Are you using Nokia Messaging yet? I ask, because I discovered over the last week that at least three friends who use S60 had not heard about Nokia Messaging. So, are *you* using Nokia Messaging? If not, why not?
Here's a little video clip for a taster:
Nokia E72 is Live
Live in the sense that it is confirmed, and being talked about. AAS have detail on the successor to the E71, with an improved keypad layout, OS upgrade to S60 FP2 and the inclusion of a 5.0 Megapixel camera. The E71 proved to be one of the most popular of recent ESeries devices, and the E72 looks set to be just as popular, if not more. Nokia product pages are here, AAS info here
View a video clip below:
View a video clip below:
Nokia N97 Available Now!
The Nokia N97 is here! All the buzz and chat is around the net, the Nokia N97 is going to be released on the 15th June.
With the popularity of this phone, stock is going to be in high demand, so to beat the rush you can get your pre-order in, NOW!!
Mobiles.co.uk are one of the leading online mobile phone retailers in the UK, and have the N97 available to order, now, on O2 and Orange. For those who've been living in a cave these last few weeks, the Nokia N97 is the latest powerhouse device in the multimedia NSeries range. Features include:
- Vivid 3.5 inch Touchscreen display!
- Full QWERTY Keyboard - unique slide design!
- 32GB internal memory plus memory card slot!
- 5.0 Megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss Lens and auto focus!
- Full Support for Facebook - upload photos, message friends and update your status!
- HSDPA mobile broadband, Wi-Fi and built-in GPS SatNav!
- Symbian operating system - customise your N97 with downloadable apps from the Ovi Store!
There's no time to waste, so get your pre-order in now!
Where Next for Nokia Nseries?
The Nseries range is starting to look a bit tired, truth be told. There are many areas where Nokia are going to have to make improvements if Nseries can still be considered top of the class when it comes to multimedia, otherwise they risk falling far behind the competition and becoming just also rans.
First thing that needs to be addressed is the camera. For a long time now, the standard camera on an Nseries device is 5.0 megapixel with autofocus, and Carl Zeiss optics. Which, in itself, is ok I guess. But other manufacturers are offering so much more; why no face detection, smile detection, blink detection? No image stabilisation? Why not something like Best Pic which Sony Ericsson have been offering on their Cybershot phones for years! With other devices offering cameras with so much more in terms of features, the camera on NSeries is starting to look a bit tired in comparison.
Then consider video capture. Again, I guess you could say an Nseries device is adequate, but QVGA @ 30fps just isn't enough anymore. Nseries needs to start offering high definition video capture, higher frame rate, super slow motion, and so on.
Video playback also needs to be updated. I've never got on with the Real player, video streaming has never worked well, and the handset needs to support more popular video formats, without need for installing extra applications. Native support for DivX and XviD video files is a must, surely?
Memory is also somewhere where Nseries devices can be improved. More Nseries devices need high internal memory capacity as standard, as well as being expandable with Micro SD cards. The N96 and N97 have this, but more Nseries devices should, and I hope to see it when new devices are announced.
And whilst I'm having a bit of a rant, I find it incredible that a multimedia device has no option onboard for creating something as simple as a slideshow. On a Sony Ericsson C905, it is a simple matter to take captured images, link them together, add in some text, add in a soundtrack, play the video, email it off, upload it to the web, anything. Simple, easy. That I can't do this on an Nseries phone is just amazing, honestly.
These are just a few of the things Nokia need to look at updating on upcoming NSeries devices if they are going to keep pace with the competition. There's bound to be more that I've not thought of (at this late hour). If there's something you think Nokia need to update on the Nseries range, add your thoughts and wants and ideas in the combox.
First thing that needs to be addressed is the camera. For a long time now, the standard camera on an Nseries device is 5.0 megapixel with autofocus, and Carl Zeiss optics. Which, in itself, is ok I guess. But other manufacturers are offering so much more; why no face detection, smile detection, blink detection? No image stabilisation? Why not something like Best Pic which Sony Ericsson have been offering on their Cybershot phones for years! With other devices offering cameras with so much more in terms of features, the camera on NSeries is starting to look a bit tired in comparison.
Then consider video capture. Again, I guess you could say an Nseries device is adequate, but QVGA @ 30fps just isn't enough anymore. Nseries needs to start offering high definition video capture, higher frame rate, super slow motion, and so on.
Video playback also needs to be updated. I've never got on with the Real player, video streaming has never worked well, and the handset needs to support more popular video formats, without need for installing extra applications. Native support for DivX and XviD video files is a must, surely?
Memory is also somewhere where Nseries devices can be improved. More Nseries devices need high internal memory capacity as standard, as well as being expandable with Micro SD cards. The N96 and N97 have this, but more Nseries devices should, and I hope to see it when new devices are announced.
And whilst I'm having a bit of a rant, I find it incredible that a multimedia device has no option onboard for creating something as simple as a slideshow. On a Sony Ericsson C905, it is a simple matter to take captured images, link them together, add in some text, add in a soundtrack, play the video, email it off, upload it to the web, anything. Simple, easy. That I can't do this on an Nseries phone is just amazing, honestly.
These are just a few of the things Nokia need to look at updating on upcoming NSeries devices if they are going to keep pace with the competition. There's bound to be more that I've not thought of (at this late hour). If there's something you think Nokia need to update on the Nseries range, add your thoughts and wants and ideas in the combox.
Nokia 5800 Deal
The Nokia 5800 is an ok phone, for what it is. A bit bland, a bit ugly, but it does run on S60, which means it hits our interest for that, alone.Despite my misgivings about this phone, it has proven to be extremely popular, with many retail stores being out of stock of the phone for long periods, with stock only just starting to become freely available.
Because of the 5800's low price, it is avaialble with some amazing offers, especially with the online web retailers. One of the more established retailers, E2Save, have some particularly good offers available right now, and we all like a deal, no?
So, hit the link, take a look, and pick yourself up a bargain.
It All Started With a Vision
Time to focus our minds on one of the most anticipated Nseries devices to be launched, probaby ever since the first NSeries phone. Of course, I'm talking about the Nokia N97. Ever since its announcement, I've had mixed feelings about this phone. What it offers is pretty much all I'd want in a phone, feature wise, but I have tried and am yet to be convinced by touchscreen phones, and the same goes for QWERTY. So, it doesn't look good. As it stands, it seems the N86 8MP may be the phone that takes the place of my N82. That said, there's a nagging doubt in my mind about the N97, and I can not be sure about it until I've had the chance to try one out.
Anyway, with the hype around the phone starting to build, follow the link to view a video about the N97, and the various stages surrounding its development, from concept to build.
Nokia Nseries
Anyway, with the hype around the phone starting to build, follow the link to view a video about the N97, and the various stages surrounding its development, from concept to build.
Nokia Nseries
Mobile Jealousy
This is an NSeries blog. My preferred devices, my preferred phones, are the multimedia focussed Nseries phones. Recently, though, all the interest seems to be around the business devices, the Eseries range. With the E71, E75, E55 and now the E52, the Eseries range is starting to look very good. So, all I can hope now is that we get some new Nseries handsets, with as much design innovation as the recent Eseries handsets have had.
After all, there's no reason why a handset with design innovation like the E71, or E75, or this new E52 couldn't fit right into the Nseries line-up. Eseries build quality would be nice, too! As it is right now, I'm starting to feel a bit of 'mobile jealousy'. Hey, Nokia, where's the Nseries love?
AAS have some spec info on the E52 here
After all, there's no reason why a handset with design innovation like the E71, or E75, or this new E52 couldn't fit right into the Nseries line-up. Eseries build quality would be nice, too! As it is right now, I'm starting to feel a bit of 'mobile jealousy'. Hey, Nokia, where's the Nseries love?
AAS have some spec info on the E52 here
Turn Your NSeries into a Tricorder
A good one for the Trekkies out there, and for people who like silly, but fun, apps.
I spotted this over at AAS, who link through to CJ.
Basically point your phone's browser to nokia.mobi, and following the instructions given at CJ's site, you can download some Star Trek goodies, including a couple of tones, wallpaper, and a nifty little tricorder application.
I spotted this over at AAS, who link through to CJ.
Basically point your phone's browser to nokia.mobi, and following the instructions given at CJ's site, you can download some Star Trek goodies, including a couple of tones, wallpaper, and a nifty little tricorder application.
Introduction to Ovi
An introduction to Ovi on Nokia
One thing, I've always called it Oh-Vee, with the open O. Apparently, that's wrong!
One thing, I've always called it Oh-Vee, with the open O. Apparently, that's wrong!
Free Internet Access on Vodafone UK
Vodafone UK are cutting their PAYG prices for accessing the 'net from a mobile on 1 May, and to celebrate are offering free access from your mobile for the whole day on Friday 1st. From 0:01 Friday morning to 23:59 Friday night, any web access from your handset to either wap.vodafone.co.uk or pp.vodafone.co.uk will be totally free of charge. Seems tomorrow will be an ideal day to whack my Vodafone PAYG SIM into the E75 and give it a real going over on the web.
As for the price changes, daily usage charges are now capped at 50p per day, down from £1, and the allowance is up from 15MB to 25MB. This is a welcome move, and a significant price cut, but is still twice the price of O2 for daily users. A standard monthly charge will still be £15 if web is accessed daily, which whilst better than £30, is still double the O2 data bolt on for PAYG users which is only £7.50 per month.
More information here
Nokia E75
I have been given the opportunity to trial a Nokia E75 for the next week, thanks to the guys at mobiles.co.uk. As I use it I will add some thoughts here; initial impressions are positive, but certain annoyances are already starting to be revealed. I certainly don't think there is enough to tempt me away from my N82, that's for sure.
The phone is solid enough, feels well built, and is pretty hefty. I like the fact that there is a separate charging point, even though the E75 can also be charged by USB. This was one of the things that started to bug me with the N85. The QWERTY keyboard is usable, but redundant to me (anyone who has read posts here before will know, I can't stand QWERTY keyboards or touchscreens.)
I've put a few applications on it, will load some Maps later on, and see how the phone performs over the next few days. If anyone has anything they'd like to know about the handset, drop me a note in the combox and I'll check it out.
The phone is solid enough, feels well built, and is pretty hefty. I like the fact that there is a separate charging point, even though the E75 can also be charged by USB. This was one of the things that started to bug me with the N85. The QWERTY keyboard is usable, but redundant to me (anyone who has read posts here before will know, I can't stand QWERTY keyboards or touchscreens.)
I've put a few applications on it, will load some Maps later on, and see how the phone performs over the next few days. If anyone has anything they'd like to know about the handset, drop me a note in the combox and I'll check it out.
Nothing Better
It should come as no surprise, but sometimes the obvious needs to be stated - There's nothing better than the Nseries. Now, to qualify that.A while back, as I posted about occasionally, I've been trying to look at other handsets, to see if there is anything else that can offer what I want from a phone. I've looked at Eseries devices, I've used phones from other manufacturers, I've probably changed handsets more in the last few months than I have in the last few years.
Most recently, I've used the Samsung Tocco, the LG Renoir. I've got a Motorola Z10, I've had the Sony Ericsson C905, a Nokia E51, E66, E71, a Nokia 5800, an N85, an N95 8GB, and the N82. They are all in their own right good handsets, but there's not one there that is better than the NSeries, for all round power, features, usability and durability.
The Tocco has to be the worst device I've ever used for web browsing, the Renoir is just a mess. The Z10 is a good imaging device, with some nice editing features (Something the Nseries lack, strangely) but isn't the most user friendly device, and there is little in the way of additional software available. The C905 has a great camera, but is slow, buggy, and has real hardware issues; The E51 is a great device, if I had to be ultra picky, the screen is too small which really effects web browsing and the camera shouldn't even be included, it's not worth having. The E66 and E71 are great devices, with excellent build quality, I really like them. The E66 is let down with a really poor battery, and I found I didn't get on with the keys on the E71. Moving on to the 5800, it's a nice enough device for what it is, but a lesson I still need to heed is I don't like touchscreen. I battled with it, to try and get on with the phone, but when I want to scroll down a page, I just want it to happen. Sometimes trying to get a response from a touchscreen phone is just a major pain in the ass, it really is. Web browsing generally is difficult, as not all sites are optimised, and this means selecting links isn't always easy. At least with a keypad phone, I can navigate the browser simple and easy, and highlight any link I want, quickly and easy.
As for the three Nseries phones, the N85 is nice enough, and would replace an N95 8GB for most people, but there are some points that I didn't like. Like having to turn all warning sounds off just to not have to listen to that awful noise every time I selected something in the menu! How could anyone ever think that was acceptable? The slightly different menu layout was a bit cumbersome, too, making extra button pushes for some features that became annoying. I did like the new way to customise the Homescreen though, at least I was able to get rid of all the ugly writing that is otherwise on the screen when calendar appointments are saved. It would have been nice to be able to choose my own icons on the screen when lining the screen up with a side view active standby though, I couldn't find how to do that.
So, after much cash spent, and many handsets come and gone, I have (eventually) come to the conclusion, there is nothing better than Nseries, and to top that, there is nothing better than the N95 8GB or the N82. Both look great, packed with features, stable OS, excellent all round imaging, web browsing, music playback, video capture, and so on. The GPS is probably quicker on the N82, the keypad on the N95 8GB is better though.
Until the speaker went, I was using an N95 8GB, now using an N82. I hope I've learnt my lesson; when it comes to phones, there is nothing better than these.
Holy Week
This blog is an occasional thing for me, these days, rather than something I regularly update. To be honest, other than the upcoming N97, all things Nseries are rather quiet, and if there's nothing new to see or say, why post for the sake of it?
Aside from that, today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. My time online during this week is going to be absolutely minimal, no more than checking for emails, so there certainly won't be any updates this week, either.
This week is time for contemplation on the things in life that are really important. After Easter, hobby time can recommence.
Why I'm using the Nokia N85
Recently I've been changing my handset on a fairly frequent basis, ever since I decided to change from the E51 I had been using for a while. I faffed about choosing between the N82, E66 or E71. I considered a few retro ideas (N73 or N80) but quickly decided against that, thought the N95/N95 8GB would be too much like going back, and eventually settled on the N82. Except, I didn't settle for long.
After choosing the N82, (which has made it's way onto my all time favourite list*), I made the change to the E71. I had been considering it, the E71 was getting rave reviews online, and I had the chance for a good deal, so I took it. I learnt my lesson, with that one. Whilst I cannot fault the performance of the handset during my time with it, I came to the conclusion that QWERTY is not for me. A real shame, because the E71 is an excellent product, and works really well. However, I found myself constantly getting the wrong key, always pressing the next to the one I wanted. During a text conversation with a friend, I got really frustrated and after feeling like throwing the damn phone against the wall, I removed my SIM back to the N82 and sanity was restored. For a while.
Shortly after having returned to the N82, I took the chance to pick up a 5800. This wasn't even in my list of options initially, but with a positive launch and an enjoyable day out in London with the 5800, I was sold. For just under a week. I think that the 5800 is also a perfectly adequate handset, feature rich at a very competitive price. Usability is easy, simple with S60 doing all it does best. I quickly customised the menu layout to how I wanted it and the phone was working well. Excellent music playback, good features; I was set. Almost. There are two things I do most on my phone, message and web. Email, IM, Text, MMS, and web browsing account for easily 85% of my phone usage. I rarely make calls, my other usage is made up with things like taking pics/videos, listening to music, and a few other miscellaneous options. Web browsing on the 5800 soon started to wear me down, even using the stylus I found selecting links on certain sites awkward, and quickly tired of the hassle. I needed something else.
I found my solace in the N95 8GB. Like putting on a pair of comfortable old slippers, the N95 8GB was a dream to be using again. Fantastic in every way, *this* phone gave me what I want. Easy web browsing with the D-Pad controlling things, huge memory, and a keypad of which I hadn't enjoyed such comfort for many a day, since selling on the E51. Messaging became a joy again, and no longer an arduous task, and man, that screen is something else. I started to regret ever selling on my N95 first time round. I've hunted the market for a phone that gives me what I have found in the N95; simple usability aligned with top of the range functionality. No damn touchscreen, no damn QWERTY keyboard, just ease of use and mighty fine looking, too.
However, as you can see from the title of this post, I am not using the N95 8GB right now (well, kind of sorta, but not really). After a week or so of returning to the N95 I had the chance to purchase an E66. Here, I thought, was something worth having. After all, as much as the N95 is great, the E66 was new, would carry warranty for any future issues, but also matched what I'd been looking for - build quality and functionality of the Eseries devices, but it still looks like a phone! Proper keypad, and all. And the E66 is all that, but suspect battery it is rumoured to have, and that's what I found. In the end I only had it two days, yet I had to charge it four times! Amazing. The obvious course of choice, it seemed, would be to go back to the N95, but instead I find myself using an N85. Walking down the high st I saw one in a shop, for sale, SIM free. It was second hand, in a sense, but really almost brand new. A customer had bought one on contract, took it back the next day, didn't want it. Phone still has the screen covers on and all sorts. There wasn't even a call made on it! I just happened to be passing at the right time and picked it up for a good price.
So that's it, really. A couple of months of phone changes, from Eseries to Nseries and back and forth, nightmare experiences with Touchscreen and QWERTY devices, I find myself using a handset that two months ago, I hadn't even considered. First impressions are good, this is one solid phone. I've seen much feedback on various forums, slating a wobbly slider, and other build problems, but this device has none of that. Feels solid, well built, has good weight in the hand, pretty much matches the N95 for what I want in a phone, with a slimmer, better looking design. The screen on this thing is amazing, such clarity. Looking back over the last couple of months, I've changed my phone a lot, really. The Switch application on S60 devices has been invaluable, so easy to keep my calendar, messages, bookmarks, contacts and others up to date on which ever phone I had at the time.
That's a good overview of how I've tried various options out recently; now I just need to see if the N85 can keep me happy, for the next few months at least. If not, there is still the N95 lying around, I currently use it for music. Nice to have a quality music player from which I can take high quality pictures, browse the web and send/receive emails. One thing my recent experience has taught me is that the N97 is NOT going to be for me, seeing how it combines the two main options, Touchscreen and QWERTY, that I dislike the most!
*My all time favourite list in no particular order is 6310i, N73, N82, N95 8GB.
After choosing the N82, (which has made it's way onto my all time favourite list*), I made the change to the E71. I had been considering it, the E71 was getting rave reviews online, and I had the chance for a good deal, so I took it. I learnt my lesson, with that one. Whilst I cannot fault the performance of the handset during my time with it, I came to the conclusion that QWERTY is not for me. A real shame, because the E71 is an excellent product, and works really well. However, I found myself constantly getting the wrong key, always pressing the next to the one I wanted. During a text conversation with a friend, I got really frustrated and after feeling like throwing the damn phone against the wall, I removed my SIM back to the N82 and sanity was restored. For a while.
Shortly after having returned to the N82, I took the chance to pick up a 5800. This wasn't even in my list of options initially, but with a positive launch and an enjoyable day out in London with the 5800, I was sold. For just under a week. I think that the 5800 is also a perfectly adequate handset, feature rich at a very competitive price. Usability is easy, simple with S60 doing all it does best. I quickly customised the menu layout to how I wanted it and the phone was working well. Excellent music playback, good features; I was set. Almost. There are two things I do most on my phone, message and web. Email, IM, Text, MMS, and web browsing account for easily 85% of my phone usage. I rarely make calls, my other usage is made up with things like taking pics/videos, listening to music, and a few other miscellaneous options. Web browsing on the 5800 soon started to wear me down, even using the stylus I found selecting links on certain sites awkward, and quickly tired of the hassle. I needed something else.
I found my solace in the N95 8GB. Like putting on a pair of comfortable old slippers, the N95 8GB was a dream to be using again. Fantastic in every way, *this* phone gave me what I want. Easy web browsing with the D-Pad controlling things, huge memory, and a keypad of which I hadn't enjoyed such comfort for many a day, since selling on the E51. Messaging became a joy again, and no longer an arduous task, and man, that screen is something else. I started to regret ever selling on my N95 first time round. I've hunted the market for a phone that gives me what I have found in the N95; simple usability aligned with top of the range functionality. No damn touchscreen, no damn QWERTY keyboard, just ease of use and mighty fine looking, too.
However, as you can see from the title of this post, I am not using the N95 8GB right now (well, kind of sorta, but not really). After a week or so of returning to the N95 I had the chance to purchase an E66. Here, I thought, was something worth having. After all, as much as the N95 is great, the E66 was new, would carry warranty for any future issues, but also matched what I'd been looking for - build quality and functionality of the Eseries devices, but it still looks like a phone! Proper keypad, and all. And the E66 is all that, but suspect battery it is rumoured to have, and that's what I found. In the end I only had it two days, yet I had to charge it four times! Amazing. The obvious course of choice, it seemed, would be to go back to the N95, but instead I find myself using an N85. Walking down the high st I saw one in a shop, for sale, SIM free. It was second hand, in a sense, but really almost brand new. A customer had bought one on contract, took it back the next day, didn't want it. Phone still has the screen covers on and all sorts. There wasn't even a call made on it! I just happened to be passing at the right time and picked it up for a good price.
So that's it, really. A couple of months of phone changes, from Eseries to Nseries and back and forth, nightmare experiences with Touchscreen and QWERTY devices, I find myself using a handset that two months ago, I hadn't even considered. First impressions are good, this is one solid phone. I've seen much feedback on various forums, slating a wobbly slider, and other build problems, but this device has none of that. Feels solid, well built, has good weight in the hand, pretty much matches the N95 for what I want in a phone, with a slimmer, better looking design. The screen on this thing is amazing, such clarity. Looking back over the last couple of months, I've changed my phone a lot, really. The Switch application on S60 devices has been invaluable, so easy to keep my calendar, messages, bookmarks, contacts and others up to date on which ever phone I had at the time.
That's a good overview of how I've tried various options out recently; now I just need to see if the N85 can keep me happy, for the next few months at least. If not, there is still the N95 lying around, I currently use it for music. Nice to have a quality music player from which I can take high quality pictures, browse the web and send/receive emails. One thing my recent experience has taught me is that the N97 is NOT going to be for me, seeing how it combines the two main options, Touchscreen and QWERTY, that I dislike the most!
*My all time favourite list in no particular order is 6310i, N73, N82, N95 8GB.
Nokia N86 8MP
For the first time in a long time, I've spied a soon to be released handset that has me saving my pennies in anticipation of its release. The Nokia N86 probably over delivers on what I'm looking for in a phone, but boy it looks sweet (unless you look at the white one - how naff is that?) Sporting an 8.0 Megapixel camera that Nokia promise will be the best in its class, the N86 8MP is loaded with features. Take a look at the page on GSM Arena for the full rundown. In the meantime, here's a little video to whet the appetite:
N97 Demo Video
Last week I went on a training course for work, for the Nokia 5800 Xpress Music. I was interested because it was an opportunity to play around with the new touch UI, and I was actually quite impressed. So much, I actually purchased a handset two days ago. Give me a few days, and I'll post up a few thoughts. Overall I'm impressed (I wouldn't have bought one otherwise) but there are a few things I don't like. It may just be a case of having to get used to something different, rather than it being wrong or a fault, which is why I'm going to give it a few days. For example setting up the menu folders and moving apps seems to be overly laborious and complicated.
What is interesting me now, though, is the N97. To be honest, I wasn't paying much attention to this phone, what with the diabolical N96. Yeah, I thought it was that bad. With the new touch UI and a touch of NSeries goodness, it may just turn out to be a phone worth having. I like the look of the on-screen widgets, seen in the video, below. The 5800 could do with these, but I guess they'll be saved for the NSeries range:
What is interesting me now, though, is the N97. To be honest, I wasn't paying much attention to this phone, what with the diabolical N96. Yeah, I thought it was that bad. With the new touch UI and a touch of NSeries goodness, it may just turn out to be a phone worth having. I like the look of the on-screen widgets, seen in the video, below. The 5800 could do with these, but I guess they'll be saved for the NSeries range:
N79 Active Advert
An advert on YouTube for the N79 Active handset. Looks great fun, but come on, do people really run around like this?
N82 Firmware Update 31.0.016
So, a couple of days after the firmware update was announced, I decided to update my N82 last night. Steve at AAS had suggested the update had interfered with the Maps functionality on his phone, but on the whole most users were reporting a successful update, with suggestions that the phone operates faster and smoother, that the Auto Screen Rotation had been improved, the call ending bug had been fixed, a faster GPS lock, better battery life and improvement in the loud speakers.
I've never experienced the call end bug - apparently some users have seen the phone 'hang' for a few seconds after ending a call. As for the ASR, I have that turned off, the only time it is useful to me is in the gallery, or sometimes web browsing. Most often it is just bloody annoying. Just to see what it is like, I re-enabled this feature last night. My impression is, if this is now 'fast' then before it must have been excruciatingly slow! So, I've turned it off again. GPS in my experience on the N82 has always been fast, what I did notice is the positioning is slightly more accurate. When I've loaded Maps in the past at home, I was always located at the property next door, but last night it accurately positioned me at home. I only activated the Maps to try the log on, it seemed no quicker, but also no slower, just more accurate. Battery life remains to be seen, but the speakers are a definite improvement, even for someone like me who rarely notices these things. Play music on loud speaker now, then turn on stereo widening, and you can clearly hear the difference.
So all well with the phone, but I did wonder half way through the update if I would even have a working phone at all! The firmware downloaded ok, the update started, after a few minutes I got a message on screen saying the connection to my N82 had been lost! I started to think I may have bricked my phone somehow. I followed the message on the screen which said to remove battery, charger and USB cable from the device, then re-insert the USB cable, battery and charger, press the power button for one second and see click the retry button on screen. I did all that except plug in the charger, as I wasn't using the charger to begin with.
After about a 7 minute wait, I got the error message again! I wasn't quite panicking just yet, but was starting to get concerned. I followed the instructions on screen again, but this time did plug in my charger. That somehow seems to have done the trick as the phone kicked back into life and the firmware install started again and everything, thankfully, went through fine with no further issues.
As you can see from the screenshot, I now have version 31.0.016 running on the phone. For now all seems to be ok; I'll post up if I come across any issues.
I've never experienced the call end bug - apparently some users have seen the phone 'hang' for a few seconds after ending a call. As for the ASR, I have that turned off, the only time it is useful to me is in the gallery, or sometimes web browsing. Most often it is just bloody annoying. Just to see what it is like, I re-enabled this feature last night. My impression is, if this is now 'fast' then before it must have been excruciatingly slow! So, I've turned it off again. GPS in my experience on the N82 has always been fast, what I did notice is the positioning is slightly more accurate. When I've loaded Maps in the past at home, I was always located at the property next door, but last night it accurately positioned me at home. I only activated the Maps to try the log on, it seemed no quicker, but also no slower, just more accurate. Battery life remains to be seen, but the speakers are a definite improvement, even for someone like me who rarely notices these things. Play music on loud speaker now, then turn on stereo widening, and you can clearly hear the difference.
So all well with the phone, but I did wonder half way through the update if I would even have a working phone at all! The firmware downloaded ok, the update started, after a few minutes I got a message on screen saying the connection to my N82 had been lost! I started to think I may have bricked my phone somehow. I followed the message on the screen which said to remove battery, charger and USB cable from the device, then re-insert the USB cable, battery and charger, press the power button for one second and see click the retry button on screen. I did all that except plug in the charger, as I wasn't using the charger to begin with.
After about a 7 minute wait, I got the error message again! I wasn't quite panicking just yet, but was starting to get concerned. I followed the instructions on screen again, but this time did plug in my charger. That somehow seems to have done the trick as the phone kicked back into life and the firmware install started again and everything, thankfully, went through fine with no further issues.As you can see from the screenshot, I now have version 31.0.016 running on the phone. For now all seems to be ok; I'll post up if I come across any issues.
Audio Smileys
A new application of absolutely no relevance from Nokia Beta Labs, Audio Smileys. Whilst the app has no general relevance it *is* good fun, and can create a laugh around unsuspecting friends. See the video clip below for more. In the clip the question is asked, do we want to see more apps like this or not? I think that it is good to see fun apps being thrown out for phones every once in a while, and think it should be encouraged. Click the link to download the application.
Nokia N82 Software Update
Steve at AAS got the scoop on a new update for the Nokia N82, but since updating has been having issues with Nokia Maps.
If you've done the update and have feedback, or if you are having issues with Maps to, pop over and join in the chat. Personally I think I'll wait and see how things go before I update my phone.
If you've done the update and have feedback, or if you are having issues with Maps to, pop over and join in the chat. Personally I think I'll wait and see how things go before I update my phone.
Nokia N82 - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!
So, after a long time deciding, I now have a sure idea in my mind what I want in my mobile phone. I still say phone, when in reality it is so much more. But Mobile Communication device just sounds naff!Candy bar is my preference, followed by flip, then slide. I want a proper alphanumeric keypad on my phone. No QWERTY, no touchscreen. It must be S60.
At the moment, the Nokia N82 fulfills my requirements for the above. But the N82 is not perfect. Here's my take on what is good, what is bad, and what is downright ugly!
The Good.
5mp Camera - With the N82 you've got to start with the standout feature, the camera. Excellent high quality pics, proper Xenon flash, quick processing. Video clip quality is very good too, more than acceptable.
Connectivity - Everything you need, from WiFi to HSDPA, Bluetooth, backed up by HSCSD, GPRS and EDGE.
Messaging - Everything covered here, too. Email is the main one I use, so much cheaper with a good data plan to email than use text or SMS. Also being S60 there are so many options for connecting to IM services, too.
GPS - If you are going to have a feature like GPS on your phone, it is good to know it will work when needed. The GPS on the N82 is damn fast, I rarely have to wait too long to get a log to the network, and with aGPS as a back up location finding is almost instant. I rarely use maps, but on the occasions I have the software has never let me down, and t hat applies to either Nokia Maps or Google Maps.
3.5mm Connector - Having a music player on a mobile phone is pretty much standard these days, but a 3.5mm connector is not. Even some handsets that are heavily branded as music phones, like the Walkman range from Sony Ericsson, lack such an obvious option.
For me, the above are the highlights of an excellent product. There is much more that the phone offers, but those are the standout features I appreciate having. But, it isn't all rosy....
The Bad
I don't like the Micro USB cable - I have so many standard mini USB cables lying around, but for that one phone I have to have a Micro USB cable. Annoying. I don't understand why Nokia couldn't stick with the standard mini USB here?
Multimedia key - Unlike some other bloggers, the multimedia menu on the Nseries range doesn't bother me so much, as I rarely use it. But that silly key does bother me, a lot. It just gets in the way, and it looks naff.
And if that key is bad, then the actual keypad is a nightmare. Although recent experience has shown me it is preferable to a QWERTY set up, it is still uncomfortable for long term usage.
The Ugly
This is ugly! Just look at that Homescreen, writing all over the place! I actually like having the shortcut icons on my screen, at the top, but I do not like in any way the whole list of writing that comes with it. Search content, share online, calendar entries, etc, it just looks so messy. I'm not really bothered about themes, as you can see I tend to stick with plain looking ones, so it is not having the wallpaper covered that bothers me but the mess. What makes the whole thing worse is knowing that Nokia could very easily implement the excellent homescreen plugins used on the Eseries. The all or nothing approach with the Nseries handsets is just not on, not with a perfectly acceptable solution just begging to be used.
So currently my screen looks like this. It just looks wrong without the six icons across the top. It's a good thing that I can create shortcuts around the Navi-Key, but it isn't the same.So, that's my thoughts on the N82 for now. By no means an exhaustive list, but just a highlight of what I like and dislike about the phone. Until a proper replacement comes along, it is the phone I choose to use.
Stick With What You Know
I have always been of the mind that I don't like touch screen phones, and I have always been of the mind that I don't like QWERTY keyboard phones. You would have thought that by now, I would accept this and just deal with it. I guess wisdom doesn't always come with age!
The main thing I use my phone for is messaging, text and email. I rarely call. I web browse frequently, and I like the added extras available on most modern smartphones, such as camera, GPS, MP3 player, etc. I've tried all platforms, from Windows Mobile to UIQ to S40 to your bog standard phone interface, and nothing performs to the level of S60.
Knowing this, I still like to try out new phones, new features, new services and new products. But, every time, I go back to what I know. Of all the phones I have owned, only a few have really stood the test. Amongst those are the Nokia 6310i, Nokia 7650, Nokia 6600, Nokia N73, Nokia N95 (inc 8GB version), and Nokia N82. I wouldn't suggest I am a Nokia addict, but the phones that pass the test are for me the phones that I keep going back to, after trying something new. Before owning a 6310i, there was never a phone I was particularly bothered about, although the 2110 was ok, as was the 8110, but the 6310i was in a class of it's own. I'd buy a new phone, but nothing came up to standard, so I would go back to it. Until the 7650 came along. And the same with that, I must have bought the 7650 at least 5 times, as I would sell for a new phone, only for it not to come up to scratch, so I would buy the 7650 again! Same with the 6600, N73 and N95. Sure there would be a period in between whilst I was using other phones, but none ever passed the test the way these phones did.
And now, the latest phone to pass the 'test', is another Nokia, another S60 phone, another NSeries phone. Over the last few months, I've been using the E51, then the Samsung F480 Tocco, followed by a Sony Ericsson C905. The Tocco, whilst a nice enough phone for a touchscreen affair, just didn't cut it, especially web browsing, and text entry was a pain. The C905 is a great imaging phone, with some nice features, but the keypad was hard and lacked any decent feedback, and it just looks like an old phone. Kinda plain and normal.
So, I took the opportunity to take a look at the market, and see if there was anything new out there for me. And, rather than make an impulse buy like I usually do, I took my time and compared phones. As mentioned in previous posts, I took my choice down to mainly the E71 or E66 with the E51 as an outside option, or the N95 8GB or the N82. I nearly went for the E71, I truly did, but that blasted QWERTY keyboard, it sucks! Surprisingly usable it may be, but not usable enough. For a quick message it was fine, but once I got into a long text conversation, it wasn't long before the phone and I became bitter enemies! I did try to persist, but I can't begin to tell you the relief of putting my SIM back into the N82. No more typos! Simple, easy, T9 assisted text entry. Just what I need.
So, after all the fannying about of the last few months, I hope I will remember the lesson learned. I actually do not like touchscreen phones; I actually do not like QWERTY keypad phones; nothing compares to S60 for usability, 'customisability' and functionality.
Basically, I should stick with what I know, and right now the current hero handset that I know, the latest to pass 'the test', is the Nokia N82.
The main thing I use my phone for is messaging, text and email. I rarely call. I web browse frequently, and I like the added extras available on most modern smartphones, such as camera, GPS, MP3 player, etc. I've tried all platforms, from Windows Mobile to UIQ to S40 to your bog standard phone interface, and nothing performs to the level of S60.
Knowing this, I still like to try out new phones, new features, new services and new products. But, every time, I go back to what I know. Of all the phones I have owned, only a few have really stood the test. Amongst those are the Nokia 6310i, Nokia 7650, Nokia 6600, Nokia N73, Nokia N95 (inc 8GB version), and Nokia N82. I wouldn't suggest I am a Nokia addict, but the phones that pass the test are for me the phones that I keep going back to, after trying something new. Before owning a 6310i, there was never a phone I was particularly bothered about, although the 2110 was ok, as was the 8110, but the 6310i was in a class of it's own. I'd buy a new phone, but nothing came up to standard, so I would go back to it. Until the 7650 came along. And the same with that, I must have bought the 7650 at least 5 times, as I would sell for a new phone, only for it not to come up to scratch, so I would buy the 7650 again! Same with the 6600, N73 and N95. Sure there would be a period in between whilst I was using other phones, but none ever passed the test the way these phones did.
And now, the latest phone to pass the 'test', is another Nokia, another S60 phone, another NSeries phone. Over the last few months, I've been using the E51, then the Samsung F480 Tocco, followed by a Sony Ericsson C905. The Tocco, whilst a nice enough phone for a touchscreen affair, just didn't cut it, especially web browsing, and text entry was a pain. The C905 is a great imaging phone, with some nice features, but the keypad was hard and lacked any decent feedback, and it just looks like an old phone. Kinda plain and normal.
So, I took the opportunity to take a look at the market, and see if there was anything new out there for me. And, rather than make an impulse buy like I usually do, I took my time and compared phones. As mentioned in previous posts, I took my choice down to mainly the E71 or E66 with the E51 as an outside option, or the N95 8GB or the N82. I nearly went for the E71, I truly did, but that blasted QWERTY keyboard, it sucks! Surprisingly usable it may be, but not usable enough. For a quick message it was fine, but once I got into a long text conversation, it wasn't long before the phone and I became bitter enemies! I did try to persist, but I can't begin to tell you the relief of putting my SIM back into the N82. No more typos! Simple, easy, T9 assisted text entry. Just what I need.
So, after all the fannying about of the last few months, I hope I will remember the lesson learned. I actually do not like touchscreen phones; I actually do not like QWERTY keypad phones; nothing compares to S60 for usability, 'customisability' and functionality.
Basically, I should stick with what I know, and right now the current hero handset that I know, the latest to pass 'the test', is the Nokia N82.
Smart phones are Too Smart for the Average User
I saw a story over at AllAboutSymbian, referencing a survey from the BBC, claiming that many people are 'baffled' by new features on their phone.
I work in mobile retail, and the results of that survey don't surprise me in the least, in fact I'm surprised the percentages are not even higher. I get to see the 'average majority' of mobile phone users, and without exaggeration I regularly have to deal with people who cannot:
Turn their phone on!!
Do not know how to answer a call
Or read a text
Or compose a text
Or listen to voicemail
Or turn up the volume in call
Or change their ring tone (You know the people who have that damn annoying standard Nokia tone? It's just because they don't know how to change the bloody thing!)
Or lock the keypad
And so on. And those things are just the basics. So many times I have to hear people tell me how awful T9 is, that they cannot compose a message using it, when in fact little is as simple and easy! Maybe they just can't spell?
As most people I deal with struggle with the above, I am not surprised that things such as email and the like confuse people so much. I can accept that occasionally certain applications do not operate as expected, and occasionally things just 'go wrong', but that does not account for a lot of the problems. Generally, when it comes to technology, most people are ignorant, and they revel in it! They come in store, proud as anything, that even though they have given in to the evil advances of modern technology, there's no way they are going to use that as an opportunity to actually learn something! Oh no, better to be ignorant and one of the crowd than actually know something, because that might mean you are not normal! Because normal people are ignorant, only smart ass geeks understand technology. And if you are a geek, you are different, and different is bad. It's like being at school; no one wants to be the class swot, better to sit at the back of the classroom and muck about instead of actually learning something.
Of course, there is a lot I don't know; the way to learn is to ask from those who do, read, study, research. Then learn, remember, apply your learning and use that to understand the next step. Wallowing in ignorance is nothing to be proud of.
For as long as the general population remains generally thick, smartphones will always remain smarter than those who use them.
I work in mobile retail, and the results of that survey don't surprise me in the least, in fact I'm surprised the percentages are not even higher. I get to see the 'average majority' of mobile phone users, and without exaggeration I regularly have to deal with people who cannot:
Turn their phone on!!
Do not know how to answer a call
Or read a text
Or compose a text
Or listen to voicemail
Or turn up the volume in call
Or change their ring tone (You know the people who have that damn annoying standard Nokia tone? It's just because they don't know how to change the bloody thing!)
Or lock the keypad
And so on. And those things are just the basics. So many times I have to hear people tell me how awful T9 is, that they cannot compose a message using it, when in fact little is as simple and easy! Maybe they just can't spell?
As most people I deal with struggle with the above, I am not surprised that things such as email and the like confuse people so much. I can accept that occasionally certain applications do not operate as expected, and occasionally things just 'go wrong', but that does not account for a lot of the problems. Generally, when it comes to technology, most people are ignorant, and they revel in it! They come in store, proud as anything, that even though they have given in to the evil advances of modern technology, there's no way they are going to use that as an opportunity to actually learn something! Oh no, better to be ignorant and one of the crowd than actually know something, because that might mean you are not normal! Because normal people are ignorant, only smart ass geeks understand technology. And if you are a geek, you are different, and different is bad. It's like being at school; no one wants to be the class swot, better to sit at the back of the classroom and muck about instead of actually learning something.
Of course, there is a lot I don't know; the way to learn is to ask from those who do, read, study, research. Then learn, remember, apply your learning and use that to understand the next step. Wallowing in ignorance is nothing to be proud of.
For as long as the general population remains generally thick, smartphones will always remain smarter than those who use them.
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