MobileTechReview Reviews E-TEN's M500 Pocket PC Phone

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobiletechreview.com/e-TEN-M500.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.mobiletechreview.com/e-TEN-M500.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"You've come a long way, E-TEN! We reviewed their P300B Pocket PC phone a year ago, and weren't impressed. E-TEN wants to be a major player in the PPC phone space and they've reinvented their product line with the M500. Like the i-mate JAM, the E-ten M500 is a compact Pocket PC Phone with a 2.8" transflective display. It's similar in size to the Treo 650 and close in size to the JAM, which means it can fit in a roomy pocket and you won't feel like you're holding a brick to your head when in conversation. The device runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PC Phones and word is that E-TEN will offer a Windows Mobile 5 upgrade later this year."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20050706-MTRETENM500.jpg" /><br /><br />From this review, it's clear Lisa really likes the M500, and looking at the pictures of the unit, I can see why. I'm glad HTC is not the only one making compact units. Are any of you happy M500 owners? What's your experience?

[Phillip Dyson]

After reading this review and a few threads over at howardforums I was really tempted to purchase this device.

After great pains I've decided to wait for the m600. Perhaps there will be other choices that also peak my interest.

[snayar]

Yeah, same here... I was about to purchase the Jam then I got interested on the M500 but after a few M600 reviews now I'm willing to wait for it. :lol:

[jasondearyou]

i'll rather have bt 1.2 and wifi, this is old man waitin for m600

[Raphael Salgado]

I am a happy Eten M500 owner. However, there's one thing I want to point out to prospective buyers (not to dissuade them, but just be aware).

I posted this on a HowardForums (http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=665521) thread, but I thought it would help out, and possibly add or correct to the reviewer's comments.

"99% of the desktops and laptops I connect my M500 via its USB cable automatically provide 5V power and ground through two of the connectors [in] the USB cable.

"Here's the kicker question: Why the hell did E-ten NOT put the round 5V AC connector either on the M500 or its cradle? Because they decided to put the connector on the USB cable itself, the cradle and AC adapter become useless if you decide to separate the USB cable from the kit for apparent reasons, like bringing just the cable to work or on a trip.

"Say you did something inadvertent, like I did today. I left my Eten USB cable at work and it's going to be a long holiday weekend. How will I provide power to the M500 now?

"All [present and future] M500 owners, make sure you provide yourself with a second charging station or cable immediately upon purchase, if you don't plan on separating the charging/syncing station it comes with in the box.

"As I was banging my head on the train's window from my seat, I hypothesized about the "USB host" connector on the back of the cradle. I figured it was just a reverse of the USB cable.

"I ran to CompUSA and picked up the CompUSA-branded Retractable USB Travel Kit, SKU #309757, $14.99 retail ($11.99 cost, I have hookups). It comes with 4 adapters: USB A-B, USB A-A, USB-Mini5, USB-Mini4. I connected the retractable cable to the back of the cradle, then the USB A-A adapter between the USB port of my PC and the retractable cable.

"Lo and behold, my M500 started charging. There's no synchronization, but at least I'll have a way to provide ample power over the long weekend.

"E-ten, I hope you're taking notes, because that was in all honesty, some piss-poor engineering and/or planning on their part. Either change your connector to a common sense, industry-standard mini-USB as the JAM did, or provide a spare cable right in the box."

Hope that says enough. There is no universal connector (looks like an iPAQ connector, but it's not), and the only place you can get accessories is if it's imported.

Some sites for accessories:

Vinko's Treasures
Flip-top case: http://www.vinko.com/php/shop/ebaylisting.php?shop_item_sku=C0533&amp;shop_item_amount=15.48&amp;shop_item_currency=usd&amp;shop_item_usd=15.48196125
Bi-Fold case: http://www.vinko.com/php/shop/ebaylisting.php?shop_item_sku=C0532&amp;shop_item_amount=15.48&amp;shop_item_currency=usd&amp;shop_item_usd=15.48196125

PC-Mobile
Sync &amp; Charge cables: http://pc-mobile.net/eten.htm


Vendors/Distributors of Eten M500:

MadMonkeyBoy: http://www.dweiniger.com
Trends Mobile: http://www.trendsmobile.com/main/showdetails.asp?ProductType=PDA+Phones&amp;ProductID=99251
Smart Devices Direct: http://www.smartdevicesdirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=769

[ID64]

Totaly agree with Raphael143. That's the only flaw kind buged me, but by extra cable and battery just arrived from TrendsMobile yesterday, so it's not an issue anymore for me :)

I was also thinking to wait for E600, but than again - you can wait forever, there is always something newer is out there ;) Also, I am not big fan of black color of E600 IMHO

[snayar]

...I was also thinking to wait for E600, but than again - you can wait forever, there is always something newer is out there ;) Also, I am not big fan of black color of E600 IMHO

Yes, I know, but for me it's essential to have WM5.0 and integrated WiFi. Besides, I would like to try the black colored housing, I'm tired of the metalic finish, in all my previous and current device (MDAII), it tends to fade very quickly!

Best regards,
Rayan

[MitchellO]

Nah, I don't like this one. It looks sooo thick!

[MitchellO]

But, if it had WiFi.......M600......

[ID64]

Nah, I don't like this one. It looks sooo thick!

It's not THAT thick :) It's much more comfortable to hold it than JAM. BTW, the sound quality of the speaker while using as the phone is way better that JAM, there is no comparsion. Also, Voice Dialing over a Bluetooth is a amazing. For the WIFI I have this small Spectec card, it only sticks out about 3 mm

http://www3.sympatico.ca/igor.dertkin/IMG_5157.jpg

[snayar]

Wow!... I love your ETen!!!

How much did you pay for the SPECTEC?

I have no problems with how thick it is, I rather have a think device than a wide one... I'm just tired of the MDAII width, and yes, it's more comfortable to have a thicker device than a slim one, specially in one hand opperation (Yes, I already use WM5.0).

The only problem I see with the M500 is that it does not have integrated WiFi. I know, that Spectec card is almost invisible, but I would love to have my SD slot occupied with my sweet Giga card for storage and avoid constant swapping. Also that way I wouldn't need to carry the WiFi card anymore.

[ID64]

It was about 109 CAN from Impactwireless. Well, I am not using WIFI that much, only at the office for VoiP. For news browsing and email GPRS is enough for me ( I have unlimited plan from FIDO). Also, with 80 megs of storage there is no real need for SD storage. Sure, it nice to have couple of seasons of South Park on it :) But for map storage for example, the whole Ontario is about 60 megs for Mapopolis. I am not saying that having integrated WIFI is bad, it's just not essential to me. All my previous devices didn't had built in WIFI. Btw, Spectec card is not only amazing size wise, it also drains very little power from the main battery

[MitchellO]

I want one of those tiny WiFi SDs :( Would make my Mini perfect. Stupid sandisk:

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9164/xdaiiminiwifi3small0xj.jpg

[Phillip Dyson]

Nah, I don't like this one. It looks sooo thick!

It's not THAT thick :) It's much more comfortable to hold it than JAM. BTW, the sound quality of the speaker while using as the phone is way better that JAM, there is no comparsion. Also, Voice Dialing over a Bluetooth is a amazing. For the WIFI I have this small Spectec card, it only sticks out about 3 mm

http://www3.sympatico.ca/igor.dertkin/IMG_5157.jpg

Your image makes a compelling argument. Or should I say temptation. And 80mb isn't anything to shake a stick at. Of course if you opt to go with WM5.0 that 80mb gets reduced since everthing will end up in ROM and not RAM.

I'm trying to stay strong. :frusty:

Dreaming up any reason not ... to ... buy... m... 500

[MitchellO]

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8364/ppcappsqs9xf.jpg

Hey ID64, what are these two apps. The battery icon below the clock and the today screen app.

[snayar]

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8364/ppcappsqs9xf.jpg

Hey ID64, what are these two apps. The battery icon below the clock and the today screen app.

The first Today Plugin you see is called PhoneAlarm... It's a profile manager. It switches phone profines manually or with schedules you set. Very neat application. It's sort of like PocketZenPhone.

The battery icon, I've used that before, but don't remember the name. It's part of a Task manager (application closer) if I remember correctly.

[ID64]

Correct. It's a PhoneAlarm. Battery plugin it's one of the many things that came with ETEN. BTW, see this BT icon in PhoneAlarm? Very handy :)

[MitchellO]

Bummer. The battery one looks neat!

[ID64]

Nah, I don't like this one. It looks sooo thick!

It's not THAT thick :) It's much more comfortable to hold it than JAM. BTW, the sound quality of the speaker while using as the phone is way better that JAM, there is no comparsion. Also, Voice Dialing over a Bluetooth is a amazing. For the WIFI I have this small Spectec card, it only sticks out about 3 mm

http://www3.sympatico.ca/igor.dertkin/IMG_5157.jpg

Your image makes a compelling argument. Or should I say temptation. And 80mb isn't anything to shake a stick at. Of course if you opt to go with WM5.0 that 80mb gets reduced since everthing will end up in ROM and not RAM.

I'm trying to stay strong. :frusty:

Dreaming up any reason not ... to ... buy... m... 500


But it's so sweet! :D Look at the lines, how elegant it sits in the cradle !

He he he :devilboy: :devilboy: :devilboy:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/igor.dertkin/IMG_5159.jpg

[snayar]

Bummer. The battery one looks neat!

Check www.freewareppc.com or www.pocketpcfreewares.com and look for task managers or application closer. I remember downloading that application. However, I really recommend Pocket Plus instead (not free though), It places a neat battery bar on the top edge of the screen.

ARGH!!!! :devilboy: Stay away satan!!!! Don't tempt me!!!! :devilboy:

[MitchellO]

Hey, you have an MX900 just like me!! Best mouse eva!

[Chucky]

A few people have mentioned the E-TEN M600 - I've found a few pics here and there, just wondering if anyone has any links to reviews/previews?

Thanks :)

[MitchellO]

Just type eten m600 into google and click I'm Feeling Lucky!

[Raphael Salgado]

Anyone notice the phoneAlarm plug in shows "SIGNAL: 100" yet the icon on the top menu bar showed the exclamation point for the signal strength, meaning it can't find a signal?

Trends Mobile's "known issues" page for the M500 lists that the "Reception Bar is not true indication of true reception strength" as one of its unresolved bugs. Hope it'll get fixed ina newer firmware update.
http://www.trendsmobile.com/main/showsection.asp?SectionID=70&amp;ParentID=69

Also, FYI: MadMonkeyBoy does sell the Spectec Wi-Fi card for only $83.
http://www.dweiniger.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=76

Can't beat that!

[stevelam]

Just type eten m600 into google and click I'm Feeling Lucky!

Sooooooo nice. It will be a close call between this and the next Dell with a Bluetooth phone!!

[ID64]

http://www.dweiniger.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=76[/url]

Can't beat that!

Which is exactly 109 Canadian dollars :D

[amesskyway]

The M500 beats my HP6315 in style and design by at least a mile. It's so tempting not to ditch my iPAQ right now. But I'm staying strong and waiting for the M600. I like the black color. Sleek. :mrgreen:

[Phillip Dyson]

Correct. It's a PhoneAlarm. Battery plugin it's one of the many things that came with ETEN. BTW, see this BT icon in PhoneAlarm? Very handy :)

ID64, have you experienced in instability with PhoneAlarm on your m500.
I get random crashes and SPB PocketPlus takes me to safe mode everytime I soft reset.

This doesn't happen when PhoneAlarm is not loaded.

[ID64]

Correct. It's a PhoneAlarm. Battery plugin it's one of the many things that came with ETEN. BTW, see this BT icon in PhoneAlarm? Very handy :)

ID64, have you experienced in instability with PhoneAlarm on your m500.
I get random crashes and SPB PocketPlus takes me to safe mode everytime I soft reset.

This doesn't happen when PhoneAlarm is not loaded.

No, it's very stable. Just make sure that it installed on to default location and not on FLASHDISK or SMCC.

[Phillip Dyson]

Correct. It's a PhoneAlarm. Battery plugin it's one of the many things that came with ETEN. BTW, see this BT icon in PhoneAlarm? Very handy :)

ID64, have you experienced in instability with PhoneAlarm on your m500.
I get random crashes and SPB PocketPlus takes me to safe mode everytime I soft reset.

This doesn't happen when PhoneAlarm is not loaded.

No, it's very stable. Just make sure that it installed on to default location and not on FLASHDISK or SMCC.

I think I'll uninstall, clean the registry then try it again. I really like the app. I ran it for quite some time, even after random crashes and 2 hard resets.

[Phillip Dyson]

Okay,

Tried to reinstall and when I went to soft reset, the screen went burgundy and I had to do a hard reset.

Restored from backup.

Unloaded all today plugins. Stopped Calligrapher from starting up on soft reset. Did a soft reset and reinstalled.

So far so good. Three was one time that I did a soft reset and the PA was not showing on the Today screen. I went and checked it and everything seems fine.

I narrowed down the safe mode situation. Apparently Calligrapher and PhoneAlarm don't like each other on start up. PhoneAlarm wont cause Plus to put me into Safe Mode, and Calligrapher wont either. But together is very predicatable.

Unfortunately I've long had problems loading Calligrapher after a soft reset.