Nokia FAQ

While I don’t like having to use a stylus the included guitar shaped stylus is cute and plays in well with the whole Xpress Music theme. Maybe the next version will come with a minature drum stick…

The 5800 is narrower than say an iPhone or Blackberry Storm but at the same time it’s thicker. Personally I find it makes the 5800XM easier to hold but at the same time it makes the screen feel cramped. You win some and you lose some.

While the 5800 comes with 2 stylii (the guitar pick plus a regular stylus) Nokia intends for you to be able to use the 5800 with just your finger. I wish the screen was a little more ’slippery’ like the screen on the iPhone. So it doesn’t feel as nice when sliding my finger around on the 5800’s screen. Still, a few pizzas or a bucket of fried chicken should help me get some grease on the screen so it feels more smooth.

There are 2 speakers on the left side. While I’m used to Nokia including good speakers on their phones the 5800’s is really good. It’s loud and relatively full bodied sounding. Still, they’re small speakers so don’t expect miracles, just expect better than when you can get elsewhere.

The 5800 runs Nokia’s S60 user interface, the same one that powers most of their other smartphones (from 3650 to n96). The difference is that the 5800’s is a touchscreen version. While I’m able to use it just fine the user interface feels slightly broken. You see when you’re navigating top level menus you can select items by tapping on them (so far so good). However, some menu items require you to double tap them to select them, tapping them once only highlights them.

Entering text  is another strange thing. There are 2 keyboards; one is a tiny keyboard that you have to use a stylus with. The other is a full screen keyboard that’s so ‘full screen’ that it hides the program you’re working on. It’s really weird.

There’s a button above the top right corner of the screen. Pressing it pulls up a ‘ribbon’ - (Office 2007 anyone?) which lets you quickly launch the music player, browser, pictures, etc). It’s a nice feature.

Anyways, those are my first impressions. I’ll have a review up later.

All credits and information was found by howardchui.

The FCC, Federal Communications Commission, has approved the BlackBerry Curve 8520 for sale in the US.

If rumors are true the latest device in the Curve lineup will be launching in July on T-Mobile.  The EDGE device will feature 256 MB internal memory, 2MP camera (no flash), a 35 key backlit QWERTY keyboard, WIFI (802.11b/g), and optical trackpad (no more roller ball).

All credits and information was found by howardchui.

Nokia has just added a new model to its Xpress Music phone series - the Nokia 5530. Featuring a touch interface, the Nokia 5530 boasts of an efficient homescreen with a scrolling contacts bar that gives you access to 20 people and their latest conversation and media updates. Said homescreen also provides one touch shortcuts to content as well as popular social networks such as Facebook and MySpace.Design-wise, the Nokia 5530 follows the same steel frame finish and vivid colors of the 5800 XpressMusic phone. And like the 5800, the Nokia 5530 is also a music phone that gives you quick access to a huge selection of media. It features a music player with good audio quality. It also supports up to 4GB of memory card storage for music you purchased from the Nokia Music Store.  It is also loaded with Nokia Music desktop application which allows you to sync the phone with your PC.

Other features and specs of the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic phone include 2.9-inch display, people carousel which lets you upload thumbnail images of 20 contacts. You can easily access information about these contacts including their emails, phone calls, photos and even their social media updates.

The Nokia 5530 features a 3.2 MP camera with autofocus and LED flash, proximity sensor, accelerometer, widescreen video playback, Bluetooth, WiFi, stereo speakers with surround sound and responsive touchscreen with tactile feedback.

The Nokia 5530 is a GSM/EDGE phone with integrated WIFI as well.  It will be available in Q3 with an estimated price of around 199 EURO.

All credits and information was found by cellphonenews.

At first glance, the Nokia N97 can do-it-all, literally featuring every cell phone functionality Nokia has come out with to date. But a particular feature will cause owners of this phone to be more careful with their stuff (and, not to mention, the phone itself).

You see, the N97 uses a proprietary port for both its USB cable and charger (which is weird, since Nokia agreed to implement standard USB for future phones). This means older Nokia chargers won’t work with the phone—unless the bundled adapter is used. At least this means the phone can also draw power through a computer’s USB port.

At least the adapter accepts the older, thicker charger-pin, and the much thinner one found in newer models. This should serve as warning for N97 owners to keep track of what comes with their phone, because if they lose the included charger and adapter, they’ll have no choice but to rely on the USB cable for charging, buy a new charger from Nokia (which comes at a price of course).

Unless of course, this new USB-based charging format represents Nokia’s plans for future models. You never know.

All credits and information was found by everyjoe.

Finally getting a to play with the Nokia N97, here are some first impressions:

• The N97 is very similar in size to the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic in terms of thickness and width, and slightly longer. Will cause pocket bulge but is still impressive for a flagship.
• Compared to the N96 and N95, the N97 is more responsive. Still a bit slow though, especially when trying to run apps that use connectivity a lot (Maybe using a phone under better 3G or 3.5G coverage will provide better results?
• The sliding mechanism of the N97 is very solid and feels well made. A ribbon cable connects the upper part of the phone to the rest of the device. Very inaccessible, but this is a worrying vulnerability—cut the cable, goodbye phone?
• The QWERTY keyboard feels a bit flat. Maybe the next model should take a cue from the E-series keyboard and use slightly rounded keys?
• Why drop the plectrum/guitar key, used as the stylus for the 5800, and replace it with a detachable pen? Detachable = easily lost.

That’s all I’ve got now. A full review to follow when possible. For now, pics! (Click them thumbnails for the full-size editions)

All credits and information was found by everyjoe.

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Nokia today announced that sales of the Nokia N85 and Nokia N79 have started in the United States - just in time to inject a dose of entertainment and color into your holiday season.

The Nokia N85 delivers a striking fusion of design and entertainment that bursts through its stunning 2.6″ OLED display, while the Nokia N79 is bound to turn heads with its three seasonally colored Xpress-on smart covers in, red, white and brown, to automatically customize the device’s theme to match your holiday moods.

Both devices will now be available unlocked through retail channels in the United States, including the Nokia Flagship stores in New York and Chicago, on nokiausa.com and from a number of independent retailers and e-tailers.

Stunning shots
The bright OLED screen on the Nokia N85 is an ideal backdrop to view those holiday pictures. Get snap-happy with the Nokia N85 and Nokia N79 - both have 5 megapixel cameras with Carl Zeiss optics, so you can enjoy high quality images in richly defined colors, taken with a bright dual LED flash, or video clips at 30 frames per second. Images can be geotagged to record the capture location and shared online on sites like Share on Ovi or Flickr.

The fun doesn’t stop there - playing N-Gage games is a pleasure with fast connectivity and bright screens. Break the boundaries of gameplay by challenging like-minded players from across the globe to rescue the princess with Reset Generation or net the catch of the day in Hooked on Creatures of the Deep. Try out any of a variety of games with the free activation voucher on either device.

Turn up the volume
The Nokia N85 and Nokia N79 are ideal companions for music enthusiasts. Both devices have ample storage space included inbox for your favorite tunes - an 8GB microSD card on the Nokia N85 and a 4GB microSD card on the Nokia N79.

Great for getting the party started, both devices also have a built-in FM transmitter so you can enjoy tunes wirelessly through a car or home stereo - and in 3D sound.

Find it
The Nokia N85 and Nokia N79 come with Nokia Maps and an integrated three-month license for pedestrian and voice-guided navigation. Other highlights of the Nokia Maps include free maps for more than 200 countries, satellite view and close to 15 million points of interest.

The Nokia N85 and Nokia N79 can be further enhanced with a range of customizable content available from the pre-loaded Nokia Download!.

Both the Nokia N85 and Nokia N79 are compatible with high-speed 3G HSDPA networks in the US (850 and 1900 MHz). The Nokia N85 also supports European 3G networks (2100 MHz) - perfect for a holiday break abroad. The Nokia N85 is available for an estimated retail price of $539 and the Nokia N79 for $439.

All credits and information was found by mobiletechreview.

Nokia today announced the Nokia N97 desktop PC phone, claiming the world’s most advanced mobile computer, in Barcelona, Spain. The Nokia N97 features a big 3.5-inch TFT LCD Wide touchscreen (as big as Apple iPhone), a full QWERTY keyboard that slide out from the side, and Nokia’s Ovi services.

“From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile computer in existence,” said Jonas Geust, Vice President, heading Nokia Nseries. “Together with the Ovi services announced today, the Nokia N97 mobile computer adjusts to the world around us, helping stay connected to the people and things that matter most. With the Nokia N97, Nseries leads the charge in helping to transform the Internet into your Internet”.

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Nokia today launched its N97 flagship phone, an advanced smartphone with a 3.5-inch touch display and full QWERTY keyboard, providing an ‘always open’ window to favorite social networking sites.

The N97 introduces the concept of ’social location.’ With built-in A-GPS sensors and an electronic compass, it can automatically update social networks with real-time information, for updates on their status and share their social location.

The 16:9 widescreen display can be personalized with frequently updated widgets, suited for browsing the web, streaming Flash videos or playing games. Both the physical QWERTY and virtual touch input ensure convenient blogging, chatting, posting, sending texts or emailing.

The N97 supports up to 48GB of storage, including 32GB of on-board memory, expandable with a 16GB microSD card for music, media and more. It comes with excellent music capabilities, full support for the Nokia Music Store and continuous playback time of up to 1.5 days. The N97 also has a 5.0-megapixel camera with high-quality Carl Zeiss optics, 16:9 and DVD quality video capture, and support for services like Share on Ovi for immediate sharing over HSDPA and WLAN.

Nokia continues to lead the global market for smartphones, but it has lost significant share to Apple’s iPhone and RIM’s BlackBerry.

“From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile computer in existence,” said Jonas Geust, Vice President of Nokia. “With the Nokia N97, Nseries leads the charge in helping to transform the Internet into your Internet.”

The Nokia N97 is expected to begin shipping in the first half of 2009 at an estimated retail price of $700 before taxes or subsidies.

All credits and information was found by mobiledia.

Nokia announced today it is developing a smart home platform, Nokia Home Control Center. The platform is opening a new era for networked home services and solutions. Nokia’s Home Control Center will be the basis for next generation security, smart home solutions and household energy management systems.The platform is open allowing third parties to integrate their own smart home solutions and services; its core consumer value is the plug and play experience across all solution areas with high security levels built in. All solutions based on the platform can be used through a smart phone or PC locally or remotely. Consumers can monitor and control their electricity usage, switch devices on and off, and monitor different objects, such as temperature, camera, and motion. In future, entire systems within the home can be connected to the Nokia platform, including security, heating, and ventilation systems.

“We see there is growth potential in the smart home market,” said Teppo Paavola, Vice President, Head of Corporate Business Development, Nokia. “The home of today has intelligence everywhere, but to date there has not been a solution that is interoperable with wide range of home systems that can easily be controlled. We want to create an open solution where external partners can develop their own solutions and services on top of our platform. We believe that the mobile device is an ideal interface to control home intelligence, especially when the user is not at home.”

Nokia today also announced a partnership with one of Europe’s biggest energy companies, RWE. The co-operation aims at developing a comprehensive solution for managing energy consumption and CO2 footage at home. This cooperation combines RWE’s energy competence with Nokia’s technological know-how.

With this in mind, the first joint solution from Nokia and RWE on late 2009 will focus on home heating management. The product consists of a central control unit together with remote-controlled thermostats for the actual radiator. The user interface will be the PC and the mobile phone. In addition, a separate display will be available. RWE is also planning special offers combining these devices with new energy supply contracts. In a second step, Nokia and RWE are planning additional services in connection with smart meters beyond 2009. These services will provide consumers with real-time information about their energy consumption and allow them to control their energy bill remotely.

“We are delighted to have secured a world-leading technology partner in Nokia for our range of smart home energy products. Our aim is to offer innovative and affordable energy-efficient solutions for every household that are simple and convenient to operate,” said Carolin Reichert, Head of New Business at RWE.

Further, Nokia has started working with a number of companies to define and create a solid basis for building the next generation of products that will introduce a new kind of mobile access to intelligent systems at the home. These collaboration partners include Danfoss, Delta Dore, Ensto, and Meishar Immediate Community (MIC) and Zensys. The Nokia smart home partner program is structured around five key areas which mobile access will open up, creating new opportunities for the next generation smart home. These are security, energy efficiency, wellness, construction, real estate, and smart home solutions.

Nokia Home Control Center will be part of Nokia’s home offering. The solution will be demonstrated at the Nokia World event in Barcelona, Spain, on December 2-3, 2008 and is expected to become commercially available by the end of 2009.

All credits and information was found by mobiletechnews.