Messaging

With the TM506, users can keep in touch through text messaging, instant messaging and web email. The flush design of the keypad makes it easy to type messages, and the interface on the TM506 from T-Mobile make it easy to pull up applications through the main menu with dedicated icons for IM & Email and Messaging.

The TM506 supports instant messaging from Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Google and Windows Live Messenger. Users can check web email from this phone as well (POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP).

Text messages sent from the TM506 can include pictures, and it is also possible to record and send voice messages. To get started, users can select Menu, messaging, write new and messaging. Voice messaging can be accessed through Menu, messaging, write new and voice message.

Entertainment

As mentioned above, the TM506 is solid but not exceptional in the realms of images and audio. Sound is loud but not completely clear at the highest volume setting on the phone, and pictures and video were too dark in some shots and clips. With that said, both the camera and audio on the TM506 are superior to some other basic phones currently available.

The interface on the TM506 from T-Mobile includes icons for Media and Entertainment on its main menu, making it easy to access applications for everything from video editing to Internet feeds.

Selecting the Media icon pulls up Photo, Music, Video, Games, RSS feeds and Settings, which allows users to change the display orientation on the internal screen from portrait to landscape, among other things.

Selecting the Entertainment icon brings up VideoDJ, MusicDJ and Location Services, which leads to the Telenav GPS Navigator.

When users initially select Games under the Media section, they will be routed online so they can purchase games.

Internet

The TM506 supports T-Mobile's HSDPA 3G network, so users in the U.S. can take advantage of faster download speeds for instant messaging, email and surfing the Internet.

HSDPA-capable phones can take advantage of music and video services, supporting optimal transfer rates of 3.6 Mbps downloads and 384 kbps uploads - significantly faster than prior generation EDGE networks.

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