Dopod C500
CNET Editors' Rating
Dopod's C500 looks set to challenge the adjectives big and bulky. At last count, there weren't many mobile devices with a numeric keypad and full QWERTY keyboard. The closest match would be the Nokia E90 Communicator, but that's not a handheld you can put in a shirt pocket without looking dodgy.
Upside:
One of the biggest advantages of the Dopod C500 is its size. The handheld is considered small for a device that hides a full QWERTY keyboard beneath its 2.4-inch LCD screen and a numeric keypad. We've seen a number of mobiles, such as the Samsung Ultra Messaging i600 and the Nokia N95 with soft-type plastic, so holding the C500 which uses a similar material feels somewhat familiar.
The numeric keypad is a boon for users who are frequent SMS users familiar with the T9 input method. They will also appreciate a QWERTY keyboard for longer messages or Word documents. Sliding out the keyboard to the right is done in one fluid motion and it locks into position with a muted "tok". Adding a touch of user-friendliness are the Cap and Fn buttons that light up when activated.
Like the C730, the C500 will be one of the first smart phones to sport Windows Mobile 6. Unlike the Smartphone edition on WM5, the new OS will come with Office Mobile by default. Read more about WM6 here.
Unlike most phones which require the user to remove the battery to insert the SIM card, the C500's SIM card slot is on the underside of the top lid. So there's no need to slide out the battery cover to remove the cell and swap cards.
Downside:
Right-handed users may find the camera feature on the C500 a little inconvenient since the shutter button is on the left when the phone is held sideways. So instead of using their right index finger to snap a shot, they have to rely on the left index digit for that purpose.
While it's impressive to be able to fit a full QWERTY keyboard on a compact device, we're not quite sure about almost every key pulling double duty with an additional function, which may result in more keypresses. The keyboard is also a little wide and our thumbs had to stretch over a longer horizontal distance when typing messages.
Outlook:
The Dopod C500 is like the QWERTY device for the undecided. It's convenient to slide the keyboard out when the need arises and hides away neatly to assume the look of a traditional candy-bar phone. The smart phone is expected to be available this month and the good thing is since it comes with WM6, there's no need to worry about upgrading from WM5.
Latest comments
Pros: Very easy to use, has wifi and front keyboard, camera is not bad
Cons: It gets slow sometimes, no 3g and hsdpa
Summary: Still my phone up to now
I am using this phone up to now and it helps me a lot with my work. I use skype and windows program. I recommend this phone for people who are always out and is not bringing their laptop. It is small but the features are remarkable.
Pros: Small very smart phone with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard
Cons: Don't come with chinese input softwear
Summary: Good!
have been using this phone for 6 month already. happy with this phone soooo much. msn live is working good.
Pros: With both keypad and a full qwerty keyboard, you have a choice to explore both in different circumstances. For example, the keypad function appears to be more convenient while driving rather than a qwerty keyboard or a touch screen. Of course I'm not encouraging people to use their phone while driving but sometimes when it comes to emergency case when you need to make a call using a handsfree function, keypad is most convenient and easy. Email is easily configured and the wi-fi function is excellent.
Cons: GPRS connection does not disconnect automatically but manually. If you forget to disconnect each time after browsing the internet, the data transmission could cost you a bom.
Summary: Surprisingly amazed when I first got this Dopod C500 out of the box. It appears much smaller than what I thought. Imagine, a small phone with both keypad and a full qwerty slide out keyboard. That's unbelieveable but true.
I had been experiencing a disappointment from the old mini O2 and had stopped using a window mobile phone since then. It took me 2 years to overcome the resistance to any window mobile phones until I came across this Dopod C500. This phone comes in a size of a mobile phone yet with a function of a pocket pc and surprisingly a good quality mobile phone, comparable to any Nokia phones! I had been in the fear that the phone would hang or jammed regularly as the CPU specification of 200Mhz seems rather slow but after several months of usage which I would regard myself as a heavy user, it seems to have no problem to me. The screen that suppose to turn to horizontal when slide out qwerty keyboard might delay a bit but this is not a big deal. The function of this phone is friendly user particularly the wi-fi. After stopped using a window mobile phone for 2 years and now I'm back to it again and realized the WM6 has done a very good job and I'm very impressed with it and the Dopod C500. Everything is good on this phone and I would have rated it a 10 if I wouldn't have to disconnect the GPRS manually each time after I leave the internet browser.
Pros: looks like a regular phone...
Cons: ...from 1995
Summary: Decent but flawed
Decent phone, but quite bulky. This phone hase the worst of both worlds. The inconvenience of a smart phone, but the bulk of a Pocket PC (windows WM6 pro). Add this to the terrible HTC customer service who will repair you device after several weeks for an excessive fee (the warranty is VERY LIMITED), and you'll understand why other brands offer much better value.
Pros: wifi,wm6,qwerty keyboard,user-friendly,suitable for ladies.
Cons: slow startup, no 3G, battery low capacity,screen is big.camera ok.
Summary: unique & cute.
Pros: WM6, QWERTY, Phone Pad, Office suite, Wifi
Cons: Slow startup time, MicroSD
Summary: RM1688 - Penang/KL/Ipoh
Mid-Valley(KL) and QueensbayMall are able to find this phone. Mid-Valley (Rm1688)+1GB microSD, Queensbay (Rm1688)+512MB (add Rm100 to upg 2GB) Phone is lighter then D800. So should not be as fatigue if work on it for a long time. Phone pad means use it same as any phone (my only preference). Software are std accept the MSN works way damn better, but i am not a big MSN fan &&. Slowstart up time if compare to PDA. Note that this is using WM6 Smartphone OS, not the PDA OS. Wifi works great. Ring tone loud and clear. Voice quality and signal so far so good. Screen seems a little bit sharper and brighter then D800 or Asus P525. MicroSD means limit to 4GB max (if you can find 4GB). No GPS (you must wait for HTC S730 for GPS probaby 3-6 mths later)(http://www.pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=728) I like this phone. For the sake of the phone pad, download emails from Exchange, wifi+gprs and WM6.
Pros: Wifi, Easy to use smartphone, keyboard, good camera quality
Cons: Low battery capacity, difficult-to-use excel, no 3G, no HSPDA
Summary: Outstanding features in a very small gadget
I just buy this smartphone in Hong Kong today (23-May-2007). Once I hold this smartphone in my hand, I feel very easy to use (one of the reasons..I am left-handed). Of course, it is also suitable for right-handed users. I used O2 IIM smartphone before and find that C500 has gained a lot of improvement (e.g. camera quality, push mail support, MSN, Wifi,built-in voice dictionary and etc.) The shape of this smartphone is very ergonomic. Slidering keyboard does not let the phone too thick. The surface of the black plastic does not the piano type plastic of Dopod 810 and O2 Atom Life. Definitely, no need to worry about fingerprint problem. Acceptable response time even though only 200MHZ cpu is installed. It is quite surprising that the photo quality is much better than expected. The only drawback is the lack of 3G and HSPDA function, but this is understandable that the price of this full-featured smartphone is less than US$460. My suggestion of improvement : better battery (currently 1050 mAh is used), faster CPU and 3G support. I believe that the next model will be equipped with 3G and HSPDA features.
Pros: small smart phone!
Cons: no 3G, chinese input???
Summary: a phone that i waiting for!
i using a nokia 9300i now! and looking for a phone with keypad & keyboard. with msn & wifi! this is a phone that i waiting for!
Pros: 2 input methods: numeric & qwerty; wm6; wifi; pocketable package
Cons: rather small screen; no 3G; slow processor; no HSDPA
Summary: ALMOST my dream PDA phone
Almost, because my dream camera is a two-way slide. Vertically to open up the numerical pad (for phoning and text-ing) and horizontally to open up the qwerty. Not possible? I don't think so, very much ossible. That way, it can accomodate a larger screen. That's all I still wish in term of form factor. Spec-wise, it's below the 838pro, so I guess I'll be sticking with it for a while.
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