Entertainment

Essential applications such as Alarm Clock, Calculator, Countdown, Memo Pad, Scheduler, Task List, World Timer, Voice Memo, and even VoiceSignal advanced voice recognition technology are included on the A900.

By issuing commands (without pre-training), A900 users can check battery life, signal strength, and phone status with just the power of their voice. Additionally, VoiceSignal can launch programs, dial numbers, and lookup contacts. Comprehending commands even when spoken in real-time, VoiceSignal is extremely useful and addicting to use.

Built on J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition) mobile platform, a wide range of Java games (reminiscent of 80s console titles) come preinstalled on the A900. While all are demos, games such as 2 Fast 2 Furious, Block Breaker, Ms. PacMan, Tetris, and World Poker Tour come preloaded, with the option of conveniently purchasing the full version through Sprint's Power Vision online service.

Through Sprint Game Lobby, players can match skills in real-time competition against other customers across the country. Advancing beyond single-player entertainment, gamers can find competitors, post scores, and see additional game recommendations all from the A900.

The A900 also has access to Sprint TV. For a monthly subscription fee, various packages are available to consumers, but users can subscribe to individual channels as well. Those who enroll in the Access Pack get ABC News Now streaming live news channel and Sirius Hits. Including everything the Access Pack has, Plus Pack subscribers also receive NFL Network, Fox Sports, Fuse, and Fashion TV. And for heavy mobile television viewers, the Ultimate Pack includes everything the Plus Pack offers plus ESPN, Fox News Channel, NBC, The Weather Channel, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Toon World, Looney Tunes, Comedy Time, and Music Choice.

Access to news and information is possible through On Demand as well. By subscribing to a wide range of channels, customers can get breaking news, sports scores, stock quotes, and weather reports, or look up movie times, directory services, and online maps.

As one of the new phones released on Sprint's new Power Vision Network, the A900 fully-integrates with online music, video, and data services. More interactive than previous devices, the A900 also has drawbacks. Costing upwards of $15-25 extra per month, additional charges are required to realize the A900's potential.

Internet

Sprint TV, Sirius Radio, Music Store, and other multimedia capabilities would not be possible without EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) technology. As the backbone to Sprint Power Vision, EV-DO allows A900 users to transfer data and browse the web at lightening speeds.

Offering up to 10 times faster speeds than the conventional 2G networks, consumers can access data at average download speeds of 400-700 kbps and peak rates of up to 2 Mbps.

Newly launched in July, Sprint has been aggressively expanding its nationwide EV-DO network. Currently in more than 141 major markets and 250 airports, EV-DO will reach about 150 million customers in over 220 major markets by early 2006.

< Prev Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2008 Mobiledia Corp. and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from Mobiledia. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact us.