Review

Created: July, 2000

Neopoint 1000 mobile phone

By Mike Oliveira, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate

Almost everyone has a cell phone these days. But you can be one of the first on your block to have the NeoPoint 1000 -- one of the new generation of cell phones capable of not only making phone calls but also serving as a PDA (personal digital assistant) and able to receive e-mail and surf the Web.

This cell phone will make your colleagues drool. With its sleek chrome case, light 5.5-ounce weight and a screen that's easily double the size of conventional cell phones, this phone is impressive in every way -- even before you turn it on.
Once powered on, it greets you with a fully customizable menu where you can see your phone's name, your phone number, four hot keys for quick access to the phone's different features and upcoming appointments.

A big time-saver is the NeoPoint 1000's ability to connect to your computer and grab information from Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Organizer, ACT! or the IS Mobile Desktop that comes with the phone.

You don't have to interface with a computer to enter all your information on your phone but if you can, you will want to. Anyone who has tried to type even a few words on most phone keypads will bless this utility. With one connection to the computer's COM port, all it takes is a few clicks to transfer all your contacts, appointments and to-do assignments onto your cell phone.

The NeoPoint 1000 not only overcomes much of this drawback by allowing you to transfer existing data, but makes typing on the phone easier with the new T9 (text for 9 keys) mode. An internal database of words will guess what you're trying to spell so you don't spend minutes just trying to type your name. It's a great system that works.

That brings us to the NeoPoint 1000's strongest selling point: the ability to type and send e-mail and access the Web. Once you're able to get e-mail on your phone you'll never want to go back. The screen won't be able to display most messages without scrolling, but that's because the print is large enough to read easily.

Surfing some Web sites will be difficult because most weren't designed to be viewed on a two-inch, text-only screen. Results are hit and miss, some pages will be completely unreadable while others, designed specifically for cell phone users, will be fine. Your service provider should supply you with a menu or list of compatible Web sites.

You can't read or reply to e-mail off line, so the clock is always ticking. Unless your air time plan has an unlimited number of minutes, you'll probably want to read mail and reply later.
Battery time is somewhat limited because the NeoPoint 1000 does a whole lot more than your old cell phone. You'll get 2.5 hours of talk time and 40 hours stand-by between charges. An extended battery is available to double both of those figures.

The NeoPoint 1000 is a must have for anyone with tech fetish who must have all the latest, coolest toys. You can even program this phone to call friends or log onto the Internet with a voice command.

The biggest drawback is the price. Not just the phone's cost but the bills you're likely to incur if you start checking your e-mail every five minutes and monitoring your stock prices like a day trader.

If you're willing to take the plunge, make sure your cell phone service provider is capable of all the options you'll want to use.

If the cost is still a bit rich for your blood, hang in there. Rest assured, it'll be only a matter of time before the technology grows, the cost drops and everyone is checking their e-mail on the go.

Reviewer's rating: 4.5 / 5

Comments: The NeoPoint 1000 cell phone will make all around you stare in envy. Check your e-mail, stock quotes, surf the Web, keep appointments and of course, make phone calls. The drawbacks are an expensive price tag, a big cellular service bill and low battery time.

More info: http://www.neopoint.com

Price: $299.99 US, $449.95 Canadian