First Review of the Asus P525

[Raphael Salgado]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocket.co.il/cgi-bin/pocketil/viewnews.pl?id=EEVEEpuZkuJWSDihzK&tmpl=pocket375&style=pocket375' target='_blank'>http://www.pocket.co.il/cgi-bin/poc...style=pocket375</a><br /><br /></div>I call it "Mobility in the Massada" as the first review of the Asus P525 Pocket PC Phone surfaces on an Israeli Pocket PC fan site. Of course, the review is in Hebrew, and my wife hasn't taught me enough to go reading on my own, but luckily, there are many pictures to get a good idea of what you could expect.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/salgado-20060627-asusp525.jpg" /><br /><br />It's a pretty-decent-sized Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone Edition with an Intel XScale 416MHz CPU, quadband GSM, Bluetooth with A2DP, and Wi-Fi, plus an auto-focusing 2.0 megapixel camera with flash. Similar to Gigabyte's approach, the Asus has added some nice software enhancements, such as two-speed ActiveSync and mass-storage mode and phone profiles. If you can find a Hebrew-to-English online translator (I couldn't), you might be able to pick up more details than I could decipher.

[myuser]

Ok here's a translation to English.

I don't have time to do the entire article, so I'll just translate the conclusion portion, which doesn't seem to be that informative by the way.

Pros:
1. Well built numeric keypad
2. Card reader
3. 2 MP camera with auto focus and flash
4. Nice and small
5. HOLD button

Cons:
1. Lack of prompts when a BT headset pairs with the device; to be fixed in future rom upgrades by manufacturer.
2. Low volume voice command prompts

The reviewer gave the device a 4 out of 5 stars rating for good battery life and good video playback. He noted the lack of GPS and EDGE, but liked the small form factor.

[ctmagnus]

What does Mode Switcher do? The blurb about it is wrapped around the last two side-by-side pictures in the article.

[myuser]

According to the reviewer the Mode Switcher allows users to scroll through a predetermined set of programs set by the mfg.. and doesn't allow for custom user settings (programs).

[Darius Wey]

I really love the look of this phone, although I feel that the directional control is oddly placed. myuser, did the reviewer mention anything about it? I can't help but wonder if pressing the '2' or '5' keys results in accidental pressing of the directional control.

[Typhoon]

So when is it released to the US?

[Nam]

Mode Switcher is basically for switching between Today screen, Media Player, Screen Rotation and Exit (to be honest, I have no idea about the last item). The utility can be set to a different and more useful type - the Task Switcher.

See more details on the "Preview" at Pocket PC Thai dot Com
http://www.pocketpcthai.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&amp;rop=showcontent&amp;id=56

The test unit is a preproduction version. The unit still lack of Automatic Configurations and Smart Dialer. The actual unit may come with some more utilities.

Cheers.

[Ryan Joseph]

It looks to me like the buttons on that keypad are oddly placed. The hang-up and call buttons aren't set apart at all. And I agree that the directional stick looks weird there...and I suspect I'd press several keys each time I used it. :-)

But other than that, it looks really nice...if it ever makes it to the US. :-)

[Typhoon]

Does anyone know another website that can translate this review? Babelfish isn't working...