Datawind PocketSurfer 2R

Datawind to PocketSurfer 2R is designed to be carried around for mobile access to the web anywhere and anytime.

This means that the device is limited to the small screen, but unlike many Smartphone, it is possible to view full Web pages correctly, and the purchase price includes one year in the value of surfing for a period of up to 20 hours per month.

We briefly saw updated equipment, which is now equipped with a laptop-style touchpad in the upper left corner of the keyboard area, rather than the four-scroll from the previous PocketSurfer.

This will allow you to scroll up and down Web pages faster swiping your thumb or finger over the touchpad, while pushing down on it generates mouse clicks.

The device is about the size and spectacle case and weighs 174 g, which is harder than many Smartphone, but it is slim enough slot in the jacket pocket. In the case opens clamshell-fashion, and can keep hanging on the screen half open (as a notebook), or all the way back, so you can cradle the unit in your hands.

Datawind claims that the PocketSurfer is faster access to Web sites than any other mobile device, despite the fact that instead of using the Vodafone GPRS or 3G HSDPA.

We were impressed at the speed that the place charged, but found that when we scrolled down, the device took a second or two to catch up and update the display.

We tried to PocketSurfer 2R on the number of Web sites, including BBC News, Google Mail home page, and found that all appear as you see them on your desktop computer.

However, 5in 640 x 240 screen means that you can see only a small part of most pages, so fair amount of scrolling and rýžování is necessary. Alternatively, is a function key lets you zoom out to see more, or zoom in on the mag nify of the page.

This keyboard has a decent size keys, but they are flat and metallic and reminiscent of equipment designed for harsh environments.

One feature we could not test (because we were in the interior) is based on PocketSurfer-GPS. This work with Google Maps that allows users to accurately identify their location, although Datawind said that this is not really up to scratch for in-vehicle navigation.

The PocketSurfer 2R is not a smartphone can be used for voice calls. In fact, it does not sound at all.

However, for users that want to access on-line e-mail address or look at news on the move, the PocketSurfer offers a cost-effective option that does not even need to sign up for mobile services.(vnunet)