Nokia Blogged, Nokia news, reviews information and more

For those who have tried out the Nokia C6, one would have to say that the device is an excellent balance of hardware and features. The phone design itself is remarkably simple but fully functional, and device really looks good to have. Anyway, it appears that on the Dutch Nokia website, a few teaser images of the upcoming Nokia C6-01 has been leaked, giving us a firsthand look at this unannounced smart phone.

If the details are to be followed, it seems that there is little that is different from the older C6 handset and this newer version. The main difference between the two phones is with the camera, but aside from that, it appears that the rest of the hardware configurations and the features are pretty much the same.

The newer Nokia C6-01 has an 8 mega pixel camera and dual LED flash. The older phone uses a lower 5 mega pixel snapper and basic LED flash –the update does seem favorable to any user who is quite picky about their built in digital cameras, but for regular smart phone users, the camera upgrade is not as important.

For those who have already bought a Nokia C6, there is no need to sell the old model and get the C6-01. But anyone who is considering the older Nokia C6 handset might want to check this phone out; and expect the price to be slightly higher too.

The device also comes with a 3.2 inch TFT resistive touch screen display. The 360 x 640 resolution provides users with a decent view of websites and videos, though it is not as responsive as a capacitive touch screen would be. Another nice feature in the device is that it comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard which is perfect for any user who is not too fond of the virtual onscreen keyboard.

C-series, Nokia 8-mega-pixel, camera, Nokia, Nokia-C6, Nokia-C6-01, QWERTY, TFT-touch-screen

While it is pretty much expected that mobile phone users would be more interested in the Apple iPhone 4 than any other handset (since smart phone just came out a couple of weeks ago), it is surprising how much Nokia’s public ratings has gone down.

According to an independent study by YouGov, the number of people interested in getting a Nokia handset has gone down by at least 12%. Only 34% of phone buyers are considering getting a Nokia.

While the drop is mostly attributed to Apple’s new iPhone launch, but many also believe that Nokia has failed to keep public interest in their devices by failing to come up with truly innovative handsets in the past few months. With most of Nokia’s mobile phones still concentrating on the low end users, many high end smart phone users pass up Nokia devices in favor of phones from LG, Samsung, HTC and other big name phone manufacturers.

The Espoo based company needs to ramp up its game. Not only is Nokia currently the largest phone manufacturer in the world, they are also the most eco-friendly (with Sony Ericsson ranking in second place) as reported by Greenpeace.

Nokia has previously led the industry by setting new standards for mobile phone makers. Also, the close ties between the Finnish phone maker and the Symbian foundation has led to the creation of several iconic devices as well. Unless they are able to come up with a phone that is truly able to compete with the Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7, Nokia stands to lose plenty of ground in the next generation of smart phones.

This means that the upcoming Nokia N8 which uses the new launched Symbian^3 OS and the Nokia N9 which uses MeeGo which was developed by both Intel and Nokia are going to determine what happens to the company in the next few months.

Nokia Apple, Apple-iPhone-4, eco-friendly, Google-Android, MeeGo, Nokia, Nokia-N8, Nokia-N9, Symbian, YouGov

Nokia is bringing several new updates to the Nokia X6 through the version 21.0.004 update. According to Nokia developers, the update is bringing a lot of small changes to the existing features of the OS, but most importantly, the update is meant to improve the performance of the handset. Stability, speed and overall performance is the key to the optimization that the new patch promises, though we will have to wait and see from existing users if the patch achieves this goal.

In the meanwhile, Nokia X6 owners might want to look at the following changes that the update will also bring. The Ovi Store is getting some component specific updates. This includes the Ovi Store itself which will be getting Ovi Music, Ovi Store 1.5.6, Ovi Contacts 1.50.8, and Ovi Sync 2.0. These are mostly optimization updates so users should not expect to see any drastic changes to the user interface.

New apps have also been added into the system as well. A 30 day trial for Shazam has been added along with the Rihanna service launcher. The appshell itself has been improved with better kinetic scrolling (which probably takes out the occasional skipping during the scroll). The Flash player on the X6 is also getting a quick update with Flash Lite 3.1.7x.

The phone’s user interface is getting a slight adjustment with the enabled Slide Lock Key function that will be used in the swipe UI. In the meanwhile, users of Exchange might be happy to know that Mail for Exchange is getting updated to version 2.9.210

The browser is getting a nice improvement with version 7.2. This update not only makes the browser load pages faster, but it also enables gestures like pinch zooming –though some users who have downloaded the patch are claiming that pinch is not enabled.

Nokia, X-series adobe-flash, apps, Nokia, Nokia-X6, Ovi-Contacts, Ovi-Music, Ovi-Store, Ovi-Sync, Swipe-UI

Before the official worldwide launch of the Nokia N8, a prototype unit has found its way to the hands of a Russian journalist. Much like what happened with the iPhone 4 prototype, the mobile phone maker (this time, Nokia) was not happy to lose one of its units. This time around, instead of a covert raid of the journalist’s home, Nokia has openly contacted the Russian police in order to track down the missing pre-release device.

Eldar Murtazin, journalist from Mobile-Review.com, has written a poor review of the upcoming mobile phone. With his write up along with the photos posted on the review site he writes for, has given the impression that he has in his possession (or has had) one of the Nokia N8 handsets.

Nokia has contacted the journalist but Murtazin has apparently failed to return the prototype unit to the Finnish mobile phone maker. This angered Nokia considerably, since the N8 was meant to be their next flagship device in the NSeries. Now, they have decided to take legal action against the blogger in order to get back what is rightfully theirs.

“We have asked Murtazin for the return of all Nokia property in his possession. As he has declined to reply, we asked the Russian authorities to assist us.”

In response to this, Murtazin criticized the mobile manufacturer phone. He said that Nokia was only trying to get back their device due to the nature of his article. He also denied having sold any information to competitor companies and claims, calling the suggestion “puerile slander”.

The journalist has also clarified that the prototype is not currently in his possession. He was only able to gain access to the prototype due to one of his sources who is neither a Nokia nor mobile phone company employee. Did he mean perhaps that he was able to view the prototype from a production facility insider? If there is anyone who can solve the mystery, it is the authorities.

N-series, Nokia Apple-iPhone-4, Nokia, Nokia-N-Series, Nokia-N8, smartphones

In what is probably a tech industry faux-pass, Nokia has indirectly placed the Symbian^3 OS on the side and is putting more focus on the upcoming MeeGo OS as well as the possibility of the eventual launch of the Symbian^4.

With that said, Nokia has already confirmed that the N8 smart phone will be the only Symbian^3 handset to be used in their N-series lineup. In the meanwhile, their new MeeGo OS will be the main focus of their high end N-series lineup. With two strong operating systems already available (the Symbian Foundation’s S-series and the Intel-Nokia MeeGo) Nokia is not looking at other operating systems.

This means that die-hard Nokia users will not be seeing any Android smart phones from the Finnish phone manufacturer any time soon –or even in the distant future. Nokia’s support for the Symbian Foundation is a pre-established given in the industry, and even with the development of a proprietary Nokia OS, the Symbian still remains as a primary OS for Nokia’s other phone lineups (such as the X, C and E series of handsets).

As for the Symbian^4 operating system, there is still no news as to when the OS will finally be made. With the Symbian^3 still not yet out, it is unlikely that version 4 will be released this year, though it is rumored that development on the new OS is already underway.

The Symbian OS has been suffering from performance issues –particularly with the major bugs that plagued the Nokia N97. Even established Symbian supporters such as the Guru have acknowledged the situation and are starting to slowly withdraw their support from the OS. The Symbian^3 OS needs to bring back the confidence and trust of users in the platform, and according to Anssi Vanjoki there is plenty to look forward to with the upcoming N8 –for Symbian’s sake, he better be right.

Nokia Google-Android, Intel, MeeGo, Nokia, Nokia-N8, Nokia-N97, Symbian-3, Symbian-4

With all of the details being released about the N9, the most interesting fact that is being left out is the device’s actual name and designation. Aside from that, we can all tell at this point that this is going to be one Symbian^3 smart phone to look out for.

It has already been confirmed pretty early on that the new Nokia handset will be using a well equipped camera for those who love taking high resolution images and videos. The 8 mega pixel snapper will certainly be a welcome feature for amateur photographers while the ability to record videos in 720p will give users plenty of reasons to make use of the HDMI output port on the handset.

The phone has been popping up in a series of rumors and media content online showing off what the handset look likes and the Symbian OS. Recently, the N9 was compared side by side with the HTC EVO 4G and the Apple iPhone 3G. This allowed people to get a quick estimate of the screen size on the Nokia N9 –a nice big 4 inch TFT capacitive touch screen display. It has not been confirmed if the handset will be using other display technology such as AMOLED screen though some sources have hinted that Samsung’s new display technology, the super AMOLED screen might be used in the N9.

In the meanwhile, Nokia is set in the development of the development of the MeeGo operating system which they and Intel have been working on together. The new OS is a combination of the Moblin and Maemo operating systems. Currently, the developer version of MeeGo is already being made available in order to provide the Os with plenty of app support when it launches this coming October.

According to Nokia, the N8 smart phone will be the last Symbian OS based device for the N-series, leaving the N9 with a possible upcoming name change in the future.

N-series Apple-iPhone-3G, HTC-EVO-4G, Nokia, Nokia-N8, Nokia-N9, Samsung, super-AMOLED, Symbian, Symbian-3

The Symbian^3 is getting several Nokia handsets as leaks of a new smart phone from the Finnish phone maker reveal what might be the very first confirmed images of the new Nokia C7-00 smart phone. The handset is a pretty simple looking touch screen device and in terms of overall features, it still fits with the standards for a straightforward high end smart phone.

The CPU for this handset has not been revealed, but it would not be surprising to find a 1GHz CPU running in the core of the handset and also many are hoping that the Symbian^4 OS comes out soon –which would be a great fit for the C7-00.

The 8 mega pixel camera provides autofocus and dual LED flash which many camera enthusiasts would certainly love. Thanks to the support for micro SD cards, the data storage for this handset will not be much of an issue.

The 3.5 inch TFT touch screen display would have been pretty okay, but the fact that it uses a resistive touch screen is a definite turn off for many who are hoping for a more modern touch screen experience. While the stylus controls are more accurate, they require the use of an accessory that can be easily lost, and this also means that gestures such as pinching would not be supported in the function –making it a less desirable feature on the handset.

Aside from the usual tech specs, little else is known about the C7-00 –especially what sets it apart from the other devices available already in the market. It has been confirmed that the handset does support Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, GPRS/EDGE and of course 3G networks. The device will also work great handling media content such as videos and music as well as Office document files (such as Word and Excel).

C-series Bluetooth, camera, GPS, micro-SD, Nokia, Nokia-C7-00, Symbian-3, Symbian-4, WiFi

It may seem like a gimmicky device, but the X5-01 is as impressive as it is quirky. Sure, the square form factor takes a little while to get used to, and the loud colors obviously target the more hip and happening crowd –as opposed to the more somber, serious tones of other smart phones. But in terms of features and specs, the X5-01 is a great phone to have.

Made for the fun loving crowd that still wants quality handsets, the X5-01 brings together reliable smart phone commodities with new intuitive gesture controls to help make the music listening experience a whole lot better –spin the device around and it will skip to a random track on your playlist. There is both fun and functionality in this device, which makes it one device that you should not fail to check out.

So, speaking of the handset’s features, this new Nokia music phone comes in a variety of colors: azure, purple, yellow green, pink, graphite black are among the confirmed selections, but we would not be surprised if Nokia adds more choices to the list. The slide out QWERTY keyboard makes the thickness worth it as typing on the buttons feels quite natural and almost on the same level of efficiency as a BlackBerry device.

Nokia’s Symbian^3 operating system brings plenty of functions, features and of course, app support from the Ovi store. Sadly, the device lacks GPS support so it cannot make use of the free Ovi maps features (nor will it allow you to log into foursquare –which is a very important feature for this device’s target market).

As a music phone, the X5-01 delivers. The 2.3 inch TFT display provides users with a clear view of current track and the playlist, and the controls are easy to fiddle around with. The audio quality of the loudspeaker is quite clear and the device’s 3.5mm audio jack lets users have their own choice of headsets.

X-series apps, Blackberry, Nokia, Nokia-X5-01, Ovi-Store, Symbian-3

It seems that the leaks have skipped a phone. Recent images of the Nokia C7 smart phone have made it to the internet –completely skipping the C5.

As you might have heard, Nokia’s early C series devices starting from the C1 all the way to the C3 have already been officially announced. The impressive handsets range from standard candy bar mobile phones to a sleek portrait keyboard bearing handset. Now, a fully dedicated smart phone has been introduced to the C series, the Nokia C7.

At first glance, you might mistake this device for an earlier Motorola Android handset (it looks a lot like the old XT 800). Sadly, the device is packing only the Symbian S60 5th instead of the Symbian^3, so if you are picky about what operating system to have, you might want to pass this up (unless you are a Symbian/Ovi fan that is).

Overall, it is a pretty impressive little handset for its size and tech range. As stated, it looks a lot like the XT 800 which means that you get that same super-flat phone face and the extra shiny screen border. The ends of the devices curve out giving it a very rounded look while the dark gray body gives if a sense of weight.

Nokia has yet to detail the specific features of this handset, but we do expect the device to come complete with support for standard WAP and HTML websites (hopefully the Opera Mini browser which has been making its way as a staple for many Symbian handsets), decent media playback capabilities (support for the usual files, MP3, AAC, WAV, MP4, WMV and maybe even H.264 video).

With most of the other Nokia C series handsets coming out this year, we can probably expect the C7 to start showing up sometime during the third quarter of 2010.

C-series, Nokia Motorola-XT-800, Nokia, Nokia-C-Series, Nokia-C1, Nokia-C3, Nokia-C5, Nokia-C7

There is always room for green engineering and no one in the mobile phone industry knows this better than Nokia. They have been heralded as the greenest electronics company in the world and it shows; their processing facilities and products all follow strict rules regarding the use of eco-friendly products and better designs to help conserve energy and fuel.

Now, it seems that the Finnish phone manufacturer has finally managed to create a mobile phone charger that is fully green –thanks to pedal power. Bike enthusiasts will certainly enjoy knowing that Nokia has finally perfected their bike charging device and is starting to ship it to various countries all over the world.

Sadly, the UK is not on the initial list as Nokia is reportedly targeting counties where the use of a bike is considered to be a primary form of transportation. While this will certainly disappoint some folks, one can easily order the device online and have it shipped (for a reasonable cost).

The whole setup is easy to work with. Users will simply have to connect a dynamo to a bicycle’s wheel. This dynamo charges the energy from the wheel’s movement and uses it to create electricity. The result is an impressive charging ability that will provide users with about 23 minutes of talk time just from 10 minutes of biking (at a speed of 6 MPH).

Even if you do not use a bike to travel around, this technology will certainly do wonders even with a stationary bicycle at home –though one would have to do some pretty ingenious modifications to the dynamo as exercise bikes have no wheels to latch on to.

The price is estimated to be somewhere just above a dozen Quid –which makes the whole setup so much more enticing to have. Expect to see this gadget and variations of it to see more practical applications in the later weeks.

Accessories eco-friendly, gadgets, Nokia, Nokia-accessories