We've been spending some quality time with
T-Mobile's
SDA Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone. The $300 phone boasts some pretty good features for the price, including EDGE
data, Bluetooth, a QVGA screen, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. The real kicker is the WiFi connectivity lacking in its
2125 cousin from Cingular, but how
does it hold up under rigorous solitaire play and indiscriminate texting of ex-lovers? You'll have to read on to find
out.
The first thing you'll notice about this phone is
the screen. Well, we suppose that's not exactly true, since the start up time borders on the millenia (60 seconds from
pressing the power button to making the first call), but after the phone is finally fired up you'll notice just how
great this QVGA screen really is, bordering on the brightness of one of our beloved 2405FPWs.
Speaking of startup reminds us of our main gripe of this phone: the buttons. The power button takes great will
and dexterity to activate, the side rocker button that controls volume is painful use, and the side camera and comm
manager buttons aren't much better. Then there's the keypad; it's much more tactile than the aforementioned buttons --
a very shallow, clicky feel -- but it's squeezed tightly into the bottom fourth of the phone, causing finger cramps,
especially during extended texting sessions. This of course makes data entry more of a chore than it already is on a
keypad-only smartphone.
The media buttons are a bit of a waste of space
since they merely provide redundant functionality for Windows Media Player and are compatible with little else. The
center joystick also teases with great feel, but causes difficulty due to the cliche problem with joysticks: it's hard
to make a straight and center button press.
Otherwise there's
plenty to love about this phone, including great signal (even the occasional single bar when waiting for the subway),
and great data capabilities with the included -- and speedy -- WiFi. With a dedicated button for the communications
manager, allowing us to enable and disable the phone, WiFi, and Bluetooth radios within a few button presses, the phone
couldn't be much easier to use with wireless connections, and we had little trouble finding and using random
networks.
As for actual phone functionality, the SDA works
fine. We found there to be clear -- if a bit quiet -- voices on both ends and plenty of battery life -- for talking at
least. While we found the battery fairly indifferent to talking and PDA usage, the phone usually didn't make it past a
couple of days of standby, no matter how little time we spent with it. The speakerphone was our main caveat for phone
use, offering clear audio but too little volume.
It's hard to believe the SDA is a Smartphone
based on the size, barely out bulking Sony's candybar classic, the T616. Once picked up, though, it makes more sense.
The phone has a solid build, and felt a tad heavy after long conversation, but we really can't blame HTC for this one
(the SDA is based on HTC's Tornado design), since they really do pack it in. There's a decent 1.3 megapixel camera for
a few shots on the go, and also a miniSD slot -- annoyingly placed under the battery -- to expand the phone's paltry
64MB of storage, half of which is already used out of box (hey, that OS has to go somewhere). We would recommend
planning to spring for a decently-sized miniSD along with the phone's $300 price tag, especially since the phone excels
with media, offering Windows Media Player syncing and great video playback on the QVGA screen. Syncing media files over
USB 2.0 went fast, and while the 200MHz processor's performance isn't stellar, we were able to play some DivX
"24" in TCPMP without a hitch.
Of course the Smartphone crown is a moving target,
but the SDA does plenty for the price for now, and should serve many touchscreen or size-averse Windows Mobile types
very well.
posted Apr 19th 2006 1:05PM
j ai oubile mon mot de passe
I have this phone and I love this phone. I use it as a pda. I have lots of TV shows and movies on it. I use it for my mp3's. I totally use it as my PDA. It's my Bible, dictionary, and electronic wallet. When combined with my Stowaway bluetooth keyboard, it really pinches in for a mini laptop (which I often leave behind).
Will this work well for heavy-duty email, i.e., if you were to buy a bluetooth keyboard and use the wifi connection to connect to Gmail.
Does AvantGo work on this phone?
If you get an unlocked version of this phone, it looks like it should run fine on Cingular. Is that a fair statement?
^^^It will work on Cingular or any other GSM network if it is unlocked(^-^)
nice phone
This is a cool phone.
I got mine from T-Mobile when it first hit the streets.
I should work if unlocked with cingular or other GSM carriers just fine.
The problem is when I plug it into my HP notebook with USB all wifi devices in my network (802.11b/g) disconnect. This goes on until I disconnect it (USB) and reboot my pc.
I say this issue in the review of the phone on the Wallstreet Journal and they mentioned it too.
Cummon guys fix this please!
The phone could use a faster CPU too.
Other then that best smart phone I have owned. Much better as phone then my now broken Treo 600 (GSM).
CF
I've had this phone since the day it hit the street, and I have to say I love it. It gets daily use from me (heavy usage, browsing forums, listening to MP3s, making calls and texting incessently).
The buttons aren't a big problem for me - and I've got fairly big fingers. I dunno if years of gaming and typing have helped, but I find most of my mistakes with the keypad are my own fault. The media center buttons do become annoying, and I think they would be much better at half that size. But what can I say? That's not gonna change in firmware, though you can reprogram them (MoDaCo forums have the info).
The screen is great, too.
I have this phone, Too me its the ultimate phone. I put a 2 gig MiniSD memory stick in it and now my Nano is basically a dust magnet. My only real complaint is with the camera I find that no matter how low you set the brightness on sunny days the shots get washed out with light. But its not too bad for grabbing pics on the go. Battery life is great, I have had mp3s playing for 8 hours straight while at work and still have over half the battery left when I leave to head home in the evening. And internet is blazing fast when connected to wifi.
i got this phone...
there are 3 amazing things...
u can listen to online radios
watch online tv
and put skype on it...
i got it for 50 bucks on amazon (rebates)
The only problem is that this phone won't sync with a mac. I have one (still sealed in the box) that will stay there until I sell it bc of the mac incompatability. : (
I'd be interested to hear if anyone has tried the alpha version of Missing Sync for Windows Mobile with this phone to sync with a Mac....?
What's been your experience using Skype on this phone? If it works well, it would be very cool.
#8 (Jennifer Weil): Take a look at PocketMac - http://www.pocketmac.net/products/pmphone3/pmphone3.html - it works with smartphones and it lets you sync your windows mobile device with your mac
I love my SDA too. Had it for about 3 weeks and I'm still learning to use it's ability to the fullest.
Can someone please teach me how to listen to online radio/tv? I can't seem to get it to work for me.
Also, do you need to overclock the CPU for Skype to work?
Thanks!
For the uninitiated: Pocket Mac and Missing Sync both allow Windows Mobile sync on Mac, but NOT Windows Mobile 5 devices like this phone, the Treo 700W, and Cingular's 2125/8125. Microsoft tightened security on the phones, temporarily breaking those solutions. Missing Sync is now in alpha; Pocket Mac is "coming soon."
I'd also love to hear experience with these phones and the Missing Sync alpha. OR you could do what Guy Kawasaki has done, and dual boot into Windows. (Kludgy solution, and requires an Intel Mac!)
I had this phone for less than one week and thought it sucked big time. The ergonomics are not there. You never feel like you have a solid grip on the phone.
I knocked it accidentially off of a desk and the headset speaker stopped working. Later that week, dropped on sidewalk and outer case split in 2.
No way near the build durability of a SE or Nokia handset.
Great phone, media buttons are awesome. The Cingular 2125 pales in comparison. WiFi and the music abilities really make the phone much better. The joystick could use a few improvements, but the power button is much, much better than the Cingular 2125.
I have the Cingular version. I love it, and since I don't use wi-fi on the go, I don't miss that very much.
For those Mac users, instead of waiting for MssingSnyc or whoever else, I've gone with 4smartphone.net which is an exchange server service. I pay about $80/year ($6.50/month) to have a syncing service. I love it. My Powerbook and 2125 are always communicating. I love it.
The buttons of the 2125 are a little better than the TMO version, FWIW.
Same issue on the T-Mobile MDA - Apparently the phone is recognized as a physical network adapter in Device Manager.
My Workaround:
If you want use your USB port to charge the phone.
I uninstalled the network adapter when the phone was plugged in via USB. When Windows prompts that it has Detected New Hardware, select Cancel and you can charge the phone with the device not being installed.
For Synching:
Buy a $20 USB Bluetooth Adapter. It is a serial connection and allows you to simultaneously use 802.11x on your computer and allow your phone to access the internet via the synch.
>The problem is when I plug it into my notebook with >USB all wifi devices in my network (802.11b/g) >disconnect. This goes on until I disconnect it (USB) >and reboot my pc.
SKYPE:
Works very well... the only problem that i had is that the wifi would turn off automatically after some time when talking .... Can solve 2 ways - change your wifi settings so it doesnt turn on (edit profile) or move the cursor once in a while when talking.
Yes Skype requires overclocking the processor. - I dont see any change in how the phone operates and neither did anybody in online forums. Plus the processor is only running at 240 Mhz WHEN Skype is on, then restores back to normal.
ONLINE TV RADIO: IT will play any Windows Media Streaming file (audio or video) Just browse to it and click. Im not sure that you can find any cable channels online...(maybe you can stream your own) - i watch foreign channels. But for radio - internet is the place to be. I listen to di.fm and sky.fm etc radios - they have many channels.
I have had the phone now for about 4 months. Its okay - though I still wish I had a Treo. Two complaints - 1. the joystick malfunctioned on my first phone. Tmobile exchanged it, and were very reasonable.
Now on my second phone the joystick is starting to act up! Very discouraging. In addition the head gear that came with the phone did not last long. And finally I really miss the Treo/Palm Calandar function. I also wish I could contol the home screen more.
On the other hand, the speaker phone function is great. Size is great. In terms of dropping the phone I find it very durable. WIFI works well. Predicive text is also very good.
I got this phone....a bit annoyed at first..
But learned to use now..especially wifi internet and started loving it
Would be great if the device's folder would be shown up as a usb drive in My Computer
Anybody got software that can do that?
theres software called "WM5torage" that will let you serve your microSD in the device over usb as a mass storage. enjoy!
I've had this phone for over five months and I'm beginning to refer to it as a plastic silver turd. Oh, it pretty much does what is claimed it's supposed to do but I would definitely NOT recommend it. All the things people have complained about are true and will only get more on your nerves the longer you use it.
The camera is abysmal and the video is nearly worthless. Don't let the 1.3 megapixel spec fool you! It only means you get larger lousy images. VERY s-l-o-w exposure (blur), wash out and JPEG artifacts abound. Utilitarian at best.
Absolutely no reason for the media keys for all the reasons mentioned in other comments and the review.
I've never noticed the Wi-Fi capability do anything 'cept drain the battery at an alarming rate ... Then, I've got a data plan so I suppose one could surf the Net and such using Wi-Fi at a free hot spot. It's definitely not a "blazing" fast experience.
The Email functions do work well and much better than my previous "smart phone" ever did. The Web Browser is OK, too. I get good use out of the device, but it's only after having tackled the SDA/WM5 agility course required.
If I had several hundred dollars to blow and a much better choice I'd get a new phone and not look back.
PS: Wow, I sound so harsh ... I guess it's all the great/glowing reviews I've read that leave me thinking this thing is definitely Not All That.
TELLCOM WORLD LIMITED
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TELLCOM WORLD LIMITED
Email : tell_ltd1@yahoo.com
tell_ltd@hotmail.com
NEW GSM PHONES/PDA - UNBEATABLE PRICES WE ARE
CERTIFIED WHOLESALERS OF
VARIOUS GSM MOBILE PHONES AT VERY AFFORDABLE PRICES
ATTACH IS OUR VERY
CURRENT PRICE LIST OF GSM PHONES FOR YOURREFERENCE ALL
PHONES/PDA ARE
BRAND NEW SIM FREE/OPEN LINES/UNLOCK.
We are electronics wholesalers and we do sale in
pieces to enhance
our sales.We deals on all brands and models of plasmatv and mobile
phones such as
Nokia,Motorola,Samsung,Sony Ericsson,Sagem,
Nextel,Sidekick
II,Sprint,Ipods, Laptops,plasma tv , Mp3 players etc at very
cheap prices.
We are using this medium to reach interested buyers of
mobile phones.Do kindly reply back if you are
interested. THE KINDS OF MOBILE PHONES and PLASMA TV ARE LISTED
BELOW:
GAME
ps3 for .....................$400usd
xbox 360 for.............$350usd
Nintendo wii.............$350usd
psp for .....................$180usd
MOBILE PHONE
NOKIA 6230
NOKIA 6230i
NOKIA 6260
NOKIA 9300
NOKIA 9500
NOKIA 7610
NOKIA 6680
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IPODS
Apple 60 GB video ipod
Apple 80 GB video ipod
Email :tell_ltd1@yahoo.com
tell_ltd@hotmail.com
WE PROVIDE A GOOD AND FAST SERVICES, OUR SHIPPMENT IS
WITHIN 48HRS via UPS FEDEX and DHL shipping company {2days Deliver}
THANKS,
REGARD,
MANAGEMENT.
T-Mobile SDA, Overall appereance is Good, But its Joystick sucks ! Its not working on my phone, Thers no way i can scroll on some menus, for example in Assessiblity I can not change Date and Time so my phone is running back dated. It just sucks there is no any option/shortcut for joystic and quality of the joystic is very poor... thats the only downside of this phone, Let me know if someone has resolved this issue.. or if i can change the buttons or joystick