So close, yet not quite perfection
Written: Dec 06 '05 (Updated Feb 13 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: EV DO, camera with flash, mp3, video, huge screen
Cons: low volume ringer, bulky, tiny keyboard, freezes, terrible battery life
The Bottom Line: Demerits for the tiny keyboard, low ringer volume and minor flaws. Otherwise, it's an good device - 3.5 stars
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| criteeker's Full Review: Audiovox PPC-6600 Smartphone |
After dealing with constant dropped calls, incessant resets and multiple replacements, I got out of my contract with Cingular. The Treo 650 simply does NOT work with Cingular. I hear the Treo 650 with Verizon is just fine.
There are two schools of thought when sporting a cell phone. Some prefer the tiny or more sleek phone. They are limited in features compared to smart phones. Smartphones are usually packed with features and are usually thicker and larger. Ladies, this is an instance where thicker and larger may not be so good. Holding a large device up to your head may not be so sexy. Then again, you can always wear a bluetooth headset and bypass ever holding the phone. Having a blinking device in your ear says sexy in any culture, huh? Nothing says sexy and attractive like seeming to talk to yourself in public. You're not crazy...you're on the phone! Maybe people who like to have intense conversations with themselves should get one of these so people might think you're actually on the phone instead of talking to imaginary aliens.
So I went to my local Verizon store to do some investigating. They had four phones that had the features I wanted - or so I thought. The four phones were The Treo 650, the Audiovox 6600, the LG-VX 9800 and the Samsung SCH-i730. Right off the bat, the Samsung was removed from the list for it's insane price of $599.00 with two year contract AND it has no camera. Wi-Fi is NOT worth an extra $300. The salesperson told me that the LG9800 was more of a toy for the younger crowd to compete with the Sidekick 2. It's not a smartphone and has no calendar or contact programs. It doesn't have broadband or national access either - so it was out.
I thought it would be great to get the Treo 650 so I would not have to get all new accessories. Having had the Treo for a while, I was hip to its limitations. My eye went to the Audiovox that looks surprisingly similar to the Siemens SX 66 and Sprint's PPC 6700. The salesperson asked if I was tech savvy because it takes a bit of tinkering to get up and running with the 6600. Of course, the 6600 runs on Mobile Windows 2003 (not the newest 2005 version) and not the Palm OS. I'd not only have to give up on all of my accessories, but all the software that I bought as well. I decided to go for it.
One of the biggest complaints with Cingular and the Treo was constant dropped calls. This Audiovox 6600 was AMAZING! I made dozens of calls in the "dead zones" of my house and not one call was dropped and not one bit of static. I was in cellular ecstasy.
I was so used to the thousands of programs for the Palm OS but had little experience with programs written for Pocket PC. Let me tell you, there are tens of thousands of them out there. Later in this review, I'll tell you about some I think are needed.
IN THE BOX
The 6600 phone, a sync cradle with a second battery slot, an AC power cord with sync adapter, 2 CDs, a combination headset/headphone - earbud type, 2 stylus, DC jack, a protective pouch and a quick reference guide.
Some of the included software are MSN messenger, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Outlook, Windows Media Player (What? No Powerpoint? LOL), AvantGo, Calendar, Photo Album, Solitaire, Jawbreaker (a puzzle game), a calculator, a plain alarm program with three weekly alarms - I would suggest buying an alarm program for things like reminding you to put money in the meter, etc.) The calendar program does have reminders with alarms - so if you need to remind yourself of your own anniversary and to buy a gift...well, you know what that will save you from and what it might get you in return...LOL. That, alone, is worth the price of the phone, right? Any upcoming reminders or tasks are displayed on the start menu for your convenience.
Speaking of price of the phone, Verizon lists this phone for $299. But if you sign a 2-year contract and get a certain plan, they knock off $100. I have a feeling I know why this is. Currently, it's only available from Sprint. Audiovox told me that the 6700 will be available to Verizon customers in the Spring of 2006. Oh great, that's just not good timing for me. The 6700's keyboard comes out horizontally and when pulled out, the screen automatically switches to horizontal mode. Also, the keys are much bigger. If you'd like more info on the UStar/Audiovox 6700, try Cnet.com.
What I love about the 6600:
I love the fact the phone works very well and that there's a HUGE screen. I have have had ZERO dropped calls thus far. If you purchase an SD card for storage and want to use the 6600's MP3 player feature, I would suggest buying a one or two gig card. You can store songs, pictures and video for smiles on the go. The 6600's speaker is better than the Treo for playing songs right from the unit without headphones. While it's no boom box, the volume is perfect for your work desk in not so loud environments. You can also add voice notes to contacts or just record notes and reminders while on the road. Speaking of the road, Verizon can even send email to your phone as soon as your PC receives it - providing you leave your PC on.
The 1.3 megapixel camera has a flash - unlike the Treo and it takes pretty decent pictures. I have to say that the monitor while in camera mode is a bit better with the Treo - it's brighter and more clear. The camera also allows for zoom, light correction and effects such as picture frames and sepia tone or black & white. I love having a camera everywhere I go for two reasons. Let's say I get into a car accident and need some proof of things... Done. Let's say I'm looking for something for my boss for a project and need an approval. I can snap a few pictures, email them to him or her and get an answer a lot faster. I can also shoot short video clips with this phone. And while the quality is nowhere near broadcast quality, it gets the job done.
As a web browser it's pretty darn fast. They say that it's Broadband speeds, but I think it's just a bit slower. Since the screen is vertical, web pages can be a bit difficult to navigate. They allow for formatting of single column to read without having to scroll left & right. There is a laborious way of flipping the image to horizontal either for a left or right-handed person, but I wish it was as simple as a pull down menu or button click. I find this horizontal image configuration a bit odd because the pull-down keyboard is then sideways on the left or right. I hear there are utilities that will enable me to do this very thing, but I have yet to find one. This is something the 6700 remedied.
Connectivity: The infrared port allows connections to either other phones or laptops. Transferring data or pictures is a snap.
Bluetooth: The built-in Bluetooth allows you to use a hand-free and wireless headset to talk while driving and to make people think you're talking to yourself. That's always fun. Bluetooth enabled cars allow the user to use the vehicle's speakers for conversations. Bluetooth enabled laptops allow the user to transfer files and data as well. Bluetooth printers allow you to send a print without wires. This becomes handy when you create a letter in Pocket Word and need to print it out. All of this Bluetooth magic is only limited by its 30-foot (maximum) range. I was astonished to find out that my Treo Bluetooth headset was compatible with the 6600. Even after the tech guy at Verizon said that there's "No way, it'll work."
Input: There are many ways to input data or messaging on this device. You can use the pull-down keyboard, the Palm-esqe on screen keyboard - and the option of hand writing recognition (like Palm's Graffiti), an optional external keyboard and a 3rd party on screen keyboard with large keys, but small display area. I find myself using the stock on-screen keyboard most often.
Since this device has such a huge screen, I would suggest buying a pack of screen protector sheets and a good case. Remember, cases made for the Seimens SX66 will also fit this phone. The pouch that comes with the phone is just a simple pouch with no way to attach it to a belt. Oh, and get the monthly insurance... TRUST ME.
What I don't like about the 6600 and some fixes:
The first thing everyone complains about is the low volume on the ringer. I could not hear it at first. You need to do two things. First, turn up the volume - it's set at medium from the factory. Secondly, get very familiar with Handango.com. You can buy ring tone programs and sets of ringtones that will remedy this issue.
The second issue is the tiny keys on the pull-down keyboard. Each back-lit key is separated far enough from the next that you can use your fingernails with some degree of accuracy. Each key also has a convex dimple that allows the use of the stylus. I have very large hands, and find typing on this keyboard to be just fine - though larger keys would be great.
I did notice that (even before I installed any software or files) the phone would freeze up for about two seconds on a few occasions.
While there is no built in Wi-Fi (like the 6700) I find the EV DO (near Broadband) speed just fine. Web pages like Ebay and Epinions pull up rather quickly. There is an available Wi-Fi card - Spectec 802.11b Wi-Fi SD WLAN Card, but do you really need a Wi-Fi card with near Broadband EVDO at 400-700 kbps? When the signal is disrupted, it returns to the slower speed of 50 or more kbps. Keep in mind, this device is NOT able to receive V Cast or Get It Now technologies that Verizon offers on other phone models.
Another issue I have with the phone is that the initial set up can be a bit arduous. There is NO hard copy manual, so you have to refer to the CD for that. And while there is a help section, I find it to be a bit general. So anyone who is not technologically advanced might not consider this phone. You'll need a day to learn this machine enough to go out into public and about three days to really get a handle on it. To remedy arduous key strokes, I would suggest buying SPB Pocket plus 3.0 or Battery Pro 2.1 from Handango.com. These are utilities that make using this device more like using your home PC. So many backgrounds, short cuts, icons and time savers that you'd almost wish they were included in the PPC OS.
I booted up the included sampler of Smart TV. I watched a couple of videos and I was barely able to decipher half of what was being said. The speaker is a bit "tinny" but the sound quality was fine when I used headphones to listen to the same content. Oddly enough, the same speaker is fine on calls or playing MP3s.
The stock battery stinks. It dies far too quickly and I don't think a hi-capacity battery is available for this phone.
Lastly, Verizon got a bit cheap and no longer gives away a car charger with the purchase of a new phone. Also, the 6600 does NOT include a free vinyl screen protector like the Treo does. Boooooooo!
Software Suggestions:
I purchased "List Pro - Professional." This allows you to make home inventory lists, shopping lists, DVD and CD collection lists, etc. The professional version includes a PC version so you can work on your home PC or the 6600 and sync the files. This program is a great for homeowner's insurance, people who are Virgos and need to have lists for every single thing in their life or people who enjoy having a plan when shopping, remodeling, party planning or general tasks.
The one game I needed to have is "Bejeweled 2" for the PPC. I had this puzzle-type game on the Treo and have become an addict. It's a sickness. I'm currently thinking about an intervention. Stay tuned.
I purchased AOL for PPC because keeping in touch with email AND instant messaging is something I love to do. There are other programs available to log onto Yahoo, etc but this phone actually has MSN messenger built in.
There are countless other programs like language translators, GPS navigation, data bases, programs that turn your phone into an all-in-one remote control for your media room and many more. You can even purchase a program that puts live TV or XM radio right on your 6600. THAT is cool.
Installing a program is as simple as placing the program or files in a specific folder designated for syncs in the cradle.
Specs
Broadband Access Pocket PC with built in CDMA phone
Windows Mobile 2003 Software for PPC
Intel Dalhart 400 MHz processor
640 x 480 VGA camera with flash and 4x zoom
All digital
Built-in Bluetooth
Memory: 64 mb ROM and 128mb RAM
TTY capable
2.1" x 2.8" 64K color TFT LCD touch screen
SD I/O card slot
Weight: 6.8 ounces
Size: 4.9" x 2.7" x .7"
Speakerphone
Internal antenna
Data services: POP3, SMPT and IMAP4
Audio supported: MP3, WAV and WMA
Main battery: 1490 mAh Lithium Ion polymer that provides 3-4 hours of talk time. PDA use is about 15 hours. Standby is about 168 hours. When the battery drains, the backup battery will retain data for 72 hours. Because there is no hard drive, you need to keep the main battery charged. Invest in a second car and wall charger. An optional 1700 mAh battery is available from the internet. In any case, you should back up ALL of your data and programs. The back up battery is the button type. 3rd party utilities will monitor the batteries for you and some even warn you when you need to charge the device. You can also buy emergency battery packs that you charge one day and plug into the phone when there's no electricity or vehicle available.
One last suggestion. READ THE MANUAL. Even if you are the techie type.
Enjoy.
PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE www.BurnLoungeTreasures.com
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 199.00
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