Tuesday, April 05, 2005

My new mobilephone...

Updates about my new generation phone
These days, nothing is simple. Even phones can offer so much functionality and tweaking abilities. From day one I got the phone, I've been squeezing every last byte off the phone's capabilities. I explored and researched far and wide from the web. Started customising as much as possible eg. moving Operator name from display, increasing gain for volume, fiddling with ringing tones which vibrate at same time, adding continuous back light option, etc.. Downloaded hundreds of games and apps. This took me hours and nights. Bought 128MB SD t-flash card (RM100) for more storage. And to think people today buy the latest and most powerful phones only to use them as ....well... phones! Then why spend all that money for the power if you dun use it. Is it just vanity? Anyway, some key links to take note off are ....
Hacker bible
E398 FAQ
Customising E398
Freeware - java, wallpaper, vid
Howardforums - technical forum
Mobilereview forum - less technical forum

Updates (April 2005)
Trust my luck.... just saw a newspaper ad about Motorola and its alliance with some telco company regarding the launch of 3G in Malaysia. And guess which phone is the pilot.... E1000!! Still no indication when the phone will be launched officially, but at the moment they are looking for pilot testers, starting from June. I have submitted my application and hopefully I'll be picked so that I can keep the E1000 after the tests.

Fingers crossed.

Updates (later part of March 2005)
So sad... I had to return the phone as it didn 't work when I was in PJ area. Something to do with incompatibility with Maxis 3g test phase. I loved the phone so much... and to think of a alternative phone that could match its features, is going to be tough.

Eventually, I settled for the Motorola E398 which was the inferior version of the E1000. It's more compact, have stereo speakers but not as powerful as the E1000. Screen was smaller and overall not as cool. Oh well, at the price of Rm830, I think it should suffice at the moment. Who knows, how long it'd be till a phone like the E1000 will ever be launched in this backward country.


Review of the phone in GSMARENA
E398 specs :-
Network
GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900
Dimensions
108 x 46 x 21 mm
Weight
108 g
Display type
TFT, 65K colors
Size
176 x 220 pixels, 8 lines
Type
Polyphonic (24 channels), MP3 (- 3D stereo speakers (16 mm, 22 Khz with vibration)
Amount
32
Customization
Composer, download, order now
Vibration
Yes
Phonebook
1000 entries, Photo call
Call records
10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls
Card slot
T-Flash, 64 MB card included
Memory
- 5 MB shared memory
GPRS
Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots)
Data speed
32 - 48 kbps
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS, EMail
Clock
Yes
Alarm
Yes
Infrared port
No
Games
5
Camera
VGA, 640x480 pixels, flash
Other features
- Bluetooth- MP3 player- MPEG4 player - Java MIDP 2.0- WAP 2.0- iTAP- Voice dial- Calculator- Organizer- USB port
Battery
Standard, Li-Ion 830 mAh (BX610)
Stand-by
Up to 240 h
Talk time
Up to 7 h

March 2005
After much hesitation and resistance, I've finally purchased a new-generation-phone. The timing was right. My curiosity and interest was peaked, an offer was available of a new phone which is not yet available in Malaysia and price was reasonable (RM1651)... all contributed to my impulse buying.

Anyway, here's the phone specs and info from a motorola website.....

The theory that “good things come in small packages” is proven once again true with Motorola’s new mobile phenomenon – the model E1000. Big entertainment offerings abound in the new Motorola E1000, as sophisticated gamers, and entertainment enthusiasts alike will appreciate the latest in 3G capabilities. Fusing hi-tech mobile 3G communications with a compact package, you’ll have a hard time keeping the model E1000 in your pocket. An advanced multi-media machine packed with Bluetooth® wireless technology, AGPS and high quality video-conferencing capabilities, the Motorola E1000 brings style and substance to those who seek it.

Naturally Enhanced
Smarter than even the most advanced mobile phone, the model E1000 touts features such as streaming content and playback, image editing along with enhanced predictive-text entry and a built-in MP3 player. Push-to-talk functionality rounds out this coveted feature set by satisfying the user’s every whim with the ability to talk privately or in groups with the push of a button.

Say Cheese
Featuring a 1.2 megapixel integrated camera and QVGA display featuring up to 262K colors, the Motorola E1000 makes taking, sharing and showing pictures a snap. Assign pictures for each address entry with ease and leverage the model E1000’s expandable Transflash™ memory for more fun. The power is in your hands.

Look! No Hands!
Use the Bluetooth wireless technology-enabled Motorola E1000 to connect wirelessly to compatible headsets, car kits and more. Fast and convenient, Bluetooth wireless technology keeps you in the know while on the go.





Summary of Features

  • Vivid 16 bit TFT color screen
  • Integrated 1.2 megapixel digital camera for capturing mobile memories
  • Extreme entertainment via streaming video, playback and capture
  • Push-to-talk functionality enabling users to be connected at the push of a button
  • Life-like MP3 and MIDI musical ringtones and speakerphone capabilities
  • Compatibility with RealNetworks™ encoded media files
  • Advanced photo messaging with Multi-Media Messaging Service (MMS)
  • Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth wireless technology
  • Synchronization using optional Motorola MobilePhone Tools accessory software via integrated Bluetooth wireless technology or optional Motorola USB Data-Connectivity Kit Accessory
  • AGPS




The Motorola E1000 is expected to be available in the second half of 2004. For more information regarding pricing and product availability in your region, please check with your local Motorola representative.

And the following is taken from the lelong site which I bought from :-


1x Brand New Motorola E1000 3G phone
This is an advanced 3G phone, only exclusively released in certain European countries, Australia and Singapore. Be the first exclusive user in Malaysia by having this all-in-one multimedia rich phone.
The advanced features of this phone:
Huge 256k TFT color screen. With a screen size of 240x320, you can watch full screen videos in landscape mode.
1.2MP camera+video+3G conferencing. Both the front and rear cameras can be used for all three functions. This is the only phone that has the capabilities to do so.
Exteremely bright flash, allowing night time picture taking. The camera options are like any other professional cameras. It has condition settings, brightness and exposure. By playing with the exposure, you can actually take smooth running light and water.
3D surround (not only stereo) speaker that blows your mind away. Not even the stereo sound on E398 and E680 can match this phone.
Works like any other MP3 player and USB flash drive. Just plug in the headphones for your music needs and USB cable to transfer files. Expandable memory up to 1Gb using T-flash memory card.
Load up 3D java games and apps for your entertainment purposes.
Advanced phonebook allowing pic caller ID and personal ringtones for each individual name.
Powerful processor inside the phone. Extremely fast response with no lag at all in SMS'ing and exploring the menus.
Bluetooth connections with high-speed file transfer between BT devices.
3G and A-GPS functions allowing you to pinpoint location and download navigational maps. (using 3G network).

Phone specifications:
General: Network UMTS / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900
Announced: 2004, 1Q
Status: Available
Size Dimensions: 114 x 52 x 23 mm, 105 cc
Weight: 140 g
Display: Type TFT, 256K colors
Size 240 x 320 pixels -
Downloadable screensavers, wallpapers and ringtones
Ringtones: Type Polyphonic, MP3
Vibration Yes
Memory: Phonebook Photo call
Call records 10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls
Features: GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots)
Data speed 32 - 48 kbps
Messaging SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Clock Yes
Alarm Yes
Infrared port No
Games Yes
Camera 1.3 MP, 1280x960 pixels
- GPS function
- Java MIDP 2.0
- Bluetooth
- WAP 2.0
- MP3/AAC player
- Organizer
- Calculator
- T9
- Voice memo/dail
- Built-in handsfree
- USB port

The package includes:
1x brand new handset
Original battery and charger
Stereo headset
Manuals + Original box

Warranty:
1-year UK warranty.1-week personal warranty.