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Betalabs has released a new calculator application which puts the Nokia one to shame, not like thats hard to do.  The calculator supports three different modes (standard, scientific, and loan) with the load being one of the most interesting.  The loan calculator can calculate a loan amount, the interest rate, the load period, and the monthly installment of the load.  This calculator has plenty of options to keep even the most intense user happy.  Only gripe I have is that it does take a little bit of time to load up. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD LINK

I used this device for about a week off and on and I must say that they are a set of average speakers. The design is unique but is it enough to really consider carrying another item just to get decent sound.

The Good:

• Speakers are slim
• Adjustable Body with hinge allows for different configurations
• Great exterior color and design, the high gloss makes a good match for anyone wanting to pair it with the N-series devices
• Standard 3.5mm headset jack
• Comes with 2 sets of adapters for various Nokia models

The Bad:

• Although attractive the speakers are made of plastic. The battery covers are extremely flimsy. I hesitated many times when trying to slip them back on.
• The unit is powered by 4 AAA batteries.
• The unit does not have a charging port.
• The device is heavy for what it is (rated at 130grams), I could not seem myself carrying these around, and I’d rather sacrifice the little sound boost/quality and just listen to music with my phones built-in speakers.

The Ugly:

• Although I could not find an M.S.R.P. for them the speakers retail for around $40.00-60.00. The speakers themselves work well and I have no doubt that they are practical to use. But this item is built more for the Nokia fan that must have everything Nokia. If offered I would choose to pass on these simply because it’s not worth having more bulk in my pocket/bag for such little difference. Even for the average consumer with a compatible Nokia phone I would think that there would be better options available on the market that are more powerful and cheaper.

After the initial flood of information from Nokia about the big 3 N-series devices that are launching, I took the time to read up on the press release for the Nokia flagship N96.  Towards the bottom it is noted that:

“The Nokia N96 with Americas 3G support is expected to be available during the fourth quarter of 2008 for an estimated price of USD 895. ”

I find it relieving knowing that the U.S. market will not have to wait over 3 months to get a U.S. branded version of the this phone.  It has been a recent trend with Nokia and I hope they will continue to release the NAM/U.S. spec model within a month of the EU/ASIA release.

Nokia has officially announced the three new handsets that will be releases sometime in the near future.  Most of these handsets have been discovered over the past couple months with the leak of spyshots and what not.  But just in case you haven’t been keeping up here are some pictures and specs, Enjoy!

Nokia N85:

• Dual Slide with multimedia keys
• 2.6″ OLED Display @ 320×240 16 million colors with orientation sensor
• 3.5mm audio/video jack
• MicroSD slot
• GPS with A-GPS
• 5MP Carl Zeiss lens
• S60 3rd Edition with Feature Pack 2
• Navi Wheel

With the introduction of the N85 many people were quick to point out the similarities to the N95 (Nokia’s flagship that was introduced one year ago) Will consumers bite and purchase this modern day N95?

Nokia N79:

• 2.4″ 320×240 16 million colors with orientation sensor
• 3.5mm audio/video jack
• MicroSD slot
• GPS with A-GPS
• 5MP Carl Zeiss lens
• S60 3rd Edition with Feature Pack 2
• Changeable covers with smart technology that will change the theme based on back cover color
• Navi Wheel

Candybar design similar to the N82 and N78.  This colorful redesign and combining the best of the two aforementioned handsets.

Last but not least Nokia’s new flagship device, the N96:

• Dual Slide with multimedia keys
• 2.8″ Display @ 320×240 16 million colors with orientation sensor
• 3.5mm audio/video jack
• 16GB of internal storage with MicroSD slot
• GPS with A-GPS
• 5MP Carl Zeiss lens (Dual LED Flash)
• S60 3rd Edition with Feature Pack 2
• Navi Wheel
• DVB-H ( TV Tuner)
• Integrated Kick Stand

Many question whether this device is a true successor to the Nokia N95 8GB when the features are so similar.

Nokia LifeVine Alpha:
This program looks to be an updated and more media rich SportsTracker that is currently available for most N-series devices.  LifeVine will track music, picture and video use and map it.  LifeVine will then be able to upload this information to a website that will allow friends and others to view.  Intersting application.

I came home a couple nights ago to find a mysterious package that had been dropped off by UPS. I inspected the package finding no indication from where it had been sent from.  But without hesitation seeing my name on it I ripped open the package. Inside I found that S60.com had sent me some schwag!!! Included in the package was:

• Notepad
• Mini Notebook
• 2 pens
• Widsets catalog
• Widsets keychain
• Mobile Screen cleaner
• stickers
• USB hub
• T-shirt
• Necklace/Neck Lanyard

Overall pretty cool and unexpected, thanks S60!

It’s been a month or two since the E71-1 was released globally and about a week since the release of the E71-2 and I think it’s time to ask, is your keyboard loose? When I received my review E71-1 I was wowed by the build quality: the metal, gloss, the weight, the keyboard, the keyboard? It’s one of the most important parts of the phone, yet it was flawed. I noticed that the top portion of the keyboard was loose. It was floating above the keys. Maybe since the E-71 had passed through so many hands that it had become loose. When my E71-2 arrived at my door (rather I had to pick it up from FedEx) one of the first things I inspected was the keyboard. To my relief it was normal; flat against the unit with no signs of looseness. So is this a manufacturing defect or just a case of misuse. So I throw the question to YOU the readers. Is your unit affected with a loose keyboard? Chime In!!! PS. If you don’t know what I’m referring to I’ve included a sample video that I took of both the units I had in my possession. Enjoy!

Right: E71-1 (defect) | Left: E71-2 (no defect)

Nokia has added a new handset to the high end line up with the introduction of the Carbon Arte. This phone offers the same design as previous Arte’s but with carbon fiber intergrated into the handset and storage memory increased to 4gb memory. Those not familiar with the 8800 lineup here are some of the specs below:

• 2 inch 16 million color OLED
• 3.2MP camera
• 3G for Europe! :(
• 4GB of internal storage
• Made of high quality material (Titanium, Steel, Glass, Carbon Fiber)

Although not the most feature rich phone, the look/styling will make up for that.

Press Release Link

Hello World! I have been trialing the E66 for about a week now and I must say the similarities between the E66 and the E71 are uncanny.  I call the E66 the little brother but in reality I believe they are both equal more like twin brothers with different characteristics.  Even with all the similarities though there are enough differences that set this phone apart.  Lets explore these and find what sets the E66 apart from the E71.  Enjoy!

(continue reading…)

I’ve been using the Nokia E-66 for a week and I must say this device is well….  There are some things that I don’t care for but here are my initial thoughts, any questions about the device leave a comment below and I’ll get to it.
Enjoy!

Pros:

• The unit is sturdy (steel body helps to reduce creaks)
• Great applications like the E-71
• Great slide (no wobble, unlike the N95)
• Call quality is reasonable
• Bright clear screen

Cons:

• Speaker position on the bottom of the unit
• Speaker size on the unit (The speaker is too small to handle robust sounds)
• Auto Rotate of the screen does not work well
• Volume rocker doesn’t feel well defined (I’m always hitting the center button to increase or decrease volume)
• Reception is not stable.
• The camera although worked well the first few days now starts up everything in the viewfinder upside down.

Full Review coming soon!!!

Thought I would post some pictures of the E71 and the E66 side by side.  Enjoy!