Hi-Mobile.net was very kind to send us in the Linux-based Motorola A780 cellphone for this review. This is the most affordable PDA-like phone in the market today, selling for less than $280 at Hi-Mobile's store. Although this phone was released over a year ago, it came pre-installed with the latest available English firmware released around November 2005 (R52_G_0D.74.A2R) which also contains a newer build of the Opera 7.50 browser. Check inside for our review and lots of screenshots.
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Member since:
2005-07-09
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anyway nice phone. am i right in thinking that u can upgrade the apps on it or are u stuck with a few niggles? (never owned a smartphone)
Member since:2005-06-28
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thanks EugeniaMember since:
2006-04-06
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Since this is a GSM cellphone, mentioning the frequencies that it runs on would be nice. I mean, I could google for it, but usually one finds that sort of thing in a review.
Second, I've never had any problem streaming realplayer video on my Symbian Series 60 smartphone, such as this one http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/ram/nb/fiftysectrail_16x9_nb.ram
I don't know what the problem is with the 9500 you tested was, and I don't know how badly your video looked because you haven't set the mime type correctly on your server and I can't test it correctly from my phone. 
Member since:2005-06-28
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>Since this is a GSM cellphone, mentioning the frequencies that it runs on would be nice.
Usually, I don't tend to duplicate information that can be easily found by clicking our link to the product. A review is about how well or not the product works, not copying/pasting the press releases. I do mention that the phone is quadband anyway.
>Second, I've never had any problem streaming realplayer video on my Symbian Series 60 smartphone,
I was VERY specific to say that it doesn't play PLS files. Did I ever said anything that it doesn't play RAM???
> I don't know what the problem is with the 9500 you tested was
Download it first and then copy it to your phone. I can't set up the MIME type on that server as I don't have any priviliges on it. I tried that video on the Nokia 9500 of a friend of mine a few months ago and it was as bad (if not worse than in the two Motorola Linux phones I got here). The video was encoded with Quicktime 7.1 in 3gp at 384 kbps, QVGA resolution.
Please note that the video plays perfectly on the 80Mhz CPU of Sony Ericsson K700i. The Motorola Linux phones run at 312 Mhz and the Symbian ones are (usually, not always) at 195 Mhz.
Edited 2006-04-06 20:31
Member since:2006-04-06
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> I was VERY specific to say that it doesn't play PLS files. Did I ever said anything that it doesn't play RAM???
Easy there.. What I meant, and think I said, was that I've never had any problem streaming videos, and the quality of both streaming and video I've put on an MMC card has been fine. Did I ever mention RAM, or just point to it in a link? I think the topic was quality.
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)Member since:
2005-10-12
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There's been quite a few postings on these Motorola Linux-based phones in the past months. Overall, I do like my A780, but here are my quibbles (some may repeat article):
The UI is VERY slow
Unexpectedly shuts down occasionally (once a week)
Very limited software (and then Java-only)
Battery life is crap
Handwriting recognition is terrible
It should be mentioned that there are 2 versions, a GPS (Europe) and non-GPS with voice recognition. The respective firmwares aren't totally compatible, so be careful. I've burned the wrong firmware on my A780 to no ill effect, but it's a little scary when you're flashing firmware, and it stops at 90%. o_O
If you're really interested, www.motorolafans.com has a lot of info.
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2006-01-10
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2005-08-19
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Sure that if Motorola open up there framework we will see killers opensources apps... Mplayer, TCPMP, good Instant messaging clients, ssh client and so one.
Bad point to Motorola, they make good hardware, maybe the better mobile implementation of linux, but don't want the comunity to grow up on they job.
PS : Got a problem with Hi-Mobile.net... No way to use a french Card to buy the phone. Waiting for they reply.
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2006-04-07
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