Nokia E73 Mode brings a familiar form factor to T-Mobile US on the cheap
By Paul Miller 
posted June 3rd 2010 9:15AM
posted June 3rd 2010 9:15AM
Nokia E73 Mode smartphone from T-Mobile USA helps customers balance work and life
June 03, 2010
Sleek and stylish productivity solution provides access to thousands of apps via Ovi Store and turn-by-turn navigation
White Plains, NY and Bellevue, WA USA - Nokia and T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the upcoming availability of the Nokia E73 Mode, exclusively for T-Mobile customers, designed to help balance the need to stay connected with one's work and personal life at home or on the go. The Nokia E73 Mode, a Wi-Fi calling enabled QWERTY smartphone operating on T-Mobile's blazing-fast 3G network, includes Nokia's unique Switch Mode feature, which allows consumers to switch between fully customizable home screens that help promote a work-life balance. The Nokia E73 Mode is expected to be available beginning June 16.
"The Nokia E73 Mode brings style and function in an affordable device without compromise," said Mark Slater, vice president, Sales, Nokia. "Working together with T-Mobile, the Nokia E73 Mode enables us to bring our customers a 'Work & Life' solution that allows consumers and businesses to be as productive as possible, while still providing an exceptional consumer value and performance."
The thinnest full QWERTY keyboard smartphone available from T-Mobile, the Nokia E73 Mode is the perfect device for business customers and consumers who appreciate both form and function. T-Mobile customers also continue to get great mobile coverage with the device's Wi-Fi calling capabilities, which allow consumers to use both cellular and Wi-Fi networks for voice calling. With Mail for Exchange, based on Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, consumers can receive their corporate e-mail, contacts and calendar pushed directly to their device.
"T-Mobile is committed to providing a variety of devices that serve our customers' needs to stay connected to the central people in their lives including family, friends and even colleagues from the office," said Travis Warren, director, product marketing, T-Mobile USA. "With the Nokia E73 Mode, we're excited to offer a premium device at an attractive price that helps Mom and Dad put work aside and make their family the top priority."
The Nokia E73 Mode comes pre-loaded with services and applications to make life easier, more fun and more efficient. With Ovi Maps, a turn-by-turn navigation solution from Nokia using the device's built-in GPS at no additional cost, consumers can get from point A to B with voice-guided directions - even when walking. Also pre-loaded on the device is the Ovi Store by Nokia, which provides access to thousands of compelling applications and games including "Shazam" and "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare." In addition, Ovi Store enables a simplified purchasing experience for consumers by allowing payment for content billed to their monthly T-Mobile bill or via credit card.
The Nokia E73 Mode includes support for services such as IBM Lotus Traveler, support for and access to Salesforce.com, Bloomberg and more to help business customers bring their office with them while on the go. The Nokia E73 Mode also comes pre-loaded with many business productivity tools allowing employees to take their office with them wherever they may be. With applications such as Ovi Files, QuickOffice, Adobe PDF Manager and ZIP Manager, files can be easily accessed, sent, viewed and edited right from the device, allowing customers to be more productive from nearly anywhere.
The Nokia E73 Mode comes with a full QWERTY keyboard, 5 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus, Wi-Fi for voice and data, long battery life, personal and corporate e-mail access, a full HTML Web browser with support for Adobe Flash, media player and more. With a full portfolio of multimedia functionality combined with Ovi Services, the Nokia E73 Mode provides consumers with everything they need to get the most out of their personal life.
Availability
The Nokia E73 Mode is expected to be available on June 16 through T-Mobile retail stores, select authorized dealers, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com. For more information, please visit http://www.nokiausa.com/mode or http://www.t-mobile.com.
Use of some features or services may incur separate, additional charges and/or require a qualifying data plan. 3G coverage is available in locations nationwide, but may not be available everywhere. For more details on where T-Mobile network coverage is available, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage.
June 03, 2010
Sleek and stylish productivity solution provides access to thousands of apps via Ovi Store and turn-by-turn navigation
White Plains, NY and Bellevue, WA USA - Nokia and T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the upcoming availability of the Nokia E73 Mode, exclusively for T-Mobile customers, designed to help balance the need to stay connected with one's work and personal life at home or on the go. The Nokia E73 Mode, a Wi-Fi calling enabled QWERTY smartphone operating on T-Mobile's blazing-fast 3G network, includes Nokia's unique Switch Mode feature, which allows consumers to switch between fully customizable home screens that help promote a work-life balance. The Nokia E73 Mode is expected to be available beginning June 16.
"The Nokia E73 Mode brings style and function in an affordable device without compromise," said Mark Slater, vice president, Sales, Nokia. "Working together with T-Mobile, the Nokia E73 Mode enables us to bring our customers a 'Work & Life' solution that allows consumers and businesses to be as productive as possible, while still providing an exceptional consumer value and performance."
The thinnest full QWERTY keyboard smartphone available from T-Mobile, the Nokia E73 Mode is the perfect device for business customers and consumers who appreciate both form and function. T-Mobile customers also continue to get great mobile coverage with the device's Wi-Fi calling capabilities, which allow consumers to use both cellular and Wi-Fi networks for voice calling. With Mail for Exchange, based on Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, consumers can receive their corporate e-mail, contacts and calendar pushed directly to their device.
"T-Mobile is committed to providing a variety of devices that serve our customers' needs to stay connected to the central people in their lives including family, friends and even colleagues from the office," said Travis Warren, director, product marketing, T-Mobile USA. "With the Nokia E73 Mode, we're excited to offer a premium device at an attractive price that helps Mom and Dad put work aside and make their family the top priority."
The Nokia E73 Mode comes pre-loaded with services and applications to make life easier, more fun and more efficient. With Ovi Maps, a turn-by-turn navigation solution from Nokia using the device's built-in GPS at no additional cost, consumers can get from point A to B with voice-guided directions - even when walking. Also pre-loaded on the device is the Ovi Store by Nokia, which provides access to thousands of compelling applications and games including "Shazam" and "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare." In addition, Ovi Store enables a simplified purchasing experience for consumers by allowing payment for content billed to their monthly T-Mobile bill or via credit card.
The Nokia E73 Mode includes support for services such as IBM Lotus Traveler, support for and access to Salesforce.com, Bloomberg and more to help business customers bring their office with them while on the go. The Nokia E73 Mode also comes pre-loaded with many business productivity tools allowing employees to take their office with them wherever they may be. With applications such as Ovi Files, QuickOffice, Adobe PDF Manager and ZIP Manager, files can be easily accessed, sent, viewed and edited right from the device, allowing customers to be more productive from nearly anywhere.
The Nokia E73 Mode comes with a full QWERTY keyboard, 5 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus, Wi-Fi for voice and data, long battery life, personal and corporate e-mail access, a full HTML Web browser with support for Adobe Flash, media player and more. With a full portfolio of multimedia functionality combined with Ovi Services, the Nokia E73 Mode provides consumers with everything they need to get the most out of their personal life.
Availability
The Nokia E73 Mode is expected to be available on June 16 through T-Mobile retail stores, select authorized dealers, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com. For more information, please visit http://www.nokiausa.com/mode or http://www.t-mobile.com.
Use of some features or services may incur separate, additional charges and/or require a qualifying data plan. 3G coverage is available in locations nationwide, but may not be available everywhere. For more details on where T-Mobile network coverage is available, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage.
@JFH Yes, based on my experience with the 5800 and milestone when my contract runs out I will look at what Nokia has to offer that doesn't run Symbian.
I disliked the UI as much as anyone, but that didn't steer me away.
What got me was features dying, UDP failing, frequent data corruption, difficult refund through OVI when apps just did not work and OVI cloud service never delivered what it advertised.
These things all work fine on android.
Now if there is something like and E74 running MeeGo and has a touchscreen come middle of next year....
@bergwitz
I see your point, but I was referring to the feature richness of the OS, I should have phrased that differently. In that sense, Symbian is by far the most feature rich OS for non touch devices, it is a matter of who has a longer list of features, and quite objective in that sense. "Best" could have implied ease of use, which was not what I was trying to convey, and from your story it shows that not everyone finds it easy to use.
@bergwitz
odd, since a lot of my apps are java on my E71 but I don't get those pop-ups. My E71 remembers my settings. Not sure what that problem could be.
@bergwitz
I'm not even gonna lie, I didn't read your post ... I have a 28" monitor and I had to scroll down to get to the bottom of it. You know when in school a prof gives you 5 or 10 pages to write and than you hand in 6 or 11 and s/he deducts a grade. Well you should be concice and to the point with your arguments that is the whole idead here.
What I'm trying to say is ... You are an Idiot !!!
Looks like a Blackberry.
@8bit: yeah, just with better os, more free services like free navigation, and a "slightly" thinner case. but apart from that, the layout looks like a blackberry, right ;)
@8bit
The problem is that almost any full keyboard bar device designed for enterprise use will look like a Blackberry. If you go too far from the "expected norm", the users you are hoping to attract will not go for the product. Besides, has anyone ever heard any customer in the US refer to a pda device as anything other than a "Blackberry" in the past few years? It is like some people calling every type of cola a Coke. No matter what anyone puts out in this category, it will look like and probably be called a Blackberry by the consumer...
@dartox
Agreed, the OS is much better than Blackberry. The Blackberry OS is very dated, BB OS6 looks horrible. I think it looks rather ahh, vanilla? I would just expect a little more in the looks department from Nokia.
@tooold4tech
+1, your are spot on... You forgot to mention Band-Aids, and Kleenex. However, when look at the Palm Pixi, and the Dell Smoke, I see two devices that where able to change how the full keyboard bar phone looks. BTW I would much rather own the E73 than a Bold.
unfortunately i have an e72. i want to sell it. i think i was clear enough.
E73 seems to be the same thing, worse look.
@erwin
Why, it's a fine device? I have an E71 and the E72 is nearly a perfect business phone. It doesn't have the most pleasing UI out of the box, but you can customize it (unlike other phone OS's). You've also got to admit, Symbian is pretty darn stable and fast.
jNokia. Please just go away. the year is 2010. And they are giving their customers software that was in 10 years ago.
Talk about lack of innovation. I wont even mention how bad they ripped off the blackberry design.
Purely pathetic company.
@FrankDTank
Oh yeah, the OS in that E73 is leaps and bounds better than anything in the Blackberry. I had one, a curve, I hated it. Blackberry OS looks like DOS. Next to that, the build quality of the E series is awesome, not the cheap plastic, with faux chrome rims the chaps in Waterloo produce.
And they did not rip off any design, they actually made a much better design.
@FrankDTank
Damn funny comment. Now tell me, is there any other phone that has better features than this (OS wise) for the same price?
I loves me E71, ok it doesnt have the most modern OS but somehow that makes it a good thing. It does a small range of things really well.
It makes calls, streams internet radio, dl's podcasts, does IM, email, maps, web without hassle and when i drop it (once a day) it just keeps on going.
I have android for fun but for work, its the best phone.
Hopefully this one isn't raped like the e71x was on at&t.
I'm interested in seeing the review for this (first time I could say that about a Nokia phone in awhile)
@DJ
Probably will be fine. T-Mobile is not the control freak company that AT&T is. They tend to only put in items they feel are needed, like the My Faves interface, in case there is a user still on My Faves...
I'm a bit meh over this. Hopefully with the 5 Band GSM these sorts of US Variants will cease to exist as this seems a bit pointless to me.
Hopefully the E series due later in the year will placate some of the wishes here. Double the screen resolution, the prompts gone. Other cool stuff I'd be shot for sharing. Lord knows I want one now.
This one is a decent workhorse for business use (handles e-mail nicely), but don't expect too much entertainment for it.
Looks just like my E71x from ATT. Probably has less bloatware and has a faster CPU, but the form factor is just awesome.
I got my E71x from ATT on launch for $5 ($0.01 + $4.99 shipping) and a 2-yr $70/mo unlimited data plan (which I use/need anyway). Not sure how that compares with a) this plan from T-Mobile, or b) any ATT E71x offering (if it is even still available).
With X-plore to remove the bloatware and Gmail, Gmaps, Google search (with voice searches), Calcium calculator, Opera Mini and Opera10, and an SSH client, it's supremely usable. Not to mention the microSD slot just ices the cake on this phone.
I like the earthy tone of that screen. Not so into the 2001 look of the OS.
Wow, most impressive. I thik that model will do very well.
Lou
www.Anonymous-VPN.de.tc
ok, now bring the C5 stateside. I'm an android guy, but the C5 is a fairly decent smart-phone too and its T9 candy-bar layout is currently unmatched by any android device.
So they take a great smart-phone, and dumb it down for the american market...that figures.
Will t-m force you to be on some kinda of data plan during the contact period?
Also nokia sucks at supporting multi languages. iphone and android can display many different language characters without any effort.
@awang44
I think Symbian 3 will improve on that and Symbian 4 will have used loadable fonts and language packs.
Noooooooooooooo! I have my E71 on T-Mob now people will recognize my phone which is neither a BlackBerry or a Palm Centro; anyway I know a whole bunch of people that want my E71 and are going to be happy that T-Mob is getting the E73 for cheap. Now I need to go find awesome apps to make my phone better than theirs! Nokia E71 FTW!!!
@jo3lr0ck5
Nimbuzz?
@JFH
"Well, Symbian really was never the issue. It was the UI layer. For non touch devices, like the candybars & qwerty devices like the E72, symbian is hands down the best OS out there. That is not even up for debate. "
Symbian might be a great full featured tool box for developers but the User Interface is TERRIBLE... I own an E72 bought it 2 weeks ago when Nokia had it's 24hr sale. The applications are so disjointed, settings are all over the place... there are literally 3 places to configure "connections" bluetooth, wifi, 3G... the built in Mail client DOES NOT properly support IMAP folders, what does that mean exactly? Lets say you send an email... a copy of the email you sent should appear in your sent items folder NOT on the E72.
None of the applications can remember WHICH connections to use for example lets say you're at home you have Wifi the logical thing to do would be to USE the wifi connection... you have to keep telling each app to use the wifi connection it'll prompt you every time which connection to use.
There's a destination feature built into the phone so you can group connections based on where you're located GREAT idea... except the MAJORITY of the applications built into the phone DON'T support it instead you have to tell them when to use 3G and when to use Wifi.
If for whatever reason your date/time is wrong on your phone, symbian apps like the OVI store update will fail to install giving you some kind of certificate error... what that really means is your date/time is wrong (you'll spend hours googling it)
I still haven't figured out where to turn 3G service off or how to turn the phones radio off.
The one thing I'll give this phone is that OVI maps is really good. Oh ya how do you copy and paste? and why don't apps support copy and paste across the board? I'd like to copy and paste a telephone number from my address book to Skype... Can't do that.
The hardware in this phone is fantastic... software SUCKS.
@blee
Hi, I missed your post since it didnt actually reply to me...
Anyway, I think some of the issues you are having can be fixed by setting up your device more extensively. I do agree that symbian should make this much easier for you, and that is why I think the UI was not to great. I also think they fixed it properly in S^3, but that is for touch devices.
I would hardly call Symbian a developer toolbox though.
For your mail, are you using Mail for Exchange 3.0?
http://store.ovi.com/content/5919
Maybe that solves your mail issue:
"Mail for Exchange uses the Microsoft ® Exchange ActiveSync® protocol that enables you to use the email, contacts, calendar entries, and tasks of your Microsoft® Exchange Server account on your compatible Nokia device"
@JFH
It's just extremely disappointing to see a very well designed piece of hardware goto waste because of shoddy software... Symbian atleast the incarnation Nokia uses on it's phones feels like it was built for the lowest common denominator... basically a cookie cutter template they slap on all phones that use Symbian. You can't do that with a phone because a phone is a very personal device. People depend on it and use it all the time.
Remember the episode when home Simpson designed a car... that what the software on this phone reminds me of. I wish we could run RIM's BlackBerry OS on this device or even Android.
@blee
Just because you dont know how to properly handle the OS, its crap and BB OS is better? That's laughable. I actually offered you a suggestion to your mail issue.. anyway. Then Android? Android?! Seriously? There is no non touch Android. How would you use it?
"Symbian atleast the incarnation Nokia uses on it's phones feels like it was built for the lowest common denominator... basically a cookie cutter template they slap on all phones that use Symbian. You can't do that with a phone because a phone is a very personal device. People depend on it and use it all the time."
Oh really, people depend on it and use it all the time. I guess Nokia never knew that, since they practically invented the technology and all. Thanks for sharing.
And then cookie cutter template? I think, given the broad range of Nokia devices, there are more Symbian versions and firmwares for different devices than the next 3 manufacturers combined. What do you call BB OS on the 20th exactly the same looking phone then? Innovative? Tailored? Android, as I said is irrelevant in this space.
Anyway, too bad you were not able to use the device you bought.
@JFH
I have mail for exchange installed... I'm not connecting with an exchange server, but an IMAP server.
"Just because you dont know how to properly handle the OS, its crap and BB OS is better? That's laughable."
It's a phone... that sends email... shouldn't it just be intuitive? It's supposed to be a messaging phone yet it doesn't support IMAP which is an email standard. I don't see how you can defend this device when it's pretty much failed to meet it's core design objectives .
From the E72 site directly "Latest enhanced capabilities for managing your business and personal email"
My complaints are valid and have been expressed by quite a few people on the E-Series support forum on the Nokia site the following is an excellent example.
"E72 - Honeymoon to Divorce."
http://discussions.nokiausa.com/t5/Eseries-Devices-and/E72-Honeymoon-to-Divorce/m-p/668637
Another cheap phone. That is all I see coming in to T-Mobile while all other carriers are bringing in the big guns. I am so sick of seeing junk phones. So glad that knucklehead is leaving T-Mobile. If they don't bring in some high end Android phones fast they will loose many, many solid customers. That includes me.
Ahem, there were rumors of UMA calling being supported on this.. No mention of it in the press release? Maybe I am missing something.
I was really excited to make this my perfect travel phone, but alas.
@niftydl
According to GSMARENA it does:
There's also high-end stuff like VPN support and UMA (voice calling over Wi-Fi) and also hardware accelerated encryption and remote wipe functionality.
http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_e73_mode_for_tmobile_usa_goes_official_looks_a_lot_like_e72-news-1710.php
@JFH Thanks for the link. Also, upon reading the press release closer: "
The Nokia E73 Mode comes with a full QWERTY keyboard, ... Wi-Fi for voice and data ... and more. "
Awesome!
What is the difference?
which is better, e72 or e73.. i cant see much difference besides camera ?
I used a E71 for about 6 months. As far as PHONE goes it was the best I ever had...Its screen is small but the quality is second to none.
It replaced a Iphone 3g for me and I tell you I did miss a couple of apps but again if you are a business person or dont play games on your phone it is great.