Smart Phone Android Pulse...

PAYG Android Pulse hits UK market, courtesy T-Mobile


Edited by Saudi Ali, 27.10.2009
By Charles Smith
25 October 2009 @ 03:40 pm BST
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London - UK's first Android platform-based pay-as-you-go (PAYG) smartphone Android Pulse, which boasts of features like 3G support, accelerometer and 3.2-megapixel camera, has finally hit T-Mobile stores.

Until now, Android-based mobile phones could only be bought on contract basis but T-Mobile made an exception with Android Pulse in its attempt to bring Android-based smartphones to "a wider set of mobile users."

Manufactured by the Chinese company Huawei, the quadband GSM-based Android Pulse scores high in form factor, sporting a slimline, curvy black polished chrome exterior, measures 116x62.5x13.5mm and is light on the pocket, weighing only 130 gm.

Pulse comes loaded with a 3.5-inch HVGA TFT touchscreen display (with 320×480 resolution); is powered by a powerful Qualcomm 528 Mhz MSM7225 processor that allows users to open multiple applications with minimum lag time; and boasts of a decent 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus, zoom function and video recording capability 9but no flash); a 2GB SD card; an accelerometer that senses if you rotate the device and changes the display to match; a trackball for hassle free menu browsing; integrated GPS with A-GPS support; integrated audio and video player, microSD card slot, miniUSB port and 2.5mm headphone jack. It also features HSDPA, HSUPA, WiFi, 3G and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity - boon for those who love to browse on the Internet for long hours.

Most importantly, the mobile phone runs on the acclaimed and tested Google Android OS, which also runs HTC G1 (launched last year) as well as HTC Hero, HTC Magic and the most recent Samsung Galaxy.

Like all other Android-based phones, Pulse is also equipped with pre-installed Google applications (apps) such as Gmail, GoogleMaps and YouTube. Pulse owners also have access to Android Market, from where they can download many games and applications both free and paid (currently there are around 10,000 apps in Android Market).

Pulse's battery life is also decent, promising 300 hours (standby time) and 210 minutes (talk time).

Of course, Pulse cannot be compared to iPhone 3GS, Sony Ericsson Satio, HTC Hero, Palm Pre, BlackBerry Storm 2 or Motorola Droid in terms of features but, hey, Pulse is a cheap option if you are looking for a large touchscreen mobile phone with access to the Google Android apps market.

"We've had a huge amount of interest in the T-Mobile Pulse since its unveiling a month ago. The high spec and PAYG price point makes it a really compelling offer. And as it's the only Android phone that can be bought without a monthly contract , we think it will be the must-have mobile Christmas gift this year," said Nicola Shenton, Acting Head of Handset and Device Marketing at T-Mobile UK.

The PAYG mobile phone can also be bought on a £30 per month for 24 months contract from T-Mobile, which will land you the mobile phone for free plus 100 minutes of talktime and web access every month. Pay £40 per month for 18 months and you will get the Pulse for free plus unlimited web and £225 credit to spend on calls and texts.

This article is copyrighted by IBTimes.