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A1000 Review. Complete

17 replies · 14,870 views · Started 17 November 2004

Well I've finally recieved the A1000. I've had a cold and fever (if possible) last night, waking up in cold sweats and freezing every half an hour.
Imagine my excitement when I went downstairs and saw the A1000 waiting for me.
Many will know me to always buy the latest phones, in this case, I didn't buy it. What you say? Yes I didn't buy it. Only reason I got it was for the deal.
20 pounds a month for 750 minutes (12 hours) and 150 texts (plus add 5 pounds and get unlimited content and 20 mins video talk. The phone comes free along with a bluetooth headset, three months free insurance, and a memory card.
Can't argue with that now can you?
(PM me and I'll provide the sites)

(I've used Masseurs format since I think it's a good one)

Specs:
28 MB internal memory, Triband, UMTS, Supports Triflash memory cards (up to 256mb at the moment), has two cameras, a VGA and a 1.2 Megapixel camera.
Screen: 65K screen with 'screen blend' (aparantly makes it look like a 75K screen)
System: UIQ 2.1
Sound: Dual Speakers

I apologize if the pictures are a bit blurry. As I said I'm feeling sick.
What you get:
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In the box you get the battery, a dock, a headset (which looks like a doctors stethescope (spell?), a Sync CD, Sync cable, charger, battery cover, plug adapter, and a huge set of manuals.
The CD includes various apps as you find with the P series phone.

Now I put everything together and immediately switched on the phone. One thing I was disappointed with is the fact that I got the grey version and not the glossy balck one. (but who am I to complain? It's free!)

Below are a few pics of the phone.

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Note: You must dial on screen. That's why they've made the numbers big enough.

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Note: The bottom right side holds the stylus. The stylus is extendable which is a great touch! The headphone port is also found on the lower part of the phone.

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Note: You can see the speaker on the side of the phone. There is one on the right and the left.
On top of it (although it's not clear) is a slider. Slide down and hold for power, slide up to lock the phone.

Now judging by the pics, you might say that the phone is too large.
Think again, it's thinner than the P900/P910, I've supplied some example shots.

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Sound Quality on the phone is great. Even more, you can feel a vibration in the phone similar to a steel rod's resinence. The phone just feels like it's built with care!

Video:
Since it's a UIQ phone it'll play virtually any type of media with the right app. On the Box however is the Windows Media logo, which indicates that it should be able to place WMV and WMA files which is a first.

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Thankfully, the Three logo isn't that large and could probably rub off with a bit of Nail polish remover.
The M logo (also the earphone) lights up in a cool blue when the dial function is on, underneath it is a space for the phone's status. (green for signal, red for no signal, rainbow for recieved message etc..)
On the right you can see the VGA camera, for video calls.

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Wow this one is blurry. This picture shows the nice little Joypad styled control, the Three menu button, call and hang up. I also enjoy the cool blue lighting.

The following pictures will look a bit blurred or have a shine to it. I apologize for that.

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The menu is exactly like the P series phones naturally. With the addition to a few apps such as Home, Picsel Viewer and Sync.

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The Home page is great for showing basic information. I enjoy the fact that it can be customized in almost anyway. Kind of makes me wish it was available on a P series phone.
It provides links and basic information which is greatly beneficial to someone on the go.

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Now the Three menu in my opinion is great. It's simple, easy to guide, and is smooth. You can get almost any type of content available, from Comedy skits, to X rated mini movies.
If you notice the browser is in FULL SCREEN. Another feature which I enjoy.

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Messaging is also easy but has a couple of problems. Sadly, you can't write anywhere on the screen as with the P Series phones. What a shame.
Instead you are left with a small box at the bottom to right in. It has an A and B section, what this allows is for you to enter each character in each box back and forth to save time. Rather than waiting for the char to appear.
Another thing is that you have to click on the text button to actually write, it's not a major problem, except for the fact that it takes around 3 seconds to load!

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The picture thumbnails load pretty fast and look nice.
(not as nice as my s700 of course)

Organizer
Exactly as any UIQ system.
Calendar, tasks, notes, alarms, timer, stopwatch, record sound, calculator and code memo
As mentioned previously, there is also any easy SYNC feature.

Phonebook
A basic phonebook that shows the names of the people, no thumbnail though unless someone actually calls.

Settings
Also known as the Control Panel. Anything is accessable. From brightness of the screen to sound quality.
I dont want to go into depth, since as I stated, it is just the P series UIQ.

Pros
Easy to change settings.
Great sound.
Dual Cameras
Well built.
LEDS (we all love LEDS)
Very good size.

Cons
100 MB cap on free content
Not being able to write anywhere.
Slow response on a few sections.
65k (i wish it was more but I'm just being picky)
Can't switch the Transflash without removing the battery.

I like this phone, I really like it. Perhaps because it's free? Perhaps because I'm a gadget freak.

If anyone has any questions please let me know! I'll be happy to answer!

A few sites for ordering include
http://www.simply3g.co.uk
http://www.onestopphoneshop.co.uk
http://www.three.co.uk
http://www.motorola.com

one quick point.
I've had the phone for ONE DAY and it's broken.
Freezes at the start up screen. Motorola have been stupid enough to actually REMOVE the reset button on their latest model as well.
I called the network and they said alot of people have been returning it and that it is a manufacturing fault.
This can only mean a new release is coming out soon.

😮 That sounds bad! Motorola and their phones..... :rolleyes😞only the last 6 months, V600 recalled, Mpx220 recalled, A1000 seems to have serious problems, and maybe I'm even forgetting some)

there is no cover on the screen(P900 is different , it got keypad on it), so is that a problem~~~~~~~

brucelv wrote:there is no cover on the screen(P900 is different , it got keypad on it), so is that a problem~~~~~~~

You have the same with every PDA (and even a bigger screen)...shouldn't be a problem!

Alex

Software and Games can be installed on P800/900's memory card but can not be installed on A925/1000's memory card, I have many software and games but I can't install them all. so can anyone fix that problem???

brucelv wrote:Software and Games can be installed on P800/900's memory card but can not be installed on A925/1000's memory card, I have many software and games but I can't install them all. so can anyone fix that problem???

Do you really have so many programs you want to run? 20 MByte of free space should be enough for most users. Most programs are smaller than 500 KByte, it shouldn't be a problem to install 40 - 50 programs. And large things like the scumm-files can be copied to the memory card, so you don't have to block your internal memory with such games...I've installed all the things I need and still have 12 MByte left...(but a navigation software could be a problem, they must develop a way to install the map on the memory card).

Bye,

Alex

great to see a 'personal' review!! hope you get well soon.. 😊

the main thing I would like to know, is what is the possibilty of changing *all* the ringtones?? ( incoming call, batt warning, service tones, SMS sent/recieved/verified.... ) and can these be MP3 etc...

I currently have a t630, and now *everyone* seems to have one... so I definately need something new.. main irritations are very limited SMS tones, and 5 keys icons that the same thing, get the 'net!! - and the cancel button is in the same place as the 'net button! (though I think thats 'branding' - I'm buying 'off-contract' next!

that brings me to the other question, how easy would it be to put a diferent SIM in, and expect it to work?? yeah, the salesman didn't think it would work, when I got the t630, but it did!!!

I was thinking about the P910, but I'm still worried about thew low res camera, and other sony 'quirks', as above...

I'd be glad for your personal input - thanks!

Well to answer a few questions.
I'm told the phone can be unlocked to work with any sim.
That means it's not restricted to USIMs only.

It does support MP3 ringtones, but I wouldn't know to what extent as I've had to have the phone replaced (i installed a bad program HandyDay 2004)

The camera is alright if you're going to scale down afterwards.
In low light, the pics are crap, but Nightmode helps.

If you're going to get the phone, get it because of the deal. Otherwise, wait for a P1000.

coldwave87 wrote:How about internet browser, I heard that you can not use the internet browser, is that true?

Three customer: You can us the web browser to view any of the pages three allows you on. This is restricted ( 99% of the time ) to three services and their content ( movie downloads / ringtones etc ). You wont be able to get online to google or any normally accesible web based site.

Non-Three customer: The browser again doesn't hinder internet viewing, it will be the service provider, so ask them.

Hope that helped,

Mitch.

amnesia wrote:one quick point.
I've had the phone for ONE DAY and it's broken.
Freezes at the start up screen. Motorola have been stupid enough to actually REMOVE the reset button on their latest model as well.
I called the network and they said alot of people have been returning it and that it is a manufacturing fault.
This can only mean a new release is coming out soon.

Hi,

What software version is your A1000?

I got one to but it is working fine.

G

Fujikarnak wrote:Hi,

What software version is your A1000?

I got one to but it is working fine.

G

How to check the firmware version on the A1000?

I've recently have some problem with the touch screen, it's either jammed during the start up(when u are about to enter ur pin for the sim card) or the touch screen does not respond to where u click it always go some where else. I've tried calibrating it but always give me the msg saying that "too far from point 1" even if that is successful it will be give me problem again after 1 -2 hours.

I've also tried master reset but it is the same, the problem come back after 1-2 hours.

Anyone know wat is wrong with my phone?

hai thanks for ur interesting preview of A1000
i got one unit of it las week but there is sumthin wrong wif my os now my A1000 jus hang there cant even use it.........
how can i format it?
pls i reli need sum help here... :con?
thanks a million