Look Mac, I'm just gonna tell you once - you have to back up to the web with XDrive Try it free
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miss your computer while away from home? Cheer up, GoToMyPC lets you access it from anywhere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review
Created: October, 2000
The unbelievably compact size of the Samsung SCH-8500 will
change your expectations of cell phones forever. Weighing in
at 4.5 ounces and only 5.5 inches long by two inches wide, this
dual band, dual mode phone seems impossibly small. Folded, it's
just a shave over one inch thick.
At first glance, you probably won't even believe it's a cell
phone. For comparison sake, it's just as long as a Post-it note
in its folded state and half as wide. It easily fits in a shirt
or pants pocket and you won't have to make much room for it
in your bag or suitcase. If you're tired of your bulky old cell
phone and size is one of your major buying decisions, this phone
will leave you with no regrets.
The size does mean you get a smaller screen. For some, this
isn't a major concern. But with the growing popularity of WAP
(wireless access protocol), this can be a major negative to
some. But while the screen doesn't match up to those of some
other phones, it isn't dwarfed in comparison, either.
The SCH-8500 is equipped with the Phone.Com UP.Browser 3.1.
It connects to the Web at 14.4 kbps (kilobytes per second),
so you may find that this phone isn't your first choice if you're
intent on mobile Internet connectivity.
But the SCH-8500 is a multifunctional device and does more than
just make phone calls. It may not replace your PalmPilot but
such features as a calendar, calculator, To-Do List and a countdown
tool will help keep you better organized. Disappointingly, there
is no way to transfer data to and from your PC. As with all
cell phones, entering such data with cell phone buttons can
be painfully slow.
If you want to avoid keying in a quick note, you have the option
of creating up to four, one minute voice memos to play back
at a later time.
A voice recognition feature also lets you use your voice to
quickly make phones calls without keying in a phone number.
You can program up to 20 numbers so that you can make calls
by simply saying the name of the person or business you'd like
to call. Unlike voice recognition technology for word processing,
this feature works almost every time.
Ultimately, the most important feature is the SCH-8500's sound.
Under most conditions (no cell phone is immune to problems when
you're walking under a bridge), sound quality is crystal clear.
At the best of times, your calls don't even sound like you're
on a cell phone.
This phone also has digital roam for the road warrior, making
your cell phone accessible whether you're around the corner
or thousands of miles from home.
Having the latest and greatest inevitably means a bigger price
tag: the budget wary may want to wait a few months for prices
to come down or opt for a cheaper model. The SCH-8500's $199
US ($249 Canadian) price tag isn't in the stratosphere but prudent
business owners can save a few dollars by opting for a phone
with fewer bells and whistles. But this phone far superior.
If you can afford to spend a few extra dollars, it is a worthy
investment.
Rating: 4.75 / 5
Comments: The SCH-8500 is an incredibly compact cell
phone that wins points for portability and performance. Not
only is the sound crystal clear, it provides an organizer, Web
access capability and voice recognition. It's slightly more
expensive than the competition but is worth it.
Specifications:
Dimensions: 3.5" x 2" x 1.1" (3.5" x 2"
1.2" with extended battery)
Weight: 4.4 ounces with standard battery, 5.5 ounces with extended
battery
Dual band: CDMA 1.9 GHz / AMPS 800 MHz
Talk time: Digital - up to 3 hours. Analog - up to 50 minutes
Standby time: Digital - up to 120 hours. Analog - up to 15 hours.
United States - Sprint PCS: Air time packages start at
$19.99 a month for 20 minutes, with each additional minute costing
39 cents. Packages go as high as $399.99 a month for 4,000 minutes
with each additional minute costing 25 cents.
Canada - Clearnet: Air time packages start at $25 a month
for 200 minutes, each additional minute is 20 cents. Packages
go as high as $150 month for 1,500 minutes, with each additional
minute costing 10 cents.
More info:
http://www.samsungtelecom.com/coolproducts/wireless/sch8500/index.asp
Price: $199 US, $249 Canadian
|
Adding RAM is easy, 