The highly affordable and easily pocketable Android-powered T-Mobile Comet is a great a great choice for those transitioning to the world of smartphones. This 3G-enabled smartphone features a 2.8-inch touchscreen display, 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, a fast 528 MHz processor, and the latest Android operating system (version 2.2, also referred to as "Froyo"). And with prepaid and postpaid calling plans from T-Mobile Pay As You Go, you'll be able to pay the way you want without being tied down to a monthly contract (learn more about prepaid services below).

The affordable, Android-powered T-Mobile Comet smartphone (see larger image).

With integrated Google technology, the Comet brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by Voice, YouTube and Picasa. It also provides easy access to both personal and corporate email, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. And through Android Market, you'll get access to over 100,000 useful applications, widgets and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day.

Enabled for T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network, the Comet offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience that lets you connect quickly to social networking sites. And this 3G-enabled mobile phone will benefit from the enhanced speeds of T-Mobile's upgraded HSPA+ network, which offers speeds close to 4G connectivity and is being rolled out nationwide (read more about HSPA+ below).

You can also take advantage of T-Mobile's nationwide 3G network and share the Comet's mobile broadband connectivity with your laptop or tablet while on the go using either a tethered USB connection or creating a Wi-Fi Hotspot with your phone that other Wi-Fi-enabled devices can connect to.

Other features include GPS for navigation using Google Maps and accessing location-based services, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, microSD memory expansion (to 32 GB with optional cards), digital media player for music and video, integrated FM radio, an HTML web browser, and up to 9 hours of talk time.

Create a Wi-Fi HotSpot so multiple people can take advantage of T-Mobile's mobile broadband network (see larger image).

Key Features

• Fast 3G connectivity via T-Mobile's HSDPA/UMTS network. (1700/2100 MHz bands, UMTS/HSDPA; see more about T-Mobile's 3G service below)
• Quad-band GSM connectivity for good global voice roaming.
• Powered by the Android 2.2 operating system with deep integration of Google services and access to thousands of apps to customize your phone via the Android Market.
• 528 MHz processor
• Built-in GPS for real-time location on maps, driving directions, and more (additional charges may apply)
• Google Maps Navigation (Beta) provides free, pre-loaded turn-by-turn voice guidance. Powered by Google and requiring an Internet connection, it enables you to simply say "Navigate to [your destination]" to get on your way. See live traffic, use Street View or satellite imagery to view your route, and get access to the most recent maps and business information from Google Maps without ever needing to update your device.
• 2.8-inch touchscreen display (320 x 240 pixels, 262K color depth)
• Onscreen keyboard
• 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder with up to 2.8x digital zoom and multiple shooting modes
• Digital media player compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC music files plus MPEG4 and H.264/H.263 video formats.
• FM radio
• Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.0) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
• Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
• Tethering and mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot capabilities enable you to share your phone's connection to the T-Mobile 3G network with other devices, such as a laptop or tablet (additional charges applicable).
• Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB.
• Text (SMS) and picture/video (MMS) messaging
• Access to popular instant messaging services
• Access to personal and work e-mail (supports Microsoft Exchange corporate e-mail)
• HTML Web browser
• Organizer tools including calendar, voice memo, calculator, and alarm
• Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
• USB connectivity with mass storage and charging capabilities
• 3.5mm headset/headphone jack
• TTY capable

Vital Statistics

The T-Mobile Comet weighs 3.6 ounces and measures 4.1 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches. Its 1200 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 9 hours of talk time, and up to 288 hours (12 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, as well as T-Mobile's 3G network (1700/2100 MHz).

What's in the Box

T-Mobile Comet handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, quick start guide

T-Mobile Pay As You Go Prepaid Service

T-Mobile prepaid plans give you wireless access with less commitment, so you can pay--and talk--as you go. With no annual contract, no credit check, and no monthly bill, prepaid plans are a simple, direct way to go mobile. There are many ways to conveniently refill your T-Mobile Prepaid Plan so that you can stay continually connected with the people who matter most, including using web2go directly from your phone, via the T-Mobile Web site, or using refill cards available at over 90,000 locations nationwide.

With Pay As You Go, you get wireless service exactly how you like it--there's no long-term contract, no credit checks, and no surprises. Add $100 in refills with Pay As You Go and you'll become a Gold Rewards customer, which gets you 15 percent more minutes on all refills and your minutes won't expire for a year after the time you refill.

See T-Mobile's coverage map.

You can also pay only $1.00 per day for unlimited nights and unlimited nationwide calling to any T-Mobile number. All other domestic calls you make are just 10¢ per minute.

T-Mobile includes the following services with this T-Mobile Pay As You Go phone:

• Nationwide long distance (including calls to Alaska and Hawaii)
• National roaming on the T-Mobile USA network
• t-zones (browsing for HiFi Ringers, MegaTones, wallpapers, and more; not available on all devices)
• VoiceMail, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling
• Free e-mail address (10digitnumber@tmomail.net)

Additional services available for additional fees:

• Text messaging ($0.10 to send, $0.5 to receive)
• Picture messaging ($0.25 to send or receive)
• Download ringtones and wallpaper (prices vary)
• Download games and applications (prices vary)
• 411 & More directory assistance ($1.79 per call plus airtime)
• International dialing to over 150 countries (international rates apply)
• Prepaid international roaming rates

To keep your mobile number active, refill within 90 days after your minutes expire. After 90 days, your account will be canceled and you will lose your phone number. If you want to restart service after that time, you will need to activate new service.

High-Speed 3G Data Connectivity

In addition to its quad-band GSM connectivity, this phone is also compatible with T-Mobile's UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the via T-Mobile's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and e-mail on the go.

The affordable Nokia 5230 with 3.2-inch touchscreen display.

When paired with a compatible 3G network, you'll enjoy a high-speed connection offering a variety of feature-rich wireless services--from data connectivity to your office to multimedia streaming, and take advantage of simultaneous voice and data services. In areas not served by a 3G network, you'll continue to receive data service via EDGE network (depending on network compatibility).

Note that the downloading of maps, games, music and videos and uploading of images and videos involves transferring large amounts of data. Your service provider may charge for the data transmission, and the availability of particular services and features may vary by carrier.

Key Features

Customizable Home screen for quick access to 20 of your friends from the Contacts bar.

• Fast 3G connectivity with broadband-like speeds via 850/900/1900/2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA.
• Integrated assisted GPS (A-GPS) receiver with free Ovi Maps enables you to find your route quickly and easily, whether walking or driving. Use the Walk pedestrian navigation to find your way, or the voice-guided Drive navigation to find the best route. (Learn more)
• 3.2-inch touchscreen with responsive, tactile feedback (640 x 360 pixels, 16.7 million colors).
• 2-megapixel camera with 3x digital zoom, center-weighted auto exposure, white balance settings, and on-phone photo editor.
• Video capture capabilities with recording up to 640 x 480 pixels and up to 30 fps.
• Digital audio/video player with compatibility for MP3, WMA, and AAC/eAAC+ formats
• FM radio (requires headset to be attached)
• Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.0) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
• Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 16 GB.
• SMS and MMS messaging with common inbox
• Instant messaging via AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Live, and Google Talk
• Supports e-mail accounts from more than a thousand ISPs (SMTP, IMAP4, POP3), as well as Gmail, Yahoo! mail and Hotmail. People who use Microsoft Exchange at work can access their e-mail using the Mail for Exchange mobile e-mail client, which comes pre-loaded (an Exchange e-mail account is required and your Exchange Administrator must have enabled your account for synchronization).
• Nokia Xpress audio messaging
• Full HTML Web browsing
• Organizer tools including calendar, alarm clock, notes, world clock, converter, and calculator.
• Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
• USB connectivity
• Ovi Store by Nokia with access to thousands of applications and other exciting content.
• Integrated hands-free speakerphone
• Contacts bar for 20 contacts with images and communication history (SMS, e-mail, web feeds)
• Symbian OS v9.4, Series 60 5.0
• Changeable color battery covers

Vital Statistics
The Nokia 5230 weighs 3.98 ounces and measures 4.37 x 2.03 x 0.61 inches. Its 1320 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of 3G talk time (7 hours on non-3G networks), and up to 438 hours (18.25 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, plus 850/900/1900/2100 3G networks (HSDPA).

What's in the Box
Nokia 5230 handset, rechargeable battery, charger, wired stereo headset, wrist strap, user manual

Learn More

Free Worldwide Walk and Drive Navigation

Nokia now offers its Ovi Maps walk and drive navigation application free across the globe. Drivers receive turn-by-turn voice guidance including lane assistance, traffic information (in 10 countries including the U.S.), and safety camera and speed warnings, while pedestrians will be guided on shortcuts through parks and pedestrian-only zones in over 100 cities across the globe. And unlike other mobile navigation mapping solutions, Ovi Maps works offline--no cellular service is required.

Driving directions.

3D landmarks.

Lonely Planet guide.

Real-time weather.

With the new Ovi Maps for mobile you get for free:

• Maps for over 180 countries and free map updates
• Drive and Walk navigation available in over 70 countries with real-time voice guidance
• My Position enables you to find your current location easier and faster than ever.
• New one box search for quicker access to finding places and addresses.
• Save your favorite places and routes, then synchronize them with your Ovi account over the air.
• Car navigation with voice and visual instructions, lane assistance and speed limit information. Now also with text-to-speech voice guidance.
• Pedestrian navigation with routing through pedestrian zones and shortcuts, pathways through parks and buildings, stairways and plazas. Now with text-to-speech voice guidance.
• Get real-time weather information including a 5-day forecast, for your current or any location found via search.
• Lonely Planet and Michelin offer you dynamic access to the best and most relevant editorial travel content for over 1000 destinations. Find thousands of listings for sights, restaurants, hotels, shops, nightlife, and more. Look these places up on the map and get to them with Walk and Drive navigation.
• Discover the events happening nearby your location on the map or any place found via search.
• Share your location on Facebook--where you are, what you are up to and finish with a photo.

No Hidden Costs
The new version of Ovi Maps comes with all the maps and high-end, car grade navigation features you need for free and is yours to keep for the life of the smartphone. No additional licenses needed for extra countries, regions or services like traffic information or city guides. Data charges from network operators may apply.

Voice Guidance and Traffic Information
Turn-by-turn, voice guided navigation comes free for both drivers and pedestrians. For drivers this includes lane assistance, traffic information, safety camera, and speed warnings. For pedestrians, this includes shortcuts through parks and pedestrian-only zones for over 100 cities around the world as well as 6,000 3D landmarks in over 200 cities to help you find exactly where you are.

Unique Hybrid Technology
Ovi Maps is built on an advanced technology called hybrid vector maps. Vector maps are high quality but less data intensive and allow you to continue to navigate even if you lose your network connection. This means that maps downloaded or updated across a network connection are about half the size of bulky bitmaps used by other mobile map providers. The hybrid technology ensures that, unlike other providers, any downloaded map data is stored on the device for future use.

No Network Connection Required When Navigating
Avoid expensive, battery-draining network connections with Nokia's unique hybrid technology. Maps can be pre-loaded on to your Nokia smartphone so you can set Ovi Maps to offline mode, saving battery power, and the navigation system will still work. This is particularly useful for those worried about data connection costs when travelling abroad or when you are travelling through areas with little or no network coverage.

Best Global Coverage
You take your mobile with you wherever you go in the world so, as standard, voice guided navigation for both pedestrians and drivers is available for 74 countries in 46 different languages and there are maps for over 180 countries. This gives you the best maps with the largest global coverage for free.