All About Symbian - Symbian, Nokia and S60 unwrapped.
Nokia and Symbian are still a mile ahead
Published by Steve Litchfield at 12:22 UTC, December 4th 2005
Steve Litchfeld's been doing some direct comparisons of multimedia performance on cutting edge smartphone hardware from both Nokia and Orange/T-Mobile and is taken aback by how far behind Microsoft and their partners are in this area.It's commonly accepted in the mainstream media that Microsoft and its smartphone partners have more or less caught up with Symbian with the release of Windows Mobile 5.0. Yet I've been putting together an extensive group test of 'multimedia smartphones' for PDA Essentials magazine in the UK (issue 46, out in January) and I was hugely surprised by how far ahead Nokia's new N series Symbian smartphones were.
Without wanting to prejudice you to buy (or not buy) PDAE and without wanting to step on Ewan's toes in terms of an upcoming dedicated preview of the Nokia N90, I couldn't resist sharing a few details and findings, if only to dispel the myth above.
The flagship of the Windows Mobile world is being represented in the test by the Orange M5000, you know, the one with the great open-and-twist display. It's also got a great keyboard, on a par with the Nokia 9500's, and a proper VGA display. Yet I found my 400 words for PDAE totally inadequate to describe all the things I was disappointed with. From buggy applications to having to reset it twice a day, from a very 'noisy' camera to poor quality video recording, from music output whose volume was just too fiddly to 'improvements' in ActiveSync that mean I have to fiddle with my firewall just to that the PDA can see the PC, I started out with high hopes and had most of them dashed.
M5000 video frame, taken at random - - - - - N70 frame, at random, in the same room, same light
(the N70's footage was smoother and faster, too, at 15 fps compared to 10fps)
In comparison, Nokia's N70 and N90 smartphones, although theoretically having similar multimedia specs, produced vastly better pictures under all light conditions, were able to record video that was smooth enough and clear enough to be watchable on a TV or PC monitor, and played music that I could actually hear above the traffic.
Windows Mobile 5.0 may be a huge step forward for their 'smartphone' devices (just keypad, no touch screen), which were looking very weak beforehand, but in my opinion it's still not ready for the prime time. Nokia gets criticism here and there for the idiosyncrasies and bugs in their own devices, but trust me, Nokia and Symbian are still a generation ahead of the competition.
(Hopefully Sony Ericsson can join the party with their impressively specced P990i!)
To read the whole of my 6 page group test (including also the SPV C600 and SDA II), you'll have to wait for PDAE 46. For more N series previews, stick around on AllAboutSymbian!
Steve Litchfield
3Lib and AAS
News Discussion
Masamune
I made the mistake of getting a SPV C500 at one point and I've used it literally twice in the 4 months I've owned it. The menus are a complete mess and the less said about the camera the better. Heck even the <spit> Motorola ROKR was better and that's really saying something....
Al3xandr3
When the upcoming Symbian 9 phones start to came out, I'm sure nokia will be one step ahead again....
J2theIZZO
I agree on some levels, the Nokias camera is much better, but look at the picture overall and I disagree, the JasJar/XDA Exec (Call it what you will) is a much more powerful device than any of Symbian current offerings...I come to this conclusion via a number of different reasons.
For instance, on the multimedia point:
If you do the following to the XDA:
Install a registry editor
go to:
[HKLM\Drivers\Display\GPE]
there are:
LogicalPixelsY=dword:C0
LogicalPixelsX=dword:C0
That is 192 (dpi).
Just change both to 96 (decimal) or 60 (hex), that is 96 dpi.
After reboot your screen will be in very high resolution.
i use 128 dpi.
This will change the DPI (the screen resolution), you can make the screen true VGA.
Now play a movie on the XDA and compare it to the same movie on a Nokia N90.
I'm not here to say MS doesn't have it down falls, in terms of reliability Symbian is in another stratosphere.
But as a whole, if I can live with the restarts and the phone app hanging everytime I kill it then i'll stick with this until Symbian can produce something to tempt me away....from using the N90 for a month or so and with the 9500 tucked away in a drawer I can say with some certainty that at the moment there is no device from symbian that will do this.
For instance, on the multimedia point:
If you do the following to the XDA:
Install a registry editor
go to:
[HKLM\Drivers\Display\GPE]
there are:
LogicalPixelsY=dword:C0
LogicalPixelsX=dword:C0
That is 192 (dpi).
Just change both to 96 (decimal) or 60 (hex), that is 96 dpi.
After reboot your screen will be in very high resolution.
i use 128 dpi.
This will change the DPI (the screen resolution), you can make the screen true VGA.
Now play a movie on the XDA and compare it to the same movie on a Nokia N90.
I'm not here to say MS doesn't have it down falls, in terms of reliability Symbian is in another stratosphere.
But as a whole, if I can live with the restarts and the phone app hanging everytime I kill it then i'll stick with this until Symbian can produce something to tempt me away....from using the N90 for a month or so and with the 9500 tucked away in a drawer I can say with some certainty that at the moment there is no device from symbian that will do this.
Utenteanonimo64
I am repeating myself here but my experiences with Series60 and UIQ smartphones are extremely disappointing compared to my previous PocketPC when it comes to applications and business/office tools. Synchronisation is poor, calendar is poor, mail synch is not supported at all on Series60 phones. Obviously Microsoft's ODMs are not up to Nokia in terms of hardware capabilities so Nokia cameras are better, UMTS support came much earlier on Symbian, etc, etc but the applications on a Symbian smartphone are far behind those on WindowsMobile (document editors, media players, calendars, password management utilities, etc).
slitchfield
So to summarise, we need Symbian OS, Nokia hardware/camera, plus Microsoft end-user apps and media players...
It was ever thus, mind you, I've never, ever seen the perfect mobile device and I'm guessing I never will. 8-) The test for PDAE was focussing specifically on multimedia performance, at which Nokia's N series was pretty darned hot. Being able to shoot video on your PHONE that you're not too embarrassed to add to your home DVDs, is impressive. Mind you, Nokia's D series, coming in late 2007, will have 25fps video recording at full Blu-ray resolution, recording onto your new 1TB mini-SD.
Until then....
It was ever thus, mind you, I've never, ever seen the perfect mobile device and I'm guessing I never will. 8-) The test for PDAE was focussing specifically on multimedia performance, at which Nokia's N series was pretty darned hot. Being able to shoot video on your PHONE that you're not too embarrassed to add to your home DVDs, is impressive. Mind you, Nokia's D series, coming in late 2007, will have 25fps video recording at full Blu-ray resolution, recording onto your new 1TB mini-SD.
Until then....
Masamune
Sounds nice. Can I get one on eBay yet :P
dgduris
Interesting information.
I reflect on the rumour going around a couple of months ago about the Palm guys building an M$-powered phone and a Symbian-powered phone and the Symbian-powered phone was just no good so they decided to go with M$ ergo, the Treo 700.
Too bad they didn't take the time to figure out Symbian.
At some point, though, Symbian need to start doing some branding. What good is technological leadership if no-one can identify the product? Eh, Dr. Potter?
I reflect on the rumour going around a couple of months ago about the Palm guys building an M$-powered phone and a Symbian-powered phone and the Symbian-powered phone was just no good so they decided to go with M$ ergo, the Treo 700.
Too bad they didn't take the time to figure out Symbian.
At some point, though, Symbian need to start doing some branding. What good is technological leadership if no-one can identify the product? Eh, Dr. Potter?
slitchfield
Well, Palm were in dire need of a working smartphone OS, given that their own Cobalt wasn't nearly ready and their Linux plans ditto. They went with Window Mobile because they're American, I suspect, and Windows Mobile is much bigger (and Symbian smaller) in the USA.
I'm sure they built a Symbian-powered concept device, but I doubt it ever left the R&D lab.... As they said themselves, it's hard enough trying to take onboard one new OS, let alone two. Why double all their costs?
In any case, Palm is rapidly becoming a niche player in the mobile market, in Europe, at least.
As to branding, Symbian has always preferred to keep a low profile, preferring Nokia and Sony Ericsson (etc.) to take the glory. That's the way they want to play the game and, you never know, they could be right.
Steve Litchfield
I'm sure they built a Symbian-powered concept device, but I doubt it ever left the R&D lab.... As they said themselves, it's hard enough trying to take onboard one new OS, let alone two. Why double all their costs?
In any case, Palm is rapidly becoming a niche player in the mobile market, in Europe, at least.
As to branding, Symbian has always preferred to keep a low profile, preferring Nokia and Sony Ericsson (etc.) to take the glory. That's the way they want to play the game and, you never know, they could be right.
Steve Litchfield
Rafe
Utenteanonimo64
Interesting comment on software etc and its one that is quite common among Pocket PC / Smartphone users. It is simply not true. Mail sync is supported by Series 60 (you can choose which folders to sync and how far back to sync the folders). Looking at your software list - Documents to Go / QuickOffice for docs editors (plus the ones like RepliGo, Pdf+, HandBase etc.), media players (SmartMovie, DVDPlayer, OggPlay etc.). For most people the built in media players on the most recent phones are going to be sufficient. Calendars - AquaCalendar, HandyDay. Password Management - Splash ID, Handy Safe...
Interesting comment on software etc and its one that is quite common among Pocket PC / Smartphone users. It is simply not true. Mail sync is supported by Series 60 (you can choose which folders to sync and how far back to sync the folders). Looking at your software list - Documents to Go / QuickOffice for docs editors (plus the ones like RepliGo, Pdf+, HandBase etc.), media players (SmartMovie, DVDPlayer, OggPlay etc.). For most people the built in media players on the most recent phones are going to be sufficient. Calendars - AquaCalendar, HandyDay. Password Management - Splash ID, Handy Safe...
J2theIZZO
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Rafe
Utenteanonimo64
Interesting comment on software etc and its one that is quite common among Pocket PC / Smartphone users. It is simply not true. Mail sync is supported by Series 60 (you can choose which folders to sync and how far back to sync the folders). Looking at your software list - Documents to Go / QuickOffice for docs editors (plus the ones like RepliGo, Pdf+, HandBase etc.), media players (SmartMovie, DVDPlayer, OggPlay etc.). For most people the built in media players on the most recent phones are going to be sufficient. Calendars - AquaCalendar, HandyDay. Password Management - Splash ID, Handy Safe... |
If someone was to use a Quickoffice type application regularly and you looked at any of the Series 60 offerings side my side with a JasJar for instance, which would you choose?, would you want to be editing DOC/XLS on a N90?, I for one wouldn't.
So the next logical symbian solution is the Nokia 9300/9500 which would be perfect for the above task, but then we come back to the lack of software for Series 80, which on the face of it, is pretty poor (Great device though).
This is where newer Series 60 models with varying screen resolutions and input methods will become king, I don't think we've seen anywhere near the full potential of Series 60 yet.
slitchfield
Quote:
| lack of software for Series 80 |
It does need more games though, I'll second that! My own top 10, listed here, was scraping the barrel somewhat!
Steve
Utenteanonimo64
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Rafe
Utenteanonimo64
Interesting comment on software etc and its one that is quite common among Pocket PC / Smartphone users. It is simply not true. Mail sync is supported by Series 60 (you can choose which folders to sync and how far back to sync the folders). |
About mail synch: I am referring to synchronising mail when connected to a PC, not IMAP synchronisation. With a P910i or a pocketpc I can synch my work mail before leaving office and read later without being connected. I can do that with a P910i not with a Series60 phone ("email items" is greyed out on the PCSuite synch settings). If I am wrong please explain.
UA
Raven
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
From serious apps to utilities to media players, the Nokia 9500's pretty well served, especially as it comes with a pretty impressive set of built-in apps.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
It does need more games though, I'll second that! My own top 10, listed here, was scraping the barrel somewhat!
|
J2theIZZO
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by slitchfield
Actually, this isn't really true unless you're talking about games. From serious apps to utilities to media players, the Nokia 9500's pretty well served, especially as it comes with a pretty impressive set of built-in apps.
It does need more games though, I'll second that! My own top 10, listed here, was scraping the barrel somewhat! Steve |
There is also the continuing development for the platform, this is a short sight on Nokias part.
Take Series 90 for instance...now why would a developer go out of his way to develop for this platform any longer (on a commercial level) when the single phone on this platform has just about reached the end of it's shelf life with no scope for another?
The same can be said for the Series 80 platform, the 9500's shelf life isn't quite over, but 12 months down the line how many commerical developers will be planning new application for this platform?....before the 9500 was released, how many developers were still making applications for the long in the tooth 9210i?
The problem is the lack of new handsets for the UI's, this isn't a problem with Series 60 phones as like windows mobile there is a new one every other week so the development cycles continues.
But the recent changes with Series 60 should put a stop to this, that's assuming Nokia will converge the majority of it's different hardware types and input methods under one roof.
Raven
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by J2theIZZO
The same can be said for the Series 80 platform, the 9500's shelf life isn't quite over, but 12 months down the line how many commerical developers will be planning new application for this platform?....
|
We all know that WM has the advantage when it comes to 3rd party application support, but there is a decent selection available, and still being made, for the 9300/9500.
Rafe
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinions. Its great to see a full range. J2theIzzo - I do agree with you about editing Word etc files, but this will improve with the high resolution screens. However its really the difference between a phone and a pda. Yes a PDA is better for traditional laptop / PC tasks, but thats partly a function of screen size / design. PDA's are by there very nature better at some things. Smartphones are far better at being phones (and I use phone functionality more than anything).
Utenteanonimo64 - sorry misunderstood you. I think I'm right in saying PC Mail Sync is 9300 / 9500 only. Sync to emails systems (not just IMAP but Exchange, Blackberry etc.) is I would assume more popular and thus better supported. I guess PC Mail Sync is going out of fashion, though of course I can see why some people might want it :)
The freeware issue is probably a fair point, but a lot of the freeware on PocketPC / Palm etc isn't all that great. I guess it depends what you want. For a lot of people the on board software is sufficient. If you want more functionality then you do have to pay. There is some greta freeware around though. I am interested you think the applications on Pocket PC are better - I don't agree - I think part of this is down to the PDA / smartphone mentioned above. Looking just at the smartphones - some MS dont ship with Office viewers and the Opera web browser is better than anything on WM (and is free for most Nokia phones such as the 6680 and N70). Of course its a matter of opinion and familiarity.
Utenteanonimo64 - sorry misunderstood you. I think I'm right in saying PC Mail Sync is 9300 / 9500 only. Sync to emails systems (not just IMAP but Exchange, Blackberry etc.) is I would assume more popular and thus better supported. I guess PC Mail Sync is going out of fashion, though of course I can see why some people might want it :)
The freeware issue is probably a fair point, but a lot of the freeware on PocketPC / Palm etc isn't all that great. I guess it depends what you want. For a lot of people the on board software is sufficient. If you want more functionality then you do have to pay. There is some greta freeware around though. I am interested you think the applications on Pocket PC are better - I don't agree - I think part of this is down to the PDA / smartphone mentioned above. Looking just at the smartphones - some MS dont ship with Office viewers and the Opera web browser is better than anything on WM (and is free for most Nokia phones such as the 6680 and N70). Of course its a matter of opinion and familiarity.
dgduris
The greater market will be enticed by the possibility of taking your Personal Information - housed in Outlook - with you.
The question then - sans a successful global Symbian Branding campaign - is which known brand is stronger to the average person with their PI housed in a PC: Windows or Nokia.
The question then - sans a successful global Symbian Branding campaign - is which known brand is stronger to the average person with their PI housed in a PC: Windows or Nokia.
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