Small Changes, Big Differences

The one thing that users will be able to point out at first glance is the fact that the bottom row of keys has been moved into a fourth column for the handset. The positions have also been altered slightly, instead of the zero/space button being placed in the center row; it is located on the bottom right –which actually turns out to be a lot more intuitive a position than in the center.

In practice, it is easy to say that the Nokia Touch and Type handset is a device that is easy to get used to. Just type with it for a short while and it will seem as if this is how the keypads on all mobile phones should be. Of course, it also helps that the display is a touch screen that complements the controls of the keypad.

Resistive Touch

It is pretty understandable that the initial public reaction to resistive touch screen technology is one of mild dismay. After all, the convenience of capacitive technology is quite outstanding. But when one realizes that the display on both the Nokia X3 and Nokia C3 Touch and Type has been designed as a complementary input method as opposed to being a primary, one can see how the combination truly works in favor of the handset –and how redundant having a capacitive touch screen would have been.

Apple is right about certain things, like the fact that the mobile phone antenna is prone to losing signals when they come into contact with the human hand –and the fact that human hands are not good amplifiers of mobile signals.

However, Apple’s allegation that this is a ‘challenge’ is not as true as one might think. Sure, the problem is there, but other mobile phone manufacturers have been doing great in finding solutions for it. Some mobile phone networks locate the antenna in areas of the handset that are not easily touched by the hand such as below the device or by keeping the antenna internally.

A recently uploaded video of the Nokia N97 smart phone, by Apple, shows the device with full signal strength. When a hand wraps around the device –as it is normally held, the signal drops down all the way to two bars. While significant, this has never been a serious issue. And the reason is because the N97 Mini can still make and complete voice calls even if a hand is touching the device –something that the iPhone 4 cannot do.

Also, Apple failed to mention the fact that the N97 Mini has been around for almost a year now and that the smart phone has never had a serious history of dropped calls complaints from existing users. This means that even if the device does have a few dropped calls every now and then, it does not happen often enough to be a concern.

The device is a simple looking touch screen smart phone. The front face looks like your average large screen handset with a slim form figure. The only stark difference is that the lower portion of the device comes with a slightly large bulk. This bulk is actually a closed compartment that houses an electromagnetic device that alters the weight distribution on the lower half of the mobile phone. From a prone, lying position, the kinetic handset can be made to stand upright.

The device will do this to inform users of an incoming call or text message. It is nifty and quirky, though in the end, still a concept design. As impressive as the technology may be, it is only applicable for times when users are either at home or working on an office desk. Users on the go would not be able to appreciate the extra feature. Still, it would be interesting if the technology is somehow applied to Nokia’s handsets.

Nokia has also made a public stand regarding the issue of antenna problems which was made quite controversial by Apple. In order to quell the rumors that Apple is spreading about mobile phone antennas (or antennae), Nokia has stated that all of their device’s antennas are fully tested and are well designed to work even when held normally.

Also, next week is the expected launch for the upcoming Nokia N8 Symbian^3 N-series handset. Vodafone UK has announced that they will start offering the device when it comes out next week while T-Mobile has already opened up pre-registrations on their official website.

According to some experts, the demonstration video was meant to show off the hardware for the upcoming device and not the OS it was running. It is believed that the N9 would still be a MeeGo handset.

If this is true, then the Nokia N8 would really be the only Symbian^3 smart phone in the N-series lineup. Nokia’s new head of mobile solutions however, is not ruling out the possibility of another Symbian handset on the N-series –which is most likely to happen when the Symbian^4 comes out.

Should the Nokia N9 come with the Symbian^3 OS the device is expected to get re-designated to another Nokia phone series. The demo videos already label the handset as the C0-00 (as seen printed on the device’s casing), which hints at the possibility that the device might be adapted to the C-series.

Still, many believe that the n9 is destined for the MeeGo operating system. It has already been announced that the new mobile platform will be ready by October –which means that it would not be long before the OS is installed in the N9. According to Intel, the MeeGo OS has been designed to work with both Intel Atom and ARM processors. So even if the N9 was using an ARM based CPU, it would still be able to run the OS without any problems.

The MeeGo operating system is the new OS that officially replaces Nokia’s previous Maemo and the Intel Moblin (which is based on Linux). The technology for the two operating systems has been combined to bring the uniquely named MeeGo mobile platform.

So cheap in price it is, but cheap in, well, the other use of the word, it most definitely is not. The Nokia X3, in fact, is about as good a value phone as we think we’ve ever seen. Basic / cheapo phones are normally just that: some robust plastic wrapped around some bare bones technology that does your basic calling / texting / some calculatoring action if you’re lucky, but little else. Not the case here. Not by a long stretch. In fact, this is one of those phones that, when you see the Nokia X3 deals on offer, is going to make you stop and think about whether you really need a ‘proper’ smartphone at all. Do you really, for example, need a 12MP camera as opposed to this thing’s 3.2MP? Do you really need 4+ inches of screen? Do you really need anything, in fact, that this thing hasn’t got?

An interesting question indeed. And one that gives us the sneaking suspicion this is going to be one of the biggest hits of the coming months. Don’t forget, you heard it here first. And don’t be distracted by the terrible video below, either.

At that point the 6700 looks at you, a little embarassed, even though you know they’re proud of their UNC, and you feel a little ashamed, a little too eager. So you skulk away to the drinks table, muttering to yourself, finishing off that last bottle of gin until, maybe an hour later, maybe a little longer, you realise the 6700 has left with the very person you were telling about the Uplink Noice Cancellation.

The 6700 is that kind of phone, if you see what we mean. You don’t? Oh. Sorry. Then read this Nokia 6700 review. Or have a look at Nokia’s official page. Or scope out these Nokia 6700 deals. That might be a little clearer. Now where did we put that gin…

Well, what are the benefits? There’s Mobile VPN (mobile virtual private network) that allows you access to network resources and information available on company intranets. Call Connect support to hook up your E52 to your phone system, allowing you to be contactable through a single number, wherever you are. And you can access Ovi files, the remote, Gdrive-like system that makes all the documents, photos and other files stored on your main computer accessible through your handset (very nifty). And with an absolutely huge battery life – 25 days standby, incredibly enough – this not a bad package at all. But, all of this without the QWERTY? We know lots of people want the slim, pocket-sized thing you get with candybar phones, but is that true of people who also want to take advantage of all this business-oriented features? We’re not so sure about that. It seems to us the Nokia E52 doesn’t quite know what it wants to be.

Maybe we’ll be proven wrong, but we doubt it. Check out the full list of all the specs, features and gadgets onboard this remarkably little thing in this Nokia E52 review, or have a look at this slightly shoddy video instead:

And you think that at that weight there’d be some serious compromises, but not so. The Nokia 6730 Classic is still packing an impressive array of options via the S60 platform, from fully functioning mapping and navigational features thanks to the GPS, half-decent internet browsing speeds with the 3G, an alright camera and a bunch of other useful bits and bobs, we think this is going to make a lot of people very happy indeed. It’s not going to have 7.2mps HSDPA, it’s not got oodles of storage for music, it’s not going to record DVD-like videos… but then not everyone wants or needs to do any of those things.

In fact, we reckon very few people at all need those functions on a phone. What so many people need is little more than a phone that fits in your pocket and has a few nice add-ons for the few times a week you might need them. And if that’s ringing true for you, then you might just be onto a winner with the Nokia 6730 Classic. Have a read of this Nokia 6730 review for a full rundown of the specs, or just have a look at this simple video for a taster of what’s to come.

nokia 6730 classic hands on 外型介紹 from ePrice on Vimeo.

On the front, the phone features a standard numeric keypad. There are special keys for easy access to the camera, gaming, and the user’s music library. There is also a key on the side on the phone for the user to adjust the volume. The phone has decent connectivity options including quad band GSM, WCDMA and HSDPA. The phone also allows Wi-Fi connectivity allowing the user to connect to the internet. The user can access emails. Web pages and can add music to their library on the go.

The Nokia 5730 XpressMusichas an onboard SDRAM of 128 MB and 100 MB for the user to store information in. However the memory can be expanded up to a maximum of 16 GB via the MicroSD memory card slot. The phone battery has a long life allowing talk time up to 5.2 hours and music playback for up to 25 hours.

The phone comes with an inbuilt GPS receiver, making it a good tool for people who travel a lot.
The Nokia 5730 XpressMusic features a 3.2 MP Autofocus camera with a Carl Zeiss lens. The camera has 8 x digital zoom feature along with an LED flash. The phone also has a secondary camera for video calling.

The best feature of the Nokia 5730 XpressMusic is definitely the S60 music player which supports a variety of music formats.

When you add all these features together what you get is a good all round phone. See Nokia’s official page for fulls specs

We think though that the 2720 Fold could also find a niche (or even bigger than niche) market in the supposedly more fashion-conscious hotspots of Western Europe. With its minimal, almost retro style and complete lack of any pretension, we think the fold might well get snapped up by, well, pretentious fashionistas who are digging retro stylings.

Then again, it might not. But we can’t help but think there’s something cool about owning a phone that, instead of pretending to be the absolute very best there has ever been, is happy to be just what it is: cheap, simple, and, well, nothing else. Just cheap and simple is fine by us. Check out a fuller Nokia 2720 fold review here, and waste 20 seconds of your life on the very cheap and painfully simple video of the Nokia 2720 Fold below.