AT&T Matrix Pro by PanTech: The “Tween” Test and GIVEAWAY!

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Pantech **Winner is AuntieThesis!!

CONTEST is CLOSED. Due to the large number of those that entered, the winner will be announced on Thursday April 30 by 11pm. 

I had the opportunity to take the The Matrix Pro smartphone by Pantech for a test run as part of a promotion that culminates with a giveaway. The Matrix Pro website is: Pantechmatrixpro.com, the key features are listed on that site.  A review of the Pantech Matrix Pro can be found at ChipChick, as well as some of the other websites doing this promotion (see below). I decided to find out more about the AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro in a different way – by giving it to my 10 year old tween for test drive. I have a smartphone already, so I thought it was a great opportunity for my son to test one out. Details of my tween test drive are listed below the contest info.

This contest is open from April 23 until April 28 at 5pm pst. On April 28 at 5pm, I will close the contest. All those that commented to this post will be entered to Random.org to find a winner (ONE person will be chosen randomly). The Winner will be announced on April 28 after 9pm pst. ENTER THIS CONTEST BY COMMENTING on the post below.

AN EXTRA ENTRY IN RANDOM.ORG WILL BE ENTERED FOR THOSE THAT TWITTER @matrixpro AND @Techmama in one tweet sharing why you want this phone. Please add your Twitter ID to your comment so I know that you also tweeted for the second entry into Random.org. Only ONE EXTRA entry for twitter will be counted so that each person can have a two entry limit into Random.org.

Prize package elements

  • Pantech Matrix Pro handset 
  • Service credit (via gift card):  In the amount of US $100.  The gift card good is good for anything sold through any AT&T store (online or real-world), or can be used for the cost of a service plan. 

Rules:

  • Individuals who’ve won at another site are ineligible to win at another
  • Winners are limited by geography to US residents only
  • TechMamas.com is not responsible for any lost packages or incorrect shipping addresses. The prize is not redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded. Approximate value of prizes may vary.
  • The random winner will be choosen by Techmamas.com, all decisions are final.

MY TEST DRIVE:
Disclosure: I did not
get compensation for this promotion, a phone was supplied to me in
advance of the promotion for review purposes. The information shared
about on this post is just a customer opinion.

Just as background, my son has been earning points like crazy to buy a cellphone because he said "Mom… Everyone has cellphones… Then you can reach me at any time..I need to be able to text with my friends". Yes – that is coming from a fourth grader.

Understanding
that just having a cell phone was a big thrill for him, I focused on
which functionality he used on the AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro. Here
are some details (in his words, dictated to his mom):

***************************************************************

1.
TWO WAY SLIDER: The phone can slide in two different ways. The keyboard
is easy to use for texting and the numeric pad is quick for dialing
phone numbers. I use the trackwheel to scroll, move around or play
games.

2. KEYPAD: The keypad is good for texting. I set my friends up in the contact section then it is easy to text them.

3.
VOICE COMMANDS: To use the voice commands, you just hold the "rec"
button – and a list of commands is given. I tested the voice commands
by saying "play music" – and it played a song.

(We tested
this by my son using a voice command to call me. I am in his contacts
as "Beth" so he said "Call Beth". The first time he did not speak
clearly but the second time he did – and it called my cellphone!)

4.INTERNET
ACCESS: By going to the start menu – then "MediaNet" I can access a
browser to access the Internet. You can type on the numeric or keypad
to type the URL, but I use the keypad. The first MediaNet screen has a
Yahoo Search Bar and I just enter the name of the website and it
returns options to me. An example is – when I type "YouTube" and it
returns the URL for YouTube – which I then select.  I just watched the
Numa Numa video today by typing in "Numa Numa" into the YouTube page
(and "watch video"). It loads, I use the trackwheel for volume and
controls. The video loads quickly and plays. Depending on where I am,
it sometimes stops playing for a quick second (I told him that was called buffering  – a challenge on many mobile gadgets when watching videos).

I used the phone to read your website Techmamas.com.

5.
GAMING – There are some games preloaded on the phone, and some you have
to buy. I enjoy playing Bubble breaker that comes standard with the
phone. I could buy PACman, Tetris or others.

(I have not even told him about the mobile Guitar Hero application that comes with the phone, that sounds fun!).

*************************************************

My
son set up the phone from the moment he opened the box, to accessing
the internet, to texting or making calls. The phone was easy to use.
The keys were a good size for him to use for typing. He was satisfied
with the sound and video quality – even playing music videos for his
brothers in the car to keep them busy.

Gear Diary is one of the sites that also had the promotion and did a nice job summarizing a list of sites and promotion dates as well as their details on using the AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro:

Tools for Thought (15-Apr 19-Apr)
ChipChick (16-Apr 20-Apr)
VivirLatino (17-Apr 21-Apr)
slashgear.com (18-Apr 22-Apr)
www.modaco.com (19-Apr 23-Apr)
Gadgetell (20-Apr 24-Apr)
GeeksRoom (21-Apr 25-Apr)
OSNN (22-Apr 26-Apr)
Techmamas (23-Apr 27-Apr)
Clintonfitch (24-Apr 28-Apr)
Justanothermobilemonday (25-Apr 29-Apr)
Geek.com (26-Apr 30-Apr)
MediaBlab (27-Apr 01-May)
Smartphonethoughts (28-Apr 02-May)
Mobilityminded (29-Apr 03-May)
The Gadgeteer (30-Apr 04-May)
Geekzone (01-May 05-May)
Techie Diva (02-May 06-May)
Bostonpocketpc (03-May 07-May)
GearDiary (04-May 08-May)
MobilitySite (05-May 09-May)
AbsoluteWindows (06-May 10-May)
Mobilejaw (07-May 11-May)
Experiencemobility (08-May 12-May)
HackCollege (09-May 13-May)
Gear Live (10-May 14-May)

Press Release is listed below:

THE PANTECH MATRIX GOES PRO AT AT&T

 

The Matrix Pro Debuts as the Powerful Next Evolution of the Dual Slider

 

DALLAS, Feb. 18, 2009 — AT&T* and Pantech Wireless, Inc. today introduced the Pantech Matrix ProTM, available exclusively from AT&T on Feb. 24. The next generation in Pantech’s line of successful dual-sliding,
double-keyboard mobile phones, the Matrix Pro includes a host of
updated features including a compact new premium design with a larger
and more brilliant LCD screen, a chat-style view of text messages,
tri-band 3G for the best global coverage possible, an upgraded camera,
more memory, a faster processor and AT&T Video ShareSM calling. Customers can learn more by visiting www.att.com/matrixpro.  

 

Beneath
the dual-sliding keyboards and refined steel-blue exterior, the Matrix
Pro connects Windows Mobile 6.1 to the nation’s fastest 3G network to
provide a full range of entertainment and business features.
Additionally, with AT&T’s wireless network, you can listen to a
conference call on a headset while sending and receiving e-mail
attachments, picture messages or Web pages at the same time1.
The compact and elegant design of the Matrix Pro fits snugly in your
hand for optimum comfort when typing e-mails with the QWERTY keyboard
or dialing phone calls with the numeric pad.

 

“The
Matrix Pro is a fantastic-looking device and a significant evolution in
this dual-sliding family of phones,” said Michael Woodward, vice
president-Smart Devices for AT&T Mobility. “We’ve seen the Matrix
become a hit with consumers, and the Matrix Pro will appeal to anyone
who wants a powerful smartphone with a great design.”

 

Patrick Beattie,
vice president, Sales and Marketing at Pantech Wireless, Inc., said:
“By offering users an exciting alternative to smartphones with
traditional QWERTY keyboard constructions, the Matrix Pro emphasizes
efficiency without sacrificing style or functionality. With a large and
vibrant LCD screen, two full keyboards, enhanced multimedia
functionality, and the ability to edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint
documents, the Matrix Pro appeals to both business users and
trend-conscious consumers.”

 

Customers
in 3G coverage can also use AT&T Video Share to send live video
during a phone call to a user with a compatible phone. With aGPS
support for location-based services such as AT&T Navigator, the
Matrix Pro can help you find your way with turn-by-turn directions.
AT&T Navigator is available for a free 30-day trial2.

 

A
messaging and multimedia powerhouse, the Matrix Pro has
smartphone-class memory and processing power to go beyond simple text
messaging and voice and allows customers to run the thousands of
applications available to Windows Mobile users. It supports threaded
chat-style text messaging, corporate and personal e-mail and also
provides access to a host of AT&T services such as MobiTV, Napster
Mobile, eMusic Mobile, AT&T Mobile Banking and CV on-demand video.

 

The
Matrix Pro operates on the fastest 3G network at home and the best
global coverage outside the U.S. — even in Japan and South Korea —
because the Matrix Pro supports all three 3G frequencies used
worldwide. AT&T customers can use their mobile phones to make calls
in more than 200 countries, access data in more than 160 and even use
3G data in more than 65. AT&T offers 3G service in nearly 350 U.S. major metropolitan areas and many other smaller cities and towns across the U.S.

314 thoughts on “AT&T Matrix Pro by PanTech: The “Tween” Test and GIVEAWAY!”

  4. This phone is just the answer to my girlfriend’s texting and talking needs. It’s slim profile is perfect for her! Thanks for the opportunity!

  6. Sign me up! It’s about time for me to get a new phone. Mine’s over two years old now. [sad face]

  7. My phone is a prepaid from Sam’s. I am mocked relentlessly about it. It dials, sends calls, and receives calls. But maybe it’s time for a 21st C grown-up tool.

  14. This phone is fantastic. I love the review that you gave. I’d really love to win this, but I know I would have to fight my teen son to keep it.lol
    Thanks so much for offering this wonderful prize. Please enter me.

  16. I lost my job AND my company supplied cell phone. If you’re 10 year old can handle this then I’m obn the right track. Thanks!

  17. I would love to win this. I am using an old picture phone. I would love to have this phone because with kids it’s hard to get stuff for yourself. I go to the store attempting to get myself something and walk out with stuff all for my kids. I would love to be in sync with all the newest gadgets. Thanks so much for the chance.

  18. I’m on my son’s phone plan w/a 5 yr old phone, so for very selfish reasons, I want/need to have a classier, better, hi-tech-ier phone then my 35 yr old son – and at 60+ yrs old, I need a nice-sized – regular qwerty keyboard. Thanks, Kate

  25. Fab…..Fab…..can hardly wait for it to arrive….will call friends immediately with good news

  27. I’d love to win this phone! My sons is on its last leg and his birthday is coming up.

  28. My wife has an original Matrix. She LOVES the dual-slider and for many of the same reasons as your son. I’ve used several Windows Mobile devices but they’ve all had touch screens. I would be interested to see how I fare with WinMo standard. If I don’t like it, I could always give the wife a little more horsepower. I know she likes the form factor.
    Twitter ID: jfusco

  30. That is a pretty comprehensive phone and this is the first contest I’ve seen that includes funds toward the contract service keep up the good work and Thanks for the chance to win the phone

  33. My tween would love this! Her phone is pretty antiquated, and I’ve promised her a new one (depending on her last report card). Also tweeted @aprilabtbalance

  36. Thanks for the opportunity. The only way my wife will let me get a smartphone is by winning one!
    Got to hope for the best :)

  41. Thank you for the review (and to your son too)…I have been looking for a phone that can do all that you say this one can do. I am new to all of it, but still need one just the same. I would love to have the opportunity to have my own. My son and husband have one because they are always on the go- they say I don’t need one because I’m always home…it’s just not fair; everyone else has one!!!
    -barbarabaker :)

  45. This would be the perfect Graduation gift for my College bound Daughter.
    What more can you ask for in a phone! WM6.1 QWERTY keyboard for texting, Internet, email and on and on.

  52. My phone just went a bit goofy on me a few days ago, so I think it is going to crash. Thanks.

  54. I could really use this to replace my old $13 phone. I need something a little more stable!

  55. This phone looks so awesome! Let’s see how much a random number generator likes me!

  65. I really like the design of this phone. The keyboard is easy to use, yet the phone is still pretty compact. I also like the LCD screen. I already have AT&T so this would be perfect.

  67. I would love this new phone – it seems like my teen daughter always has the latest gadgets, and mom ends up with something several years old

  71. This looks like a wonderful phone that I’d like have. Please enter me in your giveaway

  78. what a great review i have a PanTech flip phone and i like this brand. my grandaughter needs a phone, she is also in the 4th grade, the other day the family got our signals crossed and nobody was there to pick her up from practice, and she dosent know all our cell #s it would save us alot of trouble if she had a phone, i have att and i could just add a line.

  80. My current phone is a real antique with no features at all. This would make a fantastic replacement. I could finally start texting my text-happy granddaughter.

  83. My daughter wanted a more text-worthy phone for her birthday – but with all our extra expenses this month, we told her she’s stuck w/her old Razr for a long time to come. I would love to surprise her with one of these! (I’m so serious, I’m tweeting it from @socalmom :) )

  86. This looks like a really cool phone…my current one is 3 years old and doesn’t have any of the new features this one has!

  87. The dual slider would fix one of my biggest complaints with my current touch-based WinMo device—I have to look at the screen to actually dial numbers. At the same time, I don’t want to lose my dedicated QWERTY keyboard. This is the best of both worlds.

  91. Thanks for the review. It is hard to get a true impression of all of these new smartphones. I am a bit humbled that a four year old seems to be more technologically advanced than I am, but it speaks to the simplicity of setting up the phone.

  99. Please enter me. I have been shopping around and comparing phones and packages over the last couple weeks. This would be a great phone for me.
    Thanks!

  103. Hi! This phone looks great! I’m using such a BASIC phone that I’m having a hard time even texting. This would certainly help with that! Thanks for the entry and great review! :)

  104. I’m living in the dark ages- no texting here. This would bring me up to date. I need to start trying this out. This phone looks great. Perfect for me.

  113. I enjoyed reading your review.I do not think your son is too young for a cell phone.

  119. I’m trying to find a phone for my dad, and this is just the right phone (with ms voice command, large dialpad, and a qwerty keyboard for txting).
    twitter id: d_song

  123. Thank you for the chance to win a prize for my hubby. His phone is failing and he needs a new one. It will be a great gift for his birthday in May.

  133. I have purchased new swanky phones for all of my grandchildren..I think its time I have a nice phone!

  134. I’d love to win this because I already know Pantech phones are great. My Pantech Ocean just broke last month so I’m stuck right now – plus, I had Helio as my provider and would love to sign up with AT&T anyway, as my husband has them (for his iPhone).

  136. Thank you for the chance to win. I have a nice phone but if i won i’d give this to my hubby who’s got a phone on it’s last legs. lol. thank you again

  141. This would be perfect! I use AT&T cellular service, and my phone just broke, so I’ve been using a really old outdated one. With all the texting that I do, this would be awesome! Thanks so much!!

  144. I would love this, especially for the internet access. Thanks for the opportunity!

  157. I have never had a nice phone! I’ve always had the free ones you get when you sign up or old hand-me-downs…I’d LOVE this phone! :)

  159. I think I’m the obly one left on the planet without a cell phone. Go ahead – Maje My Day.

  162. I have the world’s oldest and biggest flip phone to replace, I love that Pantech Matrix Pro smartphone is a quad band and that it has a 2.0 megapixel camera!

  166. I don’t think my entry before took but if it did, i apologize for the double post. I need to replace my ancient motorola.

  167. I would love to win this. My current phone doesn’t even have texting capability. You might say that it is an antique!

  171. This is a really cool phone and my daughter would love it. As for me, I’m “texting challenged” so I’ll just have to keep using my fingers for dialing. :)

  174. Great review! My old ATT phone is about 6 years old so I would love to update with this one and it seems easy enough to use!
    itsjustbrig(at)gmail(dot)com

  179. enter me also my poor razr M3 is on its last leg.
    thanks for such a great contest

  180. that looks like it would suit my fascination with windows mobile perfectly! and i despartely needing a new phone!

  181. I’d love to win this as I need a phone that would be easier for mr to text from. My present phone makes this difficult.

  185. I have the “free” phone that AT&T offers, no bells no whistles and definately no QWERTY keypad. Help me join the texting generation!

  186. I am so out of it, I don’t even have a cell phone. I would love to join the land of the living by winning this one!
    smchester at gmail dot com

  188. Oh, I’d like to win this. I’m up for a new phone; mine is three years old and is the clam-shell style. I’ve dropped it countless times so there are dings here and there on it.
    Hope I’m the lucky winner.
    Thanks for the chance.

  189. My son also has a smart phone and I’ve come to appreciate all it can do. I’d like one myself.

  194. I would love to have this amazing AT&T Matrix Pro by PanTech because it offers all the features and more that we are so missing right now with our current cell phones. As a busy mother of 3 young children I am constantly taking them to doctors appointments, school, school activities, shopping, play dates, etc. etc. and it would be so nice for the entire family to use and enjoy all that this ultra cool device has to offer! My husband and I can access the internet when we are away from home which is something we definitely need to do sometimes and our children can enjoy playing games when we are on the road to keep them entertained and occupied. This Matrix Pro has all the bells and whistles to keep us technologically up to date connected in all ways! Thank you so much for the opportunity to enter.

  199. I would love to win this phone! My son would be in his glory! Thanks for the giveaway!

  200. sweeet ! my phone is 6 years old and looks like the size of a Brick :)
    awesome giveaway ! thanks

  201. This would be awesome. Pay for 1 month of my bill and my boyfriend really needs his phone replaced.

  205. I need this phone because my current is dated and has none of these useful features.

  217. I need a new phone desperately. Mine has a mind of its own and works when it wants to.

  223. I would love to have a new, up to date phone. I have a plain jane cell phone. lol Thank you!!

  225. I’ve never had any phone as cool as this. My sister has the iphone and all the latest gadgets, I have a hand me down from my mother! Boy, would this be fun to have. I would finally be “cool”.

  226. We could really use this phone. We are a family of 9.
    mercsmercado at yahoo dot com

  227. Need a new windows mobile phone! One with a slide out keyboard would be even better!

  231. I ‘desperately’ want this phone! My wife bought me one last March for my birthday and I lost it at O’ Hare airport returning home from a business trip.
    I don’t think my wife have forgiven me yet!
    Please, include me in your giveaway drawing!
    Thanks and good luck to all!

  236. I would like to sign in for the contest-wining the phone will be the only way, I will ever be lucky enough to own one.

  240. This would be a great replacement phone for me! Thanks for the giveaway!

  241. Really love the dual slider, but my contract has a long time left – would be great to win!

  247. My daughter is in 4th grade too and I hear multiple times per week that she needs a phone!
    Thanks

  250. I own a Pantech phone and I love it. I would love to try this one.

  251. I liked your son’s review, because I’m not a tech-spert, and it’s in language I can understand. I’d like to win this phone, because I’d love to be able to browse the internet on the go (great for comparison shopping from one store to the next), plus Verizon just bought out Alltel, so the cost of my pre-paid plan is going up and AT&T’s sounds better.

  253. Thanks for the giveaway…I have been shopping around recently to replace my “dinosaur” of a cell phone (…it’s 3+ years old); this would be a great replacement !

  256. Would love to have a chance to win I could sure use a new phone and my carrier is att

  258. I really hope I win this phone, my phone is a few years old and it has really bad reception.

  261. Thanks so much for taking the time to do an in depth review – so much more helpful than a simple i liked it. Thanks for the chance to win! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com

  262. looks like a great phone, my daughters birthday is in June and this would be perfect for her.

  266. This looks like an awesome phone! I love that it has a keyboard style pad, so much easier for texting.

  268. What a great looking phone.. Sure would love to replace our very very old samsung.. Thanks for the chance..

  270. Wow that phone looks great! I want a phone just like that! My phone now has no screen display hahaha I can’t dial anyone unless I know the number but at least now I figured out how to check my voicemail.

  272. I do not have a Cell Phone so this would be great! Thank you for the giveaway!

  273. What a great looking phone! Your review is very informative and interesting!! I think my kids would both love this, if I win, my hardest decision will be which child to give it to.
    Thank you for the GREAT giveaway!
    JH33194(underscore)2002(at)yahoo.com

  276. This looks like a terrific phone, and a definite upgrade from my current ancient cell. I’ve recently begun to do a lot more texting and tweeting on my phone, so having a keypad would be a much-welcomed feature in a new device. Thanks for the chance to win — and for hosting such a generous giveaway!
    I also tweeted — guettel78

  277. I would love this phone because my teenage daughter says that my phone is way uncool and too old.

  278. OOoooo…I want this one! My daughter has asked for a cell phone with a keyboard for her 13th birthday. This one would be perfect. Thanks! :)

  289. I love all the features this phone has to offer
    My kids are going to camp at different places and times this year and since they will be 1200 miles and 700 miles away. They will be able to keep in touch with this fantastic prize.
    Thank you
    camper223[at]live[dot]com

  290. I twitted this contest
    camper223
    @techmama @matrixpro I would love to win the Matrix Pro phone for my family
    less than 10 seconds ago from web
    Thank you
    camper223[at]live[dot]com

  291. thanks for the giveaway. this sounds like a pretty incredible setup. we don’t even have a cell phone right now so this would really be an incredible win for us…

  292. I would so love to win this phone. My old just plain phone has developed an echo. I really new a new phone. Thanks for the giveaway.

  297. I have been getting for the last two weeks with a broken phone. This would be a life saver.

  302. I would love a Matrix Pro,my cell phone is really bad for texting and I enjoy texting!

  305. I would LOVE to have a QUERTY keyboard. I send the most ridiculously spelled text messages with the old phone I have now!!

  307. Ive never actually owned a phone so would like to know what it’s all about, I move slow when it comes to modern technology

  308. It sounds like a cool phone. Mine is seriously outdated. I can understand about your fourth grader wanting a phone. My six year old came home last mont from school and said that one of her friends just got one. She is in KINDERGARTEN! What is she going to do with it, text one of her friends to set up a play date?

  311. I already use At&T and love their service. I would love to win this phone. Thank you!

  313. Im entering this for my 25 yer old daughter she loves to test this would make it so easy for her and her phone is falling apart the back wont stay on thanks

  314. I could really use this phone. I just survived a home invasion 3 weeks ago that could have went a lot smoother if I had a cellphone to call 911 during the event. But I think I’m of the small majority of young adults in America who doesn’t have one.