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The folks at Nokia have been very busy.
It's clear not just from the slew of new handsets that have hit the market, but the sensible yet sensational features packed into each phone that looks way too good to resist.
Take the much anticipated N96 which supports live broadcast mobile TV on DVB-H. This is a digital mobile TV service currently being tested by MediaCorp with local service providers.
But those who can't wait can get to enjoy a host of pre-bundled TV shows on the N96 such as popular British car show Top Gear and Sci-Fi evergreen Dr Who.
In addition, users can download either through WLAN and HSDPA support or from their PC via hi-speed USB, up to 40 hours of video content that can be stored on the N96.
With a TV in your pocket, you'll appreciate the 2.8 inch display, built-in 3D stereo speakers and 'kickstand' on the back cover so you can sit back and watch the show.
With its simple key layout and built in GPS, this is also an intelligent hand-held, although not as subtle and understated in looks as the N85.
This slider also features an in-built GPS with voice guided navigation for driving or walking, which is especially useful if you find yourself distracted by the 10 made-for-mobile N-Gage gaming titles that will be pre-loaded.
While keeping entertainment at the forefront for its users, Nokia is also paying attention to the fashion conscious with the N79.
This comes with changeable Xpress-On smart covers, from colours ranging from brown to red. Three of five available colour covers will be in the box with each N79 to suit the user's mood or dress code for the day.
Apart from looking pretty, the Nokia has an auto-orientation sensor to switch the screen from portrait to landscape, as well as a NaviWheel for easy navigation among the on-board programs and Nokia services such as the Music Store and Share on Ovi, an online service for users to share pictures and videos from their mobile devices.
All three phones also feature a whopping 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens. While that means you can easily ditch your digital camera on your next holiday, you won't want to despair too much over other Nokia phones that may offer less in the camera department.
The E71 for instance only has a 3.2 megapixel camera, but it does boast of all the other great features of the newer phones and looks very good.
You know you have a winner when someone who is usually blind to your 'tech toys' walks past your desk and gasps "what IS that ?" while gazing at the Nokia E71.
Although the hardware features of the phone drew my attention to the E71 in the first place, I couldn't help but marvel at how the phone also aced in design, from its slim profile to its tough metal finishing and well-placed, easy-to-use buttons and catches so there is no need to puzzle or struggle over slotting in both the SIM and memory card.
What I found unique about the E71 (available in grey or white steel) is that it can be fun and functional at the same time.
The Nokia is able to switch modes just as its owner does, from work with a home screen that shows email, files and the serious stuff, to play with the music player shortcut placed on the much shorter homescreen. All this with the one-touch switch mode option.
Having a bias for smartphones especially those sporting a QWERTY keypad, my first line of attack was of course to take notes at a meeting. The E71 passed this round as the letter keypads were neither too small nor too stiff.
Being easy to use is one thing, having a keypad which has you correcting your two fingered typing constantly, is another. Fortunately, I found the keypad fairly well spaced out, so there were few mis-types to correct after the meeting.
Another plus, it was also not hard to view what was on the screen as the 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA) display was clear and well sized (2.36 inches) with customisable viewing preferences.
Being used to operating on Windows Mobile, I was a little unsure of exporting to my PC the meeting notes saved under an Office-compatible programme provided on the Nokia.
But two clicks of the mouse later, the Word document sat on my desktop and opened without a hitch. Importing and opening an Microsoft Excel sheet from the PC to the Nokia was also effortless.
In terms of keeping mobile users efficient and productive, the E71 fits the bill.
You can get your office email with the Push Mail option or send documents easily through your prefered email account which can be set up on the Nokia in two steps and accessed with one key.
The functionality of the E71 doesn't stop there. Tapping on the phone's WLAN and HSPDA users can not just surf and email, but also choose to make internet phone calls - a great option when at hotspots.
To find your way to a hotspot or anywhere else for that matter, trust the smart phone with its inbuilt GPS. There's also back-up in the form of Nokia Maps made available on the phone.
Packed into the phone too is an FM radio, visual radio, Nokia Podcasting support, Real player, Video streaming, Voice recorder and commands, Text-to-speech, and the list just goes on.
This is one smart phone which is not filled with redundancies, neither does it come with bulk to reflect the load.
Similar Nokia models released earlier were very much a cross between a PDA and a brick since they were either too thick and heavy, or too wide to seriously use as a phone let alone wrap around the palm of those with smaller hands, like women.
While a number of stylish male executives have been seen toting the E71, I have also noticed the device which is just 10mm thick and 114mm wide cradling comfortably in the hands of women of power.
Some may have reservations about working off the Symbian OS, but really it is as friendly as Palm and Windows.
Another plus point, the operating system is stable and flexible, a feature that's hard to find be it software or OS.
With the creation of the Symbian Foundation with support from key players including LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Motorola you know that going forward, the depth and breadth of the OS found in the E71 and other Nokia phones can only get better.
- CNA/sf
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