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PCCW Finally Has an Android To Call Their Own
PCCW jumps on the Android bandwagon with their own handset.
Hong Kong is going Android crazy! Now PCCW is releasing its own Android phone along with a mobile data intelligent price-cap scheme.
PCCW’s new U handset (remember “i” and “o” are taken!) running the Android operating system will allow PCCW users to download apps from the Android Market, just like all the happy Smartone-Vodafone users who have access to a myriad of HTC Android phones in Hong Kong already.
Customers will receive a full rebate for a U handset, the only full-featured starter version on the market and enjoy the price-cap when they subscribe PCCW mobile’s “Web & Talk” plan at HK$199 or above per month on a 24 month contract. The plan is the first of its kind in Hong Kong for customers to make voice and local mobile data service anytime, anywhere with the additional local 3G mobile data service charge capped at HK$298 per month. AND unlimited broadband Internet access at no additional charge via PCCW Wi-Fi’s 6,000 Hong Kong hotspots.
PCCW mobile has pre-loaded on the U Android-powered handsets its exclusive set of Android applications. These applications will bring more convenience and novelty to mobile services, and they include:
- News always on – It keeps users abreast of the world’s major events as now TV’s latest news reports will be automatically updated on the handset’s home screen
- HD on mobile TV Player – Users can enjoy in high definition now TV & now SPORTS live streaming channels and other TV dramas and entertainment programs on mobile. In addition, users may record selected now TV programs via the now Record service
- NETSync on mobile – Contacts, emails and schedules on the handset can be synchronized with those on the PC anytime.
- MOOV Player – New songs and concerts are available with the press of a key, all without the need for downloading.
Neonpunch got to play with the handset a little bit and found it was fairly easy to use and the streaming video content was quick to load as well. We found that we could easily broswe through and watch anything we wanted with out much of a delay. The U handset is manufactured by Huawei a mainland Chinese company is scheduled for release sometime next month, unfortunately PCCW wouldn’t tell Neonpunch exactly when. Currently this handset seems to be a little secret since PCCW hasn’t even launch a website to promote the U Handset.
Below are the phone’s technical specifications:
- Form factor: Bar-type
- Weight: About 135g (Including Battery)
- Frequency band:
- 3G: 850/1900/2100 MHz
- 2G：850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- Processor: Qualcomm MSM 7200A (528MHz)
- RAM: 192
- ROM: 256
- LCD: 3.5 Inch HVGA, 320×480, 256k colour
- Camera: Auto-Focus 3.2 MP & 0.3 MP dual camera
- External Interface: WiFi / Bluetooth/GPS/USB2.0/Micro-SD Card (up to 16G)/ 2.5mm headset jack
- Battery: 1500mAh, Stand by time: Up to 300 hours, Talk time: Up to 210 minutes
- Input method: Touch pal，Android keyboard
- Ring tone: 72 chords; MIDI, MP3, AMR(NB), WAV
- Email: POP3/IMAP, Based on Android
- Document: .doc, .xls .ppt, .pdf files
- Google Mobile Suite: Google mail, Google Search, Google Maps etc.
- Video format: H.264, MPEG4, H.263 (3GPP)
- Audio format: MP3, MIDI, WMA, AMR, AAC, eAAC+
- Image format: PNG, GIF (87a/89a), Animated GIF, JPEG baseline
- WCDMA: supporting AMR audio encoding
- GSM/GPRS: supporting FR/EFR/HR/AMR audio encoding
- Video format: H.263/H.264, MPEG4
- Audio format: MP3, MIDI, AMR, AAC, eAAC+
Suggested retail price of the handset alone is HK$3,380 (free if you subscribe “Web & Talk” plan at HK$199 or above per month on a 24 month contract). While the handset might be half the price of an iPhone if you’re are going to be locked into a 2 year contract at what is almost exactly the same types of plans as 3 Mobile and SmarTone-Vodaphone’s wouldn’t you go for an iPhone instead?
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