The Siemens SX66, my latest gadget acquisition, is probably one of the best Pocket PC combinations I've owned. It's like the Swiss Army Knife of phones. It comes with Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software, voice and data services, a slide-out keyboard, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.
Sold through Cingular Wireless, the SX66 combines a quad-band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM "world phone" and wireless PDA in a single device. I've tried others like the Audiovox from AT&T Wireless and the iPAQ from T-Mobile. Believe it or not, the Audiovox can't be used as a phone -- users have to use the earbud or the speakerphone.
With GoodLink technology, the SX66 enables users to access their calendar, inbox, contacts and tasks (full wireless sync). They can also browse the Internet and access networks via a VPN. If users don't have GoodLink, they can still have access to all their data wirelessly.
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Users can also connect to the Internet either via Cingular's GPRS network or Wi-Fi. And with the Windows Mobile software, users not only have Pocket Outlook, they also have pocket versions of Word, Excel, MSN Messenger, Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. They can also use it as an alarm clock (there are up to three alarms built in).
One of the best features is the sliding keyboard. The SX66 is a slider-type device with a hidden QWERTY keypad that can be pulled open for easy use of e-mail, messaging, Pocket Word and Excel. Anytime users have more than a few clicks, they just have to slide the keyboard out. With the slide-out keyboard, if users minimize the onscreen keyboard, they will have access to the full screen on the Pocket PC (there is no comparison for the screens between a PalmOne Treo and a Windows Mobile
device). The display on the SX66 is a 3.5 inch transflective TFT-LCD color-touch screen that supports up to 64,000 colors, with up to 240 by 320 pixels resolution. The screen has unbelievable clarity and, with clear type turned on, it's one of the best screens I've seen.
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Because it comes installed with Windows Mobile 2003 SE, users can swap from portrait to landscape mode when they need to.
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In addition to a speakerphone and a voice memo recorder, other features include MMS, an integrated MP3 stereo player and video playback. The sound from the device is excellent (unlike the vibrating sound out of the Treo 600). Users can obviously create their own WAV files for changing ring tones on their phone (and for other things).
As for the processor (again, no comparison with the PalmOne Treo), the SX66 is powered by an Intel PXA263 processor at 400 MHz and has 128 MB of internal memory, which is ideal because users don't need to worry about external storage cards. However, it also comes with an SD slot for flash data storage, plus infrared data interface and USB synchronization station for data transfers. As for battery life, it provides up to eight days of standby time and up to four hours of talk time. And,
believe it or not, it is a replaceable battery, not a built-in battery like the one in the PalmOne Treo. Problem is, you can't get another battery for the Treo. It's built in and can't be removed. Users will be able to buy another battery for the Siemens SX66 that will allow some extended time without recharging for the road warriors.
It only weights 7.4 ounces and is approximately 2.82" wide by 4.92" high by 0.74". A headset (unfortunately wired), spare stylus, travel charger, DC jack converter and a carrying case are also included in the box.
The SX66 also features the compact Microsoft Windows.NET Framework, so any .NET applications can be easily leveraged and extended to mobile users of this phone.
The device also has eight programmable buttons on the outside of the device. Default access gives users quick access to the voice recorder, media player, contacts, calendar, the start menu, e-mail, pocket IE and the "OK" button. Again, these are all programmable to do other things. Between the two side buttons is a small rocker button that will allow users to quickly adjust the volume.
As I mentioned, its one of the best investments I've made. If you're looking for a new phone (or a new Pocket PC), make sure you check out Cingular's new offering.
This article first appeared in myITforum, the premier online destination for IT professionals responsible for managing their corporations' Microsoft Windows systems. The centerpiece of myITforum.com is a collection of member forums where IT professionals actively exchange technical tips, share their expertise, and download utilities that help them better manage their Windows environments, specifically Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS). It is part of the TechTarget network of Web
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