When I ask someone who has not used a PDA before; “Why are you not using a PDA?” or “Will you use a PDA?”, some of the most common replies I get are…
A1: “My RM300 phone already has appointment and task built in. So I don’t need a powerful device to do it.”
A2: “I don’t have so many contacts/email to store.”
A3: “I don’t need to set appointments as I am not in sales/marketing line.”
A4: “Expensive!”
A5: “Don’t know how to use.”
Generally, when people think of PDA, they think of only appointments, task and contacts. PDA has evolve so much since the day I started using it. I do not blame them for thinking that way as PDA was mainly used for that purpose 5 to 6 years ago. Palm was so popular back then people generally refer PDA as Palm. How things have changed. I hope to bridge the knowledge gap with the simple slideshow I created below.
Buying a PDA is very much like buying a computer. It is all about what you install into it that makes it worth while.
Recent years, prices of PDA has also come down to a very reasonable range. Did you know that you can get a PDA phone with Bluetooth, WiFi, 2MP camera, GPS with Touch Screen for under RM1,000?
Hint: HTC P3300
Anyway, back to the functions of PDA… Did you know that
you can search through ANY words among your thousands of SMS?
you can sort your SMS like a chat window? Making it easier to reply and read your SMS instead of just Inbox/Outbox.
you can schedule a SMS to be sent tomorrow, next week, next month and even a year later? Never forget a birthday wish!
you can watch youtube movies clips anytime, anywhere?
you can do PUSH EMAIL on Windows Exchange Server? Arguably faster than Blackberry?
I must admit I am very amazed by Samsung effort in improving the Samsung Omnia II! The new UI is just awesome and very pleasant to use which I will come to later in the “Using the Samsung Omnia II” section.
Samsung Omnia II - Box
Samsung Omnia II - Content
Samsung Omnia II comes with the following accessories in the box.
A PVC pouch (with a dedicated hole for the ringer, how thoughtful)
External Stylus
CD and Manuals
Headset/Handsfree
Charger
USB Sync cable
Would be nice if it comes with Screen Protector too!
First Impression
The device looks big but the weight is surprisingly light.
Samsung Omnia II - Top
The most amazing part is when you turn the device on. The very bright, good contrast AMOLED screen spring into life, arguably as nice or even better than the iPhone.
Samsung Omnia II - i8000
The front is pretty straight forward with a call, hangup and “CUBE” button. However, I was hoping the “CUBE” button doubles as a directional pad too.
Samsung Omnia II - Cube Button
Located on the right is the LOCK button, and the UP DOWN button on the left.
Using the Omnia II – i8000
Like I have mentioned before, this Omnia II has gone through lots of changes and updates. This is basically a Windows Mobile device but when you start using it, you don’t really get to see and feel any “Windows mobile” icon. Like the HTC with their HTC Touch Flo 3D, Samsung have their very own Touch Wiz which overlap the boring Windows Mobile interface.
I will attempt to only go through those features which are not found on standard Windows Mobile devices.
1. Widgets
Widgets can be added, removed or relocate at all 3 different “virtual” desktop. You can also customize each “virtual” desktop with their own widget and wallpaper. More widgets can also be downloaded from Samsung website.
2. Programs
Samsung replaced the standard “Start–>Program” screen with their own “Productivity”, “Multimedia”, “Internet” and “Office”.
3. Call Filter
You can now create a call list which you want to pick up or ignore easily right from the Omnia II.
4. Smart Converter
Instead of installing additional software for unit converter, Omnia II has built-in Smart converter.
5. Audio Note
Previously hidden in “Notes”, Omnia 2 now comes with it’s very own Recording software.
6. Smart Memo
I had lots of fun with this app. Simply put, it is a “Paint” software in Omnia. It allows you to change background, insert image and voice note too!
7. Touch Player
This built-in player plays most of the video file format (It supports MPEG4, WMV, DivX, XviD, H.263 and H.264). I do not need to install coreplayer or TCPMP.
8. Midomi
Ever wondered what is the name of the song currently playing in the radio? Guess no more, this neat little app basically records a 10 second music and search through a database for the closes match. I tried 3 times and it was accurate on all 3 attempt.
9. Digital Frame
Not really a “must have” but since it is built-in, I will show you some screen shots of it. Basically, you can set this up to display your photos with time/date. Do not really see how is this useful without a proper docking station.
10. Video Editor
A very powerful application which allow you to import a video file, add text, add sound, cut and duplicate video files.
Perhaps this is the answer to iPhone 3Gs video editor
11. Dice
A simple party game of dice.
12. RSS reader
This RSS reader is an improved version on the standard RSS reader found in most Windows Mobile devices.
13. Podcast
14. Task Switcher
Because Windows mobile is a multi-tasking OS, you can un-unexpectedly open too many application. Hit the “CUBE” button and click on “Task Switcher” and it will bring you to the screen below.
It also comes with a “snapshot” of the task so you can easily recognize it.
15. CUBE
A multi dimentional CUBE where you can access all your most frequently used program. Just use your finger to flick and flip it around.
Personally, I find it quite hard to use. Pressing the quick access button at the bottom is perhaps much faster.
16. Communities
This application allows you to upload or share pictures/video onto 6 different social networking site like Facebook, Flickr, Friendster, MySpace, Photobucket and Picasa.
Other Screen shots
Comparing the Size
Omnia II vs Touch HD vs Touch Diamond 2
Omnia II vs Touch HD vs Touch Diamond 2
Omnia II vs Touch HD vs Touch Diamond 2
Omnia vs Credit Card
Omnia vs iPhone
Sample Photos taken using the Samsung Omnia II (Click to Enlarge)
Emulator
Want to try out the Omnia II before your purchase? you can do it right here!
Conclusion
Pro:
Superb wonderful bright screen
Excellent Camera
Built in many useful software; Namecard reader, call filter, video editor, Midomi…
Built-in Memory (2GB/8GB/16GB)
Very fast processor
Cons:
I would prefer a D-pad at the bottom for easy navigation
Would prefer to have the stylus built-in rather than an external one
Touch Wiz UI not as “smooth” as HTC Touch Flo
Even though it comes with 800Mhz processor, there are times it felt laggy.
Most of the screen shots are specifically for Windows Mobile 6.5.
