The Nokia Guide

The N810 with a bulge: Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition

As expected Nokia released the N810 WiMAX Edition, set to be available in the United States during the summer of 2008 in areas where WiMAX connectivity is available. This is contrary to the “N830” name that earlier reports indicated, but considering that the only true new addition is going to be the WiMAX connectivity I would say that the name was rightly chosen. WiMAX connectivity is aimed at providing wireless data over long distances through various options like point-to-point links to full mobile cellular-like access.

Externally the N810 WE looks identical to the N810, save for the new black finish and the trademark bulge on the back, reportedly to house the WiMAX hardware. Other than that the package now includes a new car holder: the Nokia Car Holder CR-107, a cleaning wipe and interestingly Sprint Nextel’s XOHM WiMAX activation guide.

Basically, yesterday’s announcement was about adding WiMAX to the N810, but the real news comes from the fact that the N810 WiMAX Edition introduces the newest Internet Tablet operating system. The updates OS2008 introduces new features like an enhanced e-mail client, support for Chinese character rendering in the browser and RSS feeds and Seamless Software Update functionality to eliminate manual software updates, that according to Nokia “making periodic updates of the operating system quick and easy.” But even better news is that current owners of Nokia N810 and N800 Internet Tablets with earlier operating systems will be able to upgrade their device to the revised operating system for free during the second quarter of 2008. Why doesn’t Nokia do this with their non-Tablet Nseries devices? It would be nice to get the updated Operating System, but it would be asking too much if they did this for the entire life of the phone. Something like 1-2 updates sounds fair to me.

And about an interesting detail mentioned yesterday in the press release: Just like DotSisx I’m wondering about the “Seamless Software Update functionality”, which to me could be nothing but Over-the-Air type OS updates. This functionality is said to “eliminate manual software updates” which again seems to strongly support this idea. In my opinion supporting this feature is one thing, but actually using it is another! The Nokia N80 and I think it was the N73 which also got the FOTA feature. While the feature did get used a bit on the N80, I haven’t really heard about it ever since. It was even said be the one of the key features in FP1, but how many times have you heard about people updating their N95 via FOTA?  If they do actively use it on Tablets, than why not on the non-Tablet devices? So I’ll be happy when they actually start using these imbedded technologies!

Personally it will take a long and I do mean  long while before WiMAX gets implemented around here, so with the release of the N810 WE I’m hoping that the N810’s price go even lower. Might even pick one of them to replace my N800.

Q&A session and Thoughts on the N96

Before I give my comments on what I think is the high-light of yesterday’s announcements, the N96, let’s summarize the extra details that we know so far, based on the Q&A session with the N96 Product Manager.

-What is the reason for including only a 950 mAh battery?

“Answer: Instead of putting in a bigger battery than the N95, we optimized power usage of key functions, in particular those related to multimedia and entertainment. For example, video playback time is up to 5 hours and music playback time is up to 14 hours, which we achieved through hardware accelerators and other optimizations.”

- How much of N95 & N95 8GB user feedback has been taken into consideration when developing the N96?

“Answer: When we develop new products, we base our decisions on a lot of research, focus groups and feedback from users of earlier products. We also test design alternatives with users and get their input. We started development of the N96 when the some of the earlier products had just come to market. So we followed the acceptance of those very closely and tried as much as possible to take learnings from those into account.”

-Will the kickstand be a one-off novelty, or is this something that is planned to be incorporated in future handsets?

“Answer: we feel that the kickstand or some similar stand design is excellent for handsfree viewing (such as watching video) and similar usage. I cannot comment on future products, but there are already some other Nokia products (e.g. N)  which have it, so I would not be surprised to see this again in future products.”

Nokia quietly releases the 8 GB microSDHC Card MU-43

I think I probably would have missed this one, but if you read carefully they mention it in the N96 press release and it’s currently only showing up on the N96 accessory page when in fact it should work just fine with the N95 classic, N95-3 and N82. Based on the symbol on the card I can tell this is a Class 4 card with 4MB/sec. Minimum sustained data transfer rate. Interesting how Nokia’s 8GB microSDHC card has a slower speed rating compared to for example Sandisk’s 8GB Class 6 rating. No word on pricing was announced.

Update: As some readers have pointed both the Nokia and the Sandisk are Class 4 rated cards.

Nokia N95 8GB now available in copper

Nokia usually releases a product in one or two colors and then adds colors during the course of the products lifecycle. The N95 8GB was released in an all-black version, but looking at the devices being sold from several trusted online seller like Phonesource-USA and X1387 it seems that that a copper color seems to be available. The classic N95 was a silver with the only the back changing color. Same formula is used here as the device’s front is black, while only the back has changed into this new copper color. The copper color would look nice on a device, but it should be made available in only one color. I can’t help but to think that the copper back looks a bit mismatched, but hey having more options is always nice. What do you think? Does the copper back look good?

Nokia N82 Adventure Pack now available to Europe.

While browsing the Nokia Sports Tracker site I noticed that Nokia is offering a limited edition version of the N82 in the form of the Nokia N82 limited edition Adventure Pack. The package is said to include the N82, the Nokia Sports Tracker software preinstalled and the choice of either a Salomon Raid Revo 20 or Salomon Thruster Backpacks. I do have to mention though that the package is only available to the UK, Spain, France, Germany or Italy for about 599 Euros or 559 Euros (Spain). They mention the fact that the Nokia Sports Tracker is included in the package, but this is something that can easily be downloaded from the net. They should have included something more useful to the adventurer like let’s say a few months of turn-by-turn directions in Nokia Maps. Being a limited edition package they seem to have just a few of these packages. At the time of writing they had about 380 packages available. More info can be found here.

Mobile Ringtone Studio for Nokia released, Media Studio for Nokia updated

Makayama Interactive, the guys behind the well-known Media Studio for Nokia (Previously called DVD to Nokia) have updated the software which now comes in at version 4.0.2. On top of that today they released their latest creation called Mobile Ringtone Studio for Nokia.

Makayama is famous when it comes to software that converts and then puts DVD movies onto various mobile devices like PSP, IPod, TOMTOM Sat Nav receivers, Pocket PC, Palm devices and even digital cameras. I wasn’t aware, but Media Studio for Nokia which allows you to transfer an entire DVD movie to various Nokia smartphones, has been updated to version 4.0.2. Media Studio for Nokia is not unknown to us here at the Nokia Guide as I reviewed version 2.5.1 last year. Media Studio for Nokia can use a memory card as small as 128 Mb to store a full length feature film. With only two clicks, this PC software converts the content of any video file (AVI, MPEG, Youtube, etc.), from various sources (harddisk, CD, DVD, removable) to a video file playable on various Nokia devices. Subtitled and foreign language DVDs are also supported.

Mobile Ringtone Studio for Nokia is a ringtone creation and management software that allows you to rip CDs, edit MP3s, convert audio files to ringtones and transfer them to your Nokia mobile phone. It consists out of three parts:

1. A ringtone editing program, allowing you to use any MP3 file. The MP3 will be analysed and loaded into a visual graph, in the upper part of the screen. The music is represented as a timeline, showing the complete track. You can edit the start and end of your ringtone, just by dragging it visually on the screen.

2. A CD ripping program you to convert music from CD into the MP3 format. The built-in CD ripper will copy the music to your harddrive with the right track and album title. It automatically downloads information about the contents of your audio CD and finds the right titles. Album art will also be downloaded and stored on your drive. Many user configurable quality options are available.

3. A ringtone manager, allowing you to move ringtones back and forth between your PC and your phone. Not only useful for easy transfer of ringtones you created with the built-in conversion tool, but you may also use it to backup purchased ringtones, or preset ringtones.

Mobile Ringtone Studio is currently being offered at an introductory price of $19.95 while Media Studio for Nokia costs $34.95. Free trial versions are available at Makayama’s site.

I have already began testing both Mobile Ringtone Studio and the latest version Media Studio for Nokia, so expect a review in the near future.

New Cases for the N95 8GB!

As I’m getting closer to buying the N95 8GB, I’m still looking into the different options with regards to carrying cases. I have decided that I’m definitely going with a Nokia case, so probably no third part case for me. While I’m pretty sure I’ll need to get a good standard leather case like the CP-235 specifically made for the N95 8GB, I’m certain I’ll buy a second case. Just when I thought that the CP-235 was the only option when it comes to N95 8GB cases, they release several new options.  I must say that some of them are unique looking, a definite breath of fresh air from the usual black leather case. First up is the CP-265, a slim polyurethane carrying pouch. It allow access to the headset port, and has stylish design element: a groove-vent revealing the blue super fiber lining. Next we have CP-267 case molded from a soft, water repellant fabric, with a silk printed black or red design and zipper. And lastly for the ladies like our Mobile Diva Darla we have the CP-268 clutch purse and CP-264 purse. The CP-268 sports a classic look sporting a combination of brown and white matte leather and is finished with chrome plate detailing, engraved with the Nokia logo. The CP-264 comes in a choice of dark pink or grey and includes an optional wrist strap. I think Darla might like the pink CP-264, what do you think Darla? I personally might go for the black CP-267 or the CP-265, but we’ll see. But Nokia should make these cases available BEFORE the phones come out. What do you guys think of these new cases?

Ooh la la, S60 touch is here!

So you you’ve seen the video, pictures and info about today’s hottest news: S60 adds touch to their UI. I’m not surprised, I saw this coming. Honestly I’m not a big fan of any touch interface as I’m constantly smudging and touching the screen. On top of that it makes one-handed operation very difficult and nothing beats real buttons. The tactile feedback feature (haptics) just might be the next best thing, but I’ll have to test this out and see how it works first.

But why am I happy about today’s announcement? For starters the interface look so sexy, this gives Nokia the much needed sexiness to compete with Apple’s IPhone. The IPhone lacks the high-end specs, ability to add apps and multi-tasking of the N95, but the N95 lacked the sexy UI found in Apple’s products and today’s announcement should take care of that. Today’s announcement is also important because it gives Nokia users the much needed choice. Wouldn’t it be great if the N95’s successor had touch (finger and stylus) and pull-out QWERTY keyboard? And lastly Flash 3 and sensor technology should make upcoming devices even more desirable. I’m still left with a few questions though. Like what happened to Feature Pack 2? How will this work with devices with smaller then 3’’ screens? I have a feeling that this type of interface works great on large screens, but not sure if this will work with smaller screens. How will this work on clam shells? The Dotsisx blog has some interesting comments regarding S60 touch. What do you think? Is S60 touch a good idea and why?

Black N93i now available for the APAC market

I love all-black phones and it seems that a big part of Nseries fans also prefer this color. Just look at all the reviews requesting an all-black N95, the countless mobile threads talking about changing to an all-black face plate/back cover or even those just getting the N73 ME for the color alone. Nokia listened to us and will be releasing the N95 8GB in black. But now it seems like there’s also an all-black N93i. The Just AMP Blog has found pictures of a black version of the N93i. I must say that it looks really hot. If you’re looking for one of these it might be a bit more difficult to get as these seemed to be limited to the Asia-Pacific market, but when has that stopped us?  If you guys know where you can get one of these, do let me know!

Nokia to acquire Enpocket:Could this be the start of free games with ads?

Nokia has come to the final and definitive stages of purchasing mobile advertising based Enpocket, here’s the press release:

Nokia and Enpocket today announced that they have entered into an agreement for Nokia to acquire Enpocket (www.enpocket.com). Enpocket is a global leader in mobile advertising; providing technology and services that allow brands to plan, create, execute, measure and optimize mobile advertising campaigns around the world. By acquiring Enpocket, Nokia will accelerate the scaling of its mobile advertising business, leveraging Enpocket's platform and strong partnerships with advertisers, publishers and operators. In addition to key assets, through this transaction Nokia is gaining a team with strong expertise in global mobile advertising across disciplines.

"Nokia has already announced its intention to be a leading company in consumer Internet services and we believe that mobile advertising will be an important element in monetizing those services for our customers and partners. Enpocket's mature leading edge platform and people expertise are a strong fit with Nokia existing capabilities in the mobile advertising market," said Tero Ojanperä, Chief Technology Officer, Nokia. "This acquisition is a game changing move to bring the reach and depth of Nokia to organize the market across the world, and make it easier for an ecosystem to develop."

Enpocket is a privately-owned company, established in 2001 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The innovative technology that drives the Enpocket platform is a mobile advertising campaign management and delivery system distinguished by advanced consumer insight, targeting, and measurement. The platform can deliver mobile advertising across multiple formats including SMS, MMS, mobile Internet advertising, and video. Enpocket is powering mobile advertising for leading mobile operators and publishers across the globe and has an ad sales force that is working with large brands. 

"Effective interactive advertising on the mobile device can create tremendous value for the mobile industry while bringing new Internet services to people around the world," said Enpocket President and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Baker. "Enpocket and Nokia are combining to provide the leadership needed to define, build and standardize globally the business of mobile advertising so that brands can easily and efficiently engage consumers on their personal devices."

I see a lot of potential in this, but as always this can also take the annoying route. Nothing worse then getting those annoying adds on your mobile phone while surfing or sending an SMS, not even if it’s targeted to my tastes! The huge potential of this comes in the world of mobile gaming. They could place in game ads during the loading or downloading time. They could also put billboards or brand specific virtual products throughout the game. It would be great if we could even choose the brands. For example it would be a small but nice detail if the main character uses an Nseries device. The add placement should be subtly done as too many ads start to affect the overall gaming experience. They could then use the income to offer lower cost games subsidized by the ads. If the new Ngage platform becomes hugely successful they could even offer free games. Of course there should always be an option to get games add-free for those us who prefer that. If they somehow manage to this everyone could benefit from this, even the group that almost never benefits from this sort of thing: the consumer, in this case the mobile gamers.