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e-Ten glofiish x500+
Price: £315 inc VAT

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Will Head

This review updated: 27/09/2007
Featured in magazine:
Issue 171
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: E-Ten
Web Address: www.glofiish.com


E-Ten's Glofiish X500+ is one of a number of new phones that has built-in Wi-Fi, so you can access fast, low-cost internet connections where available rather than having to rely on pricey, slow GPRS.

E-Ten has also bundled in a GPS receiver with this device, so you'll also be able to get information about your location when you're out and about.

Features:
It would appear that E-Ten's engineers were in a competition to cram as much technology into a mobile phone as possible when they designed the X500+. Not only does it feature Wi-Fi, but there's also a GPS receiver and VGA touchscreen, not to mention Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera and 400MHz processor. It has most features you'd expect from a high-end phone, and although it's a little on the large size at 113 x 59.5 x 15.5mm it's not too big to carry around. One area that's notably lacking, however, is GPS software. You do get a couple of bundled applications – an SMS application that will text your current location to a friend and a basic GPS compass that will show you your orientation and current speed – but there's not mapping or route-planning software included as standard. There are plenty of third-party applications available and the MicroSD slot at the bottom provides room for expansion to install map data, but it's an additional expense you'll need to consider if you want to take full advantage of the GPS functionality.

Performance:
The Windows Mobile 6 interface is reasonably snappy, although sometimes it can be rather ponderous when you ask it to do something complicated. Snaps from the camera were reasonable in daylight and while they won't give a dedicated camera much worry about, they're fine for sending to friends by email. Battery life, however, is a little on the low side. It should keep going all day with light use, but turn on Wi-Fi, and GPS and make some long phone calls and you'll be looking at half a day at best.

Ease of use:
Windows Mobile 6 is reasonable, but it is increasingly looking a bit clunky – especially if you've had the chance to play with Apple's advanced touchscreen interface on the iPhone. It's not that hard to find your way around, but some things can be a little convoluted. The high-resolution screen provides great detail, but at 2.8in it's a little small, which means it's hard to make out some elements at times. The display also has a fairly high rim around it, making it awkward to navigate using just fingers towards the edges.

Value for money:
If you're used to getting free phone upgrades, look away now as there aren't many networks offering the X500+ and it'll set you back £315 without a contract. However, when you consider that you're effectively getting a PDA and a GPS unit (albeit without navigation software) as well as a mobile phone it's not that expensive as a combined package.

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• e-Ten glofiish x500+