IconBIT Callisto 300 – this is not just an accessory that complements the main unit, but a real smartphone with a camera and a GPS-module, only a small, hand … or rather – the wrist.
Specifications
• Screen: TFT IPS, 1,54 ”, 240×240, capacitive, multi-touch;
• Processor: Dual Core ARM Cortex-A7 1,3 GHz;
• Graphics Accelerator: Mali-400 MP;
• Operating System: Android 4.2.2;
• RAM: 1 GB;
• Built-in memory: 8 GB;
• Support for memory cards: microSD up to 32 GB;
• Feedback: 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900; 3G: 2100, HSPA + (DL: 21 Mbit / s, UL: 5,76 Mbit / s);
• SIM: micro-SIM;
• Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11n, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS;
• Camera: 3 megapixels;
• Sensors: magnetometer (digital compass);
• Battery: 600 mAh;
• Dimensions: 41 x 41 x 14 mm;
• Weight: 76 grams.
Packaging, equipment
The device comes in a black cube box with a brief description of the characteristics. Inside – actually watch “worn” on the brown cushion.
Under it – a cardboard cover, under which lies a charger with USB-connector, USB-cable itself, the cradle for charging, a small screwdriver, and six spare screws.
Appearance
Smartphone-watch hand look like a normal watch. They are available in two versions – with a black and red strap; the device is always in black aluminum housing. The strap is not removable; in it are the GPS-receiver and a speaker.
The front panel is square screen diagonal of 1.54 inches around it carved minutes / seconds: 1-9 and scored five, tens – numbers 0 – red triangle in the color of the strap.
Located on the right side convex power button and “Home”, between them – the camera lens, stylized wheel factory hours.
On the left side – the microphone and closed two cogs slot micro-SIM. On the rear panel is affixed with four screws, under it – the battery and microSD, access to which is possible only by removing the battery. Next to the top – contacts for charging through the cradle.
Ergonomics
Smartphone-watch slightly heavier most of the regular hours, but the hand is not pulled, you get used to them quickly. Strap snugly fits the hand, but obviously not designed for thin wrists: the author had to fasten them on the last hole. Holes, by the way, rectangular, and cut to exactly new, will have to apply to the workshop. Besides, near the strap in housing thickening, which contains GPS-module, so that the punch needed to wield twice gently.
Clock-controlled smartphone is quite simple. Of the three standard buttons on the body is only “Home” function “Back” does move your finger across the screen from right to left, swipe in the opposite direction causes the “Options”. List of recent applications that are running, you can call by holding down the “Home”. The icons are large enough for error-free taps, and to set passwords and SMS can be accustomed.
Talk by the hour convenient, but to photograph – not much: the image rotated, and the hand can prevent. You can, of course, remove the hands and keep as a normal camera. However, if you want to take pictures in Spyware silently, then still better not to do so.
IP56 protection protocol will protect watch from the loss at raindrops or sand, but check their strength and throws bathing still not worth it.
Screen
IconBIT Callisto 300 equipped with IPS-display with a diagonal of 1.54 inches and a resolution of 240×240 pixels (220 ppi). It makes no sense to compare these characteristics with screens of today’s smartphones, as the gadget fundamentally different.
Viewing angles are good, color rendition too happy. Supply of brightness is quite large, at a minimum; you can use the device in the room. Automatically adjust the brightness level is not. Under the sun of information remains readable.
Touch screen responds quickly to the touch, but sometimes defies gesture “back” on the first try. Rotate the image takes about a second. Recognized up to five simultaneous key presses, but even five fingers physically difficult to fit on the screen.
Interface software
To “pack” all that is necessary on the small screen, it was required to create a special shell – Callisto 300 1.00. Wherein the home desktop looks the same as all the others – a matrix of 2×2 icons. However, you can install another launcher and set up everything for them, but then the items will be quite small. You can also create folders with a few icons (by default, so grouped Google services and system applications like backup and menu SIM-card).
Download Android 4.2.2 on your phone takes almost half a minute. In the standby mode by pressing the power button, turn on the clock (to choose from – one for six analog and two digital), then you need to swipe your finger across the display in any direction – starting a home desktop. List of installed applications is standard, all optimized for the screen size.
Access to the «Play Market” offers the opportunity to install any additional software.
Serious processing undergone configuration section. For convenience, all the settings are grouped into four sections: “Wireless Networks”, “device”, “Personal Data”, “System”.
The latest version of the firmware came fifth section – Smart mode. You can choose from three modes: Normal mode (normal), Sports mode (does not allow the device to go into sleep mode), Watch mode (only work hours, the screen turns off). A very good solution, but the clock still would like to see the information constantly, and not by pressing a button.
It is interesting that the firmware is only available for users of Windows Vista and 7 (on XP SP3, you must first install a few updates). However, after some effort the author managed to flash clock for Windows 8.
The device is in the
Use the clock for its intended purpose is not very convenient: to know the time, you have to press the power button. It should also be borne in mind that if you forget to charge your device, it will “forget” that hour, and even what year it is, and will have to set the time again. It even implicit, but the minus for similar situations in the scheme must be provided miniature replaceable battery.
As smartphone IconBIT Callisto 300 looks much more interesting. Yes, we have to talk hands-free or with the use of Bluetooth-headset, but still is a complete communication tool, rather than an accessory to the normal smartphone.
Since little gadget has very mature characteristics, multitasking is no problem: you can simultaneously talk and download more applications.
All popular instant messengers work very well, and the fact that you can see only a small part of the contact list, it is easy to get used to. When the clock on the left hand, talking on video is not very convenient: it is necessary to curve the hand, so a fan of live communication is better to wear them on the right. You also need to get used to what ever you look at him, or he to you.
Browser displays even a very “heavy” pages, zooming is fast.
On the screen, you can watch streaming video from YouTube and view this resembles the first handheld video players. Rollers High Definition ship, of course, makes no sense, as usual played well. Sound a bit raspy at high volume, so it’s best to use a wireless headset.
Gamers will be somewhat disappointed by the fact that, for example, Angry Birds can be put, but it will not start. Asphalt and 8 Minion Rush even will not install – when you try to put a game that uses a gyroscope, a warning message appears.
Simple games like Fruit Ninja are working properly.
Camera
Built-in 3 megapixel camera has not changed compared to Callisto 100. However, it is perfectly suited as a tool for a secret agent – that the watch can take pictures, not everyone will guess. There smile detection, continuous shooting (40 or 99 frames), self-timer, shooting mode (“Auto”, “Night”) and white balance. You can select the quality of the picture or video clip.
Adjust to the shooting when the clock on the hand, it is possible not at once: the image rotated by 90 degrees. But a dozen shots later on this already and do not think about it.
Photo quality is average, but for social networks will fit (pictures, by the way, we obtain a quadratic). The quality of the video you can say the same. Max resolution – 864h480 pixels, 30 frames per second format 3GP. Minute Movie takes about 80 MB of memory.
Wireless interfaces
Wi-Fi module works well, the connection is not interrupted. Bluetooth is also spotless, tested two wireless headsets from different manufacturers.
GPS-module to determine the coordinates of flashing refused without an Internet connection. Then it worked, cold start takes a little less than two minutes.
During a call, the caller’s voice is heard is good, but lacks physical buttons control the volume. Generally telephone part is excellent, the size of the virtual numeric keys are quite comfortable.
Autonomy
Despite the modest battery capacity, clock showed decent time without recharging. With active SIM-cards, constant sync and about an hour of use (browser, camera, phone calls) wrist smartphone lasted 5 hours and 50 minutes. Video playback in offline mode with maximum brightness and average volume – 6 h 25 min. Hour web-surfing via Wi-Fi demanded 24% of the charge. If you include a 3G or Wi-Fi on request, watch easily hold out the whole day and even more.
Unusual device requires and custom tests. When used in normal mode as a backup phone (5 min talk) battery is discharged per day by 20%, in the “only hours” (about 20 references) – 6%.
Full charging via the supplied cradle takes about 40 minutes. When using this device, it will not be charged.
Result
Smartphone IconBIT Callisto 300 confidently to perform its duties, including those that can hardly impose on him (video, SMS). It will be useful not only spies and secret shoppers, but also to those who often forgets smartphone home (clock can never be removed), the students for the “rolling” on the exams, fans of unusual and useful devices at the same time, taxi drivers and travelers.
Pros:
• Full-fledged smartphone in the watch case;
• Protection against dust and moisture;
• Decent battery life.
Cons:
• Not very convenient to use as a clock;
• Difficulty access to the slots;
• No buttons to adjust the volume.
Review IconBIT Callisto 300
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