Sprint PCS Touchpoint TP3000 Phone (Sprint)

• Touch screen with PDA functions
• Built-in speakerphone with voice-activated features
• Web enabled
• Stores up to 2,000 contacts
• Up to 3.5 hours' digital talk time or 135 hours' digital standby time; includes Lithium-ion battery, dual slot charger, and desktop synch software

The TP3000 is the first wireless phone with a touch screen and integrated PDA, and like other handhelds, it has a stylus that interfaces with the phone's salient functions. Voice-activated dialing and a built-in speakerphone cement the TP3000's position as an innovative new phone. And while it is by no means perfect, the TP3000 does push the envelope with admirable gusto.

The single-band (digital-only) TP3000 measures 5.3 by 2.2 by 1 inches, making it slightly larger than contemporary wireless phones. And at 6 ounces, it weighs about the same as popular handhelds. When the flip screen is closed, the TP3000 acts as a standard phone. Open it, and the phone becomes a full-featured PDA.

To gauge how it measured up, we first checked out the TP3000's phone options.

The keypad is well spaced, and despite the phone's larger size, we had no problems dialing with one hand. The backlit, seven-line display (in phone mode) works well with the control keys, and we found it easy to locate menus and make selections.

Five buttons handle the menu navigation. The WEB button also provides one-touch access to the wireless Internet. A four-way directional key lets you scroll through menu options, and the OK key selects menu options as they appear. CLR and END keys let you erase text and bring you back to the main menu, respectively.

The top-level menu choices are: Call History (three different call logs), Messages, Phone Book (2,000-entry capacity), Environment (seven settings, including two custom options) Sounds (11 ringers, including vibrate), Display (including four contrast settings), Security, Set Up, PC Sync, and Keyguard Lock.

Like most phones, the TP3000 supports caller ID, call forwarding, three-way calling, call forwarding, and carrier-dependent options. As well, it has a decent set of voice-activated features.

The TP3000 has room for 20 voice tags, so you can call friends and associates using voice-activated dialing. We also attached voice ringers to each voice-tag, so we knew who was calling without even looking at the phone. While the phone lacks a voice memo recorder, it does have a built-in speakerphone, which allows you to place calls and listen to messages without touching the phone.

Then, we took out the stylus (which slides into the back of the phone) and scrutinized the TP3000's PDA functions. The touch screen is sensitive and responsive, and applications opened without incident, so we quickly cycled through the minibrowser, calculator, date book, profile settings, memo pad, contact and to-do lists, and world clock.

In comparison to today's handhelds, the TP3000 holds its own as a first-generation competitor, but Palm and Handspring owners may opt to hang on to their devices a bit longer. For example, the TP3000 doesn't have expandable memory or a CompactFlash slot, two things that come with many PDAs.

Also, the TP3000 doesn't support handwriting-recognition software. Therefore, we relied on the virtual keyboard and generous 12-line touch screen (in PDA mode) for entry and navigation. While the keyboard was set up well and was responsive, it was not conducive to entering a pocketful of business cards into our phone book.

Fortunately, the TP3000 can be synched with your PC, enabling you to transfer date book information, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, messages, and other data back and forth.

The process is straightforward. First, we used the data cable (included) to link our computer to the phone. Then, we installed the sync software on to our PC. After a minute, the TP3000 Desktop window popped up. It's a streamlined, icon-driven application that's incredibly easy to figure out and use. So uncomplicated, in fact, we didn't open the user manual. Instead, we entered 20 phone book contacts, some memos, and several appointments on our PC. We clicked the Synchronization button on the toolbar and less than a minute later, all the information was entered into our phone. The desktop software maintains all the information to boot.

The TP3000 offers basic security features: an initial security code, keypad lock, call restriction modes, and a lock code that can activate or deactivate memory and menu options. It also has a reset feature, which restores the phone to its factory specifications.

The lithium-ion battery is rated for 210 minutes of digital talk time and 135 hours of digital standby time. In our testing, the TP3000 held a call for 225 minutes, and lasted for about six days in standby mode. And it only took a little over an hour for the phone to recharge completely.

Essentially, the TP3000 ushers in the future of wireless phones. While this phone may not send handheld sales tumbling, its versatility and feature set surpasses that of many popular phones. --Thom Arno (edited by Steve O'Neil)

Pros:

• Responsive touch screen
• Excellent call-management options
• 2,000-name phone book
• Speakerphone and voice-activated features

Cons:

• No handwriting-recognition software
• No expandable memory
• Lacks a CompactFlash card slot
• Digital only