Sony XNV-770BT 7-Inch WVGA In-Dash A/V Receiver with Bluetooth, USB, Satellite/HD radio ready, and Integrated Navigation from TomTom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)------------------------Quick Review---------------------------
For the quick and dirty review on this stereo, here's my thoughts. It's pricey, but it's an awesome unit. Satellite radio works great, and the navigation works great. I used to be a Garmin user but recently switched to TomTom because I've found the maps to be more up-to-date and I like the IQ Route feature (see below). I still have an old Garmin though and I get plenty of use out of it. The screen does tilt to allow for better viewing, I love that, and the removable navigation module is pure genius. However, one big thing that I absolutely do not like is that the navigation module only comes with the maps of the US and Canada, and you CAN'T buy and add European maps to it. This is a problem for me as I ship my car overseas. See below for the workaround if this is an issue for you. TomTom also only gives you 12 months of map updates, which is a bad call. Being that this is one of their flagship GPS units, it should be a lifetime update like they offer on some of their other models. There are a lot of additional costs associated with this stereo depending on what accessories you want to add to it: satellite radio/HD radio/rear view camera/steering wheel control. The rear view camera option is GREAT, but they don't even advertise that unless you dig deep into the manual.
Also, they are not clear at all in the manual about what you need to buy in order to add the optional features, so I've included the part numbers in the review below. If a remote control is important to you, I think the button layout they've chosen is terrible.
Overall, it's an excellent, solid stereo, with great navigation, but shame on Sony and TomTom for not giving lifetime map updates or the ability to add new maps. I honestly think that the better deal is the 660 model, which costs hundreds less and is only different in 2 ways... The screen is just a little bit smaller, but it's because they've included a volume control KNOB that is much easer to use than the volume control BUTTONS on the 770. Other than that, the two units are identical. For me this stereo is 4 stars, but I would imagine that for most folks it'd be a solid 5. You'll be happy with it even though it does have a few shortcomings on the GPS side.
---------------------------------------Full Review---------------------------------------
Touch Screen Interface/Menu:
The interface is very simple and user friendly. When you bring up the interface you can choose from Navigation, AV Source, and BT Phone (bluetooth). If you get busy and don't touch anything on the screen, the menu will go back to what you were previously looking at. There are 6 radio station preset buttons. If you want, you can choose to show navigation AND your A/V source on the screen at the same time (very cool), and can even choose where the additional window will appear on the display. Lastly, you can adjust the angle of the screen so you're not always have to touch it at a 90-degree angle; this feature is really nice. It also has day/night/auto settings.
Remote control:
The remote control is small and nice, but what I do not like about it is the location of the volume control. If you're holding it in your right hand, the volume control buttons are on the bottom right of the remote. Essentially, they are in the absolute worst place possible for being able to hit them easily while holding the remote with one hand. Whoever designed the button layout simply did not have a brain. However, I imagine that not many people will use the remote, so it's probably not a big deal for most folks.
SenseMe:
With this feature you can tell the stereo how you're driving, i.e. Chill out, freeway, etc, and it will choose songs for your mood. In order to use this feature, you'll need to get your USB Device (iPod or whatever) and then plug it into your home computer and set it up with some software. After that, you'll be good-to-go. It works pretty well and more than anything, it's just fun to do; I love it.
DVD player:
It works great, but a DVD player in the front seat? I can't see that as something I'd ever use, and here's why... Sure, it's nice to have a DVD player in the car, but I know in nearly every state, it's illegal for the driver to have a video display device operating and in view while driving. I know most installers will not setup the DVD player in the front seats to operate while the vehicle is in motion, so just know the law in your state and take care. I suppose you could make some sort of "blind" so your front seat passenger could watch a DVD while you can't see it, that would work...
Volume Control:
It's nice to see that Sony offers this stereo with either the volume control KNOB or the volume control BUTTONS. The most used feature of a radio is without-a-doubt, the volume control, and on this model (the 770), the volume control is 2 small buttons side-by-side on the bottom left of the face. On the 660 model, the volume control is the circular knob on the left side of the face. Although the 7" face is more sleek looking than the 6.1" face, you give up a lot when it comes to functionality in my opinion. It's just so much easier and faster to be able to turn the knob on the 660 than to push the 2 buttons on the more expensive 770 model. It's also much easier and faster to use the knob when you're not looking at the stereo and want to keep your eyes on the road. Make your own decision here, but just realize, if you want the more functional knob on the 660, you also get to pay a good bit less; it's a double bonus. Also, the difference in screen size may sound like a lot (7" vs. 6.1"), but it's not that noticeable. FYI, the screen is measured diagonally.
iPod/USB/iPhone:
It's specifically made for the iPod and iPhone and you can connect your iPod (or another USB Device) by an optional USB cable and control it through the receiver, and you can also connect your iPhone via Bluetooth. You can connect other bluetooth-enabled phones, but depending on the phone, you may have limited functionality.
GPS:
One feature I LOVE on the TomTom is that it does IQ Routes. It calculates the most efficient path of travel depending on the time of day and on traffic, because the shortest route is not always the fastest. TomTom has had this feature for a while so most of the bugs have been worked out of it. This is a feature that you can't find on a Garmin, and it works really well. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the lane assist feature. No more wondering what the upcoming freeway junction is going to look like and having to do a quick lane change at the last second. One thing that we all know is that sometimes, map data is wrong. Well, TomTom now lets you do something about that. There's a feature that lets you correct it now and even upload the correction to the TomTom community. You can also get map corrections from other users when you connect the navigation module to your home computer. It's very cool, and is an awesome feature. There's even a feature that lets you add the locations of speed cameras into your navigation unit, and then you can even report the location of the camera to the Tomtom community of users.
The GPS view is very clean and can show a 3D view or a top-down view. The 3 touch screen buttons on the bottom of the screen show speed, volume, and route info/time. On the TomTom you can navigate to a point on a map, whereas on a GPS like the Garmin, you need to have an address; this is a nice feature to have. Also, you can modify the GPS display that is shown when you're driving; another GREAT feature.
The Navigation Module/GPS Map Data:
The navigation module is about the size of a cell phone and holds all the map data for the GPS. It can be disconnected from a housing unit and brought into your house so you can connect it to your home computer to update maps, load destinations, trips, etc... It connects to the car stereo via a housing unit that most folks will store in either the glove compartment or another easily-accessed compartment. You are given the maps for the U.S. and Canada. Unfortunately, you are only given 12 months of map updates, which, considering the cost of this stereo, is simply absurd. TomTom offers lifetime map updates on some of their other GPS products, so I have no idea why they didn't do that here. Also, if you want to add other maps, like Europe, TomTom DOES NOT allow you to do that. This could be a big problem for folks like State Dept employees, or Military Personnel who ship their vehicles overseas. There is a difficult workaround though... When you get to your destination in Europe, call the Sony support number for the country you're in and buy the European Navigation Module, then just swap it out with your U.S. Navigation Module. It's a terrible way to have to do it, but it's the only way I've found to make it work. TomTom customer support told me that they had received numerous calls about this issue so hopefully they'll change this. In the meantime, this may help you if you're one of the few in this situation:
When you call Sony Europe, you'll need to give them the European model number for your stereo, which is XNV-L770BT (all they did was add the L)
For your information, the part #'s for the different navigation modules are below. Also, Sony USA can not send you the modules for Europe; you must call Sony Europe.
148925611 - U.S. Navigation Module
148925621 - U.K./Ireland Navigation Module
148925631 - European Navigation Module
----------------------------Optional Accessories & Part Numbers--------------------------------
Rear View Camera:
The part number is XA-R800C.
Satellite...Read more›

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The Sony XNV-770BT A/V Receiver with Navigation delivers incredible audio and video picture quality, with integrated navigation from TomTom. With the most accurate maps and over 1 million more miles of road in the US than others, plus features like USB 1-Wire connections and Bluetooth technology, you're ready for the road trip of a lifetime--not to mention your daily commute.


Incredible Audio/Video Picture Quality
7-Inch Touchscreen Display The high-resolution TFT (WVGA) 7-inch touchscreen display that will inform and entertain you, making everything easier to control with gesture command and on-screen touch buttons. Separate audio and video power supply circuits provide added clarity.

USB 1-Wire Connectivity Connect, charge, and control your iPod, iPhone, Walkman player or other compatible USB devices via the USB 1-Wire on the rear of the unit. You can also view metadata like song title and artist on the front display.

Integrated Bluetooth Technology Taking calls and enjoying streaming audio has never been easier with the XNV-770BT A/V Receiver with Navigation featuring Bluetooth technology. Connect compatible devices and easily choose between Hands Free and Phone Book Access or Audio Streaming.

Plays DVDs/CDs and Digital Files The XNV-770BT A/V Receiver with Navigation accepts just about every digital format you'd want on the road. The XNV-770BT can playback CD or DVD and MP3/WMA/AAC/JPEG/MP4 (Simple Profile) CODEC files.

Satellite Radio/HD Radio Ready The XNV-770BT integrates seamlessly with Satellite Radio and HD Radio using Sony Bus adaptors so you can receive digital satellite radio or HD Radio broadcasts.

Advanced Sound Engine With EQ7 The Advanced Sound Engine uses EQ7 equalizer, adjustable LPF/HPF crossovers, Listener Position calibration, DM+ advanced sound restoration, Rear Bass Enhancer, and Center Stage Optimizer to create an ideal in-car listening environment.

Integrated Navigation from TomTom The Sony XNV-770BT A/V Receiver with Navigation features TomTom navigation and delivers incredible audio and video picture quality. TomTom is the only company to incorporate real world, real-time feedback, providing the most accurate maps available. Preloaded Maps of US and Canada TomTom navigation provides the most accurate maps with over 1 million more miles of road in the US than other GPS brands.One Year Free Map Updates Ensuring that the digital map content remains completely up-to-date. Included in the box provides 4 verified US and Canada map updates for the first year.TomTom Home Software TomTom Home makes it easy to get new software, download new maps, access free content and more. Simply bring the exclusively designed TomTom Navigation Module from your car and connect to your computer via USB.IQ RoutesTomTom IQ Routes Technology puts the driving experience of millions of TomTom users into your maps to shave time off even the shortest trips. Calculates the fastest route possible based on time of day. With TomTom IQ Routes you'll always drive the smartest, most efficient route. IQ Routes saves you time, fuel and money.
Traffic isn't the same during Monday morning rush hour as it is on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Heavy traffic, rotaries, traffic lights, and even pedestrians can slow you down. The route you need changes depending on the day and time, so the shortest route isn't necessarily going to be the fastest. With TomTom IQ Routes you'll always drive the fastest route.

Advanced Lane Guidance* TomTom Advanced Lane Guidance gives you extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions by showing you which lane to take, so you won't miss your turn or have to make sudden, dangerous lane crossings. Photorealistic images and a pulsing green arrow indicate exactly which lane to use, so you can go confidently.

Spoken Street Names When driving to your destination, the XNV-770BT will announce turn-by-turn directions, including street and place names.

6 Million Points of Interest Preloaded with the locations of millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and more.

QuickGPSfix GPS data that predicts satellite positions and enables quicker GPS pick-up. Faster satellite pick-up means quicker start to the journey.

Help Me! Emergency Resources Menu Comprehensive Help Me! menu to assist in any emergency. Quickly obtain address information to the nearest help location (hospital, police station, etc.). First aid guide also provides info on what to do if an accident occurs.

*Feature only available in the US and Canada

What's in the Box
Sony XNV-770BT A/V Receiver with Navigation, RM-X170 Wireless Remote, CD-ROM (Application Disc), Installation Hardware, Microphone, Navigation Module, User's Manual, Installation Manual

About TomTom Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high quality products and services.
TomTom is the world's leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further our commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so we can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.

We have our own mapping company! Did you know that every year roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world's most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage--more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.

Why TomTom? At TomTom, we believe that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. We develop smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.

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Pioneer AVH-P3200DVD In-Dash Double-DIN DVD Multimedia AV Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My jensing stock car stereo died, so I figured that it was best to get a new one. If you want double din dash, this is the one to get! I dont know why people still buy the 3100 version, probably because they haven't heard of this one. I almost got that one too, but I accidentally clicked on this one, and boy am I glad I did! The 3100 doesn't have a SD card slot, which this one (avh p3200dvd) does! I dont use the bluetooth feature, nor do I plan to watch movies on it. I was actually looking at the fh-p8000bt, but I wanted a DVD MP3 feature. For an extra $50, it was worth it to upgrade to this one because you will get a LCD TOUCH screen, a USB, Aux inputs, DVD playability, AND an SD card slot.
Pros:
The price/feature ratio is a steal! Cheap with superb high-end sound; they don't skim on the audio just because it plays DVD's... in fact, it sounds better than my factory jensing which already sounded nice. Also since it's DVD, it can play my entire music collection. Yes, my mp3 collection doesn't even fill up a DVD but hey, I'm very picky of what I listen to.
Touchscreen LCD is very easy to use. Navigation is easy once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. The software is very smooth and doesn't hiccup or freeze.
It has lots of preset led colors to suit your style; This feature wasn't important for me, but it's still nice to have. DVD readability is nice, although i dont ever plan to use it for movies...driving and watching movies is taboo.
I can upgrade it to have a navigation system whenever I want.
The USB slot is a great alternative source for music. It is also very compatible with the ipod, and I also heard Zune, but why use an Ipod when I would rather use the deck?
The SD card slot is a feature only in the 3200, not the 3100. This is a plus because I dont want to accidentally kick my usb drive and break my dash. The SD card slides right in and gets out of your way. Also another great alternative source for music.
It looks simply beautiful. I stare at it for 5 minutes every time I get into my car.
Now for the cons:
No theft deterrent. Not too big a deal for me. If a thief wants it, he'll get it no matter what system you have. Besides, I have a car alarm. I dont think I wanna carry around a large faceplate with me whever I go anyway.
No bluetooth. Okay, so I hear that people complain that even cheap $100 stereos gets bluetooth, but for this system its a $100 addon. but do the other cheap stereos have dvd/mp3 playability? usb/sd card slots? touchscreen lcd? I dont think so. Also, I dont believe in talking while driving so it works out for me.
No HD radio. People also complain that HD radio is a freebie on even $100 stereos. I dont know what I'm missing out on because I've never had HD radio. Nor do I listen to the radio much, they just play crap most of the time anyway.
Wow Pioneer blew me away with the features/price ratio. You can't find any other system with all these features for this price. Not only that, but the quality and craftsmanship of this product is superb.

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Get your media on the road with Pioneer's AVH-P3200DVD, an in-dash double-DIN DVD Multimedia AV Receiver with 5.8-inch widescreen display. With versatile music and video playback, modern features like USB Direct Control and DivX support, a built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier, and plenty of expansion options, it's the perfect way to turn your vehicle into a mobile entertainment center.


AVH-P3200DVD Features
5.8-Inch Touchscreen Display The AVH-P3200DVD boasts a 5.8-inch TFT LCD touchscreen display with 1440 x 240 pixel resolution. Navigating your media and system settings from the touchscreen is a breeze thanks to intuitive touch controls and customizable menus. Tap, Swipe or Drag--exactly the way you expect a touchscreen device to work.
Versatile Multimedia Playback Enjoy your favorite DVDs while parked with the full-featured DVD player, or add a back seat screen for your passengers to watch as you drive. The AVH-P3200DVD will play DVDs, DVD-Rs, Video CDs and even DivX files burnt to CD or DVD (or from a USB device). You can also use the rear A/V input to attach external devices like video game systems.
As for music, you can enjoy your favorite CDs, or listen to MP3/WMA/AAC files from either CD/DVD data discs or a USB device.
USB Input / SD Memory Card Slot Connect USB thumb drives or other devices and enjoy playback of your digital audio files or DivX video. Ditto for SD memory cards. This makes it a breeze to quickly grab some media from your computer before a big road trip, and enjoy hours of entertainment on the road.
iPod Direct Control (CD-IU50V required) Connect your iPod directly and experience exceptional sound quality while easily navigating through music, videos and album art on the AVH-P3200DVD's screen. Say goodbye to the annoying static of FM transmitters and other iPod half-solutions.
Advanced Sound Retriever Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files stored on USB memory device, iPod and portable digital players. By restoring data (especially higher frequencies) that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever technology enhances audio reproduction nearly all the way up to 20 kHz frequencies.
Supertuner IIID AM/FM Tuner Pioneer's legendary Supertuner IIID combines the best of digital and analog tuner technologies to reduce distortion to bring you exceptional FM and AM performance. If you live in an area where reception is weak, you'll hear a big improvement in signal strength. And when you're near tall buildings, Supertuner IIID reduces the effect of multi-path noise, which occurs when the signal is reflecting off of the buildings.
Always have your favorite stations at hand with 18 FM and 6 AM user presets. And when you're somewhere new, let the tuner do the work for you by activating the Best Stations Memory (BSM) function. The tuner will seek out the 6 strongest stations in the area and set them into the tuner presets.
Dial in Your Sound Use and customize EQ curves, adjust the eight-band parametric equalizer, or change loudness and bass boost settings to get the perfect sound.
AUX-In Connection Use the built-in AUX input for connecting any digital portable player and other external auxiliary devices. For extra-convenient access, the AVH-P3200DVD has this A/V input on the front panel.
MOSFET 50W x4 Amplifier for the Power Hungry Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, delivering power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. And that doesn't just mean a boost in volume: it means that your music will be cleaner at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit. Clean, efficient power that will rock your vehicle.
For those who'd like a bit more power, three 4V RCA preamp outputs are also included for system expansion (front/rear/sub).
Available Bluetooth Wireless Technology Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Adapter and Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones for easy, safe, and hands-free operation, including talking via the headunit's microphone and your vehicle's speaker system. The system automatically mutes any other audio during incoming or outgoing calls.
Rear View Camera Capability Keep an eye on your backside using the optional Rear View Camera (ND-BC2 or ND-BC20PA): while you're in reverse the rear-view camera can be in full screen.An unit equipped with the optional rear-view camera adds a level of safety and assurance you can rely on.In addition to keeping you and your family safe, this feature also makes maneuvering in tight spaces easier.
Ready to Expand The AVH-P3200DVD is also compatible with Pioneer's XM and Sirius satellite radio tuners, HD radio tuner, TV tuner, CD/DVD changers and more.
AVH-P3200DVD Basic Specs

What's in the Box Pioneer AVH-P3200DVD Receiver, Wiring Harness, Installation Hardware, Owner's Manual

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Pioneer AVIC-X920BT 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback, Built-In Bluetooth and Widescreen Display Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For the new flagship from Pioneer, I'm very disappointed in the navigation. The deck has great sound quality, and great iPod integration, complete with album art and the ability to quickly browse artists or songs, even with 6000 plus songs on your iPod. The NAV system is useless and a real disappointment. A 2 year old $100 Garmin stand alone GPS performs light years ahead of this. I actually just came back from a 3 state road trip using both a $100 Garmin and this Pioneer. Four times on the trip, the Garmin said turn left, and the Pioneer said "turn right". The Garmin was correct with the short and faster path all 4 times. Every trip I've used the Pioneer with has the estimated arrival time about two hours later than actual arrival time, and it doesn't adjust until the final few miles of the trip. Completely inaccurate, bad directions, no speedometer. I could go on, but suffice it to say it's BAD BAD BAD. I'll probably be selling this one on eBay when someone finally comes out with a good iPOD interface AND good nav systems.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer AVIC-X920BT 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback, Built-In Bluetooth and Widescreen Display

Pioneer's double-DIN AVIC-X920BT integrates sophisticated navigation capabilities with groundbreaking features, including a revolutionary 3D touch slide interface, Pioneer MusicSphere and ECO Graph. In addition, the AVIC-X920BT features 4 GB of Flash memory, a large 6.1-inch WVGA touchscreen display, a 3D graphics accelerator, DVD playback, built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, USB and iPod/iPhone connectivity, a microSD card slot, back-up camera input, and more.

Enjoy All Kinds of Media The AVIC-X920BT offers audio and video playback from the most popular formats. Whether you're enjoying DivX files on DVD, MP3 audio on SD card, or iTunes AAC files on CD, there are dozens of playback options for your favorite media.
You can also access your favorite Pandora stations through your iPhone.
Ditch the Headset with Built-in Bluetooth Take incoming calls through the AVIC-X920BT and be heard clearly without a headset, courtesy of Bluetooth technology. Connecting your compatible phone is easy and gives you instant touchscreen access to your contacts. You can also dial a contact with the sound of your voice by simply saying, "Call Jack Smith."
Audio User Interface Revolution with 3D A new user interface features dynamic shortcuts for all built-in or connected media sources, more prominent album art display (when applicable), and improved display of audio track data. The intuitive touch slide control is utilized for audio/video source selection and for searching through new media, such as iPod/iPhone content, with a new and improved ABC Search and dual-speed scroll for List Searches. 3D animation makes the user interface a completely new, easy-to-use, and intuitive in-car experience. The AVIC-X920BT also features a customizable home menu, which allows users to drag and drop up to 15 function icons into the home page display for easy one-touch access.
MusicSphere Pioneer's new MusicSphere for the AVIC-X920BT allows you to easily create instant playlists from the music in your iTunes library. MusicSphere uses an advanced plug-in that works with iTunes to intelligently construct playlists from your massive music collection by analyzing attributes such as feeling (bright, energetic, gloomy, relaxing calm), rhythm pattern, beats per minute (BPM), and more. Playlists are stored on your iPod or iPhone and accessed through the AVIC-X920BT's MusicSphere interface.
Navigation at Its Best The AVIC-X920BT offers a comprehensive map database from Tele Atlas, covering the entire United States and Canada, enabling users to route to millions of destinations, including more than 12 million points of interest (POIs). Additionally, the unit features enhanced voice recognition, including the capability to input destination addresses by voice--you can simply input an address by voice or find a place to re-fuel by saying, "Find the nearest gas station" or "Find the nearest McDonalds," and so on.
ECO Features For eco-friendly consumers, the system also features the second generation ECO Driving function with new features that provide driving status reports and the driver's impact on the environment with visual images on-screen. Through Pioneer's proprietary AVIC FEEDS PC software, the unit can estimate the fuel cost of trip routes as well as the vehicle's CO2 emissions through detailed Drive Reports. Through a proprietary fuel consumption algorithm, AVIC FEEDS can also log and archive driving data and analyze driving habits to generate various reports with suggestions to improve fuel efficiency.
ECO Graph New to this generation of eco-conscious features, the ECO Graph feature provides a view in addition to 2D and 3D, which divides the map view screen with a new graph to provide drivers with a visual representation of their environmental impact. Additionally, when a route is set, the unit will calculate a Drive Score based on driving efficiency, which factors abrupt stops, accelerations, and idle time.
Your iPod (and iPhone) Will Thank You On top of being an exceptional navigator, the AVIC-X series delivers an iPod experience that blows away FM transmitters or cassette adapters. Even at the first glance, you will fall in love with the easy-to-use touchscreen controls for your music and brilliant 6.1-inch display for your videos. Album art is also beautifully displayed.
With the optional cable (CD-IU230V) connected to your iPod, you will notice how easily you can find songs, videos, artists, or playlists with a few simple taps of your finger. The AVIC-X920BT also features voice-activated control of your iPod. Simply say the name of an artist, album, playlist, or genre to bring up the next song.
HD/SAT Radio Ready The AVIC-X920BT gives you plenty of room to expand your broadcast options. With optional tuners, experience the vast channel selection of XM Sirius Satellite Radio and HD Radio.
What's in the Box AVIC-X920BT main unit, installation hardware, and user's manual.

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HTC Desire Z A7272 Unlocked GPS WiFi Android OS, v2.2 (Froyo) Cellular Phone Vision GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G WCDMA 900/2100MHz EURO Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this one to substitute my netbook, and it is nice a lot! Goodbye windows. There are places where my old modem couldn't get HDSPA and the dZ can do it. Using 3G and/or GPS will consume your battery very, very fast, so i use two usb cable charges pluged on computers, one at home and the other at the office. For better use of my resources i'm carrying two phones, the old one used for calls, and the new one for web, mails, news and other apps. Usb miniplug is the same from my Nokia.
Typing on screen is not too hard, it' nice, so i'm using the phisical keyboard only when i'm in a taxi or on a train, so it's not absolutely necessary for me, and would consider a cheaper phone without the keyboard and extra thickness. The resolution 800x480 is nice and the screen size is very good, i don't need extra size screen, or would consider directly one galaxy tab if size matters. I also bought an ipod touch 4th generation. At home me and my wife and daughter are using it a lot, and we can compare some differences between the android and the lighter apple. We can download apps from both markets for example. On the Htc i can watch any kind of videos, surf on flash based sites, and don't need to sinc anything with itunes. Htc share easily the 3G connection to the ipod when we need. On the ipod touch i see a slightly better reading experience with the little higher screen resolution (960x640). Photos and videos are great on both, i'm a photographer and this is important for me.
Last advise, those phones will be nothing in a few years, both because the new tecnologies, and the hardware damage using it everywhere everyday. So if you are on a budget i would recomend a cheaper mid-line phone instead of the top ones.

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Garmin FR60 Men's Red Fitness Watch (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and USB ANT Stick) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was drawn to the Garmin FR60 as it represents one of the least expensive full-featured heart rate monitors which can download training data to a computer. Since I do a good chunk of my training indoors on a treadmill, particularly in the winter, a GPS based system was not required.
My experience with the Garmin FR60 has been mostly positive. First, it's important to point out this watch is sold in at least 3 different bundles. There's the basic heart rate monitor only (all black watch), this version (red) which includes an ANT+ Stick used to download training data to a computer, and a more expensive version which includes a foot pod for measuring distance. When shopping for this watch, be sure you know which bundle you're ordering, I had to return the black version after ordering it without realizing it didn't include the ANT+ Stick.
The watch itself is a nice form factor, smaller than the large Polar S120 I'm replacing. Initial setup is easy, the included quickstart guide walks you through the procedure in straightforward fashion. The screen is easy to read, and navigation between menus and setting adjustments is easy. My only gripe with the watch is the placement of the Lap/Split and Start/Stop buttons. Quite simply, these should be reversed. The Start/Stop button is a large white button centered just below the display area, it's quite easy to press. The Lap/Split button is a small button on the side of the watch and takes a firm touch to trigger. When I'm running hard, it's takes a bit of concentration to record a lap, certainly more than I'd like. I expect I'll get more comfortable with this as I use the watch more.
The heart rate strap fits comfortably and is in most ways quite similar to my familiar Polar T31 chest strap with one important exception, it has a door through which I can replace the battery. The Polar strap has to be sent back for a new battery, and a replacement strap is $30-40. The replacable battery on the Garmin is a nice upgrade. As for function, the heart rate is recorded accurately and I've yet to see it interrupted by interference. Of note, the Garmin HR strap does not appear to be compatible with any treadmill I've seen, the watch still records HR accurately, but the treadmill will not display HR on screen. Polar seems to have cornered the market here.
Once a workout is complete, recorded heart rate data can be downloaded to a computer via the ANT+ Stick, a simple USB stick. Once setup, the download process is quite easy. Garmin offers two options for logging your data, the desktop-only Garmin TrainingCenter (which must be downloaded) or the web-based Garmin Connect. I've tried them both, and find the TrainingCenter software easier to use, particularly when viewing heart rate data graphs. If you spring for the footpod, the software will correlate HR, time, and distance. Workout notes can be entered, making this a nice all-around training log. It seems like development is on-going for the web-based Garmin Connect, so it's possible it will get improved features in the future. Note that the data can be exported from either program as XML-based TCX files which can be processed into Excel sheets (with third party software) or uploaded to other third-party training log software. If you're comfortable with the format, the TCX files can be edited directly to include data not recorded by the watch (distance if not measured by the foot pod, calories burned, etc).
Overall this setup has allowed me to do exactly what I had hoped; accurately record my heart rate over training runs and download it to a computer for review and analysis and comparison with previous workouts. I'm excited enough about the system that I'll be adding the SDM4 Footpod to record distance as well. If the Lap and Start/Stop buttons we're swapped, it would be the perfect non-GPS based running tool, and an excellent value as one of the least expensive heart rate monitors which can download to a computer.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin FR60 Men's Red Fitness Watch (Includes Heart Rate Monitor and USB ANT Stick)

Log every mile and every minute with FR60, a sleek fitness watch plus workout tool that tracks your time, heart rate and calories burned. When bundled with the wireless foot pod (not included), FR60 also tracks speed and distance, indoors or out. Use FR60's training tools to get the most out of your workout. Then, FR60 wirelessly sends your workout data to your computer for later analysis.


Train Indoors or Out In the gym or on the road, FR60 tracks all your workout data, including time, heart rate, calories burned, lap times and averages, and more. FR60 boasts advanced training tools, such as training alarms and Virtual Partner, which lets you race against a virtual training partner to improve your performance.

At the heart of its success is FR60's wireless ANT+ technology, which allows it to connect to other ANT+ compatible devices, like the included heart rate monitor, optional foot pod (not included), or even ANT+ compatible fitness equipment.

Go for Distance With the ANT+ seamless wireless link, FR60 connects to the optional wireless foot pod (not included), which tracks your distance and speed effortlessly, both indoors and out. Using advanced accelerometer technology, the foot pod (not included) collects and sends precise data about your movements, gathering distance and speed data that is 98 percent accurate, right out of the box.

Listen to Your Heart FR60 also connects wirelessly to a lightweight, flexible digital heart rate monitor, providing instant feedback about how hard you're working. FR60 continuously tracks heart beats per minute and displays your heart rate zone, so you can monitor and improve your fitness level.

Also available in Men's Black

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Kenwood Ddx-516 6.1-Inch Double-Din Navigation Ready DVD Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this unit about a month ago. I have been very happy with it. Screen display is nice. DVD video looks great. The rear USB, in my opinion, is better than the front, as you can store a flash drive in the glove compartment with no visual issues. I WAS able to hook a portable hard drive into this unit, but after talking to Kenwood, realized that I was limited to 32 gigs with this unit. No big deal, I bought a 16 gig flash drive. One thing that I did not notice in the initial review or specs on this unit was the full functionability of the "Link" feature. This automatically categorizes songs on your USB drive by Artist, Song, Genre, or Album. With 16 gigs of music, it DOES take the unit about 3 minutes to load these up after start up, but I can deal with that. Album art is also displayed via USB. The only negative I can think of at the moment is that is takes about 30 seconds to boot up. This is pretty annoying, but from what I read, is fairy common with these types of units.

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Nokia E6 Unlocked GSM Phone with Touchscreen, QWERTY Keyboard, Easy E-mail Setup, GPS Navigation, and 8 MP Camera--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I dont usually leave reviews, but i was disapointed with this phone. i had so much high expectations for it. I will keep this review simple.
Pro:
great touch screen response, great kewboard, anna software is very good.
Con;
-Call quality on this phone is not that great (ATT 3.5G network). Nokia are specifically good with call quality, but not on this phone (ATT network), everyone almost sound muffled, i guess nokia can blame ATT.
- Vibrate mode SUCKS (excuse my language). This is the biggest deal breaker for me because i leave my phone on vibrate almost all day. I put this E6 on vibrate, and literally watch as i miss calls and alerts. Not even the slightest tickle or table vibration. For this fact alone, i will be returning this phone. Back to BB I go.

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A sleek business smartphone with a full QWERTY keypad and a high resolution touch display, the Nokia E6 unlocked mobile phone helps you stay productive and connected with business and personal e-mailand fast data connectivity that's compatible with both AT&T's and T-Mobile's 3G networks.
Get more done with the Nokia E6, which offers both a touchscreen display and physical QWERTY keyboard (view larger).

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Pioneer AVIC-F500BT 5.8-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using the F500BT for a few weeks after using a Nuvi 760 for years. I already upgraded to Firmware 2.0. Here is how the F500BT compares to the Nuvi
Cons:
- Routing engine not as good as the Nuvi. Very prone to give U-Turns when I miss a turn even though I disabled them. Worse is that it doesn't know if the U-turn is illegal or not. Besides the U turn issue, most routes offered are not that bad in "Economical"
- Touchscreen not very responsive. Not as good as the Nuvi.
- Not as easy to use as the Nuvi in general.
- MSN does not work unless you use a big ugly harness. You also need to connect a ebrake signal for to avoid the menus getting locked out.
- Battery life of 30mins
- Does not auto dim the screen when switching to night maps.
- Does not tell you the side of your destination. The Nuvi does.
- Only 1 TTS voice in English. Not great, but not horrible either.
- Voice recognition doesn't work very well
Pros:
- Nice glossy look with a big screen. Looks way more expensive than $199
- Map and menu hard buttons are very convenient to have
- GPS reception seems to be as good as the Nuvi. I get reception indoors
- A lot more information is displayed on the map compared to the Nuvi
- Plays AVI movies
- Lane Assist on freeway junctions. A MUST HAVE.
- Maps are very smooth map animation when routing. Much better than the 760, which was always 2 seconds behind and when making turns it would lag for 3-4 seconds
- Voice does not stutter unlike the Nuvi 760
- Very easy to hack and goes from good to almost great after hacking. I also have TomTom Navigator and Garmin XT loaded (more on this later)
- 3D buildings are pretty cool.
- Pairs with my Palm Centro with no problems. My phonebook does not dissapear. BT performance way better than that of the NuviYou can head to avic411.com forums and learn how to modify the Pioneer software aka IGO8 (its very easy). You can also add new maps schemes, and enable speed camera warnings, add extra 3D buildings, load international maps, etc. You can even hack the unit so it runs Tomtom and Garmin XT. However, these 2 don't have the same software as the PND counterparts, so I use the Pioneer software anyways. With the hacks I now get the current house number at my position, so I can easily know which side of the road my destination is on. I also increased the font size of the data displayed on the map. Overall, its a very good deal at $199.


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Mio C230 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have the Mio C230 for about a month now. I have to say it was not very easy to use, but after a couple of hours, I was able to find my way around it. This is my third GPS, I have a Garmin C340 for almost two years, and a Nuvi 370 for about eight months; so I can say that I have a bit of experience with the Garmin products which considered to be one of the best GPS in the market. The only reason I got the Mio is the ability to add multiple stops to your final destination (Via Points), and the Mio's ability to optimize the route for you, a feature not available in the Garmin products. My girlfriend is a realtor, and she makes numerous stops to show houses to her clients; with the Garmin, she had to enter one stop at the time, which means that she might be going back and forth or zig zaging around; with the Mio, all she has to do is to input as many addresses as she needs to, and then the Mio will optimize the route and guide her around, cool.
You can enter address either by state / city / street; or you can use zip code / street; very nice feature. Any address you input will be automatically stored in the history and you can retrieve it at any time; you can also copy everything to the SD card and store it in your computer or use the data in another Mio, cool. If you don't have the address but know where your destination is on the map, you can touch that point on the map, and the Mio will take you there.
There is also an icon for "Home" where you can store your home address, by clicking it, the Mio will take you home, a similar one is for "work". You can rename both if needed.
The detailed information available on the screen in "cockpit mode" is impressive, on the upper left corner it shows the next maneuver (an arrow going right or left), below that it shows the distance to that maneuver and the estimated time of arrival to your final destination. Next to that you have four icons to zoom in and out on the map, and to change the view from 2 to 3 dimensions and vise versa. Another nice feature is the pedestrian mode, in that mode; the Mio will take you thru the shortest route ignoring the traffic direction of one way streets. You can customize the Mio for brighter screen or to get louder if you reach a specific speed; routing can be customized to shortest, fastest or economical. You can avoid Toll roads, U turns, unpaved roads, Highways, etc.
The Text to Speech feature is also a definite plus. The only thing that I really don't like in the Mio C230 is the very limited number of POI's (about 900K), you will hardly be able to find anything in there, Mio needs to do smoothing about that limitation. However, you can add you own POI's to the data base if you know the address.
In short, if you don't need the MP3/Photo player, or the blue tooth; then the Mio C230 is the one for you. It is a great basic GPS, loaded with features that may not be available on other big name brands. Impressive signal reception, bright screen, clear TTS voice, nice design, pocket size, at an unbeatable price.


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HTC A8181 Desire Unlocked Quad-Band GSM Phone with Android OS, HTC Sense UI, 5 MP Camera, Wi-Fi and gps navigation--International Version with Warranty (Brown) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had my unlocked HTC Desire for a little over two weeks. At first, I was thrilled with it because it has such a nice display and Android 2.1 runs so smoothly. In the last couple of days, though, it has developed an annoying issue and I think all potential buyers should be warned. Occasionally when placing a call, the screen will go blank and there is no way to end the call or get the display back. HTC delivered at least my Desire with this flaw - and there are some hits on Google about this. All you have to do is Google "HTC Desire screen goes blank" to see what I mean. Apparently, the proximity sensor used by HTC does not work correctly all of the time. What it should do is turn off the screen and disable the buttons when you place the phone to your ear. The faulty sensor does not turn the screen back on and enable the buttons when you pull the phone away from your ear. I am hoping the Android 2.2 update will fix this problem, otherwise I am going to return my phone before the 30-day return period expires.
** Edited to add **
Two things have eliminated this problem today - and I do not know which helped the most. First, Android 2.2 was offered on the Desire today and I updated it. Second, one internet post indicated that a clear scratch protector may be causing the problem. I removed the scratch protector from the screen and the problem has gone away. I am not comfortable using it with no scratch protector - but I am much happier with the phone.

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Pantone Plus Series GP4002 COLOR BRIDGE Coated & Uncoated, Two-Guide Set Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)im a graphic designer and use it all the time with clients who want a specific color or whenever i want to have control over my full color print jobs... i dont mind much how colors are arranged it is easier to find a specific color and the color index in the back helps when looking for a specific pantone.. gave it a 4 simply because when i want to find a color in illustrator, using the find field in the swatch dialog box is just a pain.. try searching for 485 red... and you'll see what i mean.. aside from that i love it.

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An Essential Guide for Designers, Pre-press and Printers. Bridge solid PANTONE Colors for process printing or Web design. Save money by purchasing this set of two PLUS SERIES COLOR BRIDGE Guides, on coated and uncoated stock. The COLOR BRIDGE provides process color simulations of all solid PANTONE Colors - including the 224 new solid colors - in a convenient side-by-side comparison format. An invaluable multi-use color reference tool, the COLOR BRIDGE can be used to select and specify solid PANTONE Colors, to determine how a PANTONE Color will appear when reproduced in CMYK, or to create optimal display of PANTONE Colors on monitors and Web pages. HTML and sRGB values are provided, for applying color selections across media. Includes color index, lighting evaluation tool, digital image color-correction tool and design software. This product has the following benefits: 1) Saves money knowing when a spot can be adequately produced in CMYK; 2) Screen tint percentages serve as a starting point for adjusting the color match if desired; 3) Eliminates undesirable color surprises before incurring costly pre-production and printing expenses; 4) Optimally display colors on monitors and Web pages; 5) Visualizes solid PANTONE Colors on the most popular paper stock; 6) Portable format provides convenience and fast access to color data.

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Garmin GTM 25 with Lifetime Traffic Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I found it very difficult to find information on how this works and what it does, so I took a little gamble based on the only review here at Amazon. After using it for a couple of weeks, I have to wonder if the other review is a shill--it would have been nice to know what to expect, not just "it's great" sort of thing.
So I'll try to pass along my view of what this can do and why it is limited (based on my experiences with a Nuvi 205)
You simply use this in place of your DC adapter in your automobile, making it essentially invisible to you (nice--no extra wires to run). As you are driving, it is a receiver of publicly broadcast traffic information for the area you are in (thus the service is free) "when available". When your Garmin detects these broadcasts, it somehow compares the information it gets with your location and planned route. Garmin puts a little traffic icon on you display, indicating how traffic will affect your travel.
The icon is color coded--Green for no problems, yellow for some delay, and red for major delay. I think Garmin takes into account the delays on your route in calculating the arrival time. It does look for alternate routes, and I believe that if it finds a better one, it will automatically reroute you.
If you tap on the traffic icon, it Garmin takes you to another screen with some options: 1. view traffic map 2: see traffic on route and 3: see traffic in area. Since there were no instructions provided with the product I'm not sure exactly how you're supposed to use these, but I'll share how I think they work:
1. view traffic map: This simply changes your navigation map slightly so that the bad traffic areas are highlighted (in yellow or red) as you drive. I don't know why this is done as a separate map--why don't they just color code the navigation map?
2. Traffic on route gives you a zoomed-out map showing where you are and where the traffic issues are
3: Traffic in area shows a list of all the major roads in your area for which there are reports and color codes them. I found this to be the most useful feature.
So that's what it does (maybe it does more, but I haven't figured anything else out yet), but how well does it work?
The simple answer is that the device does what it is supposed to, but it is limited by the information presented to it. I've used it now a few times in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, and on a vacation that had me drive up the PA Turnpike, to upstate New York, to Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Watertown, NY. For the most part, the information presented on Garmin was never any better than that which could have been heard on a local radio station.
The coverage did not seem bad--every metro area we were near did have reporting. The only places without reporting were pretty rural.
On the vacation, we encountered 4 separate traffic backups (in areas with reporting), only 2 of which Garmin knew about. The two that it knew about, it estimated our delay as about 1 or 2 minutes, but one was really 15 minutes and one was over an hour. The two delays that Garmin did not know about were significant--one was a half hour, and one was a closed highway that cost us over an hour (and made us miss a ferry we were scheduled for). In the worst cases, had Garmin had the information, I'm sure it would have given us a better route. It's not Garmin's fault, but it does show you the limitations.
So bottom line is that this device works, but it is limited in the information available to it. Is it worth getting? That is up to you--I like having some insight into what is going on around me, even if it didn't change things for me. It's kind of neat seeing the list of different roads and there problems--perhaps this will help more if you are a commuter in a major metro area. If you do get this though, don't expect miracles--you'll have to experiment a little and use it like I do--as a tool that provides some more information to you (albeit not perfect)--and not a say-all, end-all on what you should do.

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Power your nuvi and get lifetime¹ traffic updates all with one cable. With the GTM 25 you'll receive free lifetime traffic¹ updates from NAVTEQ Traffic, a real-time traffic services provider. No monthly fees or maintenance costs! NAVTEQ Traffic delivers accurate, reliable, lifetime traffic data directly to your compatible navigator.
Avoid Traffic Tie-ups The GTM 25 provides North America traffic information to compatible Garmin GPS navigators. Using this data, your device alerts you to local traffic tie-ups and displays current traffic levels. The receiver also acts as an in-vehicle power charger. Traffic provided by NAVTEQ Traffic.

Coverage AreaNAVTEQ Traffic provides real-time traffic conditions for more than 90 metropolitan markets in North America, including Toronto, Canada. View detailed coverage information. Click to enlarge

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Pioneer AVH-P2300DVD 5.8" In-Dash Double-DIN DVD AV Receiver with iPod/iPhone Control Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Without writing too many words i'd have to say i love this unit in my car, I drive a Pontiac G6, 2006 and the manufacture radio stopped playing and i had to replace it for about the same price for a new one of these, and i believe i made the excellent choice of buying this one. So far everything about it is great, does all it says and installation was 30mins tops. improved sound system for real and love playing movies while driving. the only thing is that i can't watch the videos in my iPod when i connect it to this unit. you'll need an extra cable from what i understand, for that to work. and yes my iPod is compact-able with the unit and i have my iPod set to allow an external video output. All-in-all i love this unit and u sure will. Need pics? write me and I'll post them.

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Pioneer's 2011 AV receivers make entertainment easier, and the AVH-P2300DVD is no exception. The first thing you'll notice is the 5.8-inch widescreen touch display, along with a touchscreen interface Pioneer has tweaked to perfection. Customize things to your preference, and enjoy access to your favorite DVDs and CDs, or USB thumb drives full of your favorite files. You'll get direct control of your iPod or iPhone, and Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever to put some life back into those compressed audio files. And when it's time to grow, the AVH-P2300DVD is ready: add GPS navigation, satellite radio, hands-free Bluetooth calling, and more with Pioneer add-on devices.
A versatile touchscreen DVD receiver with wide media support. Click here for a larger image

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Samsung Star GT-S5230 Unlocked Phone with Full Touchscreen Quad-Band GSM Bluetooth, 3.2 MP Camera, Voice Record, MP3 and MP4 Speaker Phone--U.S. Version with 1 Year Warranty (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Well, nobody is perfect. This samsung S5230 is not perfect either, has very well touch monitor (not sensitive); The body is light, good small size, good reception, good sound, good display, ok photo, allow MicroSD with a good size of memory, quad band and unlocked, well structured display interface and button placements, very responsive lock button, etc. etc... The battery life is terrible, between 24-30 hours with very light use, i.e. 3-4 calls a day of 2-5 minutes/each. However, with the price of $130s, compared to LG Vue, or even iPhone... I think I can live with that (I have iPod touch that is pretty similar to the iPhone, just w/o 3G, GPS and GSM capability). Not recommended for those who are traveling a lot, but good for those who stay stationary a lot The features are awesome.

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Android 2.2 10.2" Newest Tablet PC WIFI Camera HDMI Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I want to start off by saying that YES I did want to go the cheap route, I wanted a look a like Ipad that was going to be a subsitute for real thing. First mistake was ordering from China, they can ship it here in 3 days but to ship it back $140 UPS. That is almost the full price of the epad! First came out of the box it looks ok, lightweight body, turns on and works. I do notice that it has some delay when I press an app or turn the page. I immediatly noticed a black line running through the side of the screen. Any position I turned the pad the black line moved with it. Very distracting. I have a youtube video of the pad with the line. Please beware when buying something like this. I have wasted time and money on a product that doesn't hold up. I wish I hadn't bought the epad. I sent back using USPS and they sent the item to south america....I have been waiting a month for the item to overseas. I may nver see my money for this pad again. Please don't buy this product.
youtube video


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Fujifilm FinePix XP30 14 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with Fujinon 5x Optical Zoom Lens and GPS Geo-Tagging Function (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I haven't tested the underwater capabilities yet, but otherwise the camera works as advertised. The menu options are clear and easy to understand. I do have a couple of complaints though:
The GPS seems to take a while to get a lock. (You can continue to shoot, but the photos you take until it gets a lock will not be geo-tagged.)
I was disappointed that you cannot charge the battery through the USB connection. This would be a great camera for the outdoor enthusiast, but you can't couple it with a solar battery charger so you have to carry extra batteries.
There is no lens cover so you'll want to watch out when throwing the camera in your pack or pocket.

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The FinePix XP30 offers compelling specs and a feature set that will ensure outdoor loving photographers oradventure sportsenthusiasts are wellcateredfor.In addition to GPS and its ruggedbuildquality,thecameraalsofeatures timeswidezoomwithopticalimagestabilizationtoshotsharpimagequalityinanycondition.WithaFinePixXP30 in their rucksack outdoor photographerswillbeabletaketheir pictures to new heights.

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HTC Arrive Windows Phone (Sprint) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)DISCLAIMER: This is an in-depth review, if you want a simple thumbs up or down review, this is a huge thumbs up. If you have time to spare, I'm long-winded so bear with me.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I own the HTC Arrive which I purchased through Amazon Wireless (full blog review + images + video coming soon) I also have extensive hands-on experience with Windows Phone 7 with T-Mobile and AT&T devices. I am also an application developer for the WP7 platform, and have been using the freely supplied development tools (Visual Studio 2010 Express Edition for Windows Phone 7) since they launched. I first experienced Windows Phone 7 hands on at the South by Southwest Interactive Conference in March 2010 (over one year ago).
First of all, the 1 star review from "WOLFBANE" is an obvious troll. He "tried the phone for 14 days" but took it back? Well Mr. Bane, that is impossible seeing that they don't even go on sale until 03/20/2010 (tomorrow). The only units that have shipped are review units to the media and semi-functional display units for the stores. The first review of an HTC arrive was given by WireFly on their YouTube channel on 03/03/2011, and the device wasn't activated. Trust me, if it was possible to get the HTC Arrive two weeks ago, I would have it. I've been bugging my contacts at Sprint for WP7 since it's launch six months ago. I also know that most Sprint stores aren't getting the devices until deliveries later today (03/19/2010).
On with the review...
The HTC Arrive is a great phone, here are strong points about it:
- The overall design is extremely high quality. Because of the full slide-out keyboard it can seem heavy in the hand, but it is far from burdensome. Holding an Arrive and an Evo 4G I couldn't really tell the difference. I personally like the weight of it, it doesn't seem fragile.
- The slide out keyboard is large and works well. While the WP7 isn't completely integrated for horizontal displays the keyboard works in all the most important apps. You'll find yourself using a combination of the virtual keyboard and the slide out keyboard, but even on other mobile OS's you run into that. The keys on the full keyboard are large, and easy to type on. The keyboard is also back-lit so works well in lowlight situations. It is a real blessing for people with fat fingers like myself. The "popup" hinge for the keyboard is a nice touch and makes for better video viewing for students, cubicle workers on their lunch breaks or passengers on a plane or bus. It is also sturdy, and I don't think they'll wear out with normal usage.
- The call quality of the Arrive is great. I know that many HTC devices make sub-par telephones, but this is not one of those devices. The speaker is loud and clear and call quality seems to be great on the other end as well. It is one of the better cell phones I've used in recent years, and much better than most HTC devices, especially the speaker phone.
- Overall it is a very solid device, and one I'm happy to own. In my opinion it is easily the best WP7 device to date.
Here are a few shortcomings of the HTC Arrive:
- The 5MP camera is actually of decent quality. I didn't have high hopes for it initially as my HTC Hero also has a 5MP camera, but it is horrendous on all fronts. However, the auto focus on the Arrive works as needed and the LED flash is quite bright. The HD video is decent quality, but like most smart phones doesn't work all that well in low-light situations. HTC could have gone with an 8MP camera to add a little more gusto.
- I'd like to see more support for being able to use the full keyboard whenever you wanted, but this is more on Microsoft than HTC or Sprint. Until they update every screen for the WP7 platform to work in landscape mode I'm afraid we're going to be stuck in a hybrid usage of the virtual and physical keyboard. With that said, the virtual keyboard is a huge improvement over their competitors.
- The LCD screen isn't amazing. I'd love to have received an AMOLED screen like that of the Samsung Focus, but the LCD screen on the Arrive is about on par as you'll see on other devices from HTC, like the Evo 4G. For a mobile device it is perfectly fine. The response time is snappy and videos play smooth and clear. I'm just really nitpicking here, but an AMOLED would have been nice.
Windows Phone 7 is an innovative idea, it isn't another cookie cutter smartphone OS with simple icons arranged on a screen in no particular order. Let's be honest Android fans, but Android's UI design is a blatant ripoff of what Apple brilliantly released in 2007 with the iPhone 1. Since that time other manufactures have tried to emulate the "idiot proof" icon-filled UI. Android has done extremely well since it's release and it is arguably the mobile OS to beat, but it also wasn't exactly innovative. Put an average consumer side by side with an iPhone 4 and an Evo 4G and they'd have no idea what the differences are, and that's a fact.
Microsoft has been behind in the mobile game for nearly a decade. I've owned some pretty horrible Windows Mobile Phones in my day, and it was hard for me to fathom that they could come up with something as innovative as WP7, but they did. Here's where I think Windows Phone 7 Stands apart form the competition:
- WP7 is a unique experience, unlike any other smartphone. The design is simple, yet elegant. It is an inspired design and delivery from a company that makes us forget sometimes that they know what they are doing.
- The integration and convergence of your data, social media and contacts is completely seamless (almost). The only hiccup is that Microsoft just recently came to an agreement with Twitter about building WP7 into the device itself (like Facebook already is), so that will be added later in 2011. Until then you'll have to use the Twitter app (which Microsoft designed) or another 3rd party app like Seesmic (my choice). Otherwise your news updates, check-ins and photos from all of your friends can be located in once single place.
- The hardware standards are key to the success of WP7. The minimum standards guarantee that every WP7 phone released will be able to completely perform up to the standards set forth by Microsoft. All of the devices released thus far are snappy and perform well. As an example of how it could have gone wrong, there is a huge discrepancy between Android devices. While the higher end phones run brilliantly, the entry level Android devices crawl along. I'm glad Microsoft set high standards for the devices.
- The Zune interface on the phone far exceeds the competitors offerings. The music app in iOS is boring and stale and almost unchanged for four years, while the included Android music player is slow and clunky. You can download apps for Android like WinAmp, but even then they don't stand a chance against the Zune interface. I've been a huge fan of the Zune since their launch, even though they have been the butt of many jokes and the Zune software of WP7, is nearly identical to that of the Zune HD, a device even most critics applauded for it's great design and usability.
- The applications and games are extremely promising so far. Office Mobile is fantastic and a great free added bonus, and the mobile gaming and Xbox Live integration is great. I can't wait to see further XNA development that allows a user to be playing a game on their handheld on the bus ride home, then pausing it and then picking back up where they left off on their Xbox. Very cool possibilities. I am also happy to have Netflix, an app that you won't see on Android anytime soon because of it's openness. I think Apple has proven that a closed platform is good for business. The hacker community will crack WP7 eventually, but for now their closed platform may help attract more developers.
- Microsoft doesn't allow bloat-ware from phone manufacturers. Android devices are known to be filled with with useless and resource hogging UI "improvements." I should know, I've been struggling with my HTC Hero for a year and a half. The fact that Microsoft only allows manufacturers and mobile providers the ability to install applications, not edit the UI is a stroke of genius and far overdue in my book.
- The simplicity of the three physical buttons and a dedicated camera button are elegantly brilliant, and not something most people have come to expect from Microsoft. Microsoft's past devices have been clunky and generally had horrible touch screens, so even interacting with the phones was a chore. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. The "instant on" camera is a fantastic addition, and one I can't believe hasn't shown up on a smart phone before. The software integration for the camera is also a step above the rest, with integrated instant uploads.
- The integration with Live services is a huge plus. Some of the complaints with WP7 is that it is a locked platform (like iOS), and thus can't be mounted as a drive when plugged into a PC. Well, cry me a river on that one. Microsoft gives you a free 25GB of online storage with Skydrive. Or you could simply just install DropBox like most normal people who gave up flash drives a couple of years ago. Knowing that I can upload Word documents, photos and videos to and from my PC and phone to Skydrive with doing much of anything is a huge perk.
- WP7 has amazing developer tools. Microsoft has given would-be WP7 developers everything they need to succeed. Along with the SDK the tools to develop are also free (Visual Studio 2010 Express), and there are countless resources to learn more about Silverlight, C#, XNA and everything else you'd ever need to know. There is a thriving community at create.msdn.com and literally tens of thousands of documents and...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: HTC Arrive Windows Phone (Sprint)


The first device from Sprint based on Windows Phone 7, the HTC Arrive offers an innovative design with a sliding full QWERTY keyboard and tilt-up display. With the unique glance-and-go experience of the Windows Phone 7 operating system, the Arrive allows you to get to what's important to you, easier and faster in less steps. And it gives you the productivity of Office Mobile and Bing, plus the fun of Xbox LIVE and Zune.

You'll enjoy fast 3G speeds from Sprint's high-speed, dependable EV-DO network, and you'll be able to access optional Sprint services such as Telenav GPS Navigator, Sprint TV and Movies (for video-on-demand with full-motion video and vivid sound), Sprint Music Plus, and more via the Sprint Zone. And you'll be able to access the Windows Phone Marketplace to view and download apps, music, and premium Xbox LIVE games.

In addition to its 3.6-inch touchscreen display, the HTC Arrive includes integrated SRS WOW HD surround sound enhancement for an audio boost when watching videos on the go. It's powered by a blazing-fast Qualcomm 1 GHz Snapdragon processor for a fast mobile data experience. In addition to the 16 GB of internal memory, the HTC Arrive can also access Windows Live SkyDrive for cloud-based storage (up to 25 GB).

Other features include a 5-megapixel camera/camcorder (with HD 720p video capture), Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, access to corporate and personal e-mail, full HTML browser, and up to 6 hours of talk time.

The Power of Windows Phone 7
The Windows Phone 7 operating system has been designed to help you do more in less steps, and keep you updated on the things that are most important to you.

You can customize the Live Tiles on your Start Screen with what you care about--from people to web sites--and they'll continuously scan the web to keep you updated about your world at a glance.

Windows Phone 7 also brings together the things you use most on your phone in six Hubs: People, Pictures, Office, Games, Music + Video, and Marketplace. Grouping them in Hubs like this lets you get to what you need, quicker, because you don't have to jump from apps to the web to contact lists.

People Hub: Less Out-of-Touch, More In-the-Know. From calls to texting to social networks, receive updates instantly with the latest photos posted, comments made, and messages received with just one glance. Post and share comments instantly after receiving live updates from social networks.

Games Hub: Just Be Yourself... Or, Someone Else. Download new games, test them before you buy and play friends while on the go with built-in Xbox LIVE features. Use your avatar and gamer profile to track scores and wins, challenge friends to play on the go, and become a better gamer with Windows Phone 7's "Spotlight" tips, tricks, and advice.

Music and Video Hub: Your Music, Video, and Radio... All in One Place. Easily find, access, and stream your favorite music, radio, TV, and videos while on the go. Purchase music by the song or get unlimited music downloads for one monthly price with Zune Pass. Wirelessly sync your favorite music and videos to a PC.

Pictures Hub: Snap It, Share It, Say It. Share, add captions, and post pictures to Facebook or Windows Live without needing an extra application. Receive instant updates about friends' and family's latest photos from social networks.

Office Hub: View and Update Office Documents from Your Phone Windows Phone 7 has mobile versions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint on hand for reviewing or editing on the go. Notes in OneNote Mobile--grocery lists, meeting memos, spontaneous musings--can sync wirelessly to the web and include voice clips and pictures. SharePoint Workspace Mobile makes it easier to collaborate with your coworkers when you're out and about.

Marketplace: Find Something New Everyday Personalizing your phone just got quicker and more convenient with the Marketplace Hub, where you can discover and download apps, games, music, videos, and more. You'll find popular titles in all the categories you care about, with hundreds of new apps available every week. There are apps with Live Tiles that automatically update on the Start Screen, such as current weather with Weatherbug and breaking news from the Associated Press app.

Connectivity
Fast 3G connectivity thanks to Sprint's EV-DO, Rev A network with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps.
Onboard GPS for navigation and location services
Turn-by-turn navigation via TeleNav GPS Navigator
Ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes communication headset, hands-free car kits, and A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.

Design and Hardware
1 GHz Snapdragon processor speeds up everything--from playing games to watching shows to opening files from work.
3.6-inch touchscreen display (480 x 800 pixels) includes light and proximity sensors.
Slide-out, tilting physical QWERTY keyboard

Multimedia
Music player compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC.
Video player compatible with MPEG4, WMV.
Built-in stereo speakers
Dolby Mobile + SRS WOW HD surround sound enhancement.

Communications & Internet
Full messaging capabilities including SMS text, MMS picture/video and IM instant messaging (via popular services).
Access to personal and corporate e-mail (including support for Exchange ActiveSync and personal POP/IMAP accounts).
Full HTML Web browser with Bing Search.

Memory
16 GB internal memory (not expandable via microSD cards)
Access to Windows Live SkyDrive for additional cloud-based storage (up to 25 GB)

Camera
5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash gives you a brighter light source for taking photos in less-than-ideal lighting situations.
HD video capture capabilities (720p)

More Features
3.5mm headphone jack
USB 2.0 port with charging capabilities.
Speakerphone for hands-free communication.
Hearing Aid Compatibility: M3 and T3

Vital Statistics
The HTC Arrive weighs 6.5 ounces and measures 4.63 x 2.32 x 0.61 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A frequencies.

What's in the Box HTC Arrive handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, quick start guide

Click here for more information about HTC Arrive Windows Phone (Sprint)

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