The Nokia X2: A Music Mobile to Trust
Nokia has been very clever in providing several types of mobile series’ to cater to different types of users. They have the E series where the features focus more on functions for work and business. Their design and functionality is somehow comparable to most Blackberry mobiles.
Another example is their high end N Series which provides top of the line features as well. On the other hand, the X series is made for those who want to maximise the music capability of their mobile without spending so much. We will further talk about one mobile that belong to that series called the Nokia X2.
Multimedia
The Nokia X2 targets those who love music; therefore it is fair to say that we should expect exceptional music features from this mobile. Being able to access the music player quickly is something very important for users because it saves them time. Good thing is that that there are keys designated for that function in the Nokia X2. It is also compatible with different kinds of files such as MP3, MPEG and WMA.
If you find it a little bit boring listening to songs stored on your mobile, you can turn to FM radio on the X2. In this way you will be up to date with the latest tracks in the music scene. With the X2, you don’t need to use a bulky headset.
Camera
The Nokia X2 handset also offers a powerful 5MP snapper despite the fact that it is primarily a music mobile. It comes with an LED Flash to help you capture quality photos even in a dim situation. Now you don’t have to worry about purchasing a digital camera or a high end mobile to capture stunning photos.
Fresh Picks: Nokia’s C6 is Now in the UK
Our recommended quick-pick handset is now available in the UK. The Nokia C6 may not be as impressive as an Android smart phone, but there are still times when having even the basic Symbian S60 OS is pretty much enough for the average user. Besides, access to the Nokia Ovi store still means that the handset gets a large library of apps and media to download, and users will have plenty of things to do with the device.
Local network operators, O2 and Vodafone UK have announced that the device is available for free on their tariff plans. At the lowest, the handset can be obtained for free under a 25 Pound monthly contract from either operator. We can probably expect to see this phone on other networks in the next few days.
The only complaint that we can give about this phone is that for its retail price (about 289 Pounds on the official Nokia online store for the UK), the phone only packs a resistive touch screen. Capacitive touch screen technology always provides users with a better control experience. Hopefully, the next C-series handset would have a better screen. Still, at 3.2 inches, the TFT display provides ample room for viewing photos and watching videos.
Overall, the handset is a practical device that still manages to bring in some useful extras. The 5 mega pixel camera is a perfect built in snapper for those who love to take excellent quality images. Considering that 5MP is the current average for high end devices, the C6 is already loaded. The phone’s 434 MHz, ARM 11 CPU performs up to the device’s needs. But users should not expect super fast loading especially when handling resource heavy apps or features. As one might expect, this smart phone supports both 3G and 2G networks. The device also supports GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi.
Nokia X6: Keep Your Batteries Running Longer
The Nokia X6 is an impressive smart phone, it can do plenty of things and it also looks great to have around. The one thing that people ought to be careful about however, is to ensure that the batteries are being optimized. After all, nothing ruins a nice afternoon of easy listening than realizing that the handset does not have enough juice to keep playing for the rest of the trip.
Here are a few simple tips for Nokia X6 owners who would like to make the most out of a full charge.
First off: plan ahead. Not everyone gets to come home on time and there is no telling how long a party or an event will last. Pack an extra battery or a travel charger with you, because no matter how much one conserves the battery, it will certainly, eventually drain. Also, there are some devices that are called portable chargers which basically hold about two to three extra charges –keeping one in the car is always a good backup.
Second, turn off the idle apps. Processors are one of the most restricting technologies for smart phones. After all, unlike desktop computers that get an unlimited supply of electricity from a wall outlet, a smart phone gets power from a small battery behind the unit. This battery can only hold so much charge, and having a high speed processor is a quick way to drain it down. This is why apps should be turned off whenever possible. There is an option in the multitasking menu to turn off specific apps that are not in use.
Lastly, find good reception. Phones tend to seek out a signal whenever the device is placed in area with little to no coverage. If you have to put your phone down, ensure that it is located in an area that it can get several bars of coverage.
Smart Phone GPS: Splitting the Demographic Map
Back then, people just needed any GPS. Typically, a standard GPS device would provide you with just as much information as other would. While some had extra features such as points of interests, the common features were all one and the same. Of course, the big defining factor was also the fact that the service was paid for.
But these days, getting access to voice guided sat nav is a simple matter of turning on the feature on your smart phone. Many Nokia handsets have the feature, and so does all Android smart phones that have GPS and use versions 1.6 Donut and above, like the popular HTC Desire.
Many believe that the emergence and growth of GPS on smart phone technology will be killing off companies such as Garmin and TomTom. While these may seem likely, the reality is far from such. Aside from the fact that Garmin and TomTom are established, reliable and well respected brands in the GPS industry, they also cater to a very specific market of people who cannot afford to switch to the free GPS services offered by mobile phone makers: professional who need very accurate GPS services.
These include the police, delivery personnel, medical response teams, and other groups and institutions that have to rely on “paid” maps –maps that they can count on (or sue the company if the data contained is misleading or incorrect).
While Nokia and Google’s maps are often more than enough for the average person, they are also not accountable for the accuracy of the data they supply.
With that said, it is obviously more than enough for the average person to use the free voice guided sat nav services as opposed to having to pay a monthly service (with the average cost of a high end smart phone –it is something that is almost expected now). According to recent news, free GPS is now being brought to the iPhone thanks to Skobbler.
Predicting Smart Phone Trends
With manufacturers focused on current technology and what new features the various operating systems are delivering, some might say that the level of innovation in smart phone technology has come to a slow down.
While there is no decrease in the number of concept devices being made by various manufacturers and product developers in order to inspire the industry to push forward, the innovation has been concentrating more on software than the hardware itself.
This does not mean that the hardware is not changing, it is but only in a single direction of “better specs”, which simply means that the easiest way to predict what tomorrow’s handsets is by looking at the devices available today in simply increasing the speed, power, capacity and performance.
Still, there some new (and old) technology that is being developed that might change the way mobile phones are being used. Take Nokia for example, they are now bringing back short range device communication, this technology as originally developed as a more secure alternative to Bluetooth thanks to its limitation with proximity for devices to communicate.
The development of new touch screen technology is also being implemented as well. Larger, thinner and more flexible touch screens are being developed and this may help change the way mobile phones are designed and made. However, since the current form is quite effective and efficient in terms of functionality and practicality, it will be a long time before a new form factor is accepted.
As stated above, the real change in hardware is simply in improving the current specs. Chip manufacturers are racing to create not only faster and more powerful processors, but also in finding ways to cut down on power consumption. Since mobile handsets rely on rechargeable batteries with limited capacities, there are limits to how fast a modern CPU can be.
Nokia’s N8 Handset: Not Quite the Symbian Super Phone
It seems that Nokia is also intent in making a foothold in the high end smart phone market range. For many years, Nokia has stayed on top of the game by dominating the mid to low range markets. While they would also release the occasional super expensive high end smart phone, they were easily outmatched by Apple’s iPhone and the newer Android smart phones.
The release of the Nokia N8 Symbian^3 smart phone is considered to be a defining point for Nokia, as they try to show the industry that they can dominate on all fields, sadly the N8 does not cut the cake as it was supposed to do.
In terms of form factor, Nokia’s got all the futuristic edginess right, except when it comes to the slightly awkward looking back side of the device. The 12 mega pixel camera juts out at a very unattractive bulge that makes it seem that the camera was just jammed into the handset at the last minute.
The 3.5 inch OLED capacitive touch screen display gives gloriously beautiful graphics. While not on the same level as Samsung’s super AMOLED screen, Nokia still manages to push their technological weight around. The biggest thing pulling the phone down is the slow ARM 11 680MHz CPU. While the core is essentially not slow at all, it still pales in comparison to the high speed Snapdragon and ARM Cortex A8 CPUs that are clocked at 1GHz.
In the end, Nokia is successful in making a great mid range handset that brings plenty of value for the cost. As a high end device however, the N8 still lacks plenty in the power department, and the Symbian^3, despite being already open source, still has plenty to go before it can compete with the Android OS.
If Nokia makes more phones like these, then the mid range market will be a three way contest between the Symbian^3, Bada and Android OS.
Nokia delivers Skype video calling by Fring
What exactly is Fring? Well Fring is an application used on phones to bring things like Messengers and social web sites and many other things to your phone. Until just recently all that you could do is make calls and IM with your phones. Well all that is about to go to a completely new level with Skype video calling.
Not too long ago Fring announced that they have made the app compatible with Smartphone’s which of course are powered by the Android operating system. The only drawback to all of this is that will only be available to a small amount of devices. All the devices that this will be available on are Nokia Smartphone’s. Including the Nokia X6, N97, N97 mini, and the 5800. Also available are the Nokia N95, N95 8GB and N82 models.
Fring has stated that the video call function will eventually be ready for a number of other platforms in the near future as well. Video calls with Fring are a thing of the future happening today. Be warned however that if you are playing hooky from work you may not want to answer that video call while you are lying out on the beach sun bathing.
Fring has made it so that you can use video calling not only with Skype contacts but with other users from AIM, Yahoo and many other platforms as well. Fring wishes to extend their service to many other platforms but at the moment are setting their focus mainly on the high end handsets to assure that everyone is getting the full experience that they deserve with the video calling.
Video of Fring in action