Xpressmusic5800
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Cincinnati Bell lands Nokia's XpressMusic 5800: $149.99
Good one, Cincinnati Bell -- you totally got us. Oh, wait. This isn't a joke? For the second time in as many months, the aforesaid carrier has somehow managed to land a white-hot Nokia handset before any other operator in America. This go 'round, the company is becoming the first in the US to offer a subsidized version of Nokia's polarizing XpressMusic 5800, bringing it to customers in the Ohio region for $149.99. Those looking to do without any strings can procure one for $349.99 (which is still $50 less than what Nokia's asking), but it's the bragging rights here that make it all worthwhile. So, how long before a real carrier follows suit?Update: And here's the press release.[Thanks, Adam]
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.
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic gets its first firmware update: aww!
It's always a momentous occasion when a hot-as-white-fire handset sees its first firmware update, but the latest package -- designed to get your 5800 XpressMusic up to v20.0.0.12 -- is way more than just cute. Available now for downloading, the update adds in camera photo geotagging, full device search and marginally faster operation overall. Users can opt for an OTA update or the traditional PC Suite approach, and if you're somewhat terrified about engaging in either, just take a deep breath, hit the read link, and follow the instructions. We swear it'll be alright.
Nokia ships one millionth 5800 XpressMusic, does a little dance
Okay, so we're going on the assumption that the 500,000 figure uttered by Nokia CEO Olli Pekka Kallasvuo during this week's Q4 earnings call was a touch old -- you know, considering that the outfit is now trumpeting the shipment of a cool million. Following a (very!) successful UK launch, Nokia has just shipped its one millionth Tube, which is the handset maker's first mass market touchscreen device. And to think -- it hasn't even debuted in many corners of the globe yet.
Nokia ships half a million 5800 XpressMusic handsets in 30 days
If this were coming from any other mouth, we'd definitely second guess it. As it stands, though, it's hard to dispute the words of Nokia's CEO when it comes to matters involving Nokia. Mr. Olli Pekka Kallasvuo stated rather proudly during the firm's Q4 results call that it had shipped just over 500,000 5800 XpressMusic mobiles (better known as the Tube) in just 30 days. That figure becomes even more impressive when you realize that shipments only occurred in select markets, though it should be noted that "units shipped" and "units sold to end users" could indeed be very different things. Still, half a million in just a month ain't too shabby in today's economy, so here's the kudos you're clearly due, Nokia.
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic shows up in FCC with US 3G support
So, here's what's awesome: Nokia's well received 5800 XpressMusic will be making the trip to US soil with US 3G support baked right in. Here's what's just so-so: there's no AT&T logo on the photos, so we're assuming Nokia will only be selling this one here in unlocked, unsubsidized form. Of course, we're just thrilled to know the phone will be making a proper debut in the US of A, but those looking to pick one up will certainly need to expect a lofty price tag.
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic bundled with Shure SE210 earphones in Hong Kong
As you can probably tell from the naming convention used on Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic, this here phone was designed with music playback in mind. Shocking, we know. That being the case, we're not surprised to see this here Nokia / Shure bundle surface in Hong Kong, and honestly, we're a little surprised it took this long. The special edition kit will come packaged with one handset and one set of Shure SE210 earphones, and it's expected to go on sale today for around $620. Too bad you'll have to jet to Hong Kong and drop by the currency conversion joint to actually snag one.[Via The Nokia 5800 Blog]
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic goes on sale somewhere in the world
If you've been gritting your teeth and letting the PR onslaught of the iPhone 3G, Storm, and G1 knock you around as you waited for Nokia's entry into the widescreen, touchscreen superphone market -- that wait appears to be nearing it's end. Nokia has gone and gotten all official and release-y with it's anticipated (if somewhat disappointing) 5800 XpressMusic... or as we know it, the Tube. According to the company's PR, the device "is now, or will be soon" available in Russia, Spain, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Finland, "among others." If you'll recall, the phone boasts a 3.2-inch, 16:9 resistive touchscreen (hey, they throw in a guitar pick stylus), a 3.2-megapixel camera, 8GB of on-board storage, and the constant assurance that you're using a phone once called the Tube. No word on price or plans, but we expect cheap, and lots.[Thanks, Pdexter]
Nokia shocks no one, confirms N-Series touchscreen handset
Hey, it's not like you really expected Nokia to ride the coattails of its N95 / N96 forever without adding in a dash of innovation, right? At a recent Nokia event held in New Delhi, Devinder Kishore (the director of marketing for Nokia India) was quoted as saying that "We will have lots of touchscreen phones coming up, including an N-series device very soon." Granted, it's not at all shocking to hear that the engineers in Espoo are already conjuring up touch-friendly N-series handsets, but at least you know there's a fingertip-lovin' Nokia coming for you if the XpressMusic 5800 just ain't rubbing you the right way.
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic gets reviewed, coddled
Given that most of the world won't see Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic until 2009, you may be better off just forcing yourself to overlook this here review until you can snag one without importing. If you're just too impatient for all that, however, you should know that an early critique of the affectionately dubbed Tube deemed it mighty impressive. Call quality was solid, the OS was stable in most areas, and the display was a joy to look at and interact with. In fact, reviewers had a difficult time finding anything exceptionally negative to say, noting that this is the handset for anyone after a "well-rounded, do-it-all solution." It was also made clear that this phone and the iPhone were really two different animals not worth comparing (advantage, Tube), but that didn't stop critics from confessing that the 5800 packs an "unparalleled price / quality ratio that changes the rules for all phone makers out there, including Nokia itself."
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic to mature markets: see you in 2009
The Foundations said it best in their 1968 classic, but seriously, why let us down like this? Nokia didn't mind busting out a litany of press shots and all the specifications one could need to get amped up about the 5800 XpressMusic, but it obviously has something holding it back from launching in "mature markets" before 2009. In an announcement that's just as disappointing to the suits in Espoo as it is to those in North America and Down Under (just to name a couple), we've now learned that the touchscreen-dominated handset will only be available in seven countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe before 2009 dawns. Even worse? Not knowing how deep into next year we'll have to wait for this thing here in the US of A. Catch our feelings spelled out in video form after the break.
Nokia's XpressMusic 5800 Tube launching October 2nd?
Okay, so first we heard that Nokia's Comes with Music service would be good and ready by October 2nd. Then we heard October 17th. Now, a certain "anonymous industry source" has revealed that the long-awaited XpressMusic 5800 (or the Tube, as it were) will be launching on the 2nd of next month. With so much conflicting evidence out and about, we're firmly in "wait and see" mode at this point, and considering that "launch" gives no indication of a ship date, we reckon you're better off doing the same.[Thanks, Mikkel]
