Pantech Matrix Pro | Just Another Mobile Monday

Written by dgoldring on Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Coming Attractions: When It Rains, It Pours

That old maxim really is true. Just when I thought my summer was going to be nice and quiet, two new phones just fell out of the sky and landed in my lap.

The first is the HTC Snap, which is Sprint’s new Windows Mobile Standard (non-touch) device. I have been using this phone for a few days now, and it has already impressed my as one of the best non-touchscreen phones I have used. Stay tuned as I will be taking a close look at this phone along with my good friend Judie Lipsett from Gear Diary.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch as they say (well, actually, Judie is at the ranch…but that is neither here nor there) Sprint contacted me to ask whether I would be interested in reviewing one of the hottest phones to hit their network…ever. Of course, I am talking about the Palm Pre, which arrived at my house yesterday. I am already head over heels with this phone, which has just exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Watch for a multi-part review on this one, as we will take a look at the hardware, the WebOS interface and software, and then wrap it up with a look at how well the phone performs as a phone and Internet device.

Don’t forget, we will also be continuing our multi-part look at the Pantech Matrix Pro, as I will be handing that off to Brian so he can add his input to the series (I swear, Brian, the phone is in the mail…soon…I promise).

So, stay tuned. It is shaping up to be a busy and exciting summer here at JAMM. You won’t want to miss a second!

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Written by dgoldring on Saturday, July 4, 2009

Pantech Matrix Pro User Interface

I have to admit that I really have become a big fan of the new Windows Mobile Standard user interface. It makes accessing your phone without a touch screen incredibly easy and intuitive. The version on the Pantech Matrix Pro is similar to what we saw on the HTC s740, with a few custom tweaks.

In this iteration of the interface, there are five main menu items, each of which expands when it is selected, to show you much more detailed information. These menus give you access to quite a bit of important information. The only thing I really thought was missing was a program launcher. It would have been nice if you could have accessed your critical programs from here.

The other cool thing is the background, which is fully customizable. There are about 25 different images, customized for both portrait and landscape modes. In addition, you can create a background using any image on your phone: your spouse, kids, comic book collection, or anything else you like.

So, let’s take a closer look at the menus. The first entry is the clock (which you saw at the top). Expand it to view the current time and date. In addition, the soft buttons on the bottom will give you access to the Start Menu and Contacts.

The next item down will show your indicators: calls, voicemails, text messages, and emails. When it is displayed in the menu, you can see a small icon for each of these. Expanded, you can scroll through separate entries for missed calls, voicemails, text messages, picture mail, and email. And take a look at that right soft button, which will now give you access to your Call History. Really, I found this to be extremely handy. Despite everything else these devices may be able to do, phone calls and messaging remain the central feature; and I love the quick and easy access this interface gives you to these functions.

Next is the Calendar Menu. This one is pretty basic and self-explanatory. From here, you can see your upcoming appointments, create a new appointment, and even jump to your calendar. The only disappointment here was that, like most Windows Mobile interfaces, it is tied to the default Windows Mobile calendar application. So, if you are using a third party PIM application, then you will be out of luck accessing them from here.

The fourth menu is AT&T services. This one gives you access to Instant Messenger, and several other AT&T multimedia services. I get pretty annoyed when OEM applications, which I did not request, take up valuable space on my today screen. I really had no use for any of these AT&T applications, and did not even have a chance to test them out.

Finally is the Settings Menu. From here, access your must utilized settings, including ringtones, phone profile, wireless manager, background image, and task manager. Or tap that right hand soft button to access all of your settings.

I really liked using this interface. I have just been so impressed lately by how much more accessible Microsoft has made the non-touch interface. It is easy to use and accessible. The only real complaint I had was the wasted entry for the AT&T services. I would have much rather had a customizable program launcher here instead. Great job to Microsoft and Pantech for this one.

More in Featured, Windows Phone | 1 Comment

Written by Brandon on Saturday, April 25, 2009

CONTEST: Win a Pantech Matrix Pro!

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EDIT: We’ve received some emails that the survey had stopped working. Well, it had. But its ok again, so if you couldn’t register before… try again. Sorry!

I’ve been promising it for weeks now… and here it is! Your chance to win one of the biggest prizes we’ve ever given away on JAMM – A BRAND NEW Pantech Matrix Pro! Not only that, but you’re getting a $100 service credit for AT&T!

Normally our contests are pretty easy to live with, and I didn’t really want to change the format too much, but I did want to make you work a tiny (and I mean tiny) little bit. So, keeping in the theme of “The Power To Be You”, I’m asking everyone to complete a (very) short survey that will help JAMM keep YOU happy.

CONTEST DETAILS: This contest is open from April 25 until April 29 at 5pm pst. On April 29 at 5 PM MST, I will close the contest. All those that complete the survey will be entered to Random.org to find a winner (ONE person will be chosen randomly). The Winner will be contacted on April 29 after 9 PM MST and be given 24 hours to accept the prize. We will make a congratulations post once we have a confirmed winner. ENTER THIS CONTEST BY Clicking Here to take the survey..

RULES: Sorry everyone has to have rules…

Contest is limited by geography to US residents only. This is due to the fact that the phone is locked to ATT’s network and service credit/gift card is redeemable only within the US.

Individuals who’ve won at another participating site (see below) are ineligible to win.

The winner will be contacted by email and will have 24 hrs to accept the prize, if we do not receive an answer, the prize will be awarded the next participant in the list generated in Random.org, and so on, until somebody accepts the prize. No Exceptions – 24 hours is 24 hours no matter what.

Winner will be required to provide: Full legal name, preferred shipping address and telephone number (all shipments require this per the shipping company). No Exceptions. We will send this information to AT&T, who will send the prize directly to the winner address.

One entry per person

Prize package:

Matrix Pro handset

Service credit (via gift card): In the amount of US$100.

What are you waiting for? Take the survey!

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