The Mobile Phone Saving Network

Siemens SX66

Wireless/Mobile Phone/Cell Phone

Rated 3.5 out of 5

Simply put, the Siemens SX66 does it all. A full color display slides down to reveal an integrated QWERTY keypad, while integrated "wi-fi" and Bluetooth keep you on the cutting edge of connectivity. Powered by the Windows Mobile 2003 operating system and with support for corporate email accounts, this device is designed for maximum efficiency, wherever you are. It's the ultimate power tool for mobile professionals.

Design

Click the image to get a closer look at the SX66's features. View the rear of the unit in detail here.

The SX66 follows the standard form factor of the latest Pocket PC devices, with one major addition; as mentioned, a sliding QWERTY keyboard is hidden below the screen. A generous, 240 x 320 full-color touchscreen display dominates the face of the unit. Just below the display is a five-way selection button that allows you to navigate and control the Windows Mobile interface. Meanwhile, shortcut buttons positioned both above and below the screen offer quick access to your Outlook calendar, contacts, messaging, Internet Explorer and more. Alternatively, the device can be directly controlled with an included stylus that slides out of the rear of the SX66's case.

Under the hood, the SX66 sports a 400 Mhz Intel PXA263 CPU with 128 MB of RAM and 64 MB of embedded flash memory storage. The unit's SD IO memory slot supports additional flash-based memory so you can expand available storage. The Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC operating system is completely touchscreen-enabled and features advanced handwriting recognition that is compatible with all of the device's applications. There's a standard stereo 2.5mm headset jack, while USB data and charging is handled by the SX66's docking ports on the bottom of the device.

Calling Features
Many of the SX66's calling features are integrated with the Windows Mobile operating system. For instance, the included Pocket Outlook software features a contacts list that is cleverly integrated with the phone's dialing functions. Meanwhile, the phone's handwriting recognition software can be used to dial numbers and enter contact information. The SX66's built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Polyphonic ringtones are available, as is a vibrating alert. Caller ID and call waiting are also supported. Lastly, the SX66's Bluetooth connectivity makes it easy to sync the unit with a wide range of handsfree, wireless headsets and car kits.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The SX66 is designed as a complete mobile office solution, so Internet and messaging capabilities are robust. The unit comes packed with pocket versions of Outlook, Internet Explorer and MSN Messenger. In addition to keeping track of contacts, Pocket Outlook features integrated calendar and email functions. Microsoft's ActiveSync software keeps the device synced with all of your PC's Outlook information (via USB, IR, wi-fi, or Bluetooth connection). Users who want Internet connectivity on the road with their laptop or PDA can tap the SX66's wireless modem capabilities (Cingular data plan charges apply). An included Cingular Xpress Mail Suite provides real-time access to your corporate and personal email (with optional Cingular Xpress Mail service). Meanwhile, the unit fully supports basic text messaging, as well as multimedia messaging (MMS).

A generous toolset ships with the SX66's Windows Mobile 2003 software. Pocket Outlook includes to-do lists while pocket versions of Word and Excel are included so you can review and edit documents on the go. A calculator, alarm clock and voice memo recorder round out the tools package.

Entertainment
The SX66 delivers the ultimate music experience. You can store MP3 files and easily exchange them with your PC or stream them from the internet. The included Windows Media Player application can also play videos for even more mobile entertainment.

The SX66's wallpapers and screensavers can be customized to suit your tastes. Windows Mobile and Java-based games are also supported.

Vital Statistics
The Siemens SX66 weighs 7.41 ounces and measures 4.92 x 2.83 x .75 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of digital talk time, and up to 168 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM 800/GSM 900/GSM 1800/GSM 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
SX66 handset, USB Sync Station, li-ion Battery, headset, spare stylus, travel charger, 22-pin DC jack converter, carry case, user manual, quick start guide, companion CD

Features of Siemens SX66:

cingular xpress mail suite provides real-time access to your corporate and personal email
connectivity provided by wifi (802.11b), bluetooth®, usb, and wireless data transfer via infrared interface (irda)
e-mail phones
high performance 32-bit intel pxa263 cpu, 400 mhz with up to 64 mb flash rom, 128 mb ram
sd io capable sd/mmc slot
unique slider design, qwerty keyboard

Reviews:

Speaker problems

Rating: 3

I have had the Siemens SX66 for exactly one year and one month. I do not use it for anything except web surfing (great for travelling), email, and as a regular phone. I loved this phone until the speaker began going out (after 4 months), first I had to have it on speaker phone to hear and then even on speaker phone the voices were very distorted. It was still under warranty so Cingular took it back and I got a new one within 3 days! However, the speaker has gone out again, and even though I recieved a new phone less than 9 months ago, the warranty was not extended, so repair is expensive.

This is a great product, however they clearly have bugs to work out, and the speaker has been the main problem for me. It seems to go out every 5-6 months. So keep this in mind if you plan on keeping it more than a year.

Great phone but I have one question	Rating: 4
Is this phone upgradeable to windows mobile 2005. I have been looking all over and I cant figure it out.

This is a great organizer

Rating: 5

I purchased this organizer because of my complete lack of organization. I have had other organizers, but stopped using them because of the difficulty of imputing information, and the fact that they were too difficult to remember to cary around. The built in thumb-keyboard makes inputing information extremely easy, so data entry is not a problem with this organizer. Remembering to take it everywhere is also not a problem because I never forget my phone anywhere (and since my organizer is also my phone, I always have my organizer.) After getting used to inputing everything into this organizer, I have yet to miss an apointment.
My only problem with this organizer is that I forget to turn the thing off after making a phone call. Althought it will eventually turn itself off, I usually make a few unintentional phone calls before it turns itself off (the case it comes with fits the organizer perfectly, so while the organizer is turned on and is in it, the case usually activates the speed dial function.) This, however, is more my problem then the orgainzer's problem.

By Siemens