Entertainment
The Katana comes preinstalled with fundamental applications such as Alarm
Clock, Calculator, Calendar, Countdown, Stop Watch, Voice Services, and
World Clock.
As a Sprint service, the Katana also comes with Wireless Backup to restore
contact information quickly and easily if the phone is ever lost, stolen,
damaged or replaced. Users can be sure they get the latest updates. With
the Update Phone feature, the Katana automatically checks online for new
firmware.
A few games come included on the Katana. Gamers should be familiar with
some classics such as Ms. PacMan and Tetris Marathon, but other preinstall
games include the World Poker Tour to satisfy the recent popularity of Texas
Hold 'Em, Midnight Pool for action-packed billiards. Unfortunately all games
are demos with the convenient option of purchasing the full version through
Sprint's online service.
 Consumers
aren't limited to just those demos though. Built on BREW (Binary Runtime
Environment for Wireless), a common platform for mobile devices, downloadable
games and applications can be installed directly on the Katana.
Resembling simple programs and console games from the 80s, some are free
for download; however most require a small fee.
Internet
New Power Vision phones from Sprint are integrated with Sprint Music
Store to buy full songs and Sprint TV to access streaming video clips (subscription
required).
Requiring 3G speeds, unfortunately the Katana only offers cdma2000 1xRTT
(1x radio transmission technology) 2.5G transmission speeds. With rates
of only around 144 kbps, these Katana users will only be able to access
PCS Vision for text messaging, chat, email, and various other online text-based
services.
Storage
Containing approximately 5.0 MB of storage, users should be able to save
a few photos, install a couple games, and save some emails and text messages.
Since the Katana lacks any multimedia-intensive applications such as
a high-resolution camera, MP3 player, or video streaming capabilities, the
limited memory and lack of expansion card slot is not a big issue.
< 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. |
