Motorola A920 mobile phone

Motorola A920 smartphone is a dual mode cameraphone that offers a choice of being used for 3G services or as a GSM tri-band phone, which makes this a suitable model for global roaming. When the user is outside the range of 3G services the phone automatically switches over to the available GSM network, so that communication can still be maintained. This mobile phone has a large array of features packed within it, including a PDA-like functionality that should appeal to business and power users. The phone comes in a chunky candy bar body and, when compared to some other models, it must be admitted that this is an unusually large and heavy handset to carry around.

Motorola A920There is an impressive list of features to use on the A920, including its GPRS technology, MMS multimedia messaging, two-way video telephony, audio and video recording and streaming, A-GPS location based services, a slot for SD / MMC memory cards, MP3 player, support for Java™ and Symbian platforms, speakerphone for hands-free conversation, voice control, and a full e-mail client service. The phone has the fairly standard 5-way navigation control, where you press the centre button to select an option, and there are two dedicated game keys above the screen, which you can use when playing games in the landscape orientation; there is also a dedicated “3” key that is used to access services from 3. The additional feature of an Aeroplane Mode means that, in situations where phones are prohibited, you can use the personal organiser and entertainment functions while the radio section is switched off.

The phone has a very large colour LCD touchscreen with an impressive 208 x 320 pixels resolution, and this display can reproduce up to 65,536 different colours. Being a touchscreen means that you can use your fingers to operate some of the phone’s commands, however, it is likely that you will make frequent use of the supplied stylus (which fits into a slot in the back of the phone). You can use the stylus to input handwritten text, and the A920 has a handwriting recognition system that turns your writing into printed text, or you have the alternative option of putting a virtual QWERTY keyboard onto the screen, and then using the stylus to select the characters like a normal keyboard.

An essential feature of the A920 is its integrated VGA quality camera (640 x 480 pixels), with which it can take pictures of three different sizes. This camera can take either still pictures or video, and when used in video calling the camera can be rotated through 180 degrees to show the view towards or away from the user. A number of picture editing and special effects are also included. The MMS capability means that you are able to send and receive multimedia messages combining video, pictures, animations and sounds, as well as the usual formatted text.

With its video calling feature, this phone enables you to hold face-to-face two-way video telephone calls with other compatible phones. During video calls the speakerphone turns on automatically so that you do not need to hold the phone to your ear. The phone’s video capability also means that you can capture your own video clips, or download them, and then enjoy a video playback show. Video and audio streaming is another feature that will attract some users, with its support for real time viewing of such content as news and sports coverage.

For those who like to have music on the move the A920 has an integrated MP3 player, and the addition of the memory card slot means that you can carry around as many MP3 tracks as you wish. The only likely problem with the memory cards is that you need to remove the back cover of the phone in order to fit or change the cards. The phone comes supplied with a 32 MB capacity SD card, however the phone is capable of using memory cards up to 256 MB. The memory card can be used to store multimedia files, such as audio clips, video clips, and pictures, etc. Another useful feature when out and about is this phone’s A-GPS position location system, which gives you the chance to use it for a range of location-based services.

Being Java™ and Symbian enabled, the A920 allows you to benefit from a Windows-like operating system, and to have the capability of running an expanding range of games and applications. The games and applications can be downloaded as needed from the Web. In addition, the usual methods to personalise your phone are possible, such as changing the themes, wallpapers, screensavers and logos, and you can download new content when you want a different appearance on the screen. Also included in this phone is a selection of polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, and again, more of these can easily be downloaded when you are looking for a different sound.

The A920 does not support WAP, but it does include GPRS technology and this allows the user to benefit from a faster call set-up, higher data speeds, and an “always on” connection. With the integrated Web browser you have access to the many mobile Internet services now available, so that you are able to check out your favourite information sources for the latest news, sport, entertainment, etc, as well as being able to use the essential services like on-line banking and over-the-air shopping. You can set up a standard Internet account for access to Internet services, and this also provides a full e-mail client service via the standard POP3, IMAP4, SMTP and MIME protocols.

For connectivity you get a desktop cradle to plug the phone into for synchronisation. There are no Bluetooth™ or infrared options available, and so you will have to rely on a wired connection to link up with compatible PCs, PDAs or other phones; however, a USB data cable is supplied with the phone. Having established a connection with a compatible device, it is then a simple matter to exchange files and data and to synchronise your personal information and schedules. This phone also supports remote synchronisation using SyncML.

With its PDA-like functionality there are also a good selection of personal organiser features on the A920, including a Calendar (scheduler), To Do (task organiser), Notes (for text notes and graphical sketches), and Time (world clock with alarms). Other applications can of course be downloaded to meet the more specialist needs of the user.

Motorola A920 phone specification

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Last updated 10th September 2009, 08:33 BST