Sanyo VM4500 video phone

[Ioman]

Stylish, clamshell-style Sanyo VM4500 also offers camera and camcorder functionality, built-in flash/movie light, speakerphone, and 2.1-inch color LCD display.

Sprintand Sanyo today announced the PCS VisionSM Video Phone VM4500 by Sanyo, the first phone in the U.S. to feature the ability to shoot digital video clips of up to 15 seconds in length with sound and take VGA-quality digital photos, as well as Sprint's nationwide walkie-talkie service: PCS Ready Link. Users can instantly share both video clips and photos with family and friends or share them online using Sprint Picture Mail.

The compact, clamshell phone lets users attach a voice memo of up to 10 seconds in length to any video clip or still image. Also included is a built-in, High-Luminance LED that serves as a selectable flash for taking photos or as a movie light. The dual- band/tri-mode phone also offers photo zoom capability and a handy, built-in speakerphone for hands-free conversations.

"Since the launch of PCS Vision in August 2002, Sprint has been introducing new features and services designed to make the PCS Phone the third screen in our customers' lives. The VM4500 from Sanyo includes every application Sprint has launched through PCS Vision from brand-new services such as Video Mail and Ready Link to downloadable ringers, screen savers and games," said John Garcia, vice president of sales and distribution for Sprint. "This phone is perfect for customers who want innovation, fun and more communications options – all in one phone."

"We are especially proud of the Sanyo VM4500, with its wide range of on-demand features" said Atsushi Kodera, group vice president and general manager of Sanyo Fisher Company's Wireless Communications Division. "Here, for the first time in one stylish handset, is push and talk functionality as well as video, photo, voice memo, zoom and flash/movie light capability. Sprint's PCS Ready Link service and PCS Vision fully support the VM4500's advanced voice, video and photo functions for superlative wireless performance."

The PCS Phone by Sanyo VM4500 is available nationwide in Sprint Stores, RadioShack and Best Buy, or online at http://www.sprint.com/servlet/common...se_sanyoVM4500 at a suggested retail price of $379.99 with special rebate offers depending on the service agreement.

Key features of the PCS Phone by Sanyo VM4500 include:


PCS Ready Link capability for quick access to key friends, family or associates, coast to coast. Handset features a convenient, side-mounted, thumb-operable PCS Ready Link button.

Built-in digital camcorder function allows users to take and send video clips up to 15 seconds in length. Up to 33 Normal quality 15-second video clips can be stored in the handset's internal memory. Video resolution is 96 x 128 pixels.

Built-in digital camera function allows users to take and send VGA (640 x 480 pixels), QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) and QQVGA (160 x 120 pixels) digital photos. Up to 31 Fine quality VGA or 150 lower-quality and smaller-resolution photos can be stored in internal memory.

QuadScreen thumbnail picture review allows viewing of four thumbnails at a time.

Voice memo capability to easily attach a voice memo of up to 10 seconds to any photo or video.

Fully supports PCS Vision services.

High-Luminance LED serves as a Flash for photos and a Movie Light for shooting video clips in certain low-light conditions.

Built in photo zoom capability (1x, 4x and 16x).

A top-quality, built-in speakerphone for enjoying hands-free calls and letting friends join the conversation.

A 2.1-inch, 65,536-color main TFT LCD display

A 1-inch, 65,536-color external TFT LCD display helps identify callers via Photo Caller ID and also can be used as a viewfinder when taking a self portrait.

Built-in answering machine allows users to screen calls or to answer anytime while the caller is leaving a message.

Features WAP 2.0 browser/Java (J2ME) for enhanced Web browsing.

Programmable reminders for holidays, birthdays or other significant dates.

Event calendar, to-do list, call alarm.

Digital talk time of up to 3.25 hours with included standard Lithium Ion battery. Digital standby time is up to 10 days.

The VM4500 measures 3.60"H x 1.85"W x 1.07"D. Weight is 3.85 ounces.

Sprint announced 2.7 million PCS Vision customers through the end of 3rd quarter and leads the industry in adoption of advanced wireless data services. PCS Vision from Sprint includes services that allow customers to take and receive pictures from select PCS Phones; browse the Internet at speeds faster than most dial-up connections; check personal and corporate e-mail; watch clips and stream audio for news and music; download polyphonic, animated and voice ringers, and full-color, graphically-rich games and screen savers, all on the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network.
The VM4500 specifically supports the following PCS Vision applications:

Video Mail and Picture Mail – Taking pictures or 15-second video clips and instantly sharing them with family and friends has never been easier. Just point, shoot and share.

Web –Stay informed while on the go with full-color graphic versions of popular Internet sites. . Games – Graphically enhanced single and multi player games provide hours of entertainment on your PCS Vision Phone.

Ringers - Sprint was the first to offer polyphonic ringtones and now, with Vision-enabled PCS Phones from Sprint, users can express even more personality with hundreds of unique downloadable polyphonic, animated, and voice ringers, including the latest music releases, showtunes and sound effects that can be assigned to specific numbers in the address book.

Messaging - PCS Vision gives you more ways to keep in touch than ever. Using Messaging from Sprint, you can send and receive email and exchange text messages -- even join a chat room.

Screen Savers - PCS Vision allows customers to personalize their wireless service by wirelessly downloading screen savers right from their phone, many featuring synchronized animation.

[Ioman]

Picture 2

[techno-..]

hey awsome thats the phone im getting!

i was going to get a sanyo 8100, but i went to raido shack and he said sprint was coming out with some video phones, and how could i not buy it!

in a few days im going back to radio shack to pick it up!!


i cant wait!! ahhhh

i will be blowing away all other phones!!!!!!!!!!!

[sd_davis]

I'll be purchasing a few of the VM4500 for my company today. I will post a review here after we play with them a bit.

It appears that this phone is the first in the US with a true "second" phase capability. The ability to do Video and a light to boot wil be interesting.

I can imagine our sales reps with the ability to "shoot" me a site video, and then "beam" it over to the office. I can then assimilate the footage, and come up with a more educated solution for the customer. Very interesting possibilties indeed.

This model also has "Ready Link" which means I can conference several Reps at once, and have a real time "chat" about that site.

More as I review the model.

Scott

[live4him]

Hmm...

Had to return it within a day... for some reason there was a blue vertical line running through the display? Wierd? Other than that, phone is great. Very practical and useful features.

Did you guys notice a yellowish tainted camera screen/camcorder screen? Not sure if its just the lighting here... but let me know your experience so far?

I'll post back on the experience with the "new" phone, as I was sold a display one without notice.

Other than the above problems.. I think this phone is great!!! Very - Very pleased with it.

[Ioman]

How is the reception with this phone? I am not a huge fan of Sprint, is this the only service you can use with it?

[live4him]

Ioman,

Reception is great. I used to be a fan of the Samsung Sprint phones... they had a better overall look and menu. But reception was spotty.. actually less than exceptional... and thats not even including other major issues with Samsung phones.

I've gone through 3 Samsung N400's, and 2 A500's due to defects, etc.

This is the first Sanyo phone I've bought.. and I have to say... the reviews I've read about better reception and overall features is right on.

In other words, reception is great. Where other phones get little or no reception, this phone worked great

Hmm.. Currently, I think Sprint is the only service available with this model. Its working awesome right now...

Picture and Video emails are great... showed up in the inbox immediately after sent from the phone

[ECA]

Im wondering.
Why dont they add SD cards, for the video. THAT WOULD BE COOL. It could expand the Video recording, and audio recording, asn also let you have MORE pics, and the ability to pull the card and Load onto your comp.

[sd_davis]

SD Card:
True, it appears to be one thing lacking in this model. Remember, however, part of the revenue stream they (all carriers) want it MMC content traffic. If you were to have a SD card, you might not ever have to $END anything over their network and pay for it.

I believe we will see more of the SD card types inthe true third generation as we move forward. Today for instance I demoed the Treo 600 from Sprint. It is really a neat piece of eq. Just like the VM4500 minus video, but has Palm OS, SD card, and a mini QWERTY keyboard. This model as stated DOES have a SD slot, but has a much higher buy in price (MSRP $600) which would offset the loss in payable MMC traffic that might occur because of the memory card feature.

BTW, I am all for the carriers making $ on the MMC traffic. Nothing is free, and a company HAS to make $ somehow. As MMC traffic begins to prolifferate, it will be come more standard, and cheaper, and perhaps one day be "included" as air time is now.

More of a review of the VM4500 when I get them. (I will also be getting the A620 [VGA1000 v2] for a few reps.)

Today I ordered:
VM4500
A620
Tero 600


Lata,
Scott

[ECA]

i STILL HATE THE ideal, THAT WE have to make money to give this option. They AINT paying that much for the bandwidth.