Smartphone Thoughts: From the Perspective of a Pocket PC Veteran - Samsung�s Blackjack SmartPhone Reviewed

Web Browsing


Figure 14: Internet Explorer on the Blackjack.


Figure 15: The same page using Internet Explorer on the N560.

Of the standard devices, the browser software aspect seems to favor the PDA, while widely available wireless connectivity favors the cell phone.

Out of the box, the Razr provides limited web browsing capabilities. Web access is provided through its MediaNet application, which is more of a collection of categories and related links than a browser. If you want a more traditional web browsing experience, the free Opera Mini browser is available for the Razr. Within the limitations of screen size, Opera Mini provides a surprisingly usable browsing experience. Regardless, its smallest screen, portrait orientation and lowest resolution put the Razr in third place when evaluated in terms of browser software.

As for network access (in my experience, through Cingular or the new AT&T or whatever it�s called this week), the Razr can access the EDGE network, based on an older technology that provides speeds that are more like dialup on steroids than broadband. Like most contemporary cell phones, there are no other wireless data options. The Razr offers Bluetooth mostly for connecting to headsets and wi-fi is unavailable.

Of these 3 devices, the Blackjack has the best mix of standard browser and connectivity. Standard on this Windows SmartPhone is a mobile version of Internet Explorer, which provides a more desktop-like experience than the browsers on the Razr. At this point, the only other browser option for the Blackjack is Opera Mini, which can run in its Java environment. Opera has also announced that Opera Mobile will be available for Windows Mobile 5 SmartPhones. It currently is available only for WM2003 SmartPhones. Many people have expressed a preference for Opera Mobile over the mobile versions of Internet Explorer, so its availability on the Blackjack will be a welcome alternative. With IE mobile, the extra screen width and higher resolution of the Blackjack�s landscape screen are put to good advantage, providing good readability and sharp graphics.

Network access is similar to the Razr, but the UMTS/HSPDA support mentioned earlier gives the Blackjack broadband class access where that network is available. Availability has been limited in the US, but is expanding pretty rapidly. If you live in or travel to an area without support, the Blackjack will connect to the slower EDGE network. Like the Razr, Bluetooth is available, but wi-fi is not.

As a traditional PDA, the N560 has the most options for browser software, but the most limited network access. It comes with the mobile edition of Internet Explorer and other browsers, such as Opera Mobile, Thunderhawk and NetFront are also available. Its largest screen and highest resolution among these devices, along with support for portrait and landscape modes, provides the best readability and graphics rendering of the group.

Since this traditional PDA lacks phone hardware, the N560 doesn�t offer the other units� expansive wireless network coverage. For wireless connectivity, you must rely in the availability of wireless hotspots. However, the N560 is the only unit that can take advantage of the hotspots, since it�s the only one of these 3 with wi-fi. Again, a Pocket PC Phone would have network options similar to those of the Blackjack.