T-Mobile MDA Compact

Large-screen phone and PDA with Bluetooth

If you're looking for a mobile handset that's capable of more than just making calls and text messaging, T-mobile's MDA Compact is worth serious consideration.

It's one of the latest smartphones designed around Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 SE Phone Edition.

The first thing that strikes you about this handset is its size - the Compact looks minute alongside a standard Windows-based PDA.

Most of the device is occupied by a large touch-sensitive display that can be used in portrait or landscape mode, which is ideal for viewing images or videos.

There are four quick-launch buttons at the bottom of the handset, but most functions are accessed via the included stylus.

The MDA comes with Pocket versions of Microsoft Excel and Word, and T-Mobile is currently offering the option to buy it with the Copilot Live GPS navigation system for an additional £150.

Unfortunately, the Windows Mobile operating system does make some things complicated. Simple tasks such as sending an SMS are far from intuitive, and making calls can be tricky as there is no physical numerical keypad.

You may also find yourself accessing unwanted phone functions during calls as the side of your face makes contact with the touch-sensitive display.

Travellers will be pleased that the MDA Compact is a tri-band phone, and can therefore be used in various countries, including the US.

It is not 3G-compatible, but has Bluetooth and GPRS connectivity and can be upgraded to enable Wi-Fi support via an SDIO slot.

If you're a business user who wants a device that ably combines a Pocket PC with a mobile phone, the MDA Compact is hard to beat.