The Nokia E90 unboxed...
Published by Steve Litchfield at 7:22 UTC, May 23rd 2007
Just in - the boxed Nokia E90 Communicator and (almost complete) sales kit. It's not a production device, but it's oh so close. Firmware is v7.21, by the way, dated Monday! Full unboxing photos and notes below!
First of all, it's NOT a production E90, it's still technically a prototype. I guess 'production' units are still a couple of weeks away. However, this is my first chance to see the full sales package, along with release candidate firmware (7.21) and an 'almost black' device colour scheme (which looks superb, by the way, the build quality on these E90s is astounding, especially considering they're technically still prototypes).
Missing from the official sales package was the PC Suite (etc) DVD-ROM, which will be produced at the last minute, presumably to pick up the very latest PC Suite version. Most production E90s will ship with a 512MB microSD so that users can get started with adding music, country maps, etc. And there's the 130MB or so of internal flash memory as well, so no shortage of storage.
Booting up for the first time. There have been many rumours about the E90 supporting TV Out, in the same way as the N93 and N95, but I haven't seen any evidence of this and there's no 2.5mm jack to multimedia lead included here. The good news is that (despite scaremongering in the forums) A2DP most definitely IS here and works brilliantly. Streaming wireless music is very practical and has a great range, from my tests at least.
Nokia, I'm impressed. Getting me a device with firmware from two days ago! Watch this space for news of anything I spot that's fixed/changed/new.
Up and working with the clamshell opened. I can't stand their default theme though, it's back to the supplied 'Turquoise', thankfully.
See also my detailed Nokia E90 reviews here on AllAboutSymbian:
Nokia E90 - the Early Verdict
Nokia E90 - Adapting the Applications
Nokia E90 - Web and Work
Nokia E90 - Camera and Multimedia
Nokia E90 - Navigation and More
Steve Litchfield, AllAboutSymbian, 23 May 2007
Categories: Hardware
Platforms: S60 3rd Edition
News Discussion
What is with the blue tint on the pictures? They are playing with my head! :o
So, my question is, if there is anything in E90 which has even some partial resemblance to Psion's Data?
If not, do you know any third party programs which could fill the Data void?
Steve
It would be nice to get some hints from you S60/Symbian pros...
As a long time PocketPC user I ask me, if this new Communicator device could cover my needs?
Long time ago I started using PDAs of the Psion brand including the Series 3 the Series 3a, c then the Series 5, the MX the MX Pro.
Later i changed to some Palms and then to the PocketPC platform. Since a few years I'm using PocketPCs without any appreciable problems.
In between I did some sidesteps with a UIQ device - the SE P800 and also with a Communicator 9500. Each time I returned to the PocketPC platform after a short period.
The biggest issues I allways had with sync - with the Symbian devices. Not to forget the missing Categories!
Now I'm fascinated by the hardware of this new E90 commi. And I would need a device with a good keyboard. The missing touch screen is no problem so far. One of the easiest to use devices was the Series 3 Psion...
But I'm afraid the software is still missing some important features.(??)
How is the sync behaviour now? Still doubled or missing entries?
Still no categories?
How is the quantity/quality of 3rd party software? I cant' find many good solutions for now....
Is the S60 system really a good choice for a communikator device?
Many questions - I know...
Thanks in advance,
Martin
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
Try HanDBase, here opening up an old customer database of mine....
Steve |
Markku a.k.a. Psion 3a, 3c, 5 and Revo owner with golden memories of the past
Still no categories?
Sync has been perfect with all devices for a couple of years now, all SyncML-based. No categories though. And I keep bugging Nokia about it...... 8-(
>>How is the quantity/quality of 3rd party software? I cant' find many good solutions for now....
Quite a bit for S60 and most works on the E90. I'm happy, at any rate.
>>Is the S60 system really a good choice for a communikator device?
It's not perfect. But it's here and it works and it's supported, so let's learn to live with it 8-) By comparison, Series 80 is sadly dead in the water.
>>Comment: does it have video editor...?? (like n93 )
Nope. Just the bog standard Gallery, as on the E61, for example.
>>Comment: Is already TAB button working? When I met E90 firstly, i didnt work. Even not in contacts, messages, calendar or file explorer. What about
No, see my article on the 'Applications'. The 'Tab to switch panes' technique is not present here at all.
Steve
Thanks a lot,
DK
Much appreciated, and I look forward to your next show.
- Gery
Roger
Entering tab characters in Word documents, that sort of thing. Sadly not as integral a key as it was in S80.
>>Would I be correct to assume tht the E90 handles full data migration from a 9300i?
Yup. Though I don't own a 9500 or 9300 any more, so can't try it!
>>Steve, could you please try it with any 4GB(8GB) cards, just in case(yes, we know, officially it is 2GB maximum, but...)?
If someone wants to send me one to try.... I'm not wasting my money on a card that's probably not going to work.
>>I love your reviews. They are top drawer. I have scowered the net to find a short video clip of a user hovering hands over the keyboard and even attempting a touch typing. I know that it could be quite dicey, but I didn't know if I could talk you into a short video of you trying to touch type
Didn't you watch my Smartphones Show 25? http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/sshow/ss25.html included video of me typing with multiple fingers.... 8-) You can't touch-type of course, unless you have very small fingers, but you can get up to 30 wpm if you're precise.
Much appreciated, and I look forward to your next show.
>>Steve, would you mind confirming that faxing is not possible with the phone as supplied.
I can't see a way to do it, but I could be wrong. But then I haven't used fax since 1995 - do people still use fax out in the real world? I thought email covered everything these days? Maybe fax is still used in big companies?
Steve
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
...
>>Steve, could you please try it with any 4GB(8GB) cards, just in case(yes, we know, officially it is 2GB maximum, but...)? If someone wants to send me one to try.... I'm not wasting my money on a card that's probably not going to work. ... Steve |
A Simple search can reveal some details on them, A Hirst 01777 703***
I'd remove the image....
Do they know there details are on show?
Carl,
have your contacts at Nokia indicated when the E90 (SIM free) will be available first in the UK?