Messaging
Opened horizontally, the D307's QWERTY keyboard is activated, displaying
a menu to choose between writing in the Notes or Calendar, chatting on IM,
or sending text messages.
Supporting SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service),
and MMS (Multimedia Message Service), the D307 has limits of 918 characters
and maximum file sizes of 64 KB and each.
With T9 predictive text, users can type quicker. Instead of having to
press keys several times for a letter, the D307 chooses from a dictionary
of words and phrases and anticipate what is being written.
Should users' thumbs get tired, the D307 supports VoiceMode speech-to-text
technology. Users will need to pause between each word and clearly enunciate,
far from natural speech, but useful nonetheless. As one of the better and
more robust devices on the market, users should be pleasantly surprised
by the D307's handsfree versatility.
And no text messaging device would be complete without robust instant
messaging features. Through the latest instant messaging platforms, the
D307 can log onto AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, and Yahoo! Messenger. As a
focus of the D307, the chat features provides unparalleled real-time communication
options to keeping in touch with friends.
Entertainment
Basic applications found on the D307 include Alarm, Audio Recorder, Calculator,
Calendar, Currency Converter, To-Do List, and World Time. Having a horizontal
layout, email viewing is much more natural and comfortable. Supporting Cingular's
email client, unfortunately POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP protocols from 3rd party
accounts aren't supported, but consumers can install access to popular networks
such as AOL and Yahoo! Mail.
Pressing the Voice Key on the side activates the VoiceSignal software.
Allowing users to issue commands such as checking the battery life, signal
strength, or status, one-step verbal commands are all consumers need to
dictate. Users can also launch programs, dial numbers, and lookup contacts
by using just the sound their voice, all without speech training. Fairing
better than the speech-to-text VoiceMode, consumers will be able to speak
commands with natural fluent speech. As one of the most advance voice recognition
technology for mobile devices, the D307 understands user commands even when
spoken in real-time.
Four J2ME games also come with the D307: Airship Racing: Around The Globe,
Arch Angel, Bobby Carrot, and Freekick Festival.
 As
a console game, Airship Racing has an unusual plot; players have to navigate
an air balloon around the globe. With only thirty islands where the landings
can occur, eagles, piranhas, tornadoes, thunder clouds are obstacles in
the way.
The high-flying Arch Angel is a classic shoot-em-up first-person jet
fighter game. With different objectives, users will need to go up against
other jets while dodging mountains to complete the missions.
Bobby Carrot is a puzzle game. Gamers will need strategy to collect all
the carrots on the level in the least number of steps. Beware of tricky
traps blocking the way, as users navigate through all 50 levels.
And for sports fans, the D307 includes Freekick Festival, a game soccer
fans will love. Taking free kicks on goal, users match wits with the goalie
with amusing parodies of real-world superstars named Backhim and Owan.
And should players get bored of the preinstalled games, the D307 allows
Java programs to be downloaded and installed through the popular J2ME (Java
2 Platform, Micro Edition) platform. As the most popular standard for mobile
devices, libraries of games have been developed.
< 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. |
