Ericsson MC218

Ericsson has released a PDA to communicate with its mobile phones. But hang on, isn't it just a Psion Series 5mx with an Ericsson badge on the front? We report on what else this rebadged PDA can do.

When we first heard of Symbian, the alliance of Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Matsushita and Psion, we were hoping for super-light devices resembling mobile phones but with all the power of the Epoc embedded operating system behind them.

It comes as something of a disappointment then to see that Ericsson's first wireless application protocol (Wap)-enabled product is nothing more than a re-badged Psion Series 5mx with an infra-red data modem and some extra software. However, that disappointment is tempered by the fact that the MC218 provides the perfect companion for the mobile professional who requires email, simple messaging, fax and web browsing capability without having to lug a 9lb laptop around.

One of the key features of the MC218 is Wap functionality, making it particularly suitable for computing on the move. Wap is the platform for the new generation of 'media phones', providing an open universal standard for bringing Internet content to wireless devices.

Uninspiring looks

In appearance, the MC218 is virtually identical to the Series 5mx, with its sleek silver grey clamshell case, half-VGA width back-lit touch-sensitive screen with stylus for navigation. The processor is the Risc-based 36MHz Arm710T, and 16Mb Ram is included (up to 96Mb of additional memory can also be installed in the industry-standard CompactFlash card slot). All this comes in a device weighing 354 grams.

The standard Psion software suite is included, providing a word processor, spreadsheets, database, agenda and contacts, jotter, calculator, world information, alarm clock and digital sound recording.

Most of these can be accessed via quick access buttons along the bottom of the screen. Ericsson has changed a couple of these to provide instant access to some of its own applications, including MyPhone and Internet.

MyPhone allows you to manage your Ericsson phone via the infra-red port.

Portable messaging

To make life easy, the package includes the D127 IrDA modem module, which simply clips onto the bottom of any 600, 700 or 800 series Ericsson phone.

The most popular software will be the message utility, offering a choice between email, simple messaging and fax, and providing all the usual email facilities. Messaging is ideally suited to the slow speeds of the current GSM phone network; unlike web browsing, which is painfully slow when using the standard HTTP browser. The Wap-enabled Ericsson Mobile Internet browser is included on the CD and improves things somewhat.

On the downside ...

Other than the fact that you have to rely on Psion's PC synchronisation software, there is little to criticise about the MC218. The quick access buttons, inclusion of the IrDA modem module, snazzy case, and additions to the software from Ericsson have certainly improved on the basic Series 5mx.

The biggest advantage is that it is so easy to set-up and use. Providing you have one of the limited number of phones supported, the MC218 offers an excellent mobile communications device.

Contact Ericsson (0990) 237 237, or at www.ericsson.co.uk