Sony Ericsson P990i: Looks are not

Different.

That in a word is what the Sony Ericsson P990i is. There aren’t a lot of people, my friends rather, who see my Sony Ericsson P990i cellphone and like it. It’s far too bulky for their hands, they say. Bulky, chunky, serious-looking, are some words that best describe the P990i, according to them.

They tell me that today is the age of the sleek, slim, cute and thinner than thin cellphones. The ones that can slip into an evening bag and not use up all the space either.

If that is what you look for in a cellphone, then you’re right, the P990i is not for you. It is after all, a PDA, not just a cutesy phone for texting and calling. The P990i can do that, too, and so much more, I might add.

It was when I first got a P910i that my respect for the Sony Ericsson phones began. And, as with all cellphones, it was only a matter of time that Sony Ericsson affirmed its P-series line with yet another offspring, the P990i. And from the looks of it, with the performance it has shown since I have been using it for almost two months now, I am not disappointed.

For starters the P990i keeps some of the stuff that has made the P910i lovable. It retains the recognizable flip-lid form factor of its predecessor. But on closer inspection there are some cosmetic enhancements. It begins with a sexier and curvier profile. Opening the flip reveals the relocation of the keyboard from the detachable lid to the phone body itself. This particular move is much appreciated for those who may want to lose the flip but still have QWERTY input on hand for e-mails and documents. Although I prefer the phone with the flip on. I sort of feel that the phone looks naked minus the flip. But, hey, to each his own.

The tri-band P990i runs on the much-anticipated Symbian 9.1 OS and UIQ 3 software platform. And there is the Wi-Fi factor which comes in handy in any of the many hotspot establishments all over the Metro. If that isn’t enough, Sony Ericsson has tossed in a lot more connectivity options. You now have push e-mail, including for BlackBerry, infrared, 3G and USB, remote sync via SyncML, a VPN client and Opera 8 Web browser aside from GPRS, Java and Bluetooth.

There are also some nifty business tools such as Word and Excel editor and a viewer for PowerPoint and PDF files. Other improvements include a slightly enhanced screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixel (vs 208 x 320 pixels) in 262,000 colors; an internal memory of 80MB (vs 64MB); a two-megapixel camera with autofocus and photo light (vs a VGA camera); stereo FM radio with RDS (Radio Data System); and supplied 64MB Memory Stick PRO Duo. The P990i is a great phone, and certainly is a notch better than its predecessor.

I have been able to use the Sony Ericsson with much ease unlike in the past when I found it difficult to switch from one cellphone brand to another. I am beginning to see that the P990i is a synch to learn to use. Once you give it a try, a whole new world of cellphone possibilities that you never thought was possible opens to you.

I was amazed when I did learn to scan a calling card with the scan program of the P990i; I was able to store lots more contacts. Really, all I had to do was scan the card and then the phone automatically switches to the phone directory where it stores the card’s important data like names, numbers, e-mail addresses and other info that the card might have. Sure, it was not 100 percent because language and typeface on the card is still a problem but it sure took a lot of time out of having to type all the data in. The other plus factor is the ability to transfer my directory in one go to another phone with the use of the Bluetooth connection. Great.

The P990i takes effective communication to new heights. This cellphone has all you will ever need (until something new comes along, of course) to do business and communicate with friends and colleagues wherever you are. You have access to the Internet everywhere, push e-mail to get your e-mail straight to your phone, and video conferencing for effective communication.

The P990i is a smartphone for the future. You can use the fastest wireless networks and the most advanced network operator services. And enjoy real mobile Internet in your phone at the speed you like. Mobile RSS feeds give you up-to-the-minute news updates.

The P990i has a two-megapixel digital camera with autofocus and video. Catch the moment, then save it or send it. Show what your camera can do.

With the features and applications inside the P990i, you have what you need to keep in touch and organize your business activities efficiently. Calendars can be synchro-nized over the air, keeping your mobile office up-to-date.

Use the P990i as a high-speed modem to connect your PC to the Internet. Bluetooth makes it wireless. In WLAN hotspots at airports and others centers of activity, connect your phone to your company intranet and enjoy the speed you’re used to. I used the phone while I was in one of those hotspots just to try its Wi-Fi. There was no glitch there. Easy.

Of course all the other standard features are there like the ringtones which are cool. I like it that the phone can now handle music in almost any format. I have no problems when I transfer my fave tones from one phone to another.

I also like the wide screen of the P990i. It lets me look at Tasha, Gorby and Nik (my three doggies) anytime I feel like. And they are as cute as ever.

Don’t think this phone is all serious business though. There are games, too. I like Quadrpop, a cute improvement on the Tetris game. It’s great to play while waiting for that interview to start.