Thursday, August 31, 2006

VaJa --- The Innovation Continues

Vaja is proud to announce the release of a new design for the Motorola RAZR V3 & V3i:
 

Stripes' funky design boasts all the features of the authentic Vaja leather suit, such as speaker mesh protector, camera cutout and easy access to all functions. Fully personalizable and made from genuine high quality Argentine leather.

 

Available for Moto Razr V3 & V3i, only at http://www.vajacases.com

Live College Football on Mobile ESPN

In a first for the U.S. market, the struggling Mobile ESPN network is offering live and complete football games for viewing on cell phones.

The service will offer subscribers up to 25 games per month from ESPN and ESPN2, starting with Florida State vs. Miami on September 4, and will run throughout the 2006 college football season. The games also will be shown on air and on the ESPN360 broadband channel.

Reuters article here

MobiControl v3.04

SOTI's Award Winning Mobile Device Management Software Solution !!


The Best Mobile Device Management Software at the Best Price
MobiControl provides organizations with the tools they need to centrally manage and support their mobile field force. MobiControl is a next generation Mobile Device Management solution built on SOTI's Award Winning Technology.

Product Features Include: Centralized Management Console, Automated Provisioning of data/software, Real-Time Remote Control, Helpdesk Support and Troubleshooting Tools, Device Security, Automatic monitoring and correction of problems, Software/Hardware Inventory Management, Messaging, Reporting and a whole lot more.
MobiControl – The Right Choice:

  • Best-of-breed Award Winning Technology
  • Extensive Functionality
  • Highly Scalable Architecture
  • Premiere Service
  • Easy to Setup and Configure
  • Minimal Cost
    For more information please visit us at http://www.soti.net
  • New Version of Soti Pocket Controller

    The best selling productivity software for your mobile device just got a whole lot better.  With features such as Real-time Remote Control, Presentation tools, Device Skins, File Explorer Tool, Task Manager, System Information, Screen Capture and Printing, Pocket Controller-Professional is the “must have” productivity tool for every Pocket PC and Smartphone user.


    New Features Include:

  • Complete support for Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC and Smartphone devices
  • Skins for Windows Mobile 5 devices, e.g. Palm Treo 700W, Motorola Q
  • And a whole lot more…
    For more information please visit us at http://www.soti.net
  • Download the Classics --- For FREE

    Starting today, you can go to Google Book Search and download full copies of out-of-copyright books to read at your own pace. You're free to choose from a diverse collection of public domain titles -- from well-known classics to obscure gems.

    Before the rise of the public library -– a story chronicled in this 1897 edition of The Free Library – access to large collections of books was the privilege of a wealthy minority. Now, with the help of our wonderful library partners, we're able to offer you the ability to download and read PDF versions of out-of-copyright books from some of the world’s greatest collections.

    Using Google Book Search, you can find The Free Library and many other extraordinary old books, such as:
    * Ferriar's The Bibliomania
    * A futurist from 1881's 1931: A Glance at the Twentieth Century
    * Aesop's Fables
    * Shakespeare's Hamlet
    * Abbott's Flatland
    * Hugo's Marion De Lorme
    * Dunant's Eine Erinnerung an Solferino
    * BolĂ­var's Proclamas
    * Dante's Inferno


    To find out-of-copyright books that you can download, simply select the "Full view" radio button when you search on books.google.com. (Please note that we do not enable downloading of any book currently under copyright. Unless we have the publisher’s permission to show more, we display only small snippets of text –- at most, two or three sentences surrounding your search term -– to help you determine if you’ve found what you’re looking for.)
    Of course, this is just the beginning. As we digitize more of the world's books -- whether rare, common, popular or obscure -- people everywhere will be able to discover them on Google Book Search.

    Source: Official Google Blog: Download the classics

    Click read more below to see the full news item

    Final TextMaker Beta

    This is a terrific opportunity to try TextMaker to see its potential.  This is a "must have" program for me...I think you will agree after you try it.

    Now available... the final beta ("release candidate") of TextMaker
    2006 for Pocket PCs. This beta can be used until September 30, 2006, and the release version of TextMaker will be available well before that.

    If you already have a previous beta, you don't need to register again.
    Instead, go directly to http://www.softmaker.net/down/tmpw06beta.exe
    to download the new beta; just use your existing beta serial number.

    If you want to download the beta for the first time, please register so that you receive a free serial number which is required for installation:

    http://www.softmaker.com/english/tmp06_en.htm

    TomTom, portable GPS car navigation systems

     

    TomTom Unveils TomTom NAVIGATOR 6
    ~ New product integrates TomTom NAVIGATOR 5 and TomTom MOBILE 5 into one multi-platform solution ~

    TomTom, a leading navigation solution provider, today announces the launch of its new integrated solution for PDAs and smartphones – TomTom NAVIGATOR 6, the ideal solution for customers who need their PDA or smartphone and navigation system integrated in one personal device.

    Source: TomTom, portable GPS car navigation systems via Mobilitysite

    Wednesday, August 30, 2006

    Motorola Q Software Update!

    The MOTO Q software update is focused on enabling enhanced enterprise functionality and expanded connectivity. 

    • The enhanced enterprise functionality is centered on the Windows Mobile Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP). MSFP, together with Microsoft Exchange 2003 (SP2), includes Direct Push Technology, global address book lookup and enhanced mobile device management and security, including the ability to remotely wipe data from devices and options for stronger encryption of data.

    • MOTO Q connectivity is expanded with the addition of Dial-up Networking (DUN) capabilities.  Users can have broadband-like EVDO download speeds on their laptop by using their MOTO Q as a wireless modem via USB or Bluetooth for an additional fee. For information on how to setup DUN users can visit www.motoqwiki.com.

    • The software update also enables improved browser navigation as well as other improvements.

    You can download this for free at  www.hellomoto.com/update.

    Source: MobilitySite

    Pocket Informant 7.0 Released

    The final release of Pocket Informant 2007 has arrived!
    Pocket Informant 2007 now works directly with Franklin Covey Plan Plus for Outlook 4.0. Pocket Informant 2007 adds several new Franklin Covey Plan Plus for Outlook 4.0 (PPO) features such as the Daily Tasks, Master Tasks, Projects, Task Status, Percentage Completion, and Daily Notes. These features work perfectly within Pocket Informant without PPO. However for these features to sync up to the desktop you need to have PPO version 4.0. PPO 4.0 ships with the sync conduit which syncs this data to the desktop.

    A few highlights:

    • NEW! Daily Notes
    • NEW! Franklin Covey Daily, Master, and Project views and synching with Plan Plus for Outlook 4.0.
    • NEW! Task Status - Normal/Complete/In Process (w/% complete)/Delegate
    • NEW! Create appointments for specific timezones
    • NEW! Complete One handed Soft Key support
    • NEW! Revamped Contacts Summary with Call Logs (Phone Edition devices only)
    • NEW! One handed date picker
    • NEW! Multiple Alarms, Travel Appointments
    • NEW! Live Preview windows
    • NEW! Exchange GAL support on WM5 AKU2
    • NEW! Revamped Journal with Rich Text and new fields

    There is a free upgrade to all Pocket Informant 2005 customers who purchased from April 1st 2006 on up. Otherwise upgrades are $12.45.  The upgrade page is available here:

    http://webis.net/products_info.php?p_id=pi&tab_id=upgrade

    Currently only the American English version of the software is being released. To download Pocket Informant 2007, visit this page:

    http://webis.net/products_info.php?p_id=pi&tab_id=download


    Click read more below to see the full news item

    Palm Engineering Samples Pics on PDACafe

    Some interesting photos in the forums at PDACafe....if you have an interest.

    HTC Innovation said:

    Palm Treo 750
    Codename: Lennon
    My pleasure to share this photos with all mypdacafe members.
    I got approval to post this engineering set.
    Hope i got approval to post others engineering set that i am holding now, so that i can share it with u guys.

    Check it out here

    Stolen smart phones scream to be found

    Joris Evers from CNET News.com put up a story on a new service that can remotely make a smart phone emit a "high-pitched wail" so it can be found after it has been stolen or misplaced.

    What a "cool" idea....can you imagine "that ear-piercing ring you hear in a restaurant might not be somebody who forgot to set their cell phone to vibrate" but rather someone who stole a phone. 

    A new service called Mobile Manager, from Synchronica, can remotely make a Windows Mobile-based handset emit an "annoying and embarrassing high-pitched wail," so it can be found after it has been stolen or misplaced.

    Check it out here: Stolen smart phones scream to be found

    Cingular Offers BlackBerry Connect for Palm Treo 650

     

    Cingular Wireless, Palm, Inc. and Research In Motion today announced availability of BlackBerry Connect for the Palm Treo 650 smart device. With BlackBerry Connect software, Cingular customers now can enjoy the feature-rich Treo 650 with the BlackBerry service for a robust and secure solution on the nationwide Cingular EDGE wireless data network.

    "The availability of BlackBerry Connect on the Palm Treo 650 represents a marriage of two very popular wireless offerings that now gives Cingular customers more choice," said Michael Woodward, executive director, mobile professional solutions, for Cingular Wireless. "Businesses can now leverage their existing BlackBerry Enterprise Server while giving employees a powerful, new wireless device option."

    BlackBerry Connect for the Treo 650 enables users to benefit from many popular features of the unique "push"-based BlackBerry architecture via BlackBerry Enterprise Server(TM). For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server software tightly integrates with Microsoft(R) Exchange and IBM Lotus(R) Domino(R) and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data. The Treo 650 operates on Cingular's EDGE network, the largest high-speed national wireless data network in the United States with availability in 13,000 cities and towns and along some 40,000 miles of major highways.

    BlackBerry Connect for the Treo 650 supports the following features:

    -- "Push" Corporate Email delivers messages automatically -- and wirelessly -- to the Treo 650's inbox. Changes to the inbox, including read/unread status and deletion, can be automatically synchronized between the user's email account and the Treo 650.

    -- Wireless Calendar Synchronization keeps the Treo 650's built-in Calendar up to date remotely, allowing users to receive, accept or decline meeting requests on the go.

    -- Attachment Viewing lets users view Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and PDF documents in original format (digy).

    -- Remote Address Lookup (RAL) allows users to search their corporate directory wirelessly for email addresses without the need to download every name to the Treo 650.

    -- Enables centralized device management, including support for IT policies such as over-the-air device disablement and password device lock, as well as end-to-end security with Triple DES encryption.

    "We are happy to provide another choice for companies that have deployed BlackBerry Enterprise Server or are planning to do so," said Tim Roper, vice president of U.S. region for Palm. "Treo 650 already is one of the most compelling mobile-computing devices available today for business users, and the BlackBerry Connect functionality gives Cingular customers another great reason to adopt Treo as a vital business-productivity tool."

    "BlackBerry Connect allows Treo 650 users to tap into the power of the BlackBerry wireless architecture," said Mark Guibert, vice president, corporate marketing, at Research In Motion. "We see a growing opportunity for wireless connectivity in the enterprise, and we're very pleased to be working with Cingular and Palm to broaden the reach of BlackBerry and to help customers enhance their mobile communications and productivity."

    BlackBerry Connect on the Treo 650 requires a BlackBerry Connect rate plan from Cingular. The solution is available today for Cingular Treo 650 customers through Cingular's B2B sales organization. More information is available at http://www.palm.com/cingularbbc and www.cingular.com/midtolarge/blackberry, or by calling 866-4CW-SB2B to speak with a Cingular sales representative.

    The Palm Treo 650 is available from Cingular for $299.99 with a two-year contract and qualified voice plan. Unlimited BlackBerry Connect monthly service plans begin at $44.99.

    Click read more below to see the full news item

    Tuesday, August 29, 2006

    Spb Diary Updated

    Spb Diary is a feature-rich Today plug-in for your Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, Notes and Messages. It enhances Pocket Outlook by gathering all of your PIM information in one place. With Spb Diary, the Today screen will soon become your favorite since you will need to leave it less and less.

     

    • NEW! Photo contacts and handy dialing
    • NEW! Stylus-free navigation (one hand using)
    • NEW! Special Events tab (birthdays and more)
    • NEW! Easy document management with Notes tab
    • NEW! Skin support
    • NEW! Integration with Spb Weather, Spb Finance and PhatNotes
    • Tabs for Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, Notes, Messages and Special Events
    • Integration with all popular PIMs
    • Windows Mobile 5 support

    Find more details and download Spb Diary 2.0 from the following link:

    http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/diary/

    SpiralFrog - Free Legal Downloading

    This sounds cool...at least on the surface it does. 

     

    SpiralFrog (www.spiralfrog.com) is a new online music service offering advertising-supported legal downloads. Offering a compelling alternative to illegal file-sharing and pirate sites, with a secure environment for you to satisfy your desire for music and entertainment..... at NO cost!

    • SpiralFrog, a new online music download destination, has signed an agreement with Universal Music Group to make Universal’s extensive catalog available for legal downloading in the US and Canada.
    • SpiralFrog will offer users of its no-cost web-based service the ability to legally download music by many of the world’s most popular and award-winnings artists.
    • Legal digital files with no viruses or spyware in a controlled client-server architecture, quick downloading, and quality songs and music videos by great artists are among the primary benefits users will gain.
    • Digital rights management technology is built-in to all audio and video content as part of measures the company and its partners are actively taking to address piracy.
    • SpiralFrog’s target audience of 13-34-year-olds is an advertiser’s dream.
    • The company’s research revealed that consumers are more than willing to 'pay' for their content by watching non-intrusive, contextually-relevant, targeted advertising in an online entertainment environment where advertising is already part of the overall experience.

    Source: SpiralFrog and Universal Music Group Partner - August 29, 2006

    Click read more below to see the full news item

    Wi-Fi "N" is a GO!

    We knew that it was coming, it was just a question of when.  I'm not sure I'll jump right away, I think there is still a lot to be worked out for it to justify the investment.

    Jessica Mintz from  AP indicated today in an article that certification of next-generation routers and network cards will appear a year before official standards are expected. Click the link below, it is a good piece.

    Source: Wi-Fi's 'N' to get industry group nod - Yahoo! News

    Battery Solution for Apple and Dell Users

     

    Innergy Power Offers Auxiliary Battery Solutions to Power Dell and Apple Notebook Computers

     Innergy Power Corporation has a Power Plant auxiliary notebook battery can power many of the Dell Inspiron, Latitude, XPS and Precision, and Apple PowerBook G4 and iBook G4 notebook computers involved in the recall of lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Sony Corporation.

    The Power Plant 12V, 5Ah thin rechargeable SLA battery can power notebook computers (up to 3.5A rating) even with the internal battery removed, which is what both Dell and Apple recommend to their customers affected by the recall.

    For more information about the Power Plant auxiliary notebook battery, see http://www.pwrplant.com/notebook.html.

    Innergy Power also offers solar/battery Power Pack solutions that can power Dell and Apple notebook computers and they feature three ways to recharge ... the sun, the wall or the DC outlet in a car. More information about Innergy's solar products is available at http://www.innergypower.com/solarProd.html.

    Click read more below to see the full news item

    Xantrex Portable Power Solution for Electronic Devices

    Versatile power in the palm of your hand

    Xantrex Technology Inc. has introduced the XPower by Xantrex PowerSource Mobile 100, the only handheld power system that can operate multiple electronic products at different voltage and power levels. The PowerSource Mobile 100 is the only compact mobile power source with an AC outlet and two USB outlets with the capability to operate portable devices at varying power levels. This goes beyond products currently available on the market, and it means consumers can now operate or charge a high power product like a laptop, and low power devices such as an iPod and a cell phone all at the same time.

    The PowerSource Mobile 100 is compact; approximately the size of a laptop battery and weighs about one pound. It combines a 100-watt DC to AC inverter with a high output lithium ion battery to provide backup power for mobile devices. It can be recharged from any AC electrical outlet in your home or office, or from a DC outlet in a vehicle or airplane. It provides both 120 Vac and 5 Vdc (USB) power for use with portable products.

    “The versatility of the Mobile 100 is what takes this product to the next level compared to those currently available,” said Xantrex CEO John Wallace. “Not only does it have multiple universal outlets, both AC and USB, it is the only portable power product on the market that can operate both high and low power mobile devices, so consumers only need to carry one power source. Xantrex has been an advanced power electronics leader for more than 20 years, and we’re dedicated to designing the best portable power products on the market. We’ve leveraged that experience to develop this unique product that addresses the increasing power needs of people on-the-go.”

    The excitement in the portable power category is a result of the increasing dependence on mobile electronic devices. In 2005, there were 4.3 million Blackberry subscribers, and this year an estimated 185 million laptops and 620 million mobile phones will be shipped according to InfoTech Trends. All of these devices need power to operate beyond their battery capacity, and the Mobile 100 can supply that energy.

    The PowerSource Mobile 100 can operate a laptop computer for approximately two hours, a portable DVD player for three hours, a portable game console for 12 hours, or an iPod nano for 72 hours. It can also provide 12 days of standby power for a cell phone and 34 days of standby power for a Blackberry. For more information about the product, please visit www.xantrex.com.

    Pricing and Availability

    The new XPower by Xantrex PowerSource Mobile 100 is distributed by Ingram Micro, and is available at Fry’s Electronics and online at www.amazon.com, www.Buy.com and www.xantrex.com/buy.asp. The suggested retail price of the PowerSource Mobile 100 is $129.99 US.

    About Xantrex

    Xantrex Technology Inc. (www.xantrex.com) is a world leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of advanced power electronic products and systems for the renewable, portable, mobile, and programmable power markets. The company’s products convert and control raw electrical power from any central, distributed, renewable, or backup power source into high-quality power required by electronic and electrical equipment. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company has facilities in Arlington, Washington; Livermore, California; Elkhart, Indiana; Barcelona, Spain; and Reading, England. Xantrex is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "XTX".

    Click read more below to see the full news item

    Monday, August 28, 2006

    Unwired and NOT BLURRY!

    Arne Hess, a fellow MVP has what appears to me as the first real non-blurry photos of the HTC Excalibur in the form of the O2 XDA Cosmo.  Too bad he has to put massive backgrounds on them but there are some sites out there that don't give the appropriate credit.

    Of course, Experience Mobility  (unlike Mobility Yesterday) believes in giving credit where credit is due. 

    Source: The::unwired via Mobilitysite

    ActiveSync 4.2 - the latest and the greatest

    Have you already downloaded ActiveSync 4.2?

    ActiveSync 4.2 is the latest synchronization software release for Windows Mobile powered devices. Microsoft ActiveSync provides a great synchronization experience with Windows-based PCs and Microsoft Outlook right out of the box. Download it today.

    Download ActiveSync 4.2

    Wireless Tracking - Dash's Commuter-Friendly Technology

     

    Dash's Commuter-Friendly Technology

    DashA new company called Dash Navigation based in Mountain View, Calif., is out with a new navigation device that will not only get you from one place to another, but will also help you route around tangled traffic conditions.

    Source: Wireless Tracking - Dash's Commuter-Friendly Technology

    mVoiceMail - play your voice mail messages

    New Release of MotionApps Voicemail Player for Smartphone

    mVoiceMail makes it easy to check your personal and corporate voice mail on the go


    mVoiceMail is the only application for Treo Smartphones and now Motorola Q that provides full support for listening to voice mails sent as e-mail attachments by voice mail system at your office or VoIP provider of your home telephone line (Vonage, for example).

    mVoiceMail will play the attached sound files directly from the inbox of your mobile e-mail application.

    Feature highlights:
    * New! Completely new UI with VCR controls
    * New! Improved voicemail playback feature, new!
    * Supports a wide range of voicemail formats
    * Integrates with most popular e-mail applications
    * Designed for Treo 650, 700p, 700w and Motorola Q

    mVoiceMail is available for Windows Mobile and Palm OS!
    Read more about mVoiceMail 5 at http://www.motionapps.com/mvm

    Google and eBay Form Alliance

     Rachel Konrad from  AP reported that Google and eBay have formed an advertising alliance.

    If you're in the market for a nanny or a plumber close to home, chances are you'll consult the Yellow Pages or ask friends for recommendations. You might even check community sites like Craigslist or Angie's List, but Google Inc. and eBay Inc. would rather you use them.

    Sierra Wireless Introduces EV-DO ExpressCard

    Sierra Wireless today announced the introduction of its ExpressCard product line, with the upcoming AirCard 597E wireless wide area network card for EV-DO Revision A networks. Built for notebook computers with ExpressCard expansion slots, the AirCard 597E will be fully compliant with network operator requirements and will offer user-friendly features such as Assisted GPS (aGPS) location based services; a robust, fixed antenna design; and an external antenna jack for flexibility and improved reception in fringe coverage areas or for specialized applications. The AirCard 597E is expected to begin shipping in the first quarter of 2007. ExpressCard models for HSDPA networks are expected to follow later in the year.

    ABI research estimates that adoption of the ExpressCard standard for PC card slots will be significant in 2007, shipping in 45 percent of laptops sold, up from 10 percent in 2006(x). Sierra Wireless will also continue to produce AirCard products in the Type II PC Card form factor to serve the established base of notebook users with PC Card slots. For those with PC Card slots who wish to purchase an ExpressCard product in anticipation of an upcoming notebook upgrade, the company will offer an ExpressCard-to-PC Card adapter accessory.

    "Notebook installations of ExpressCard slots are expected to move toward critical mass in 2007 - we are timing our ExpressCard products to match market adoption." said Trent Punnett, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Development for Sierra Wireless. "The AirCard 597E delivers a fresh new industrial design with a fixed antenna that is not compromised by the smaller form factor - our engineering team has designed the antenna to provide performance comparable to our new AirCard 595 PC Card. Having this level of internal expertise means the company is not reliant on off-the-shelf components, and that enables us to consistently deliver the durable, reliable products our customers expect from Sierra Wireless."

    The AirCard 597E wireless wide area network card is an ExpressCard 34 (ie. 34 mm wide) form factor compliant card, compatible with both ExpressCard 34 and ExpressCard 54 slots in newer notebook computers. For customers without an ExpressCard slot, an adapter will be available to allow the use of the card in Type II PCMCIA card slots.

    Designed for connectivity to EV-DO Revision A networks, the AirCard 597E is capable of peak data speeds of 3.1 Mbps on the downlink and 1.8 Mbps on the uplink when operating on a Revision A network. For use in areas where EV-DO Revision A is not yet available, the card is compatible with widely available EV-DO Release 0 and CDMA 1X networks.

    Click read more below to see the full news item

    The Nokia N-90 Experience

    A Very Different Kind of Phone


    Introduction


    Several months back I received a call from Andy Abramson of Comunicano , a public relations firm representing some of the products in the Nokia line. In short, Andy told me about a unique program he was starting with some strong support from Nokia. Andy was reaching out to a series of active “bloggers” and popular sites like Experience Mobility and Mobilitysite asking if they would like to participate in this new program.

     

    So what was this program about?

    I was impressed with the concept because there were no restrictions. He wanted an honest evaluation on the product --- its pros and its cons. He was specific in saying that the phone was on loan and would have to be returned but that the length of time that I could keep the product would be based on my desire to use it. I liked that! I liked the fact that I could take my time and if I chose to write about it, I could and if I decided not to write about it, that was fine to.

    I was clear at the outset that I was an avid HP fan but that I was starting to break out of my shell and was looking at other manufacturers. Coupled with that, I was a Microsoft devotee. I indicated that I had little experience with the Symbian OS and frankly, had little desire to learn anything about it. After all, if it wasn’t Windows….it couldn’t be good. To my surprise, Andy’s reply was: “that is exactly why I would like you to look at it”.

    I was immediately impressed with his openness and willingness to loan a phone to someone that could write anything he wanted to write. He must have been pretty convinced that this phone was so superior that it didn’t make any difference who looked at it. I liked what I was hearing, I liked the openness and the honesty and I liked the fact that I could do it using my timeline so I said OK, I’ll look at it. Within a few days I had a package at the door so I was about to begin the Nokia Experience!

     

    Nokia N-90 Impressions

    For those of you that have been following my reviews, you know that I have a distinct like for packaging. It’s not that a package “turns me on”, it is what gives me the “first impression” about a product. If a vendor really believes in their product then they are going to “dress it up” so the user will begin their experience at first sight. Of course, a good looking package doesn’t mean that you are going to have an outstanding product but it is going to give you a little insight into the manufacturer and to me that is important. Needles to say, I was stunned as I removed the box for it shipping container.

     

    Appearance

    Opening the box, I was able to easily slide the phone out from the plastic window and I began my experience with the Nokia N-90. The first thing I noticed was its weight, 6.1 ounces but that was very quickly overlooked as I began to see what this phone was all about.

     

    This is not a normal looking camera phone; it truly is an art piece. Unlike any other phone I have ever seen, this device you just can’t put down. I spent quite a bit of time admiring its look and function and couldn’t help but think about who the person was that designed the phone. They must have an amazingly creative mind!

    A combination of a high quality black and silver plastic housing accented with a shinny metal on the sides gave the casing an appearance of strength as well as a rich look. On the top of the flip, there was a small exterior screen surrounded by a mirrored chrome border. The screen is an active matrix and has 65,536 colors (128 x 128 pixels). The right side had a 5 function toggle and adjacent to it was a white push button for the camera. The left side had an input for power and a covered sync port.

    The exterior of this phone is awesome! My descriptions can not adequately describe the solid, rich appearance the device has; nor is doing justice to its unique design. I can only hope that the accompanying pictures give you enough of an understanding as to why I was so enthralled with this initial experience.

    I had to laugh at myself the first time I opened the phone up. I flipped it open not realizing that it had a dual hinge. As I opened it, I though what a dumb design, you can’t clearly see the screen and the keyboard and then all of a sudden I realized that it was not entirely open. It was not a dumb design….it was a dumb user!

    The keyboard has black keys with white numbers that are clearly visible during the day and light up perfectly at night. Besides the typical 12 key array, there are 7 additional keys and a five way toggle button. The additional keys are for left and right selection of pre-selected functions, making a call, end call/closing applications, number/symbol/dictionary selector, clear key, and a main menu key. Functions vary according to the operation mode but all are easily understood as you progress through the options available.

    At the top of the screen, there are two selection buttons that are activated for use when the screen is rotated into imaging mode. It is a very slick interface designed for ease of use when using the imaging mode.

    The back of the phone has the battery cover that had a different means of holding the cover on. It took me a couple of seconds to figure out how the cover came off but once you do it, it is very easy. Removing the cover, the SIM can easily be inserted. It was a different type of locking system than I had ever seen before but it works…that is all that matters. The battery, which has a neat hologram on it, easily slides and locked into place. Placing the cover back on, I was good to go!

     

     

     

     

     

    Initial Connection

    It just so happens that where I live, it is rare that I can get a signal. To my dismay, that was the case with this phone…oh, how I was hoping that was not going to be the case. So off to my car and a short ride up the street to the top of a hill where signals are prolific! BAM…it connected and I had full strength. I made a quick call home to my wife to see how it worked…she hates me doing that. It’s the old “hi hon, just calling to see if you can hear me”. Of course, she always answers, “yes, I can hear you and it's fine”. Cool…it works and the sound on my end was excellent.

    I decided to try the internet connection and see if I could set up my email. Of course, I had no idea what I was doing because this was a totally new interface for me to work with but it had to easy to set up so I thought I’d give it a try. Of course, I didn’t bring the manual with me so it was truly going to be trial and error. To my surprise, the interface was pretty easy to use…initially I didn’t think it was too user friendly but as I “played around with it” it all started to make sense.

    After setting up one email account, I was able to send and receive emails easily so I setup the rest of my accounts. As I set up each account, it became easier and easier and my comfort factor with this new OS was definitely increasing. My only complaint is text entry. I do find it trying to say the least but I am sure practice will make it easier.

     

    The Camera

    Devices today are continually changing to meet the needs and demands of users. For a long time, cameras have been incorporated into many phones but none have ever met my needs. Frankly, I always thought it was a gimmick that I would never use. Picture quality was always questionable but some devices slowly started to incorporate better cameras and you started to get decent pictures that were acceptable for web use. Not so with this phone!

    It has been a lot of fun working with the camera using both the still and video modes. I have been pleased with the ability to lock the focus on an object, press the capture key halfway down and have it automatically focus. I would never have expected that ability in a camera phone (frankly, I never expected to see the kind of quality that has been consistent throughout my use of this device).

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Phone

    The voice quality is terrific. I have no question that there was some serious effort placed into the design of the phone and the electronics that control it. I have been really pleased with the quality of the sound and the ability to hear each call clearly. For me, that is particularly important because of hearing issues. The volume and clarity at virtually every signal strength has been exceptional…that makes me happy.

    I have enjoyed the conference call function which has been very easy to activate (and some what fun to utilize). The voice dialing feature is also very good. I have over 150 contacts so it would have been a problem if I had to train each one. The voice system supports enhanced voice commands which are not dependent on your voice but rather the device creates a voice tag for your entries in contacts. It appears, as you use it more, that the device seems to recognize the voice commands better. I have liked that feature except when I have several numbers for a contact. I have yet to figure out how to get it to use other numbers that might be listed.

    There is a Video call feature but unfortunately I don’t have the ability to use it…that is a feature that I am really looking forward to using. Hopefully it will not be too long before that happens! As for other features, there are many…too many to review at this writing but suffice it to say that I keep seeing new features and have found their use easy to deal with.

     

    As much as I like the sound of the device when the phone rings and as much as I absolutely love the notification alarms, I am disappointed that I do not have the ability to have a vibrate mode. To me this is an absolute must have in a phone so it was a disappointment but I have begun to live without it…albeit painfully so. Vibration mode is so important to me that if I could only wish for one added feature, that would be it.

     

     

     

    Personalization

    As with most devices, the ability to personalize it to your individual tastes makes it just that little extra bit nicer to use. The ability to change the pictures on both screens with my own personal pictures has made looking at the screens a very pleasant experience. Customizing the clock alarm tones, the phone ringtones, and changing the shortcuts that are assigned for the different presses of the scroll key and the two selection keys while in the standby mode make the device what I want it to be….I like that.

     

    Features

    There are a host of features that make using this phone a great experience. I was particularly happy that setting up my Bluetooth headset was an absolutely painless experience. Contacts, Calendar, Messaging, and the Web are my most used options on a phone but with the added feature of a superior camera coupled with some cool software for editing; the Nokia Experience has been terrific!

    I didn’t expect to see too much in terms of an “office” experience but Nokia has provided some essential tools that are useful and important to maintain your ability to have a continued good feeling as you carry this device with you. The ability to take notes, have a To-Do list, a voice recorder, and a calculator are important. The ability to make unit conversions as in measurements or with different currencies is a neat tool to have but I never imagined that I could view my Word and Excel files…I thought that was very cool.

    I wish I could edit the documents but being able to view them is important. What I was able to do though was to pair my Think Outside Bluetooth Keyboard and could easily enter text into a note. At least if I wanted to have changes on a Word document, I could enter text easily on a note and then insert it at a later point in time.

    I have used the keyboard numerous times and have found it to be very convenient. I would like to have the ability to directly edit documents and hope that in future iteration it will be enabled.

     

    Overall Impressions

    I guess I am fortunate to have a variety of devices and phones that I use as the spirit moves me. I am rarely without one of my iPAQs; I don’t think I could survive with out them especially my 4700 which has virtually everything I do on it. I would have never imagined that I would use a non-iPAQ much less a non-windows device.

    I have found that the experience with my Nokia to be a good one although I readily admit that the learning curve for me was a little harder than I expected. For the most part, I can easily find and do what I need to do but there are still those occasions when I want to do something special and I just can’t figure it out right away but it eventually comes.

    An example is the conferencing feature on the phone (I really like it). I was chatting the other day with a friend and I said for him to wait a second while I got someone else on the phone…it took me a couple of minutes. Of course his reaction was: “that was a long few seconds buddy!”

    The ability to keep my calendar and contacts always up to date with Outlook has been a breeze. Synching with the Nokia PC Suite is significantly faster and easier than Active Sync. How many times have you synched with active sync and wondered what changes were made…you don’t know. All of a sudden you see that there are 7 changes in your calendar and you don’t remember what they are. With the Nokia, you get to see what changes were made…that is very cool!


    With all the devices I have, the fact that I have continued to use this device on almost a daily basis tells you something about it. I have no question that part of it is because it is such a well made device….absolute superior quality. It just feels right…it looks right…and it performs right. How does it compare in size with other devices on the market? You be the judge...I think its size is perfect for me. What I like even better is that when I have it open, I can easily rest it on my shoulder and use my hands for a task...something you just can not due with smaller devices.

    There are so many different devices on the market, each designed to meet specific needs of the intended user. The Nokia N-90 is certainly a device that fits a special niche but I would suggest that that niche is a rather large one. The ability to make calls easily and clearly, check and send email, surf the net for that special piece of information you are looking for and to take high quality pictures and videos meets the needs of a large audience.

     

    What is the Nokia Experience?

    To me, it was dealing with a high quality device that easily allowed me to perform the everyday functions I want in a smartphone plus a few added very neat features.
    The Nokia Experience has been very cool journey into a whole new world!

    Cost:

    $699.99 (without a plan)
    (Reviewers comment: Price will vary according to plan. With rebates, it should be somewhere in the $400.00+ range)

    Pros:

    Extremely high quality product
    Very “cool” flip/twist transforming design
    Outstanding screen resolution
    Carl Zeiss Optics (creating outstanding pictures and video)
    Audio from speaker is surprisingly good

    Cons:

    Weight … just a little heavy (but not enough to give up using the device)
    No vibrating mode
    Will not play WMA files
    Bluetooth synching difficult

    Rating:

    4.8 out of 5

    You can visit the Nokia site by clicking here to learn more about the Nokia N90 Phone where you just twist and shoot.

    This device is a superior phone, camera, and video-maker. The Carl Zeiss Optics make for crisp, bright images you can view, edit, print and share with others.

    Do you want to know what others are saying?



    Visit the Nokia Nseries N90 Blogger Relations Blog site where you can read what others are saying about the phone. You will find it very interesting!

    Here are some additional photo's that I took with the N-90

    Click read more below to see the full news item