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Nokia C7 with T-Mobile user's manual hits FCC: is this the Tiger?
Rumors have been circulating the past few days that Nokia would be teaming up with T-Mobile to release the Symbian^3-powered C7 -- right on the heels of the Nuron 2's possible cancellation -- as the Tiger. Well, here's some fuel for the fire: a version of the C7 with AWS 3G support and mentions of T-Mobile in the attached user's manual just showed up in the FCC. Interestingly, there's absolutely no sign of T-Mobile branding on the phone itself, but it's possible Nokia's prototype here simply didn't have the final silkscreens applied. Of course, plenty of devices get FCC approval without ever seeing the light of day -- but it's a sign. Who's buying?
Nokia X7 press shot emerges with AT&T branding, subsidized hopes and dreams (update: canceled)
Is AT&T seriously gearing up to sell a subsidized Nokia smartphone once again in the US of A? Given the company's long absence from being included in any US carrier's smartphone section, it still feels more like a dream than an impending reality, but that image above is certainly hard to ignore. According to Pocketnow's sources, the first press images of the Nokia X7 are legitimate, and the AT&T branding isn't by accident. Purportedly, the Symbian^3-based phone will be hitting Ma Bell's shops as early as this month, bringing along an eight megapixel camera (with dual-flash), four speaker grilles (two of which have drivers underneath) and a ClearBlack display. Hit the source link for a look at the rear. Update: Our dreams have been dashed by Pocketnow, who says its original source was out of date -- AT&T had apparently planned to stock the X7 under the name "Nokia Journey" in time for a Mobile World Congress launch, but those plans have reportedly been canceled by AT&T itself. [Thanks, Ben E.]
How would you change Nokia's N8?
There's no need to tell you that a lot was (and still is, in a way) riding on Nokia's N8. It was said to be the outfit's first dead-serious smartphone to rival the giants of today, and it was also Nokia's first chance to truly reveal Symbian^3 to the world. We've already churned out our two pennies on the matter, but for those of you who bought in, now's the time to get really real. Are you satisfied with where Nokia's going with the N8? Do you seriously see a long and lively future when looking at Symbian^3? If someone (read: UPS) accidentally delivered the keys to the Finnish kingdom to you, how would you go about tweaking and / or reshaping the N8? Would you have selected a different operating system? Added a few more hardware buttons? Thrown in a different processor? Made it available on your carrier of choice? Let us know down in comments below, and keep it sensible -- it's Christmas Eve and all.
Skype gets upgraded for Symbian, includes N8 support
You know what's awesome? Versions of Skype's mobile app that don't arbitrarily restrict you to WiFi networks. If you're in the US, you won't find such an app on Android devices -- but you will find it on Symbian, where the company has just released a re-upped build with new features and support for more phones. Specifically, the N8, C7, and E5 are all in the mix now, along with access to Skype's new SILK codec that offers a potent combo higher voice quality and improved bandwidth efficiency. It's also got a tweaked UI along with better contact and profile management -- so yeah, if you're a Symbian user, odds are very good you're going to want to grab this.
Nokia toys with context-aware smartphone settings switch, Jigsaw provides better context for apps like this
If Intel prognosticated correctly, context is the future of apps -- your device's array of sensors will determine where you are and what you're doing, and clever programs will guess from there. Problems arise, however, when one tries to run those accelerometers, microphones, radio antennas and GPS tracking devices constantly on the battery life of an average smartphone and determine what the raw data means, and that's where a group of Dartmouth researchers (and one Nokia scholar) are trying to stake their claim. They've got a bundle of algorithms called Jigsaw for iPhone and Symbian that claims to be able to continually report what you're up to (whether walking, running, cycling or driving) no matter where you place your device, and only pings the sensors as needed based on how active you are. (For better or for worse, Jigsaw also dodges the privacy concerns Intel's cloud-based API might raise by storing all personal data on the phone.) Of course, we've had a very basic version of context-aware functionality for years in apps like Locale for Android and GPS-Action for Symbian -- which modifies your smartphone settings under very specific conditions you specify. Now, Espoo's doing much the same with an app called Nokia Situations. Presently in the experimental stage, Situations is a long ways away from the potential of frameworks like Jigsaw, but here you won't have to wait -- you can download a beta for Symbian^3, S60 5th Edition and S60 3.2 at our source links without further delay.
Nokia X7-00 spotted feeding its Need for Speed in the wild (video)
Firstly, let's be absolutely clear that we don't know this is Nokia's X7, but given the polished, entertainment-centric design (it has four speakers, apparently), we're inclined to believe that it's the real deal. Its screen looks to be the same 4-inch affair as on Nokia's E7, it's running the latest Symbian OS (formerly known as Symbian^3), and pictures of its rear reveal an 8 megapixel camera. The last detail of import, naturally, is the reassurance that comes from knowing that this supposed X7 can crunch through Need for Speed quite nicely. Jump past the break to see it on video. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: The video's been thrown into private mode pretty quickly. Let us know if you find any copies of it floating about the interwebs. Update 2: Thanks to the lightning-fast gang at Mobile Bulgaria, we've got a new copy of the video up past the break. We've also spotted that this handset has four homescreens rather than the three available on currently released Symbian handsets. A newer version of the software? Might well be.
Nokia E7 hits FCC with as much 3G support as you can handle
In our inevitable Utopian future (assuming we make it past this 2012 noise), we'll all use one frequency for our high-speed wireless broadband across the globe. Actually, we'll probably just beam information directly between our brains and brain-like supercomputers at speeds so fast they can't be measured, and we won't need smartphones at all because they'll be installed in our bodies at birth, complete with eyeballs capable of 1080p video capture. Until then, though, we've got companies like Nokia showing some hustle to put pentaband 3G radios on the market, and the trend continues with the upcoming E7. Of course, we already knew it was going to be pentaband -- Nokia had said as much -- but seeing it in the cold, hard graphs and tables of an FCC filing is still music to our ears. Won't be long now, folks.
Nokia E7 starts shipping December 10th (update: December 2010)
We can imagine that the wait's been an excruciating one for wannabe E7 owners who've been restraining themselves from buying an N8 instead... but the good news is that the wait isn't that much longer. Nokia has announced on Twitter today that the 4-inch tilting QWERTY handset -- a phone Espoo has labeled the true successor to the storied Communicator series -- will start shipping out on the 10th of next month, though exact availability dates and times will undoubtedly vary a bit from market to market. The company has been quick to note that today's wild Symbian Foundation news has no effect on the existing range of Symbian^3 devices being launched as we close out the year, so the question is: who's buying? Update: Nokia just clarified that it meant December 2010, not the 10th of December in its tweet.
Nokia C6-01 starts shipping, hitting retail any minute now
One of the Symbian^3 devices introduced at Nokia World not long ago, the midrange C6-01 is now shipping around the world in quite literal terms: "the boxes have been filled, the vans loaded and the factory gates opened," to use Nokia's verbiage. Interestingly, we left Nokia World with the impression that this was the sleeper of the range -- a less-expensive model with a great display and extremely solid (read: metal) construction that should make this a good choice for the Symbian faithful looking for an upgrade option that saves a few dollars (or euros, as the case may be). No word on specific availability by country, but we'd imagine you could start pestering your local retailer right about now. [Thanks, ryzvonusef]
Nokia ends talk of Symbian^4, adopts HTML5 in Qt framework
Things are turning upside down in Espoo today. Besides, earnings and reported job cuts of some 1,800 employees, Nokia also announced that it'll be streamlining its development strategy to unify environments for Symbian and MeeGo. Nokia's new approach calls for the adoption of Qt, and only Qt, as its application development framework from today onward. Here's what that means for new N8 owners: You can buy a Nokia smartphone confident that any improvements introduced later to the Symbian platform, such as the user interface, can be made available to download on your device as well. No need to wait for Symbian^4 - the improvements we were planning for Symbian^4 will be introduced as and when they become available. In fact, we will no longer be talking about Symbian^3 or Symbian^4 at all – it will be one constantly evolving and constantly improving platform. Sounds like a smart move to us. After all, it's Symbian's UI, and not the OS, that we have the most trouble with -- an issue that Nokia readily concedes. So the faster they can improve it -- even pieces of it in a continuous evolution of the experience -- the better. Nokia also announced support for HTML5 web content and applications for the Symbian and MeeGo platforms in both Qt and the browser. Click through for the press release and to hear Rich Green, Nokia CTO, discuss the new strategy.
Nokia N8 review
The first time Nokia's N8-00 popped up on our radar was way back in early February of this year. On that chilly, misty morning, we learned of a mythical being capable of shooting 12 megapixel stills, recording 720p video, outputting via HDMI, and -- most importantly -- ushering in the promised Symbian^3 touch revolution. It's been a long road of leaks, teasers, hands-ons, and previews since then, but at long last, the legend of the N8 has become a purchasable commodity. All the early specs have survived, including the 3.5-inch AMOLED display, but the key question today, as it was at the beginning, relates to that all-new software within: does Symbian^3 succeed in elevating Nokia's touchscreen experience or does it drag down an otherwise stellar combination of high-end parts? For that verdict and much, much more, join us after the break.%Gallery-103738%%Gallery-104212%
Nokia C7 starts shipping 'round the globe
Mere days behind the mighty N8, the second Symbian^3 device to hit the market is now... well, hitting the market: the svelte C7. Though it lacks the N8's powerhouse 12-megapixel cam with mechanical shutter and xenon flash, the C7's still got 8 megapixels' worth of photon catchers paired up with dual LED illumination -- likely more than good enough for most users -- along with that sweet 3.5-inch nHD "ClearBlack" AMOLED display featuring insane, mind-bending contrast ratios. Nokia's official PR (which you'll find after the break) doesn't mention which markets will be first to take delivery of the shipments, but regardless of where you may be, expect to pay somewhere around Nokia's suggested list price of €335 ($468) before subsidy -- €35 less than the N8's €370 ($517). Update: Turns out the C7 doesn't have a ClearBlack display, though we were told otherwise at Nokia World. Bummer!
Nokia N8 going on general sale in Europe October 22nd, available online October 15th
Been waiting for the N8 but weren't sure enough about buying it to get into the pre-order queue? Well, Nokia must have found your lack of faith disturbing as it's now stiffing those who didn't pre-order its all-new handset with another couple of weeks of waiting. Those without Nokia logos tattooed on their lower backs will finally be able to purchase the N8 on October 15th -- but only via Nokia's own web store -- before a general release hits the UK and presumably most of the rest of Europe on October 22nd (slightly later than the promised October 1 landing date). The distribution is indeed wide, however, with all the major UK carriers, plus Tesco Mobile and Virgin Mobile, joining the Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U in offering the phone that has "a black belt in entertainment." Yeah, Nokia, we're finding this wait really entertaining.
Nokia N8 shipments begin, usher in Symbian^3 era
Nokia's N8 is now shipping to those of you who pre-ordered. It may not be the device that'll make you leave your beloved BlackBerry, iPhone, or Android phone but Nokia's N8 with its significantly enhanced Symbian^3 OS is without a doubt the best you can do if you're one of the millions of Symbian users looking for a smartphone upgrade. Having said that, fans of cameraphones on any platform might be swayed by the N8's 12 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens, xenon flash, extra large image sensor, and HDMI out. Nokia says that availability will vary by country and operator and should be everywhere within the coming weeks. Update: Pictures of the N8 assembly and shipping operations added in the gallery below.%Gallery-103718%
Editorial: Nokia's not going to switch to Android or Windows Phone 7, so stop it already
I've had it. I can't take all this Nokia operating system speculation anymore. The final straw came with a VentureBeat piece citing a "trusted source" that claims "Nokia is now likely to use Windows Phone 7 as an additional platform for its phones." Enough already. Nokia has a strategy and hiring Stephen Elop away from Microsoft's Office team isn't going to change that no matter how much the US media (where Nokia has near zero presence) wishes it were true -- if anything, it's going to accelerate it.
Nokia's latest Calling All Innovators developer contest features AT&T involvement
Nokia has made no secret of the fact that improving its long-tepid relationship with the North American market is a priority -- but we'll admit, we didn't expect AT&T to throw its weight behind a rather massive Symbian developer contest this quickly. The concept is simple: develop and submit an app targeting the N8 by January 28 of next year; the best one (in Nokia's eyes) gets a cool quarter million, while 17 (yes, seventeen) runners-up get $150,000, which is still a pretty gigantic number. What makes this fascinating is that although AT&T had dipped its toes in the Symbian waters a few times over the years, it currently offers nothing but the Vivaz and refurbished E71x units -- and it hasn't announced any plans to carry the N8. Considering the size and scope of this contest, Nokia's definitely putting its money where its mouth is -- it seems to understand the importance of building a healthy third-party app catalog to drive a platform's success -- and we imagine AT&T's got some announcements of its own in the coming months. Just a hunch.
Nokia C7 pre-orders go live in some markets
By and large, Nokia's positioning the C7 as a lower-cost alternative to the N8 -- but with a relatively small pricing gap between the two in some regions, it seems like a lot of folks are going to want to just take the plunge and go for the 12 megapixel beast. In Finland, the C7 is now up for pre-order on Nokia's official web store for €439 ($582) unlocked, which isn't terribly much less than the N8 that can be had for €499 ($661). Well, with the delay, it actually can't be had just yet; wouldn't be interesting if the just-announced C7 ended up shipping first? The store is quoting late October for delivery, so it's at least a possibility.
Nokia N8 delayed 'for a few weeks to do some final amends'
Sounds like it's not much of a delay -- but be that as it may, if you were hoping to pick up your colorful N8 in the tail end of this month... well, we don't quite know how to say this, but you're going to want to make other plans. Backing up rumors that have been going around the past couple days, locales that had expected to get the N8 in September have now been pushed back to October while Nokia makes "some final amends." On the upside, some rumors had the delay pegged for November, so this doesn't seem to be as bad as it could've been. For what it's worth, Nokia mentioned during Nokia World last week (and again today) that the N8 is seeing strong pre-order demand -- the strongest ever for a Nokia device, allegedly -- so this is likely to bum out a lot of folks, and for a few, it might even be just the impetus they needed to hold out for the upcoming E7. Here's the full statement: "The amount of preorders has exceeded our expectations and we are working hard to deliver the Nokia N8 to the market. In some markets, we had planned to start delivering the Nokia N8s to our pre-order customers by the end of September. To ensure a great user experience, we have decided to hold the shipments for a few weeks to do some final amends. We're thrilled with the response that we've had to the Nokia N8 and assure everyone who've pre-ordered it already that it'll be worth the wait! We expect consumers to get their Nokia N8s during October."
Nokia C6-01 first hands-on
So the C7 might be the sexiest Symbian^3 device... but the C6-01, well, it just may be the cutest. Just all depends on what you're looking for (and how much you're willing to spend), you know? Like the C7, we had a little difficulty getting screen swipes to register while trying to change home screens, but considering that the top of the bezel had the very prototypish "C0" mystery name badge, we're more than happy to cut it a little slack. Having come directly from the C7, it's a little tricky to be comfortable with the smaller display -- not to mention the thicker body -- and the back definitely tends toward the cheap side with matte hard plastic, but again, this is clearly designed to be a budget device. And hey, how many budget smartphones can you think of with AMOLED displays that have extreme black levels? Check out the gallery for a few shots. %Gallery-102115%
Nokia C7 first hands-on
We've just played with both black and silver versions of Nokia's just-announced C7 -- a phone that you might call an N8 for the masses -- and we think it's probably going to come away with the "sexiest Symbian device" crown by the time it's on shelves. We're a little concerned with screen sensitivity; on both the C7 and C6-01, we had a little difficulty getting home screen swipes to actuate -- but you never know what the deal is with these well-handled protos, so we're going to hold off on passing judgment until we've got retail units in our hands. The black's a little unnotable, but the silver really pops in person -- maybe it's just the lighting -- and the screen seems to perform nearly as well as the C6's so-called ClearBlack AMOLED, so unless you need a monster cam, the C7 might be your Symbian^3 device of choice when it launches later this year. Hit the gallery for shots of both colors! Update: The display seemed to look as good as the C6-01's because we've confirmed that it is ClearBlack! Rock on. %Gallery-102113%
