| Motorola MPx |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 / Gsm 1900 |
| Announced | 2004, 1q |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 99.7 X 61.2 X 24 Mm, 140 Cc |
| Weight | 174 G |
| Display |
| Type | Tft Touchscreen, 65k Colors |
| Size | 240 X 320 Pixels, 42 X 57 Mm |
| | - Second Color Stn Display (96 X 64 Pixels)
- Qwerty Keyboard
- Dual Hinges Allow To Open The Device In Both Portrait And Landscape Mode |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (24 Channels) |
| Amount | 32 |
| Customization | |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 1000 |
| Call Records | 10 Dialed, 10 Received, 10 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | Mmc/sd, |
| | - 32 Mb Internal Memory, 16 Mb Free |
| Data |
| Gprs | Yes |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | Wi-fi 802.11b |
| Bluetooth | Yes, V1.1 |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Usb | Yes |
| Features |
| Os | Microsoft Pocketpc 2003 Se |
| Messaging | Sms, Mms, Email |
| Browser | Wap 2.0/xhtml, Html |
| Games | Yes |
| Colors | |
| Camera | 1.3 Mp, 1280x960 Pixels, Video, Flash |
| | - Office Aplications
- Windows Media Player |
| Battery |
| | Standard Battery, Li-ion 960 Mah |
| Stand-by | Up To 100 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 3 H |
|
Motorola - MPxLoyal consumers have long awaited the Motorola MPx. Since its announcement and showcase in early 2004, rumored release dates have been pushed back further and further; from initial reports of Q3 2004, to Christmas 2004, to now 2005.
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Running Windows Mobile software, the MPx condenses the power of a desktop into the convenience of a handheld device; providing business consumers, and casual users alike, the tools for real-time on-the-go connectivity in a unique form factor.
With an integrated 1.2-megapixel camera, MP3 player, Wi-Fi access, dual-hinge landscape and portrait display modes, and full QWERTY keypad, the Motorola MPx promises to be well worth what consumers have been anxiously waiting for.
Design
Featuring clean lines and a sleek exterior, the MPx measures 100 x 61 x 24 mm and weighs 183 g; comparable in size and weight to most PDA-combo phones such as the Treo 650.
The front features an external color display for viewing basic information and network status. Situated below three function buttons allow users to accomplish simple tasks such as selecting profiles, rejecting incoming calls, and navigating the menu. When listening to MP3 music, the buttons function as Previous, Play / Stop, and Back keys.
A lens to the built-in 1.2-megapixel camera lies on the bottom right corner of the front panel, able to capture high-resolution images at up to 1280 x 960 px. For low-light conditions, a flash is included above the lens. Lastly, a speaker grill is situated on the bottom left, used when listening to audio media.
Along the left side, a power jack is placed for charging the MPx. Additionally a SIM card slot provides convenient exchange between GSM carrier accounts, while a CE bus (USB) connector allows wired connectivity with a PC.
On the right side, a LED signals charging level, RF events, and notification alerts by flashing combinations of red, green, blue, amber, magenta, and cyan. A SD / MMC card slot is included for when the MPx's internal memory runs out. And in case the OS locks up, a stylus-sized pinhole Reset button allows users to perform a soft reset.
A 2.5 mm headset jack and infrared port are positioned along the top edge, while a slot for the stylus, and external antenna port are located on the back.
The MPx features a revolutionary dual-hinge design, opening both vertically (as a phone) and horizontally (as a PDA). When opened, a 320 x 240 px internal screen is revealed, capable of displaying 65K colors. A curved QWERTY keypad contains shortcut keys to Windows Start, Email, Menu, and Camera functions. While a 5-way directional keypad is positioned to the right; flanked by the Talk, Cancel, and Left and Right soft keys, used for convenient shortcut navigation.
Out of the box, the Motorola MPx comes with a standard 980 mAh Li-Ion battery, stylus, headset, 128 MB SD card, travel charger, USB data cable, quick reference guide, software CD, and user manual.
Camera
Featuring a built-in 1.2-megapixel camera, the Motorola MPx can capture images at up to 1280 x 960 px; high enough in resolution to reproduce decent prints. Other resolution sizes include VGA (640 x 480 px), QVGA (320 x 240 px), QCIF (176 x 144 px), QQVGA (160 x 120 px), and SQCIF (128 x 96 px).
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For dim and low light conditions, the MPx includes a LED-based flash located next to the lens on the front cover. When Camera Mode is activated, the internal screen acts as the viewfinder with the lower portion displaying useful information such as resolution, storage path, and available memory.
Controls displayed along the lower right portion of the screen adjust the 4x Digital Zoom, while slider bars fine-tune Brightness and Contrast levels. Additional camera features allow users to control Mode Option (Timer, Burst), and White Balance (Automatic, Night, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Sunlight, and Cloudy). Post-production tools allow simple editing such as rotating, resizing, and cropping photos, adding text, or overlaying fun frames. Unfortunately the MPx lacks video recording capabilities
Basic Features
Running off a 195-MHz Texas Instruments OMAP 733 processor, the MPx operates under the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition OS, including Pocket versions of Internet Explorer, Outlook, Media Player, MSN Messenger, and ActiveSync.
Depending on the region, the MPx comes in two GSM frequency versions: 850 / 1800 / 1900 MHz in North America, and 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz in Asia and Europe. Being both tri-band, the MPx is compatible with GSM networks in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Rating the MPx's 980 Li-Ion battery at 3 hours of talk time, and 4.3 days (103 hours) of standby, actual times will be slightly less. When handset manufacturers and cell phone carriers list talk time and standby time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times.
Screen
Featuring a 96 x 64 px 256-color STN (Super Twisted Nematic) external display, MPx users can conveniently glance at useful information such as battery level, network reception, date and time, incoming caller ID, and view new text messages.
Additionally, advanced functions can be accomplished with the use of the three buttons underneath; allowing users to perform useful operations without ever opening the MPx. Users can change profiles, adjust music level, customize the external screen's wallpaper, select ringtones, and play and record voice messages.
Due to the MPx's reduced size, the internal touch-sensitive display is slightly smaller than standard smartphone LCDs; measuring 2.8-inches diagonally rather than the usual 3.0 to 3.5-inches. Horizontal and vertical viewing modes are automatically compensated for depending on which hinge is used to open the MPx. At 320 x 240 px resolution, the 65K-color TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screen is bright and clear outdoors, unlike the external LCD which appears faded in direct sunlight.
Image quality rendered by TFT screens, rather than STN, are brighter and more responsive due to circuit transistors placed directly on the glass; technology allowing for faster refresh rates resulting from not having to scan each pixel location. However, STN screens do have their advantages as well. On external LCDs, STN displays consume less power prolonging battery life; preferred when static frequently used functions are needed such as text information.
Audio
Using Windows Media Player, the MPx is transformed into a MP3 player. By using a headset, users can download and listen to hours of music. And with the SD / MMC expansion slot, up to 1 GB of add-on memory can be used to store extra songs.
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With the natural progression from polyphonic ringtones to "true" tones, MP3s have slowly been becoming the new standard. As opposed to the polyphonic MIDI format, which reads musical notes and reproduces it through a local synthesizer, MP3s are straight recordings from an audio input.
The result is an exact duplicate of the recorded source. With MP3s, music with lyrics, recorded voice, or anything else users can play and record can now be turned into a ringtone.
Messaging
Opened horizontally, the MPx's angular QWERTY keyboard is activated, supporting SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service).
Formatting text through EMS, users can adjusting style, size, alignment, and paragraphs settings. But for further additions, MMS is needed to allows attached images, sounds, videos, and time-based sequencing.
With the versatility to combine photos taken with the built-in camera and creative text messaging, users can send more than a simple greeting, instead creating unique vacation postcard messages or animated birthday cards.
Four other forms of text entry allow MPx users to choose the one that best suits their needs. Aside from using the QWERTY keyboard, consumers can activate an on-screen QWERTY keyboard application. By tapping keys displayed on the screen, keystrokes can be entered. For consumers who are used to PalmOS devices, a Graffiti-like application allows users to write text using predefined strokes. Another variation utilizes three different writing areas to differentiate between lowercase, uppercase, and numeric inputs for character recognition. And Transcriber provides the most versatility by allowing basic configurations to recognize the writer's unique handwriting based on stroke combinations.
Entertainment
Running Windows Mobile 2003 SE, the MPx features a wide range of applications allowing consumers to access PIM (Personal Information Management) and email functionality through Outlook, browse the web through Pocket Internet Explorer, pass the time by listening to music, play and stream videos through Windows Media Player, and chat with friends and family with MSN Messenger.
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Recognizable Windows desktop-based applications are condensed into "Pocket" versions for the MPx; offering familiar access and synchronicity to productive tools including Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, MSN Messenger, Outlook, and Windows Media Player. Other applications include ActiveSync, Calculator, Calendar, Contacts, Currency Converter, Games, Java MIDlet Manager, Messaging, Stopwatch, Tasks, and Voice Notes.
Calendar and To-Do List organizes busy lives by the entire month, week, or day. And keeps it up to date by synchronizing meeting requests and task lists with Outlook; either via ActiveSync or beaming appointments from one device to another through infrared.
Two games, Jawbreaker and Solitaire, come preinstalled on the MPx. A puzzle game, Jawbreaker's objective is to clear out all the balls on the screen, while Solitaire is the popular card game that needs no explanation.
Should users want more games, the MPx also supports Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME); allowing users to download and install Java games and applications. Being the most popular platform for Java MIDlets, there are an abundance of applications and games already out on the market.
Multiple POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP accounts are supported for email configuration with third-party servers. Pocket Outlook is included as well, allowing users to synchronize through ActiveSync with desktop email. Additionally, users of Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Mobile Information Server can easily access information remotely as well.
The MPx supports voice recognition software as well. VoiceSignal software provides speaker-independent voice command functionality, all without speech training. Users can launch programs, dial numbers, and lookup contacts by using just their voice. Unfortunately, VoiceSignal only works well in quiet environments, so it is more of a novelty than practical application.
Internet
The Motorola MPx supports WAP 2.0 with GPRS Class 10 for transfer speeds of up to 48 kbps. Featuring Microsoft's Pocket Internet Explorer, the MPx allows more than text browsing; providing HTML support for the ability to browse, shop, or trade online. With added security functions, the MPx helps protect online shopping and corporate data by supporting SSL, WTLS and PPTP.
But for true broadband connectivity, the MPx features 802.11b Wi-Fi capabilities. Additionally, it's possible for users to make Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) calls when connected to Wi-Fi networks. Unlike conventional calls which are routed through cell phone towers and base stations, calls placed through VoIP bypass standard phone lines by sending digitized voice packets through the Internet; costing no more than surfing on the web, anywhere worldwide.
Storage
Containing 23 MB of flash memory, approximately 13 MB of free space is available on the MPx's internal memory, while 11 MB of RAM ensure programs will load quickly. Should users require more memory, a SD / MMC slot allows up to 1 GB of add-on memory for adding business applications, productivity tools, games and more.
Connectivity
Featuring IrDA and Bluetooth 1.1, the MPx can transfer files between a PC, and synchronize with other Bluetooth devices within a 10 meter radius. Although Bluetooth is restricted, the limited range prevents interference between its peripheral devices and those belonging to other people nearby.
Including Microsoft ActiveSync, the MPx allows users to synchronize their information by connecting to a PC or server via the supplied USB connection or over-the-air. Once connected, ActiveSync will automatically synchronize the MPx with Outlook Calendar, Contacts, and Inbox with the attached desktop PC. And if one isn't close by, management can be done through Windows Mobile's over-the-air synchronization to keep users up-to-date while away from their desk.
Conclusion
The MPx is part of Motorola's MotoPRO line-up, aimed at business consumers who need high-speed connectivity, and powerful productivity tools. With the release date pushed back quite a few times now, loyal consumers are still holding out for the MPx.
And for good reason. No other device provides the package of features Motorola has built into the MPx. Running Windows Mobile 2003 SE, the TI OMAP 733 processor is the backbone to a suite of powerful applications, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IrDA providing unsurpassed high-speed connectivity.
The innovative dual-hinge design allows users to fully utilize both QWERTY keyboard and phone calling features. And with a sleek finish and reasonable shape and size, though slightly larger than most phones, the MPx is large enough to type comfortably while small enough to carry around conveniently.
However the quality of the dual LCDs is mediocre. The internal display is slightly smaller than most Windows Mobile devices. And while not bad, for a top-of-the-line device, 65K and 256 colors for the internal and external screens is lackluster.
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Still, multimedia features such as the 1.2-megapixel camera and MP3 music player ensures weary travelers will be able to have fun. And the J2ME platform allows users to install from a library of downloadable games.
While targeted at business consumers, the feature-rich MPx will surely attract a broad demographic. And the determining factor will most likely be the hefty price. It will not be cheap, and expected pricing with a service plan has not been announced yet. But if overseas prices are any indication, the North American release will not be much cheaper, running upwards of $1,000 without a contract. |
| Common misspellings on this brand: motoroal |
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