Basic Features
The M500 has a host of functions Bluetooth capability, bilingual user
interface (for English and limited Spanish), a dictionary, personal organizer,
memo pad, voice memo feature, voice-activated dialing, alarm clock, world
clock, calculator, downloadable content (ring tones, wallpapers and games),
text messaging and voice SMS.
Providing ensured call quality with digital dual-band with CDMA 800 and
1900 MHz and EV-DO high-speed broadband network, CDMA (Code Division Multiple
Access) technology is a digital platform that allows a greater number of
subscribers to share the airwaves resulting in clearer conversations over
standard GSM networks.
The clamshell phone also uses Active Flip, which allows the user to answer
and end calls simply opening and closing the phone.
Additional features can include call forwarding, call waiting, three-way
calling and airplane mode, which allows you to use certain features like
games, music and memo pad on an airplane or anyplace where making calls
or transmitting data is prohibited. When on airplane mode, the phone cannot
receive calls or access the Internet.
Screen
 The
M500 offers a large 176 x 220 px, 262K-color internal color TFT (Thin Film
Transistor) display. With circuits built into the screen's surface, images
are brighter and clearer with faster image response time over standard CSTN
(Color Super Twisted Nematic) displays.
The front of the phone is a 96 x 96 px, 65K-color CSTN color external
screen. Displaying the time, caller ID and doubling as a viewfinder during
Camera Mode, the external display is duller than the internal TFT screen,
but having the added benefit of consuming much less power, prolonging battery
life.
Necessary for using Sprint's multimedia features, the M500's internal
screen provide the resolution and clarity needed during Sprint TV, also
saving energy on text-based display information shown on the external LCD.
Audio
Sound and call quality on the M500 make the grade, featuring Bluetooth,
speakerphone, three-way calling and speaker-independent voice dialing.
The M500 gives a choice of 10 ringtones, nine single tones, 10 melodies
and supports other 72-note polyphonic ringtones.
Using the Sprint Music Store, streaming music channels or separate song
files can be purchased or downloaded onto the phone or personal computer.
M500 users may also purchase access to a variety of Sirius Music channels
that range from Top 40 to talk radio.
While the M500 was designed as a music player and its sound quality is
better than most devices, it still shouldn't be considered as a replacement
for an iPod or regular MP3 player. And compared to other music-playing devices
like the Motorola RAZR V3i - which is powered by iTunes (but is capped at
100 songs) - the M500 is a low key player. Other music phones to consider
include the LG Fusic (LX550), Nokia 5300 Xpress Music or Cingular SYNC (Samsung
SGH-A707).
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