Interactive Review Of The Eten G500 | nedge2k.com | Device, Have, Gps, �, Screen

GPS

Probably the most attractive feature of this device is its SiRF Star III GPS chipset. The GPS has the TMC module allowing traffic information to be displayed in compatible applications and the chipset also doubles as an FM tuner with RDS, allowing station names to be displayed. In an urban environment, the chipset performs very well and having GPS built into a device is extremely handy.

CPU

Samsung�s 400Mhz CPU feels a lot more responsive than the equivalent Intel CPU. I even find the G500 performs a lot faster than the HTC Universal which has a 520Mhz Intel CPU.

Memory

The G500�s 128MB is a very welcome addition considering the G500 has no Wi-Fi. With the extra memory in this device, you can install far more applications into the phone memory, leaving the miniSD slot free for a Wi-Fi card. Of course, if 128MB isn�t enough for your needs, the G500+ offers a massive 256MB!

1.3MP Camera

The G500�s 1.3MP camera also has a built-in flash. Unfortunately, as with most cameras in Pocket PC devices, the quality in low light is appalling, even with the flash. In fact, the flash makes things look worse. That being said, in normal light, the camera isn�t too bad.

2.8� Touch Screen

2.8� is about average size for a Pocket PC touch screen these days. The quality of the screen isn�t bad, but it isn�t great either. What worries me more is that if you press the back of the device too hard, you can see it on the screen, meaning either things are very tightly packed into this device, or the screen has little protection behind it. Also and I�m not entirely sure if this is hardware or software related, when scrolling with the stylus, if you hold the scrollbar in the same position, the screen starts to shake, a lot. From what I can gather, it doesn�t affect all G500�s and it hasn�t been fixed by any ROM updates. Apparently this problem is not limited to the G500, other devices out there suffer with the same problem but I have never seen it on a HTC device.

Connections

Unfortunately, Eten have decided to go down the proprietary route with this device for the data/charge connector. That type of thing I find very annoying as I always have mini USB cables everywhere. However, they have stuck with the standard 3.5mm headphone socket.

Buttons

Now, when it comes to buttons, the G500 is a bit strange. It�s a WM5 device and yet it has no OK/Flag buttons. It does, however, have two extra buttons at the top of the screen for launching applications. Using a button mapper to change these is simple enough but their placement on the device makes it awkward to use a OK/Flag. Instead, I mapped (using AE Button Plus) a single press on the soft keys for OK/Flag and then a long press for the soft key functions and it works quite well. I would have done it to the call/end keys but the application couldn�t map the call/end functions!

Build Quality

The front of the G500, with its gorgeous blue light running round it, looks and feels quite solid. However, the back of the device is a different story. It is obvious that cheap plastics have been used, it feels nasty and there is a horrible gap between the battery cover and the device itself (see pictures). Also, the volume slider and camera button are loose and rattley, as is the plastic that covers the camera lens. Overall, the build quality of this device isn�t great. Notice too, the overspray on the inside of the battery cover, not good!

OS

As standard, the G500 ships with WM5 and A2DP (stereo Bluetooth). However, even with the latest 097 ROM, this device is still only AKU1.1.4 meaning no push email. The G500+ on the other hand does ship with AKU2 but whether the G500 will ever get an AKU2 update remains to be seen.

Similarly to the Gigabyte g-Smart, ETEN have opted to keep the time displayed on the icon bar and have added their own, colourful, battery meter. For me though, it looks a bit out of place and in general everyday use, I tend to have it switched off.

Another addition to the standard OS comes in the form of and incredibly annoying warning when the device is just about to run out of battery. It bleeps manically at you for about 30 seconds and then shuts down the device. There have been a few occasions in the middle of the night where I have woken to the sound of that wondering what the hell is going on! The G500 OS also sports custom battery and system information in the settings. It doesn�t make a huge amount of difference to anything but at least it makes parts of the OS looks like something other than bog standard Microsoft.

Eten Software

This, for me, is where Eten have really shown they�re trying to make an effort. They have included quite a few useful little applications and addons to help spice things up a bit.

FM Radio

Unlike the Gigabyte g-Smart, you cannot use the radio without having the headset plugged in. Although, you can output the sound through the main device speaker, which is handy. The app itself allows you to do, well, erm, not much. Volume, tuning and backlight are the only things you can control here. There is an option for favourites but the app does not show any RDS information about the radio station. Worse still, you can�t listen to the radio via Bluetooth headphones! If the headphones are connected and the headset is plugged in, all you�ll be able to hear through the BT headphones are the system sounds! I find this quite appalling. To add insult to injury, you can�t control the tuning via the d-pad either!

Satellite Data Update

Now, this is where things can get a bit complicated. The satellite data update application is basically used to update the data needed for assisted GPS (AGPS) to work. In a nutshell, the data is regularly downloaded from a server and is then used to help the GPS get a quicker fix on the satellites. It�s most effective in urban areas where tall buildings etc. can interfere with getting a good signal lock. This app, however, is not very good at what it does. The first time you use it; it will download and update the data correctly. This data has an expiration date. Once it expires, you need to download new data. The problem is, unless you delete the original data first (I�ll explain how in a moment), the update will fail. Also, you have little or no chance of getting this to work using the internet via Activesync. In fact, Pocket Internet Explorer doesn�t even work via Activesync giving an �unknown error [�] 0x80072f78�. Very poor!

Call Filter

Just like Gigabyte, Eten have included a call blocking application with the G500. Unfortunately, while it seems as though Eten have covered all the bases with this app, they have left out one fundamental function: the ability to add a contact from the phone book! Yes, that�s right, all numbers must be entered manually! There are lots of other little options to do other handy things but what�s the point when the main function of this app has been so poorly implemented.

Scenarios

Plain and simple, this application give the G500 the ability to use profiles, just like a Smartphone! You can adjust the system volume, ring volume, backlight level etc. but it doesn�t seem as though you can tie it to appointments like you can on Smartphone devices.

Frequency Dial

Again, plain and simple, this is a speed dial application. It�s actually quite good, large squares fill up the screen containing the people you dial most frequently. You can then switch to index dial and the screen fills up with the alphabet. Hitting a letter will display all your contacts whose names begin with that letter.

Image Maker

Another simple little application, this is basically Paint for PocketPC.

Image Wizard

This is an interesting tool. Think of it like a mini version of Photoshop, there�s nothing mind blowing here but there are some nice effects and the end result can turn out quite nice.

Backup Utility

Eten�s backup utility is quite handy for those of you that don�t want to use Outlook etc. to backup your personal information. So far, at 4AM every morning, this little app has silently backed up my contacts, calendar, and network settings. It can also backup your profile, documents and tasks. What�s more, if you�re running low on battery, it�ll perform a quick backup then too! Great app.

Bluetooth Manager

Eten�s Bluetooth manager, although fiddly, is very good. You can easily setup partnerships, Activesync, transfer files and even exchange vCards. It�s well thought out applications like this that make the G500 shine.

M-Desk

Yet another handy application. The M-Desk is basically a cross between the programs menu and the today screen. Lots of options to customize it just how you like.

AGPS

Now, I thought I�d dedicate a separate little section to this as it can be quite confusing for newcomers to the platform and/or non-technically minded people. Basically, if you get this device and want to use it for Sat Nav, I highly recommend you get AGPS working. To do this, you need (user: eten / password: etendown):

097 ROM

GPS Firmware Patch

Some say it�s best to apply the firmware patch before you upgrade to the 097 ROM but I didn�t bother with that and it works fine. You will, however, need to set things up so it all works correctly. So, set (Settings > System > GPS):

Programs > GPS Program Port to COM 2

Hardware > GPS Hardware Port to COM 4 and Baud Rate to 4800

Access > Tick Manage GPS Automatically

After that, run the Satellite Data Update utility, (in Settings > System > GPS). When done, go into your Sat Nav software and tell it your GPS device is on COM 7. You can also set it to COM 4 if you don�t want to use AGPS. Some claim that AGPS will not work with Tom Tom 5.2 (it won�t see the GPS on COM 7) but if you apply the firmware patch it should work fine. It has for me on TTN5.2, iGO 2006 (which rules by the way!) and TTN6. Also, more specifically to Tom Tom 6, set the device as a wired GPS if you want to be able to use the software while in flight mode.

If you need to update the AGPS data and it won�t let you, I�ve found that deleting the ephdata.clm file in the root of the device and updating again works nicely. If that doesn�t work, make sure you have the GPS settings correctly set (see above).