PDA Mobile Phones

The HP iPaq Glisten offers all of the features that smartphone users could possibly want – in theory, anyway. In practice, the device is somewhat subpar, with several features that should be standouts actually becoming detractions from the overall usage experience. What’s more, at a fairly high price tag, it seems unarguable that there are better options for the discerning business user.

A passing glance at the Glisten is promising, as the sleek black and chrome design and wide, easy to push buttons of the full QWERTY keyboard are undeniably attractive. The 2.5 inch AMOLED touch screen should be a design triumph here, but low resolution makes for an underwhelming practical experience. Colors and text appear fine, but not with the “glisten” promised in the phone’s name. Touchy and somewhat dated menu screens take what could have been a huge draw and leave no impression at all.

HP iPaq Glisten Quick Stats:

• Dimensions: 4.45″ x 2.48″ x .52″
• Weight: 5.3 oz
• Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
• Camera: 3.1 MP

As far as features go, the Glisten offers exactly what you would expect in smart phone – and nothing else. This phone, which should have been designed to go above and beyond, seems to expect star credit for everyday options. There are plenty of wireless options, as well as email capabilities and personal management features like a calendar and alarm clock.

The media options are all halfhearted attempts at including them without putting any extra energy into making them stand out. The camera is included, but has disappointing photo quality, and the media player included is very basic and unexciting. Match this all with a sometimes sluggish performance and you have a whole host of reasons to dismiss the HP Glisten as little more than disappointing eye candy.

While the HP iPaq Glisten offers most of the standard options professionals routinely expect in their smart phones these days, the sum of its individual features somehow ends up being less than its parts. Starting with design and trickling all through the various aspects of the phone’s design and usage, the Glisten somehow manages to come off as a sub par consolation prize for smart phone users who aren’t enamored with Blackberry’s design and layout. In the hand, the Glisten is a bit wide and heavy, though the soft touch back at least ensures security during use.

The problems continue with the touchscreen, which at a relatively small 2.5 inches can be problematic for maneuvering through the Windows Mobile 6.5 screens. The AMOLED display is being touted as a stand out feature here, as similiar screens are clearer and use less energy than other LED displays. However, due to a comparatively low pixel resolution, the supposed asset just seems a bit dark and fuzzy around the edges, making a user wonder what all the fuss is about.

HP iPaq Glisten Quick Stats:

• Dimensions: 4.4″ x 2.5″ x .5″
• Weight: 5.3 oz
• Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels
• Camera: 3.1 MP

Of course, it’s certainly not all bad news. The wide and easy to press buttons on the full QWERTY keyboard make for an easy emailing and messaging experience. There is support for corporate and personal email, and all of the updated options offered by the new Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 platform.

The problem arises not in what this smart phone, but what it doesn’t, becoming a high priced smart phone that seems to stick to the bare minimum. If you’re dead set against a Blackberry, this phone is a decent substitute, but otherwise, I’d stick with something like the Blackberry Bold that has a smoother, more impressive performance at a lower price.

Offered for only $99 with service through Verizon Wireless, the HTC Droid Eris is one of the cheapest android phones available on the market. Completely easy to use, the compact and convenient design offers a lot of solid features like a beautiful 3.2-inch HVGA capacitive touch screen for an impressively low price.

With an impressive color resolution and smooth surface, the stand out touch screen allows a user to easily transition between 7 rotating homepages, a QWERTY keyboard, and a menu filled with fun and eye catching apps. The ability to zoom either by double tapping the nicely responsive screen or by pinching your fingers offers a huge bonus for people who are still resisting the iPhone. A built-in accelerometer automatically changes screen orientation depending on how you hold the phone, and a proximity sensor keeps your cheek from accidentally cutting off your calls.

HTC Droid Eris Quick Stats:

• Dimensions: 4.45 x 2.19 x .51 inches
• Weight: 4.23 oz
• Resolution: 320 x 480 pixels
• Camera: 5 MP

The loaded feature set is another huge plus for this Mobile Phone. Coming equipped with not only Android standards like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, PC syncing, and voice recording, the HTC Droid Eris also offers the full range of Google programs. Messaging and email options are seemingly limitless, and smart additions like a PDF viewer allow even more practical applications. The lack of a unified Inbox is a bit inconvenient, but at least all programs are accessible under the same menu icon. The included Flash Lite support is a bit choppy, but at least it’s included.

While not a perfect Mobile Phone, the HTC Droid Eris comes close enough that the price more than makes up for any defects. Leave a comment below and let me know if you agree. This may not be an iPhone killer, but it’s one slick from from Verizon … finally.

While not as powerful as the Palm Pre, the Palm Pixi for the Sprint network is no slouch. It’s a pretty cool smartphone for people who are looking for something a little more, but don’t want a cellphone that’s too complicated if you know what I mean. The Mobile Phone is super thin and small, which is okay if you don’t have large (or normal sized?) hands.

All that said, if you’re new to smartphones, this may be a perfect way to “get into the game.” It’s not too complicated, but it offers a whole heck of a lot more than a normal Mobile Phone.

On the negative side, some have said that the OS can be slow sometimes. Also, battery life isn’t the greatest according to some people who have reviewed it around the Internet. There’s no video capability either.

Still, for the money, if you want something sleek, small that can do email and simple Internet, this may be the perfect smartphone for you. There are pros and cons to the phone, but if you’re already on the Sprint network and want a newer smartphone, this is a logical decision for many different reasons.

The Palm OS is one of the biggest reasons people like this Mobile Phone because it’s so easy to use.  Once you use it, you’ll ask yourself why other phones are so complicated. This may or may not be enough for you to choose this smart phone, but there are other things to consider as well.

If you have the Palm Pixi, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think whether it’s good or bad. We can handle it! We really want to bring you unbiased reviews on all the latest greatest smartphones available.