Hi-Mobile.net sent us over for a review the first ever phone that ships with UIQ 3.0: the Sony Ericsson M600i. This 3G SymbianOS 9.1 smartphone is one of the most popular this summer (selling at below 375 USD) and so we decided to give it a whirl too. Read on for more info, pictures, screenshots and a video of the device, the P990's little brother.
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2006-07-28
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How can i know the version of software on my phone. What is the latest version no of the software on the moblile site. Also when you try and update the software , it says press the button c which is not there on the sony ericsson m600 i . what is the alternate button.
Member since:2005-06-28
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The latest version is the R3B01 (that's the Organizer's version). You can check yours from the main screen, on the "More" submenu and then click "Status".
The M600i doesn't have a C button, but you use its Power button instead (at the top of the device, next to the IrDA).
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It could be better (e.g. the menu system, task switching/closing and the virtual keyboard), but it is already pretty usable and worlds away better than UIQ 2.1. My personal beef is only the bluetooth files ending up on Messaging instead of in the normal file system. If you send via bluetooth a file that there is no app for it to deal with it (or if MIME types are not correctly configured), then you are screwed. You can't do anything with that file. Same problem goes for S60 phones though so it's not a UIQ-only problem.
Edited 2006-07-28 08:10
Member since:2006-05-19
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I've seen some P910 users say they really like this UI. I must say I use a Series 60 device 6630 and I found the M600i's UI a little tricky to use... but I guess that it just takes a bit of getting used to.
After using T9 for so long I found the qwerty kb odd with one hand...
it's amazing what you get used to.
Edited 2006-07-28 08:16
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My personal beef is only the bluetooth files ending up on Messaging instead of in the normal file system....
Same problem goes for S60 phones though so it's not a UIQ-only problem.
Not really. On S60 phones you can use the freeware program FE explorer, which lets you open the inbox folder and copy/paste attachments anywhere you would like.
Not sure if there is a UIQ version tho.
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The fact that the user has to hunt for a freeware-or-not program in order to find solution for something like this, is a brain-dead situation. The system should do the right thing.
As I have said in the past, sending BT files to Messaging is just a remnant of an older, simpler era of cellphones. This is something that must change on Symbian.
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There is a way to save the files where you want them. Instead of choosing save in the dialog choose view, and the viewer is launched. From here you can choose save and get an MMFH dialog to save the file.
This way the file won't end up in messaing, but rather where you want it. I thought it would be a good idea to let other M600i (P990i/W950i) users know if they read this review.
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AFAIK (I heard stories from other developers): Symbian or UIQ maintains a list of critical apps that should not be terminated - things like phone dialler etc. A 3rd party app can add themselves to this list, but generally shouldn't... anyway if it does shutdown apps it'll shut down all but those on the list.
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2006-05-19
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From your artical: "the device supports Bluetooth PAN. This is the first non-PalmOS/WinMobile phone in the market that I have ever seen to support BT PAN. Basically, BT PAN supports connecting into a wireless LAN over Bluetooth instead of over 802.11b/g. The problem with this approach is that there are very few (and expensive, over $90) devices in the market that do Bluetooth Networking in dedicated hardware and that the phone can connect to them only up to 8 meters in plain sight."
PAN is a software protocol running over a bluetooth connection. BT is 10 meters and devices do not have to be in plain sight (direct line of sight), but given that it's only 10 meters they usually are anyway.
I think some of the S60 devices have supported it, although I'm not 100% on that.
It's good to see some reviews of Symbian phones! - it would be good to see a few more. I know they are not very common in the US, which is a shame - and probably explains the lack of reviews.
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Yes, walls do seem to limit BT generally, but on occasion not completely.. I guess it depends on the direction of the wind, and the phase of the moon. ;-)
I've had a play with the M600i in the office here, but not had to really use it. - Have you seen the Nokia N80, E60, E61, and the E50? I need a new phone, and would like a Symbian one (as I'm a Symbian developer). In particular a device that can take more than one sim would be great. - I travel alot and switch sim cards to save paying roaming charges.
OT : most annoying thing ever, trying to send a debug file generated by one of your apps from your phone to the desktop. - You search for devices, it takes forever because everyone in the office has bluetooth switch on... and they've all got the same name...
Member since:2005-06-28
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Yes, I have already reviewed the E61:
http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=14841
I suggest you wait a few more months (1-3 months) before you buy it so you can get it with the newest firmware. Currently, there are a few bugs and limitations (especially with VoIP) in the first versions of the S60 3rd Edition firmwares. The E61 has more features than the M600i, except the A2DP support, smaller size and the touchscreen. If you don't care about these features, wait a bit and then get the E61. The E70 is interesting, but from what I heard typing on its opened-up keyboard is weird and the system takes up to 6 seconds to go from vertical to landscape each time you open the keyboard. A bit of a hassle IMHO.
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