Messaging, Internet & Connectivity
It's a shame that the QWERTY keyboard on the 830w is so awkward to use, because between Outlook, MSN Messenger, and Sprint's EV-DO network, it's got all the tools to be a powerhouse messaging phone. Actually, MSN Messenger leaves a generous amount of white space on the screen for some strange reason, and some users might want support for more IM protocols.
Still, both MSN Messenger and Outlook perform well. Outlook supports multiple email accounts via ActiveSync, as well as Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino servers, including push email. The UI isn't my favorite, and Blackberry devices aren't supported, but once again the familiarity of Windows and Outlook is sure to appeal to many a user and corporate IT department.
The handset also supports SMS and MMS messaging, though the lack of a camera means that images attached to messages can only be uploaded from memory. The roomy screen does make for easy viewing of long missives, which is nice, and between Mobile Office and Picsel Browser, you'll be hard pressed to wind up with an email attachment that can't be viewed on the go.
Internet access on the IP-830w is handled by Sprint's EV-DO Power Vision Network in the US, and GSM/GPRS data networks abroad. Though the omission of an 802.11 WiFi radio for WLAN access might seem odd for such a full-featured business device, an SDIO adapter can be plugged into the memory card slot for WiFi access.
Sprint Power Vision is speedy enough, however, that so long as you're within an EV-DO coverage area you likely won't miss WiFi very much at all. Though the device sometimes balked at reconnecting to the Net after long periods of sleep, once I got online I enjoyed very fast speeds for browsing and downloading files. Unless I was purposely conducted head-to-head tests with my home cable modem, I really didn't notice much lag during typical online tasks using Power Vision on the IP-830w.
Unlike Sprint's consumer Power Vision handsets, the IP-830w does not come loaded with software to access Sprint's TV, Music Store, and other media offerings. The Windows Mobile OS allows for regular Web access via Internet Explorer, and the aforementioned Picsel Browser offers an alternate - and, in my opinion, better - Web experience than IE.
Connectivity for the international traveler is probably the IP-830w's main selling point. There are sleeker smartphones and more powerful smartphones, but none offer the 830w's dual CDMA/GSM connectivity. If you don't travel abroad very often, there's no need for this feature. But if you're a heavy mobile data user who makes frequent trips to Europe, this handset will give you the dual benefits of EV-DO data in the states and GSM/GRPS roaming abroad. No other single device can offer that.
Samsung packages the IP-830w with a USB 2.0 data cable for PC syncing via ActiveSync as well as for use of the phone as a laptop cellular modem. A somewhat odd note is that the phone does not support USB charging, but the USB data cable has an in-line jack for the AC adapter, making simultaneous syncing and charging possible. Syncing and tethering are also supported by the phone's available Bluetooth 1.1 profiles.
Next: Conclusion »
4
