The Ericsson R380 - Finally combining a Cell Phone with a PDA
Written: Jan 17 '02 (Updated May 10 '02)
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Pros: Great combination of a cell phone, mobile internet browser and full-featured PDA.
Cons: Prohibitively expensive.
The Bottom Line: This full-featured phone/PDA is a wonder to use, but it's also a wonder as to who'll lay out the cash for one...
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| jag2112's Full Review: Ericsson R380s Cell Phone |
The Ericsson R380 is the one of the first fully integrated devices that offers the convenience of all the best features of a mobile phone and personal digital assistant (PDA), as well as Mobile Internet Services. The R380 virtually eliminates the need to carry a number of mobile devices because they are all packaged in the size of a standard mobile phone. Combining international roaming in over 120 countries on five continents with WAP services that provide Internet information, the R380 WORLD is an incredibly innovative mobile phone and Internet tool. On-the-go consumers can easily stay organized and connected anywhere, anytime.
At first glance the R380 looks likes a mobile phone, but open the flip and the large, graphics-rich, touch-sensitive screen reveals a wide range of communications and personal organizational tools. With a touch of the stylus, you have access to email, the mobile Internet, and an electronic organizer.
The WAP services on the R380 provide access to Internet information in a format specifically designed for mobile devices. Consumers can securely dial in to their corporate network to access and send emails. It is also easy to visit favorite websites for useful travel information including maps, weather forecasts and flight information or program the R380 to automatically receive updates on the information that fits their lifestyle such as traffic reports, news or sports scores.
The R380 World's integrated PDA tools include calendar, contacts, notepad, and a voice memo. Using the contacts, one can initiate phone calls and send text messages directly though the names, numbers and addresses stored in the smartphone. The active calendar has audible and visual reminders as well.
Editing "to do" lists and contacts or replying to messages is simple. The R380 offers the option to use the stylus on the touchscreen and virtual keyboard or simply write on the screen since it supports JOT® by CIC for easy and natural handwriting recognition. With compatibility to applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Lotus, the R380 gives the option for data (calendar, email, contacts, to-do, and notes) to be synchronized with a PC and can automatically update new entries from one device to another. Most importantly, data is always protected. The R380 keeps all stored data, even if power is lost, unlike other PDA devices.
The R380 also offers the finest features of a mobile phone. The Voice Control feature allows calls to be placed or answered using a voice command. With the speakerphone option, one can speak on the R380 at the same time as checking their schedule or while taking notes using the notepad application.
The R380 is new, so it remains to be seen how dependable these phones/PDA combinations will be. But if my experience with previous Ericsson phones is any indication, then the R380 should last a long, long time.
The downside? You know there had to be a downside. And it's the price. Ranging in the mid $400 range, the R380 is clearly not for everyone. But if you're someone who uses the combination of cell phones, mobile internet and PDA extensively, then having all of those components in one handy package may be well worth the price. For me, it was nice to test this phone for a week, but the price was simply to prohibitive to offset its convenience factor.
Phone specs follow. Thanks, as always, for reading.
Phone Specifications
* Alarm
* Authentication
* Built-in modem
* Calculator
* Calendar
* Calendar and Contacts synchronization with Microsoft Outlook or Schedule+, Lotus Notes or Organizer.
* Choice of 22 display languages
* Clock
* Combined list of successful, unsuccessful, received and rejected calls
* Contacts
* Games
* Handwriting recognition software
* Infrared connection
* Key lock
* Notepad
* Phone
* Phone book
* Send and receive SMS messages up to 39,015 characters
* Speed Dial
* Supports Voice Dialing
* Symbian EPOC operating system
* Unified messaging - e-mail SMS, fax via SMS
* Voice Answering
* WAP services and Mobile Internet Access
* WTLS Security Class 1 & 2
* World clock
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 450
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jag2112
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Member: John
Location: Clinton, NJ
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