You don`t really have to pay for cellphones anymore, so the fact that this one costs almost R6 000 won`t bother you.
But then, of course, you do still pay. Although the Panasonic GD87 comes free with several contracts, you`ll probably find that the cost is absorbed elsewhere anyway. And chances are you`ll want it in the middle of a contract, necessitating a replacement or upgrade.
Rather nice
This one was a winner with the tech department. True, they were pretty tight-lipped about what exactly it was they liked. Techies sometimes clam up, perhaps rehearsing for the time they expect to be taken in by the CIA or something, to part with their incredible knowledge at great personal discomfort.
Never mind that between two or three of us, we couldn`t find the on-button without consulting the manual (it proved to be the end-call button - which we didn`t think was too intuitive). But the techies` enthusiasm seemed real, and I think if you get this phone, you will share some of that.
Wrong key
My usual bitch with any phone other than a Nokia is that, since they (everybody except Nokia) aren`t winning the handset wars, they might at least copy the Nokia menu - which is the de facto standard (considering how many people have Nokias). Or if not a menu change, then at least they might put the same or similar functions on the same keys. Surely this would make switching to the alternative much easier?
I must admit that I got used to the menu after the week I had to test it, and despite one or two issues with the phone, I was sad to let it go.
Let`s face it, Nokia, like Microsoft, has worked out a few home truths. The company has figured out how users go about using their software, and if it irritates users to get to a popular function in too many steps, the makers change it. Some day I`ll get around to asking the lab guys at Panasonic, Motorola, Ericsson and Alcatel why this hasn`t occurred to them. But, as my mom says, there`s probably a perfectly good reason.
OK, that`s better
Yes, the menu requires time to master, but let`s forget about that for the moment, as there are good menu-related points too. Besides, most users probably won`t use the phone for much else than the digital camera or to phone or e-mail.
I did like the fact that one can reach quite a few oft-used functions with a single button, without having to plough through a weird menu and think things about manufacturers in other countries. Incidentally, international dialling codes are pre-programmed, making codes one less thing to worry about.
Voice recording is a useful function for businessmen, journalists, parents of burbling babies and so on, and so the button on the front of the phone struck me as pretty useful. It has capacity for four voice recordings at 14 seconds each.
More to the heart of a phone`s use, there is a one-key GPRS function, which connects smartly when called on to do so, and the data folder is likewise accessible with single-stroke virtuosity, as shown off by those who have mastered this phone.
Picture perfect
The digital camera is among its greatest attractions. I was amazed that 35 photos down, I had only filled up 23% of the phone`s image capacity. Although the format one saves in can be changed (fine, normal or economy .jpg), it saves small pictures that cannot be enlarged (although this may change in future with software about to be acquired along with a USB data cable.
There are four ways I can think of to transfer the image to a PC. First, if you have a notebook, zap it across with infrared. It`s cost-free and easy.
If you only have a desktop, get an IR adapter. Just as cheap and easy. If you have GPRS - and no excuses for not having it if you buy this phone - then e-mail or MMS it across.
Finally, you could use a data cable, but current software does not enable picture downloads, so until Panasonic gets its planned USB data cable and all-singing, all-dancing software (soon, they tell me), this will be an option too. In addition, this will help you manage pictures and SMSs, sync your calendar and more.
Note that Bluetooth will only be supported in upcoming versions, by year-end or early 2004.
You can fax, connect to the Internet, and for the musically minded, you can compose a ring-tone, or you can accept an MMS or download ring-tones from www.panasonicbox.com. This site also offers logos.
Finally, with frequent camera use, you`ll get two or three days` battery life.
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