I’m still getting used to it so I don’t have that many comments on it yet so here are some miscellaneous observations:
The keyboard slides out. When you use the keyboard the n97 is in landscape mode, otherwise it’s in portrait.
The screen is pretty big and easy to look at. The standby screen has widgets each of which can be configured to display different information like your favourite contacts, recently emails, the weather, etc. They display well whether you have the n97 in landscape or portrait mode.
Like the 5800 the other day the N97’s UI doesn’t always feel very optimized for touch screen. For example sometimes you have to double tap while other times a single tap is sufficient. Another example is how sometimes you can scroll by pressing and holding the screen and then sliding around while other times you can’t. It can make for an uneven user interface.
When you’re on the E71’s standby screen you can type someone’s name and it will automatically search your phonebook. This doesn’t work on the N97
The back of the phone feels kind of cheap, like it’s unpainted. It also creaks a tiny bit when you slide the hold button. Not a big deal but it doesn’t inspire confidence. I think the N97 looks more expensive than it feels.
Anyways, I’ll have some more thoughts on the N97 later.
Sorry for the cheesy title. The Xperia’s been around for a couple of months now but it only hit Canada recently. Here’s my unboxing:
The Xperia is smaller than it looks in pictures. It’s a pretty compact phone with some heft to it. Based on that alone you know it means business.
The screen has a resolution of 800×480 which is pretty insane; just remember, high resolution can mean small text. Then again if you have troubles with your eyesight you’re probably not looking at the Xperia anyways.
To differentiate the Xperia from other WinMo phones out there, SE includes different tiles which you can use instead of the Today screen. The idea is that you pick a tile that works best for you. There’s a tile that’s just the Google homepage, an FM radio tile, etc. While the Tiles are a neat idea I question how much 3rd party support they’ll get.
Besides the tiles there it doesn’t seem like SE has done much to customize the Xperia beyond giving it a very Sony Ericsson-esque exterior design. That said there aren’t many 800×480 displays with North American HSDPA band support so I guess the Xperia has that going for it. Still, if you’re drawn by the Xperia’s specs you’re probably going to customize it the way you want anyways which may including removing the tiles completely anyways.
Anyways those are my first impressions. We’ll have more on the Xperia later.
While I don’t like having to use a stylus the included guitar shaped stylus is cute and plays in well with the whole Xpress Music theme. Maybe the next version will come with a minature drum stick…
The 5800 is narrower than say an iPhone or Blackberry Storm but at the same time it’s thicker. Personally I find it makes the 5800XM easier to hold but at the same time it makes the screen feel cramped. You win some and you lose some.
While the 5800 comes with 2 stylii (the guitar pick plus a regular stylus) Nokia intends for you to be able to use the 5800 with just your finger. I wish the screen was a little more ’slippery’ like the screen on the iPhone. So it doesn’t feel as nice when sliding my finger around on the 5800’s screen. Still, a few pizzas or a bucket of fried chicken should help me get some grease on the screen so it feels more smooth.
There are 2 speakers on the left side. While I’m used to Nokia including good speakers on their phones the 5800’s is really good. It’s loud and relatively full bodied sounding. Still, they’re small speakers so don’t expect miracles, just expect better than when you can get elsewhere.
The 5800 runs Nokia’s S60 user interface, the same one that powers most of their other smartphones (from 3650 to n96). The difference is that the 5800’s is a touchscreen version. While I’m able to use it just fine the user interface feels slightly broken. You see when you’re navigating top level menus you can select items by tapping on them (so far so good). However, some menu items require you to double tap them to select them, tapping them once only highlights them.
Entering text is another strange thing. There are 2 keyboards; one is a tiny keyboard that you have to use a stylus with. The other is a full screen keyboard that’s so ‘full screen’ that it hides the program you’re working on. It’s really weird.
There’s a button above the top right corner of the screen. Pressing it pulls up a ‘ribbon’ - (Office 2007 anyone?) which lets you quickly launch the music player, browser, pictures, etc). It’s a nice feature.
Anyways, those are my first impressions. I’ll have a review up later.
The iPhone 3GS was launched on July 19th in most parts of the world, with it available from both Rogers and Fido in Canada. Two weeks after the launch and the 3GS is already sold out at Rogers and Fido retail locations across the country. The 3GS is reportedly still in stock at Apple stores across Canada. The iPhone 3G, last years model, may still be in stock at retail locations and will continue to be sold until stock is depleted. Expect stock of the 3GS to be replenished next week with back orders being filled first.
So I got a 3Gs the other day. Here are some miscellaneous thoughts:
It’s faster; I never thought that the 3G was a slow phone but the super fast iPhone is even faster now. Even if you’re just someone who texts, checks emails and surfs the web you’ll notice the speed difference if you’re upgrading from a 3G. Then again, many may find that they don’t need the extra speed that badly.
The camera is more usable now though it still struggles indoors (albeit it struggles less) if there isn’t enough light. The shape of the iPhone and on screen shutter button make it kind of hard to hold steady. Make sure you use something to help stabilize the 3Gs when using it indoors.
The compass is kind of neat, if you’re roaming it can be a cheap way to figure out where you are. If you’re in the city and see people standing around making figure 8’s with their iPhones they have 3Gs’ and are trying to calibrate them.
Voice dialing works alright so far… When the voice dialing talks to you it’s fairly loud. This is nice since you’ll probably be using it in a car. I need to test this more.
Battery life is still pretty poor. That said most HSDPA smartphones are like this and many aren’t as powerful as the iPhone.
There is now a dedicated 3D chip (to go with the more powerful CPU). You’ll notice this when you play games and when people ask you about the battery life.
The form factor hasn’t changed from the 3G so any cases you might already own for it will fit the 3Gs. Good stuff Apple! The 3Gs’ button seems a little stiffer than my 3G’s and the buttons on the sides seem to have a harder edge.
All in all the 3Gs is a nice incremental upgrade. If you already have a 3G and are happy with it I’d pass on the 3Gs unless you can get a really good deal on one.
If you’re the type of person who has to buy everything Apple releases you probably already own one. If you like the 3G but which it had a better camera or are someone who found the 3G lacking in speed go buy the 3Gs.
The FCC, Federal Communications Commission, has approved the BlackBerry Curve 8520 for sale in the US.
If rumors are true the latest device in the Curve lineup will be launching in July on T-Mobile. The EDGE device will feature 256 MB internal memory, 2MP camera (no flash), a 35 key backlit QWERTY keyboard, WIFI (802.11b/g), and optical trackpad (no more roller ball).
America’s largest 3G network, Verizon Wireless, will be launching the BlackBerry Tour on July 12. The BlackBery 9630 is currently up for pre-orders on the Verizon website. The Tour features Bluetooth, 3.2 MP camera, V CAST Music with Rhapsody (PC and wireless downloads-subscription), VZ Navigator, and Visual Voice Mail. Verizon is also offering the BlackBerry Tour without a 3.2 MP camera for companies and organizations that do not allow employees to carry a camera with them.
Pricing for the BlackBerry Tour 9630 (with or without a camera) is below:
2 year term: $199.99 (after $70 online rebate)
1 year term: $269.99 (after $70 online rebate)
monthly: $489.99
On July 31st Virgin Mobile Canada will be making the following changes to their prepaid text messaging add-ons.
$10/month unlimited texting package will increase in price to $15/month
$10/month will now get you only 2500 messages (new add-on plan)
Customer currently on the $10 unlimited text messaging plan will continue paying the current monthly price. If you do not have enough money in your account to cover the grandfathered price you will loose the $10 unlimited texting, one topping up your account you will have to pay $15 for unlimited texting. Incoming messages will remain free on all text messaging plans.
Right behind the release of the LG Rumour 2, the Samsung VICE is now available from Virgin Mobile Canada. Just like most new phones the VICE features a full QWERTY keyboard, 2.0MP camera, and built-in MP3 player.
3 year term: $79.99
2 year term: $129.99
1 year term: $149.99
no term: $149.99
Head over to Virgin Mobile to learn more and purchase.
We first spotted the LG Rumour 2 with Virgin Mobile Canada branding on Thursday but with no pricing. Today the Rumour 2 is priced and available for sale.
Rumours are easy to spread with the LG RUMOUR2. Slide out the large, 4-line full QWERTY keyboard with dedicated messaging and you can fire off texts and instant messages faster than ever. Plus you’ll never lose track of a convo again - see your entire chat on your phone with new threaded texting. Plus you can plug into your fave tunes with the full-track music player, connect wirelessly with stereo Bluetooth®, and boost your phone with up to 12GB of expandable memory.
3 year term: $49.99
2 year term: $99.99
1 year term: $129.99
no term: $129.99
