So far, I covered the unboxing of the Eten Glofiish M800 where I also shared with you the box contents and device specifications in Part I. Then in Part II, I did a take on the physical aspects of the Glofiish M800. From this week onwards, I’ll be going beyond that: looking at what drives the device and how well it is from a consumer’s point of view. Before I begin on the experience, let’s take a closer look at it’s set up.

Windows Mobile

The OS version from the screenshot above shows that it’s running 5.2.1620 with an AKU 0.4.2. This could explain some of the improvements that I encountered on the device.

For example, there is no longer the loss of email/MMS accounts, even after removing the battery. This is definitely a big welcome to users who rely heavily on email.

For those worried about the forgetful PIN issue, it’s not there. Feel free to use the default Lock application provided by Windows Mobile though I would recommend S2U2.

Bluetooth has also improved in my opinion. The connection is pretty strong, I do not hear any static when I placed the phone in my pocket and I have not encountered any drop connections between the headset and the phone while I was using it.

Whether all these improvements are a result of a new version of Windows Mobile or Eten stepping up their game, it is a nice upgrade nonetheless.

ETEN Applications

There are a host of Eten applications that come with the Glofiish M800. Most of them are pretty useless and can actually be replaced by something else which is lighter and better or removed altogether. However, for the purpose of this review, I shall cover them all here.

Add Ringtone

This program does just that. Add ringtones. If you are new to Windows Mobile, it might be useful to you. Then again, all it does is ask you to choose the ringtone you want to add and it copies that to the /Windows/Ring folder which you could have done on your own.

Verdict: Can be removed

Alternative: Manually move the ringtone to the folder yourself.

Backup Restore

Eten’s backup and restoration application. Personally, I swear by Spb Backup so I do not use this. There is another backup option that you might want to consider PIM Backup. However, for users who never download anything to their device, this will be something you want to consider.

Verdict: Can be removed

Alternatives: PIM Backup (freeware), Spb Backup (commercial)

Battery Meter

Not the best looking battery meter out there and it is only displayed when you are not on the Today screen which is rather useless if you ask me.

Verdict: Can be removed

Alternatives: There are a few, especially if you install applications like Spb Pocket Plus and SBSH’s iLauncher which come with their own meters.

Easy Keyboard

Eten’s own SIP. It’s like a the keyboard that you see with Windows Mobile devices, only much larger (about 2.5 times that). So it’s definitely finger-friendly but at the expense of screen real estate.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: Cootek’s TouchPal (freeware and commercial)

GPRS Wizard

If you are not sure of how to connect to your network’s data plan, this tool might just help you out. However, I cannot vouch for every setting in there as there have been reports that some network settings are wrong.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: Manually enter the settings yourself. You can get them from your network.

GPS Viewer

A nice application that shows you the date, time, and various other information such as satellites connected to and your speed as well as co-ordinates. Great if you are planning to use it as a basic compass.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: Other navigational applications.

Headset Setting

Earlier Glofiish models had the problem of a stuck headset hack and in such situations, these application might be useful You can decide where to out the sound even after the headset is connected. Even if you do not face the problem, you can still use this program to suit your needs.

Verdict: Good to have around.

Alternative: None

Location SMS

Similar to sending text messages but it can add your or-ordinates as well, however, a fix must be established beforehand. Useful if the recipient you are sending the message to can make use of your co-ordinates. Otherwise, just something for show.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: Navizon (though this uses a data connection)

MDesk

Eten’s own launcher. Not a bad attempt at it as well. But I have my preference and as such, I will not be using it. But you might like it.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: SBSH’s iLauncher (commercial), Spb’s Pocket Plus (commercial)

Multimedia Manager

This application is similar to the default Pictures & Videos application that you get on all Windows Mobile devices. However, if Eten did that, everyone would just delete it. So they souped their version up to and it is definitely more robust.

Verdict: Hard to say. Would depend on user’s needs.

Alternative: Other multimedia viewers. For those just interested in photos can check out XnView Pocket.

Name Card Manager

The application	The result

Use your camera to take pictures of namecard you receive and this application will then translate them into a contact that you can save. No more having to manually enter those names and numbers into your device anymore.

However, as you can see from the screenshots above, the application was not 100% accurate in getting the information and I am not just talking about where to put it. It could not recognize some of the characters. It could be the words were too small or the lighting not bright enough.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: None I can think of

Phone Application

ZoomSMS	Call Filter

This adds a feature called ZoomSMS and Call Filter. ZoomSMS is where your SMS are enlarged, making it easier to read in scenarios where you can only afford quick glances (e.g. when you are driving). Call Filter does what you think it does which is to allow/block out calls. It also works with SMS.

On top of that, it also contains files needed by other applications to function properly such as GPS Viewer and Scenarios (though there are hacks to overcome this).

Verdict: Only install if you are going to use other Eten applications and/or you find Call Filter/ZoomSMS useful for your needs.

Alternative: None

Quick Bar

As the name suggests, this application allows bring up 9 shortcuts that you can easily access with a tap. No more having to tap several times just to get to a function. It even has a useful shortcut called flashlight where you can use the LED of the camera (that is normally used for flash in photographs) as a flashlight.

Verdict: Useful to have, if you use the shortcuts provided frequently.

Alternative: Other button launchers applications.

Satellite Data Update

A great application to have because it reduces your Time To Fix (TTF) by downloading satellite data over the internet which you can even set to do automatically.

Verdict: Great to have if you use the GPS.

Alternative: None

Scenarios

Similar to Profiles that you find in other non-Windows Mobile device where you can set different alerts for different situations. A bit on the bulky side in my opinion and not really worth it.

Verdict: Can be removed.

Alternative: pocketMax’s phoneAlarm (commercial) which is a much better (and more powerful) choice.

SIM Manager

An application to navigate through your SIM card. Only useful if you do.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: None I can think of

Skin Changer

Option 1	Option 2

Changes the dialing skin from the generic dark silver/black to orange. Also adds the Vidoe Call button.

Verdict: Install this is you need the Video Call feature.

Alternative: None.

Spb Mobile Shell

Great application to have though you might need to upgrade to enjoy its full set of features. Makes your device much more easier to navigate.

Verdict: Great to have.

Alternative: None

Speed Dial

Another application from Eten that can be replaced by other applications.

Verdict: Can be removed.

Alternative: There are tons of freeware you can check out if the default speed dial that comes with Windows Mobile does not suit your needs.

Task Manager

Windows Mobile does not have a task manager and this fills the void. However, a bit on the bulky side in my opinion.

Verdict: Can be removed.

Alternative: pBar 1.5 (freeware). If you install SBSH’s iLauncher or Spb’s Pocket Plus, these programs will have that feature built in.

Touch Button Settings

Does nothing much besides allowing you to add audio and vibration feedback when you press one of the touch sensitive buttons.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: None I can think of

Video Call

If you are planning to use the high speed internet of the M800 to make video calls, you’ll need this application.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: None I can think of

Voice Commander

A voice command program. More useful to those who use a Bluetooth headset though other types of users may also find it as such.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: Microsoft Voice Command 1.6

Wireless Manager

Wireless Manager	Bluetooth Manager

Nothing more than a mask over the default wireless manager. There is nothing you can’t do on the default one that you can do on this one. However, it does make it simpler. For example, you can use the Bluetooth Manager, which is part of the Wireless Manager, to setup your ActiveSync account. It takes the pain out of setting up your COM ports and all. Sure you could do it on your own without the fancy graphics but this one is much easier.

Verdict: Based on user’s needs. Can be removed or kept.

Alternative: None I can think of

WLAN Utility

An application where you can see the various details about your WiFi connection. That’s about it.

Verdict: Can be removed.

Alternative: None I can think of.

A Wealth Of Applications

I got to give it to Eten. Their Glofiish series devices are packed with a wealth of applications. Eten has thought through the gaps created by Windows Mobile and try to fill those gaps with these applications. And the best part is, these applications are free. Sure there are much better software out there that does what the Eten applications do but most of the time, these better software cost quite a bit. By packaging these applications into the Glofiish M800, Eten has created a phone that is not just powerful in terms of hardware features but also software features.

The Essentials

However, like most free things in this world, there are drawbacks. For starters, it takes up over 20MB on your Main Memory (ROM) and another 10MB or so of your Program Memory (RAM). While this might be fine for users who say that there’s 256MB of ROM on board, I prefer to keep that area as clean as possible.

As such, I did a clean install which was to let the setup proceed until it started to install the Eten applications. You can see this when it says (1/25 Add Ringtone). This when you do a soft reset. After the soft reset, the installtion screen will come up again so before the countdown completes, press and hold the camera button firmly until it says Installation skipped and you can remove the camera button. After that, use File Explorer and go to /Windows/ and look for files that begin with PREI. These are the Eten applications and you’ll want to delete them as they are taking up precious Main Memory space.

But what if you want to selectively add certain applications you ask? No worries. Just navigate to Start > Programs > Utilities and select Application Recovery and you can install any (and all) of the Eten applications from there, even the ones you have just deleted.

	Storage (ROM) (MB)	Program (RAM) (MB)
Default Install	-	-
Total	170.90	46.21
In Use	28.61	25.08
Free	142.29	21.23
Clean Install	-	-
Total	170.90	46.21
In Use	3.67	19.25
Free	167.22	26.26

If I had let setup continue without any interruption on my part, I would be left with 142.29MB of free Storage Memory (ROM) and 21.23MB of free Program Memory (RAM). Compare that with the clean install: I would have 167.22MB of free Storage Memory (ROM) and 26.26MB of free Program Memory (RAM).

With such a clean install setup, the Glofiish M800 is really fast. In fact, I do not encounter any abnormal slowdown I had expected of a VGA device. You’d be surprised as well.

End of Part III

So that brings me to the end of Part III. In next week’s Part IV, I will share with you my personal experience on the Glofiish M800 as well as provide you with some results and videos to walk you through it. You’ll definitely want to read up on that.

Tags: device