Nokia N900: Mini Computer or Smartphone? You call the shot...

We’re not sure what to call the Nokia N900. Is it a smartphone or a mini computer with phone capabilities? We’re leaning to the latter.

We’ll spare you te technical details on this guy but just in case you need to know, it’s powered by an ARM Cortex A8 processor with 32GB of internal memory and runs on Maemo 5, a Linux based OS. Nokia has said that the N900 is developed with developers in mind and they were right.

Installing applications on the N900 is not as easy as going into Ovi and download the apps. While you can still do that, there are plenty of third party applications out there and in true Linux style, you’ll need to get them from repositories.

The Maemo 5 OS is brand new and exclusively only to the N900 and it’s a dream come true for Linux heads. It has its own Terminal for CLI, perfect if you need to full control of the N900.

Nokia mentioned that the N900 can run 28 items at the same time. We maxed out at 15 items not because it was slow but it’s because we ran out of stuff to run. We’re glad to report that it worked as claimed!

We like the Maemo 5 interface as well. All running applications are shown in a tab style page like the one on Google Chrome browser and you just click on the one you want to maximize it. The camera on the N900 is also one of the better one we’ve used till date. The flash wasn’t too harsh on the subject, something most camera phones fail to achieve. The 800 x 480 pixel screen is also wide enough to display most webpages in its normal resolutions, making web surfing an enjoyable experience on the N900.

If you are well versed with Linux and you want a phone that you can really make use of, the Nokia N900 is perfect for you. However, if you’re a consumer that’s only using a phone to make calls and send SMSes, the Nokia N97 will suite you more.

Pros : Brand new Maemo 5 OS, Good processing power, Glorious 800 x 480 screen

Cons : Might not be for everyone

Specifications :

Frequency : Quad band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, GPRS, EDGE, HSPA up to 10Mbps

Screen : 3.5 inch touch display at 800 x 480 pixels (WVGA)

Connectivity : Bluetooth, USB2.0, Wi-Fi

Others : 5 megapixels Carl Zeiss autofocus camera with dual LED flash, 32GB internal memory, microSD expansion

Dimensions : 110.9 x 59.8 x 18 – 19.55 mm

Weight : 181g

Review courtesy of Hardware Tech Review

Selling price for Nokia N900 as at 21 Aug 2010 @ Utara Hati is RM1,399.00

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Nokia N86: A Touch Screen Slider

With the onslaught of touch screen smart-phones these days, it seems like a precarious step in dangerous territories for the Nokia N86. But the N86 didn’t just step in, toes first, testing the cold waters warily. No. It charges in roaring valiantly, 8 megapixels camera in hand, to stand among the competition. This is a great smart-phone, even among its touch-screen competitors.
Nokia settled smartly with a dual slide design that worked well; slide one way and you get the number dials. Slide the other way and you get the media playback buttons. Despite that, it still manages to look classy – the overall look spells dark simplicity, and it fits rather comfortably in the pocket.
Perhaps its most notable feature is the 8 megapixels camera, complete with Carl Zeiss Tessar lens. The picture quality is crisp and clear, and we’re happy with the camera options available. The panorama mode, specifically, lets you stitch pictures together effortlessly, which makes for some interesting photos. The dual-LED flash works fine, but we’re almost glad with the challengeable aperture settings, for better pictures in light or dark situations.

We’re also satisfied with the video recording feature, even if the quality is in QVGA. Media playback quality is good at most, which worked well with the playback buttons. There’s even a kickback stand at the back, so you can prop it up for easy viewing.

The N86 uses the Symbian OS S60 3rd Edition, so you can expect the same operating system as the N85 and the N96. We’ve had a little problem with the GPS and digital compass, which didn’t start up for awhile, but functionally it works pretty well.

Comparably, the N86 can stand up to the competition. Pricing in at RM1699, it’s admittedly rather pricey, but if you take into account the price of most smart-phones today, touch-screen types included, the price actually denotes its value. It will unfortunately, be overshadowed by its touch-screen competitors, but if you’re willing to go simple and classic, this phone doesn’t disappoint.

Pros : Quality camera and photo options, Great design

Cons : Probably overshadowed by touch-phones

Nokia N86 Specifications :

Frequency : Quad-band EGSM 850/ 900 / 1800 / 1900

Screen : 2.6 inch Active Matrix OLED screen at 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA)

Connectivity : Bluetooth, USB2.0, Wi-Fi, HSDPA

Others : 8 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss Tessar lens

Dimensions : 103.4 x 51.4 x 16.5-18.5mm

Weight : 149g

Nokia N86 is available at all Utara Hati's outlets. Price as at 27-10-2009 is RM1699.00

Review courtersy of Hardware Tech Review dated 8/10/2009

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E71: A Business Class Of It's Own

Tagged as the successor to the similarly shaped E61, the Nokia E71 is indeed a veritable improvement in so many ways. The form factor alone trumps the old. The E71 feels ultimately tough and robust while dressed to kill in chrome metal. It looks professional and feels expensive. But despite the heavy metal impression, the E71 weighs a mere 127g. The size is noticeably smaller than the E61 too. The plus point means that it’s now more pocket-able and looks less chunky. But the natural detraction is the smaller QWERTY keypad which loyal E61 users will definitely moan about. We feel it’s still manageable. The best positive notion is in fact the better build of the keypad, which is now more rigid allowing you to feel every button press with a responsive click.

The screen size has been downsized to 2.36”. The QVGA 320 x 240 pixels may not shout of a highest quality display but acceptable considering this to be a business phone. Connectivity checks every box, ranging from Quad-band GSM, HSDPA, Wi-Fi to even Bluetooth. Naturally, the E71 comes packed with a host of work-related applications. QuickOffice is one such item which should please the busy executive on-the-go. In addition, there’s even a built-in dictionary. Also, the included Assisted-GPS with Nokia maps worked well in providing directions.

The E71 has a few features which suggest it’s not just work and no play! The new ‘switch mode’ lets you quickly alternate with a second customized profile. You change your shortcut buttons, wallpaper, email settings and etc. So as the clock turns 5.30PM and the tie comes off, simply switch modes to let the phone adapt to your ‘after work’ lifestyle. You can happily snap pictures of your escapades too. The 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash works well, although fall short of the quality imposed by 5 megapixel variants in other more multimedia-themes phones. It is though missing a lens cover, which leaves the plastic more vulnerable to scratches.

The sleek chromatic E71 sees a major improvement over the bulky E61, and despite the smaller keypad, still types considerably well. The zippy device performed smoothly even when a host of apps were running in the background. A major plus sees the E71 turn from serious to seriously fun, thanks to the new ‘switch mode’ feature.

Pros : Silvery sleek design, full connectivity choices, new ‘Switch Mode’

Cons : Camera is missing lens cover

Nokia E71 Specifications :

Frequency : Quad-band EGSM, WCDMA (HSDPA)

Screen : 2.36” 320 x 240 QVGA TFT

Connectivity : GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Others : A-GPS, 3.2 Megapixel camera

Weight : 127g

Nokia E71 is available at all Utara Hati's outlet @ RM1,299.00 (price as at 09/03/2009)

Review courtesy of Hardware Tech Review

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Nokia 5800 XpressMusic: Entertainment Powerhouse

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, a mobile device for music that brings innovative new features to the mass market. Delivering on Nokia's vision to provide the best total music experience possible, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic will be among the first devices to support Comes With Music, Nokia's groundbreaking service which offers one year of unlimited access to the entire Nokia Music Store catalogue.

The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is a S60 5th Edition device with a resistive touch screen and tactile feedback. The device has variety of input methods: stylus, plectrum and finger touch support for text input and UI control (alphanumeric keypad, full and mini qwerty keyboard, handwriting recognition). Use the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic to connect to mobile broadband using WLAN or HSDPA (3.5G). Supported WCDMA frequencies depend on the region where the device is available. Find directions and locations with the integrated A-GPS and included maps.

When it comes to music phones, people all over the world want a device that is a great music experience - with more memory, loud and powerful speakers, easy synchronization - and must still work well as a mobile phone with direct access to important contacts and content. The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic delivers on all counts and allows consumers to access and share content.

Media Bar, Contacts Bar - putting people first
Taking advantage of touch screen technology, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic introduces the 'Media Bar', a handy drop down menu that provides direct access to music and entertainment, including favourite tracks, videos and photos. The Media Bar also offers a direct link to the web and to online sharing. Because the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic supports Flash content, individuals can surf the entire web, not just pieces of it. In addition, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic offers all the music essentials, including a graphic equalizer, 8GB memory for up to 6000 tracks and support for all main digital music formats, and a 3.5mm jack. Built-in surround sound stereo speakers offer the industry's most powerful sound.

Ensuring a seamless music experience, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic also provides easy access to browse and purchase tracks from the Nokia Music Store, where applicable, while the newly updated Nokia Music PC software allows for easy drag-and-drop transfer of songs and management of any music collection.

The innovative 'Contacts Bar' lets consumers highlight four favorite contacts on their home-screen and, through a single touch, track a digital history of recent text messages, emails, phone logs, photos and blog updates.

For the best screen resolution available on a mobile phone, the 3.2" widescreen display brings photos, video clips and web content to life in vibrant color and true clarity. With a 16 by 9 aspect ratio and 30 frames-per-second playback and recording, the device is ideal for VGA quality video recording and playback. It's Wi-Fi is maybe one of the fastest. Why? I tried it myself by opening YouTube, it downloaded a hi-res videos in seconds and the best part is you can save the videos if you wanted too...

The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic also features a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens and, with a single touch, images or videos can be shared via a favorite online community, such as Share on Ovi, Flickr, or Facebook. Music playlist song titles can also be shared through Bluetooth, MMS or online sharing.

Music for the masses
The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic supports 60 languages worldwide, which covers nearly 90 percent of the world's population. As people around the world use their phones in different ways, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic offers a variety of input methods including a virtual alphanumeric keypad, a virtual computer-style QWERTY keyboard, a pen stylus and for true music enthusiasts, a plectrum are all available.

Additional features include Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, and USB 2.0 High-Speed.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is available at all Utara Hati's outlet @ RM1,499.00 (Zitron) & RM1,399 (AP set)

Review courtesy of Mobile88

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N79: Fully Packed With Entertainment & Multimedia, A Force To Be Reckoned With...

Looking robust but surprisingly lightweight, Nokia’s new N79 is a solid candybar phone, all the way down to the keypad and the screen. The N79 is a stylish, full featured phone with keys that are wide and well-lit, with tactile feedback.

Also boosting a 5 megapixel camera (with Carl Zeiss lenses) with dual-LED flash, 2.4 inch screen, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, the N79 is quite all features rich. To top it all off, it also can be used with Nokia’s Xpress-on color covers, supporting automatic color changing of theme, which is bound to appeal to many. The Xpress-on covers come in Coral Red, Olive Green, Light Sea Blue, Expresso Brown and White. A combination of three colors comes with each Nokia N79.

The phone comes packaged with a 4GB microSD card, which allows you to store all sorts of data on your phone, with an almost endless amount of music and photos or almost four hours worth of DVD quality video.

Combining innovative technologies into the N79, users can log on to online communities like Friendster, Flickr or Youtube or surf through the Nokia Music Store, N-Gage, Nokia Maps and Share on Ovi, an online service that allows users to share personal pictures and videos from their mobiles.

Considering that it’s a combination of a phone, music player, mobile Internet device, digital camera, GPS and FM radio. The Nokia N79 is a sweet deal and is well worth its price tag.

One more i would like to add, like it's predecessor N78, N79 also comes with built-in FM transmitter. A feature that will be a plus because you can listen all your mp3 tune in your phone through your car or home stereo. Now you can share your favourite tunes with everybody in your car or home stereo.

N79 is available at all Utara Hati's outlet @ RM1, 288.00.

Review courtesy of Hardware Tech Review

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Update Your N73 To N73 Music Edition & Change Product Code Using Nemesis Service Suite (NSS)

Did you know that you can upgrade your old or early version of Nokia N73 to the new N73 Music Edition? Well here's the tip. Maybe you also want to remove your operator interface such as TIMs, T-Mobile, O2, Orange or any other operator that you have contract with. All can be done with the same tip that i about to post here.
Firstly, you need Nemesis Service Suite (NSS). To download click here. I'm gonna show you all step by step on how to install NSS. But, I want to apologise first for not using any phone to really show how NSS works. But, I guaranty this will work sinced I've done this procedure very often. Okay, let move on.
1.After you have downloaded NSS, extract to you defined folder and double click to start installation.

2.


All you need to do is just follow the arrow sign. Click on 'Next'.



3.Choose any shortcut that appropriate to you.

4.Choose 'Virtual USB Device', as you only need this to go with. Other option are for advanced users, i.e: technician, phone software programmer.

And, walla.... finish installation. click no on 'NSS Driver Installation'.

You all will have this icon on your screen.

How To Use It?
Actually it takes less than 10 minutes to use it, depends on your connectivity cable provided by Nokia or the clone ones. I suggest the provided one. Better keep it handy to have two cables. Before we go through this process please backup your phone data, i.e: contact, sms, gallery items. Not that we wanted something bad to happen, it can be unsuspected. An old Malays' say 'better to have umbrella before it rains'.
1. Click on the magnify glass icon to scan your device.

2. Then it will show this page.

3. Click on 'Phone Info'. Then click the button 'Scan' as it will scan for you phone info and display the info in the empty box and on the right panel.

4. Tick 'Enable' on the right box next to 'Product Serial Number' and click button 'Write'. NSS will write the new product code to you phones. If you feel you don't believe it, click on scan 1 more time, then maybe you'll believe it. Here are the product code that can be use to replace you old product codes. These product codes also define the language for you phones, so if there is language problem from previous product codes, this will solve it. Also this product codes are non-branded ones, as it will remove your operator setting from your phone. I know that T-Mobile always do that and it's ugly. Hehehehehehee no offense heh... please remember these codes are meant for N73 only, for other models you have to googled around for their product codes. I suggest you all to join GSM-Forum, under Nokia: BB5 section.

0537289 Euro 1
0539193 France
0539207 Alps
0539239 Euro 2
0539256 Turkey
0539265 south Africa
0539269 Scandanavia
0539278 Baltains
0539279 Russia
0539284 Ukraine
0539285 Bulgaria
0539289 Hungary
0539291 Balkans
0539293 Greece/Cypurs
0539294 Lebanon
0539295 Gulf
0539298 Israel
0539299 Romania
0539343 Chinese, English
0539346 Philippines,English, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philipino
0539349 Australia/New Zealand,English, Indonesia, Malaysia,Philipino
0539352 Indonesia -> English, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philipino
0539354 India/Vietnam -> English, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philipino
0539351 Thailand -> English, Thai
0539341 Belarus
(Sorry guys, those are all the codes,that I know, there are many more for every region of the world)

So, we are done here. Next thing you have to do is to run Nokia Software Updater (NSU) to update you phones. How to use NSU? Please read up coming post in this section.

Article written by chbaN's in his blog. Thanks for his courtesy.

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