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Mini–review: The Nokia N900

2010-07-18T08:45:00Z

This latest attempt by Nokia to create a consumer–friendly Maemo smartphone has been met with differing views.

The N900, released late last year, seems to have great appeal amongst early adopters due to its rather “broad” set of usage scenarios (think “hobbyist”), but a lacking of this appreciation with people who wants a smart device that “just works” (I’m not saying that the N900 is un–usable, of course).

So where does the N900 stand in the current reign of smartphones? Well, this is one answer, I hope, that you can find out for yourself — seeing how different people have unique takes on this particular device…

Live: Sony Ericsson shows off Xperia X8, Cedar, Yendo.

2010-06-17T09:30:00Z

During CommunicAsia week, Sony Ericsson showed off three new products to complete its product portfolio for the remainder of 2010.

Live: Nokia N8 and X5 (unofficial) walkthrough videos.

2010-06-17T08:30:00Z

I had these videos ready since early Tuesday, but the provided Internet connections weren’t fast enough to upload the videos to YouTube in a timely manner.

Anyway, here are the short, ad–hoc demo (or walkthrough) videos for the Nokia N8 and X5 smartphones shown off during Monday’s Nokia Connection event.

(My apologies for the poor sound quality — there were simply too many people around, and the place wasn’t big either…)

Nokia N8 walkthrough

Nokia X5 walkthrough

Live: Samsung’s Galaxy, OMNIA, Wave line–up refreshed.

2010-06-16T13:45:00Z

For us that live on product announcements relating to mobile telephony and related products and services, this year’s CommunicAsia event in Singapore is possibly the least interesting (even though this was somewhat expected).

Of the big brands, only Samsung had a stand at the show (LG was still here last year) — and, as per usual, had several new models to show off. If I had never asked the representing staff at the stand, I would have probably missed these.

Live: Nokia Connection 2010, Singapore.

2010-06-15T03:30:00Z

Jo Harlow, Nokia’s Senior VP of Smartphones, showing off their latest flagship device, the Nokia N8.

Mobique is in Singapore this week for the usual round of mobile fanfare.

The annual CommunicAsia show is the expected highlight. But, as always, the world’s largest phone maker does its own event externally in the form of the ‘Nokia Connection’ event, held at some hotel in the Lion City.

This year, Nokia brought the forthcoming N8 flagship in its numbers to the event, to let us attendees get a feel of the device. While these were “early prototypes”, we were free to abuse give them (and its advertised features) a run for their money.

Nokia also announced the new X5, a QWERTY–based slider smartphone with a focus on music and social networking. The X6, a product that’s already on the market, gets a new 8GB — to be known as the X6 8GB — model added to its stable.

My impressions on these devices? More after the jump — plus live photos!

Apple shows off iPhone 4; iOS 4 to come June 21.

2010-06-08T05:33:31Z

It’s official: Apple’s next–generation iPhone is coming. As suspected, ‘iPhone 4’ is the real deal and CEO Steve Jobs gave us WWDC 10 (Worldwide Developers Conference 2010) onlookers an official run–down of the device.

iPhone 4 will land on June 24 in five global markets (France, Germany, Japan, UK, USA), with the pre–order process beginning June 15. In July, a further 18 countries will get the new iPhone, with a total of 88 markets covered by the end of August.

Some of iPhone 4’s highlights include:

An all–new design: iPhone 4 is the world’s thinnest smartphone, at 9.3 millimetres. It’s wrapped within a steel band that’s five time stronger than standard steel, acts as the mounting point for all the physical components of iPhone 4, and also functions as antennas. The aluminosilicate glass (the same type of glass used in the windshields of helicopters and high–speed trains) on the front and back panels of iPhone 4 provide ultra–durability and greater scratch resistance;
The Retina display: At 960-by-640 pixels, iPhone 4’s screen resolution is the highest of any smartphone currently available. All these small pixels packed within a 3.5–inch IPS (in–plane switching) display, the same display used on iPad, viewing content on iPhone 4 will be a dream;
FaceTime video calling (over Wi–Fi): Conducting quality video calling with iPhone 4 will be as simple as a few taps of the screen. With Wi–Fi available, a user can simply initiate a session via Contacts, or just by tapping the “FaceTime” button to switch from the current voice call (apparently, there’s no need for a special account or screen name — it all just works out–of–the–box). FaceTime works with iPhone 4’s front (new) and rear cameras;
HD video recording and editing: iPhone 4 supports 720p (HD) at 30 fps video record, is accompanied by a backside illumination sensor for improved recording in low–light, and comes with a complementary LED light at its disposal when required. An iMovie app will also be available on the App Store allowing for rich editing of videos captured by iPhone 4;
5–megapixel camera with LED flash: The latest iPhone camera now supports 5–megapixel shoots — and Apple has made sure that iPhone 4 churns out some good–quality images. And just like for videos, the backside illumination sensor and LED light will also serve their purposes here; and
iOS 4: Previously known as iPhone OS 4, Apple’s latest smartphone iteration will feature this out–of–the–box and offer newfound capabilities including multitasking, folders for apps, enhanced mail capabilities, and improved multilingual support (e.g. keyboards) — just to name a few.

And speaking of iOS 4, Apple will be releasing this as a free upgrade to existing device users on June 21, and compatible only with the following devices:

iPhone 4;
iPhone 3GS;
iPhone 3G [excludes support for multitasking];
iPod touch 3rd generation 32GB and 64GB (late–2009); and
iPod touch 2nd generation (late–2008).

More info from the official Apple site:

Sony Ericsson ‘Extras’: Talk; Play; Listen; Go.

2010-06-07T05:00:00Z

Last Friday, Sony Ericsson announced a new branding schema for their mobile accessories, cleverly named Extras — and I tweeted my immediate thoughts on the subject:

It's a shame how SE does great marketing but lack the (good) products to bring their plans to full fruition. #GoodMarketingBadProducts

And I truly mean this — considering how the X10 product was simply lacklustre, and how the current S60 Touch/Symbian^1 platform (used by the Vivaz series of handsets) needs to be more innovative before greater number of consumers are invigorated to patronise (the brand).

But with the announcement of Extras, Sony Ericsson hopes to further promote its Communication Entertainment strategy by reinforcing the importance of the mobile phone in today’s mutli–media world. According to their press release, four new categories (or types) of accessories have been created:

Talk: Freedom to talk wherever you are – chat away with products that include Bluetooth™ and wired headsets;

Play: Get more fun everyday – these accessories turn handsets into products that offer new experiences for those who love to play around with gadgets;

Listen: Easy superior audio solutions for the everyday – listen to favorite tunes or video clips anywhere with Bluetooth™ speakers, headphones and snap on speakers; and

Go: Solutions for any situation – transfer, charge or carry with these ‘essential accessories’

Along with this new branding announcement, two new Bluetooth headsets were also unveiled — the VH110, a no–fuss wireless headset capable of up to 10 hours talk, and the VH410, with noise cancellation support and the ability to connect to two mobile phones at once. Both made from recycled plastics and finished with water–based paint, they too will join the GreenHeart enviro–friendly family of products.

Both these Talk category products are expected for release in August.

More info from the official Sony Ericsson site:

Nokia E73 Mode to launch June 16, exclusive to T-Mobile USA.

2010-06-05T08:30:00Z

Almost a year after the E72’s announcement, Nokia is expected to release an updated model, appropriately designated as the E73 Mode, on June 16 — which will be an exclusive with T-Mobile USA.

Simply looking at it, the E73 Mode is a facelifted version of the existing E72, plus updated software with support for all the latest Ovi–based services, including the Ovi Store application (for downloading third–party applications) and, most importantly, the now–free Ovi Maps.

According to Nokia’s press release, the E73 Mode is “the thinnest full QWERTY keyboard smartphone available from T-Mobile”.

More info from the official Nokia sites:

NokiaUSA.com: Nokia E73 Mode
Nokia Conversations: Nokia E73 Mode

Nokia shows off new Cseries handsets, first double–SIM models.

2010-06-05T08:00:00Z

If you haven’t heard, Nokia’s Cseries is all about practicality. Back in April, the C3 and C6 full–QWERTY smartphones were announced, offering a broad–but–unique feature set to its intended audience.

Last Thursday, the C1 series (ETA 3Q10) and C2 (ETA 4Q10) product adds to this portfolio. Interestingly, but not surprising, these are entry–level products with a price point of between 30 and 45 Euros upon release, and targeted towards users who wants those practical features that truly matter.

The highlight feature of the C1 (C1-00 only) and C2 models is their 2–in–1 double SIM solution, or the ability to hold up to two different SIM cards at the same time. By simply holding down a key, its user can switch between the active SIM being used. The C2 does one better: it even supports dual standby capability (i.e. having both SIM cards / phone services active simultaneously), plus a hot–swappable second SIM slot (i.e. can swap out the card even while the phone is on).

Last, but not least, the six–week standby battery life on the C1 is, as Nokia puts it, “the longest ever for a Nokia mobile phone”. And paired with the release of the Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit accessory, it makes a truly practical solution for interested parties.

More info from the official Nokia sites:

Nokia.com: Nokia C1-01 and C1-02 models
Nokia.com: Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit accessory

Nokia Conversations: the Nokia C1 (C1-00)
Nokia Conversations: the Nokia C2

Review: The Motorola DEXT, with MOTOBLUR.

2010-05-27T09:30:00Z

This is Motorola’s attempt at getting back into the handset game — by offering an Android smartphone that runs a special layer of software, which – apart from distinguishing itself from the pack – provides numerous capabilities on the PIM and social networking front.

Given their past efforts (or lack of) in creating “practical” or “usable” phone products, the Motorola DEXT has an uphill battle in convincing the existing naysayers of its true potential. It may look great on paper — but user experience is what truly matters.

Review: Sony Ericsson's first Android smartphone, the Xperia X10.

2010-05-06T10:30:00Z

It finally arrives — Sony Ericsson’s first Android–based device, the Xperia X10. I know many people have been looking forward to this day, albeit being delayed by one calendar quarter (from the original announcement), give or take.

So now that it’s finally here, we were able to grab a review unit to give it a quick run.

Sony Ericsson: what they had, and what they will.

2010-05-05T08:00:00Z

Things haven’t been looking too great for Sony Ericsson, the Japanese–Swedish handset partnership that looked promising at the start but later nosediving thanks mostly to their lacklustre product roadmaps. 2009 was probably the worst–performing year for the company — and that’s relative to how it was for others during the Global Financial Crisis.

Opera Mini Web Browser for the iPhone – what it’s good at, and what it isn’t.

2010-04-21T15:05:29Z

Over the past week, there has been much talk about Opera's latest browser release, which is a rather unusual phenomenon. An alternate web browser for Apple's iPhone, an app that many people didn't expect to be approved, let alone released…

After my short stint with an early beta at this year's Mobile World Congress, I was very much looking forward to its release, even when — at the time — Opera themselves wasn't entirely sure if it will ever make it onto the App Store (well, maybe they did know, just not wanting to make any promises).

And now that it has been approved for distribution by Apple, I would like to briefly go through what this alternate web browser for iPhone OS devices has to offer…

Nokia goes all-out with QWERTY show-off: the C3, C6 and E5

2010-04-13T19:45:00Z

The Finnish phone maker took the covers off three new devices aimed at the messaging market, one that’s continually growing thanks to the advent and popularity of those related Internet-based services (like Facebook, instant messaging, and – of course – email).

Review: HTC Desire, and the Google Nexus One

2010-04-07T20:30:34Z

Well, it’s finally here – HTC has announced the availability of their most powerful Android-based smartphone to date, the Desire.

Unusually, Australia will be one of the first markets to see this model’s debut, given how nothing “new” gets here before everyone else. But it figures when you factor in how Google’s Nexus One, also manufactured by HTC, has been, and is still, exclusive to the selected few – and, therefore, making perfect sense why any operator (in this case, Telstra) has chosen to get behind the Desire.

I’ve had a Nexus One with me for a couple of weeks now. But the arrival of the Desire, a similarly-designed handset (physically), has made me realise just how important the phrase, “there’s simply no compromise”, truly is.