Messaging
The clamshell design makes texting easy on the hands and the keyboard
springs are firm enough and not too flimsy in order to ensure users accuracy
while typing.
Nearly all one's messaging needs are met in some way by the M1. Simple
text messaging finds companionship with picture, video and voice mail. And
the wireless Web access provides a great portal to both email and instant
messaging systems.
Entertainment
Access to the Sprint network allows users infinite opportunities to customize
the phone with purchasable and downloadable files.
Basic applications include alarm clock, world clock, calendar, countdown,
stop watch and calculator. The calendar is the most impressive, with its
reminders and easy-to-learn data entry system. The Sanyo M1 might not be
the perfect stand-in for a professional handheld organizer, but is convenient
enough for users who aren't obsessively reliant on their PDAs.
The phone is also pre-loaded with demo versions of five games, including
Brain Juice, Diner Dash, Midnight Bowling, PAC-MAN / Ms. PAC-MAN and Tetris.
While none of the games are incredibly captivating, each one does users
the courtesy before it begins to select sound or silence. For users who
love their downloadable games, the phone offers airplane mode, which disables
incoming and outgoing voice or text messaging that might interfere with
airline / airport regulations.
One
of the most exciting parts of the Sprint network and the M1 is Sprint Live
TV, an optional paid service. Users can watch live streaming television
with the optional Sprint TV Live and view additional optional TV and video
programming with Sprint TV. Some of the available channels on Sprint TV
include movie trailers, CNNtoGo, ABC News, the Weather Channel, the Cartoon
Network, Music Choice and Access Hollywood. The phone also supports Sprint
OnDemand, which gives customers up-to-the-minute, customized news updates.
Sprint's On Demand uses a specific ZIP code to personalize information from
its menu. Menu items include: news, sports, weather, money, movies, phone
directory, maps and dictionary.
Internet
The M1 supports full use of Sprint's multimedia options with its ability
to connect at broadband-like speeds within designated Power Vision coverage
areas. Users must purchase a special Sprint Power Vision service plan and
download Sprint's PCS connection manager software for compatibility. One
of the phone's two most unique abilities includes its use as a mobile modem
for your laptop through DUN (Dial-Up Network Profile) technology, using
the included USB cable.
Its global positioning system (GPS) chip provides extra security. The
embedded GPS chip, part of the enhanced 911 (E911) information system, is
automatically activated when the phone dials 911 and then seeks to pinpoint
a user's location; the timing may take up to 30 seconds.
The phone is compatible with Sprint's 2005 debut EV-DO (Evolution Data
Optimized) services, which provides broadband-like wireless data rates up
to 10 times faster than 1xRTT service. Download speeds average 400-700 kbps
at a peak rate of up to 2.0 Mbps.
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