II, intended to control your finger

Conclusions

The manufacturer has saved a little (just a little) on the construction of the device, making the filling productive and the functionality extremely high. Thus, GSmart MW720 can be called a «crisis» model, the purchase of which will not much hit the pocket, but you will get a complete, worthy product!