Sprint PPC 6700 (Sprint)

This compact, feature-packed PDA phone runs Windows Mobile 5 and sports a slide-out text keyboard, and triple radios: CDMA EV-DO, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Other key features include a 1.3 megapixel camera with video capture, miniSD card slot, touch screen, speakerphone, and the full suite of Windows Mobile software.

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.