Editor's Review of the Skypephone S2
With the full measurements of 102.7 x 45 x 14 millimetres and a weight of 95 grams inclusive of its battery, the 3 Skypephone S2 is designed in a solid bar shape that is easy to hold and carry. It is clad in a casing in black colour and chrome accents which highlights the mobile phone's function keys. The handset has a set of slender and rectangular keys that are well-spaced for ease in numeric and text inputs.
The 3 Skypephone S2 offers its users quality viewing experience on a QVGA display screen that measures 55.88 millimetres, which showcases a selection of picture wallpapers in 262,000 colours over a 176 x 220-pixels resolution. To make the 3 Skypephone S2 even more of a fun device, users may opt to use ringtones in MP3 and polyphonic audio formats that fit their personality.
The S2 is part of 3 Skypephone's line-up of handsets, consisting of the 3 Skypephone S1, among others. As its name suggests, the 3 Skypephone S2 takes the online Skype application in personal computers to the mobile phone system. As the 3 Skypephone S2 runs on tri-band technology, it covers GSM 1900, GSM 1800 and GSM 900, making it convenient for frequent travelers to use.
Getting connected on the Internet is easy with the 3 Skypephone S2 through its built-in Web browser complete with RSS Feeds support. The mobile phone allows users to access the Internet for information or research purposes as it is compatible with Google Search. Communicating with friends and family can also be done online through through and social network site, Facebook, which the 3 Skypephone S2 is compatible with.
The 3 Skypephone S2 offers the conventional messaging services of most modern mobile phones, including SMS or text that works on Predictive Input system, as well as MMS or multimedia. Because the 3 Skypephone S2 offers Internet connectivity, users can send quick messages and notes to their contacts through chat right on the handset. The mobile phone supports the chat services of Skype Instant Messaging and Windows Live Messenger.
Interestingly, the 3 Skypephone S2 allows users to make free calls or send free text messages to their contacts in Skype using the handset's Skypephone function.
When sharing or transferring files with a compatible device such as a laptop, a personal compute or a printer, the 3 Skypephone S2 can come in handy with its USB support. Users who prefer to make wireless transfers can utilize the Bluetooth technology that is supported by the handset. Bluetooth transfers are allowed between compatible devices that are up to 10 metres apart. Getting organised is easy with the standard business-oriented features of the 3 Skypephone S2, which includes an alarm clock, a calendar, a phone book and USB modem drivers.
The 3 Skypephone S2 flaunts its integrated 3.2-Megapixel camera for those who enjoy still pictures or videos. Users of the S2 camera can use the QVGA screen as a viewfinder to precisely capture still pictures or appropriately record moving videos, and play them on the handset. The 3 Skypephone S2 allows either sharing of photos with others through the Photo Blog support, or storing them in the built-in Photo Gallery, which serves as the photo album within the handset. With user-friendly camera functions and an easy-to-locate set of buttons or keys, the 3 Skypephone S2 can pass for a portable photo camera and video recorder.
A second camera is also found in the 3 Skypephone S2 for owners to use during video calls. The 3 Skypephone S2 is a 3G-enabled mobile phone with the HSDPA system integrated in it, making it a multitasking handset.
As part of its fun features, the 3 Skypephone S2 functions as a music player that allows users to listen to their favourite tracks on the handy mobile phone. The 3 Skypephone S2 also comes with various onboard games for users to enjoy.
Internally, the 3 Skypephone S2 can store 50 Megabytes of data and files. This capacity can be expanded to a maximum of 4 Gigabytes through a MicroSD memory card. Users can enjoy the handset for a 7-hour talk time on fully charged battery. It can last for a maximum of 262 hours when on standby mode.
Unhappy users of the 3 Skypephone S2 disclose that the handset's onboard camera cannot work at its best due to the lack of flash, zoom and manual or auto focus. Others point out that the handset does not come with separate speakerphones for music listening and for taking calls. Some users say that the handset tends to function slowly when photos are being viewed.
