Subscribe to RSS Subscribe to Comments

Smart Phones of today

Thoughts and pictures of the N82

Ok here’s the promised update on the Nokia N82!

In the year and a half I?ve been writing this blog I?ve used a lot of nice camera phones, including the i-mobile 902, the Nokia N95 & N95-3 (which is currently my main device), and the Sony Ericsson K850i. Usually, I purchase them and keep them for several weeks or even months before selling them used, but in good condition?

But lately, I?ve also been fortunate to get to devices from Nseries WOM World, each for a few weeks at a time. So far I?ve played with the Nokia N800, Nokia N76 and most recently the awesome Nokia N82. I have to admit that I?ve become a bit jaded with all this technology in my life, but the N82 is the first device I?ve reviewed that was difficult to return!

Here are some pictures of the N82’s Symbian OS:

n82symbian.jpg

N82 camera pictures:

n82camera.jpg

N95 VS N82 Pictures:

n82vsn95.jpg

N95 VS iPhone Pictures:

n82vsiphone.jpg

N95 VS iPhone Thickness Pictures:

n82vsiphone-thickness.jpg

The N82 is pretty much a candybar version of the original N95, but with a xenon flash, which makes a big difference (more on this soon). Compared to the N95-3, it removes US-compatible HSDPA, but adds the oh-so-important lens cover, and the xenon flash. The N82 features a smaller and dimmer screen (2.4? vs. 2.6?) and a micro-USB connector (vs. mini-USB on the N95). Here are additional observations:

Pros:
- Same features as N95 (5 megapixel Zeiss AF camera, WiFi, GPS)
- Lens cover & xenon flash
- Faster camera startup time
- Automatic screen rotation
- Candybar form factor (fewer moving parts)

Cons:
- No US-compatible HSDPA
- Smaller, dimmer screen
- Poor build quality (chrome paint flaking off on this well-used demo unit)
- Unable to stand on its side
- Fingerprint magnet

So, now for the million dollar question. Is the Nokia N82 the ultimate N-series device on the market today?

In my opinion, yes – especially if Nokia decides to make a version with US-compatible HSDPA. The N82 feels faster than the N95, and offers subtle improvements to the user interface that make it easier to use on a day-to-day basis. In fact, I think the N82 is the best camera phone on the market today.



How to unlock your Samsung Blackjack

samsung-blackjack.jpgSo you want to unlock your Samsung Blackjack? Unlocking your Blackjack cell phone will give the ability to put the SIM card from any carrier in it so you can use on their network. This will let you use the incredible Blackjack on Sprint if you want too. Now you can go overseas and use a pay as you go SIM from a local carrier. Cool right?

I?m hoping this information helps.

How to Unlock Your Samsung Blackjack:

1. First you?ll need to get your Network Control Key. The Network Control Key is a 8 digits unlock code. There are two paths to get your NCK. You can either call AT&T or ask for it. You may have to ask them to put you through to their tech department.? If you?ve never signed up for AT&T?s Service they may not give the code because your not a customer. The other way to get the code is to contact a cell phone unlocking service. They usually charge around $20 to get this code for you.
2. Once you get the Network Control Key power off the phone.
3. Remove the SIM card.
4. Power on the phone back on.
5. Enter #7465625*638*
6. Enter Network Control Key.
7. Press ?OK? Soft key, not the Send or OK hard key.
8. Power off the phone.
9. Reinsert the new SIM card.

Based on the response from people that have tried this I assume it works. I have no need to unlock my phone because I enjoy using AT&T as my services provider. So please let me know if this does not work on either the original Samsung Blackjack or the Blackjack II. Good luck!



First Glance at the Nokia N82

n82.jpgHere it is! The Black beauty in all its glory! Lots has been posting this, but I still couldn’t miss it.

The black N82 will be available from April 2nd in the US (and hopefully the rest of the world will get it soon after).

Not much fuss has been created by Nokia about this black diamond. I feel like we call every black smartphone a black diamond, but anyway…

The black N82 was leaked some time ago on some other Nokia official website, and I believe you will be able to get it as soon as next month. My source implied 2nd of April, but I can’t believe it will be that late. Unfortunately I haven’t found any black original housing for the N82 from my suppliers, and there is no tip or information on its release.

Unlike many other people, I very much enjoy the design of the N82 (including its controversial keypad, that apparently doesn’t seem at all controversial once you actually use it). And since black was always my preferred colour for a phone, this is the perfect mix.

The pictures were provided by Maevro from Howard Forums, and according to him, there will be more of these soon.

I’ll keep an eye on this and update as soon as I get more news…



Ten good reasons to pick up the Blackberry 8100 Pearl

blackberry8100pearl.jpgThis major update to the popular 7105t brings the Blackberry experience to a whole new level. Here are 10 reasons to buy the RIM Blackberry Pearl.

1. The Camera.

The Blackberry Pearl includes a 1.3-megapixel camera that features an LED flash, 5 times zoom and white balance controls. This is the first Blackberry to include a camera, and whilst at 1.3 Megapixel it is not as advanced as others on the market, it takes a great little photo and is a long overdue addition to the Blackberry.

2. MP3 Player.

This model includes other consumer features including an Mp3. The Blackberry music player supports playback of your tunes in MP3, AAC, AAC+, and eAAC+ formats. The handheld is also compatible with Java application and game downloads. You can create playlists as folders and shuffle and repeat songs within a certain folder. It also displays some track information, such as title, artist, and album art if available.

3. Expandable Memory.

Now that you can listen to your mp3?s on the go with your Blackberry you are going to need somewhere to store all your favourite songs, not just a few of them. The blackberry Pearl also sports a memory card slot.

This is the first blackberry to include this feature.

4. Size and Design.

The Blackberry Pearl is sleek and stylish unlike typical business smartphones. At a form size of 4.2 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches; 3.1 ounces, the Pearl fits easily into a pocket or handbag, and unlike previous Blackberry models it does not look over-sized and silly when making calls. The Pearl is smaller than the Treo and Sidekick smartphones. It has a glossy black and chrome finish and will appeal to business users and general consumers alike.

5. The Screen.

The Blackberry Pearl sports a 2.25-inch TFT screen that displays 65,000 colors at a 240?260-pixel resolution. The screen is super sharp, clear and is reminiscent of a miniature plasma screen television. It is great for viewing emails and web browsing. Also included is light-sensing technology so the Pearl will adjust its brightness based on the conditions you are in.

6. The Pearl.

Gone is the classic Blackberry trackwheel. This phone features a trackball below the screen (The Pearl). The Pearl is easy to use and allows for 4 way scrolling. Its sensitivity can be adjusted and when pushed in, it acts as a select button. Whilst Blackberry users who are used to the trackwheel might initially experience some difficulties adapting to the Pearl it is very easy to adapt to. New Blackberry users will quickly take to it.

7. Maps

The Pearl is also the first Blackberry to come with a map application. Blackberry Maps provides local maps and allows you to get text-based driving directions straight to your Blackberry.

8. Email.

This is the feature that made the Blackberry so popular from the beginning. You can sync with your company?s server with support for Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino, or Novell GroupWise to deliver corporate e-mail in real time (Push email).

You can also support up to 10 POP3 or IMAP4 e-mail accounts.

The email set up wizard is very quick and simple to use.

9. Voice Dialling.

The Blackberry Pearl now offers voice dialling so you can set up voice commands for your contacts and use them to dial numbers.

10. Use it with a Mac.

The Blackberry Pearl is the most stylish smartphone on the market, so it makes sense to want to use it with the most stylish computers on the market. This can be done using a program called Pocketmac. Pocketmac is the first program to allow Mac users to sync their crucial data between their Blackberry device and Entourage, Address Book, iCal, Now Contact, Now Up-To-Date, and even Stickies.



Samsung i800 will come with the Access Linux Platform

alpgui.jpgEversince Palmsource (Now Access) decided to wrap its Palm OS on top of a Linux Mobile OS, people everywhere were wondering about what and how the OS and its interface will finally look.

Well wait seems to be over and as Brighthand reports first ALP (Access Linux Platform) powered smartphone is soon going to be launched in Europe. Phone is reportedly Samsung i800 and will be launched on Orange. To read more about ALP platform and more screenshots go here.

I like what I have seen so far. On an ALP device/phone you can run:

  • Native linux applications
  • Palm os applications
  • Java applications

If you add web applications which can be rendered on its Netfront browser then in total you have 4 different software platform options on an ALP smartphone.

Reportedly it will debut in Europe and Asia before reaching American shores.

All in all, my first impressions of ALP were positive. It seems to offer the features it needs to replace the current version of the Palm OS, which isn’t hard, considering how woefully out of date Palm OS Garnet is.

There’s no doubt ALP is ready to go. Early this year, Access released the Product Development Kit (PDK) that licensees need to create smartphones running its operating system, and the Software Development Kit (SDK) developers need to write applications has been out for months, too.



Next Page »

admin