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AT&T has a neat device in their lineup that can provide you with a pretty awesome Windows Mobile experience. It has a unique design offering a dual-sliding keyboard (T9 and QWERTY) for easy number dialing and text entry. Loaded with Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard edition, performing those everyday tasks are a breeze, in fact, an absolute pleasure.

The AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro has a 262,000 color QVGA non-touch screen that has a great look in portrait and landscape modes. It has UMTS/HSDPA Tri-Band and GPRS/EDGE Quad-band, aGPS, a 2 megapixel camera and Bluetooth 2.0. The “guts” of the device is a Qualcomm 528MHz CPU (which is fast) and coupled with 128 megs of RAM and 256 megs of ROM, you get enough horse power to enjoy all the features flawlessly. 

When I got my review unit, I was immediately impressed with the exterior design and could not wait to get it in my hands … so much so that I forgot to take a picture of the device sitting in the opened box. As I held it in my hand for the first time, there were several striking design features that immediately impressed me.

First is the immediate “comfort” feeling you get as you hold the device for the first time (and that feeling remains to this day on each subsequent use). There has been some discussion on the “net” regarding the size and weight of the device but it has not even been a consideration. This device has been optimized in design to provide total comfort. Rounded corners and edges make it fit perfectly in any size hand and its weight is slightly less (151 grams) than the very popular AT&T Fuze (165 grams) that also has a slide out keyboard. The comfort extends beyond the hand as well. All too often a device in your pants pocket feels uncomfortable but again, because of the rounded edges, comfort is still the priority.

The second immediate impression was the device appearance and build quality. I was struck by the good looks, the smooth finish and the overall high quality construction. Unlike a lot of devices on the market, the Matrix Pro has a “rich” look, a solid feel and gives an immediate feel that you will Experience Mobility in style!

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

I had thought of doing an unboxing video but they do become boring after a while so I thought I’d just show a few pictures of my first looks and what was in the box.

The Pantech Pro

AC Travel Charger

Lithium Polymer Battery

USB cable

3.5 stereo headset adapter

Protective Sleeve case

Getting Started Guide and related info

Getting Started CD

USB Proprietary jack for the charger and sync cable

What I really liked was the Protective Sleeve Case.  Made from a soft fabric, it slides over the device allowing you to keep your device in your pocket without having the fear that it will get scratched from keys or loose change.  I wish every device maker included this type of case with their devices.  It is a nice touch!

First Initialization

Inserting the SIM and battery back was first on the agenda.  There was enough power in the battery to fire it up right away.

There was the typical startup setup you get on devices but what struck me was that it seemed to be very fast. I wish I had timed it because I was up and running in a matter of a couple of minutes.

What impressed me even more was the signal strength I was receiving.

Typically, at my Massachusetts house, I get fair signal strength and when comparing the signal strength between my Touch Pro (on AT&T) and the Matrix Pro (also on AT&T), there was a measurable increase in signal strength on the Matrix Pro; as much as 25% better. My first impression was that there must be one terrific radio in this device. Over time, that has proved to be true as I have traveled across the country from Boston to Seattle and more importantly (for me), at my home on the coast of Maine where I rarely get a signal, I have been connected daily.

The Device

Looking at the device you can’t help but play with the dual slider design. It is definitely cool and noticeably well made. The spring mechanism slides easily and locks into place on both the T9 and QWERTY keypad.

The front of the device sports 2 soft keys, a Home button, a Back button, Call Answer and Call End buttons all surrounding a centered 5-way toggle. It is a little crowded but it is very usable and within a few minutes you are pretty comfortable accessing each button.

The right side, at the top, has a proprietary input slot for charging and the syncing cable. Although I would prefer to have a standardized mini USB input to allow carrying fewer cables while on the road, the truth of the matter is that most folks only carry one device and it is not an issue for them.

However, the location of the slot is an issue. For those that choose to take advantage of the built-in GPS while driving on a trip should be able to insert their device into a cradle that can be attached to the dash and as they insert it, have it plug into a charger. The location of the port (and the type of proprietary cable used) would have been better served if it used a mini-USB and if it was located at the bottom of the device to make that possible.

Located near the bottom of the right side is the Camera button. A long press activates the camera. Snapping a picture is a breeze with a single short press (the front center 5-way toggle will also snap pictures as well).

The bottom of the device has a slot for a micro SD card for additional memory. I’ve been using a 2 gig card and that has been more than sufficient but you can use up to a 32 gig card …. that’s a lot of extra storage!

The left side has the volume up/down toggle button at the top and a record button at the bottom which when pressed gives you a Quick List ( Power off, lock, Task Manager, Wireless Manager as well as your device profile options. I like this feature for quick access to essential features! In addition, if you press and hold, the Voice Commander program is started.

Volume Button

REC Button (probably should have had a different name or none at all)

The back of the device has a 2 megapixel camera at the top left and the device speaker at the top right.

Just below the camera is the battery cover, which when removed reveals a 1320 mAh battery.

The SIM card slot is located just below the battery.

Both the memory slot and the data/charge input slot have a cover protecting it from dust, dirt and lint. The cover over the memory card slot removes easily and has the ability to “swing away” versus the one covering the /charge input slot is difficult to remove and does not swing away. It just flips down making access a little difficult.

Two KeyPads

Sliding the screen up reveals the numeric/T9 keypad which is well lit and has decent size numbers (and much smaller characters for T9 input). The keys are spaced appropriately and have decent feedback but because of the smoothness of the pad you need to look at the keys prior to pressing. It would have been nice to have some sort of a bump to be able to tell what key your finger was on so you do not have to look at the keypad when entering a number.

Sliding the screen to the right reveals the QWERTY key pad which has a good design although it is a 3 row keypad so there are some compromises. After using it for a few texts and emails you become quite comfortable to the placement of the letters, numbers and special characters. It feels good, gives decent feedback upon touching each key but it is impossible to type without looking. Again, if there were some “tiny bumps” on the keys, it would make text entry a little better.

Powering Up and Discovering Features

Powering up the device for the first time and viewing the screen was pretty cool. It was a quick initialization and I was up and running in no time. I was really pleased with the screen quality and found that reading on the device was very good except if I was outside on a sunny day (but that is the same with each device that I have). What impressed me even more than the screen was the signal strength I was receiving in an area that typically gives me 2 bars on my Touch Pro using AT&T, I was getting 3-4 bars consistently with the Matrix Pro.

It took years for me to be convinced that I would like a smartphone over a Touch Screen phone but truth be told, the overall effectiveness of doing things “on the fly” is much faster on a smartphone, so I was anxious to see how well this experience was going to be over my past two smartphones.

Home Screen

I was initially impressed with the default Home Screen. It gave me pretty much everything I want to see immediately when I power on a device. So what did I see?

At the top of the screen I had the Signal strength, remaining battery power, the type of network I was connected to (3G) and that I had a memory card inserted. Below that was the time in LARGE numbers with the date below.

Next in line we see a summary of Missed call, Voicemail, Text Messages, Multimedia messages and emails. Using the toggle button to highlight this summary, a magnifier appears allowing you to scroll through each item and opening with a single press. It is a fast, easy and efficient means of accessing your messaging.

Calendar is next in line showing the next due appointment(s). Highlighting this area gives you two choices (or more if you have events scheduled): Viewing scheduled appointments and creating a new appointment. You can easily scroll through what is scheduled for the day and finally end up being able to schedule a new appointment.

There are 5 sub-categories in the next item in the list, AT&T Services. Xpress Mail, Instant Messenger, Media Net, Media Mall and Cellular Video make up the popular features in this item and each appeals to a broad range of folks. Xpress Mail gives you access to your personal or work email. Instant Messenger provides one-click access to AIM, Yahoo! and Windows Live Messenger. There was a time when I used all three but today I prefer to use Live Messenger exclusively. So how good was it? I can only say that I entered my logon info and was instantly logged in. Fast … Very fast!

The last item on the default Today screen was Settings and that had 5 sub-categories: Profile (current profile is displayed as default), Wireless Manager, Ringtone, Background Image and Task Manager.

It was definitely a pretty comprehensive list of items for fast and easy access to items that are the most used features of a phone. I was very pleased with the ability to check (or run) these items quickly.

At the bottom of the display we see the standard soft key items: START and CONTACTS.

But if you were looking at the screenshots above, you probably noticed that the right softkey changed as you scrolled down the homepage.

Programs

So let’s press START and see what we get. As you look at the icons, all are standard but I did add a few programs prior to writing this review because I wanted to see how easy the installs were and I wanted to see just how well these programs worked.

Pressing START initially brings you to Recently Used programs and pressing it a second time will display all installed programs.  Note that the icons circled in RED are programs I installed.

Twitter is a hugely popular social network so I tried to install my favorite, Pocketwit. I must tell you that I had difficulty and was unable to install it but with the help of a good friend, I was able to overcome the certificate issue that was causing the problem. In lieu of Pocketwit, I immediately installed Tiny Twitter without an issue but I was glad that I eventually got Pocketwit installed.

Besides the Twitter clients, I also installed Spb TV. Why? Because I was so impressed with the signal strength I was getting that I wanted to test the streaming ability of this device. How did it work? Awesome! When I am in a good signal area, there is smooth TV reception, no buffering issues, just an enjoyable experience. Mash is a favorite of mine and I have had the pleasure of watching several episodes on ION.  Of course, Comedy Central and NASA were fun to watch as well

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Here are a few screenshots of TV programs running

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Pressing START does not bring you into the Programs list but rather the most recently used programs. At first I was not particularly happy with this but over time, after you settle in on the programs you use all the time, it really is a good idea. Chances are that the program you will want to start is a recently opened item. But if not, a second click of the START button gives you the entire list.

As you can see from the following screenshot, there are a slew of programs. My intention is not to discuss each one but I will mention a few that are notable. There are a number of pre-installed programs that are “trial versions” which for the most part, disappoint me. My preference would be to have ALL the trial versions placed on the included CD. That would then give the user the option to install, try and decide if in fact they want a particular program. Each user has their own likes and dislikes, having the ability to “personalize” your device the way you want makes for such a better experience.

The following screenshots show the pre-installed programs (as well as the few I have installed: Tiny Twitter, Pocketwit, Spb TV and Live Search)

The one pre-installed program that I would consider using is AT&T Navigator.

It had very good navigation and was easy to use although I did think that the cost was expensive at $9.99 per month.  However, consider that you always have updated maps, turn-by-turn voice and onscreen driving directions and automatic rerouting if you miss a turn and if you are constantly driving in heavy traffic, AT&T Navigator monitors traffic and alerts you when there is slow down and will reroute you around the congested areas.  All in all, it did a very good job and is worth considering.

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I use MediaNet virtually everyday to catch the weather and some quick news and sports items.  I’ve used it for years and I like it.

But then I saw a weather program installed so I went to try it and got this screen giving the weather but then…

…as I was exiting the program, I got this screen telling me I had a trial with three days remaining.  There are some programs well worth paying for but this definitely not one of them.  There are too many excellent ways to get the weather for FREE.

Office Mobile has a terrific set of applications for you to use. 

I use OneNote everyday so having OneNote Mobile on my devices is just a neat way to have an extension of what I do daily.

It is nice to have a few games on your device to have a diversion when the time is available.  There were several games on the device (most were trials) and of course there were full versions of Bubble Breaker and Solitaire. 

Bubble Breaker is always fun to play

And for those that like card games, Solitaire is a great way to spend some time while waiting for an appointment.

BTW, I did like Scrabble! And this is one I would consider buying.

Everybody has those special programs that they use to “complete” using a device.  I like having a few games to relax with when I am either doing nothing or waiting for an appointment.  Like most of you, I genuinely enjoy using “Twitter” and of course there are those times that I need to check email and look things up on the net.  But the one tool I need is a navigation program and I like having a device that has a built-in GPS just to save me from carrying that one extra device while on the road.

GPS

This device has a built-in  aGPS that works incredibly well.  I’ve been using it with the AT&T Navigator (TeleNav) and Live Search and have found its responsiveness has been absolutely fantastic.  It has worked well walking in a city and while on the road driving.  However, every time I used it, I kept wishing that they had given some consideration to folks that want to mount it in a cradle and have it attached to a charger that is attached at the bottom of the cradle. 

I was reasonably pleased with the audio from the AT&T Navigator program but I did have to have the windows up tight to be able to hear clearly.  Of course, keep in mind the speaker is facing away from you when you are looking at the screen.

Camera

The camera is a very basic 2 megapixel with a 4X zoom that is pretty much a point a shoot.  You press and hold the camera button on the right side of the phone and it will launch the camera application. You just aim at your subject and pressing down on the camera button or press on the center button of the toggle to take your picture. There is no auto-focus,  so pretty much it is just a point and shoot.  The overall quality is pretty good as long as you have decent lighting.  It is not the best camera but for those moments when you do not have your “good” camera with you, this camera will preserve the “memory”

Here are a couple of pictures I took at a recent Boston Bruins hockey game.

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The camera has a basic set of indicators for W/B, Effect, Self Timer, Resolution (240X640 to 1024X800) and Quality.  Pressing the 5-way toggle up or down will zoom the camera in and out, and pressing left or right will adjust the brightness up and down. The camcorder works in a similar manner.

Of course you can store and view your pictures on your device either in Main Memory or on your Storage Card using the viewer.

Clicking on an image brings it up in full screen

And there are a variety of options available to work with your pictures.

Multimedia

Using my device for music and video has been a natural part of my usage for years but I have weaned myself away from using my phone ever since I got a Zune.  Clearly I have been happy with the video I have watched from the net on the AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro . However I have a variety of albums on the Pantech Matrix Pro and I must admit that listening to music over the speaker has been quite enjoyable.

A headset is a better choice when outside and fortunately the supplied audio adapter(allowing you to use those 3.5 mm earbuds that you have always liked) has allowed me to (on occasion) listen to tunes while I am out and about.

Bluetooth

It is only appropriate that I add a small piece on Bluetooth at this juncture of the review.  Adding Bluetooth devices has been very easy and the results have been mixed.

I’ve used two different headsets for calls with decent results in sound quality.

Using a Bluetooth headset for calls has been a great convenience for phone conversations but using a stereo Bluetooth headset for listening to music is even better.  No wires and perfect sound!  That has been my experience with Bluetooth on the AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro.

Battery

The Matrix has a 1350 mAh battery that has not disappointed me at all.  I can’t say enough for the device and its ability to conserve battery power.  I will admit that if I am not using Bluetooth, I shut it off just to save that extra bit of power.  In general, I get two full days and on occasion I have had a bit more.  I check email several times a day, surf the net quite a bit and “twitter” often.  The only thing that I have found to be a major drain on the battery is if I am using the navigation, but considering that the screen is on and the GPS radio is cranking away that is understandable.

Messaging

Outlook Mobile provides the means for you to send/receive email, SMS and MMS. You can use POP3, IMAP and Exchange email as well as MS Direct Push email.  I’m not an Exchange person and I don’t use Push email but I do use several different POP email accounts and Windows Live for my hotmail.  The experience has been great for email, text messaging as well as using Live Services for IM and Hotmail.

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It should be noted that AT&T has supplied the Matrix Pro with Xpress mail.  It is an “extra” that will cost you $4.99 a month for push email service.  So if it is important to get that mail as soon as it arrives in your server then maybe this is an option for you.

Call Quality

After all, the reason we really have a device is first and foremost to have a phone, so call quality is a big factor.  Fear not, the Matrix Pro experience is a great one and in fact, it has been equal or better to all my devices.  My Q9m has exceptional call quality and the Pantech Matrix Pro is as good.  There is an exceptional radio in the device that has acquired continually great signal strength resulting in quality calling experiences.

Video Share

A nice feature of this device is the ability to share an event as it happens with friends and family if they have a 3G capable video share device.  I was able to see it in action when I was in Seattle with a couple of other guys that had the same device.  It was very cool!  Video Share allows one person to stream video of what is happening and both callers can share voice.

Conclusion

Simply started, I like the AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro! It has a slew of great features incorporated into a well made handset that will provide you a great Windows Mobile experience.  A fast CPU, plenty of memory, a dual slider keyboard, aGPS, Bluetooth, Multimedia capabilities (including terrific live streaming video experiences) and coupled together with 3G and a great price make this device one that is going to allow you to Experience Mobility at a high level.  AT&T has put together an outstanding online package for this device that you almost cannot turn down.  In fact, right now you get:

No Commitment Pricing:  $349.99

2-yr Contract Price:  $199.99

Total Due Today:  $199.99

Mail-in Rebate via AT&T Promotion Card:  – $100.00

Price After Mail-in Rebate: $99.99

Pros: Well Made, Excellent Cell Reception, GPS, Great Audio Quality Using Bluetooth A2DP stereo, Dual Sliders

Cons: Proprietary input, No WiFi, Difficult to customize device

Ok, you did good!  You read this far so here is a little reminder for you.  As you may know there are 26 sites participating in a daily giveaway of a AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro.  Mobilitysite and Experience Mobility are 2 of the 26 sites.  So make sure you visit on the following days to enter the contest.  You could be the winner!

MobilitySite
Launch Date  05-May
Award Announcement  09-May

Experiencemobility
Launch Date  08-May
Award Announcement  12-May

• Capacity  1320 mAH
• Talk time  Up to 3 hours
• Standby time  Up to 10.4 days

• Weight  4.3 ounces
• Size  4.17 x 2.0 x 0.85 inches

• Internal memory storage256 MB
• Expandable memory storage32 GB
• Memory format microSD(TM)

• GSM/GPRS  850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• 3G  UMTS/HSDPA (850/900/1900/21000 MHz)
• EDGE high speed data network
• Bluetooth technology  Stereo

• Windows Mobile6.1

• Display size  2.4 inches
• Resolution (pixels)240 x 320
• Colors  260K

• QWERTY