CL50 is the first Siemens clamshell mobile phone, momentarily available
in Italy , Germany , United Kingdom and France . It is soon to be sold
on the other markets.
Blue is the SeaWherever
you go, the phone impresses around by it's dimensions. Using the
bundled tape necklace, you can carry it round your neck (did someone
mention Xelibri?). Both screens are pretty modest in dimensions, which
isn't too bad for the external screen, since it is being used only to
display the status messages and the caller ID. The illumination is
intensely blue, while the keyboard is still illuminated in orange, just
like the MT50 model. If you wish to check the time, new messages or
unanswered calls, you can activate the illumination by pressing the
side keys (normally used to adjust the volume during the call).
Size Matters?Naturally,
miniaturization has it's drawbacks. Keyboard is harder to use – keys,
being aligned with the rest of the case, have to be 'pressed into' the
phone. If your fingers are a bit larger, this can be tiresome after a
while. You won't be able to use the other model's handsfree sets on
your CL50, because the standard Siemens plug, formerly placed at the
bottom of the mobile was removed. A widely used 2.5 mm jack plug,
covered with rubber to prevent the dust and dirt entering in, is the
new way of connecting the headset. A green LED, placed on top of the
phone next to the headset plug and the antenna, would inform you by
blinking that the mobile is turned on. Too bad the same LED wasn't also
used for some other functions, like missed calls notifications etc.
Despite it's small size, after the clamshell case is spread, CL50 is
really pleasing to be held during the conversation.
Menu SystemThe
menus are of a typical 'Siemens-style', and according to it's
abilities, the mobile fits the middle class model range. Message
archive would delight the SMS addicts, and long-message, pictures and
tones sending conforming to EMS standards is enabled by
default. A 100
contacts can be stored into it's built-in phonebook, which includes one
name entry field and three phone entry fields. You can also save a
reminder note (birthday, anniversary, Valentine's Yesy) along with the
contact. Contacts can be sorted into five groups, and we have described
the ways of using user groups many times. Besides assigning
group-specific ringtone melodies, you can also assign a specific melody
to an individual contact entry. The organizer to assist you organize
your daily responsibilities, alarm, calculator and currency converter
are also included.
You can access the Internet solemnly by the
'ordinary' modem dial-up, which isn't much of a drawback concerning the
GPRS pricing at the moment. Using the WAP services you can download
various pictures and ringtones to be used on your mobile. A picture can
be set up as a background wallpaper or an operator logo. Besides 20
pre-included melodies, you can store additional ten you have downloaded
using the WAP and three to be composed using the keyboard. Three games
are also here for your entertainment, yet Java support was omitted.
Profiles,
of course, weren't excluded, and they are easily accessible from the
stand-by mode by pressing the top side key. You can also adjust the
phone to automatically answer the call by opening the clamshell, or
not. If the automatic answering is turned on, you can reject the call
by pressing the bottom side key.
Why All That?It
is obvious that CL50 was made as a 'fun phone', and we hope for it's
price not to be too high. Since it's the Siemens' first trip to the
world of the clamshell-case mobile phones, we can hardly predict it's
success – yet, despite some tiny beginner's errors they made, Siemens
had affirmed their abilities to produce a small and functional phone.
Competition: VK mobile CG107
Of
similar dimensions and weight, VK mobile CG107 appears as a much better
choice due to it's better display, additional battery and a headset
bundled in.
Test model provided by:
Siemens MobilePro et Contra+ small, clamshell case
- keys, display
