In the fourth and (probably) last part of my series investigating whether a Windows-using S60 user should consider switching to an Apple Mac, I look at tethering, installing applications, backing up and updates. I also sum up my Mac experience and end up perched in a painful position right on top of a fence...
It may not be a full production, boxed unit, but you won't believe how much detail Rafe has been able to get into in this, his hands-on with Nokia's latest and greatest, the N85. Look out in particular for the comparison photos between the N85 and other recent Nseries handsets - including the N79.
Forum Nokia has published the official tech specs for the upcoming Nokia N79 and Nokia N96-3 (which is a variant of the N96 for the Americas). Oddly they don't list free RAM for either device, but that's possibly because the release firmwares aren't finished yet. You can also see the tech specs for the original Nokia N96 too.
Following on from the launch of the N85, Ewan mulls over the use of a consistent design language in the N81/N96/N85/N78. It may not be to everybody's taste, but he reckons that it'll help a lot in the High Street, with quicker recognition of the brand by potential purchasers.
The Nokia 6650, previously a T-Mobile (EU) exclusive handset, is headed to the USA and will be carried by the operator AT&T. The AT&T variant supports the 850/1900 WCDMA bands and features AT&T Navigator and Music services. The 6650, which we reviewed here (T-Mobile variant), has a 2.0 megapixel camera, cover screen UI, integrated GPS and a high capacity (1500 mAh) battery.
Samsung's stream of S60 devices continues with the camera-centric G810, complete with optical zoom. Andew Galpin and Steve each take a week with the device in order to assess whether it can triumph over Nokia's N95 8GB and N82. And does it matter that it's 'not a Nokia?'
iPhone 3G owner and blogger Tarek Esber has had enough of Apple's device and has gone back to an S60 phone. Here he lists in articulate detail the nine reasons why the S60 device is superior for his needs. An interesting read (via this week's Carnival of the Mobilists)
Yesterday's N79 and N85 launches were different in that there was no physical event - the whole thing was virtual. Leaving aside the preview day and annoying leaks, does the use of a virtual launch represent a successful new style for Nokia? Ewan thinks so and was quite impressed, reckoning that Nokia has found their own 'voice'.
The Nokia N85, the latest edition to Nokia's Nseries range, was announced today. With AM OLED screen technology, tri-band WCDMA (3G) cellular radio, USB charging, and preloaded Ovi content and services, the multimedia-centric N85 delivers the latest evolution of Nokia's dual slider form factor.
The N85 boasts the usual impressive Nseries specification list: 5 megapixel camera (with dual LED flash and lens cover), integrated GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, FM transmitter and TV-out. The N85 will be available from October at a price of €450 (£350) before taxes and subsidies. Read on for more.
The Nokia N79, a new monoblock (candybar) Nseries handset, was announced today. It features a 5 megapixel camera (with LED flash and protective lens cover), automatic screen rotation via an accelerometer, touch sensitive NaviWheel, Xpress-on smart covers, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, TV-out, FM transmitter and integrated GPS. The N79 has out of the box support for the full range of Ovi services: Photos, Music, Maps, Video and Games (N-Gage). It will be available from October at a cost of €350 (£280) before taxes and subsidies. Read on for more.
According to their official website, Nokia's firmware update service is currently unavailable for the 6220 Classic, so you can't update that phone's firmware for the moment. Support will apparently be restored ASAP but they haven't said when that will be. (via S60inside)
You've got to love these virtual device launches. Tuesday, 9am BST (11am Finnish time) sees Nokia throwing a virtual event that anyone can get involved in. The devices being premiered have been widely leaked, admittedly, but you'll be able to see the full details, with videos and chat, on Tuesday, right here. And of course on All About Symbian, too.
This is something All About N-Gage has been calling for for a while now, and finally it's happened: Nokia has teamed up with Zeemote to produce a wireless gaming controller compatible with all existing N-Gage and Symbian S60 games and applications. The controller's application can be installed on any S60 3rd Edition handset and lets you map the controller's buttons to any of the phone's buttons. While a separate controller for mobile phones sounds crazy, it actually makes perfect sense for handsets with TV Out, as it effectively turns them into home games consoles.
This month Ewan has been running around the Edinburgh Festival making recordings for his Fringe Podcast. To keep him in communication range (voice and Contacts), organised (Calendar) and on track (Nokia Maps) he's been using a Nokia E71. In this editorial he describes his E71 enabled Fringe experience.
Steve has been thinking about the lure of Apple's iPhone to normal users. In this editorial he looks at screens and compares Apple's technology with that found in the N95 8GB. How important, for the average consumer, are screens in the all-important first impression period?