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Amstrad e-m@iler plus
Price: £30

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Andrew Craig

This review updated: 20/03/2002
Featured in magazine:
Issue 24, page 14
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: Amstrad
Tel: 01277 208811
Web Address: www.amstrad.com


Amstrad has upgraded its e-m@iler device, adding web access, mobile text messaging and ZX Spectrum games to its already impressive array of functions. Amstrad is aiming its £30 wonder at gadget enthusiasts and those who want basic internet and email access without a computer.

Email is the key feature of this phone, enhanced by the fact you can send and receive simple graphic images and send short voice-message attachments. The phone can automatically check for email if you have Caller ID on your line. It will also send text messages to mobile phones but, rather annoyingly, it can't receive them. The device offers full access to web and Wap sites, including some pre-selected sites that suit the phone's small screen. It has a digital answer phone and a built-in address book with room for 700 contacts.

Web browsing on the e-m@iler plus is not an enjoyable experience. While we found the 56Kbps modem offered quick access, most pages were squashed into the small monochrome screen making them difficult to read. There's no mouse either, making navigation difficult. Some websites couldn't be viewed at all, and audio streams, Shockwave and other added extras didn't work. Email is easy to use, although we found the tiny keyboard a bit awkward. Downloading a game took less than a minute and played just like the ZX Spectrum original, although the small keys again made it tricky and the monochrome screen doesn't even do justice to those old Speccy graphics.

The manual warns that you have no chance of setting up the e-m@iler without reading it first – and it's right. With 121 buttons and two keyboards, finding your way around the device takes time and patience. Once we completed the 10-minute registration with Amstrad's email service (you cannot use your existing email provider), sending and receiving email took less than 20 seconds. Getting on the web was simple and you can change your homepage, privacy and cookie settings, but irritatingly it doesn't check for new email while you are on connected.

The e-m@iler plus gives you a lot of features for your £30 and provides an affordable extra for people with a computer, or a cheap introduction to email for those without. Sending text messages and email costs 12 pence every time you dial up, plus local call charges for the time you spend connected. This is similar to mobile phone text message charges, but more expensive than emailing from your computer. Downloaded Spectrum games cost 12 pence for an hour or 50 pence for 3 days, which is OK but could add up when you get hooked on Chuckie Egg all over again.

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