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(More customer reviews)You can find a great phone or a great PDA, but combine them and even the best smartphone will fall short in some respect. Understanding which tradeoffs fit your profile is the key. You will appreciate the XV-6800 if you: 1.) Have ever been called a nerd; 2.) value an endlessly customizable productivity and entertainment gadget; and, 3.) can live with okay-not-great phone functionality. On the other hand, if you are a power phone user (and/or prefer a simple interface to one with exposed complexity), you may find a simpler cell phone a better choice.
A WORD ABOUT THICKNESS
There's a widely-accepted myth that phones with slide-out keyboards are thick because of, well, the keyboard. It's not true. Like cell phone screens, they're wafer-thin: It's the battery (typically located beneath the keys) that's to blame. Because consumers comparison shop for long talk/standby time and power-draining features (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), hefty batteries are a necessary evil.
The XV-6800 is a case in point. At about the size of an elongated Altoids tin, and weighing 5.8 ounces, it is objectively neither large nor heavy. Yet at 1.2 ounces per cubic inch of volume, pick it up and "solid" comes to mind. It's like the old trick question, "Which weighs more: a pound of feathers, or a pound of iron?" Anyway, something to keep in mind about weight and form factor.
AS A CELL PHONE
Strictly as a cell phone, the XV-6800 is competent. Reception is good, especially given the internal antenna. Voice quality is okay; speakerphone volume could be better. Power phone users may prefer a device with real (not graphical) keys; getting the keypad screen back on to input numbers or navigate phone trees is often an extra step. After the voice speed dial function kept popping up for no apparent reason, I disabled it.
SCREEN
The QVGA (320x240 pixel) touch screen is bright (adjustable in 10 increments), with good contrast, and rich color. At 2.8 inches, there's less "screen door" effect than with larger QVGA screens. Web pages render well, and even the tiny text found on non-mobile optimized web pages is quite readable.
KEYBOARD
About a second after the back-lit QWERTY keyboard clicks open, the screen switches from portrait to landscape viewing mode. Keystrokes offer positive tactile feedback and a muted click to let you know you typed a letter. After a couple of minutes getting used to the function key, you will find yourself thumb-typing away. If you simply can't deal with tiny keyboards, you can always summon the familiar graphical keyboard and hunt-and-peck using the stow-away collapsible stylus.
OPERATING SYSTEM & SOFTWARE
The phone ships with Windows Mobile 6.0 operating system (OS) and Windows Mobile 6 Professional. The OS is stable and seems more crash-free than previous versions, and is helped by the device's abundant memory. Included are pleasantly usable mobile versions of Adobe Reader, Excel, Word (intuitive, with lots of formatting options), and PowerPoint. The Internet Explorer Mobile browser works well (there is a handy launch button top right on front), with websites downloading quickly where the Verizon EV/DO data network is available.
Before considering this device a laptop replacement, though, see if creating spreadsheets and composing documents on a 2.8-inch screen is an appealing idea for you. I don't mind it, but if you are moving toward reading glasses and large text, you may be happier knowing they're there to read email attachments.
RANDOM SETUP TIP
After extensive troubleshooting and re-installs, the device was still not recognized by my PC. Here's what worked: Start > Settings > Connections tab > USB to PC. I then un-checked "Enable advanced network functionality." If it doesn't do the trick, you can re-enable it and move on.
CAMERA
The two megapixel (1600 x 1200) camera takes pretty good pictures. The many edge-of-screen icons suggest daunting complexity, but they are actually an advantage because you won't have to navigate through pages of menus just to check settings. There is slight shutter delay (this is won't replace a serious camera), but for a smartphone, it's better than you would expect. One other note: What looks like an exposed lens is actually a clear and fairly hard lens cover. It is slightly recessed and seems unlikely to scratch.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the XV-6800 is a powerful, flexible, configurable device that will be more rewarding for a tech-savvy user than for someone who thinks of it as "a cell phone with extras."
Click Here to see more reviews about: UTStarcom XV6800 - Smartphone - CDMA2000 1X - touch / slide-out keyboard - Windows Mobile - Verizon
Leave the laptop behind and stay connected and productive wherever you roam with the XV6800 Smartphone, the newest Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition device from Verizon. It features an extra-large, 2.8-inch touchscreen as well as a surprise waiting up its sleeve: just slide the top of the phone sideways to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. And the new Windows Mobile 6 operating system enables you to view and edit Word and Excel documents as well as provides instant message capabilities via Windows Live Messenger. (See more details about Windows Mobile 6 below.) The included Outlook Mobile software offers up-to-date e-mail, calendar and contact information.
It operates on Verizon's North American CDMA voice network, as well as on Verizon's speedy EV-DO data network, which enables you to quickly access audio, video and data applications as well as connect directly to your office's network. You'll be productive wherever you roam thanks to the integrated Wi-Fi connectivity for use at wireless hotspots and access to Verizon's BroadbandAccess Connect service (which lets you use your phone as a modem to your laptop; subscription required). Other features include built-in Bluetooth connectivity (for headsets and stereo headphones), 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, and MicroSD memory card expansion.
Verizon Service With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon's 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.)
With BroadbandAccess 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 BroadbandAccess Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.
Verizon's Wireless Sync always-on email service (subscription required), you can stay connected and get the job done while away from the office--without a delay and in a secure environment. Email is delivered to your device in real time across the National Enhanced Services Rate & Coverage Area, and you get the ability to forward large attachments via email as well as access both your personal and corporate emails on one device. Wireless Sync offers strong security with AES encryption (Advanced Encryption Standard) technology so that unauthorized parties cannot access or alter application data transmitted over wireless networks.
Phone Features The sliding keyboard provides a familiar interface and allows for quick and efficient input of information, and the slide-to-hide form factor eliminates bulkiness for a sleek and stylish design. It measures just 0.73 inches thin and weighs a svelte 5.8 ounces. The 2.8-inch color touchscreen transreflective TFT screen automatically orients itself depending on how you hold the phone (i.e., from portrait to landscape and back again). It displays 65,000 colors and has a 320 x 240-pixel resolution.
In addition to supporting EV-DO wireless broadband networking, the Mogul also features Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), which enables you to use open wireless networks at airports and coffee shops. This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity, and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and audio/video remote control. 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--using Sprint's Mobile Broadband Network. And when connected to a Bluetooth headset, caller information for incoming calls will be spoken through the Bluetooth device. Decide to answer the call without ever looking at your phone.
The 2-megapixel autofocus camera (with up to 8x digital zoom) on the back of the Mogul captures images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels (good enough for prints up to 8 x 10 inches). You can make such camera adjustments as white balance and exposure metering, choose from resolution modes (such as sports for fast-moving action) as well as use of the integrated flash, and set a self-timer of either 2 or 10 seconds. Additionally, the Wing can capture video with or without audio (in MPEG-4, 3GPP2, or H.263 format, the latter being best for sending via MMS). You can also play back audio and video files downloaded from the Internet or sent to you via email using the integrated Windows Media Player.
Other features include:
Included memory: 256 MB ROM (163 MB user accessible); 64 MB RAM (49 MB user accessible)
Instantly send and receive SMS Text Messages across the room or across the country.
Updated ActiveSync technology (version 4.5) offers one of the best PC to mobile device sync experiences, making it easier to configure with faster data transfer and sync accuracy.
Hands-free operation of your phone is made easy with the built-in speakerphone, allowing you to take a conference call virtually anywhere
Stereo headset jack for handsfree operation and music enjoyment.
Powered by Windows Mobile 6 Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 updates the Windows Mobile 5 platform with a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file.
With Windows Mobile 6, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC's Microsoft Office suite. You'll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting--without affecting tables, images or text--as well as view PowerPoint presentations.
Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
With Excel Mobile, you’re not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.
All Windows Mobile 6 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.
