With Mobile Broadband Service and Wi-Fi capability, the MiFi 2200 for Verizon Wireless enables you to take full advantage of America's largest and most reliable 3G network. This Intelligent Mobile Hotspot automatically connects to Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband service to give broadband Internet access to up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. You and your colleagues will be able to check email, access corporate intranets, download files, send pictures with a Wi-Fi-enabled camera, and access the Internet on any Wi-Fi-enabled device--even when you’re nowhere near a traditional hotspot.
The MiFi 2200 intelligent mobile hotspot connects to the verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband and offers access to up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
Easily portable, the MiFi 2200 is about the size of eight stacked credit cards and weighs just over 2 ounces. Other features include two-way text messaging capabilities, compatibility with Windows, Mac and Linux PCs, VPN capabilities, and multiple Wi-Fi security settings. The lithium-ion battery provides up to four hours on the road or 40 hours of standby time, and you can extend the battery life of your work session by connecting the device to your notebook via a USB cable.
Verizon Wireless Service With the Verizon Wireless Mobile 3G Mobile Broadband network, a high-speed connection to the web is always in reach with typical download speeds ranging from 600 Kbps and peak rates up to 1.4 Mbps. You can select from two Mobile Broadband plans:
$39.99 monthly access for 250 MB monthly allowance and 10 cents per megabyte overage
$59.99 monthly access with a 5 GB monthly allowance and 5 cents per megabyte overage
MiFi 2200 Features Developed by Novatel Wireless, the MiFi 2200 lets you create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing the reliability and high-speed Internet connectivity of the Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as notebooks, netbooks, cameras, gaming devices or portable media/MP3 players. Small enough to carry in your shirt pocket, it combines a variety of features into its streamlined form factor, including integrated internal CDMA and Wi-Fi antennas, advanced security and authentication technologies. When one device is connected through Wi-Fi, the MiFi 2200’s rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.
Novatel's NovaSpeed technology improves simultaneous upload and download times so you can transfer large files with minimal interruptions or buffering. Keep would-be trespassers from using your connection with password protection, CDMA authentication and identification, dynamic Mobile IP (MIP) key update, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) firewall, VPN pass-through, and more. It also features auto-install, autoconnectivity, Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) support, VPN capability, and a removable lithium-ion battery. You’ll also get two-way text messaging when you connect via USB (Windows only; Mac client to be available soon).
Mobile Broadband (BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess): CDMA Rev. A, Rev. O, 1XRTT
WiFi Mode: 802.11 b/g for connection of up to 5 devices
Type A USB port compatibility via included microUSB cable
PC compatibility: Windows 2000, XP and Vista and Mac OS X 10.4.0 or higher and Linux
Dimensions: 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches
Weight: 2.05 ounces
Battery life: Up to 4 hours of continuous use, 40 hours of standby time (1150 mAh lithium-ion battery)
Frequently Asked Questions How is the MiFi2200 different from other Mobile Broadband USB, PC Card and ExpressCardmodems? There are significant differences between MiFi2200 and other devices, primarily because it connects multiple devices to Mobile Broadband over Wi-Fi. The other modems require a physical connection, and may only be used with one notebook at a time. Further, MiFi2200 connects not just notebook computers, it can connect to Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as cameras, gaming devices, digital photo frames and more.
How is this different from a Router? The MiFi2200 is an Intelligent Mobile Hotspot that can operate as a USB Modem (with a USB Cable) or in Wi-Fi/BatteryMode, eliminating the need for a wired connection or an AC connection. Its lightweight, slim and compact features, make this the ultimate mobile hotspot.
What kind of security is available? MiFi2200 supports all the latest WEP/WPA/WPA-2 security and SPI firewall. It is recommended that security is set up in order to prevent unauthorized use.
When do I need to use the USB Cable? The USB Cable is required when MiFi2200 is used as a USB Modem and for first time setup and activation with VZAccess Manager. The cable can be used to connect after activation if MiFi2200 is out of battery power and there is no access to AC power. The cable can also be used for charging, but only when the device is dormant and not in an active data session.
Portable wireless hub for up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices at one time--including PCs, phones, gaming systems and more
Operates on Verizon Wireless Mobile 3G Mobile Broadband network with typical download speeds ranging from 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps
Advanced security and authentication technologies; VPN capabilities; two-way text messaging (Windows only); compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux
Internal battery provides up to four hours on the road or 40 hours of standby time
What's in the box: MiFi 2200, rechargeable battery, wall charger, USB cable, protective pouch, quick reference guide, VZAccess Manager software and user guide available on device
Replaced 2 devices with 1.
Review Date: June 24, 2009
Reviewer: J. Howard, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
Purchased this via Verizon's web site for $99, to renew my contract. I had a Cradlepoint PHS-300 and a Verizon V740 Expresscard EV-DO Modem. I connected the two with an Expresscard to USB adaptor. It was a big annoying 3 peice setup, but was totally battery powered and self contained. I thought, "It does nt get any better than this.
But it does. I get a device that is smaller and half the thickness of my Cradlepoint PHS-300, but also contains the EV-DO modem. I take it with me everywhere I go. I connect to it via Wifi with any one of my 3 laptops, including a Mac, and even my iPhone!! Haha. If I am out and about friends connect their laptops and PDA's including the iPod Touch to it, and browse the web just as fast as if it was directly connected.
Of course it has a USB connection on it. I wish they had gone with the older style Mini-B connector, but went for the new flatter one. Supposedly it is more durable than the old one, but still. I have like a million of the old A to Mini B cables laying around. If the battery drains and I have a laptop with me, I can just hook it up via USB and use it as a USB modem while it charges. WiFi no longer works when it is in USB mode.
Its a very nice touch that it comes with an AC adaptor. I would hate to rely on charging it ONLY with the included USB cable. Also has a very nice web interface that you can access when connected to it via WiFi, just go to http://192.168.1.1 to see reral time information on the device, including signal strength and battery power. Speaking of battery power, it lasts between 3 and 4 hours and is user replacable. Just pull off the door and stick another one on. I would like to see Verizon or Novatel, someone, offer a bigger battery for it. But I am guessing that is not going to happen and honestly the built in battery is fine for my needs.
I have had it for about a week and it has been this power users dream! I did have a little trouble with it last night though. WiFi was extremely slow on the device, even the built in web interface was suuuuuuuper slow. I am not sure what happened. But today it is back to normal.
I hope this review was helpful.
- J
Great for the RV traveler!!
Review Date: July 15, 2009
Reviewer: J. Wilson, Coram, MT
I've had the mifi for a week, and am completely satisfied. It's surprising how easy it is to connect when traveling in an RV (I'm retired, so I find myself in many geographical locations, when connecting...) and this gadget has provided me with wifi connection in the Grand Canyon's RV Trailer Village, in the mountains above Boulder, Co, and at the border of Glacier Nat'l Park (at the portal of West Glacier, East of Whitefish).
Verizon had the unit overnighted to me at no charge, it was very easy to set up, and so far, I've not come near using my 5 Gig usage limit (extrapolated, not a full month has elapsed). Also, I stayed in Vegas at MGM for two nights, and have always used their $12.95/night wifi; not this time! No need, thanks to MiFi. What a great product. And I will use it when visiting my farms in IA and IL, where I stay "on farm" in my RV, in the boonies, and have been frustrated in past years, by lack of internet access. Wherever you can catch a Verizon cell phone signal, you will receive, even stronger, their broadband service...
Great Portable WiFi
Review Date: July 10, 2009
Reviewer: M. LaRochelle, CA
A great way to bring High Speed 3G network speeds with you, wherever you go. I've been using the MiFi for a month now and I've gotten 3G everywhere I've gone, even at home. I live way up in the foothills and even get a signal here. Its even faster than my regular internet link through [...]. One problem though is the 5GB per month limit. I only use it at home when I need 1.5MB service for a short while, otherwise I take it with me on trips to town and visiting my daughters in the Bay Area and Sparks, NV - all good 3G places. Since you can have up to 5 connect at once to the WiFi I can use my laptop and iPhone on the same network when I can't get an AT&T 3G signal, and friends can get onto the internet when they visit my home. I highly recommend the MiFi.
Great system
Review Date: August 20, 2009
Reviewer: P. Roach, Flagstaff, AZ
I bought this device from Amazon with the 2 year contract for my son and family. They live in a very rural area and only had dial-up. The MiFi has worked like a charm. When I'm visiting, we have 2 laptops and an iPod Touch connected without issue. Speed is great. I am able to check usage data via the Verizon wireless website. My young granddaughters can play their online learning games to their hearts' content.
iPod touch is a great iPod, a great pocket computer, and a great portable game player. Listen to a mix of songs automatically put together by the new Genius Mixes feature. Watch a movie. Surf the web. Download countless apps. (Click here to jump down the page and learn all about apps.) View rich HTML email. Find your location and get directions with Google Maps. Discover games and apps you're sure to love with new Genius recommendations for apps. And since iPod touch now comes with the latest 3.1 software already installed, you can start using fun, convenient features right out of the box. View an interactive demo on the iPod touch (opens a new window).
iPod touch is a great iPod, a great pocket computer, and a great portable game player. Click to enlarge.
Genius Mixes creates multiple mixes you'll love.
Give iPod touch a shake to shuffle to a different song in your music library.
Next-Level Fun: The New iPod touch
Music Flick through your albums. Listen to a unique mix created just for you. Or watch the video for your favorite song. With iPod touch, it's more than just hearing your music.
Cover Flow What a song does for your ears, Cover Flow on iPod touch does for your eyes and fingers. It's a virtual party for the senses. Turn iPod touch on its side and glide through your music by album art with the flick of your finger. Tap an album cover to flip it over and display a track list. Tap again to start the music.
Genius Mixes Now the Genius feature is even more powerful. Introducing Genius Mixes. All you do is sync iPod touch to iTunes, and Genius automatically searches your library to find songs that sound great together. Then it creates multiple mixes you'll love. These mixes are like channels programmed entirely with your music.
Genius Playlists Say you're listening to a song you really like and want to hear other tracks that go great with it. The Genius feature finds other songs on your iPod touch that sound great with the one you were listening to and makes a Genius playlist for you. Listen to the playlist right away, save it for later, or even refresh it and give it another go. Count on Genius to create a mix you wouldn't have thought of yourself.
Shake to Shuffle Shake things up a bit. Musically speaking, that is. The next time you're listening to your tunes, turn on Shake to Shuffle, then give iPod touch a shake to shuffle to a different song in your music library.
iTunes Fill your iPod touch with songs and music videos from your iTunes library on your computer. Or buy and download new music on your iPod touch when you access iTunes over Wi-Fi. Songs you purchase on iPod touch transfer to your Mac or PC the next time you connect iPod touch to your computer.
Bluetooth Look, no cables. iPod touch includes the iPhone 3.1 software, so you can pair Bluetooth stereo headphones with it. Keep your iPod in your bag or charging on your desk across the room and still listen to your music.
Carry hours of video with you and watch it on the crisp 3.5-inch color widescreen display.
With iTunes on your iPod touch and a Wi-Fi connection, you can buy movies and TV shows on the fly.
Movies + TV shows A feature film. A video podcast. Your favorite TV show. Now appearing on a subway train or a plane near you.
Widescreen Viewing Carry hours of video with you and watch it on the crisp 3.5-inch color widescreen display. Shop the iTunes Store and choose from thousands of movies, TV shows, and video podcasts to load up your iPod touch. From Hollywood blockbusters to independent favorites, there's something for everyone. Download and watch movies with a few taps. Prefer TV shows? Get a single episode or an entire season's worth all at once.
Onscreen Controls While watching your video, tap the display to bring up the onscreen controls. You can play or pause, view by chapter, and adjust the volume. You can also use the volume controls on the left side of iPod touch. Want to switch between widescreen and full screen? Simply tap the display twice.
iTunes Need some entertainment for your next flight or road trip? With iTunes on your iPod touch and a Wi-Fi connection, you can buy movies and TV shows on the fly. You can also rent movies, in case you're not sure if that flick is a keeper. And of course, you can purchase movies and TV shows on your Mac or PC, then sync them to your iPod touch.
App Store Shop the App Store and discover over 75,000 apps that let you do even more with your iPod touch. Browse apps in categories from games to lifestyle, social networking to education, and more.
Discover apps in categories from games to lifestyle, social networking to education, and more.
The built-in Wi-Fi capability in iPod touch gives you access to the iTunes Store anywhere, anytime.
Browse Apps Shop the App Store a number of ways. Tap Featured and get a list of new apps and to see what's hot. Peruse by category. Check out the Top 25 apps. Or if you know exactly what app you're looking for, find it by doing a quick search.
Amazon-Related Apps Have Amazon at your fingertips with these applications:
Amazon Mobile: Buy millions of products from the palm of your hand
Kindle: Read Kindle books on your iPhone or iPod touch
Genius Recommendations for Apps There are tens of thousands of apps in the App Store, with more added every day. A new feature of iPod touch makes finding cool new apps even easier. It's Genius for apps, and it works just like Genius for your music. Tap the Genius icon and get recommendations for apps that you might like based on apps you and others have downloaded.
Download Apps When you find an app you want, buy and download it wirelessly to your iPod touch from anywhere over Wi-Fi, and start using it right away.
Update Apps iPod touch tells you whenever an app update is available, so you'll always have the latest versions of your favorite apps.
iTunes Discover and download new music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks with iTunes on your iPod touch.
Shop Anytime, Anywhere The built-in Wi-Fi capability in iPod touch gives you access to the iTunes Store, where you can choose from millions of high-quality iTunes Plus songs and thousands of movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and free podcasts and iTunes U lectures. Browse New Releases, Top Tens, and Genres. Or find exactly what you're looking for by typing in a quick search. Play a preview of any song or video, then tap once to buy it. Not sure if that movie is worth owning? Just rent it. Everything you buy on iPod touch is the same price you pay on the iTunes Store on your computer.
Sync with iTunes When you connect iPod touch to your computer, the music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and podcasts you downloaded on the go sync to your iTunes library on your Mac or PC. If you've partially downloaded something on iPod touch, your computer completes the download automatically.
Voice Control Voice Control on the new 32 GB and 64 GB iPod touch gives you the ability to control music playback with spoken commands. You say it. iPod touch plays it. And shuffles it, pauses it, or names it.
Say and Play Voice Control knows the music in your iPod touch. Want to hear something specific? All you have to do is ask. For instance, say "Play artist Bob Dylan," and iPod touch does just that. Ask what song is playing and hear iPod touch answer. Tell it to play your favorite album, artist, or playlist. Speak simple commands such as "shuffle," "next song," and "pause." Even have iPod touch play more songs like the one you're listening to.
Voice Control on the new 32 GB and 64 GB iPod touch gives you the ability to control music playback with spoken commands using the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic. Click to enlarge.
With storage for up to 90,000 of your favorite photos, iPod touch lets you flick through and share all those remember-that-day moments.
Speak into the Mic The new 32 GB and 64 GB iPod touch come with the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic. So you can reap the benefits (and the fun) of Voice Control even when your iPod touch is tucked in your pocket or bag. To activate Voice Control using the headphones, just press and hold the center area of the remote that is built in to the cord of the headphones (see image at left).
Language Support Voice Control features support for the following languages: Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (China), Chinese (Taiwan), Dutch, English (UK), English (US), Finnish, French (Canada), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish (Mexico), Spanish (Spain), Swedish
Photos With storage for up to 90,000 of your favorite photos, iPod touch lets you flick through and share all those remember-that-day moments.
Share Photos Show thousands of photos from the palm of your hand. Flick to scroll through thumbnails. Tap to view full screen. Play slideshows, complete with music and transitions. Email a photo to a friend or share it in a MobileMe Gallery.
Save Photos If you receive a great image in an email, save it to your photo library on iPod touch. Once there, it acts just like any other photo. You can set it as your wallpaper, share it on the web, or pass it on.
Sync Photos iPod touch uses iTunes to sync photos you have in iPhoto on a Mac or in Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Photoshop Album on a PC. Just choose which photos or albums to sync to your iPod touch, then you can look at them--and share them--anywhere you go.
Home Screen Maybe you want Maps as the first app in the second row. Or Mail down in the Dock. Whatever the arrangement, make iPod touch your own with customized Home screens.
Customize Your Home Screen Arrange the icons on your Home screen any way you want right on iPod touch or from your computer using iTunes 9. Move an app one row up, two apps over, or even to another Home screen. Create up to 11 Home screens for quick access to the games and applications you download from the App Store and to your Safari web clips.
Home Button No matter where you are on iPod touch, one press of the Home button at the bottom of iPod touch takes you to the main Home screen. You can also take a shortcut from any Home screen back to your main Home screen by pressing the Home button.
Search the entire contents of your iPod touch, all from one place.
iPod touch features Safari, the most advanced web browser ever on a portable device.
Spotlight Search Looking for something? Search the entire contents of your iPod touch, all from one place. On your main Home screen, just swipe to the right to bring up Spotlight. Once you start typing, Spotlight begins searching all of your music, videos, contacts, email, calendars, notes, and even your audiobooks and podcasts.
Add Apps and Web Clips Whenever you download an application from the App Store, a new icon appears on your Home screen. And if you check the same websites every day, just create web clips. They appear on your Home screen, and you can access the sites directly with a single tap.
Safari iPod touch features Safari, the most advanced web browser ever on a portable device. See the web in your hands the same way you see it on a computer. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection.
Browse Anywhere iPod touch is the only iPod with built-in wireless access to the web. Whenever you're connected via Wi-Fi, you can access your favorite websites to read news, check scores, pay bills, and go shopping. And if you're using the new 32 GB or 64 GB iPod touch, you'll notice that web pages load even faster than before.
Search the Web iPod touch syncs your bookmarks from your PC or Mac, so you can access your favorite sites quickly. It has Google and Yahoo! search built in, so it's easy to find what you're looking for on the web.
Web Clips If you check a website frequently--a favorite newspaper, blog, or sports site--why not create a Home screen icon, or web clip, for it? Make web clips with Safari, and your favorite sites are always just a tap away.
Zoom Get a closer look at any web page by zooming in and out with a tap or a pinch of the Multi-Touch display. View websites in portrait or landscape. Rotate iPod touch 90 degrees and the web page rotates, too.
mail on iPod touch looks and works just like email on your computer.
With Maps and a Wi-Fi connection, you can get directions, find local businesses, and check traffic.
Mail Email on iPod touch looks and works just like email on your computer. And it works with the email accounts you already have.
View Messages and Attachments iPod touch supports rich HTML email, so images and photos appear alongside text. And you see email attachments in their original formats, not stripped-down versions. Rotate, zoom, and pan in more than a dozen standard file and image formats, including PDF; Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; and iWork.
Access All Your Accounts Access your email from popular providers--including MobileMe, Google Gmail, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, and AOL--and most industry-standard IMAP and POP mail systems.
Compose Instantly iPod touch recognizes email addresses in different applications. If you run across an email address on a web page or a map listing, for example, just tap it and iPod touch opens a new message and addresses it for you.
Type Smart With its built-in dictionary,* the intelligent iPod touch keyboard predicts and suggests words as you type, making it fast and easy to write email. And when you rotate iPod touch on its side, the keyboard instantly switches from portrait to landscape for larger keys and more room to type.
Search Your Inbox No need to scroll through message after message in your inbox looking for the right one. A quick downward flick brings up a search field that lets you find email by sender, recipient, subject, or all headers.
Maps Find your way and a place to eat. With Maps and a Wi-Fi connection, you can get directions, find local businesses, and check traffic.
Find Yourself iPod touch finds your location using known Wi-Fi hotspots. It also finds points of interest by keyword: Search for "coffee" and iPod touch shows you cafes nearby.
Get Directions Just type in an address and get directions from wherever you are. Choose the method of transportation--car, public transit, or on foot--and view a list of turn-by-turn directions. See a highlighted map route with estimated travel time. You can also mark specific locations and find the best route between them.
Explore and share your favorite YouTube clips.
Track your workouts, set goals, and challenge friends with Nike+.Click to enlarge.
With Voice Memos, you can record any audio you want using the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic or an external mic.
Switch Map Views Just like Google Maps on your computer, Maps on iPod touch lets you switch between views of Google map data, satellite images, and a hybrid of both. Multi-Touch makes the difference. Tap to zoom, pan, and change your view on the move.
See Traffic Maps on iPod touch shows you live traffic information, indicating traffic speed along your route in easy-to-read green, red, and yellow highlights.
YouTube Skateboarding moves gone wrong. Hilarious commercials from another country. Whatever the video, iPod touch has your YouTube addiction covered.
Share from Anywhere Email your favorite videos to your favorite people. Tap Share on any YouTube video detail page and iPod touch creates an email with the video link already in it.
Search YouTube Explore Featured, Most Viewed, Most Recent, and Top Rated videos. Or search for the video you want using a keyword search. Once you find what you're looking for, bookmark it to watch later.
Nike + iPod Compatibility Rock out your workout. iPod touch has built-in support for Nike + iPod. It's music and motivation rolled into one.
Tune Your Run iPod touch includes built-in Nike + iPod support. Just slip the Nike + iPod Sensor (available separately) into your Nike+ shoe and start your run. The sensor communicates wirelessly with your iPod touch, tracking your time, distance, and calories burned. It even gives you voice feedback on your progress.
Tune Your Cardio Workout This feature also works with new cardio equipment available in many fitness centers. Just look for Nike + iPod compatible treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, and stationary bikes.
Sync with nikeplus.com When you get back to your computer, sync your iPod touch with iTunes and transfer your exercise data to nikeplus.com, where you can track your workouts, set goals, and challenge friends.
Voice Memos You might have a good memory. But sometimes, it's nice to have a backup. With Voice Memos, you can record little (and big) bits of information to your iPod touch.
Record Memos (or Any Audio) Record a simple to-do, your next big idea, or a bet between you and your friend. With Voice Memos, you can record any audio you want using the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic or an external mic. Voice Memos will record even when you're using your iPod touch to do things such as checking email or surfing the web.
Edit Memos You can trim recorded memos right on iPod touch. That way, you keep only what you need.
Manage Memos Keep all your memos organized by choosing labels from a predefined list or by creating custom labels.
Share Memos Send memos to your friends and colleagues via email. Memos you record on iPod touch sync back to your Mac or PC via iTunes, so you can share them later.
Play the latest head-to-head games with a friend--whether your friend is sitting next to you or across the country.
Want more room to type? Rotate iPod touch to landscape to use a larger keyboard in Mail, Notes, and Safari.
Download movies, TV shows, music videos, and audiobooks over Wi-Fi from the iTunes Store on iPod touch.
More Features
iPod touch comes with the latest software already installed. And you also get convenient apps including Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Stocks, and Weather.
iPhone 3.1 Software Features
Genius Mixes This new feature acts as your personal DJ, searching your iTunes library to find songs that go great together, then organizing them into mixes you'll love. All automatically.
Genius Recommendations for Apps With thousands of apps in the App Store, how do you find cool new ones? Let Genius help. It looks at the apps you're using and recommends others you might like.
Peer-to-Peer Gaming Play the latest head-to-head games with a friend--whether your friend is sitting next to you or across the country.
Buy Movies, TV Shows, and Audiobooks via Wi-Fi Download movies, TV shows, music videos, and audiobooks over Wi-Fi from the iTunes Store on iPod touch.
Landscape Keyboard Want more room to type? Rotate iPod touch to landscape to use a larger keyboard in Mail, Notes, and Safari.
Cut, Copy & Paste Cut, copy, and paste words and photos, even between applications. Copy and paste images and content from the web, too.
Spotlight Search Find what you're looking for across your iPod touch, all from one convenient place. Spotlight searches all your contacts, email, calendars, and notes, as well as your music and video.
Automatic Wi-Fi Login Log in to a Wi-Fi hotspot and iPod touch remembers your user name and password the next time you connect.
Accessibility The new iPod touch comes with standard accessibility features that help people with disabilities experience the fun of iPod touch.
Stereo Bluetooth Enjoy music and other audio wirelessly. Pair your iPod touch with compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones.
Shake to Shuffle Just give your iPod touch a shake, and it shuffles to a different song in your music library. You'll always be surprised by what you hear.
Parental Controls Decide what music, videos, and apps your kids can access.
Stocks on iPod touch shows you performance information for any stock you choose.
Check worldwide weather at home or away.
Pioneering hardware technology built into iPod touch is how you're able to flick, tap, and pinch.
iPod touch also includes these useful apps:
Calendar Calendar works with Yahoo!, Google, Microsoft Outlook, iCal, MobileMe, and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for enterprise. Add events. Set reminder alerts. Subscribe to calendars for things such as national holidays and sports schedules.
Contacts Put names, email addresses, phone numbers, and more at your fingertips. Sync contacts on your Mac or PC to iPod touch using iTunes. Add new contacts on the go with a tap.
Notes Forget the pen and paper. Use Notes on iPod touch to write yourself a quick note and keep important information on hand. A built-in email function lets you send notes to yourself or others.
Stocks Stocks on iPod touch shows you performance information for any stock you choose. When you want more details about a stock's performance, tap the Y! for instant access to Yahoo! Finance.
Weather Check worldwide weather at home or away. Add the cities you want, then flick back and forth to get six-day forecasts for each. Tap the Y! to open a Yahoo! city guide that shows you what's happening, rain or shine.
Calculator Calculator on iPod touch does double duty. In portrait mode, you can use Calculator for simple calculations. Rotate iPod touch to landscape, and it becomes a sophisticated scientific calculator.
iPod touch Technology
Pioneering hardware technology built into iPod touch is how you're able to flick, tap, and pinch. It's what makes that racing game feel so real. It's why you're able to tweet what you just overheard in the cafe. And it's the reason iPod touch is the most amazing iPod you'll ever own.
Multi-Touch The Multi-Touch display layers a protective shield over a capacitive panel that senses your touch using electrical fields. It then transmits that information to the LCD screen below it. So you can glide through albums with Cover Flow, flick through photos and enlarge them with a pinch, zoom in and out on a section of a web page, and control game elements precisely.
Accelerometer The accelerometer inside iPod touch allows it to detect when you rotate iPod touch from portrait to landscape, then automatically changes the contents of the display. The accelerometer really shines when you play games, because it immerses you in the action. It's perfect for racing games, where your entire iPod touch acts as a steering wheel, and for tap-and-tilt games such as Rolando, in which your movements control the action.
Wireless iPod touch has built-in support for 802.11b/g wireless technology. That means you can get online anywhere there's Wi-Fi. Send email from a coffee shop. Surf the web at the airport. Shop for games from your couch. Browse, buy, and download music and more from the iTunes Store. iPod touch locates nearby wireless hotspots, including protected networks. If you've never used a particular network, Wireless Icon it asks you to enter a password the first time, and it remembers the password from then on. So the next time you're within range, it connects automatically.
Bluetooth Bluetooth is a form of wireless technology that lets you use devices without the hassle of cables or wires. What does that mean for iPod touch? It means you can use iPod touch with Bluetooth headphones and listen to your music no matter where in the room your iPod touch is. So lounge on your bed, while your iPod touch charges on your desk. Bluetooth on iPod touch is also great for peer-to-peer gaming.
Design iPod touch is as remarkable outside as it is inside. Holding one is all the proof you need. With its curved design, iPod touch is a mere 8.5 mm thin. Its optical glass front and polished stainless steel back feel sleek and smooth in your hand. Turn it on, and instantly you're impressed by the brilliant 3.5-inch display. iPod touch is the perfect combination of stunning design and revolutionary technology--the total, beautiful package.
Read Kindle books on your iPod touch.
Read Kindle Books on the iPod touch
No Kindle required.
Get the best reading experience available on your iPhone or iPod touch.
Access your Kindle books even if you don't have your Kindle with you.
Automatically synchronizes your last page read between devices with Amazon Whispersync.
Adjust the text size, add bookmarks, and view the annotations you created on your Kindle.
Don't have a Kindle? Get yours here.
Shop for Books on the Kindle Store on Your iPod touch
Buy a book from the Kindle Store, optimized for Safari, on your iPod touch or iPhone and get it auto-delivered wirelessly.
Search and browse more than 400,000 books, including more than 103 of 112 New York Times bestsellers.
Find New York Times bestsellers and new releases for $9.99, unless marked otherwise.
Get free book samples; read the first chapter for free before you decide to buy.
Books you purchase also can be read on a Kindle.
Kindle newspapers, magazines, and blogs are not currently available on the iPod touch or iPhone.
Kindle for iPhone is currently available for customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of, Mexico, Moldova, Republic Of, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam
What's in the Box
Apple iPod touch 32 GB (3rd Generation), Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic, USB 2.0 cable, Dock adapter, Quick Start guide
IMPORTANT: To get started using your iPod, charge your player using the USB cable for at least 2 hours
32 GB capacity for 7,000 songs, 40,000 photos, or 40 hours of video
Up to 30 hours of music playback or 6 hours of video playback when fully charged
3.5-inch widescreen Multi-Touch display with 480 x 320 pixel resolution
Supports AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV audio formats; H.264 and MPEG-4 video formats; JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF
NOTE: The iPod touch comes with the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic; to activate Voice Control using the headphones, just press and hold the center area of the Apple headphone remote
One-year limited warranty with single incident of complimentary telephone technical support
WARNNING for new 8GB 3G owners and ipod touch 3G Review
Review Date: September 11, 2009
Reviewer: Hassan B. Bn Hadhram,
Before i start let me just tell you "what's New" with the iPod touch Third generation" :
-Faster Cpu/Double the ram/Better graphic (faster Boot time/faster loading is all what i did notice)
-Double the storage for the same old price
-Voice control (I'll explain it in a second)
-Latest firmware for free
-New Earbuds with built in remote+Microphone (So you can use voice control)
And that is everything~ depends on your needs upgrading from 2G to 3G might be not worth it.
*Important Note* : only the New iPod touch 32GB/64GB are third generation ~ (8GB is repacked 2G) Details below.
About the new Voice control function, if you love to take your iPod with you to the Gym the new feature "Voice control" is pretty cool, it does allow you to control your music via your voice, no need to get the iPod out of your pocket you can simply say "Next" to move to next song, say "shuffle" for shuffle , say "Pause" and music playback will stop etc, that is why i recommend the iPod touch over iPod classic for gym users, my friend bought an iPod classic and now he complains that the iPod classic is too heavy for him when he goes to the gym and he will have to buy another iPod "properly Nano" for his Gym, for me i use my iPod touch for the gym, it's so light that sometimes i forgot that it's even in my pocket.
After playing with my iPod touch 3g for a while i honestly did not notice any difference from the outside or the inside compared to my old iPod touch Second generation (It's supposed to be faster but i did not notice anything during music and video playback or the menus, however browsing with safari and loading facebook was faster, same thing with boot time), you properly can only notice it being faster with heavy applications since video/music playback is already fast enough with 2G.
I got the 64GB iPod 3G for [...]$, if you think of upgrading your 2G iPod touch honestly do yourself a favor and save yourself the money unless you really need that much of a storage (I do that is why i bought one), also remember that the 3G battery lasts less than 2G,(3G battery = 30 Hours of music playback versus 2G 36 hours of music playback according to apple official specs)
*VERY IMPORTANT* for the people who wants the new 8GB version, the new third generation 8GB iPod touch is NOT 3G it's a second generation iPod touch but apple did repack it/renamed it to 3rd generation, which seems to be misleading by APPLE and it's not cool at all, it is IPod Touch 2G+Updated firmware and that is it.
The iPod touch 3rd generation 32GB/64GB versions comes with a free mic+remote with the earbuds while the 8GB do not (it comes with normal earbuds), the 32GB/64GB have the New CPU+Graphic (According to apple the new cpu is twice as fast just like the iPhone 3GS) while the new 8GB use the same old CPU/Chip from the old iPod touch second generation.
Here is APPLE description on the iPod touches page about the 32/64GB versions : """Enjoy all the great features of the 8GB model along with better performance, richer graphics and voice control"""
The iPod touch 3rd generation is the same awesome iPod touch second generation was.
You can play your music/watch your videos/play games, even read your kindle books/etc "you can read amazon big description of what it's capable of if you do not know yet, it's better than what would i say because it has pictures and everything.
The iPod touch got the best browser i have ever seen in a portable device, i do not even need to carry my netbook with me anymore thanks to my iPod touch, if you hated browsing with lame browsers that crash a lot or slow (many mobile phones) trust me on this one, the iPod touch browser is not a toy or a gimmick it is a browser you can depends on, it's super fast and smooth and after using it for like a full year it has only crashed on me once!
Short list of pros and cons about the iPod touch
Pros:
-Slick,small and light device
-Great touch screen
-The BEST web browser on a portable device
-Amazing video/music playback
-App Store (Too many cool applications for Free)
-Display screen is clear and bright
-No bugs and annoying stuff a very reliable hardware
-64GB Flash based mp3 player
Cons:
-Not much of an upgrade over 2G (people were disappointed because they did not get upgrades like camera/OLED/etc)
-Weaker battery, only lasts 30 hours for music playback versus 2G iPod touch 36 Hours music playback
-Expensive for the 64GB version
-Still no FM radio without the use of online applications
-Bluetooth is still half locked
Update : one more reason to avoid the 8GB ipod touch, Apple announced today "April 09 2010" that iPhone 4.0 OS will be released this summer and it will bring many new features to the iphone and ipod touch, however some features like Multitasking will only be available for iphone 3GS and higher or Ipod touch third generation and higher (As i said before the 8GB is second Generation only, a third generation 8gb ipod touch do not exist! so you wont be getting multitasking if you buy the 8GB ipod touch),
I hope my review was helpful :)
So Much **MORE** Than Just An MP3 Player!
Review Date: September 30, 2009
Reviewer: Alex Honda, Los Angeles, CA USA
This is my first iPod and MP3 player. So far I've had the iPOD TOUCH (32-GIG/3RD GEN) for two-weeks and I'm loving it.
It's does so much more than just play music, which is why I wanted one. I'm not a Mac person at all but the iPod Touch...I love it.
Out of the box it found my Wi-Fi connection and had me surfing the net (the real Internet and not the cell phone web pages like the one on my Verizon phone). It was intuitive to use and I'm finally getting accustomed to using the touch screen to scroll and type away.
This review is mostly for other iPod newbies like myself. Here's what it comes with:
***The iPod Touch- slick and smooth and very thin
***A USB Cable- this hooks your iPod to your computer to recharge the battery and to sync it with iTunes.
***Plastic Docking Thing- this is a small plastic part that allows you to dock the iPod to an external device (I'm not sure what).
***Head Phones with Microphone and external volume control.
***Teeny-tiny insert- with bare-bones info. You have to access the full manual, which is available for free download in PDF format, at the apple website.
My advice is to buy an external cover for the iPod--the 2nd Generation iPod Touch skins/cover fit the new 3rd Generation ones because the body is the same--and buy a screen protector so you keep the screen free from scratches and such. I already scratched the shiny back of my iPod just by placing it down on the table so be careful when you first get it if you don't have a cover for it.
As long as you have Wi-Fi (wireless Internet connection) in your house/apt you can get full use out of the iPod Touch. You can also access free Wi-Fi hotspots in stores, restaurants, and other areas, so you can get on the Internet and download applications (apps) etc., check your email, go on facebook, youtube, even Amazon has an app, that can be downloaded onto the iPod.
The iPod Touch is configured to automatically search for Wi-Fi networks, it looks for both either locked (need a password) or unlocked (no password) networks, and displays them in the settings for "Wi-Fi." You really don't have to know anything about Wi-Fi to get it started. You just pick one of them and it connects to it.
I've tried my iPod at some hotspots like a shopping center with a Starbucks and it found the Wi-Fi and connected but since a lot of people were using it, it took a while to connect.
You need the program iTunes, which is a free down-loadable program for Windows or Mac, and an iTunes account to purchase and download the apps (most are free but you still need an account to download them). If you've used iTunes before for buying song downloads or just to register then you already have a login account...if you haven't used iTunes before it's free to download and easy to install. Then you sign up for an account which is also free, unless you plan on purchasing songs or videos.
The pluses on the iPod Touch:
===== Applications (Apps) =====
The apps are a plenty on the iPod Touch and there's an app for everything (practically). They're arranged by category like games, news, productivity, etc., and are furthered displayed by best selling, top-free, and release date. You can also search by keyword or check out the most popular and featured apps.
Some apps are free and some cost a one time fee of between $.99-$4.99 and up. If you're a news junkie like me, you'll really love it. I've downloaded Time Magazine, NPR (radio and print stories), BBC READER, New York Times, USA Today, AP (Associated Press) and ABC News...all for free!
I really like that the BBC Reader will download their stories into the cache memory, once you connect via Wi-Fi so you can read the articles offline (when Wi-Fi is not available). NYT and AP will allow you to save articles that you can read offline as well. And the AP will deliver breaking news as long as you're connected... ALL FREE!!!
I've downloaded a dictionary, spell checker, facebook, Grimm's Fairytales and Alice In Wonderland books to read...all for FREE! I also got this free app called "Pandora" which is a radio station that will only play songs by artists that you want to hear. Too cool!
I know that I sound like a broken record with the "free" stuff but being a Verizon Wireless user, I'm sure other VZW customers feel me, I'm amazed that one can download and install quality, portable applications onto a device for no charge or subscription plan.
===== Other Fun Stuff =====
Calendar for appointments etc., contact phone book, clock, weather, calculator (you can download a free tip-calculator), notes and maps. These all come with the iPod Touch.
iTunes will keep the stuff (music, apps, videos) on your iPod, backed-up on your computer so you'll always have a copy of those things. And you can tell it which play-lists to sync so that you don't have to carry around your entire music/video library from your computer on the portable.
Anyway, I'm loving my iPod Touch and it was the perfect birthday gift to myself. It really is like having a mini-computer with you at all times. The only thing that's missing is a camera, but that's not a big deal at all. It's great for people who want an iPhone, but don't want AT&T's lousy service. I also love not having to pay a monthly subscription charge to Verizon for apps on my cell phone, now that I have the iPod Touch!
The only thing I would advise getting--in addition to the iPod--is the cover protector skin and screen protector mentioned earlier, and the Apple USB Power Adapter which will allow you to plug the USB cord into an electrical outlet (though it isn't necessary, it charges a lot faster than when it's charging from your computer).
Since this is my first iPod, I don't know how it stacks up against the previous versions. But this one is great and really addicting! So if you've been wondering if you should get one and you don't have an iPhone, have access to Wi-Fi, then I'd say...yes! The iPod Touch has so much to offer the user that you can find something to do with it even if you don't plan on using it as an MP3 player all that much.
*** A Note About iTunes ***
Even if you don't buy MP3s--I've only purchased about three from iTunes; the rest was from Amazon through credits from special purchases and iPod can play them--iTunes is really handy because it makes taking songs from CDs so easy by capturing them and turning them into MP3s. The program will even retrieve song and artist information for you so you don't have to label the file once you import it. From there you can make your own playlists and burn your own CDs from those playlists, not to mention carrying them on your iPod, so it's definitely worth it and really easy to use.
Just Shy Of Perfection
Review Date: September 15, 2009
Reviewer: C. Franz, Zurich, ZH Switzerland
This review could be summerd up in a short sentence: You are looking at the current killer appliance for personal entertainment. But I never, ever, do short reviews... So here's the long story. Grab a cup of coffee, as this review answers questions you never knew existed.
I have to admit that there have been few items that have captured and kept my enthusiasm for as long as the iPod Touch. Two years ago, I purchased the original Touch, last year I upgraded to the 32 GB, and now I have the 64GB version. Was the upgrade worth it? And what are the things yet to be imroved? Because even though the Touch is close to perfection, there are still many small things that can be improved.
Hardware
Physically, the new (64GB) Touch is identical to it's 2nd generation brethren. It's polished crome backplate is slightly curved, making it fit your palm perfectly. As before, the fact that it's made from polished chrome will guarantee that it attracts fingerprints and scratches almost magically. I'm no friend of any kind of protective covers, and my last (32GB) Touch had to live in my pocket with my keys, coins, and other stuff I threw in with it. After a year, the backplate did pick up a lot of scratches, and I expect that the 64GB to fare no better. Personally, I would have preferred a brushed finish for the backplate. This may have caused problems with the readability of the customized engraving that Apple applies to the Touch on the backplate for no additional charge (a nice 'touch' that becomes increasingly important as the Touch becomes more ubiquitious). This custom engraving you can only get if you order the Touch through Apple (it's also not available in the Apple Stores).
The front plate is made from one of the most impressive glass enhancements I've ever seen. After a year of heavy abuse, my old Touch's glass front has not a single scratch - not one. I don't know how Apple does it, but this is really impressive. Remember, I don't use any protective covers or films. The screen itself is brilliant, bright, and can easily be read outside, wich is a feat in itself. The Touch has an ambient light sensor, so it can dim the screen when the surroundings are darker.
This time around, the screen's color temperature has remained unchanged (the 2G shifted all colors from a blueish to a more golden tinge). Movie playback is simply astonishing. The image is crisp, and the on-screen controls natural. Again, there are niceties such as double-tapping the screen to change aspect ratio, or placing bookmarks etc. You still can't set a movie's contrast, but beyond that small issue, movie playback is perfect. Viewing movies on the Touch simply works great, but personally I think that the screen is too small to watch a full movie. Last week, I tried watching a TV episode while on a plane enroute to Hamburg (a 75 minute flight), but quickly decided against it, opting instead to play a game of 'Luxor'. Somehow I prefer a larger screen for consuming video, while I have no problems doing something interactive on it. Still, video plays great on the Touch.
Button and interface lay-out has remained the same from the last generation: volume controls on the left side, top holds the 'exit/on' button, buttom has dock and phones connectors, and the front holds the single home button. There is one thing that can be improved here: I would have preferred the audio connector to be on top (or either side), as the current configuration precludes the use of many applications (e.g. News- and eBook readers) when you want to place it upright -- for example in the Gym. Some apps do use the accelerometers and can be used positioning the Touch upside down, though.
The built-in speaker is unchanged from the last version. It's weak, tinny, mono, produces horrible sound, has no volume to speak of -- and yet it's one of the best additions to the Touch (the original didn't have it, the 2nd gen did). It simply makes casual gaming so much more fun. I don't care about the bad sound quality, I just love the fact that it's there.
The signatory white earphones that Apple sells with the Touch may look good, but I don't like them. In my ears they are too uncomfortable. Since I'm no audiophile, I can't comment on their audio quality other than that it's good enough for me. Anyway, I replaced them with my favorite non-Apple version. The hitch here is that Apple now delivers the 64 GB (and 32 GB) with earphones that sport a built-in mic and remote. And my head phones don't have that. While the remote is nothing much to write home about (the way it works is just too complex), the mic works well, and has just the right fidelity to pick out voice over the background noise. So, for now, I keep the white buds with me in case I want to use the IP-telephony capabilities.
Battery life appears to have been reduced somewhat from the 2nd gen - at least on paper. During the past few days the new 3rd gen Touch certainly performed as well as or even better than my 2nd gen - but then again, that one's battery is already one year old. One fact that I've become very fond of is the quick-charge ability, which works really well.
The built-in wireless connectivity is really nice, with astonishingly well executed integration. The touch does all it's wireless networking over WiFi and Bluetooth. WiFi works really well (especially here in Switzerland where Hotspots are particularely dense), and Bluetooth integration (which I tried on the 3rd gen for the first time) is flawless. WiFi reception (range) lags somewhat behind that of a Wintel laptop (no doubt due to the metal backplate) and is pretty much on par with that of a 15" Macbook Pro (which is also somewhat lacking in WiFi reception range). WiFi is still the 'g' variant though [interestingly enough, the built-in hardware does support 11n, but so far Apple has chosen not to activate it, presumably to conserve battery. This is interesting also from the fact that in the 2G Touch, Apple initially included Bluetooth capabilities, but only activated it with a later OS release. Perhaps the same can be expected for 11n]. Bluetooth now also works with headphones and BT-based car integration kits (works well in mine). I would have loved to try out BT-based printing from the Calender or Addressbook app, but hit a snag: it appears no Touch app supports printing...
Missing Hardware
There is some hardware that I expected, or whished that it was included in the Touch - especially as (some) of them are now present on other iPods:
No camera. I was somewhat ambivalent about this. No camera means no pictures and/or movies. But it also means that I can keep handling it rough, as I do not have to worry abou the lens. Also, I don't have to worry about taking it to the Gym (my Gym has very strict rules towards camera-equipped items). All things being equal, the addition of a camera (still and/or video) would have been nice, but I don't miss it much (truth be told, I yet have to use the camera on my mobile phone).
Unfortunately, there is also no built-in mic. This is much a more significant omission than having no camera. The Touch is a first class audio voice recorder and (more importantly for me) a first class Skype client. There are third party solutions for this (a mini-micro that directly plugs into the headphone connector), but if the touch had a built-in mike, it would make using world-class applications like Shazam (and Skype) so much easier
Likewise, there is no compass, nor a GPS receiver present in the touch. I understand that these are left out to better differentiate the Touch from the iPhone, but I would have welcomed them in the top-of-the-line (64GB) version of the iPod.
And, finally, there is no radio receiver. I'm definitely not a radio man, as I next to never listen to it. Still, some people do (as the ton of nicely selling IP radio applications shows), and anyway, the Nano has it now - even with a nice Tivoesque pause feature! Why not the Touch? Strange design choice.
iPod & iTunes
The original iPod's strength was the sheer brilliant ease of use - and the touch-based interface represented a mile-stone in improving on that. To date there simply is no better multimedia interface than that of the Touch/iPhone. It's natural after just a few seconds. It's drop-dead beautiful, with muted highlights, and cleverly accentuated by small (if flashy) animations that convey the different metaphors of the interface (e.g. the rubber-banded bouncing when you reach the end of a playlist). Like no interface before you can instantly use it to accomplish even complex tasks with just the flick of a finger. Using it is sheer, unadulterated fun. The 'Coverflow' album browsing may be one of the least useful, but it's definitely the most natural (and fun) way to flip though you music. And it is jaw-droppingly well executed (note: when you use coverflow you should make sure that you have installed the all cover art from any music you did not purchase from the iTunes Store).
At the base of all iPod music playing is the Playlist, and using playlist on the Touch is a joy. The interface whileplaying is also mature, offering niceties such as displaying a song's lyrics on a single tap, along with singularily simple controls for repeat and shuffle play. Unfortunately, this playlist feature also still has one of the most glaring shortcomings: the Touch is unable to play playlist groups. I usually group a small bunch of songs into very short playlist (e.g. '10 best Springsteen'), and then mix these playlist into larger ones by simply dropping a playlist into a group. Although iTunes supports this, all versions of the Touch have stubbornly refused to do that.
Also somewhat strangely missing on the Touch is the ability to search for an Artist or music title. Considering the fact that more than 10'000 songs fit onto the device the need for an ability to search for something would seem obvious (note: the Touch *does* have a global search function, which will also turn up songs - along with contacts and mails that match your search phrase. Having to leave the iPod app simply to look for a song is against everything Apple's ease of use is about, and it's not what I would expect). And while we are at it, I'd love the ability to also search the lyrics, but that would be the icing on the cake.
What is present, and what continues to amaze me is a function that I initially dismissed as some way to sell song: Genius Playlists. What it does is that given a song it finds other songs you already possess that would play nicely together. Since I have lots of songs (else I wouldn't be purchasing the 64GB), this feature has helped me to get an incredible amount of additional joy out of my music. There are lots of gems hidden that mass of music I never knew I owned. Of course, if you want to, Genius will also recommend songs you don't have but can buy right now on iTunes. That, of course, is the 'sell song' angle. But at least it's incredibly well executed (and yes, I've used it)
The 64GB now also supports voice recognition - and I'm sure it's a marvel of technology. But (much like the auto-correction system for text) it mostly only works in English. If you have set your system to German, you must pronounce english band names as they would be read aloud by a german-only speaker. Do it once, and everyone in the room stares at you. You'll never do it again. Plus, due to the greater complexity of the german language (I am german speaking), the commands only work half the time. A nice idea, and a boon while driving or typing. But *only* when set to english.
Rounding out the audiovisual feature set is the Touch's photo presentation ability, really showcasing the touch-based gesture interface. It was the pinch and flick gesture that originally sold me on the Touch, and it still does today. On the Mac, iTunes ties into iPhoto's image management, greatly facilitating the task of sorting out which images to synch to your iPod (on windows, this task is slightly more pedestrian, as you'll have to manually manage the 'My Pictures' folder). A strange quirk, though, is that during synch iTunes seems to downsample your images to a (to me unknown, but definitely) smaller size. Since I'm a photo nut (shooting with DSLR) this 'feature' annoys me somewhat, as iTunes currently does not provide any means to control the downsampling of photos.
The success of the original iPod has left some competitors scratching their heads, while it is blindingly obvious to most users: the tight, seamless integration with iTunes. Now in version 9, iTunes has become somewhat complex and not always that intuitive to use. It now
A great choice for high-tech power texters, the LG EnV Touch for Verizon Wireless takes the popular enV phone series to the next level with a 3-inch external touchscreen with tactile feedback for easy navigation and access to all phone functions with just the touch of your finger. And like other enV phones, it has a hinged side that opens up to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and additional 3-inch screen--perfect for all your on-the-go text messaging and email needs. The full-size QWERTY keyboard, with widely spaced keys, accommodates the texting needs of the most demanding user. It also offers a Text Instant Reply feature, enabling you to automatically start a reply message when you read a message.
The LG enV touch combines the best of both worlds, with a 3-inch touchscreen that flips open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and second 3-inch display.
It's compatible with Verizon's V Cast Music Service, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon's fast EV-DO data network. You'll also stay on course thanks to the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB, a multi-format digital audio player, Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, HTML web browsing capabilities, access to personal email and instant messaging, Visual Voicemail, and a bilingual interface.
Verizon Wireless Service With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.) The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time.
In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with the Verizon Wireless V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played.
The V Cast Video service enables you to stream or download video clips to your phone from a variety of news, entertainment, sports, and weather channels, including CNN, ABC News, E!, CBS Sports, The Weather Channel, and VH1.
With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access the Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps. And the Chaperone service lets you easily locate your loved ones from your Verizon Wireless phone or PC in real time. After defining a zone, such as an area designating a school or summer camp, you'll be sent an alert via text message when the Chaperone handset enters or leaves the zone.
Getting on the Internet is easy using the Verizon Wireless Mobile Web 2.0 package, which allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. The Verizon Wireless Media Center wireless download service is also fully compatible with this phone. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Media Center service.
With Visual Voice Mail, you can delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first. Features include on-screen access to voice mail message status, save up to 40 messages for 40 days (or archive permanently), create up to 10 different caller ID-based greetings, and reply via call back, text or even voice mail.
Flipping open the enV Touch reveals an easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard that makes texting and emailing a snap.
With Mobile Broadband Connect (subscription required), you can use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with Mobile Broadband Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.
Phone Features The tall, slim LG enV Touch offers a bright external 3-inch touchscreen (800 x 480 pixels, 16 million colors), which features tactile feedback when pressing buttons as well as an intuitive interface that makes it easy to use within minutes of its unboxing. The touchscreen is highly sensitive, so you only need a light touch with your finger to make selections. The front of the face includes physical keys for send/end as well as a clear key that doubles as a voice command key. The sides of the phone include keys for volume and accessing the camera/camcorder as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack and the MicroSD memory slot. Flipping open the enV Touch reveals the full QWERTY keyboard and a large 3-inch LCD (800 x 480 pixels, 16 million colors). Dialing function buttons are also duplicated on the internal touchpad, and you can set the phone to automatically open a new text message once you flip it open.
The phone has a small internal memory and offers memory expansion up to 16 GB using optional MicroSD memory cards. The enV Touch's built-in address book can store up to 1500 contacts, and each entry can store 5 numbers, 2 email addresses, and a picture ID. The phone comes with multiple unique polyphonic ringtones, and it has vibrate and silent modes when you need to keep things quiet. The phone lets you match pictures with callers to identify them, and the enV Touch's voice recognition software supports voice commands from any user, not just a pre-programmed user's voice.
Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder with flash, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, and MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB.
Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone provides the latest version of Bluetooth connectivity--version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), which makes pairing with a headset as well as other Bluetooth devices a snap. And with the embedded A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones or other compatible devices. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server (additional charges or subscription applicable).
The 3.2-megapixel camera can snap still photos in four resolutions (2048 x 1536 (default), 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 pixels), and it also features an integrated flash, white balance settings, multiple shutter sounds and color effects, and a self-timer. It also includes a multi-shot mode with a Smile Shot feature that automatically takes a picture when a smile is detected and a Panorama feature that automatically takes 3 pictures in sequence as you move from left to right. The phone can also capture video clips for as long as you have available memory.
The enV3 has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging, too, with support for sending and receiving text, picture, and video messages as well as mobile instant messaging (IM). There's also a complete e-mail client on the device for POP- and IMAP-based accounts. And of course, the QWERTY keyboard makes it a snap to type your messages.
Other features include:
Music player compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC/AAC+ formats; create and manage playlists on the phone and sync from your PC
Bilingual Interface: English/Espanol
Airplane Mode
Tools: Calculator, Ez Tip Calculator, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, World Clock, Notepad, Drawing Pad
Document Viewer-read documents in several file formats including .doc, .xls, .ptt, and .pdf
USB Mass Storage-Transfer files via MicroSD card
Voice Commands
Speakerphone
Embedded Ring Tones, Vibrating Alert & Silent
3.5mm Headset Jack
In Case of Emergency Contacts
TTY/TDD Support
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4
Bluetooth version 2.1 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BIP (for sending images to another device), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), HID (support for mice or joysticks), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PBA (transfer contacts), SPP (serial port profile)
Vital Statistics The LG enV Touch weighs 4.92 ounces and measures 4.52 x 2.16 x 0.66 inches. Its 950 mAh lithium-polymer battery is rated at up to 4.3 hours of talk time, and up to 408 hours (17 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies.
Touchscreen-enabled multimedia phone opens to reveal QWERTY keyboard and large 3-inch screen
Access V Cast Music (with Rhapsody) and Video servicse via fast EV-DO data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; Visual Voice Mail
3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging
Up to 4.3 hours of talk time, up to 408 hours (17 days) of standby time
What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, quick reference guide, user manual
Verizon's best phone for 2009?
Review Date: June 8, 2009
Reviewer: John Robertson, Phoenix, AZ
Here is this product's obligatory page-long review. I drew some basic comparisons to two other Verizon phones -- the Samsung Omnia i910 and the LG Dare. I hope this review may ultimately save some of you some time. :)
I have been looking for a phone with a high-resolution, fast camera, and PDA-like features. I use the camera when traveling to clients' premises, and am surprised how many devices made by Apple, RIMM, Palm and others treat cell-phone cameras as an adolescent feature that wastes the time of employees (like surfing emails and internet cannot be abused this way). As someone who needs the coverage of the Verizon network in my area, not too many phones fit into the above two categories -- particularly without the need to buy a $30/month data plan. I intentionally delayed using my NE2, knowing that Verizon often releases phones in June. After nearly choosing the Samsung Omnia i910 and LG Dare, I'm glad I did.
I read in other Amazon reviews that some user's of the Sammy 910 made the effort to set the phone up properly so that they didn't have to dig through menus. But personally, I found the i910 very difficult to do almost anything, even with shortcuts right on its desktop, even after trying it out 6 times at Verizon stores. I'd hate to tell a relative, "Here's my phone, go make a call!" It's excellent 5mpix camera almost convinced me, but it was too hard to text in either landscape or portrait, and it requires the $30/mon data plan, plus has a non-standard headphone jack. The LG Dare was much simpler to pick-up an use, although (without having tried calibration adjustments) I found I made mistakes every time I did a sample text message with it's touch screen, in either orientation. The camera was also slow at times, especially when using auto-focus, taking as much as 2 seconds to take a picture, and more to wait for the camera to prompt you with the save/erase options.
Enter the enV Touch (and in some similar respects, the LG enV3 VX9200 Phone, Blue (Verizon Wireless) or the LG enV3 VX9200 Phone, Maroon (Verizon Wireless). Finally, a company has figured out a way to keep a real, non-touch-screen qwerty board embedded in an updated, semi-smart phone, especially for those of us who cannot or do not like haptic-feedback touch screens. Personally, I prefer the center-located space bar, although some of the older enV user's may need time to get used to this. The keyboard, with my fairly large, iron-grip hands, is easier to use than any touch screen keyboard I've tried, and the 3.2 megapixel camera is one of only a few Verizon phones that offers better than 3 megapix resolution -- shameful in my opinion. Pictures snap quickly too, in less than 1 second. The full 3" screen viewfinder makes you feel as if you are using a devoted still camera, although I'm noticing that I have to be a bit careful how I hold the phone so as not to cover the sensor. This will improve with practice.
But about that front touchscreen -- I am very impressed. Even without a hard keyboard, this would have been the first phone from any US provider where I can actually type out a text message, completely error-free, using only the traditional numeric keypad in portrait mode. And getting there is easier too -- the tab-up feature to use the touch screen is very easy and intuitive. Screen resolution is very good, though perhaps not quite as leading edge as the iPhone or Storm color and resolution. However, the screen is large enough to see the touch keyboard and a large enough portion of a text or email message without having to scroll through as much as with the Dare/Omnia. But the phone is also fast -- my old Motorola motorazr had ongoing slow-responsiveness to pictures, notepad activation, even ringing for incoming calls! The enV Touch is fastest phone I've used, with a near-instant 1/4th second or better response to opening or activating almost anything. This iPhone-like device also does not require a data plan if you just need a feature-rich cell phone without always-on email. However, at $1.99/MB, I will have to try out email push and browsing to see if a data plan may yet be desirable. I travel to Canada frequently, and hope not to have any "always-on" data roaming fees -- I have read horror stories about iPhones incurring $600 bills as owners blithely cross borders or even roaming within the US. But to my current, possibly wrong understanding, I don't think this phone automatically data-roams. The phone also offers airplane mode and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack -- finally, no more need to take an iPod and cell phone and camera with me on trips. Now only if we had unlocked GPS...maybe this will work with Google Maps? Another interesting device I'm looking at purchasing is the Motorola MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone which blue-tooths the phone's audio or phone calls to the car stereo -- safer for calls and convenient for music. Another nice change: The CLEAR and END keys on the front screen are well separated now -- no accidentally erasing an unsent message when you thought you were backspacing.
It's not perfect. Despite the terrific 16GB capacity, Verizon's menu system still retains a 200 text-message limit. Wha?? After nearly 10 years with this design, couldn't this be a tiny bit larger by now? Of course, that's a Verizon issue, not really LG's mistake, but since this phone is currently only used on Verizon's network, it's an issue. The phone is a little bit wider at .61 inches than comparable, non-keyboarded competitors. I gladly accept this trade-off for the convenience of two styles of keyboards though. It's also little taller than the similar enV3. So far, that's all I can say on the con side.
As much as I love the touch screen, it's still not what I'd consider a true iPhone contender though, which with a new release today, seems like it still has a more vibrant display and of course much better apps. But the enV Touch was, for me, the closest Verizon phone to the iPhone, if only because it seems so intuitive, and it is easily the best cell phone I've ever owned.
As I use the phone, I will update the review with notable pros and cons.
So, I decided to buy an IPhone . . .
Review Date: July 14, 2009
Reviewer: D. E. Marley, Winston-Salem, NC United States
It seemed inevitable:
* I had been using a simple flip phone for several years. I deserved an upgrade.
* Apple had just introduced new models and all the reviewers said some flaws on earlier models had been corrected.
* Apple had lowered the price of the 16GB model to $200. Seemed like a bargain.
* There are a gazillion "apps" that will run on the IPhone. Surely one of them would make me smarter, quicker, more productive.
* My nieces and nephews can't stop playing with their IPhones.
* I already had a desktop computer, a laptop, and a netbook. Buying a "handtop" seemed a natural progression.
* All the "beautiful people" have IPhones - I can see them in celebrity pictures, holding on to them like security blankets
So I trucked on down to my local Apple store and got an IPhone demonstration from the courteous, articulate, and helpful young salesman. He smoothly and expertly sized me up as someone not interested in games on an IPhone and demonstrated a variety of productivity and ease of use features.
He let me try out the virtual keyboard on his IPhone and it worked fine for me. He explained to me that the wonders of the web could be mine with the IPhone and the required $30 per month data plan - less than I was paying for broadband service for my other computers, as he pointed out.
I was sold.
But just to fill the rest of the day I wandered on over to Best Buy to play with all the other IPhone pretenders. After a period of button pushing and handset handling, doubts began to arise about my IPhone purchase decision.
As I held the non-IPhones, I began to appreciate the comfort and advantages of data entry with a physical keyboard. I realized that with a virtual keyboard, the keys, your clumsy little fingers, and whatever text was being displayed, were all competing for the same scarce 3" of display space.
More troubling, in the days that followed I searched through the various reviews of the "best" apps for the IPhone and found there was only a few that held any interest at all for me.
It began to appear that I might lose my chance to join the "beautiful people."
The LG Touch must be one of the largest and heaviest cell phones currently made.
And I love every inch and ounce of it. Tiny controls on cell phones may be fine for 20 YOs, but not for 60 YOs.
The Touch combines the convenience of the external touch screen for phone use, with the huge (OK, about 4" wide) internal physical keyboard for data entry.
The real deal-killer for the IPhone was the required monthly $30 data plan. Over a 24 month contract, my $200 IPhone was going to cost me $920! Verizon also offers a data plan for the Touch for $15 a month - I guess a bargain.
However, they also offer a pay-per-go plan of $1.99 for every megabyte of data you transmitreceive. Certainly, if you plan to regularly browse typical web pages you are going to need a monthly data plan. However, trying to read the home page of the NY Times on a 3" screen seems to me to be an exercise in masochism.
I limit my browsing to the "mobile" versions of the larger commercial websites. They are generally all text. They load very quickly. You don't have to "pan and zoom" over a page built for 15" monitors in order to read them. And most important, on the days when I have to go on-line the costs are measured in pennies, not dollars.
Earlier I mentioned my "productivity" requirements. Ordinary productivity features such as contact lists, voice mail, alarms, and texting are a breeze on the Touch.
Beyond this, my other productivity needs when I'm away from my desk, mostly involve lists and reference materials that I need to access. You can "sync" this stuff on a variety of phones but I've hated the wires and procedures of "syncing" since the days of my first Palm PDA.
If the material is just something to which I will need to refer, I format it in a MS Word document in 12 pt type, for a custom sized 4" wide x 11" page. Reads perfectly on the Touch. (Didn't I mention that the Touch will read MS Word documents -- but won't edit them) I then copy the Word file to the memory card of the Touch and I'm off
If the material is something I expect to have to edit on the Touch, I either create it or copy it on a Google Document or Task file. Google has a "mobile" portal for both these types of documents. Once again, these Google mobile files read easily on the Touch. Edits made on the Touch are automatically saved on Google, and I can access the revised files on any of my other computers.
Of course, you can type notes directly on the Notepad program of the Touch - or even type notes in an email draft. But as much as I value the 4" keyboard on the Touch, I still try to type on a "real" keyboard for any significant amount of data entry.
So that's the story of my lost IPhone. I'm sure over the next 24 months of my phone contract I'll find some warts on the LG Touch. But for now, it was the right choice for me.
Absolutely Brilliant!
Review Date: June 7, 2009
Reviewer: CJ, Jamaica NY
After 2 other LG phones that were buggy and had issues with dropped calls, I told myself I would NEVER buy LG again. But because I wanted a qwerty touch screen phone, my options were limited, so I thought I'd give LG one last try.
I could not be more happy! This phone is amazing, touch screen is very responsive, call quality rivals landline quality, takes great quality photos, brilliant display screen, loud ringers, good sized qwerty keyboard for texting, I could go on and on!
There are many ways to customize this phone to your needs, there are a multitude of settings. This is the phone I have been waiting for.
I got a Samsung Impression last week, but wasn't entirely happy with the phone, but mostly unhappy with AT&T service, many places I found myself having no signal, for a 3G phone in a major city, this was unacceptable.
So I returned the phone and found myself searching for something similar, the Lg Envy Touch was similar, but better as far as features, I was just afraid to try another LG, but they have restored my faith.
There a a few minor things I don't like about the Envy Touch, the vibration mode is not that strong, if you have the phone in a case, and your in a noisy place unable to hear the ringer, you need to rely on vibrate mode, but you can hardly feel it vibrate, my wife has an Envy 2, and the vibration is very strong, if it's on a table in vibrate mode, it will move when it rings several inches from where it was because the vibration is so strong, but the Envy Touch is not even close.
Would also prefer a slide open instead of a flip, but not a big deal, just a preference. And lastly when texting, the beginning of a sentence does not start in caps, you must hit the shift key, every phone I had the sentence would start in caps, but again no big deal.
The pros of this phone are many, the cons are few, there is no such thing as the perfect phone, but this comes pretty close.
The Envy Touch is definitely a keeper and I highly recommend it!
Update:12/9/09
I've had this phone for 6 months now, and it's starting to randomly shut off, took it back to the Verizon store, they gave me a software update, but this didn't help.
Also too, when I get text messages, sometimes when I flip open the phone to read my message the screen is blank, I have to close and open it several times before I see anything.
I should not be having these problems after only 6 months :(
Update: 1/4/10
I am now on my 3rd Envy Touch, Verizon gave me a like new replacement, but it had the same problems as the first one, keeps shutting off by itself.
So now I'm on my 3rd like new replacement, lets see what happens with this one : (
I have once again lost my faith in LG phones, seems they are not built to last.
Update : 4/16/10
My 3rd Envy Touch died! Never again will I buy LG phones! Totally unreliable!
Amazing phone, how can they top this?!
Review Date: June 7, 2009
Reviewer: W. E. St Clair III, VA, USA
This phone is simply brilliant. I agree with everything the other reviewer said - mainly that text message sentences don't start in caps. But by no means a big deal! This phone is so easy to use - with the touchscreen or the keyboard. I was worried about the touchscreen and didn't want a touchscreen only phone because of the stories I had heard. This phone has the best of both - full keyboard and touchscreen, but I can tell you the touchscreen works flawlessly. I am really impressed at how easy it is to use. Web browsing is easy too, no need to buy an expensive data plan to surf the web. I use mine for work and play. I was a diehard motorola man, but LG has won me over. When I go shopping for appliances or a TV I will look closer at LG, they just seemed to get all the little details - well most of, the details right. You can't say that about motorola, there phones were starting to slip.
This one is a keeper, my only worry is how are they going to make the next one better? This one is that good.
p.s. - When shopping for a phone make sure if your a polarized sunglasses wearer like me that you can read that screen! This phone is TOTALLY readable wearing sunglasses. I traded in a samsung alias 2 for this LG - samsung was nice, but in landscape mode the screen was black, portrait it worked fine. Just something you probably wouldn't think of checking for in the store! And again this LG is great with polarized lenses.
The feature-packed and highly refined BlackBerry Tour 9630 world phone for Verizon Wireless keeps you connected and lets you roam the globe in style. In addition to accessing the reliable and fast Verizon Wireless voice and data network, the Tour is also compatible with 3G-enabled GSM networks outside the United States, giving you the option to make phone calls in 220 countries and to access email and Internet in any of the 175 countries where Verizon Wireless provides data roaming services.
Roam where you want to with the BlackBerry Tour 3G world phone, which provides the option to make phone calls in 220 countries and to access email/Internet in any of the 175 countries where Verizon Wireless provides data roaming services.
The Tour comes packed with all the communication and professional functionality you expect from a BlackBerry device, including a push-based mobile solution for email and access to Microsoft Office files. It's also compatible with Verizon's V Cast Music Service, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon's fast 3G EV-DO data network. You'll stay on course thanks to the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service, as well as be able to find your way in foreign destination using the VZ Navigator Global service. And with the optional Visual Voice Mail service, you'll be able to quickly and easily scroll through your messages and pick the ones you want to listen to.
The BlackBerry Tour includes a large, highly tactile, full-QWERTY keyboard and a large 2.4-inch display with one of the highest resolutions available yet on a BlackBerry device. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder with geo-tagging capabilities, Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion (a 2 GB card is included), easy access to favorite social networking and instant messaging services, support for BlackBerry App World, and up to 5 hours of talk time.
Dual Connectivity Perfect for the fashionable world-traveling professional, the BlackBerry Tour and Verizon Wireless' Global BlackBerry service allow customers to access e-mail and place and receive domestic and international calls in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and parts of Africa. When used at home here in the U.S., you'll connect to Verizon's 800/1900 MHz CDMA network, as well as its 1xEV-DO 3G high-speed data network--which offers download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.)
But when you're traveling within a GSM network coverage area outside of the U.S. provided by Verizon Wireless' global roaming partners, the quad-band GSM-enabled Tour provides easy voice connectivity while roaming the globe. Additionally, it provides global 3G connectivity (2100 MHz UMTS) for fast access to the Internet, data and more when traveling outside the United States. It comes with a pre-installed SIM card.
Stay connected with a push-based mobile solution for e-mail, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS), and social networking (see larger version).
Other features include GPS location services, a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder with geo-tagging capabilities, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, MicroSD expansion (with included 2 GB card).
Verizon Services With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access the Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps.
Additionally, this phone is compatible with the VZ Navigator Global service, which enables you to find locations and access turn-by-turn directions in North America and Western Europe, including Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (with more being added). Helping to alleviate stress or confusion caused by reading road signs or directions in an unfamiliar language, VZ Navigator Global allows you to choose either English or Spanish as the default language, and miles or kilometers to mark distances. You'll also be able to find restaurants, gas stations, banks/ATMs and other popular spots in these countries using Local Search.
With Mobile Broadband Connect (subscription required), you can use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with Mobile Broadband Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices. Additional subscription charges applicable.
With Visual Voice Mail, you can delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first. Features include on-screen access to voice mail message status, save up to 40 messages for 40 days (or archive permanently), create up to 10 different caller ID-based greetings, and reply via call back, text or even voice mail.
The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time.
In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with the Verizon Wireless V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played.
Phone Features The BlackBerry Tour 9630 features a chic black finish with chrome highlights surrounding its sleek design and a bright 2.4-inch display that delivers the highest resolution available on a BlackBerry smartphone (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi)--presenting pictures, web pages and videos with incredible clarity. The Tour includes a trackball navigation system located on the top of the QWERTY keypad with finely sculpted keys for fast and precise typing. It also features an integrated spell checker with a customizable dictionary to help maintain accuracy while on the go.
It offers premium phone features including voice activated dialing, enhanced background noise cancellation, and a low-distortion speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server (additional charges or subscription applicable).
With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your e-mail. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new e-mail arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing e-mail attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).
With the BlackBerry Internet Service, you'll be able to easily access up to 10 supported personal and work email accounts, send and receive text and instant messages, and connect on popular social networking sites with friends, family and co-workers. It's also compatible with BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which provides advanced security and IT administration features within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.
In addition to the industry's leading mobile email and messaging solution, the Tour supports text (SMS), picture (MMS) and instant messaging (IM) on today's most popular platforms as well as social networking sites. Take your social life on-the-go with Facebook for BlackBerry and Flickr Photo Uploader for BlackBerry application. A Mobile IM feature provides access to Google Talk, MSN, Yahoo!, Windows Live, and AIM instant messaging services.
The media player can play movies smoothly in full-screen mode, display pictures and slideshows quickly and manage an entire music and video collection, and with BlackBerry Media Sync you can quickly and easily sync music from iTunes and Windows Media Player with the smartphone. The Tour comes with a 256 MB flash memory (and 256 MB of RAM), and the device is expandable via MicroSD/SDHC memory cards up to 16 GB in size (a 2 GB card is included with the Tour).
Other features include:
3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus, image stabilization, 2x digital zoom, geo-tagging capabilities, and video capture
Support for BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking and sharing, news and weather, and more.
Preloaded DataViz Documents to Go, allowing you to edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset.
BlackBerry 4.7 Desktop Software with integrated email, phone, SMS, browser, calendar, address book, and additional organizer applications
English, French and Spanish language support
Ring Tones: 32 Polyphonic + vibrate (MIDI, MP3)
Password protection and keyboard lock
3.5mm stereo headset jack
Video format support: MPEG4 H.263, MPEG4 Part 2 Simple Profile, H.264 (encoding and decoding 30fps), WMV
Audio format support: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, WMA ProPlus
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3
Vital Statistics The BlackBerry Tour 9630 weighs 4.58 ounces and measures 4.4 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches. Its 1400 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 336 hours (14 days) of standby time. It runs on the 800/1900 MHz CDMA frequencies and is compatible with the EV-DO 3G data network when on the Verizon network in the US; in international territories, it's compatible with 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks as well as 2100 MHz 3G (UMTS) networks.
BlackBerry smartphone with QWERTY keyboard; dual-network capable for 3G-enabled GSM access when traveling abroad
Access V Cast, Music and Video services via fast EV-DO data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; use phone as a modem for your laptop
3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB; access to personal and corporate email
Up to 5 hours of talk time, up to 336 hours (14 days) of standby time
What's in the Box: handset, battery, travel charger (with international adaptors), 2 GB MicroSD card, wired stereo headset, swivel holster, USB cable, pre-installed SIM card, documentation
Another GREAT Blackberry - The Tour 9630
Review Date: July 16, 2009
Reviewer: Tarun Chachra, Hillsborough, NJ
So, I have been using blackberries ever since the day they were released with the 8xx model and have since been through almost every model that has come out, including the Storm for one day. My recent device of choice was the Blackberry Curve II or 8900 which was a EDGE and Wi-Fi enabled blackberry with a beautiful screen and a great keyboard. The device prior was a Blackberry Bold, which incidentally sparked the new generation of Blackberries. Today I received my Blackberry Tour 9630 running on the Verizon Wireless network....sorry but the guy in the glasses was nowhere to be seen in the box and or around me. Jokes aside, the Tour touts the Verizon EVDO network and no Wi-Fi; it does have a SIM so that it can be used globally. I know there are dozens of reviews on this product so I am not going to go in to the features, I am merely going to try to share my experience with the device after one day.
Missing WI-FI: When the device became available I was a little worried that the lack of Wi-Fi might hamper its functionality, especially when doing things that required constant streams of data. I love TWITTER, as you all know by now, and thus I was worried that using apps such as the beautiful "Tweet Genius" would be cumbersome due to updates coming over the aged CDMA network. However, much to my surprise the speed is wonderful and I have yet to see any need for the missing Wi-Fi radio.
Battery Life: Time will best tell this tale, but as of now the battery stands at a cool 80%. The battery was fully charged by the time I got the unit in my hands, in fact it had been charged overnight by one of my associates. I received the unit at about 8am this morning and started the Verizon activation process. Once activated on the network, I proceeded to do a Blackberry Enterprise Server activation for corporate email, etc. I have since been using it, rather heavily, for email, twitter, and even streaming financial data. Battery loss of approximately 20% after almost 11.5 hours of moderate/heavy usage to me is phenomenal, but, as I said time will tell this tale and I will post updates about it when I can.
Keyboard: The Tour has a similar keyboard to the bold, except it seems to me that the keys are raised a bit more. The little addition of height allows for a better feel of the keys thus making typing a breeze. I was not a huge fan of the Bold keyboard but I do love the Curve II keyboard and now it would seem that this new style keyboard may just be the winner of the bunch. I am appreciative of the fact that Verizon left the number keys colored RED which AT&T always wants to re-color to white. The red actually provides for some contrast and makes using the device a bit more pleasurable.
Screen: The screen on the Tour is the same beautiful half VGA (480x360) screen found on the 8900 (Curve II). It is bright, sharp, and displays 65,000 colors. Not much more can be said...but it comes close to perfect for the Blackberries.
Camera: Again the same as the 8900, a 3.2mp auto focus camera with image stabilization and video capturing abilities. Yes, there is a flash also for those dark moments.
Charging: As with every new cellular device, this has a Micro USB port positioned on its right side...which is a little bit of a bad placement job as it was on the 8900, but, not a deal breaker. My only gripe here is that I tend to want to use Blackberry Docks and with all of these different devices you must acquire a different dock. #FAIL on the dock not being universal...but accessories make these guys big money and so they do what they must.
Sound: The built in speaker is finally right, its not stereo like the Bold but its also not tinny sounding like the 8900. It sounds great. The speaker for your ears sounds, to me, equally balanced for once...so it does'nt seem like someone is shouting in your ears..its a well balanced mid range sound.
Overall Feel: This Blackberry is HEAVY, and I mean heavy. Personally I like to know that I am holding on to something and the weight of the 9630 makes it feel solid. If you are into holsters then you know this thing is on your belt. Enough said!
Final Thoughts: The Tour comes with a newer version of the Blackberry operating system, v4.7.1.40, which is coincidentally used on the Storm. The OS seems to be well suited for the Tour and is very responsive. I did notice it stick here or there, but that has only happened 2-3 times and I am certain it was because I was taxing the device. I am, thus far, quite happy with this new iteration of the Blackberry and hope that I will have many days ahead with it.
Box Includes: Blackberry, Battery, AC Adapter w Word Adapter, Micro-USB Cable, Blackberry Ear Buds, Plastic/Pleather Holster, Documentation, Blackberry Desktop Manager SW CD, and a BONUS: 2GB Micro SD CARD.
I could go on into much more detail, but it would be redundant as there are thousands of reviews of Blackberries out there...I just wanted to share what I felt and thus the most pertinent observations are above. Please let me know if any of you are using this device and what your thoughts are.
Almost Perfect...So Far!
Review Date: July 14, 2009
Reviewer: Wandrwoman, NY, NY
7/29/10 REVIEW UPDATE: Device still going strong. This is what it does: make and receive phone calls in the US and abroad, receive and send emails for multiple accounts easily, text quickly with the querty keyboard, use simple but helpful apps such as Open Table, Google Maps, [...], Kindle reader(!),Spider Solitaire. It is just ok for web surfing. Perfect for quick fact checking but not leisurely browsing. It needs charging about every two days with moderate use, every night for a few hours with heavy use. It has never run out of power in the middle of the day. It is a useful device rather than a fun device. It does it's job. I don't use the Blue Tooth function so can't comment on that feature. I don't expect to receive email while I am talking on the phone so don't see the problem there. The camera is perfectly fine and I use it often. Here are the minuses: track ball can be pokey at times, sometimes this is a physical problem and sometimes it's related to malfunctioning apps. When the phone is receiving data the track ball will freeze for a second or two. This can be unsettling but if I see the little data arrows on the upper right hand corner, I understand that I might have to pause as well for a sec. I dropped the phone and found that the trackball wouldn't move easily as it was pressing against the rim. I moved the ball with my finger nail and everything went back to normal. (Now, I occasionaly check to see if the track ball is properly "centered", if not I do the fingernail thing). Hard reboot! The only way to really reboot the device is to remove and replace the battery! Some apps (Spider Solitaire) cause the device to hang and removing and replacing the battery is the only fix. Will I get another Blackberry when my contract is up? Will certainly consider it....along with Verizon's Android offering. Am not a touch screen fan.
10/22/09 REVIEW UPDATE: Almost perfect device! No sound or trackball issues! I read some of the other reviews and it seems like two completely different devices are being critiqued! How can this be?
9/21/09 REVIEW UPDATE: Still very happy! I've owned the phone for almost two months now and The Tour is part of my daily life. It continues to be easy to use, fast and even kind of fun. The sound quality is good, the screen is amazing and Verizon service is the best available anywhere you go in the US. (In case you haven't noticed it, AT&T service stinks). There is no "problem" with the Tour's track ball although I've noticed that when the device is receiving data (and this can be fairly often if you get lots of email, texts, rss feeds and the like) the screen and track ball freeze momentarily. Its more like a stutter than a long interruption....but it does happen. Another minor irritation is the way the keys are angled up and to the right on the left side of the key board and up and to the left on the right side of the key board. This seems as if it would be ergonomic and more productive for thumb typing, but I find it less comfortable and slower than my last Blackberry which had wider flat keys. One handed typing, say for number entering/phone calling, is much more difficult with the angled keys. As for apps, more and more are available every week through Blackberry App World. I do have to charge the phone once a day, but it charges very quickly, in just a few hours. So far, very, very good!
7/30/09 Great device! Works great! Excellent sound quality! Ultra Fast! Looks sexy. Feels good. Battery door secure! I use Blackberry Internet Service for email and it is seamless, and extremely easy to set up and maintain. Verizon tech support via phone is fast, responsive and speaks English! Used Media Sync to sync an ITunes playlist on to device. Transfered pictures easily between device and computer. Camera takes great pictures...for a phone. My only nit-picky complaint is that there are not enough apps yet, but there are more that become available every week. I am absolutely delighted!
Original review:
I've had the Tour for about a week now. I had been anxiously waiting for this Verizon Blackberry hybrid-cross between the Bold and the Curve for months after my contract ended on a Neanderthal 8700G with T-Mobile and I was afraid that my expectations would exceed reality. I have to say that I am very, very pleased!
The device is beautiful, black and solid in one's hand. The screen is large and clear. The buttons are all in logical positions. The software is a vast improvement over earlier versions. The camera is 3.2 mp auto focus and takes better than average pictures....for a smart phone.
I am still getting used to the qwerty keyboard....the keys are small, smooth and strangely angled. There must be an ergonomic reason for the up and to the side tilt to each key but my thumbs are resisting the logic!
The track ball is slightly recessed and is easy to use (and the horizontal and vertical sensitivity is adjustable).
Making and receiving phone calls is a snap. The call reception has been clear and virtually distortion free. I have no muffled sound experience reported in other reviews. Even on a noisy sidewalk, I am told that the sound quality is clear and crisp. I took the Tour up to a cabin in the Lake District of Northern Minnesota and it worked seamlessly. Calls, texts, and browsing as if I were home in Manhattan.
My biggest pleasure so far is the lightening speed of receiving email! In HTML! And web browsing! And Googling! Fast, fast, fast.
One complaint is that web pages are still a bit too small for really enjoyable browsing. And there is no touch screen to enlarge areas with fancy finger work a la IPhone. One can choose between "Column View" or "Zoom In" but sometimes neither option gets things really the size one would like.
Why can't this thing ring and vibrate simultanously? Seems like a silly oversight but the Blackberry engineers must have some reason behind it. You can buy an ap to fix this problem....but?
Another caveat is that the BlackBerry App Store is not fully stocked with Apps yet. The choice is still slim and sort of pathetic compared to the big, sexy, fully loaded "candy shop" of selections for the IPhone.
The pre-loaded Blackberry Map application worked very well with the GPS function turned on. In fact, it navigated better than the Garmin Nuvi on the dashboard of the car.
So far, I am sold on this baby.
Will continue to report in the weeks ahead.
How to take the "Sock" out of your mouth
Review Date: September 30, 2009
Reviewer: R. Guentner, Valrico, Florida United States
There have been several comments related to the transmitted voice quality of this phone. I have no problem with being heard clearly, but there is a little trick to it.
Look at the bottom of the Tour phone. The pinhole is the microphone to capture your voice. It has been engineered electronically and acoustically to cancel out background noise while capturing the speaker's voice clearly. For best results, hold the Tour 9630 so that that pinhole points at the corner of your mouth. You will be heard clearly and unwanted background noise reduced.
While working for the telephone company testboard, I frequently used a headset to allow me full use of both hands. The last one had a tube from the earpiece that served as the microphone pickup. The factory instructions were to place the tube so that it pointed at the corner of your mouth. It did not work if the tube was pointed anywhere else.
When I first tried a Blackberry, I had complaints about my audio. So I checked the phone for the location of the microphone. I then found a position for the phone that points the microphone at the corner of my mouth. For me, that is with the phone in my left hand, with my fingernails just below the temple of my glasses. Now I am heard clearly every time I use the phone. Try it. It works.
P.S. I absolutely Love this phone!
This SmartPhone is Impressingly Smart
Review Date: September 11, 2009
Reviewer: Christopher, California, USA
I just got my BlackBerry Tour 9630 from Verizon Wireless yesterday. This is my first BlackBerry (and my first smartphone). So far, this phone works great. I have read so many discouraging reviews here on Amazon that I almost wanted to skip this phone. But I'm glad that I went with my gut feelings on this one. Many reviewers complained about muffled voices. That was the first thing I looked into right after I got mine activated, up and running. I can confidently say that there is no truth to it at all. The voice clarity is impressive. I can hear the people I speak to very clearly without having to position my phone a certain way (as was suggested by someone here). The folks on the other end didn't have any problems hearing me (and yes, I did repeatedly ask them if my voice was hard to hear/understand, and that hasn't been a problem at all). Another common problem reported from Amazon reviewers about this phone is in regards specifically to the trackball. Some reviewers claimed to have had to send back their third BlackBerry Tour because they couldn't seem to get the trackball to move as smoothly and easily as they would like it. Well, this problem can be easily fixed by going into the phone's Option menu where you could set the trackball's sensitivity level to your liking. I found that mine was set at level 20 for both "horizontal" and "vertical" movements(perhaps factory default setting) and the trackball was somewhat of a challenge to use at level 20. But once I increased the sensitivity levels, the trackball was so much easier to use (I now have mine set at level 70 for both "horizontal" and "vertical" movements). You just need to play around with the various options in the phone's menu. Also, the Navigation system works wonders too. I especially enjoy using yahoo instant messenger on this phone and checking/sending emails. Web browsing is fast and easy. This phone is simply too good to be true. I highly recommend it.
Is the Samsung Memoir a high-megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera or a full-featured 3G-enabled smartphone? It's both, thanks to the 8-megapixel lens mounted on the back of the device and support for T-Mobile's HSDPA 3G network, which provides fast web downloads and multimedia messaging.
The camera is outfitted with a Xenon flash, 16x digital zoom, video capture capabilities, and six shooting modes as well as easy access to your favorite online photo sharing sites. This touchscreen-enabled phone has a large, brightly colorful 3-inch screen, and it includes Samsung's intuitive and easily customizable TouchWiz user interface. It also offers built-in Assisted GPS (a-GPS) navigation, which allows you to utilize location-based services including turn-by-turn directions. Other features include Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, microSD memory expansion (up to 16 GB), and digital audio player, access to personal e-mail and instant messaging, and up to 5.5 hours of talk time.
The Samsung Memoir's 8-megapixel camera makes it easy to capture photos and videos on the go without sacrificing the quality of your point-and-shoot camera (see larger version).
T-Mobile Service The Samsung Memoir operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and is compatible with T-Mobile's UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web or downloading content from the T-Mobile Web2go content portal. T-Mobile is currently rolling out its 3G network, and it expects by year's end that its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the via T-Mobile's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and e-mail on the go.
While this phone is optimized for use with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network, many of its functions will also work well on the moderate-speed EDGE network. If you plan to access the Internet extensively on your phone, 3G network coverage may serve you best.
Activities that work well on EDGE or 3G networks:
Email, instant messaging, and texting
Downloading ringtones, CallerTunes, wallpaper, light data files
Sending photographs via e-mail or picture messaging
Activities that work best on a 3G network:
Viewing content-heavy websites (lots of images or videos playing)
Viewing YouTube and other video files (they will play on EDGE, but require loading time)
Uploading large files (photos, videos, presentations) to sharing websites
Downloading large files from an e-mail or a website
Download cool new games, HiFi Ringers (real songs by today's hottest artists), MegaTones (instrumental versions of songs), and wallpapers quickly, as well as stay connected via the Web, instant messaging, and e-mail.
This phone is compatible with T-Mobile's Mobile Backup, a free service that stores your phone's contact information is case your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, so you do not have re-enter all of your contact information when you get a new phone.
Phone Features The slim Samsung Memoir camera phone delivers impressive images on it large 3-inch LCD color display (240 x 400 pixels, 262K colors) and offers haptic responsive feedback that vibrates when you press a button. For easy operation and navigation, the stylish Memoir features three dedicated keys--call, end call and back--on the front of the device under the touch screen. The Memoir also provides quick and easy access to a customer's favorite features through Samsung's innovative TouchWiz user interface, which has specially designed widgets to customize and personalize your phone. The quick and simple drag-and-drop feature provides instant access to your favorite functions, such as the clock, music player, and instant messaging and photos. The Memoir's full-touch virtual QWERTY keypad and multiple messaging capabilities--including text, multimedia messaging, instant messaging and e-mail--make staying connected quick and easy while on the go.
Other features include Assisted GPS, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, and microSD memory expansion to 16 GB (see larger version).
With the 8-megapixel Samsung Memoir, you'll be able to capture all the special moments from your on-the-go life without sacrificing image quality, and the full touchscreen interface makes it easy to capture both brilliant still photos and high-resolution videos. The built-in 8-megapixel camera includes a CMOS autofocus lens, Xenon flash, 16x digital zoom, six shooting modes, multi-shot capabilities. A photo-sharing widget also makes it easy to quickly upload images to several photo sharing sites, including Flickr, Kodak Gallery, Photobucket, and Snapfish (as well as T-Mobile's My Album online sharing service). The Memoir also includes a TV output that enables you to connect the phone to a TV or compatible monitor to display photo slideshows to friends and family on a larger format.
The phone has a 180 MB internal memory, which can be expanded via optional microSD memory cards (up to 16 GB in size). The internal phonebook can store up to 2000 contact entries, each with multiple numbers per contact and support for caller groups as well as picture/ringer ID. You can download MP3 real-music and 72-chord polyphonic ringtones, and the phone also includes a vibrate function for when you need to keep things silent.
Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones.
Other features include:
Built-in A-GPS navigation allows access to location-based applications
Virtual, landscape QWERTY touchpad
Instant messaging via AOL, ICQ, Windows Live, and Yahoo!
Access to personal e-mail with document viewer for attachments
Organizer tools: Calendar, calculator, alarm clock, task list, voice memo
Digital medial player compatible with audio (MP3, AAC/AAC+) and video files (MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV)
72-note polyphonic ringtones and vibrate mode
Sync contact swith Outlook
USB connectivity with USB mass storage capabilities
Voice dialing: Call someone with simple voice commands to keep your hands free for activities like driving.
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3
Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, e-mail), FTP (file transfer), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures)
Vital Statistics The Samsung Memoir weighs 4.4 ounces and measures 4.17 x 2.11 x 0.55 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.5 hours of talk time, and up to 300 hours of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as 1700/2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA 3G frequencies.
Full touchscreen phone with 8-megapixel auto focus lens, Xenon flash, and easy access to popular photo sharing sites
Compatible with T-Mobile's 3G network for fast downloads as well as quick uploads of photo and video to sharing sites
Assisted GPS for turn-by-turn directions; Bluetooth stereo music streaming; microSD expansion to 16 GB; access to personal e-mail and instant messaging
Up to 5.5 hours of talk time, up to 300 hours (12.5 days) of standby time
What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, USB cable, wired stereo hands-free headset, quick start guide
The best reasonably accessible camera phone available
Review Date: December 22, 2009
Reviewer: TECK13, Birmingham, MI
Before I dive into reviewing the Samsung Memoir SGH-929 first some notes regarding my perspective/biases. I am memorized by cameras and have been messing around with them for 40 years on and off. I have been shooting with digital cameras for nine years and they have come a long way in those short years. My "regular" cameras include a prosumer Nikon SLR and a Fuji compact. My previous camera phone was a Samsung FlipShot. In spite of "only" being 3MP I got some awesome shots with it.
All this is to say that my critical comments will be primarily focused around the camera. I can see someone NOT into photography getting the Samsung Memoir but for all-around phones there are clearly better choices - starting with the iPhone.
My bottom line is similar to others. This is probably the best reasonably accessible camera phone available right now but it does not even match a $75 dedicated compact camera. First off, it does not have an optical zoom. Since the Memoir has 8 MP, under ideal conditions, you can zoom in around 50% and still have a pretty good shot, which is a partial work around to no zoom.
Outdoor shots with strong light look surprisingly good. Nice resolution and very accurate colors. Edge to edge sharpness is pretty good too. Focusing is a bit slow but works extremely well. Even in low light situations where a red focusing assist light illuminates. Exposure is good too and the ability to select matrix, center weighted or spot is very useful. Unfortunately if you focus on something (with the shutter button pushed half way) and then recompose the shot, the Memoir WILL hold the focus but the exposure continues to adjust in real time. Bummer that.
Indoor pictures are pretty grim. With the flash off, almost all the pictures are dark and the white balance is way off. If there is a light source it tends to be surrounded with purple fringing. And, as others have noted, there is a yellow cast to everything. Activating the Xenon flash gives a little welcome light but actually aggravates the yellow cast. Ah, but there is something that will help the more critical half of this situation, that no one else seems to have noted. Take the camera off auto ISO, with or without flash. Set it on ISO 400. The pictures will be a bit grainy but you do get the shot and the dreadful yellow cast can easily be fixed in post processing. Of course, using ISO 400 also "turbo charges" the light from the flash moving it from an almost useless range of a couple of feet to 6 or 7 feet. In Auto ISO, even in very dimly lit rooms, the camera simply doesn't seem to push past ISO 200, resulting in the dark pictures.
The camera is slow. It is faster than my FlipShot but that still leaves it as sad. Push the shutter and a second or two later the picture is taken. Then several painful seconds must pass before another picture can be taken. Sports photography is out; even capturing the dog is a challenge. A quick rant. When, oh when, will the BS marketing MP thing end? My first dedicated digital camera had only 3MP and its pictures walk all over the 8 MP Memoir due to an excellent Carl Zeiss lens and an excellent digital processing engine. Put 6MP max in a cell phone, then it is easier to make it work in work in low light and shoot fast. This year we'll see cell phones with 12 MP. Please. Make the camera better, not the marketing.
Back to the Memoir. The layout and controls of the Memoir are superb. It looks and handles like a dedicated camera. As stated before the only important thing missing is an exposure lock button. The screen is large enough and of sufficient quality to see if you got the shot and to share pictures with other people. Nice. The geotagging works well but it is slow to lock. I do wish, when one is reviewing the details of a phone in camera, that it would display the ISO setting of the picture.
Videos seem surprisingly good for a phone but I am less critical about video than the photo picture quality.
Non-Camera Stuff
The phone works better for me than my Flipshot did. The quality of the calls also beats my wife's iPhone but that's not saying much. For strict phone quality, the various Motorola phones I have used were head and shoulders above the rest.
I downloaded one game, Asphalt 4, and it is unplayable. Abysmal. A total embarrassment. Dodgy controls, horrible ancient graphics. My 3-year-old FlipShot had far superior driving games available. And T-Mobile's selection of games for the Memoir seems juvenile and poppy.
Web stuff is OK but it's no iPhone. The weather widget is cool. Simple pleasures.
The keyboard is great and texting is a pleasure. The phone book is robust. The music player is more than serviceable but the proprietary headphone jack flat out sucks. The size of the phone to me is just right. For actual phone conversations I prefer the clamshell design but for photos a larger screen is required. However, the Memoir is not so big that it is uncomfortable to use as a phone and it doesn't look like you are holding a tablet up to the side of your head.
I am sure someone else has said this but my POV is that the best camera is the one you have with you. I often carry my compact camera with me, and on most near and far adventures I try to take my SLR. But most of the time the only device on my person is my phone. The Memoir is not the camera phone I would design for myself or other real camera buffs but as far as subsidized camera phones go only the Sony c905a comes close. Nokia makes a better camera phone but it is not subsidized.
With patience and some skill shots that will blow away most people when they learn they came from a cell phone are as close as the Samsung Memoir in your pocket.
Awesome!!
Review Date: April 21, 2009
Reviewer: Consumer 007, Atlanta
I've had this phone for a week and a half and every day I've been excited to find cool new features. I knew it would be great, but was really surprised by how far it exceeded my expectations. It's definitely not perfect - there are several things that could be improved - but overall I really love it.
Great:
- 8MP Camera.
- Takes better outdoor pics than my old 5MP digital camera. Seems to like sports cars - those pics always come out awesome!
- Nice, clear screen. Zooming in/out works great.
- The touchscreen works well, and I haven't even calibrated it yet.
- The display rotates based on how you're holding the phone.
- Call quality is better than any cell phone I've ever had.
- The speakerphone is loud and clear.
- GPS works well.
- Mobile internet sites load fast and work well.
- I love having email access on my phone!
- Text messaging works great - far better than my old Samsung flip phone.
- The 'www.' and '.com' buttons are cool for web address entry.
- Alarm settings are easy to work with.
- Overall I love the Touchwiz interface - it's easy and fun to use. The whole phone works well as one integrated package, and is very well organized and designed.
- Setting up internet bookmarks is easy.
- Porting my number to the new service/phone was easy and fast.
- It took nearly an hour of video on a single battery charge, with juice left over for surfing and taking a dozen pics.
Ok:
- USB file transfer seems faster than Bluetooth, and charges the phone simultaneously
- The Samsung software (downloaded from their website) works well to pull images and videos off the phone via USB, and to work with the files on my PC. But why should these be required? Why not let the PC recognize and access it as a native device like it does via Bluetooth?
Could be better:
- Regular internet sites can fail to load or display, or take a really long time to do both. (That's partly the cellular service.) I'm spending most of my time on sites that have a mobile version for phones.
- Picture quality varies depending on lighting. Indoor shots frequently come out yellow and fuzzy.
- Sometimes the camera seems to focus on anything but what you're aiming at, so the subject is blurry but the background and foreground is sharp. (I have not tried different settings yet - just pointed and shot.)
- The screen could be bigger. Especially since I'm so addicted to it and am using it to surf all the time!
- Bluetooth file transfer (of 8MP pics) isn't very fast and uses lots of battery power.
- The phone doesn't tell me when it's fully charged while using the wall charger. (It does if it's charging via USB.)
- Amazon signed me up for a $19.99 100MB/month data plan that wasn't compatible with the phone. Only the $24.99 unlimited data plans (and higher) seem to work.
Overall Excellent Phone
Review Date: March 21, 2009
Reviewer: M. PARK, Seattle,WA
I have to actually add some comment on Colin Grant's review. I had a same problem with pics messaging. I called T-mobile service center and found out that it was a service plan problem. You would have to actually chz to "T-Mobile Smartphone Unlimited Web + 400 Messages" instead of normal G1 web service.
Overall, awesome phone. You can't go wrong with 8MP camera.
Nice phone and excellent deal from Amazon
Review Date: May 27, 2009
Reviewer: V. Ong, Chicago, IL
Pretty nice phone overall. The camera flash could be improved. It doesn't have enought flash for indoor pics.
Samsung Memoir T929 (T-Mobile) Unboxing
Samsung Memoir T929 8MP Cameraphone (T-Mobile) - Full Review
Enjoy an instant connection to social networking, messaging and multimedia features with the Samsung Solstice for AT&T, which also features a full-touch QWERTY keypad access via its large, vivid 3-inch touchscreen. This phone can quickly download video, music and more over AT&T's lightning quick HSPDA 3G network. This phone is also compatible with AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send video of yourself to another compatible phone while making a voice call.
The Samsung Solstice features a 3-inch touchscreen with virtual, landscape QWERTY keyboard, and Samsung's unique TouchWiz user interface with one-touch access to social networking sites.
The Solstice features Samsung's unique TouchWiz user interface, which includes one-touch access to frequently used applications and social networks through new widgets for Facebook, MySpace and Yahoo! oneSearch. It also offers multiple messaging options such as Mobile Email, IM and MMS and comes equipped with a 2-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities. Other features include Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, microSD memory expansion up to 16 GB, digital audio player, full HTML web browser, and up to 5 hours of talk time.
AT&T Services This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band 850/1900 MHz 3G network (UMTS/HSDPA), which provides download speeds ranging from 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps, and upload speeds ranging from 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps. This makes it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.
Key Features
Mobile broadband via AT&T's 3G network
3-inch touchscreen with full touch QWERTY keyboard
2 MP camera/camcorder
microSD memory expansion
Hands-free/stereo Bluetooth
Digital audio/video player
Personal email & IM
Access Facebook & MySpace
With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.) While using Video Share with family and friends is a fun way to communicate, it's also very useful for business. For example, a majority of users in the architecture, engineering and construction industries rated the ability to share live video through Video Share highly, according to research commissioned by AT&T. Video Share lets you see progress on a job site or review the day's work without having to drive from an office or other site to do so.
You'll be able to access AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service and the Internet while on the go. Cellular Video features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster and eMusic subscription music services, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal.
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.
Phone Features The lightweight and sleek Samsung Solstice has a full 3.0-inch touchscreen (240 x 400 pixels; 262K colors) with a virtual, landscape QWERTY keyboard. You'll experience a tactile response with haptic feedback and know when your accurately press a virtual button. The full QWERTY keyboard, with sensitivity adjustment, is easy-to-use with clear letters, numbers and symbols. The phone also has an accelerometer that automatically detects motion and the orientation of the device, allowing for autorotation of the display, motion sensing games and photo scrolling by tilting the device.
Other features include access to personal email and instant messaging, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, and microSD memory expansion.
The Solstice also provides quick and easy access to a your favorite features through Samsung's innovative TouchWiz user interface, which has specially designed widgets to customize and personalize your phone. By simply expanding the tray, you can "drag-and-drop" widgets onto the phone's home screen for one touch access to your favorite features, such as Facebook, MySpace and Yahoo! oneSearch.
The phone has an internal 80 MB user accessible memory, and it's expandable via optional microSD/SDHC memory cards up to 16 GB in size. The internal phonebook can store up to 2000 contact entries, and it offers support for caller groups, multiple numbers per contact, and photo/ringer ID. Other features include 8 one-touch dialing numbers, display of the last 30 outgoing/incoming/missed calls, automatic redial, vibration alert, and compatibility with both MP3 and 72-chord polyphonic ringtones.
The 2-megapixel camera on the back of the Solstice.
Hands-free communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server (additional charges or subscription applicable).
The Solstice offers a full range of email, text, and multimedia messaging options. It includes support for mobile email services such as AOL, Yahoo!, and Windows Live (messaging charges apply). You can also keep up with your instant messaging buddies using the built-in IM application that connects to those same services.
Other features include:
2-megapixel camera with 3x digital zoom and video capture capabilities
Organizer tools: calendar, alarm clock, to-do, stopwatch, world clock, and notes
Audio file formats: MP3, AAC, Real
Downloadable ringtones, graphics, games, applications and videos
Headset jack
Streaming radio capabilities
Vital Statistics The Samsung Solstice weighs 3.33 ounces and measures 4.3 x 2.1 x 0.5 inches. Its 1000 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T's 850/1900 MHz 3G network (UMTS/HSDPA).
Sleek 3G-enabled touchscreen phone with full QWERTY touch keyboard and one-touch access to Facebook and MySpace
Compatible with AT&T Video Share, AT&T Mobile Music, and streaming video from Cellular Video service
2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD memory expansion; access to personal email and instant messaging
Up to 5 hours of talk time, up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time
What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, quickstart guide, user manual (on CD)
Pretty smart for not being a smartphone!
Review Date: October 10, 2009
Reviewer: B. Kurth, Boston area
The Solstice syncs nicely (using the free PC Studio software downloaded from the Samsung website) with the Calendar, Contacts, and ToDo list on my desktop PC Outlook program, and it does so even though it's not a smartphone, which saved me from having to buy a monthly data plan from AT&T. The basic phone function works well, the battery life seems quite good, and the voice recognition feature is quite handy. I couldn't figure out how to turn on the speakerphone for a while, so I finally broke down and read the owner's manual. Ah, you SLIDE the speakerphone switch which shows up on the touchscreen, not simply depress it! Dumb me. The touchscreen works well, with only an occasional misstep. Very nice display, and I like how it can do a slide show of the pictures I put into it from my PC. The alarm is very easy to set and use, and shuts off by simply turning the phone from face up to face down. The music player even sounds good, once I set the built-in sound equalizer to the "Wide" or the "Dyna" setting (a total of 9 equalizer settings are offered), and has enough volume. No earphone jack though, so sound quality is a bit limited compared to what headphones would offer. I am very pleased with this phone!
Update: someone has just pointed out to me that Amazon lists a headphone jack adapter. I did a quick search, and it's $0.99 from Amazon. It doesn't list the a887 as one of the phones it fits, but it does list the a867 and a877, and I think those Samsung phones use the same data jack as the a887 Solstice.
Another Update: Want to be able to read a Word or Excel document on your Solstice? Just select "Save As" and save it as a Web Page on your PC. Copy it into your Solstice into a folder such as "Other Files", click on My Stuff, then Other Files, and voila! it will open up in the phone's web browser. You won't be able to edit it on the phone, of course, but you will be able to read it! This is very handy for text documents or numerical data that you frequently reference and want to have with you in your phone.
Solstice is a solid phone (even the speakerphone)
Review Date: September 25, 2009
Reviewer: A. Ellis, Dallas, TX USA
I searched high and low for a good alternative to touchscreen "smartphones" with all their fancy doo-dads and high monthly costs, and I found it with the Solstice. The longer I have it the more I like it.
I chose this over the Eternity (last year's model) because the touchscreen interface performs better: it is noticeably snappier and faster responding. I chose this over the Impression because of personal tastes: I liked the lighter weight and trimmer form factor of the Solstice; it fits nicely in your hand. I also do not care for slide-out qwerty's (I have big thumbs); I prefer texting with T9, and the Solstice's vibration-feedback touchscreen works great for me. Battery life is not great, but good: I have run the phone for 2-3 days without re-charging if I don't use the Bluetooth, but normally I do, so I recharge every night, but I've yet to run it down in one day. Call quality is not the best I've heard, but still pretty good. Beware that there is a real issue on this model, where SOME phones have a terrible echo on speakerphone (for the person you are calling). My first Solstice had this problem, but I took it back to the AT&T store where they cheerfully exchanged it, now my speakerphone sounds just fine to everyone I call. Web browsing is ok; I can get from the main menu to a nice animated radar loop in about 20 seconds when I'm on 3G. It has GPS, built-in clients for Facebook and MySpace, YahooIM, but not Twitter. That kind of thing was not a priority for me so I can't speak to it more. I wanted a good, easy to use, music player, and the Solstice delivers, making it easy for me to play hundreds of my favorite tunes over Bluetooth to my car stereo. Being able to customize the home screen with your favorite tasks is a very nice touch on the interface.
Cons: Can't think of many. Wish the camera was better than 2MP (Eternity had 3MP), but it takes decent pix and has a zoom. The multi-tasking capability is a little hard to get used to (especially with the music player), but that's just a learning curve.
Love the Solstice!
Review Date: September 22, 2009
Reviewer: Nancy R. Keller, Roseville, MI
Great phone! I initially bought the Eternity and returned it because I found out it did not have speed dial and the battery did not last but 48 hours. It also did not have the ability to customize the Widget as the Solstice does. The Solstice is smaller than the Eternity and fits better in your hand. The battery seems to last longer and the phone is totally customizable. The camera takes great pictures and the voice quality, even on speaker is wonderful. The Internet is easy to access and the screen gives good detail. I would recommend this phone to anyone who is looking to upgrade to a touch screen.
You will love this easy to use phone! But what's up with those wallpapers?
Review Date: November 17, 2009
Reviewer: Brian Stromberg,
The Samsung Solstice is a well designed phone. It hits on every mark. I couldn't be happier with my purchase.
Screen: Beautiful
Sound quality: Excellent
Interface: Easy to use!
Touch Screen: Responsive
Battery Life: Good
My favorite part about the solstice is the intuitive interface. There is almost no learning curve. Just play with it a bit and you will have it figured out in no time. Some reviewers have mentioned problems with the speaker phone, however I have not experienced that. My speaker phone is loud and clear. I love that I am not tied to an AT&T data plan with this phone. My only complaint is the included wallpapers. You can NOT delete them and most of them are hideously ugly and when the phone is locked they randomly display.
The revolutionary Palm Pre will make your life simpler by always being one step ahead. The Palm Pre will pull each of your online calendars into a single, easy-to-view screen, so you'll always be on top of your appointments, and it will automatically link all your contacts from different sources, letting you easily find what you need when you need it. Whether you are sending emails or text messages, browsing the web, listening to music, or simply making a phone call, the Palm Pre makes everything easier than ever.
The svelte Palm Pre slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy text input.
Palm Synergy Brings Your Calendars and Contacts Together The Palm Pre features Synergy technology, which gathers all your information from different sources and puts them together in one place for you to see. Instead of having your information scattered in different screens, the Pre automatically brings them together so you can easily find what you need. If you have calendars from Microsoft Outlook, Google, and Facebook, Synergy will automatically gather all your appointments and put them into one easy-to-view calendar, so you won't miss an appointment again.
The Pre also makes managing your contacts simple -- not only will it gather your contacts from different places such as Google, Exchange, and Facebook, but if you have the same contacts in different places, this revolutionary phone will automatically link them together so they show up just once. And all your conversations with the same person will automatically be gathered into one chat-style view. For example, if you start a conversation via text message with someone, the Pre lets you quickly reply via IM or email.
1. Take photos with the 3 megapixel camera. 2. Built-in GPS makes navigation easy. 3. Contacts are gathered into one listing. 4. Never miss an appointment with a universal calendar.
Sleek, Attractive Design with Easy-to-Use Keyboard The Palm Pre features a sleek design that looks great and fits easily into your pocket. It measures 2.3 x 3.9 x 0.67 inches (WxHxD) and weighs just 4.75 ounces. The pebble-shaped phone has a beautiful 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320x480 resolution display that lets you watch videos in full widescreen format. When it's time to write an email, you don't have to settle for a small onscreen keyboard. Simply slide out the QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate text input. The Palm Pre has 8GB of built-in memory and uses a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack so you can connect any headphone you want.
3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS Keeps You Connected The Palm Pre is smartly connected to the Internet all the time, so you'll always have quick access to your email, calendars, and other information. When you are on the road, the Pre connects to Sprint's 3G network for Internet connectivity wherever you are. Sprint's 3G network is America's most dependable and provides outstanding speed and performance. If you are home or near a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Pre can also connect to it for even faster connectivity. And with GPS functionality built in, the Pre will let you look up directions or nearby points of interest even if you're not sure where you are.
Live Email that Connects with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync The Palm Pre features live email, which means that whenever you get a new email, it is pushed directly onto your phone. You don't have to wait manually push a refresh button or wait for a scheduled sync. And if your email has attachments, you can view audio, video, images, and other documents directly on the Pre. For business users, the Pre can connect to your work email through Microsoft Exchange Activesync, making things easy for your IT department.
WebOS Operating System Lets You Multitask and Do More The Palm Pre runs Palm's new webOS, which lets you keep multiple applications open at the same time and move easily between them. Each application is represented by an on-screen card. You can flip through the cards, move them around, or throw them off the screen to close the application.
The webOS features universal search capability, so if you need to find anything, simply start typing. The Pre will first search through your contacts and applications to see if it can find what you're looking for, and then it will offer to search Google, Google Maps, Wikipedia or Twitter. No matter what you're looking for, the Pre will quickly help you find it.
Watch videos in full widescreen format. View larger.
If you receive a text message or have a calendar appointment coming up, the webOS will let you know you with a small, unobtrusive notification on the bottom of the screen. You'll always know what's going on without being completely interrupted.
Take and View Photos, Watch Videos, and Listen to Music The Pre lets you take great pictures with the built-in three-megapixel camera with LED flash. You can also watch widescreen videos on the beautiful screen, or buy songs from the Amazon MP3 store and listen to them with the built-in music player.
Download Applications Directly Onto Your Phone The Pre's App Catalog makes it easy to download new applications by simply browsing for them and downloading them directly to your phone. By downloading additional optional applications, you can do more with your phone.
Automatic Over-the-Air Back Up The over-the-air Palm Services automatically backs up your data and lets you restore it -- all without connecting to your computer. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can even remote erase everything on it. Additionally, the phone will automatically receive software updates so it will always be up to date.
* Activating and Setting Up the Palm Pre on First Use After receiving Palm Pre, it needs to be set up and activated. Activation requires a few steps. First, turn on the phone by pressing and holding the Power button. You will be prompted to choose English or Spanish. The next screen will check for voice and data activation. Once ready, tap Next. You will be presented with a Terms and Conditions page for Palm Services. Tap Accept to continue. At this point, you'll need to slide out the keyboard to create a new profile. Enter your name and password. The next step is entering your email address. You'll enter the same password and email combination you first entered, and then tap Next to continue. The next screen will confirm your profile and you'll receive an email from Palm. You'll have to accept various terms and service, and continue to tap Next when necessary to continue. When prompted, you'll have to choose between two location-based service settings. Either enable Auto-Locate, which provides for seamless use of location services all the time, or tap on Ask Each Time, which gives you a prompt every time an application requests the phone's location. Once done, you'll go through a tutorial and at the conclusion of the tutorial, an onscreen prompt will let you know that you're done. First Use set up is now complete and your Palm Pre is ready to go.
What's in the Box Palm Pre smartphone, standard lithium ion battery, AC travel charger, carry pouch, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo headset.
Browse the web and access email and messaging with a sleek, full-QWERTY smartphone featuring a 3.1-inch color touchscreen
Palm's webOS featuring Synergy technology automatically pulls your contacts and calendars together into a single easy-to-view screen
Sprint's 3G network provides reliable data services on the road, while Wi-Fi connectivity offers extra speed when available
3 megapixel camera with LED flash and extended depth of field; 8 GB of storage (approx. 7 GB available for user)
In the Box: Palm Pre smartphone, lithium ion battery, AC travel charger, carry pouch, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo headset. Measures 2.3 x 3.9 x 0.67 inches (WxHxD); weighs 4.75 ounces.
Replaced 2 devices with 1.
