Feb 05, 2011 05:40 PM
33095 Views
(Updated Feb 05, 2011 05:48 PM)
I love being a minimalist; for years I carried a basic "talk & text" phone, happy with its utility. Of course, I no longer needed to wear a wristwatch. Then I got a camera phone, which took care of photography, time, and phone services. Then came the Micromax Andro A60 and I felt true power in my palm.
This Micromax smartphone is powered by the Android Operating System, which a freeware from Google. What this means for you and me is a lower cost of phone(no OS cost, remember?) plus a large choice of free applications. That's right: any Android device can run free apps, since the code has been "given away" by Google.
So this phone is NOT just a phone: the A60 already comes with great apps, and features like in-built GPS, Google Maps, Gmail, accelerometer, full touchscreen, and 3.2 MP camera.
GPS: The A60 grabs signals from the GPS network of satellites to pinpoint your position. Now the power of maps and location/direction apps is really unleashed!
Touchscreen: It took me time to get used to, but now I find it the most natural way to use a phone! The on-screen keyboard comes with several input options, and is brilliant(especially the "swipe keyboard"). The screen is a bit on the smaller-size as compared to the competition(2.8" as compared to 3"-plus), but then the price is fantastic(the A60 retails for just under 7k, compared to the 12k-plus for similar devices).
Camera: Not its best feature; I got some decent photos in bright daylight, but quality erodes fast with dimmed lighting, and no flash. But I wasn't expecting a Zeiss for 7k, so am happy to get photos that can be shared on FB, Twitter and email. The video is so-so, and you can use the A60 to watch 3gp videos.
Music: Works great as an MP3 player(3.5" jack) but the loudspeaker was a little disappointing. Still, I usually use headphones so I'm OK.
Social sites: Being an Android device, the Micromax A60 has free access to apps created for Facebook, Twitter, news, online file management, emails, and a thousand other ways to communicate.
Connectivity: 3G, EDGE GPRS, Wi-fi, Bluetooth and USB keep you more than connected. and you can also make old-fashioned calls;-)
Apps: I found this to be the key difference from a simple phone: you can treat the A60 just like any PC: get free apps to do new stuff, replace old apps with ones you like(for example, I got the Winamp app to replace the in-built music player), and have fun!
Of course, you get the usual goodies like games(do try Angry Birds, its free and awesome), wallpapers, calendars, etc. etc. etc.
Battery: The A60 is power-hungry, like any other powerful Andriod device; so don't be worried if you need to boost-up once a day; the fast processor and smooth operation makes it worthwhile!
All in all: a well-built handset that feels good to hold; performs as expected; has all the power of any Android smartphone, and is very, very aggressively priced.
I, for one, love Value for Money!
(Let me know if I've missed anything!)
