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Nokia 5800 XpressMusic starts hitting shelves in gray
Saying that the 5800's now available in gray might actually be a bit misleading, seeing how all variants of the phone are primarily black -- rather, the colored strip around the phone's beltline is now available in a strapping shade of gray. That marks a change from the red and blue that the phone initially launched in, though you won't find the gray version in just any country; just a handful of lucky markets in Asia and Europe (plus the US, go figure) have launched it so far, so keep your ear to the ground if you're looking to scoop it up locally. It'd look nice if they redid the entire phone in, say, red or white from top to bottom instead of repainting that strip alone, wouldn't it? [Via Cell Addict Blog]
Keepin' it real fake, part CXCVI: NOKLA 5800 XpressMusic is actually quite convincing on video
NOKLA strikes again! The Hong Kong-based doppelganger has concocted its own version of the 5800 XpressMusic, and it looks like they've spared no expense in copying the Finnish phonemaker's handiwork, from the apparent use of Symbian S60 5th Edition to the wavy line-infused screen film. Vietnamese retailer L. A. digital's selling it for 1,900,000 VND, or about $107 US. Peep the video after the break to see this grade-A KIRF unboxed and toyed with.[Via Daily Mobile]
Giant Nokia 5800 XpressMusic invades Antwerp
We're not sure why giant phones are suddenly all the rage, but it seems to be a trend -- Nokia just put up this four-foot 5800 XpressMusic in Antwerp. Unlike the giant Samsung Messager that recently invaded Chicago, it's not actually a working phone, but the custom Flash interface designed by Create Multimedia is meant to mimic the OS as closely as possible -- so we're guessing it's just as frustrating as the real thing. Passerby can play with the Maps app, browse photos, and listen to music through some nifty through-the-glass speakers -- hit the read link for the video.[Via Nokia Conversations]
5800 XpressMusic firmware updates brings loads of improvements
Two firmware updates in a month? If you're the 5800 XpressMusic, the answer's yes. Nokia has just pushed out the second update for said smartphone, and this one's packing some serious heat. For starters, the new software promises faster data downloads from the internet, an improved email experience and a better search experience with in-device search. If that's not enough, Nokia's also opening up new camcorder features (second camera support for still image capture in addition to video calls, burst mode that allows people to take multiple pictures one after another without needing to repress the picture taking button) and adding a mobile dictionary with support for 38 languages. Finally, the 'Application Update' gives owners the ability to check (or set to check automatically) for available updates for applications and update them directly in the device. Needless to say, we'd highly recommend you hit this up on the double, and let us know how it goes, yeah?
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic review
It's not the company's first touchscreen device, but the 5800 XpressMusic is the first touchscreen device that Nokia has designed to appeal to the masses, and as such, there are certain expectations. By even the most forgiving of standards, Nokia is now officially late to this game -- all of the remaining top-five manufacturers have been offering mass-market touchscreen phones for some time now -- so there's plenty of ground to be made up. What's more, the 5800 marks the retail introduction of S60 5th Edition, the latest incarnation of the world's most ubiquitous smartphone platform; future iterations of this very code will lay the groundwork for the Symbian Foundation's next-gen offensive, so the stakes have never been higher. You might say the weight of the world -- or Finland, at the very least -- is on the 5800's shoulders, but is this unassuming little slate up to the task? Let's have a look. %Gallery-48340%
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic software update available: faster, better, updater
Nokia's hot selling 5800 XpressMusic handset just got a little bit better. Available now, the free update promises faster Internet data, built-in dictionary with text-to-speech support, an improved overall UI and eMail experience, and better in-device search. Nokia's also tweaked the cameras adding still image support to the front-facing video-call camera and a burst mode for capturing multiple snaps while holding the shutter button. There's also a new Application Update feature that identifies and downloads updates to your installed applications automatically. Giddy up.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic NAM firmware update puts misbehaving units in line (update: or not!)
We'd initially been told that the first round of bunk Nokia 5800s for the North American market would have to be exchanged despite the fact that the 3G reception fix was a simple "configuration change," but now... not so much. Firmware 20.2.014 has just gone live through Nokia's Software Update application, bringing the same rich, buttery 3G quality to buyers of those first few devices. Other than that, changes are unknown and presumed to be minor, so if you're still struggling with getting your 5800 to appreciate the finer things in life -- like HSDPA, for example -- give this one a shot.[Via Symbian Freak]Update: We've been contacted by Nokia and told that the "configuration change" cannot, in fact, be fixed via firmware update. Sorry, early adopters, looks like you're in for a date with customer care after all.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic NAM firmware update puts misbehaving units in line
We'd initially been told that the first round of bunk Nokia 5800s for the North American market would have to be exchanged despite the fact that the 3G reception fix was a simple "configuration change," but now... not so much. Firmware 20.2.014 has just gone live through Nokia's Software Update application, bringing the same rich, buttery 3G quality to buyers of those first few devices. Other than that, changes are unknown and presumed to be minor, so if you're still struggling with getting your 5800 to appreciate the finer things in life -- like HSDPA, for example -- give this one a shot.[Via Symbian Freak]
North American Nokia 5800 XpressMusic available once again, with feeling
We received a call this afternoon from our good friends at the Nokia flagship store in Chicago to let us know that the updated North American version of the 5800 XpressMusic is now in stock and ready to go. This means that existing owners should be good to exchange their units, and of course, new buyers can go ahead and dive in. Not all at once now -- we don't want riots at the entrance, now, do we?
Oh, by the way: Nokia 5800 works with Amazon Video On Demand
Quietly mentioned at the NAM 5800 XpressMusic's launch was its ability to sync up with Amazon's Video On Demand service, bringing over 40,000 movies and TV shows (though how many of those we'd actually want to watch remains unclear) to the surprisingly capable 640 x 360 display in your pocket. Unfortunately, you can't buy and download over the air -- you'll need to install the PC-based Video On Demand software first, then download the portable player for the 5800, then download content by tethering up to the machine, which isn't the optimal solution. With HSDPA on board, we're hoping Amazon eventually figures out that there's a better way to do this -- this is the company that runs Whispernet, after all. [Thanks, Mia]
Nokia confirms North American 5800 3G reception issues have been fixed
It's official: Nokia has a fix. It seems that a "configuration change" -- which we're assuming means a software-based setting of some sort -- was responsible for the 3G disaster on the first batch of North America-spec 5800 XpressMusics to hit the market, and the company has been able to fast-track a new firmware (not a common occurrence for those guys, but clearly, time was of the essence here). Revised units will be on sale "shortly," while existing owners are being asked to call Nokia's customer care, or alternatively, they can step into a flagship store to have their device exchanged. Too bad we can't update these things ourselves, but at least we get the pleasure of unboxing it all over again, eh? Follow the break for the full statement.
Reception issues with North American Nokia 5800s to be fixed with firmware?
When you're dealing with a major signal reception issue on a phone, it's easy to believe that the problem isn't gonna go away without retooling the innards and releasing revised hardware -- but for North American owners (and would-be owners) of Nokia's stricken NAM version of the 5800 XpressMusic, there's new hope. The Nokia Blog is claiming that word from an inside source confirms that the problem has already been fixed with an unreleased firmware update, which would lead us to believe that Nokia could conceivably get devices back on the shelves relatively quickly -- and that current owners will be able to fix their woes without physically exchanging phones. Of course, firmware updates have never come out of Espoo at a firehose pace -- particularly for North American versions of devices -- so we'll believe this is resolved when we've seen it with our own eyes.
Hobbyist brings multitouch to the Nokia 5800, doesn't fix 3G reception
Okay, yes, pardon the headline -- we're a little fired up about the 5800's 3G situation at the moment, and at a time like this, nothing soothes the soul quite like some awesome hackery. Self-described "homebrew coder" Jamie Fuller has somehow magically turned the singletouch 5800 into a multitouch device, delivering a proof of concept in the form of a Guitar Hero-style game requiring cat-like thumb reflexes in response to the beat of one of the best songs we've ever heard. Considering that neither the hardware nor the software technically support multitouch here, it's a hell of a feat -- and it's also proof that hope springs eternal for even the most seemingly hopeless limitations of your favorite gadget, no matter what that gadget might be. The developer says that the app will eventually be available for free once it's further along, and in the meantime, he needs some beta testers and help with graphics -- you know, something beyond colored circles -- so if the dream of putting two fingers on your 5800's screen at the same time keeps you awake at night, you might consider pitching in. Follow the break for a video demo.[Via Symbian Freak, thanks mj]
The plot thickens: Nokia investigating 5800 NAM issues, says problem is limited to Chicago and New York
This whole 3G performance thing on the North American version of Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic is shaping up to be one of the great made-for-TV gadget industry dramas of the year. First it didn't work, then we found that it kinda did, and now Nokia has put out a totally cryptic statement that clarifies little about what's going on (likely because they don't know either, if we had to guess). In a nutshell, they're acknowledging that "some" NAM 5800s are having issues, they're investigating why, and owners are advised to contact Nokia Customer Care. Here's where it gets crazy, though: they go on to say "only NY and Chicago affected, in Dallas and Miami the devices are working OK. The investigation is ongoing on the device itself and the network used in these cases." It's possible that there's a very specific combination of equipment being used in these two markets that's causing the 5800s to choke, but in all likelihood, it has more to do with the spectrum in use -- in which case, the problem is probably far more widespread than just two cities. If this shakes out to be a hardware issue and Nokia's gotta send 'em back to the labs to get retooled for a few weeks or months, are they better off canning the model and moving on?
Nokia NAM 5800 XpressMusic pulled from NYC flagship store, replaced with Euro edition
While we did manage to eventually commandeer 3G on our Nokia flagship store-purchased NAM 5800 XpressMusic -- albeit not first without leaving the Chicago area -- The Nokia Blog went by the NYC store yesterday afternoon and found out the phone had been pulled from shelves. We put in a call to the store ourselves and confirmed that the NAM version is currently being eschewed in favor of the Euro-spec edition. No word on when it'll return, but we're still waiting anxiously for Nokia's official statement on the matter.
Our Nokia 5800 magically starts working on 3G
We powered up ye olde NAM 5800 XpressMusic today, and the weirdest thing happened: it worked on 3G. This comes after a day of frustration trying to get it hooked up to UMTS yesterday -- a sentiment echoed by several others who took the plunge. The only theory we can come up with is that we were in Chicago yesterday at the Nokia flagship store -- a place where many of the "defective" units were sold -- and today we're elsewhere, so it's conceivable that there's an issue with AT&T's 3G network in Chicago. We've noticed an uptick in 3G loss on other devices in Chicago the past few days, so it's possible that the 5800 is just particularly sensitive to crappy networks; then again, there seem to be others in New York that have the same issue, so it's anybody's guess. All we know for sure is that we're showing a big, fat "3.5G" logo in the upper left corner of our unit at the moment -- and we're going to cross our fingers that it stays that way. We have a request out to Nokia for official comment on the issue, and we'll let you know as soon as we have more.
Nokia's XpressMusic 5800 troubled with speaker and NAM radio woes?
Seems all's not rosy in North American XpressMusic 5800-land, as tipsters and forums are buzzing with reports that the newly launched touchscreen isn't connecting to 3G. We did a little spelunking on the newly launched set ourselves, and we can confirm that 3G appears to be a complete no-go -- GSM works fine, but apart from a very brief 3.5G blip, we're getting nothing in terms of UMTS or HSDPA. Also on the block in the trouble department is the ongoing speaker failing issue we've heard so much about of late. Apparently the issue stems from a supplier's earpiece units packing it in -- and Mobile-review used science to prove this -- due to humidity. The fix? Grab one made in February, we're told, or if you already have one of the affected Euro-spec units, Nokia has parts in from a new supplier and should be able to sort you out right quick.
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic finally up for grabs Stateside
There was a bit of a false alarm at the flagship stores yesterday -- Nokia's New York and Chicago stores got inventory, but didn't start selling the 5800 right away, causing much anguish in the hearts of American plectrum lovers and our very own Chris Ziegler. Well, all has been rectified, and now you can pick up Nokia's touchscreen pioneer, the 5800 XpressMusic, for $399, unlocked and unsubsidized. If you aren't so much into retail stores you can head to Nokia's online store, though the phone is still inexplicably listed as "pre-order" there -- we're sure things will be rectified soon enough.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic now for sale at flagship stores
Yep, the North American version of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is now on sale for $399 at the flagship store in NYC, just as we'd heard. (Chicago doesn't seem to have them yet but we're sure that'll change soon.) Sure, you've been able to score a $349 Euro unit for a while now, but for an extra 50 bones the NAM version does US 3G on AT&T, and we know you like that 3G action. Still no word on ship dates for those of you that pre-ordered online, but we'll see what we can find out when we head down to the local to pick this bad boy up.[Via PhoneScoop]Update: As of 4:30 Eastern, neither the New York nor Chicago stores are actually giving up the goods yet, though we have reason to believe that the 5800s are physically in the stores. Trying to lead up to some manufactured hype, perhaps?
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic with North American 3G coming to flagship stores soon, probably tomorrow
Circumstantial evidence continues to suggest that we're on track for a February release of Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic in New World flavor, featuring quadband EDGE plus hearty helpings of 850 and 1900MHz HSDPA -- and if you're close to the New York or Chicago flagship stores, that release might be right around the corner. The Nokia Blog cites a trusted source that we'll see both locations unleash the 5800 tomorrow afternoon for $399; we called the Chicago store and were told that it'd likely be released within a week, "but you might want to try back tomorrow." In other words, yeah, tomorrow's looking like a lock, unless something goes horribly wrong, the shipping truck flips somewhere along a deserted stretch of I-80, and hundreds of precious handhelds lie scattered across the asphalt.
