You guys at Engadget always find something that talks negatively about Symbian/Nokia, eh?! Or something that favors the iPhone! Symbian^4 might just have a great UI that people would actually enjoy using. And besides, Nokia does have the MeeGo eh? Please engadget, stop hating on Nokia and try to see what they are really upto and you'll know why they are better than Apple and Android! Peace!
@statickeith This relates to Symbian specifically, MeeGo will not save Symbian. If you'd like to be constructive here, rather than just reciting a misguided accusation of bias, please do inform us on all the great benefits Symbian presents over iOS or Android. Does it have better handsets? A richer app ecosystem? More dev support? Easier social networking integration? Is it more intuitive?
Blackberry OS does not have any of these you mentioned and still you guys take waaay to lite on them.
I kinda agree with the Gartner article to the point that the UI needs a revamp. The world wants a better UX no matter the good features behind. Like the iSheep wants a phone that does not call.
But still, many news lately concerning N8 with videos, pictures and so on but you guys decided to put only this one? This is why people think you guys are biased.
And, IMO, you guys are. Check the outrage in you "labs test" post.
1) Less resource hungry than the others by a long shot. 2) Even the cheapest Symbian handset can video chat easily( since that's the flavor of the week). 3) Has enough apps to do every productive task you need. it's a productive OS first, so yeah, games and all those "Fun" apps you use thrice and never again are lacking. 4) Better media support than Android or iOS. 5) Available in any form factor you want. 7) Proper multitasking, the way it should be. 6) Most importantly, no one tells teh users what and what not to do.
Oh, in case you didn't know, an App for MeeGo is an app for S^3/ S^4 too because they use the same authoring environment. SO depending on how one catches up, the other does too, automatically.
It's sad that a common poster has to point these out to a professional blogger.
@Herr Synnberg did you read the article? Didn't Nokia already announce that the N8 is going to be their last Symbian phone? How does your comment have any relevance to Symbian having an ability to stay relevant? Because it will live on forever through a differently named OS? Cross platform compatibility is great, in fact, it'll help MeeGo pick up where Symbian left off, but without altering your comment I don't know how you've corrected anything that both Nokia and the analysts and Engadget have gone on record to say/speculate.
@juanvaldez Actually, Nokia announced that a long time ago. It's just that the american press took this long to figure it out.
Their plan is to use MeeGo for the media heavy phones and use Symbian on the productive side, where it has always shined. Ask anyone who has used an E series phone, it is an excellent tool for someone on the move.
Not being on an N series phone doesn't mean Symbian is dead. Also, Nokia isn't the only manufacturer that makes Symbian phones.
1. DOS is less resource-hungry than Windows 7. Wanna use that? 2. That's just not true. 3. Well, according to current trends, people want to be more than just productive with their phones. 4. Never felt like iOS and Android limited me in terms of file formats. 5. 4.3 inches? 6 (comes before 7). Android's as wide open as you could want an OS to be. And day-to-day iPhone use also doesn't involve Steve Jobs berating you. 7. So does Android.
So again -- what's so uniquely awesome about Symbian?
@Herr Synnberg I agree with what you're saying. I believe that the problem Vlad/Nick Jones mentioned is very real for the Symbian platform. Perhaps dependence on S^2 (where all the criticism is stemming from) came from the sheer number of different models Nokia were releasing when it was performing at its peak, and that is why they are so slow to change or develop.
However, I feel the reduced number of devices they're forecasting, plus the specialisation in developing MeeGo to account for poor high end device sales (also where the criticism is stemming from) is a good move. I can only assume that these are the steps Nokia is taking in addressing the concerns voiced in this new article and many before it.
Nokia have not said that the N8 is going to be either their last Symbian phone or their last N-Series phone. Anssi Vanjoki (you know, the guy who actually decides these things as head of Mobile Solutions) stated that the N8 will be the only N-Series on Symbian^3. That's merely because the next N-Series after that is going to be Meego and by the time another N-Series is required it will be Symbian^4 time.
To be honest, if you look at the handset landscape today and what's actually being offered in terms of Symbian devices *right now* it's frankly amazing that so many Symbian phones are still sold - and I think it says a lot more about the Android OEMs than about Symbian.
1. DOS is less resource-hungry than Windows 7. Wanna use that? 2. That's just not true. 3. Well, according to current trends, people want to be more than just productive with their phones. 4. Never felt like iOS and Android limited me in terms of file formats. 5. 4.3 inches? 6 (comes before 7). Android's as wide open as you could want an OS to be. And day-to-day iPhone use also doesn't involve Steve Jobs berating you. 7. So does Android.
---
Nice twisting of words:
1) Conversely, Win7 is less resource hungry than Vista. How about that? Given the SAME application say Fring, Symbian uses less resources than its competitors.
2) It' isn't? I've used a cheap ass nokia S60 phone to make a 3G video call to another phone in another network. How's that coming along on Android and iOS?
3) Blackberrys are bucking that trend, doncha think? What on a Blackberry is better than the competition other than e-mail? Like Mr. W00t says, you guys have absolutely no problem worshipping RIM products, right?
4) Maybe that's just you. Good luck playing divX/ Xvid without conversion on anything other than a Samsung Android phone (Which are painful in their own special way).
5) O'Rly? That's the only thing that you'd accept from a phone? How's that working out in Apple land? How about a portrait QWERTY on Android? ANY sort of physical keyboard on IOS? hot-swappable memory cards on the same? Oh, that reminds me, Wanna transfer some files over Bluetooth?
6) Symbian is a true open OS. you can modify the code in any way you want, which you can't do with Android (As incidents with Cyanogen proved). You think you can, but you can't. And the less said about iOS on this front, the better. Oh yay, now you get to change wallpapers! Welcome to 2001 or something...
7) No it doesn't. Android only multitasks services and not complete applications. it also autokills apps when there's low memory. Which brings us back to Symbian's low footprint. have you seen the video of a custom ROM on the Omnia HD multitasking 50 apps at one time with ease? Call me when other platforms (Other than Maemo) can do this.
@Herr Synnberg Thing is. It took me ALOT to switch from nokia's to an android because I had always bought nokia phones. I came to realise every new nokia phone I got was the same s60 and it just didn't look like it was progressing at all. Whilst I get your points and where you are coming from defending a platform; fact of the matter is that for quite some time symbian was getting quite complacent, it just seemed not a lot was happening...
Whilst you may be able to pick a few porous points for your arguments there's a lot more solid points that pour in favour of others.
yes, symbian's development has been quite stagnant for a while now, but in case you didn't notice, they're coming out with symbian^3 & 4 really very soon
and the reason why you see android and ios evolving so much faster is because they are younger and have got a lot of catching up to do feature wise
we all know the s60 ui is pretty dreadful, but i'd be interested to hear someone mention a few functionalities that android or ios has to offer that symbian doesn't
@mrqs Given their previous track record I'll hold my breath on the new symbian versions. Is it safe to assume that their catalogue of current applications will not be compatible (or match up to the new UX), meaning the new platform is going to have to catch up on those respects whilst still holding onto its market share.
Obviously, I don't dislike nokia and symbian but I was to an absolute point of frustration with using symbian that I made the switch. Android has so many great things going for it and it's a platform that I'm proud to use.
@fpad77 Which will take all of what, 2 weeks to accomplish?
Then there's QT, one app cross-developed for all platforms. Backwards-compatible with S^1 handsets and with upcoming iterations of ^3 and ^4, as well as MeeGo.
It's not as enticing as an Android phone in terms of looks, but it does what it says on the tin. It can videocall on 3G up to 10.2Mbps down, on an HSDPA network. The phone is about 140 euro.
@N900 But then we fall back to "how shiny it is" argument. For the general publich this means nothing if Symbian does not change the icons. This is, sadly, the first thing people will notice. Heck, I even said that many times.
And in a world where people buy the next iPhone knowing that there are screen problems, signal problems, vendor lock-in, outdated hardware from day 1, but it is very shiny and if you own one you are cool... Well, its hard to compete with "the cool" factor
@Vlad Savov With the childish way you want to argue with the commentors you should go join techcrunch and have a tea party with MG siegler. Real journalist do not bicker with critics of their reporting. They follow ethics and a code of conduct. Which is why bloggers will never be journalist.
"It took me ALOT to switch from nokia's to an android because I had always bought nokia phones. I came to realise every new nokia phone I got was the same s60 and it just didn't look like it was progressing at all. "
I agree, Nokia has already lost me as a customer. I've been a loyal Nokia customer for the last 15 or so years, upgrading every year or two. The N95 was the last Nokia phone I bought, every high end phone they've developed since has been flawed, like the N97 and X6, or not worth upgrading to.
I loved my N95 and didnt think Android would offer much more than the N95, but my expectations were blown away by just how much better Android is than Symbian S60.
1) Less resource hungry than the others by a long shot. ..because Symbian is less functional than the others by a long shot.
2) Even the cheapest Symbian handset can video chat easily( since that's the flavor of the week). Thats absolutely not true. The cheapest Symbian handsets such as the 1661 cant do video chat. Most low end Nokia phones dont even have a front facing camera.
3) Has enough apps to do every productive task you need. it's a productive OS first, so yeah, games and all those "Fun" apps you use thrice and never again are lacking. I disagree. Android has many, many more useful apps that are productive and are not available on Symbian. Some examples include Google Voice, Google SkyMap, Carr Matey, dropbox, locale, moozone, flixster, nhs near, screebl, wheres my droid
4) Better media support than Android or iOS. I've never had any problems playing any music or movies on my Android phone, and Divx will be supported in an upcoming update.
5) Available in any form factor you want. As long as its got a small screen, has a lame resistive touchscreen, or uses buttons for input rather than a capacitive touchscreen.
7) Proper multitasking, the way it should be. So does Android, this is not a USP for Symbian.
6) Most importantly, no one tells teh users what and what not to do. As above.
I changed from a symbian nokia 5800 to android and it had nothing to do with the UI or hardware or perceived testosterone level alterations.
Symbian simply sucks.
When I saw the first video of the N8 with Symbian ^3 it seemed that all the underlying bothches of the OS remained, and for fear that I will ever again be faced with an "unknown error", OVI sync hanging, chewed up memory card, embedded html link in email taking me to some psychedelic half-browser of weirdness I resolved to get an android, knowing it had fewer features but the 10 it had were the 10 I liked.
@Mr w00t "And in a world where people buy the next iPhone knowing that there are screen problems, signal problems, vendor lock-in, outdated hardware from day 1, but it is very shiny and if you own one you are cool... Well, its hard to compete with "the cool" factor"
Odd.. I bought my iPhone 4 because I loved my iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 4 added:
Front camera, flash, better camera, way better screen, faster, better battery life, thinner, HD video, video chat (front camera), better (native) OS.
SO just about ever small "beef" I had with my 3GS was fixed and made better.
And out of date hardware? Why? Because it has a 5mp camera vs. an 8? I've taken pics with my iPhone 4 and they look amazing. I've never though "Wow, I wish I had more Em Pees!"
Seems the iPhone 4 has one of the best and highest res screens, some of the largest amounts of system memory, great battery life (next to the 'higher spec' phones), one of the fastest CPUs, the slimmest smart phone (while having all of the above), HD video (which yes, some others have).
So how is it behind? Honestly, maybe I'm missing something
(and if you say "What about widgets and movie wallpaper!", I'm just gonna laugh...)
1)..because Symbian is less functional than the others by a long shot.
How so?
2) Thats absolutely not true. The cheapest Symbian handsets such as the 1661 cant do video chat. Most low end Nokia phones dont even have a front facing camera.
Already addressed by someone else.
3) I disagree. Android has many, many more useful apps that are productive and are not available on Symbian. Some examples include Google Voice, Google SkyMap, Carr Matey, dropbox, locale, moozone, flixster, nhs near, screebl, wheres my droid
He said Symbian has enough apps to be productive. Saying that Android has apps Symbian doesn't have does not mean Symbian doesn't have enough apps to be productive.
4) I've never had any problems playing any music or movies on my Android phone, and Divx will be supported in an upcoming update.
"You" is but one single individual so it doesn't mean anything. I can say I have no problem with the current Symbian UI, does that mean it indeed has no problem? Of course, not.
"and Divx will be supported in an upcoming update"
So I guess you agree that Symbian has better media support than Android or iOS. :)
5) As long as its got a small screen, has a lame resistive touchscreen, or uses buttons for input rather than a capacitive touchscreen.
Again, that's only but your own opinion/taste which doesn't reflect the entire market. So it's completely irrelevant -- it doesn't counter the argument that choice of form factors is a good thing.
7) So does Android, this is not a USP for Symbian.
Already addressed by someone else.
6) As above.
Meaningless.
So again, your points were just a long list of fails.
1. DOS is less resource-hungry than Windows 7. Wanna use that? That is a poor analogy. Symbian is more feature rich, and uses less resources. And this has nothing to do with UI, which is what is apparently an issue. The UI is fixed in S^3, and greatly improved in S^4. To the point that even Eldar concedes it is really good. Besides, Android is a tacky java vm on top of stripped linux.
2. That's just not true. There is truth in that. Cheap phones that have been able to do that for ages.
3. Well, according to current trends, people want to be more than just productive with their phones. So just because it is a current trend, every phone should be touchscreen?
4. Never felt like iOS and Android limited me in terms of file formats. Well maybe you just didnt try hard enough then. iOS most certainly is limiting, Android less so.
5. 4.3 inches? Portrait Qwerty?
6 (comes before 7). Android's as wide open as you could want an OS to be. And day-to-day iPhone use also doesn't involve Steve Jobs berating you. And THERE, you completely miss the point. As soon as S^4 (or even S^3) is better polished, companies will to a certain degree move back to symbian, because it is not owned by a competitor. Android is not free, Google calls the shots.
7. So does Android. Android has not proper multitasking thank you very much, and the switcher is a joke compared to S^3.
So again -- what's so uniquely awesome about Symbian?
Vlad, perhaps you have trouble distinguishing UI and OS, or perhaps you do not really know a lot about code. What is uniquely awesome is that it does the same and more as Android, its native, not a VM, it allows for better battery life than Android, it is the most code optimized and stable OS.
What has sucked is the fact that it has used Avkon for its UI for too long. S^3 is as good as it gets with that tech, but it is pretty good in my mind, our friend Nick has only seen video's and Engadgets own preview was much more positive about S^3. S^4 is based on Qt, and has all the fancy transitions, inertial scrolling and fonts you would like, as well as some changes in notifications, lay out, etc.
If you want to complain, do it right, say S60 sucks as a touch implementation. Then realize S^3 does some important fixes and is ok, and S^4 is going to be very good.
Dont be like techcrunch, and just repeat others. He bases his opinion on a preview video fro crying out loud.
@nickkuk Thanks for educating, your post will stop innocent people from buying the worst Symbian OS phones. Some symbian fans have down ranked your comment. I requested engadget to unhide your comment
I gotta say, for a tech blogger, these are some pretty weak arguments. I would have expected much better from you especially. Some of them do hold true, if you look at the market through the american blogosphere.
It is true alot of people want to have the most pretty devices. But on the flip side there are plenty of people that do indeed want a phone that does what people want (which in some cases is more than the competitors functionality-wise) using less power. Twist the words all you want, that statement is true. As a professional blogger you should at least acknowledge that these people do exist.
This may seem a little generalized and is kind of. But when it comes down to it, most people's gripes with symbian are with its icons, transitions, and UI. It is an efficient and mature OS. Yes, android is catching up in terms of functionality but with its use of vm, efficiency is still a far cry away. And battery efficiency is still a big part of many people's decisions.
Ahh, another low point for engadget. For just a tech blog its fine if you lean a certain way. People have different taste and needs. Some need efficient functionality. Others need pretty colors, icons, and transitions. Which is perfectly fine. Just don't project your needs on to the needs of others and try to pass it off as true. They should get Tomi to write an editorial here. Actually thats not the best idea. That would be too much of a downgrade for him.
Anyways, the 7 points you made seem hardly like good counter arguments. Just logic that is full of fallacies and analysis of the market in a limited view.
1. Excellent comparison and great use of logic (sarcastic). You could have at least used a comparison like Ubuntu to OSX.
2. Maybe not in the U.S. but most of the world (including African countries) would say it is not too hard. And in those areas you can at least use it over 3G without skype through fring.
3. Already addressed it. Another point being that QT will bring a dev community that will be hard to ignore so the games and such will come, and most other apps are weak browser replacements.
4. someone else already addressed it above.
5. I guess you got me there, though it seems thats the territory meego will now take up.
6. Someone else already addressed that though it is open, it is not the most open. I don't find it much of a gripe but there are def some devs that do.
7. Android is essentially the same multitasking as ios4. Don't try to pass it off as real multitasking.
@statickeith Uh, im sick of people saying Engadget only trashes Symbian and only plraises the iPhone. Engadget has posted all the good things S^3 and S^4 are trying to fix. It is also well known and common knowledge what makes Symbian great Likewise, if you listened to the podcasts when iOS4 came out, Engadget had plenty of bad things to say ab it and Josh seemed legit pissed off (so Im not sure why the iPhone4 came out w a 9/10)
And seriously, what can you say good ab Symbian lately? Name the last good Symbian phone. Sure as hell wasnt the N97, I have one and cant wait to have the money to get rid of it. Satio? That got pulled by a carrier bc of all the problem
@Vlad Savov Symbian was first, people talk about it and have never use it... the ui is ugly? you can change it, just like any windows os (themes), it does REAL multitask, you can see the apps working... Video calls is not something new, and you can do it with any connection (wifi or carrier) you can put your apps were ever you want, "Folders" is not something new!!! you can play games on it!!! and I mean REAL games!!! you can use a N95 (yea, a old phone) and plug it into your tv set, and play games with PS1 or better graphics... apps like facebook are running in Symbian, so is the same experience on android, ios or symbian!!!!
it's easy for a fanboy to tell, something is good, something is not... but you need to use something to know whats good and whats not. I'm using android since it was 1.5, now 2.2 is getting good, but symbian is good since I remember! I'm a nokia user just because their phones are REALY better than any other... Nokia made those phones like tanks!!!
Before you say something is good or something is bad USE IT!!! for yourself... don't repeat it because someone told you!!
I agree, i tipped Engadget before 2 days about Dolby's interview about the importance of N8, but they did not put it here. Yet, they will have special reports from Michael Gartenberg talking about new Apple TV, though it has not been announced or confirmed, but will not publish good news about N8, which is already announced.
@CodyTech Don't laugh man, widget is great. I would rather take sense ui or stock android other iOS 20 icons home screen. I have a 3GS and decided to wait for the N8 because:
- Better camera. - Better video camera - integrated photo & video editing - drag & drop - automatic profiles (really usefull) - widgets - fast screen transition - fast UI navigation - Contextual menu with usefull options - HD video with Dolby - USB OTG - landscape and portrait mode OS wide - FM transmitter, radio - advanced option available in each apps; don't need to go every time in "system" (that is not intuitive at all in iOS) -green/red key for one step access to the phone part. (that's missing on the N8 but I hope there is a way like double tap the menu button to access the dialer from anywhere in the OS) - dedicated key for camera - better call logs management - better mail app - Flash lite support - really fast switch from standby mode (I like it) - better contacts app; easy to text someone from your contact screen (on iOS you have to scroll all the way down, select text, and choose the right phone number if there's more than one; that's not intuitive at all) - love the right and left key on the virtual keyboard (editing something is a nightmare on the iPhone, the cursor is almost impossible to place at the far left/right in a box text entry) - Etc.
I'm sure there is more.
I found iOS nice and simple like simple to use and basic feature with a nice UI.
symbian^3 looks good and is powerfull. I think I'll not miss iOS too much. I would like to hear from those who made the move (from symbian to other OS or vice versa).
I like Android voice to text, OTA sync and frequent" updates which bring lots of new features. I'll get an android device for sure. Wreid things is happening; as I type on my iPhone, I can't see any letter on the Its blank, the cursor move , I can see suggestions but none of anything I'm typing appear on the screen. W. It. It happened since I wrote "…brings lots of new features". I decided to continue typing tosee if it'll reappears when I post my reply. And since I'm running iOS 3. I can't close engadget app and relaunch itor I'll lose everything. Y I can't co. - I can copy and paste but will it copy t the invisible text? Sorry for the mistakes
@Vlad Savov really disappointed with your entire argument. having had iphone 3gs, bb bold 9700, Xperia X1, N95, e71, and the droid. I think i've got a fairly well rounded opinion, and yes, we get it the UI for symbian is bad. but I continue to use the e71 day in day out becaue it does everything I want, wifi teathering(which my n95 could do) flawless multitasking (aka your stuff is litterally doing EXACTLY what it was just in the background!), I have apps that serve all the same purposes as the apps i used on my iphone or xperia, and if an android user and I both start trying to accomplish the same task at the same time, i PROMISE i will finish it first. Symbian isn't dead, its really just the UI, please open your eyes, symbian has been doing everything its been doing for YEARS. ios and android are playing catch up in every aspect but interface. and Nokia knows and acknowledged it.
uh...Vlad, not to meddle in your fight (ok..ok.. debate ;-) ) but to point out a few things: 1) DOS and Windows 7 don't run on mobile devices. Power consumption and performance per watt is a very very very important metric for mobile device OS - not everyone lives in 1st world SFO or NYC or London you know.
2) Android does not have true multi-tasking and is actually fairly bad when it comes to task switching without 3rd party apps (remember the older Symbian phones used to have that issue). And before you say that "users don't care", some of the technologies coming out in 2011/2012 that you feature on this blog are not possible without true multi-tasking.
3) Symbian cannot be targeted at high-end (which is where the article is correct) but high-end is not the only smart phone segment (unlike what the article and blogs want us to believe). Nokia knows that hence, its MeeGo-Symbian play. Whether other Symbian phone manufacturers know that or not...doesn't really matter anymore. Android tries to play the mid-range game but their minimum specs are way too heavy to meet mid-range price points without contract subsidies hence that strategy will work only in US.
4) Symbian currently caters to people who want out-of-box functionality and do not have data plans. Again it is easy to forget that for most people on this planet, smart phones are not app installation machines and most people don't buy data plans or have carrier billing. They use the apps they get which is why Symbian phones already come packed with most commonly used productivity and entertainment apps. Now that may not make sexy news for your blog but that is market reality. And lets not forget that US may be the trendy market but it is still a small market.
@mrqs "…we all know the s60 ui is pretty dreadful, but i'd be interested to hear someone mention a few functionalities that android or ios has to offer that symbian doesn't…"
i'd be intersted to hear that too :
I'm starting with:
Android : Voice to text, OTA sync and update (I think symbian has OTA google sync )
@Mr w00t "…@N900 But then we fall back to "how shiny it is" argument. For the general publich this means nothing if Symbian does not change the icons. This is, sadly, the first thing people will notice. Heck, I even said that many times.…"
I agree, changing the icons and put a nice background wallpaper would make symbian devices more attractive to the general public. I know they've updated symbian^3 icons, but it still the same; I know you can change the theme, but first impression is what matters the most for the general public.
@Vlad Savov Better handsets? N93, N95, E71, N82, N97 mini ( which was the improved n97 and was REALLY GOOD), Nokia 5800, E75, N86, N900 and so on......all these handsets are the ones I've used and I've gotta say, they are SO good. Very intuitive and easy to use. Symbian is very familiar OS and is easy so I don't find any difficulties in using it. More importantly, I can make calls; I don't have to avoid holding my phone a certain way.
Richer app ecosystem? Symbian/Maemo (and upcoming MeeGo) are Linux based OS and the Qt platform allows ANYONE to build great apps. It's very open, presents more opportunities than iOS or Android.
Dev support? Nokia is getting there. With the introduction of symbian 3 and the announcement of symbian 4 and meego, people are getting attracted to it. Also, it's easier and better to make apps that are more intuitive and create more possibilities. How is it better than iOS or Android? Let me ask you something. Did they have video calling over 3G EVEN IN CHEAP PHONES? USB OTG? built in video/photo editor? (N95 had that 3 1/2 years ago!) full control over the OS? android is controlled by Google and iOS by daddy steve, u can't modify it (no, jailbreaking doesn't count as full control) price? iPhone and android are available at high price. Nokia cares for the normal people and offers a veri wide variety of ranges of cell phones that any class of people can buy and still enjoy features that are available (and not available) on android and iOS. comes with music. I know it's a weird thing to mention but I think people overlook ot. I currently own a nokia 5800 comes with music edition and the ovi music store has millions and millions of songs. So I can get ANYTHING I want COMPLETELY free for one year. I can still keep the music aftr the time expires. It's a great service and I've downloaded literally 1000s of tracks. Cameras. Now you've gotta admit that Nokia phones have always had REALLY good cameras. The N86 can take better pics than ANY phone on android and the iPhone 4 too. I love the smart digital zoom on it (also found on nokia N8) when recording videos. It's virtually the same as optical zoom. Even my old N95 can take better pics than the EVO 4G. Don't even get me Started about how awesome the N82 is as a camera phone.
And the N900 & N97 mini; they are just perfect for EVERYTHING. emailing, texting, camera, web browsing, music, functionality, an the list go on and on. Those devices are basically complete package and is great for basically anything. Oh and did I mention that these devices can call too? Without losing the bars? You have to admit it Vlad, Symbian isn't dead, it's nit even gonna be dead, it's gonna rule the low and mid end devices. And if u see, most people in Asia ( where most of the world's population lies) would prefer buying a Nokia coz it offers much more features at a low price than their competition do. People in Europe still use Nokia devices and consider them the best. I don't know why people over here in North America ignore symbian, perhaps Nokia needs to do some marketting here.
@statickeith Samsung is a pretty significant player and even if they are steering towards their own OS when symbian is available for free why should I trust any more money to symbian devices?
Nokia wasn't the only user of Symbian. Sony Ericsson is pushing more android devices now.
Any word of any of these third parties looking at Symbain ^3/^4 ?
You can backup your entire device using pc suite. Or just browse the device if you just need a specific thing. You can do that, it has a file system. There is voice to text. There is an app for that. There is OTA sync with exchange & google. There is OTA firmware updates.
How about trying to send a vcard via bluetooth, or having full bluetooth control so you can actually use the music controls via bluetooth, or how about decent battery life (Android), or proper multitasking (iOS & Android) how about FM radio, etc etc etc.
Ah, my job here is done. Vlad's ignorance has been called out and every one here who has actually used Symbian has chipped in with valid points. I can't believe that the dude can't differenciate between an OS and a UI. Hey Vlad, ever seen those Keitai phones from Japan that have awesome UI graphics? they run Symbian too, dude (MOAP).
To answer your question:
I have the following sets of backup on my Symbian Phone:
1) Backup of contacts to outlook via Roadsync 2)Backup of EVERYTHING to SD card via the OS itself 3)Back up of EVERYTHING to PC via PC Suite 4)Back up of contacts and messages to the manufacturer's online portal 5) Backup of contacts to Gmail via System SEVEN.
So there you go. As bomb proof as it can be. Numbers 1,4 and 5 are OTA, no.3 can be done via Bluetooth.
As someone else has said, there is a voice to text app although I've never felt the need to use it. Hell, I've had voice dialling on my dumbphones of year 2000 vintage and I never used it either.
Lastly, there is one major thing that sets Symbian apart from its peers, especially for customers who don't have unlimited data. You have COMPLETE control over the data flow in and out of your phone. You can set the phone to ask you to choose the access point each time (I do it all the time), set preference to WiFi over 3G and vice versa, set the phone to get off HSDPA when not needed (And thereby saving battery life) and so on.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
You guys at Engadget always find something that talks negatively about Symbian/Nokia, eh?!
Or something that favors the iPhone! Symbian^4 might just have a great UI that people would actually enjoy using. And besides, Nokia does have the MeeGo eh? Please engadget, stop hating on Nokia and try to see what they are really upto and you'll know why they are better than Apple and Android! Peace!
@statickeith This relates to Symbian specifically, MeeGo will not save Symbian. If you'd like to be constructive here, rather than just reciting a misguided accusation of bias, please do inform us on all the great benefits Symbian presents over iOS or Android. Does it have better handsets? A richer app ecosystem? More dev support? Easier social networking integration? Is it more intuitive?
Blackberry OS does not have any of these you mentioned and still you guys take waaay to lite on them.
I kinda agree with the Gartner article to the point that the UI needs a revamp. The world wants a better UX no matter the good features behind. Like the iSheep wants a phone that does not call.
But still, many news lately concerning N8 with videos, pictures and so on but you guys decided to put only this one? This is why people think you guys are biased.
And, IMO, you guys are. Check the outrage in you "labs test" post.
@Vlad Savov
1) Less resource hungry than the others by a long shot.
2) Even the cheapest Symbian handset can video chat easily( since that's the flavor of the week).
3) Has enough apps to do every productive task you need. it's a productive OS first, so yeah, games and all those "Fun" apps you use thrice and never again are lacking.
4) Better media support than Android or iOS.
5) Available in any form factor you want.
7) Proper multitasking, the way it should be.
6) Most importantly, no one tells teh users what and what not to do.
Oh, in case you didn't know, an App for MeeGo is an app for S^3/ S^4 too because they use the same authoring environment. SO depending on how one catches up, the other does too, automatically.
It's sad that a common poster has to point these out to a professional blogger.
@statickeith Wow, delusion much?
@Herr Synnberg did you read the article? Didn't Nokia already announce that the N8 is going to be their last Symbian phone? How does your comment have any relevance to Symbian having an ability to stay relevant? Because it will live on forever through a differently named OS? Cross platform compatibility is great, in fact, it'll help MeeGo pick up where Symbian left off, but without altering your comment I don't know how you've corrected anything that both Nokia and the analysts and Engadget have gone on record to say/speculate.
@juanvaldez last *n-series* phone, but when your flashship model is gone from a lineup, I'd say that's fairly telling towards the future of an OS.
@juanvaldez Actually, Nokia announced that a long time ago. It's just that the american press took this long to figure it out.
Their plan is to use MeeGo for the media heavy phones and use Symbian on the productive side, where it has always shined. Ask anyone who has used an E series phone, it is an excellent tool for someone on the move.
Not being on an N series phone doesn't mean Symbian is dead. Also, Nokia isn't the only manufacturer that makes Symbian phones.
@Herr Synnberg
1. DOS is less resource-hungry than Windows 7. Wanna use that?
2. That's just not true.
3. Well, according to current trends, people want to be more than just productive with their phones.
4. Never felt like iOS and Android limited me in terms of file formats.
5. 4.3 inches?
6 (comes before 7). Android's as wide open as you could want an OS to be. And day-to-day iPhone use also doesn't involve Steve Jobs berating you.
7. So does Android.
So again -- what's so uniquely awesome about Symbian?
@Herr Synnberg
I agree with what you're saying. I believe that the problem Vlad/Nick Jones mentioned is very real for the Symbian platform.
Perhaps dependence on S^2 (where all the criticism is stemming from) came from the sheer number of different models Nokia were releasing when it was performing at its peak, and that is why they are so slow to change or develop.
However, I feel the reduced number of devices they're forecasting, plus the specialisation in developing MeeGo to account for poor high end device sales (also where the criticism is stemming from) is a good move.
I can only assume that these are the steps Nokia is taking in addressing the concerns voiced in this new article and many before it.
@fledge
Or S^1 - whatever S60v1,2,3,5 devices are called.
Nokia have not said that the N8 is going to be either their last Symbian phone or their last N-Series phone. Anssi Vanjoki (you know, the guy who actually decides these things as head of Mobile Solutions) stated that the N8 will be the only N-Series on Symbian^3. That's merely because the next N-Series after that is going to be Meego and by the time another N-Series is required it will be Symbian^4 time.
To be honest, if you look at the handset landscape today and what's actually being offered in terms of Symbian devices *right now* it's frankly amazing that so many Symbian phones are still sold - and I think it says a lot more about the Android OEMs than about Symbian.
1. DOS is less resource-hungry than Windows 7. Wanna use that?
2. That's just not true.
3. Well, according to current trends, people want to be more than just productive with their phones.
4. Never felt like iOS and Android limited me in terms of file formats.
5. 4.3 inches?
6 (comes before 7). Android's as wide open as you could want an OS to be. And day-to-day iPhone use also doesn't involve Steve Jobs berating you.
7. So does Android.
---
Nice twisting of words:
1) Conversely, Win7 is less resource hungry than Vista. How about that? Given the SAME application say Fring, Symbian uses less resources than its competitors.
2) It' isn't? I've used a cheap ass nokia S60 phone to make a 3G video call to another phone in another network. How's that coming along on Android and iOS?
3) Blackberrys are bucking that trend, doncha think? What on a Blackberry is better than the competition other than e-mail? Like Mr. W00t says, you guys have absolutely no problem worshipping RIM products, right?
4) Maybe that's just you. Good luck playing divX/ Xvid without conversion on anything other than a Samsung Android phone (Which are painful in their own special way).
5) O'Rly? That's the only thing that you'd accept from a phone? How's that working out in Apple land? How about a portrait QWERTY on Android? ANY sort of physical keyboard on IOS? hot-swappable memory cards on the same? Oh, that reminds me, Wanna transfer some files over Bluetooth?
6) Symbian is a true open OS. you can modify the code in any way you want, which you can't do with Android (As incidents with Cyanogen proved). You think you can, but you can't. And the less said about iOS on this front, the better. Oh yay, now you get to change wallpapers! Welcome to 2001 or something...
7) No it doesn't. Android only multitasks services and not complete applications. it also autokills apps when there's low memory. Which brings us back to Symbian's low footprint. have you seen the video of a custom ROM on the Omnia HD multitasking 50 apps at one time with ease? Call me when other platforms (Other than Maemo) can do this.
@Herr Synnberg
And one point that's getting more and more important these days, no forced ads or user-information gathering.
As for better handsets, show me one handset with buttons that bests Nokias offerings. Touchscreens are only a part of the market.
@Herr Synnberg Thing is. It took me ALOT to switch from nokia's to an android because I had always bought nokia phones. I came to realise every new nokia phone I got was the same s60 and it just didn't look like it was progressing at all. Whilst I get your points and where you are coming from defending a platform; fact of the matter is that for quite some time symbian was getting quite complacent, it just seemed not a lot was happening...
Whilst you may be able to pick a few porous points for your arguments there's a lot more solid points that pour in favour of others.
@fpad77
yes, symbian's development has been quite stagnant for a while now, but in case you didn't notice, they're coming out with symbian^3 & 4 really very soon
and the reason why you see android and ios evolving so much faster is because they are younger and have got a lot of catching up to do feature wise
we all know the s60 ui is pretty dreadful, but i'd be interested to hear someone mention a few functionalities that android or ios has to offer that symbian doesn't
*disclaimer: android user
@mrqs Given their previous track record I'll hold my breath on the new symbian versions. Is it safe to assume that their catalogue of current applications will not be compatible (or match up to the new UX), meaning the new platform is going to have to catch up on those respects whilst still holding onto its market share.
Obviously, I don't dislike nokia and symbian but I was to an absolute point of frustration with using symbian that I made the switch. Android has so many great things going for it and it's a platform that I'm proud to use.
@fpad77 Which will take all of what, 2 weeks to accomplish?
Then there's QT, one app cross-developed for all platforms. Backwards-compatible with S^1 handsets and with upcoming iterations of ^3 and ^4, as well as MeeGo.
@Vlad Savov number 2? Yeah, it is kinda true. There's the Nokia C5 http://www.cnet.com.au/nokia-c5-339301547.htm
It's not as enticing as an Android phone in terms of looks, but it does what it says on the tin. It can videocall on 3G up to 10.2Mbps down, on an HSDPA network. The phone is about 140 euro.
@N900 But then we fall back to "how shiny it is" argument.
For the general publich this means nothing if Symbian does not change the icons. This is, sadly, the first thing people will notice. Heck, I even said that many times.
And in a world where people buy the next iPhone knowing that there are screen problems, signal problems, vendor lock-in, outdated hardware from day 1, but it is very shiny and if you own one you are cool... Well, its hard to compete with "the cool" factor
@Unverified User
Webos can. Just look for the video of the palm pre plus doing it with 60+ apps and no need for a custom Rom
@Vlad Savov
With the childish way you want to argue with the commentors you should go join techcrunch and have a tea party with MG siegler. Real journalist do not bicker with critics of their reporting. They follow ethics and a code of conduct. Which is why bloggers will never be journalist.
@fpad77
"It took me ALOT to switch from nokia's to an android because I had always bought nokia phones. I came to realise every new nokia phone I got was the same s60 and it just didn't look like it was progressing at all. "
I agree, Nokia has already lost me as a customer. I've been a loyal Nokia customer for the last 15 or so years, upgrading every year or two. The N95 was the last Nokia phone I bought, every high end phone they've developed since has been flawed, like the N97 and X6, or not worth upgrading to.
I loved my N95 and didnt think Android would offer much more than the N95, but my expectations were blown away by just how much better Android is than Symbian S60.
1) Less resource hungry than the others by a long shot.
..because Symbian is less functional than the others by a long shot.
2) Even the cheapest Symbian handset can video chat easily( since that's the flavor of the week).
Thats absolutely not true. The cheapest Symbian handsets such as the 1661 cant do video chat. Most low end Nokia phones dont even have a front facing camera.
3) Has enough apps to do every productive task you need. it's a productive OS first, so yeah, games and all those "Fun" apps you use thrice and never again are lacking.
I disagree. Android has many, many more useful apps that are productive and are not available on Symbian. Some examples include Google Voice, Google SkyMap, Carr Matey, dropbox, locale, moozone, flixster, nhs near, screebl, wheres my droid
4) Better media support than Android or iOS.
I've never had any problems playing any music or movies on my Android phone, and Divx will be supported in an upcoming update.
5) Available in any form factor you want.
As long as its got a small screen, has a lame resistive touchscreen, or uses buttons for input rather than a capacitive touchscreen.
7) Proper multitasking, the way it should be.
So does Android, this is not a USP for Symbian.
6) Most importantly, no one tells teh users what and what not to do.
As above.
I changed from a symbian nokia 5800 to android and it had nothing to do with the UI or hardware or perceived testosterone level alterations.
Symbian simply sucks.
When I saw the first video of the N8 with Symbian ^3 it seemed that all the underlying bothches of the OS remained, and for fear that I will ever again be faced with an "unknown error", OVI sync hanging, chewed up memory card, embedded html link in email taking me to some psychedelic half-browser of weirdness I resolved to get an android, knowing it had fewer features but the 10 it had were the 10 I liked.
@nickkuk The 1661 and those other under-$70 handsets don't even run Symbian, dude.
@Mr w00t "And in a world where people buy the next iPhone knowing that there are screen problems, signal problems, vendor lock-in, outdated hardware from day 1, but it is very shiny and if you own one you are cool... Well, its hard to compete with "the cool" factor"
Odd.. I bought my iPhone 4 because I loved my iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 4 added:
Front camera, flash, better camera, way better screen, faster, better battery life, thinner, HD video, video chat (front camera), better (native) OS.
SO just about ever small "beef" I had with my 3GS was fixed and made better.
And out of date hardware? Why? Because it has a 5mp camera vs. an 8? I've taken pics with my iPhone 4 and they look amazing. I've never though "Wow, I wish I had more Em Pees!"
Seems the iPhone 4 has one of the best and highest res screens, some of the largest amounts of system memory, great battery life (next to the 'higher spec' phones), one of the fastest CPUs, the slimmest smart phone (while having all of the above), HD video (which yes, some others have).
So how is it behind? Honestly, maybe I'm missing something
(and if you say "What about widgets and movie wallpaper!", I'm just gonna laugh...)
Cody
@nickkuk
A long fail.
1)..because Symbian is less functional than the others by a long shot.
How so?
2) Thats absolutely not true. The cheapest Symbian handsets such as the 1661 cant do video chat. Most low end Nokia phones dont even have a front facing camera.
Already addressed by someone else.
3) I disagree. Android has many, many more useful apps that are productive and are not available on Symbian. Some examples include Google Voice, Google SkyMap, Carr Matey, dropbox, locale, moozone, flixster, nhs near, screebl, wheres my droid
He said Symbian has enough apps to be productive. Saying that Android has apps Symbian doesn't have does not mean Symbian doesn't have enough apps to be productive.
4) I've never had any problems playing any music or movies on my Android phone, and Divx will be supported in an upcoming update.
"You" is but one single individual so it doesn't mean anything. I can say I have no problem with the current Symbian UI, does that mean it indeed has no problem? Of course, not.
"and Divx will be supported in an upcoming update"
So I guess you agree that Symbian has better media support than Android or iOS. :)
5) As long as its got a small screen, has a lame resistive touchscreen, or uses buttons for input rather than a capacitive touchscreen.
Again, that's only but your own opinion/taste which doesn't reflect the entire market. So it's completely irrelevant -- it doesn't counter the argument that choice of form factors is a good thing.
7) So does Android, this is not a USP for Symbian.
Already addressed by someone else.
6) As above.
Meaningless.
So again, your points were just a long list of fails.
@Vlad Savov
What the hell?
1. DOS is less resource-hungry than Windows 7. Wanna use that?
That is a poor analogy. Symbian is more feature rich, and uses less resources. And this has nothing to do with UI, which is what is apparently an issue. The UI is fixed in S^3, and greatly improved in S^4. To the point that even Eldar concedes it is really good. Besides, Android is a tacky java vm on top of stripped linux.
2. That's just not true.
There is truth in that. Cheap phones that have been able to do that for ages.
3. Well, according to current trends, people want to be more than just productive with their phones.
So just because it is a current trend, every phone should be touchscreen?
4. Never felt like iOS and Android limited me in terms of file formats.
Well maybe you just didnt try hard enough then. iOS most certainly is limiting, Android less so.
5. 4.3 inches?
Portrait Qwerty?
6 (comes before 7). Android's as wide open as you could want an OS to be. And day-to-day iPhone use also doesn't involve Steve Jobs berating you.
And THERE, you completely miss the point. As soon as S^4 (or even S^3) is better polished, companies will to a certain degree move back to symbian, because it is not owned by a competitor. Android is not free, Google calls the shots.
7. So does Android.
Android has not proper multitasking thank you very much, and the switcher is a joke compared to S^3.
So again -- what's so uniquely awesome about Symbian?
Vlad, perhaps you have trouble distinguishing UI and OS, or perhaps you do not really know a lot about code. What is uniquely awesome is that it does the same and more as Android, its native, not a VM, it allows for better battery life than Android, it is the most code optimized and stable OS.
What has sucked is the fact that it has used Avkon for its UI for too long. S^3 is as good as it gets with that tech, but it is pretty good in my mind, our friend Nick has only seen video's and Engadgets own preview was much more positive about S^3. S^4 is based on Qt, and has all the fancy transitions, inertial scrolling and fonts you would like, as well as some changes in notifications, lay out, etc.
If you want to complain, do it right, say S60 sucks as a touch implementation. Then realize S^3 does some important fixes and is ok, and S^4 is going to be very good.
Dont be like techcrunch, and just repeat others. He bases his opinion on a preview video fro crying out loud.
@nickkuk
Thanks for educating, your post will stop innocent people from buying the worst Symbian OS phones.
Some symbian fans have down ranked your comment.
I requested engadget to unhide your comment
@Vlad Savov
I gotta say, for a tech blogger, these are some pretty weak arguments. I would have expected much better from you especially. Some of them do hold true, if you look at the market through the american blogosphere.
It is true alot of people want to have the most pretty devices. But on the flip side there are plenty of people that do indeed want a phone that does what people want (which in some cases is more than the competitors functionality-wise) using less power. Twist the words all you want, that statement is true. As a professional blogger you should at least acknowledge that these people do exist.
This may seem a little generalized and is kind of. But when it comes down to it, most people's gripes with symbian are with its icons, transitions, and UI. It is an efficient and mature OS. Yes, android is catching up in terms of functionality but with its use of vm, efficiency is still a far cry away. And battery efficiency is still a big part of many people's decisions.
Ahh, another low point for engadget. For just a tech blog its fine if you lean a certain way. People have different taste and needs. Some need efficient functionality. Others need pretty colors, icons, and transitions. Which is perfectly fine. Just don't project your needs on to the needs of others and try to pass it off as true. They should get Tomi to write an editorial here. Actually thats not the best idea. That would be too much of a downgrade for him.
Anyways, the 7 points you made seem hardly like good counter arguments. Just logic that is full of fallacies and analysis of the market in a limited view.
1. Excellent comparison and great use of logic (sarcastic). You could have at least used a comparison like Ubuntu to OSX.
2. Maybe not in the U.S. but most of the world (including African countries) would say it is not too hard. And in those areas you can at least use it over 3G without skype through fring.
3. Already addressed it. Another point being that QT will bring a dev community that will be hard to ignore so the games and such will come, and most other apps are weak browser replacements.
4. someone else already addressed it above.
5. I guess you got me there, though it seems thats the territory meego will now take up.
6. Someone else already addressed that though it is open, it is not the most open. I don't find it much of a gripe but there are def some devs that do.
7. Android is essentially the same multitasking as ios4. Don't try to pass it off as real multitasking.
@Vlad Savov
i would have loved to reply to your comments with a vengeance, but Mr. (unverified) did it a lit better than i could have.
have a good day, and record it in HD with your 5 megapixel camera :)
@statickeith
Uh, im sick of people saying Engadget only trashes Symbian and only plraises the iPhone.
Engadget has posted all the good things S^3 and S^4 are trying to fix. It is also well known and common knowledge what makes Symbian great
Likewise, if you listened to the podcasts when iOS4 came out, Engadget had plenty of bad things to say ab it and Josh seemed legit pissed off (so Im not sure why the iPhone4 came out w a 9/10)
And seriously, what can you say good ab Symbian lately? Name the last good Symbian phone. Sure as hell wasnt the N97, I have one and cant wait to have the money to get rid of it. Satio? That got pulled by a carrier bc of all the problem
@Vlad Savov Symbian was first, people talk about it and have never use it... the ui is ugly? you can change it, just like any windows os (themes), it does REAL multitask, you can see the apps working... Video calls is not something new, and you can do it with any connection (wifi or carrier) you can put your apps were ever you want, "Folders" is not something new!!! you can play games on it!!! and I mean REAL games!!! you can use a N95 (yea, a old phone) and plug it into your tv set, and play games with PS1 or better graphics... apps like facebook are running in Symbian, so is the same experience on android, ios or symbian!!!!
it's easy for a fanboy to tell, something is good, something is not... but you need to use something to know whats good and whats not. I'm using android since it was 1.5, now 2.2 is getting good, but symbian is good since I remember! I'm a nokia user just because their phones are REALY better than any other... Nokia made those phones like tanks!!!
Before you say something is good or something is bad USE IT!!! for yourself... don't repeat it because someone told you!!
@Mr w00t
I agree, i tipped Engadget before 2 days about Dolby's interview about the importance of N8, but they did not put it here.
Yet, they will have special reports from Michael Gartenberg talking about new Apple TV, though it has not been announced or confirmed, but will not publish good news about N8, which is already announced.
@CodyTech Don't laugh man, widget is great. I would rather take sense ui or stock android other iOS 20 icons home screen.
I have a 3GS and decided to wait for the N8 because:
- Better camera.
- Better video camera
- integrated photo & video editing
- drag & drop
- automatic profiles (really usefull)
- widgets
- fast screen transition
- fast UI navigation
- Contextual menu with usefull options
- HD video with Dolby
- USB OTG
- landscape and portrait mode OS wide
- FM transmitter, radio
- advanced option available in each apps; don't need to go every time in "system" (that is not intuitive at all in iOS)
-green/red key for one step access to the phone part. (that's missing on the N8 but I hope there is a way like double tap the menu button to access the dialer from anywhere in the OS)
- dedicated key for camera
- better call logs management
- better mail app
- Flash lite support
- really fast switch from standby mode (I like it)
- better contacts app; easy to text someone from your contact screen (on iOS you have to scroll all the way down, select text, and choose the right phone number if there's more than one; that's not intuitive at all)
- love the right and left key on the virtual keyboard (editing something is a nightmare on the iPhone, the cursor is almost impossible to place at the far left/right in a box text entry)
- Etc.
I'm sure there is more.
I found iOS nice and simple like simple to use and basic feature with a nice UI.
symbian^3 looks good and is powerfull. I think I'll not miss iOS too much. I would like to hear from those who made the move (from symbian to other OS or vice versa).
I like Android voice to text, OTA sync and frequent" updates which bring lots of new features. I'll get an android device for sure. Wreid things is happening; as I type on my iPhone, I can't see any letter on the Its blank, the cursor move , I can see suggestions but none of anything I'm typing appear on the screen. W. It. It happened since I wrote "…brings lots of new features". I decided to continue typing tosee if it'll reappears when I post my reply. And since I'm running iOS 3. I can't close engadget app and relaunch itor I'll lose everything. Y I can't co. - I can copy and paste but will it copy t the invisible text? Sorry for the mistakes
@NextGen And yes, It appeared. Weird bug.
:-/
@Vlad Savov really disappointed with your entire argument. having had iphone 3gs, bb bold 9700, Xperia X1, N95, e71, and the droid. I think i've got a fairly well rounded opinion, and yes, we get it the UI for symbian is bad. but I continue to use the e71 day in day out becaue it does everything I want, wifi teathering(which my n95 could do) flawless multitasking (aka your stuff is litterally doing EXACTLY what it was just in the background!), I have apps that serve all the same purposes as the apps i used on my iphone or xperia, and if an android user and I both start trying to accomplish the same task at the same time, i PROMISE i will finish it first. Symbian isn't dead, its really just the UI, please open your eyes, symbian has been doing everything its been doing for YEARS. ios and android are playing catch up in every aspect but interface. and Nokia knows and acknowledged it.
/rant
@peetuhr Since u have used all this devices. Can you tell me what someone'll miss moving from iOS/ Android/BB to symbian apart from the UI? Thanks.
@Vlad Savov
uh...Vlad, not to meddle in your fight (ok..ok.. debate ;-) ) but to point out a few things:
1) DOS and Windows 7 don't run on mobile devices. Power consumption and performance per watt is a very very very important metric for mobile device OS - not everyone lives in 1st world SFO or NYC or London you know.
2) Android does not have true multi-tasking and is actually fairly bad when it comes to task switching without 3rd party apps (remember the older Symbian phones used to have that issue). And before you say that "users don't care", some of the technologies coming out in 2011/2012 that you feature on this blog are not possible without true multi-tasking.
3) Symbian cannot be targeted at high-end (which is where the article is correct) but high-end is not the only smart phone segment (unlike what the article and blogs want us to believe). Nokia knows that hence, its MeeGo-Symbian play. Whether other Symbian phone manufacturers know that or not...doesn't really matter anymore. Android tries to play the mid-range game but their minimum specs are way too heavy to meet mid-range price points without contract subsidies hence that strategy will work only in US.
4) Symbian currently caters to people who want out-of-box functionality and do not have data plans. Again it is easy to forget that for most people on this planet, smart phones are not app installation machines and most people don't buy data plans or have carrier billing. They use the apps they get which is why Symbian phones already come packed with most commonly used productivity and entertainment apps. Now that may not make sexy news for your blog but that is market reality. And lets not forget that US may be the trendy market but it is still a small market.
@mrqs "…we all know the s60 ui is pretty dreadful, but i'd be interested to hear someone mention a few functionalities that android or ios has to offer that symbian doesn't…"
i'd be intersted to hear that too :
I'm starting with:
Android : Voice to text, OTA sync and update (I think symbian has OTA google sync )
iOS : backup/sync contacts, calendars, bookmarks, notes, ringtones, podcast, pictures, songs, playlist, video, apps, documents with iTunes.
Feel free to add up or correct me if symbian has those features.
@fpad77 Moving from symbian to android, what did u get with android and what did u miss from symbian? I'm interested. Thanks.
@Mr w00t "…@N900 But then we fall back to "how shiny it is" argument.
For the general publich this means nothing if Symbian does not change the icons. This is, sadly, the first thing people will notice. Heck, I even said that many times.…"
I agree, changing the icons and put a nice background wallpaper would make symbian devices more attractive to the general public. I know they've updated symbian^3 icons, but it still the same; I know you can change the theme, but first impression is what matters the most for the general public.
@Vlad Savov Better handsets? N93, N95, E71, N82, N97 mini ( which was the improved n97 and was REALLY GOOD), Nokia 5800, E75, N86, N900 and so on......all these handsets are the ones I've used and I've gotta say, they are SO good. Very intuitive and easy to use. Symbian is very familiar OS and is easy so I don't find any difficulties in using it. More importantly, I can make calls; I don't have to avoid holding my phone a certain way.
Richer app ecosystem? Symbian/Maemo (and upcoming MeeGo) are Linux based OS and the Qt platform allows ANYONE to build great apps. It's very open, presents more opportunities than iOS or Android.
Dev support? Nokia is getting there. With the introduction of symbian 3 and the announcement of symbian 4 and meego, people are getting attracted to it. Also, it's easier and better to make apps that are more intuitive and create more possibilities.
How is it better than iOS or Android? Let me ask you something.
Did they have video calling over 3G EVEN IN CHEAP PHONES?
USB OTG?
built in video/photo editor? (N95 had that 3 1/2 years ago!)
full control over the OS? android is controlled by Google and iOS by daddy steve, u can't modify it (no, jailbreaking doesn't count as full control)
price? iPhone and android are available at high price. Nokia cares for the normal people and offers a veri wide variety of ranges of cell phones that any class of people can buy and still enjoy features that are available (and not available) on android and iOS.
comes with music. I know it's a weird thing to mention but I think people overlook ot. I currently own a nokia 5800 comes with music edition and the ovi music store has millions and millions of songs. So I can get ANYTHING I want COMPLETELY free for one year. I can still keep the music aftr the time expires. It's a great service and I've downloaded literally 1000s of tracks.
Cameras. Now you've gotta admit that Nokia phones have always had REALLY good cameras. The N86 can take better pics than ANY phone on android and the iPhone 4 too. I love the smart digital zoom on it (also found on nokia N8) when recording videos. It's virtually the same as optical zoom. Even my old N95 can take better pics than the EVO 4G. Don't even get me Started about how awesome the N82 is as a camera phone.
And the N900 & N97 mini; they are just perfect for EVERYTHING. emailing, texting, camera, web browsing, music, functionality, an the list go on and on. Those devices are basically complete package and is great for basically anything. Oh and did I mention that these devices can call too? Without losing the bars?
You have to admit it Vlad, Symbian isn't dead, it's nit even gonna be dead, it's gonna rule the low and mid end devices. And if u see, most people in Asia ( where most of the world's population lies) would prefer buying a Nokia coz it offers much more features at a low price than their competition do. People in Europe still use Nokia devices and consider them the best. I don't know why people over here in North America ignore symbian, perhaps Nokia needs to do some marketting here.
@statickeith
Samsung is a pretty significant player and even if they are steering towards their own OS when symbian is available for free why should I trust any more money to symbian devices?
Nokia wasn't the only user of Symbian. Sony Ericsson is pushing more android devices now.
Any word of any of these third parties looking at Symbain ^3/^4 ?
@Vlad Savov
It's a shame you can't be downranked, because you would have been in oblivion rather quickly.
Come back when you're a tad more informed about the things you are talking about.
@NextGen
You can backup your entire device using pc suite. Or just browse the device if you just need a specific thing. You can do that, it has a file system.
There is voice to text. There is an app for that.
There is OTA sync with exchange & google.
There is OTA firmware updates.
How about trying to send a vcard via bluetooth, or having full bluetooth control so you can actually use the music controls via bluetooth, or how about decent battery life (Android), or proper multitasking (iOS & Android) how about FM radio, etc etc etc.
@NextGen
Ah, my job here is done. Vlad's ignorance has been called out and every one here who has actually used Symbian has chipped in with valid points. I can't believe that the dude can't differenciate between an OS and a UI. Hey Vlad, ever seen those Keitai phones from Japan that have awesome UI graphics? they run Symbian too, dude (MOAP).
To answer your question:
I have the following sets of backup on my Symbian Phone:
1) Backup of contacts to outlook via Roadsync
2)Backup of EVERYTHING to SD card via the OS itself
3)Back up of EVERYTHING to PC via PC Suite
4)Back up of contacts and messages to the manufacturer's online portal
5) Backup of contacts to Gmail via System SEVEN.
So there you go. As bomb proof as it can be. Numbers 1,4 and 5 are OTA, no.3 can be done via Bluetooth.
As someone else has said, there is a voice to text app although I've never felt the need to use it. Hell, I've had voice dialling on my dumbphones of year 2000 vintage and I never used it either.
Lastly, there is one major thing that sets Symbian apart from its peers, especially for customers who don't have unlimited data. You have COMPLETE control over the data flow in and out of your phone. You can set the phone to ask you to choose the access point each time (I do it all the time), set preference to WiFi over 3G and vice versa, set the phone to get off HSDPA when not needed (And thereby saving battery life) and so on.
@(Unverified)
HEY Engagdet !
Stop being so fucking biased and stubborn and hire this guy.