Having practically worn out my Creative Zen nano+ mp3 player and getting a little tired of my Nokia 3100 mobile phone I decided to have a change .
Whilst perusing the city centre shops , one item caught my eye , the Benq-Siemens E61 mobile phone , given a huge amount of window space heralding its new arrival .
Benq are well known outside the mobile telephone market , but have teamed up with Siemens in an attempt to break into it . All current phones have been designed by Benq and once established lose the Siems name.
So what did it catch my eye , well for starters the colour scheme , orange and black ( just like my old 8k Oric Atmos circa 1982 ) , secondly it is a mobile phone with built-in MP3 player , so hey two uses in one !
With an introductory price of £89.99 ( normal retail price £119 ) , it seemed a bargain , so off I went to buy . I was presently surprised to get an additional £10.00 of free credit included because I was an existing Virgin mobile customer , who wanted to keep his existing number.
Currently this phone is only available on Virgin and T-mobile , but should soon be available to other networks ( or you could simply get it unlocked ) . There is also a silver / white version about to be made available.
*- Technical Info first -*
Tri Band GSM ( 900 , 800 & 1900 MHz ) 88g weight 101 * 44 * 17 mm ( L * W * H ) , 17mm depth at top , 13 mm depth at base ( classical bar shape ) . Non interchangeable covers . 1 MB internal memory 512 MB mini SD expansion card - can replace with up to 1 GB. 840 mAh Li-Ion battery - 215 hrs stand-by time ; 200 min talk time / MP3 use . 1.8" TFT screen , 128 * 60 resolution - 65536 colours Built-in 1.3 MP camera with 2/4* zoom. , max resolution 640 * 480 pixels WML ( WAP ) internet browser ; GPRS data transfer SMS, MMS messaging
*- In The Box -*
Handset ; battery ; Stereo headset ; charger ; comprehensive easy to understand user guide ; neck strap ; 512Mb mini SD card ; USB data cable.
*- Built-in Applications -*
Large selection of ringer / message tones Screensaver 2 Games - Java compatible : Currently not possible to download further ring tones ( awaiting compatible variations ) or additional screensavers , you can however install additional games ( on the expansion card ) and MP3 tracks ( which can be assigned as ring tones ) .
Full call logging ( received , made , missed ) SMS / MMS messaging . Other call services ( available if your network provides them ) - wait/hold ; timer and cost ; conference , forward .
*- Other bits and Bobs -*
Full featured address book and organiser . MP3 / AAC / AAC+ audio playback , using built-in media layer software application .
*- In Use : PHONE -*
Now I don't want to bother you with junk information . If you've used a Nokia , Siemens , Sony Eriksson etc. phone , then using this will be a doddle, as the majority of functions are the same. Therefore I list the main points of interest : Screen - crystal clear , easy to read even the smallest text. During a phone call you can use the upper MP3 volume buttons to adjust the set volume . Menu navigation is simple - even I could do it , with good descriptions and of highlighted section and good use of sub menu's. SMS normally a phone will allow you to send a SMS text message that is upto 160 characters in length . Some allow you to enter 320 characters and send the message in two bits that are then joined up at the recipients end. The E61 , while still only allowing an SMS maximum length of 160 characters , which it calls a packet , allows you compose a message of up to nine packets ( 9 * 160 = 1450 characters ) , with each packet being sent as a separate message , but joined at the receiving end. SMS can be entered via multi-tap key , T9 predictive text and numeric . Once composed you highlight who you want it sent to which can be any number of persons. Future ready telephone functions , that can be implemented when service providers introduce them include ; dual SIM ; making a second call ( placing existing on hold ) ; call waiting ; conference calls ( including hold / unhold / swap / transfer / join ) . Telephone numbers can be saved to either SIM card or phone memory . When saving to SIM you can supply contact name , contacts phone number and select a caller group type . When saving to phone you save the following information : name ; mobile no. ; home no. ; caller group ; office no. ; home address ; office address ; company name ; contacts dept. name ; company position ; a note ; special day ; preset an incoming call ring id ; set an image id tag . The camera has three settings , namely 640 * 480 ; 320 * 240 ; 128 * 160 ( wallpaper ) pixels ; Only with the latter two can the zoom function be used ( 2* / 4* ) . All modes have single or multi-shot ( 4 or 9 ) shooting mode although 640 * 480 mode does not support 9 * multi-shot . Captured pictures can be saved Mini SD or phone memory , and are easily accessible via the menu . Other options within this function include creating of folders for your photo's , slideshow , protect , rename , photo detail . Overall easy to use and practical . Volume levels for preset ring tones are good and loud , however I have noticed that MP3 files used as ring tones seem to be quieter !
*- In Use : MP3 -*
DOWNLOADING :
You have two options with regards downloading MP3 files , namely www or direct computer link , using the supplied USB data cable. Uninterested in paying additional costs plus time constraints regarding browser downloads , I only use the computer option - the tracks I want are not generally available from www sites. Plugging in the USB cable and connecting to the computer results in the plug and play software within Windows finding the removable hard disc , ie. mini SD card . It is then simply a case of drag and drop of files. These can be individual or grouped in a folder .
PLAYING :
Tracks can then be played randomly ( single tracks , all tracks , tracks within a folder only ) or sequentially ( in order of placement ( all tracks , tracks within folder )) .Whilst in use you can select the standard screen , which shows track , time , etc. , or have visualisation screen ( similar to Microsoft media player ) , or you can minimise all and have your normal phone screen . Accessing tracks is via the upper MP3 buttons , which allow for play , pause , FF , RW , Forward and Back functions , plus volume up/down control . Alternatively you can you your menu access keys , for which a screen map is shown.
LISTENING :
Listening can be done via the built-in phone speaker - however this method is not recommended on the move as volume is not that loud . For best results using the built-in speaker , place the phone on a flat surface , which will produce a better sound . Alternatively you can use the supplied stereo headphones. These are in-ear type . Now I have as a rule found in-ear type headphones uncomfortable to use for an length of time , these however were still comfortable after several hours use . Sound from these lacks a little bass , but overall I am very impressed with the sound quality . Whilst in use , should you receive a telephone call , the phone reverts to hands free use , via the microphone found on the headphones , with MP3 in suspension mode until the end of the call . Now the bad point - at present you cannot purchase replacement headphones . They use a non standard jack , so take care of them . Benq-Siemens , so I have been informed , are soon to make available replacements , plus an adaptor which will allow you to use your own headphones ( these would however probably not have a built-in microphone , thus stopping hands free use ! ) . Bear this in mind before deciding to purchase. Selecting the option key , when in play mode will give you access to the equaliser function , where six preset choices are available , namely Flat , Bass , Rock , Pop , Jazz and Classic
*- Overview -*
A simple to use phone , good MP3 player , adequate camera , but lacking Bluetooth / infrared . Rugged but make use of screen protector film . Not cutting edge , but well worth the money. Just hope the headphone replacements become available soon.
