CIO Today Looks At The Audiovox SMT5600

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.cio-today.com/story.xhtml?story_title=Product-Review--Audiovox-SMT-----Smartphone&story_id=29874' target='_blank'>http://www.cio-today.com/story.xhtml?story_title=Product-Review--Audiovox-SMT-----Smartphone&story_id=29874</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The Audiovox SMT5600 avoids the bulk and heaviness of other devices in its class while remaining rugged enough to stand up to the daily wear and tear that the demands of mobile workers inevitably will place on the device."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050201-AudiovoxCIOToday.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Another great article on the Audiovox SMT5600. :) One of the drawbacks that Mark Long lists is <i>"unit's lack of a full Qwerty-style keyboard."</i> To be fair, you can't really fit a Qwerty keyboard on this phone and still expect it to be so small. :wink:

[vincenzosi]

Or you could just ramrod one in there in a weird way and end up with the MPX :roll:

[Jerry Raia]

This is just a conspiracy to get me to buy one of these if Cingular does in fact sell one. I can't go a day without seeing something about how great the 5600 is. :turn-l:

[vincenzosi]

Imagine how I feel! I'm on T-Mobile!

The only way I was able to get a smartphone (I could afford, anyway) was to grab a Cingular one that they were silly enough not to lock!

[spunkkat]

I was wondering if they could put a removable keyboard like the sony t68i? I feel real bad for you guys!! I have 1 w/AT&amp;T &amp; love it!!!

[joefuture]

This is just a conspiracy to get me to buy one of these if Cingular does in fact sell one. I can't go a day without seeing something about how great the 5600 is. :turn-l:

There must be some kind of exclusivity contract with AT&amp;T Wireless (AWS)... I'm just guessing, but you hit the nail on the head - the phone is stellar and getting nothing but great reviews. It amazes me that more carriers haven't picked it up yet.

I live in an area where AWS went away after the Cingular merger, so I can't get this phone (unless I pay for an unlocked phone). It's just nuts.

[Jerry Raia]

From things I have seen it seems likely that Cingular will offer this phone.

[Number 6]

I hope Cingular releases it soon :D , my contract with
Verizon ends in March which from what I've heard is
about the time Cingular may introduce the 5600. I was
leaning to the MPX 220 but with all the rave reviews for
the SMT 5600 I've changed my mind.

I noticed in the article the author says:

>I also liked the fact that Cingular Wireless
>and Audiovox have worked together to provide
>end-users with an online instructional toolkit

"Cingular Wireless " has a toolkit for the SMT 5600?
Does he know something? I haven't seen anything on the
Cingular site about the 5600 yet. I'm guessing he really means
AT&amp;T Wireless.

[Jerry Raia]

Either that or he let it slip by mistake :)

[vincenzosi]

I just hope they F up again and leave it unlocked like they did with the MPX 220.

[Mike Temporale]

"Cingular Wireless " has a toolkit for the SMT 5600?

I noticed that too. I think he means AT&amp;T.

[Number 6]

I just hope they F up again and leave it unlocked like they did with the MPX 220.

I'm a newbie so pardon a dumb question but does that mean that the MPX220 is application unlocked when you get it?

[vincenzosi]

The first couple of batches of Cingular-branded MPX 220 phones were unlocked meaning you can take your T-Mobile SIM, pop it in, and be good to go with a few little configuration tweaks and some elbow grease.

Well worth it, in my case, because T-Mobile doesn't offer any MS Smartphones.

[Jerry Raia]

OT for a moment. That was a great show Number 6. I have the whole series on CDs :)

[possmann]

Cingular does NOT currently offer this phone - I have not seen nor heard of anything (from official sources) indicating that they will offer this phone. The current phones in distribution (in use) on the Cingular network are leftovers from those pople who purchased the phone underneath the ATT world.

I would think that Cingular would offer this phone again - they just need some time to get things rebranded and all...

my guess - no wait - my hope :D

[Mike Temporale]

I just hope they F up again and leave it unlocked like they did with the MPX 220.

I'm a newbie so pardon a dumb question but does that mean that the MPX220 is application unlocked when you get it?

Application lock is different than SIM lock. The MPx220 was SIM unlocked at first. However the application lock was still in place. Mind you I don't think they have the application lock set as tight as Samsung does. :wink:

[Jerry Raia]

I just hope they F up again and leave it unlocked like they did with the MPX 220.

I'm a newbie so pardon a dumb question but does that mean that the MPX220 is application unlocked when you get it?

Application lock is different than SIM lock. The MPx220 was SIM unlocked at first. However the application lock was still in place. Mind you I don't think they have the application lock set as tight as Samsung does. :wink:

No kidding. I was ready to throw my old i600 through a window. I lost count of how many applications I couldn't install on it! :evil:

[spunkkat]

AT&amp;T does have an online tool kit, it is under tech support, they also have a great live tech supp. team!

[vincenzosi]

What kind of apps are locked? Haven't run into any that haven't worked yet, but I'm kinda curious now...

[Jerry Raia]

The one that comes to mind first was Spite Software's Backup Program for the smartphone. It took Verizon months to sign it so it would work on the i600. There is a thread here (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5539&highlight=sprite+backup) where I chronicled the event.

[Mike Temporale]

Depending on the security level of the phone, applications that need to access specific parts of the phone need to be signed. While others don't. There are different security levels, so you might not not notice this depending on what type of phone you have and how it was setup from the carrier.

[Number 6]

I just hope they F up again and leave it unlocked like they did with the MPX 220.

I'm a newbie so pardon a dumb question but does that mean that the MPX220 is application unlocked when you get it?

Application lock is different than SIM lock. The MPx220 was SIM unlocked at first. However the application lock was still in place. Mind you I don't think they have the application lock set as tight as Samsung does. :wink:

Thanks, that explains it. I still need to learn the Smartphone termonology. :) All I have right no is a T720. It'll be nice to step up to some more current technology.

The author also says at the end of the article:
>The SMT5600 is available from Cingular Wireless at a post-rebate
>price of US$199.99 for those who sign up for a two-year voice and
>data service contract.

I didn't start looking into a new phone till after Cingular took down the AT&amp;T site so I don't know what the deal was for the 5600 on the AT&amp;T site, but that seems like a real specific price and reabate info. Maybe he is just quoting the old AT&amp;T deal but maybe we can hope that he really is letting something slip! :lol:

[Jerry Raia]

As popular and revered as this phone is I can't see Cingular not releasing it. I predict they will :)

[Number 6]

>I was also disappointed to find that the device's
>MiniSD expansion slot is inconveniently tucked away behind the
>unit's internal battery.

I've read this complaint in a few reviews. Realistically though, how often do you really need to take out the miniSD card? I have an Axim X5 PocketPC with a 256mb sd card and a 64mb compact flash card and in the year and a half I've had it i don't thing I've taken either card out more than a couple of times. I copy files onto them using ActiveSync. Am I missing something?

[Mike Temporale]

It's a lot faster to transfer files to a memory card when you use an external reader. :wink: With the card under the battery, there is less chance of it falling out when the phone is bumped. It's a trade-off either way. I don't really mind having it under the battery. I treat the card more as memory than as storage, so I'm not removing it all that often.

[vincenzosi]

I don't get the big issue either.

Last time a big issue was made over it was with the Ngage. Of course that's bad because you have to swap cards to change games.

In reality though, I'd bet most people who have handhelds with memory cards have never removed them. I rarely ever take the card out of my Ipaq except on the rare occasions when I need it somewhere else...

[Number 6]

If I get a 5600 I'll probably get a 512mb or if the price comes down enough a 1gb miniSd. As vincenzosi says I can see where with the first ngage it can be a problem because your popping game cards in and out frequently. Other than to copy files faster, as mike mentions, with a large card like 512 mb I think once you stick it in there really isn't much reason why you would have to take it out again for a while.

[Jerry Raia]

Even with it easily accessible on my MPx220 I rarely take it out. Mainly because I'm usually away from home when I need to and I have forgotten the adapter!

[Foxbat121]

For those who interested getting this fantastic phone, I recently purchased this phone through AT&amp;T Wireless business Premier link (my company had the link for employees). The phone is only $125, free 2nd day Fedex delivery and free activation. You can even get the $30/month plan that is not available otherwise.