The Samsung i780 is Samsung’s newest thin, QWERTY smart phone that runs Windows Mobile. The Samsung "i" line of smartphones have taken quite a lot of different shapes and seen OS implementations ranging from Symbian to Windows Standard and Pro. There are, however, five birds of a feather that do stand out with QWERTY keyboards and uniform design. Samsung i320 was the pacemaker, followed shortly by Samsung i600. There are of course the US-oriented Blackjacks Samsung i607 and Samsung i617.
The subject of our review Samsung i780 is in that bunch but not quite, being the only PocketPC in the lot. Other Windows Mobile Pro devices seem nowhere in sight for the near future, with the two most recent i-series announcements both running on Windows Standard. The QWERTY slider Samsung i640 has just been released, while the low-key Samsung i200 is still cooking.Samsung i780 specifications
* Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional
* 256 MB ROM / 128MB RAM
* 624 MHz Marvell CPU
* GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS2100
* CSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
* 2.5 " 320x320 TFT Touchscreen
* Built-in QWERTY-type keyboard, 37 keys
* 2.0mp camera
* 61.3 x 115.9 x 13.3 millimetres
* 120 Grams
* microSD card slot
* Bluetooth 2.0
* WiFi: 802.11b/g
* Built in NMEA 0183 GPS
* Price Range: $329.00 - $329.00Design and construction
The top of the i780 finds the front-facing VGA camera and earpiece also the status light indicator. Below these is the square 320x320 touchscreen, which sits flush with the casing and has slightly mirrored finish. Not ideal in bright sunlight but still useable.
Below the screen there is the normal softkeys, default set to contacts and calendar. The phone pick up and end keys that also double up as loud speaker key and device lock key respectively. Positioned between these there is the Windows Start and an OK button. And between those there is the innovative optical joystick-cum-Dpad. Below is the full 37 key QWERTY key pad with white highlighted number keys, reasonably standard now on this type of device. The keypad has a white coloured backlight when pressed.
Samsung SGH-i780 controls
On the left side there is a lanyard hole and nothing more than a up and down volume rocker and a reset hole.
Samsung SGH-i780 left side
The right side from top to bottom are a flap covering the connecting socket for the USB lead or headset. The next housing also covered is for the microSD card and finally the camera key.
Samsung SGH-i780 right side
There is nothing on the base of the phone apart from the microphone hole.
Samsung SGH-i780 bottom
The top is home to the power button and the telescopic stylus housing.
Samsung SGH-i780 top
The back of the unit is pretty bare apart from the battery housing and the 2 Mega pixel camera and a small speaker grill. This has a pleasant rubberised feel and comfortable to hold.
The top of the front panel
The square 2.55" 65K-color TFT touchscreen display is the most unusual piece in Samsung i780 with its 320 x 320 pixel resolution. The square display is a serious handicap for the poor handling of third party applications, which are developed for 4:3 aspect ratio screens with no auto resizing posssible.
The display fares well enough in terms of legibility and brightness indoors and not quite so under direct sunlight.
The square display • Samsung i780 in the dark
The control and navigation keys separate the display and the QWERTY keyboard. Central to this layout is the novel dual mode touchpad, which got its due coverage earlier on. It's enclosed in the slightly elevated Start and OK buttons.
On both ends of that central section are the two soft keys and the Call and End keys. Again, the Call and End keys have dual functionality. A press and hold of the Call key activates the speakerphone, while pressing and holding the End key activates the software lock of the phone.
Control and navigation keys with the dual mode touchpad
With the QWERTY keyboard of i780, Samsung departs from the numpad layout used in i600 and i320, in favor of what looks more consistent with other brands' QWERTY designs. The numeric keys are no longer symmetrically arranged in the middle of the keypad. The input switch from letters to numbers is entrusted to the Fn key. The same numpad layout can be seen in the two blackjack handsets and the fresh QWERTY-enabled Samsung i640. That's consistent with BlackBerries and Palms, as well as with Motorola and Nokia QWERTY handsets.
The numpad within the QWERTY keyboard
The QWERTY keypad itself consists of 37 keys arranged in 3 main rows, plus a fourth one used for special function keys. Except for the black-and-silver numpad keys, the others are solid black with white symbols. Each key serves two symbols, which you switch between using the Shift button. The exceptions are the Enter, Backspace and Shift keys.
Neat QWERTY keyboard
There are no dedicated keys for either phonebook or internet, there are ones for messages and GPS instead, placed at the bottom right of the keyboard.
The keys are relatively small to fit the dimensions of the phone, but not too tiny to compromise comfortable typing. Even QWERTY rookies will find a little practice enough to master the round buttons.
The white keyboard backlighting is strong and quite even, with only the keys in the outmost columns a tad paler.
* Manufacturer: Palm
* Part Number:862855
Telecom
* Data services MMS , SMS , WWW , E-Mail* Modem Integrated Wireless cellular modem
* Cellular enhancement protocol CDMA 2000 1X EV-DO
General
* Dimensions (W x D x H) 2.3 in x 0.8 in x 4.4 in* Weight 5.6 oz
* Color Midnight blue
* Packaged contents Stereo headset
Operating System / Software
* OS provided: Palm OS 5.4.9* Software included: SMS , Phone , Tasks , Camera , Calendar , Contacts , Camcorder , On Demand , Sprint TV , Calculator , Voice Memo , Google Maps , Pics&Videos , PocketTunes , Web Browser , World clock , Palm VersaMail , HotSync Manager , Instant messaging , Sprint Picture Mail , Palm Desktop Software , DataViz
Documents To Go
* Operating system: Microsoft Windows 2000 , Microsoft Windows XP SP2 , Apple MacOS X 10.2 - 10.3.x , Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Memory
* Installed ROM 128 MB FlashProcessor
* Processor Intel 312 MHzXScaleInput Device
* Input device type Stylus, Touch-screen, Backlit keyboard , 5-way navigation buttonMessaging / Data Services
* Short Messaging Service (SMS) Yes* Internet Browser Yes
* Messaging / Data Features Text messages
Cellular
* Cellular technology CDMA* Service Provider Sprint Nextel
* Band / mode CDMA 2000
* Phone style PDA
* Caller ID Yes
* Wireless Interface Infrared (IrDA) , Bluetooth
* Additional Features miniSD memory card slot , Microphone
Digital Player / Recorder
* Digital audio standards supported MP3 , WAV , MIDIDisplay
* Display type TFT active matrix* Color support 16-bit (64K colors)
* Max resolution 320 x 320
Power
* Battery installed (max) 1 Lithium ion* Talk time Up to 252 min
* Standby time Up to 240 h
* Power supply device Power adapter
Expansion / Connectivity
* Wireless connectivity IrDA, Bluetooth* Port / Connector Type:Interface 1Headset , 1USB
* Connector Provided Sub-mini phone stereo 2.5 mm , 4 pin USB Type A
* Expansion slot(s) total (free) 1 miniSD
* Cable(s) included 1 x USB cable
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The Treo 755p is the successor to the 700p, most noticeably slimming down and moving the antenna inside the unit. It launched on Sprint back in May 2007, Alltel in October and has just recently landed on Verizon Wireless.
Released for Sprint and Verizon Wireless, the Palm Treo 755p is the first Treo to offer built-in Microsoft Direct Push Technology email support; Google Maps for mobile; and a sleeker design with integrated antenna, slimmer form factor and miniSD slot.
The Treo 755p offers VersaMail 3.5.4 with built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support for Microsoft Direct Push Technology, delivering automatic updates to Outlook email. Also new to the Treo 755p is the integration of Google Maps service for mobile. With Google Maps built into the ROM, Treo 755p users can get directions; perform local searches; and view moveable/scalable maps, satellite imagery, and traffic updates while on the go.
(Source: Cnet )
Included in the box you will find:
* AC Adapter
* USB Data Cable
* Stereo Headset
* Li-Ion Battery
The good: The Palm Treo 755p sports a more compact design than the 700p and is available in two attractive colors. The Palm smart phone has integrated Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel camera, EV-DO support, and adds an instant messaging app, Google Maps for Mobile, and direct push technology. It's a good performer too.
The bad: The 755p is a bit pricey and feels bulky and heavy compared to other full QWERTY devices. The device still lacks integrated Wi-Fi, and the camera's picture quality was subpar.
The bottom line: Though it's not a major overhaul of the smart phone, the Palm Treo 755p offers a nice collection of enhancements and solid performance to make it an attractive upgrade.
Specifications: Band/mode: CDMA2000 1X 800/1900 ; OS provided: Palm OS 5.4.9 ; Talk time: Up to 252 min. Read full specsDesign
The 755p comes in four color schemes; Blue and Burgundy for Sprint, Azure Green for Verizon, and Black for Alltel. The design is very similar to past Treos, but there are noticeable differences such as the internal antenna. The phone is also nearly two millimeters thinner than its 700p predecessor.
The 755p does away with the external antenna and shaves off a bit of weight and depth to make it a sleeker device than the Treo 700p. Like the 680, the smart phone measures 4.4 inches by 2.3 inches by 0.8 inch, but is just a smidge heavier at 5.6 ounces (compared to 5.5 ounces). Though the 755p features a soft-touch finish and has a solid construction, it's definitely thicker and bulkier than other full QWERTY devices such as the Samsung BlackJack and the RIM BlackBerry Curve, so it will make for a tight fit in a pants pocket, and the weight difference is quite evident.
Of course, many users are willing to put up with the extra bulk for the benefit of a touch screen. Like previous Palm-based Treos, the 755p boasts a 2.5-inch TFT touch screen with a 65,000-color output and 320x320 pixel resolution. Not only are text and images bright and sharp, but the ability to enter data, launch apps, and navigate the device via the touch screen is a big advantage.
The Treo 755p's full QWERTY keyboard is a bit cramped, especially when compared to the Motorola Q or even the Cingular 8525. The buttons are smaller and the spacing between them is tight, so they may give users with larger thumbs more difficulty. However, we've noticed that with some time you do get acclimated to the layout and learn to type quickly and accurately.Features
* Integrated 1.3-megapixel digital camera and video recorder, and application to organize and share photos
* Full PDF support using DataViz Documents To Go Version 8.0, which also offers support for native Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents
* Threaded SMS/MMS messages in a single chat view and out-of-the-box support for Yahoo!, AOL, and Gmail
* Support for EV-DO (Rev.0) speeds, which makes streaming mobile content, such as live TV, movie clips and audio from radio stations, as well as training videos or company communications, enjoyable
* Ability to watch mobile video directly on the Treo 755p with Sprint TV or VCAST Video, which features more than 50 channels of live and on-demand content, including CNN, FOX, ESPN, The Weather Channel, MTV, E! and The Cartoon NetworkPalm Treo 755p Video Review
Performance
We tested the dual-band (CDMA 800/1900; EV-DO) Palm Treo 755p in San Francisco using Sprint service, and call quality was excellent. We enjoyed crisp audio with very little to no background noise, and our callers reported the same. Activating the speakerphone didn't deteriorate the audio, though we did notice a slight hiss. However, there was plenty of volume, and our friends added that they were impressed such good sound was coming from a speakerphone. We also were able to pair the Treo with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset without any problems.
Powered by a 312MHz Intel XScale processor, we enjoyed rather speedy performance from the 755p. While there was a brief lag when opening Office documents, we didn't experience any significant or frustrating delays. The EV-DO support brought zippy Web browsing and fast downloads. Unfortunately, multimedia performance wasn't as great. Music playback through the phone's speakers sounded weak and tinny. Plugging in the included earbuds, as uncomfortable as they are, improved the sound quality. Watching videos on the Treo 755p was a bit difficult. Though images and audio always synced up, the picture was often quite pixilated and blurry, so we couldn't handle watching video in more than few minute spurts.
The Treo 755p is rated for 4.2 hours of talk time and up to 10 days of standby time. In our battery tests, we got exactly 4.2 hours of continuous talk time on a single charge. According to FCC radiation tests, the 755p has a digital SAR rating of 1.07 watts per kilogram.
Summary
Although its interior is a little cold and complex to use, the 2009 BMW 6 Series is an otherwise meticulously engineered luxury GT coupe that's interesting to look at and thrilling to drive.
Pros
Seamless acceleration from its big V8, agile despite its size, quiet cabin, nicely crafted interior, innovative convertible soft top, smooth yet sporty ride, ample trunk space in coupe.
Cons
Limited rear-seat room, irritating previous-generation iDrive, odd automatic shifter, poorly designed front cupholder.
What's New for 2009
The BMW 650i Coupe and Convertible go mostly unchanged for 2009, although the sport package receives a contoured hood, exclusive colors and a sportier-sounding exhaust with chromed pipes.
Price: $78,200
2009 BMW 6 Series Vehicle Overview
Introduction
The 2009 BMW 6 Series' aggressive avant-garde styling may not be everyone's cup of German tea, but in the realm of luxury GT coupes and convertibles, everyone hardly matters. This is a price range and segment where buyers make purchases for emotional reasons. Perhaps a past model from the brand used to grace your bedroom wall, or maybe the car's aesthetic somehow speaks volumes about your own style and personality. The important bit is therefore how the 6 Series satisfies the less sexy rational form of the equation -- will the right side of the brain be making a poor decision?
Of course, buying an $80,000-plus large luxury coupe or convertible is inherently not very rational. But given the 6's fair-sized interior, impressive build quality, thrilling performance and surprisingly fair price, this BMW is about as rational as it gets in this arena. Two flavors of 6 Series are available -- coupe and soft-top convertible -- both of which are dubbed the 650i and available with a lone V8 engine. Both are based on the stout 5 Series sedan platform, and although the ride height has been lowered and the suspension retuned for more sporting intensions, the 6 still features the 5's stellar ride and handling balance as well as the magical ability to drive smaller than it actually is.
While many convertibles today feature complex folding hardtops, the 650i features an innovative soft top. Its sleek, buttress-like aft pillars give the car a unique look, but it's the glass window between them that is really worth noting. This is the only convertible on the market whose glass window raises and lowers independently of the roof. This allows two benefits. With the top up, the lowered window increases airflow while preventing sunburns and excess heat. With the top lowered, the raised window doubles as a wind deflector.
Regardless of which body style you're thinking about, it's important to note that the 2009 BMW 6 Series is a big car -- it weighs about 4,000 pounds. As such, it lacks the agility of more lithe competitors like the Porsche 911 or the 6's smaller siblings, the BMW 335i and M3 (which offer hardtop convertibles). For those interested in a more traditional, sumptuous cabin, the 650i may seem a little cold and austere. For them, the Jaguar XK/XKR and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class may be a better choice -- the latter features a retractable hardtop only and is a two-seater.
And yet, with the exception of its BMW comrades, the 650i is less expensive than all these competitor vehicles while providing the most spacious cabin. It also provides the rewarding and often thrilling driving experience one expects from not only BMW but a luxury GT as well. Therefore, the rational side of your brain can rest assured. Feel free to let the right side take over.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2009 BMW 650i is available in coupe and convertible body styles. Standard equipment on the coupe includes 18-inch alloy wheels, hill holder (manual transmission), adaptive xenon headlights, foglights, auto wipers, parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, a panoramic tilt-only sunroof, eight-way power front seats with driver memory, leather upholstery, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, auto-dimming mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a universal garage opener, the iDrive electronics interface, a navigation system with voice commands and real-time traffic, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack. The convertible adds a fully lined and fully powered soft top, a separate glass rear window that can be independently raised and lowered, and sun-reflective leather upholstery.
The Sport package adds 19-inch wheels, a sport suspension, a different exhaust sound, Shadowline trim, a different hood design, sport seats, an Alcantara headliner (coupe only) and exclusive color options. The Premium Sound package adds a premium hi-fi sound system, a glovebox-mounted six-CD changer and a USB/iPod adapter. The Cold Weather package adds heated front seats (available as stand-alone), a heated steering wheel and a trunk-pass-through ski bag. Other options include different 19-inch wheels, active steering, adaptive cruise control, keyless ignition and entry, a head-up display, an infrared night vision display, a lane departure warning system, HD Radio and satellite radio. There are also special-order interior leather colors.
Powertrains and Performance
The rear-drive 2009 BMW 650i is powered by a 4.8-liter V8 good for 360 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual, while a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional. In performance testing, a 650i Coupe went from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The convertible should be in the low sixes. Fuel economy with the automatic is an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. Getting the manual drops the highway number by 1 mpg.
Safety
Standard safety equipment includes four-wheel antilock brakes with advanced standby and drying features, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, front knee airbags and active head restraints. The coupe features side curtain airbags while the convertible gets pop-up rollover hoops. Optional equipment includes a night vision display and a lane departure warning system.
Interior Design and Special Features
Although elegant, the 2009 BMW 6 Series cockpit has a somewhat austere feel compared to its competitors. Still, everything's set up perfectly for driving, with BMW's familiar orange-lit analog gauges dead ahead, a thick steering wheel grip and supportive seating. BMW's iDrive control system reduces button clutter to a minimum, making for a clean dash design but confusing operation of many controls, even with this year's "shortcut" buttons. The new iDrive found in the 3 and 7 Series is much better. Another downside is the lone front cupholder -- which is a separate unit that plugs into the center console and must be stored someplace else when not in use.
Thanks to its generous dimensions and a panoramic glass roof in the coupe, the 650i feels spacious for two, but four adults make for a tight fit. Both coupe and convertible have an easy-entry feature to ease access into the backseat, but only the convertible's is power-operated. Trunk space measures 13 cubic feet in the coupe and a still-healthy 12.4 in the 650i convertible (10.6 when the top is down), and both cars have a pass-through to accommodate longer items. The convertible features a brilliant rear window design, which is separate from the power soft top and doubles as a wind deflector when the roof is lowered.
Driving Impressions
For a vehicle so laden with technological comfort and safety features, the 6 Series maintains a remarkably direct and visceral driving experience. Although not as nimble as the smaller 3 Series coupe, the 2009 BMW 650i is a very capable performer when driven hard. The Active Roll Stabilization system keeps the big coupe flat around corners, and the lightweight suspension does its part to maintain traction and soak up the bumps without diluting the lines of communication. Regardless of transmission choice, you're sure to enjoy the 650i's 4.8-liter V8. Like every BMW engine we've ever experienced, this V8 is silken and anxious to rev. Although there's a nice surge of power toward the top of the tachometer, there's plenty of torque available at any rpm.
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It's not an overstatement to say that the BMW 5 Series sets the standard for premium sport sedans and, in recent years, wagons, too. Introduced in the United States for 1972, the midsize 5 Series has long offered a near-perfect blend of performance, luxury and interior room.
Most BMW 5 Series cars you'll come across new or used are rear-wheel drive; however, the current-generation lineup includes all-wheel-drive variants. Most 5s also have an inline six-cylinder engine, though BMW has offered V8 versions since 1994. Model names are numeric, with the first number identifying the car as a 5 Series and the last two historically, but not always, denoting engine size. Today's BMW 528i, for instance, has a 3.0-liter inline-6. The final "i" originally distinguished 5 Series cars with fuel injection; these days, it only has significance in Europe where diesel models (that carry a "d") are also offered.
When people ask us to recommend luxury cars, BMW's 5 Series is invariably high on the list. Wealthier shoppers may gravitate toward the newer models loaded with technology, but older 5 Series cars can be just as satisfying to drive and own.
Current 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is available in sedan and wagon body styles. Three engines are available on the sedan that correspond to the three trim levels (528i, 535i and 550i), with xDrive all-wheel drive available on the 528i and 535i sedans. The wagon comes in 535i xDrive trim only. The 528i features a 3.0-liter 230-horsepower inline-6, the 535i has a turbocharged 3.0-liter 300-hp inline-6 and the 550i has a 360-hp 4.8-liter V8. Every model comes with a standard six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
On the surface, the 5 Series incorporates bold styling cues that depart from BMW's traditional styling language established over the preceding four generations. Inside, the 5 boasts one of the most spacious and comfortable cabins in its class, particularly when optioned with the fantastic multicontour front seats, which adjust in seemingly infinite ways. A system called iDrive corrals audio, climate, navigation and communication functions using a central LCD screen and console-mounted control dial. We've found iDrive cumbersome to use, although other BMW models feature an upgraded system. Given its wide price range, the 5 Series can be equipped with a huge variety of luxury and technology features -- from a heated steering wheel to a lane departure warning system.
The latest BMW 5 Series is a well-balanced machine that can handle aggressive driving on winding back roads just as easily as it dispatches weekday commutes on crumbling expressways. The 5's adeptness at both ride comfort and handling prowess borders on the amazing. The steering is equally sublime, with perfect weighting and a near-telepathic feel. If you like the styling and aren't intimidated by its hefty dose of electronics, the 5 Series is an excellent choice for a midsize luxury car. The only significant drawback is high pricing.
Used BMW 5 Series Models
The present fifth-generation 5 Series debuted for 2004. For 2004 and '05, it was offered only in sedan form and only with rear-wheel drive. There were two six-cylinder models, the 184-hp 525i and 225-hp 530i, along with a top-line V8 version, the 325-hp 545i. Buyers looking at six-cylinder models would be wise to focus on 2006 and newer models, as the '06 model year brought a new pair of 3.0-liter sixes, resulting in a more spirited 215-hp 525i and a 255-hp 530i. The V8 sedan was already quick, but it, too, received a new engine, a 360-hp 4.8-liter, and became the 550i.
The 5 Series wagon also arrived for 2006. It's offered in a single 530xi model and all-wheel drive is standard. Additionally, all-wheel drive became optional for the 530 sedan. For 2007, additional standard equipment was added like an auxiliary input jack and BMW Assist, while new options include high-definition radio, BMW's Night Vision system and 20-way adjustable front seats. The current crop of engines and model designations arrived for 2008.
Shoppers will have little difficulty finding representatives from the fourth generation (1997-2003). Many purists consider this the finest era for the BMW 5 Series, as exceptional on-road dynamics, premium furnishings and unparalleled refinement came together in one classically styled package. Resale value has always been high for this generation, so expect to spend more than you would for competitors of similar age. Reliability has been strong as well.
Provided it's well-maintained, any car from this generation is worth your consideration. For 1997 and 1998, only sedans were offered: a 528i with a 190-hp, 2.8-liter inline-6 and a 540i with a 282-hp, 4.4-liter V8. The wagon joined the lineup in 1999 and was available with either engine, both of which gained variable valve timing that year. In 2001, the 528i sedan got a new 225-hp 3.0-liter six and became the 530i; the 528 wagon was dropped. BMW also added an entry-level, 184-hp 525i sedan and wagon to the lineup.
Third-generation BMW 5 Series cars (1989-'95) are still common as well. Although not as perfectly balanced as its successor, this car was highly regarded in its day. If you find one in good condition, you'll almost certainly find it enjoyable to own. The best years were 1994 and '95 when BMW offered V8 power in two 5 Series with the 530i sedan and wagon (215 hp), and the 540i sedan (282 hp).
