The Cingular 8525 is a Cingular exclusive. Among all its features, the 8525 has (obviously) a phone - with all the possible bells and whistles one could fit into a mobile phone package; speaker phone, bluetooth, wired handsfree, voice dialing, and of course the phonebook. A decent 2 Mega pixel camera is on the back that does still pictures and video as well. A small LED flash supplies some illumination for dark spaces, but it works best in natural light. Messaging (email as well as SMS text messages), a full HTML browser that supports most Javascript, WiFi support, InfraRed IR support, USB, Bluetooth of course, and can even work as a USB tethered or IR wireless modem for laptops. The 8525 even works as an MP3 player with the Windows Mobile Media Player built in. Internal speakers provide a mini-boom box, or use the included wired stereo headphones, or add-on bluetooth headsets for stereo listening. A micro SD memory storage card slot allows easy expansion of precious memory.

Transferring music as in music to our ears files is easy, just plug in the USB cable (or use Infra Red IR if your computer supports that, or Bluetooth); install the drivers/client software on the desktop, and copy files directly over. The software (Microsoft Active Sync) also does syncronizations for data files and Outlook mail, if you require that feature.

As with any mobile device, the Cingular 8525 has two weaknesses - MEMORY and POWER. Unlike a regular computer, the pocket PC does not have a hard disk drive to dump files onto. It uses memory (RAM in computer terms). Although it is RAM the contents are non-volatile, that is, data is not lost when power goes out. The 8525 pocket PC uses the memory as its storage medium instead of a hard drive. Internal memory consists of read-only and read-write parts, the read-only part is the operating system - the read-write part is where programs and data files are stored.

The internal memory is only sufficient for basic usage - you absolutely NEED extra memory in the form of a micro SD memory storage card. A memory manager tool in the Windows Mobile operating system allows you to monitor the size and usage of the memory (both fixed memory as well as the add-on memory card).

The Mobile Internet Explorer IE browser is a full HTML browser that can show virtually any webpage. Granted, one is limited by the screen resolution given the size of the screen, but scrollbars and a four-way keypad make it easy to get around the large web pages. Most simple javascript does work, but not crazy scripts or DHTML fancy shmancy pages. Images are scaled down to the screen size so viewing them takes some squinting, but it is an acceptable down side. The browser supports Desktop mode where it attempts to render the web page as-is; or a column mode where it attempts to fit things in compact columns (though sometimes it makes the webpage appear strange); and a default option that does a best guess arrangement which actually does work the best for most websites.

Why buy both a PDA and an iPod MP3 player? The Cingular 8525 does it all, the built in Windows Mobile Media Player allows you to play virtually any music file.

Bluetooth is the biggest power hog, it drains the battery the most. Shutting off Bluetooth handsfree devices when not required is a good habit. This is a sad fact for all mobile devices, not just the Cingular 8525.

WiFi is another drain on the battery. In most areas Cingular offers the 3G or EDGE wireless data connection with unlimited usage plans - making WiFi redundant. However, if you keep "borrowing" your neighbor's unsecured WiFi feed, it will drink up your battery juice real fast.

The 3G/EDGE transmitter is also a big power drain. Excessive surfing or constant email checking will run down your battery. Its fine to check the news or sports scores or your email during boring meetings, or on the bus/train commute - but it is not designed for around the clock usage. Also, if your signal strength drops to below 2 bars (low signal), your phone has to shout louder which drains more power. You can disconnect the 3G connection by tapping the G icon, tap DISCONNECT - the phone transmitter will fall back to cellular (lower power consumption).

Overall, the Cingular 8525 scores an 11 out of 10 - yes, this little thing is incredible, and is resoundingly recommended!

The 8525 (and the previous Cingular 8125) provide decent messaging capabilities, both with SMS text messaging as well as full blow POP email access.

However, some irritating quirks and limitations exist in the internal Windows Mobile Outlook software - which can cause baffling error message pop ups and strange behavior. Below are some quick fixes and tips to tame the Mobile Outlook beast within the 8525 mobile pocket PC device.

Cingular forces their Xpress mail personal email service and software. You really don't need it, the 8525 smart phone has the Windows Mobile operating system which includes the Windows Mobile Outlook email client. The Cingular Xpressmail setup is very easy to setup however, so if one is a techno-phone it may be the preferred option.

After completing the options setup for the mail account, your 8525 device will ask if you want to download mail. SAY NO! If you have other mail accounts, set them up now, always saying NO to download new mail after each is complete.

There is some weird problem with the Windows Mobile Outlook software, the settings that you have entered have not actually taken effect yet. Press and HOLD the power button till the phone grumbles about being shut down - say YES. Wait a few seconds till it finally dozes off. Then use the stylus and poke the reboot button (the little hole next to the USB) and wait for the Cingular 8525 to restart.

To save time and headaches later, ensure you select the correct format (POP or IMAP) and select a short and meaningful name for each connection (instead of the default POP3) - since these two options CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTERWARDS. Enter the login name and password and check the STORE box, or it will drive you crazy later.

Before you can pick up mail - yet another bug has to be squashed in the 8525 email Outlook client. Send an email to yourself on your desktop PC. If no mail is found the first time, mobile Outlook will constantly give "Messages could not be downloaded" errors. Finally, go to Messaging on your Cingular 8525 mobile PDA device and tap MENU, tap SEND RECEIVE MAIL on the pocket PC. With any luck, your initial test email will be picked up. Repeat for all mail accounts setup on the 8525 phone. Once you can receive email, try sending an email outbound.

If you get mail errors, go into the OPTIONS and tap the mail account, ensure all settings and passwords are correct, then save, power off, reboot and try again. It will eventually work, so be patient with it!