MaximumPC 2007 07

46 MAXIMUMPC JULY 2007

CINGULAR 8525

Sporting a strong array of features, the quad-band Cingular

8525 is great for both work and personal use, putting it at

the top of the smartphone heap. Running Windows Mobile

5, the device has a bright, responsive touch screen and a

full QWERTY keyboard with large, easy-to-use keys (though

it does suffer from the same caps-lock problem as Verizon’s

XV6700 and requires two hands to use). You’ll have full

access to reading and editing MS Offi ce documents.

Additionally, the device supports the HSDPA 3G protocol,

so data transfers are speedy (if you live in an area with a 3G

network); Wi-Fi is also supported.

The 8525 also excels as an entertainment device.

Whereas most of the devices in this roundup sport 1.3MP

cameras, the 8525 has a 2MP camera with a load of

shooting options—more than we’re ever likely to use, in

fact—as well as video. As with other Cingular devices,

setting up email accounts with Xpress Mail was simple.

The inclusion of both a scroll wheel and nav button makes

working through menus a snap when it is inconvenient to

use the stylus.

At a little more

than six ounces,

the device is a

bit bulky, but still

pocket-size, and

a fair trade for

the full keyboard

and selection of

features.

Your best bet for

a Windows-based

smartphone.

NOKIA N95

Any discussion of Nokia’s

N95 has to start with its $750

price—for that kind of cash, you

could get a 33-year subscription

to Maximum PC! The N95 comes

unlocked, so if you don’t have

one already, you’ll also have

to buy a SIM card from either

Cingular or T-Mobile. But if you

want a phone packed with multi-

media features, the N95 is it.

With N95’s 5MP camera

you can leave your point-and-

shoot at home. It includes a

fl ash, video, and multiple scene

modes. The device is pretty slug-

gish between frames, but the

multiple-shot function performed

adequately. Media playback was

strong, but since there’s no 3G support, videos from

YouTube were sluggish, particularly in full-screen mode;

music playback—even on the tiny speakers—was solid.

The GPS took a while to set up, but it plotted our

location down to the correct side of the street, and the

directions it provided were spot on. Nokia charges an

additional 92 bucks a year for voice directions.

Setting up a POP3 account was simple, but with-

out a full keyboard, the N95 has limitations as a work

device. If you want to stay connected to the offi ce and

edit Word docs and spreadsheets, Cingular’s 8525 is

a better choice, but as a multimedia device, no other

handset comes close.

The king of all

media.

Tales of the Loch

Ness Motorola

Are the stories you hear about portable

phones for real?

LEGEND #1: NO KEYS, NO PROBLEM

Lost your keys? No problem! Just call home

and have someone press the button on your

spare keyless entry device, thereby trans-

mitting the signal through your phone to

your car door. Then use your phone to call

AAA, because unless you use your handset

to smash through your window, the device

won’t open your car. Keyless entry operates

on an RF signal different from those used

by phones.

LEGEND #2: SPONTANEOUS

COMBUSTION

We’ve heard several stories of cell phones

exploding while recharging. While some of

these stories are apocryphal, many are indeed

true. The culprit, generally, is aftermarket bat-

teries. The number of incidents remains rela-

tively small, but as with other devices, watch

for product recalls to stay safe.

LEGEND #3: BURN BABY BURN!

Rumors have swirled about cell phones caus-

ing gas station fi res, but in truth there are no

actual incidents to back this up. Granted, many

handset-makers warn against using mobile

devices near a gas station, but we suspect that

is more an effort to prevent litigation rather

than keep consumers from reenacting the

opening scene of Lethal Weapon 3.

LEGEND #4: HIDDEN POWER

Rumor is, if your Nokia phone is running out

of juice, enter *3370# to tap into “hidden

battery power.” This code actually affects

audio quality but does not open any hid-

den power. If you want to conserve power,

reducing screen brightness and limiting the

number of apps running will do the trick—

and not make it sound like you’re talking

into a tin can. Anyway, everybody knows the

actual code for tapping into reserve power

is Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left,

Right, B, A, Start.

SMART

PHONE

STATE OF

THE UNION

4.43"

2.28

"

$600, http://www.cingular.com

9

MAXIMUMPC

KICKASS

2.1"

3.9

"

FALSE!

TRUE!

FALSE!

FALSE!

is Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left,

$750, http://www.nseries.com 9

PROVIDERS: ANY GSM PROVIDER

PROVIDER: CINGULAR

VERDICT

VERDICT