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| Panasonic GD67 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 |
| Announced | 2002 |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 109 X 45 X 20 Mm, 81 Cc |
| Weight | 81 G |
| Display |
| Type | Stn, 256 Colors |
| Size | 101 X 80 Pixels, 6 Lines |
| | - Five Directional Joystick
- Screensavers
- Background Pictures |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (16 Channels), Recorded |
| Amount | 22 Preset + Custom |
| Customization | Composer, Record, Download, |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 100 |
| Call Records | 10 Dialed, 10 Received, 10 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | No |
| | - Several Fields In The Address Book
- Message Templates |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 8 (4+1 Slots), 32 - 40 Kbps |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Infrared Port | No |
| Usb | |
| Features |
| Messaging | Sms, Ems |
| Browser | Wap 1.2.1 |
| Clock | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes |
| Games | Yes |
| Colors | |
| Camera | No |
| | - Syncml
- Calendar
- T9
- Voice Dial
- Voice Memo
- On/off Timers
- Callerid Graphics
- Calculator
- Built-in Handsfree |
| Battery |
| | Standard Battery, Li-ion 690 Mah |
| Stand-by | 60 H - 190 H |
| Talk Time | 1 H 30 Min - 6 H |
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Panasonic - GD67Passionately with the Panasonic GD67/68
Major features
256-colour LCD display
“Image-in” concept - personalised back cover
Polyphonic tones support
WAP over GPRS
5-way navigational joystick
Host of SMS and EMS messaging features
Melody composer and voice ringer features
Built-in handsfree speakerphone
Colour theme and wallpaper (idle image) support
Voice functions - dialling and memo
Basic PIM features
Problems/Issues?
Charging/data port (IO) cover somewhat flimsy
Low battery alert keeps goes off
Slow response to keystrokes while browsing menus and typing messages
Sales package (should contain):
1 x Panasonic GD67/68 handset
1 x lithium-ion battery @ 690 mAh
1 x desktop charger
1 x Image-in template
3 x sample Image-in sheets
1 x GD67/68 manual
Overview
The first colour GSM phones from Panasonic, the GD67 (Europe) or GD68 (Asia-Pacific), makes no fuss in trying to feature-pack itself. Its main design objective is to probably satisfy users looking for a basic phone with colour screen - at an affordable price. The GD67/68 has certainly does this well.
New/outstanding features
The GD67/68 adopts most of the basic features on the GD75 - but with the addition of a 256-colour LCD screen and GPRS connectivity. There are several minor improvements in the phone’s menu interface, while retaining a similar structure. And, of course, not forgetting the “Image-in” transparent back cover which allows a picture to be displayed on the phone’s backing.
Physical aspects
One thing very different with the new GD67/68 is its looks. The conservative one-colour metallic-based paintwork has finally been given a bit more flavour in around the screen and 5-way joystick areas, and the bottom (IO) cover. Four colours are available in the GD67/68 - blue, pink, titanium (unit reviewed), and white.
I also noticed that it retains some of the round curves and corners found on the GD75, as well as the very flat back - probably necessary on the GD67/68 because of the “Image-in” feature.
Keypad tactility was one of my concerns, in conjunction with how flat they were. One would have to be aware of whether their keypresses have been accepted by the phone. There were moments when I had pressed the button physically (confirmed by the very soft click of each press), but the phone didn’t register some of the keypresses at all.
Take a closer look!
User Interface & display
The GD67/68 adopts a similar menu system found on previous Panasonic GSM models, including an iconic main menu and the use of lists in sub-menus. Colour for the menus can be adjusted by selecting the colour theme that best suits your tastebuds.
Navigation is done through the two soft keys and the 5-way joystick. Moving around the GD67/68 menus are pretty straight forward - where the joystick is used for going up/down the menu lists and confirming selections by pressing down, and the right soft key taking its user back to the previous menu level. Wherever there’s a chance to use icons (or little pictures), the GD67/68 takes up every single opportunity in doing so - since pictures are a universal language! :)
During standby, moving the joystick will bring up the phone’s menu, while pressing the left or right soft keys will bring up the phone book and messages menus respectively. Longer depresses of either buttons (plus the joystick) results in different functions as well - including the opening of the Service Dial Numbers list and WAP browser for left and right soft keys respectively, and the keyguard/phone lock menu when the joystick is held down.
If you’ve used other mobile phones with colour displays, the 256-colour one on the GD67/68 is nothing fantastic. Since there’s no support for content such as MMS (multimedia) messages, it’s probably not necessary to have more colours anyway.
Making and receiving calls
The GD67/68 provides three ways you can take a call - either using the phone directly, via the built-in handsfree speakerphone feature, or using a headset (sold separately as an accessory). Audio coming through the earpiece and speakerphone were quite clear and with enough volume.
Also, the loudness of the polyphonic tones was sufficient when placed on the maximum setting. Enabled along with the very effective vibrating alert, you should have no problem picking up when a call does come in.
Messaging
Again, with the problem of not knowing when your keypresses have been picked up by the phone or not, I found at times slightly difficult in keeping up with the phone’s lack of pace. For people who’ve reached “touch-typing” levels with T9, most will find a problem here. Also, I found the keypad not being designed well enough physically - in other words, “not a very nice keyboard to type on”.
Build quality
When looking at previous Panasonic models, the GD67/68 lacks the same build quality as previous models. The GD92 would be a very good example of how good Panasonic phones were made. When I wrapped my hand around the GD67/68 and apply a slight bit of pressure, there were creaks from the joining areas around the phone (you wouldn’t find these on the GD92). Although secure, I feel that the IO cover at the bottom of the phone could have been designed better - so that it can be opened and closed easier.
Battery life
On average use, I was able to get approximately 2-3 hours talk time and around 3-4 days standby on the GD67/68 based on a full charge.
Major features...
Take a closer look!
256-colour LCD display
A simple but sharp 256-colour LCD display is featured on the GD67/68 - with the ability to display colour menus, wallpapers, and EMS message objects such as pictures and animations.
“Image-in” concept - personalised back cover
The GD67/68 comes with a clear back cover allowing its user to have a picture displayed there all the time! A template is supplied with the GD67/68 which outlines the shape of a typical “Image-in” sheet that goes into the back of the phone. Using the template, you can cut out pictures from magazines to photos and insert them into the “Image-in” cover, where it will uniquely differentiate your phone from others!
Polyphonic tones support
Message and ringing tones are polyphonic by default - having a choice of up to 22 preset tones and ability to download similar ringtones via either EMS or SMS.
WAP over GPRS
The GD67/68 comes with support for GPRS connections of up to Class 8 speeds (4+1), with the ability to experience such speeds via using the built-in WAP browser or when connected to an external PC device using the “Charge Data Cable” accessory (sold separately).
5-way navigational joystick
Manoeuvring around the GD67/68 is made simple via the 5-way joystick, also found on previous Panasonic models. Used in conjunction with the two soft keys (located above the “answer” and “end” keys), this navigation system is probably one of the easier ones to use when compared with those on other phone models.
Host of SMS and EMS messaging features
The GD67/68 supports the sending and receiving of text-only (SMS) and messages that can include pictures, sounds and animations (EMS). Group sending becomes convenient when you want to broadcast a single message to multiple recipients,
while SMS Chat makes conversations over SMS much simpler.
Melody composer and voice ringer features
Feeling creative? The GD67/68 offers two alternate options - a melody composer, which allows your own ringtones to be created via entering musical notes into the phone; and a voice ringer allowing real-life sounds to be recorded and used as a ringtone (up to 2 voice ringers can be recorded).
Built-in handsfree speakerphone
Panasonic pioneered this feature in their earlier GSM phone model, the GD90, where it is used widely on other brand and model handsets today. The built-in handsfree speakerphone feature allows phone calls to be taken without having the phone right next to the ear, or the use of a headset. A phone call can be taken as if you’re talking to the person right next to you!
Colour theme and wallpaper (idle image) support
You can set the GD67/68 to display an image in the background when the phone is on standby. A set of predefined images are available by default, with the possibility of downloading new images via the WAP browser. Different colour schemes can be chosen for background, text, menu and highlight colours.
Voice functions - dialling and memo
The GD67/68 comes with the ability to assign a voice tag to a particular phone book entry, removing the need to sift through endless numbers before a call can be made. A voice memo function is also available that allows phone calls to be recorded (handy if you don’t have a pen and wanted to jot down some vital information).
Basic PIM functions
A set of PIM (personal information management) functions come built-in with the GD67/68 - including a 100-number phone book, 4 alarms, scheduler, calculator, and currency converter. An auto power on/off feature is also available, where you can set the phone to automatically turn on or off at a specific time of the day.
Problems/Issues?
Charging/data port (IO) cover somewhat flimsy
Trying to get the IO cover at the base of the GD67/68 open was a real hassle at first. Even when you followed the instructions word for word, there is no real right way in getting it off. You can end up hurting your fingers trying to get something as simple open, or ultimately detaching the entire IO cover altogether. It takes some practice to master, and after a while you’ll just get the hang of it!
Low battery alert keeps going off
The GD67/68 is not a happy little phone when it gets all hungry! Once the low battery alert beeps, it will continuously beep (repeatedly every 4-5 seconds) until the phone runs out of battery, the phone is switched off or silent mode is enabled.
Another point to note is that the time period between the low battery alert and the phone actually turning itself off is very short.
Slow responses to keystrokes while browsing menus and typing messages
One thing that I find really annoying is the need to keep up with the phone’s menu and functions. If you try going a little faster with the menus or when writing a message, watch out that the phone may skip some keypress or joystick movements. I just hope the upcoming GD87/88 doesn’t have these same inherent problems!
In Summary
Overall, I found the Panasonic GD67/68 to be very similar to its most recent models (for example, the GD75 and GD95) - but with the addition of a colour screen and differences in the look and feel of the phone. If you found Panasonic phones in the past to be a good choice of phone, you may feel the same way for the GD67/68.
Probably what I will be looking forward to is Panasonic’s next colour handset release after the GD67/68 and GD87/88. As we are moving further towards greater adoption of multimedia-enabled smartphones (thanks to all the new technologies that have made this possible), it will be interesting to see how Panasonic deals with this in the near future. |
| Common misspellings on this brand: panasonixc , paasonic , paanasonic , panqasonic |
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