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InfoSync World
by: Jørgen Sundgot
May 13, 2004
Review: neo neoFone NF-10
ørgen
Sundgot gets up close and personal with the very first Personal Mobile
Gateway-based products in this review of neo's neoFone NF-10, neoChat
NC-10 and neoSnap NS-10.
Despite a certain amount of attention from the media, few people will
be intimately familiar with the PMG (Personal Mobile Gateway) concept
from IXI Mobile. Briefly put, it's a microserver-client architecture in
where a PMG server harbours WAN connectivity - such as GSM or CDMA - to
be offered to PMG clients (known as PMG Companions) by means of Bluetooth.
Recently, IXI Mobile established the neo brand under which it has brought
the neoFone, neoChat and neoSnap products to market; this review covers
all three.
neoFone NF-10
Exterior
The neoFone is small and minute, despite its highly enabling server capabilities
A PMG phone, the neoFone NF-10 plays host to server capabilities in a
thin, small and light package weighing only 65 g and measuring 10 x 4.4
x 1.8 cm. Despite its minute appearances, it offers a 16-bit colour display
placed far up on the front of the handset with a resolution of 128 x 128
pixels. Just below this, two navigational soft keys are placed on either
side of a four-way navigational pad with an integrated notification LED,
under which a standard numerical keypad can be found. On the left side
are volume up/down buttons.
Ergonomics
As small as it is, the neoFone is a bit on the slippery side thanks to
its lacquered finish, yet still lies well in ones hand. The keypad emits
some noise, but not more so than it being acceptable - however the navigational
pad is not only quite noisy, but its design also lacks physical hints
towards the different directions. Furthermore, the notification LED integrated
into this pad is annoying beyond description - although fortunately, it
can be turned off.
Features
Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz connectivity is a must for a device that
is to play the role of a central communications server, and the neoFone
also offers up GPRS support and an integrated Fax modem for data communications.
For PAN connectivity, the neoFone relies exclusively on Bluetooth, and
is compatible not only with PMG devices but also any other Bluetooth device
capable of utilizing the profiles it offers.
The remaining feature set is best described as mediocre, with a WAP 1.2.1
browser offering a window to the world, while SMS and MMS messages can
both be sent and created with ease. Basic PIM features are also present,
as is a perfectly adequate voice recorder and 4 MB of memory to store
a sizeable amount of data - including pictures taken with a PMG Companion
such as the neoSnap NS-10 digital camera.
Configuration of the handset's PMG-related features was delightfully devoid
of technical dialogs; users are merely required to pair PMG Companion
devices in the standard Bluetooth manner, after which the handset automatically
provides GSM or GPRS connectivity upon request from companion devices.
Performance
With a user interface closely resembling Nokia's Series 40 platform, the
NF-10 is easily navigated and offers speedy responses to interaction with
the keyboard. Surprisingly, it is also exceedingly speedy when it comes
to text input, rivalled only by Nokia - a carrot for heavy messaging users,
although there are no e-mail or instant messaging clients present; for
that, users will be required to acquire a PMG Companion such as the neoChat
NC-10.
Throughout our testing period, the neoFone NF-10 performed very well in
terms reception, and also offered high quality audio during voice calls.
Its Bluetooth range hovered in the 8 meter area, and although the handset
fell short of its claimed standby time of up to 200 hours, it did deliver
160 hours - as well as the claimed 3 hours of talk time.
Availability
Although not currently commercially available, the neoFone NF-10 is expected
to be available in Italy in May, where pricing will be operator dependent.
Conclusion
For being a first attempt at an intermediate-level handset, the neoFone
NF-10 is certainly not unimpressive. Its feature set, however, is - PMG
capabilities aside - rather mediocre, and as such does not shine merely
on its own. On a positive note, it is very small and light, which is essential
considering its intended role as one out of several products to work in
conjunction with one another. Indeed, the keypad and navigational pad
ought to be quieter, but this is hardly a dealbreaker for a handset enabling
the kind of scenarios the NF-10 does.
What's positive: PMG capabilities;
small and light
What's negative: Short on features;
noisy keypad Features: 5/10
Exterior: 6/10
Ergonomics: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Value:
5/10
iSW Score:6.0/10
neoChat NC-10
Witness the introduction of an entirely new breed in the world of mobile
devices: neo's neoChat NC-10 is the very first commercially available
PMG Companion device, taking advantage of a new microserver-client architecture
pioneered by IXI Mobile, the company behind the neo brand of devices.
Through connecting wirelessly with a Personal Mobile Gateway (PMG), the
neoChat lets users remain online with their preferred instant messaging
service, as well as send and receive e-mail and SMS messages wherever
they go.
The thumbboard of the neoChat ranks among the better currently available
Exterior
Unassuming, with its two-tone grey colour scheme, the neoChat NC-10 is
a clamshell device which opens to reveal a backlit, monochrome display
with 240 x 160 pixel landscape orientation and a QWERTY thumbboard. The
screen occupies the entire upper half of the 106 g clamshell, while the
thumbboard resides in the lower half. When closed, the device measures
9.5 x 7.6 x 2.3 cm, and reveals only the notification LED, which doubles
as a multifunction power on/off button. When opened, the neoChat measures
a sizeable 9.5 x 14 x 1.2 cm.
The thumbboard contains a full compliment of the alphabet, joined by a
four-way navigational pad with adjacent 'enter' buttons at either side
positioned above the rows of keys. In the upper left corner, a 'back'
key provides navigational aid to let users return to a previous dialog
or cancel changes to settings, while a 'type & send' button in the
upper right corner activates text input fields and is used to send messages
when finished.
Additionally, the four main dialogs of the device are called up through
dedicated buttons on the lower row of keys; from left to right, users
can activate the 'Contacts', 'Messages', 'My Status' and 'Settings' dialogs.
To the very left, we also find an 'Alt' button which alters the function
of keys, while at the far right a 'Caps' button offers uppercase text
input and an 'Extras' key activates drop-down menus (where applicable).
Incidentally, the 'Alt' key also transforms the top row of keys to a numerical
input range.
Ergonomics
Comfortable in use, the thumbboard of the neoChat NC-10 has well-spaced
and well-sized keys - which, although they would benefit from a more domed
shape, are among the better of thumbboards currently available. The layout
of non-text buttons is intuitive and functional, although neither the
'Alt' nor 'Caps' button are sticky, which intermittently results in awkward
combo presses. Unfortunately, the device is also improperly balanced with
its point of gravity residing near the hinge, leading to unnecessary strain
when used for prolonged periods of time.
Features
The neoChat NC-10 has no WAN connectivity capabilities of its own, but
rather relies on a PMG such as the neoFone NC-10 via Bluetooth. Personal
preferences greatly impact whether this is beneficial, as a certain loss
of convenience is balanced by reduced size, modularity and increased battery
life.
Moving to the actual functionality of the neoChat quickly reveals it to
be a device built with one purpose in mind: messaging. Users can connect
to either of four different instant messaging services - although, sadly,
not simultaneously: AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, MSN Messenger and Yahoo!
Instant Messenger, as well as retrieve and send e-mail from POP3, IMAP4
and SMTP accounts.
A comprehensive settings dialog lets users control various aspects relating
to the operation of the neoChat, such as its contrast setting, the font
size of messages, the operation of the backlight and whether or not notification
banners should be displayed. The latter are particularly convenient, as
they notify a user visually when new messages of any kind arrive.
Also, users can choose to be notified of incoming messages by audible
alert, the notification LED and vibrating alert; the full monty, so to
speak. Among other important settings we find the ability for the device
to alter one's instant messaging status upon closing and opening the lid,
as well as altering the ports of incoming and outgoing e-mail servers
and support for SMTP authentication. And last, but not least, the benefit
of quickly scheduling e-mail retrieval every 5, 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes
should be needless to explain to road warriors.
Much of the functionality harboured by the neoChat is located under the
Contacts dialog, which contains a list of presently available SMS, E-mail,
Instant Messaging and Other contacts. For instant messaging services and
SMS, contacts are respectively retrieved from the service in use and the
phone book of the currently connected PMG. Other contacts must be manually
entered, and unfortunately can neither be backed up locally nor remotely.
When closed, the neoChat notifies users of new messages through its notification
LED, speaker and vibrating alert
The Messages dialog is naturally also a rather frequently used dialog,
with several views: the Unread view presents all unread messages, be they
E-mail, IM or SMS, while there are also separate views for each to read
all messages of a particular kind - and the functionality of the Drafts
and Outbox views present itself by name.
Functionality among the Contacts and Messages dialogs criss-crosses, allowing
users to quickly add new contacts directly from a received message, or
look up a contact and quickly send them a message by ones method du jour.
Finally, the 'My Status' dialog of the neoChat lets users rapidly alter
their instant messaging status to a variety of pre-defined standards as
well as a custom setting. Coupled with the drop-down menu which is activated
by a quick press to the power on/off button, the neoChat has most bases
covered in terms of quick access to interaction settings. This lets users
toggle sound, vibration and backlight, and naturally also switch the device
off.
Performance
The neoChat unit we received for testing contained a near-final version
of the software, which for the most part worked flawlessly with the exception
of some bugs and minor omissions - all of which have been addressed in
the commercial release, according to IXI Mobile. It did at times appear
sluggish, however, particularly when dealing with animations such as those
accompanying unread e-mail messages in the Inbox and Unread views of the
e-mail application, but overall ran adequately fast.
Navigation also proved very intuitive, however the neoChat lacks in-progress
status indicators for e-mail checking, notifying users only when new e-mail
has arrived. On the upside, progressive downloading is cleverly applied
by default, meaning only a certain number of lines of text are downloaded
initially, pending user requests for additional incrementals. A listed
storage capacity of 300 instant messages has us a tad worried, although
intensive communication during the review period never proved problematic
- nor did GPRS bandwidth usage, which was modest.
With regard to battery life, the neoChat delivers an impressive performance:
powered by a 600 mAh, rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, it keeps going
as if it were a distant cousin of the Duracell bunny and easily lasted
a week with intensive use. This is one of the major benefits of the device,
and fortunately it can also share a charger with the neoFone, reducing
cable clutter when on the go.
Availability
The neoChat NC-10 is expected to be commercially available in Italy in
May, where pricing will be operator dependent and is of yet unknown. However,
IXI Mobile estimates it will typically sell for approximately 50 EUR.
Conclusion
For being a first attempt at a PMG Companion, the neoChat must be said
to be a successful one. It focuses clearly on one specific area - messaging,
and with only minor exceptions performs its assigned tasks marvellously.
Excellent battery life, multiple notification options and always-on IM
and e-mail more than outweigh such minor drawbacks - and with the prospect
of missing functionality being implemented prior to its commercial release,
the neoChat is a bargain at 50 EUR.
What's positive: Broad compatibility;
scheduled e-mail checking; long battery life
What's negative: Unable to synchronize
or backup contacts; Alt, Caps not sticky; sluggish at times
Features: 8/10
Exterior: 5/10
Ergonomics: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Value: 8/10
iSW Score:7.4/10
neoSnap NS-10
While add-on cameras could hardly be described as a new concept, neo's
neoSnap NS-10 is still unique in its very own way: it's the very first
add-on camera that relies on Bluetooth for transmission of images. A PMG
Companion device, the neoSnap works in conjunction with a PMG (Personal
Mobile Gateway) such as the neoFone NF-10, and draws on its WAN capabilities
to upload pictures taken directly to the Internet. So then, how does it
fare?
The neoSnap NS-10 is certainly innovative,
but lacks a few basics that counter an otherwise positive impression
Relatively small and light at 60 g and 7.8 x 5.5 x 2.5 cm, the neoSnap
easily fits into most pockets - although stuffing it into a jeans pocket
might earn you some strange looks along the road. In typical camera fashion,
a viewfinder is located far up on the hind side of the camera, with an
on/off button just below it. This again sits adjacent to the status LCD,
which displays the amount of pictures that can be taken before its local
memory is full; up to 30. On the front, we find the camera lens, unfortunately
without a cover.
Using the neoSnap is - well, a snap, as it requires only a minimal amount
of handling to pair with its PMG. Before users can start snapping pictures,
however, they must register for an account at the myNeo web site, during
which an SMS message with the appropriate configuration is sent to the
PMG to allow for the uploading of pictures to the correct account. Once
completed, users can happily snap pictures in point-and-shoot fashion,
which are immediately uploaded to the myNeo web site for viewing.
This approach to picture-taking has both upsides and downsides. On the
bright side, one has virtually unlimited storage space thanks to the direct
Internet link, while on the other hand one cannot review pictures locally
to choose which ones to upload. Despite the neoSnap's moderate usage of
bandwidth, a method of reviewing pictures locally before uploading would
have been preferred, since, as we all know, one of the major benefits
of digital cameras is the ability to take several shots and pick the ones
one would like to keep. Apply this method to the neoSnap, and you could
quickly find yourself racking up GPRS bills at an uncomfortable pace.
Additionally, although such a feature is planned, it is currently not
possible to retrieve images from the online service to the neoFone neither
for reviewing or inclusion in MMS messages.
Transmission issues aside, pictures taken with the neoSnap are of excellent
quality when compared with other 0.3 megapixel cameras in the market.
It performs best under good lighting conditions, but also does a decent
job under poorly lit conditions despite its lack of a flash light - which
is surprising, given the size of the camera.
Availability
Although not currently commercially available, the neoSnap NS-10 is expected
to be available in Italy in May, where pricing will be operator dependent.
Conclusion
Although larger than most add-on cameras, the neoSnap NS-10 does have
a couple of advantages that makes it an attractive alternative in conjunction
with a PMG such as the neoFone. First, if offers excellent picture quality;
and second, it transfers images directly to an online picture library,
allowing for virtually unlimited storage space. Unfortunately, disadvantages
such as the lack of a flash light and an option to locally review pictures
at any point in time balance out its advantages, resulting in the NS-10
coming across as a slightly better than mediocre camera.
What's positive: Excellent picture
quality; intuitive and user friendly
What's negative: No local review
options; a tad large considering its low resolution
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