N76: The Nseries thin phone
Published by Rafe Blandford at 7:37 UTC, January 8th 2007
Continuing the CES 2007 announcements, Nokia has launched the N76 - a stylish S60 3rd Edition clamshell. The N76 is 13.7mm thin, and highlights include a 2.0 megapixel camera, WCDMA/EDGE/GPRS/GSM connectivity, FM Radio, standard 3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Read on for more.
The N76 features the same cover UI seen in the recently announced N75 which allows access to commonly used phone functionality, music files and acts as a viewfinder for the camera. The cover also includes the quick access keys for navigating around the cover UI.
The phone has 26MB of internal memory and a microSD card slot for expansion upto 2 GB. The N76 will be available initially be available in two variants (WCDMA/3G and EDGE/non-3G).
The N76 I saw appeared to be running S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1. This means the latest version of the S60 browser, A2DP Bluetooth Profile Support, a number of UI enhancements and Flash Lite 2.0 would be present as part of the standard software platform.
The N76 is very reminiscent of the popular RZR range of phones from Motorola. The N76 represents Nokia's first step into the 'thin phone' market and should find popularity among those seeking a slim Nokia or RZR alternative. However with the S60 Software Platform on board it also represents a considerable step up in capabilities compared with some of its competitors in this segment. The N76 is true to its Nseries heritage and boasts an impressive set of specifications within its svelte interior.
The N76 is a strong candidate as a muisc phone, supporting both the MP3, AAC, eAAC and WMA formats. It also includes support for DRM protected WMA files. Like the N75 the music control keys on the face of the phone make music a key focus of the device, but also hand the device a welcome user experience boost in the music playback department.
The N76 is due to start shipping in the first quarter of this year and has an unsubsidised price of 390 Euros.
Press Release:
New device combines a beautiful fold design with quick cover keys to bring substance to style.Las Vegas, USA - Nokia today introduced a trimmer fold model to its Nokia Nseries line up, the Nokia N76, a new multimedia computer that brings the complete Nokia Nseries experience to a sleeker body, with little compromise. With the Nokia N76 multimedia computer, technology and design come together to create a revolution in design for a multimedia computer. Using premium materials to enclose world-class Nokia Nseries features and experiences, Nokia has created a very eye-catching device.
"We did not want to compromise any of the key Nokia Nseries experiences when we designed the stylish Nokia N76 multimedia computer," said Pekka Pohjakallio, vice-president, Multimedia, Nokia. He continued, "Nokia Nseries consumers are bleeding edge technology users and with them in mind we want to offer intelligent and entertaining multimedia functionality in an easy to use, ultra slim package."
The Nokia N76 is a perfect blend of style and substance. This latest addition to the Nokia Nseries portfolio brings a wide range of multimedia experiences to consumers, enabling them to create, consume and connect, using music, videos, images and the internet.
Musical talentNokia Nseries music fans will appreciate the dedicated quick cover keys on the Nokia N76, which let you quickly and easily control the device's music features from the outside of the folded device, for instant tunes wherever you are. Holding up to 1500* tracks the Nokia N76 works with industry standard 3.5 mm headphones and supports the popular Windows Media DRM for optimal use.Surf in styleViewing the 2.4", up to 16 million color screen in landscape mode brings a familiar feel to surfing the web on a mobile. Navigate web pages quickly and easily with the Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map and enjoy easy access to popular internet services like Flickr and Amazon for searching, shopping or sharing.With Nokia Mobile Search local services, restaurants, bars, shops or just about anything else you want are just where you need them, in the palm of your hand. You can then locate them using online maps or simply click to call them. It's that easy.Ready for your close up?See a shot you want? Grab your Nokia N76 and using the dedicated quick cover keys, you can snap that unexpected moment without having to open up the device. Feel like sharing? Then upload it to a compatible photo sharing community, like Flickr.Use the 2.0 megapixel (1600 x 1200 pixels) camera to capture, zoom and review pictures on the large 2.4" display, then edit either on the go or transfer them to a compatible PC and even get creative with Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition.Get personalUse the Download! application to see what new services and software are available for your multimedia computer, as well as keeping other selected applications current on your Nokia N76. With up to 2GB of expandable memory** you can shape your multimedia computer to suit the way you live your life.The Nokia N76, which is based on S60 3rd Edition software on Symbian OS, is expected to start shipping in volumes during the first quarter of 2007 with an estimated, pre-tax, unsubsidized sales price of approximately 390 euros.
Categories: Hardware
Platforms: S60 3rd Edition
News Discussion
akboom
Finally, a good looking S60 device.
elp
I personnally am a bit sad that Nokia's designer couldn't come up with something better than a clone of the Motorola V3 which i always found rather ugly. We'll see how that looks like in the real world. The new N93 on the other side looks quite nice.
krisse
Yeah, I've never understood the appeal of the RAZR either.
I've nothing against Motorola, the PEBL looks really nice, but the RAZR just reminds me of one of those programmable TV remote controls you buy when you lose the original.
BUT... the fact of the matter is that the RAZR sells really well in the US (frighteningly well in some ways, Motorola is in danger of becoming a one-trick pony), and there is undoubtedly pressure from Nokia's American unit to produce something that competes with it.
This is a phone for the American market, basically. Nokia need to make progress there because their highly successful European-oriented designs aren't doing as well in the US, so they clearly need to offer something different for Americans.
I too think it's sad that they're essentially copying the same design, but then it is just the casing and not the innards. In functionality, the N76 is lightyears ahead of anything Motorola's producing for the mainstream market.
And it's worth remembering that the same approach with the E61 (Blackberry-esque design combined with far superior S60 hardware) paid off for the company, it's made Nokia far more popular with the (predominantly American) PDA crowd.
I've nothing against Motorola, the PEBL looks really nice, but the RAZR just reminds me of one of those programmable TV remote controls you buy when you lose the original.
BUT... the fact of the matter is that the RAZR sells really well in the US (frighteningly well in some ways, Motorola is in danger of becoming a one-trick pony), and there is undoubtedly pressure from Nokia's American unit to produce something that competes with it.
This is a phone for the American market, basically. Nokia need to make progress there because their highly successful European-oriented designs aren't doing as well in the US, so they clearly need to offer something different for Americans.
I too think it's sad that they're essentially copying the same design, but then it is just the casing and not the innards. In functionality, the N76 is lightyears ahead of anything Motorola's producing for the mainstream market.
And it's worth remembering that the same approach with the E61 (Blackberry-esque design combined with far superior S60 hardware) paid off for the company, it's made Nokia far more popular with the (predominantly American) PDA crowd.
natanlevine
Uh.. excuse me for asking the obvious question, but doesn't this make the n75 completely pointless?
krisse
"Uh.. excuse me for asking the obvious question, but doesn't this make the n75 completely pointless?"
Although they're both thin clamshells, the N75 has a fairly different casing design which is much more Nokia-ish, and there are differences in the hardware inside too:
http://nds3.nokia.com/pressphotos/pu.../n75_low_7.jpg
I much prefer the N75 to the N76, I really don't like the RAZR style.
Although they're both thin clamshells, the N75 has a fairly different casing design which is much more Nokia-ish, and there are differences in the hardware inside too:
http://nds3.nokia.com/pressphotos/pu.../n75_low_7.jpg
I much prefer the N75 to the N76, I really don't like the RAZR style.
lovesign
I see Windows DRM is included. How about this for the rest of your phones, Nokia ?!?!
Rafe
The N75 was announced as a US model (in theory on Congular) whereas the N76 is for all markets. There are two variants which should give wide coverage. It is also worth notng the software version has been bumped up. But yes a lot of S60 phone are quite similar and I suspect we'll see more of that.
tomsky
Its got a 3.5mm jack, mini-usb and some other connector on it. I wonder how popular this will be. I for one welcome our new headphone jack overlords.
drmadison
Keep in mind this is NOT directly for the US, as the 3g band chosen is nonexistent in the US right now (TMobile will be rolling out a 2100band UMTS service this year supposedly)....
Which is odd since what I'm reading here is that most people seem to say the Razr was basically a US success. Personally, I'd still go for the n75 over this as I prefer something that feels a bit more solid and has better keys (assuming this feels as flimsy as the razr, with the same terrible keypad) - AND it supports Cingular's 3g bands which means I could actually get better than EDGE speeds from it.
Which is odd since what I'm reading here is that most people seem to say the Razr was basically a US success. Personally, I'd still go for the n75 over this as I prefer something that feels a bit more solid and has better keys (assuming this feels as flimsy as the razr, with the same terrible keypad) - AND it supports Cingular's 3g bands which means I could actually get better than EDGE speeds from it.
krisse
"Keep in mind this is NOT directly for the US, as the 3g band chosen is nonexistent in the US right now"
Surely it's a fairly trivial matter to roll out a variant with US frequencies though?
I can't believe Nokia would go to the trouble of cloning the RAZR's casing and then not release it in the RAZR's biggest market.
Surely it's a fairly trivial matter to roll out a variant with US frequencies though?
I can't believe Nokia would go to the trouble of cloning the RAZR's casing and then not release it in the RAZR's biggest market.
stuclark
While it's nice to finally see a move towards more "stylish" S60 devices, I don't think this is going to be a great success.
The design of the phone (while being almost a copy of the RAZR) isn't quite as good in my opinion - I bet that bulge and corresponding gap at the top of the phone / base of the screen will make it a nightmare to balance one handed. (like the 6280)
Also, where's the pictures of the back of it, and why only a 2MP camera?
The design of the phone (while being almost a copy of the RAZR) isn't quite as good in my opinion - I bet that bulge and corresponding gap at the top of the phone / base of the screen will make it a nightmare to balance one handed. (like the 6280)
Also, where's the pictures of the back of it, and why only a 2MP camera?
Webbunny
Has anyone thought about the battery life this thing is (not) going to have?
Nokia state it has a 700mAh battery, and lasts on standby for 200 hours.
Now we all know how terrible Nokia's 'estimates' for battery life are! I have an N73, 1100mAh battery, estimated 350 hours life (which is 2 weeks). I'm usually recharging it every 3rd day.... the N76 is going to be worse than an N80 with its WiFi left on :tongue:
Other than that... it is my perfect phone - personally I prefer flip phones, but anything more than 20mm thick is too much. And at the same time, I couldn't go back to a 'feature phone' after having 2 S60 devices, and this is the first Euro N Series flip thats not been a housebrick. And I'm not bothered about the camera being 'only' 2MP - I tend to take more video clips than stills with my phone. I think it looks good, sure its a blatant RAZR copy style wise, but I've always thought that phone looked good.
Andy
Nokia state it has a 700mAh battery, and lasts on standby for 200 hours.
Now we all know how terrible Nokia's 'estimates' for battery life are! I have an N73, 1100mAh battery, estimated 350 hours life (which is 2 weeks). I'm usually recharging it every 3rd day.... the N76 is going to be worse than an N80 with its WiFi left on :tongue:
Other than that... it is my perfect phone - personally I prefer flip phones, but anything more than 20mm thick is too much. And at the same time, I couldn't go back to a 'feature phone' after having 2 S60 devices, and this is the first Euro N Series flip thats not been a housebrick. And I'm not bothered about the camera being 'only' 2MP - I tend to take more video clips than stills with my phone. I think it looks good, sure its a blatant RAZR copy style wise, but I've always thought that phone looked good.
Andy
drmadison
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by krisse
"Keep in mind this is NOT directly for the US, as the 3g band chosen is nonexistent in the US right now"
Surely it's a fairly trivial matter to roll out a variant with US frequencies though? I can't believe Nokia would go to the trouble of cloning the RAZR's casing and then not release it in the RAZR's biggest market. |
There is currently not a single N-series device that you can get in the US with functional 3g service. The N75 was the first that had the 850/1900 frequencies covered, but well, it's been announced for some time now with not a glimpse of it coming out (mid-Feb is the latest date I've heard and even that's being doubted, but I've been hearing dates since I heard it'd be out in 2006 some number of months ago))
elp
OT: guys at AAS, do you have a sponsored link to the Apple Store UK? If things go according to plans, i'm gonna buy my first mac, a MacBook, tomorrow evening after Steve's annoucements. Since AAS has been of so much help ever since i got my first smartphone, i thought i could help a bit by buying through you. But i don't think you've got any sponsored link to Apple Store here.
akboom
IMO the Razr looks rather nice, it's stylish and US is not the only market where it has done well.
S60 devices were getting rather boring in design terms.
Boom
S60 devices were getting rather boring in design terms.
Boom
Rafe
Nokia continue to say the N75 is only for the US market and the N76 is for the rest of the world.
The phone looks better in person, though it is defintely a departure from the normal Nokia style. Whether you like it or not is likely to very subjectivem but given the success of the RZR there are clearly many fans of the style type out there.
The phone looks better in person, though it is defintely a departure from the normal Nokia style. Whether you like it or not is likely to very subjectivem but given the success of the RZR there are clearly many fans of the style type out there.