Audio
Recent high-end Sprint phones, enabled with the 3G Power Vision Network,
offer streaming radio and high-quality MP3 downloads through the Sprint
Music Store. Some of these phones even include an FM transmitter, useful
for broadcasting music from the phone to a car radio. However, unlike the
newer, more expensive phones currently on the market, the A640, using Sprint's
older PCS Vision internet technology, does not include any of these features.
The phone does offer a variety of MIDI ringtones, and the ability to download
more, but since it lacks MP3 capabilities, don't expect this phone to replace
a digital music player.
The phone does offer several voice recognition and recording features.
A voice memo tool allows the user to record up to ten minutes of audio for
later playback. Only incoming audio is recorded when the feature is activated
during a call.
Upon activating voice recognition, the caller may speak one of several
commands: Voice Dial, Contacts, Voice Memo, Status, and My Phone #. Voice
Dial allows for digit-by-digit oral phone number entry, whereas the Contacts
menu dials by contact name. The Voice Memo option activates the audio recording
device, while the Status command prompts an electronic voice to give information
on the phone's current coverage, signal strength and battery. The My Phone
# command does likewise with the phone's number. These features allow for
easy dialing and information-gathering when the user's hands are otherwise
preoccupied.
 The
phone also features a more direct voice command approach under Sprint PCS
Voice Command, in which the caller simply says "Call X" (where X is a phone
number or contact name). By saying "Call the Web," the caller can also access
information from the internet under categories like news, sports or weather.
Far from cutting-edge audio technology, the A640 does not feature any
radio or MP3 capabilities. While this phone may not provide state-of-the-art
audio playback, it does offer extensive voice recording and recognition
services for busy users on-the-go who do not need or want to listen to music
on their phone.
Messaging
The A640 allows for standard text messaging addressed to email addresses
and other mobile phone numbers. Messages can be typed in T9Word, which predicts
words from the most likely combinations of letters on the keys pressed by
the user, as well as standard ABC mode. Picture mail is also available so
that users may send pictures from the phone. A handwritten message feature
takes a photograph of a handwritten message, digitizes it, and sends it
as a photo attachment.
In addition to regular text messaging, the phone offers Sprint's Voice
SMS messaging system, which records voice messages and sends them as an
audio file to other SMS phones or to a regular email address. Non-SMS phones
are sent a number which the recipient can dial to access the voice message.
Instant messaging and third party mail are accessible via Sprint's PCS
Vision internet service. A Chat & Dating option makes available several
chat rooms, also through the PCS Vision service.
Since the A640 does not offer Sprint's most advanced internet service,
users desiring an faster EV-DO-based connection for their instant messaging
and chat will have to look elsewhere. However, the phone should satisfy
users who are content with simple text messaging and slower internet speeds,
as well as those who have little or no need for phone texting at all.
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