My first Windows Mobile phone was a HTC MTeor running Windows Mobile 5 and coming from the classic Nokia with its across the board standard interface there was definitely a learning curve. However nowadays (and I really mean just two short years later) smart phones are fairly common place.

My earlier experience with Windows Mobile 5 standard gave me a great head start when I got my next device (Tytn2) running Windows Mobile 6.0 (and then 6.1) Professional. I think getting to learn Windows Mobile is a very good thing because although future version will have additional features and interface changes the basic functions will always be very similar it has also been great to see the progression through to Windows Mobile 6.5 and I am greatly anticipating Windows 7. It might not currently be as pretty as the iPhone operating system but it is obvious that Microsoft are working on it.

While I haven’t had hands on experience with the Pantech Matrix Pro myself I have been following other sites taking part in this competition, Jewelzz also had some limited time with the device so hopefully she can offer a little insight. The easiest review to read is here by John which you can find here: http://absolutevista.com/blogs/absolutevista/archive/2009/03/18/2915.aspx.

So the device has two keyboards which is great, although I rarely used the keyboard it was much faster for texting and I must admit I do miss my dial pad a little bit instead having to resort to greasy paw prints all over my TouchHDs screen every time I want to do something and I feel far too geeky whipping out a stylus all the time. With all keyboards closed it is still possible to navigate menus and perform the usual Windows Mobile functions such as answering, hanging up (although I suspect those are found on others too) but also back and start.

As a Windows Mobile it comes with a lot of software built in out of the box including mobile versions of Office, Messenger (depending on carrier but now available for all), Adobe Reader, Windows Media Player and of course Solitaire. In general you can download other software free such as Windows Live, Google maps - both of which will happily make use of the built in GPS software.

Windows Mobile will also allow you to completely consolidate your contacts into one manageable list, it can take a little tweaking but having your phone numbers, messenger contacts and Outlook contacts under one simple contact really is a nice thing.

While I can’t recommend the Pantech Matrix Pro without actually having played with it, you would certainly be starting on higher ground than I did and it is certainly better on the eyes, it is a fine introduction to Windows Mobile and will give you the opportunity to see that behind the comparatively ugly interface there is a very powerful platform behind it.

Jewelzz ... u rock woman!

Just finalising a few things

least we will know that all the spammers are American

least we will know that all the spammers are american