Nokia E66

It's been a while since mobile phones became an essential business tool and a huge number of devices are being specially designed for the purpose (not even mentioning the camera-free versions of some handsets). Nokia Eseries is almost a default name that comes to mind. Following a comprehensive review of Nokia E71, we are set to explore the other hot Eseries gadget. It's Nokia E66 with a priority appointment in our office. Refreshments served upon conclusion.



Key features:

-Quad-band GSM support
-3G with HSDPA 3.6Mbps
-2.4" 16M-color display of QVGA resolution
-Shortcut keys mean business
-Symbian 9.2 OS, S60 UI with FP1 (topped with some FP2 goodies)
-Accelerometer sensor for screen auto-rotation
-369 MHz ARM 11 CPU and 128 MB of SDRAM
-Wi-Fi
-Built-in GPS receiver, A-GPS
-3 megapixel auto focus camera with LED flash
-110 MB of internal memory, microSD expansion, ships with a 2GB card
-Comfortable keypad
-Compact body (62.6cc only)
-Stainless steel casing
-Standard 2.5mm audio jack
-Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
-microUSB v2.0
-FM radio
-Infrared port
-Great battery life
-Good retail package
-Nokia Maps comes with three months free turn-by-turn navigation license




Main disadvantages:

-Average camera performance
-Video recording maxes out at QVGA@15fps
-No camera geotagging
-Cheap-looking power key
-Office document editing not available
-No RDS in radio




Final words

To begin with the upgrader's point of view, we'd say a jump from E65 to the E66 is totally worth it. The phone has improved in nearly every area compared to its predecessor and addresses most of its issues. The price tag is still slightly on the steep side but we guess it will be a great bargain in no time. And even as it stands now, the Nokia E66 still is a great purchase.

iPhone

It's finally here - the iPhone 3G. No, we mean that literally. It's finally at our office and boy, are we excited! GPS, HSDPA purring under the new iPhone hood with a hefty number of software enhancements.



Key features:

-3.5" 16M-color TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels
-Quad-band GSM support
-Tri-band UMTS support with HSDPA
-Built-in GPS receiver
-Wi-Fi
-8 to 16GB of onboard storage
-Accelerometer, proximity sensor and ambient light sensor
-2 megapixel camera
-Silky smooth user interface with multi-touch user support
-Unsurpassed web surfing experience
-Push email with MS Exchange support
-AppStore access for direct application download and installation
-Redone rear
-TV-out port



Main disadvantages:

-No video calls over the 3G network
-The handset wobbles on hard even surfaces
-There are a number of messaging downers
-Camera has no auto focus, nor video recording… nor any settings at all
-Safari browser doesn't support Flash and Java, doesn't have a download manager
-Bluetooth support limited to headset use only (no A2DP or file transfers)
-No office document editor
-No copy/paste functionality
-You cannot sync Notes and TO-DOs
-No memory card slot (but knowing Apple there will never be one)




Final words

We've had our fair share of the first-gen iPhone but, honestly, we weren't caught in the excitement last year until we saw it live. It was only after it arrived in our office that we really appreciated its sleek design and groundbreaking user interface.

Now a year later, the excitement grew on us weeks before we even had a chance to play with the iPhone 3G. And once it arrived, the enthusiasm gradually fades away. What's the point in your new device looking just like your old device? What's the point of having a GPS receiver when there is no navigation software for it? Yeah, we heard rumors of various companies prepping some real GPS navigation software, but we've been hearing the same rumors for the copy/paste functionality for over a year now.




The Apple iPhone, be it 1G or 3G, still has the most impressive full touch user interface to-date, and with the concept of AppStore, it have just gotten better. The iPhone 3G is evidently more evolution than revolution, but it still packs quite a punch. And there's some unique features that you can hardly get in any other high-end gadgets.