The Mobile Phone Saving Network

Audiovox PPC-6700

Wireless/Mobile Phone/Cell Phone

Rated 4.0 out of 5

If you're looking for one compact device that can do it all, here's the answer. The Sprint PCS Vision PPC-6700 Smart Device combines a phone with a Windows Mobile 5.0 PDA with all the bells and whistles: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a miniSD card slot, support for EV-DO high speed data, and whole lot more. And don't forget the unique slide-out QWERTY keyboard that makes messaging, note-taking, and other writing tasks a breeze.

The PPC-6700 lets you do things you'd typically need a PC to do, like email, text messaging, instant messaging and web browsing-- all from one integrated device. What's more, the phone's software is designed to sync seamlessly with email, contacts and calendar information on your PC. The PPC-6700 also offers great mobile music and video options, thanks to Windows Media Player 10.

Design
Under the hood, the PPC-6700 features 128MB of RAM and a 416 MHz processor. Up front, the 240 x 320 LCD touch-screen supports 65,000 colors, while the rear of the device houses a 1.3 megapixel camera with video capture capabilities. The design of the PPC-6700 is clean and uncluttered, with just a few buttons for mail, Internet Explorer, and contextual menus. Meanwhile, call answer and end buttons are arrayed below a five-way toggle that allows you to navigate and control the Windows Mobile interface. As mentioned, a full QWERTY keyboard cleverly slides out from underneath the screen. This allows you to hold the device horizontally, and the screen is automatically placed in landscape mode when you're using the keyboard. This "slide-to-hide" form factor eliminates bulkiness for a sleek and stylish design. A mini-SD memory expansion card slot is provided, as is an infrared port and a 2.5 mm headphone jack. A mini-USB port is also included for wired data transfers.

Calling and PDA Features
The PPC-6700's phone and PDA functions are designed to provide an integrated, seamless experience. A single main screen summarizes all the important information you need to make it through the day. Here you'll get message notification, upcoming appointments, dialing functions, tasks, and more all in one spot.

As a phone, the PPC-6700 features all the functionality folks expect from a cell phone, including a handsfree speakerphone, polyphonic ringtones, a vibrate mode, and picture and ringer ID. Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile combines email, calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes into a single application that seamlessly integrates with the PPC-6700's phone functions. Meanwhile, headsets, car kits and other wireless peripherals can also be paired with the unit via Bluetooth (the Bluetooth 1.2 specification is supported).

Staying productive on the road is made possible by the Microsoft Office Mobile suite, which includes Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile. Meanwhile, the File Explorer application makes it easy to browse the files on your PPC-6700.

Messaging and Internet
Using Sprint's EV-DO-powered data service, you can surf the Web with the bundled Internet Explorer application, or use MSN messenger to stay in contact via instant messaging. Plus, the inclusion of Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) in the PPC-6700 allows you to surf the Web or check your email at blazing speeds when you're connected to a Wi-Fi network. Robust text messaging functionality is built into the Windows Mobile interface, too.

One of the most important tools bundled with the PPC-6700 is Microsoft ActiveSync, which allows you to quickly synchronize your device's tasks, calendars, email, and contacts with your desktop. You also get Exchange ActiveSync, an application that lets you synchronize data with an Exchange server. Syncing can be done via USB, or wirelessly via Bluetooth or infrared. You can use USB interface to tether the device and offer internet access to your laptop or PC.

The PPC-6700 is also compatible with Sprint PCS Business Connection, which allows you to check your company email, update your work calendar, access your company directory, and more -- all from your phone.

Imaging and Entertainment
Another great feature of the PPC-6700 is that it supports Windows Media playback right out of the box. With Windows Media Player 10, you can play streaming and downloaded video and audio content in a variety of formats, even purchased music from "Plays For Sure" supporting stores. You can also keep your tunes loaded on a memory card and listen to your music wherever you roam.

As mentioned, the PPC-6700 can take 1.3 megapixel (1280x1024) pictures, and while the camera is great for taking stills, it can also function as a camcorder, allowing you to capture video to the unit's memory. An integrated media application organizes your captured photos and videos. For gamers, the phone supports Java-based and Windows Mobile games.

Vital Statistics
The Sprint PCS Vision PPC-6700 Smart Device weighs 6.07 ounces and measures 4.25 x 2.32 x .93 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.7 hours of digital talk time. It runs on the CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

Features of Audiovox PPC-6700:

bluetooth technology
camera: resolution: 1+ megapixel led flash / macro mode
e-mail phones
expansion card card type: minisd
pda phones
text keyboard layout: qwerty
wap / web browser browser software: pocket internet explorer wap 2.0

Reviews:

pfffft who needs a Treo...

Rating: 4

In a word, this thing is AWESOME! Windows Mobile has really come into its own as a viable platform to run Mini-Apps on.

Plus with all the features you get, it's just the neatest gizmo you could have. Sprint may not offer the Treo yet, but why bother if you have Sprint for Wireless and want an Uber gadget... a few caveats:

1) It's difficult to dial on the road, I wouldn't even try (cool, reinforces phone safety!)

2) The digital camera is good for everyday use, but dedicated digital cameras do far better, don't take this thing along on your vacation and expect it to take good pics in and of itself.

3) Can't do any subscription music services near as I can tell without buying "Buy and burn" privileges to store on your PPC-6700, not a big deal with me though.

4) RAM is a bit skimpy, get an expansion card with it to begin with, fortunately, Mini-SD cards are cheap.

Love the phone but watch out for defects

Rating: 4

I purchased my PPC6700 from a Sprint store about 2 months ago and quickly fell in love. I wanted a phone with high functionality and one that would combine my PDA with my phone so that I was hauling around one less electronic device in my purse or on my person. I also am getting more into the whole texting thing and I wanted a keypad, but one that wasn't exposed like other multifunction phones. This phone really fits the bill.

If you have a PDA already, transitioning to this phone isn't difficult but it might be for someone who isn't already comfortable with the PDA "type" technology.

The only downside to this uber tech device was something pretty low tech--the stylus.

This baby came with two styli. I lost both inside two months. (Keep in mind I have had a PDA for three years and have never had to replace the stylus).

Reason: the slot on the PPC 6700 that is supposed to hold the stylus was a bit too big and everytime the phone was inverted the stylus would fall right out. Not that this phone can't be used without a stylus-- it can, but the stylus makes it way easier.

I checked with friends who had the same phone and they did not have the same problem so it was obviously a manufacturing defect. I called UTStarcom and let me just say that they clearly focus all of their resources on something OTHER than customer service. They wanted me to send the phone to them (didn't offer to pay postage or provide a box to send it) and said they'd fix it in a "couple of weeks" (again offering no help or assistance for what I would do without my cell phone for two weeks).

By the time I got off the phone with their "non customer service reps" I was seething. By the way -- the UTStarcom Rep admitted that they have been getting this complaint from customers.

It was then that I realized I had purchased the replacement insurance thru Sprint. I called them and explained the problem and shocker of all shockers I had a brand new replacement in 24 hours. And this one doesn't have the stylus problem.

In summary: great phone- small, great functionality, easy to use and text message; crummy customer service from manufacturer UTStarcom- potential problem with batches of phones with the stylus manufacturing defect; Sprint hand set insurance rocks -- so get it cause UTStarcom apparently doesn't care about customer service!

Somewhat Perfect	Rating: 5
I have this phone and love it. The only thing I noticed is the same issue that others have commented on. The styli just falls out. I too lost both of mine inside 2 months. I can live with that. It only costs a few dollars to replace. The PocketPC is an excellent option to carrying a laptop. I can work on the road using Citrix via the internet. I would highly recommend this phone.

pretty much the best thing ever

Rating: 5

I bought this phone a couple of weeks ago, and the more I use it (i.e. the more I get used to the interface) the more I love it. I use it as much as a notebook, datebook, camera, and computer (browsing web, e-mail, etc.) as I do as a phone, and it does all of these things well. I can't agree more with the previous reviewer that as long as you get Sprint's replacement insurance (6 bucks a month isn't bad for a $600 dollar phone) you can basically do whatever you want wherever you want with this device. My only complaints are that the interface is a little complicated (but that is Microsoft's doing), especially dialing on the phone, and the battery life is crappy because the device has so much functionality. I just ordered an extended life battery and am gradually getting used to the interface, and I must say I am overall extraordinarily happy with my purchase. The fact that you can use it as a modem for a laptop or desktop to provide broadband internet to a computer anywhere on their network (for a good price i might add) is a genuine step forward in mobile technology. Get it, and get the insurance from Sprint.

By Audiovox