Day: February 16, 2009

Not launched from the stage but merely leaked out by press releases were the 6710 Navigator and 6720 Classic. The first features pre-licensed Nokia Maps (of course), a dedicated navigator key, plus a ‘touch area for easy zooming’. The 6720 Classic is a candy bar design and its innovation is ‘active noise cancellation’ for voice calls, a S60 first. Both devices have the usual 5mp camera and S60 spec level, including TV out.
Key Hardware and Software Features on the 6710

• User Interface: S60 3rd Edition
• Dimensions: 104.8 x 50.1 x 14.9 mm (L x W x T), 2.6” inch outdoor optimized QVGA display
• Weight: 117 g
• Display: 2.6 inch QVGA (320 x 240 pixels)
• 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and high quality flash
• High speed Internet access (HSDPA/HSUPA and WLAN)
• Around 50 MB for user memory, 2GB microSD card, support for up to 16GB memory

Navigation Features on the 6710 include

• Built-in GPS: Nokia Maps 3.0 with integrated GPS, Assisted GPS (A-GPS) support
• Integrated compass pedestrian guidance
• Access to locations, maps and routes with Navigator key
• Maps support in Calendar, Contacts and Gallery
• Zoom area for easy browsing and easy zooming of maps and images
• Drive and Walk navigation included with premium content such as real time traffic information, current whether, POI content eg movies, events etc.
• Regional maps preloaded on the device
• Navigation ready to use without SIM-card
• Full voice-guidance

Talking about the Maps experience,Nokia said: “The recent integration of Maps with Ovi allows people to pre-plan their journey at home on their PC and synchronize with their mobile device. Additionally, Maps has been updated to include a number of new features such as high-resolution aerial images, 3D landmarks for over 200 cities, terrain maps, weather service, premium travel and events content and traffic and safety warnings. With both of the new devices including a compass, working in conjunction with the new features of Maps, the pedestrian navigation experience has been significantly improved.”Included in the box of the 6710 Navigator is the Nokia CR-111 car holder, which “cradles the Nokia 6710 Navigator easily in the car and completes the driving navigation solution. For those that want a little extra, there is also the Nokia Speakerphone HF-310, which boasts high quality hands free with echo cancellation and noise reduction.”The Nokia 6710 Navigator will join in the third quarter with an estimated retail price of 300 EUR, before taxes and subsidies.
Key Hardware Features on the 6720

• Curved design that fits face and hand
• User Interface: S60 3rd Edition
• Dimensions: 110 x 45 x 14 mm (L x W x T)
• Weight: 110 g
• Display: 2.2 inch QVGA (240 x 320 pixels) with up to 16 million colors
• Battery: Nokia Battery BP-6MT, 1050 mAh
• Memory: Up to 50MB internal memory, support for up to 8GB microSD memory card

Key Software Features on the 6720

• Active noise cancellation
• Advanced imaging features with 5 megapixel camera
• WB-AMR supported for 2G/3G
• Easy sharing of photos and videos, attached with location information – online sharing to web, phone to phone, or on TV screen
• Built-in GPS: Nokia Maps 3.0 with integrated A-GPS, city compass, map rotation, pre-installed maps in microSD
• HSDPA/HSUPA data connection for fast web browsing and uploading/downloading
• Ovi Share and NGage Gaming support built in.

The Nokia 6720 appears to be the new baseline for S60 phones, and the inclusion of both GPS features and the continuing expansion of NGage away from the Nseries range is a welcome sight. The Nokia 6720 classic is expected to begin shipping in the second quarter of 2009 at an estimated retail price of 245 EUR before taxes and subsidies.

“Sony Ericsson has unveiled a concept device called the Idou, in one of the first announcements from the Mobile World Congress tradeshow.The Idou will be a smartphone in the vein of other all-touchscreen solutions such as the Apple iPhone and Samsung Omnia, but this model will have specifications that surpass many current mobile devices.The standout feature will be a 12.1 megapixel camera with a xenon flash. Currently, only Samsung has revealed this high-resolution of a camera module. Its new image sensor, Exmor, is a 1/2.5 CMOS sensor designed specifically for the size and power constraints of mobile devices.The Idou will include a 3.5-inch, 640×320-pixel (16:9) touchscreen that matches what is found in Nokia’s soon-to-come flagship, the N97.Behind that screen will be the Symbian Foundation’s Symbian S60 5th Edition operating system, the version created for touchscreen smartphones. However, it is not known what modifications Sony Ericsson will adapt to this platform.The Sony Ericsson Idou will be available in the second half of 2009, but under a different name. Specific regional availability information has not yet been released.For more information, and to see a small demo of the interface and hardware, visit the Sony Ericsson Idou website.” via brighthand.com

“Here comes a month of standby time, with the Nokia E55. Put alongside an incredibly thin profile and Nokia’s new compact keyboard, placing two letters on each physical key, the E55 is aiming for those travellers with “a business state of mind.” Expected availability will be in the summer for around 265 Euros Sim free. More details to follow here on All About Symbian.The Nokia E55, announced at MWC has been targeted to the business users, and has built on the success of the E71. The obvious inheritance is in the slimness of the device with the E55 managing to slim down to only 9.9 mm thick (so the designers met the sub 10mm target I presume they were given). The battery life on the E55 is incredibly high, with up to 28 days of standby time or 8 hours talk time available on the GSM version.

• System: WCDMA 850/1900/2100 or GSM/EGSM 850/900/1800/1900
• User Interface: S60 platform, version 3, feature pack 2.
• Dimensions: 116 mm x 49 mm x 9.9 mm
• Volume: 54 cc, Weight: 98 g
• Standby time: Up to 28 days (GSM), up to 19 days (WCDMA)
• Talk time: Up to 8 hours (GSM), up to 6 hours (WCDMA)
• Main display: 2.4” QVGA (320×240), up to 16 million colors
• Battery: BP-4L, 1500 mAh, Li-Po
• Memory: Up to 60 MB internal memory, 2GB microSD in sales box, support for up to 16GB microSD memory card

The obvious new hardware feature is the keys – by adding in two letters on each key, the component count has been reduced, and I suspect this is one area which has allowed the dimensions of the device ro be reduced below 10mm. Whether the users will appreciate the dual keys remains to be seen. It has been attempted on a number of devices in the past with varying levels of success. I’m sure Rafe will comment on this once he gets some time with the device in Barcelona.
Key Software Features of the Nokia E55

• Predictive engine that suggests word completions, error corrections and automatically learns new words.
• Full Email, Calendar and Contacts experience.
• Multiple business and personal Email accounts in a single device with enhanced UI.
• Improved company name search, remote company directory lookup, create and receive meeting requests.
• Superior voice quality with noise cancellation.

Clearly targeted at business users, the built in mobile VPN will aide the mobile road warrior to stay in touch with the office, while the IT Security department will be happy to see data encryption for both the microSD card and the built in memory available. It’s also hardware accelerated, which should mean little impact on the perceived speed of the E55 in use.” via allaboutsymbian.com

“It’s an open secret that Samsung’s S60-based solutions have never been sought-after, even the INNOV8, which is still one of the most capable phones out there, doesn’t seem to be doing well as far as sales volume goes. At the same time, the Samsung Omnia is selling considerably better. The rub lies in the fact that while these phones aren’t fashion-savvy by any stretch of imagination, they can’t please techi either for they don’t brim with hi-tech functionality. At least, that’s often the case with Samsung’s offerings. For example, I used to hear a lot of complaints that the lack of some S60-specific utilities, that were quite essential nonetheless, marred those phones big time. On the other hand, the ordinary consumer isn’t that sophisticated, so it’s absolutely vital for him to know that his phone is all the rage. But Samsung failed to cater for either audience’s tastes.
Probably that’s why having picked S60 5th edition (touchscreen-friendly, that’s right) as the framework for their new phone, they tried to jam-pack the new UI with as many proprietary utilities and features as possible so as to make it distinguishable, and at the same time get a piece of the craze around the Nokia 5800. In other words, Samsung’s goal is to jump on their rival’s back and capitalize on his success. Definitely a valid approach, however it can easily fail simply because Samsung isn’t perceived as a strong player in this segment – they don’t have a solid track record to boast, so it’s essential for them to roll out a series of successful and innovative solutions; and in this sense after the INNOV8, the brand-new Omnia HD is the second step on this way, so to speak.” Read more here:

HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today unveiled two new flagship devices, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2. Integrating innovative simplicity with unique style and an intuitive interface, the devices balance function, form and cutting-edge technology to personalize the communication and mobile Internet experience. “The HTC Touch Pro2 and HTC Touch Diamond2 introduce a mobile communication experience that simplifies how we communicate with people in our lives whether through voice, text or email,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. “HTC is delivering the latest, cutting-edge sophistication in a broad portfolio of mobile phones that improve how people live, work and communicate.”

HTC TOUCHFLO 3D INTEGRATED WITH WINDOWS MOBILE

The HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 utilize HTC’s latest TouchFLO 3D interface. TouchFLO 3D has been more deeply integrated into a customized version of Windows Mobile 6.1 to deliver more consistency throughout Windows Mobile applications and menus. Focused on making navigation easier and more intuitive, TouchFLO 3D brings important information to the top-level user interface, including quick access to people, messaging, email, photos, music and weather. As part of this improved Windows Mobile integration the touch focus areas have been enlarged to be more finger-touch friendly.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

With the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2, HTC is introducing a new people-centric communication approach, providing a single contact view that displays the individual conversation history of contacts regardless of whether voice, text or email were used. This can be viewed from the contact card or the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest communication contact-by-contact is always at hand.

SIMPLIFYING HOW PEOPLE ACCESS THEIR INFORMATION

Continuing its commitment to making the mobile Internet easier and more enjoyable, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 introduce HTC’s Push Internet technology. HTC Push Internet alleviates slow downloading and rendering of Web pages on a mobile phone. Users can preselect their favorite Websites to get immediate access to them when needed.

HTC TOUCH DIAMOND2

The HTC Touch Diamond2 is the next step in the evolution of the successful HTC Touch Diamond. Crafted to fit perfectly into the hand, the Touch Diamond2 evolves the compact design and iconic style of the original HTC Touch Diamond. It incorporates a larger 3.2-inch high-resolution wide-screen VGA display for a greater viewing area in a design just 13.7mm thick. The phone also includes a new touch sensitive zoom bar for even faster zooming of Web pages, emails, text messages, photos or documents.

Leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO 3D experience combined with a people-centric communication approach and HTC’s new Push Internet technology The Touch Diamond2 offers an advanced touch experience that is optimized for one-hand use.

With fifty-percent better battery life, a five mega-pixel auto focus camera, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the Touch Diamond2 brings the most sophisticated capabilities to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

HTC TOUCH PRO2

Designed for business professionals, the HTC Touch Pro2 is architected with distinct style and strength while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone. Leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO 3D, people-centric communication and Push Internet technology, the Touch Pro2 features a high-resolution 3.6-inch widescreen VGA display for an expanded viewing area and large finger-friendly QWERTY keyboard. With improved battery life, expandable memory, a touch-sensitive zoom bar as well as gravity, proximity and ambient light sensors, the Touch Pro2 is optimized for touch as well as heavy email use.

INTRODUCING HTC STRAIGHT TALK FOR HTC TOUCH PRO2

The new HTC Touch Pro2 leverages voice in a new way to create one of the most sophisticated communication experiences found on a mobile phone. HTC’s new Straight Talk technology delivers an integrated email, voice and speakerphone experience. Users can transition seamlessly from email to single or multi-party conference calls and turn any location into a conference room.

In addition to the new simplified calling experience, Straight Talk includes an innovative mechanical and acoustic design that features a sophisticated speakerphone experience similar to those found in corporate boardrooms. Straight Talk delivers a high-fidelity voice and sound experience enhanced by asymmetric speakers and advanced noise suppression with full duplex acoustics. When the Touch Pro2 is flipped over it automatically turns into a conference room speakerphone system.

Availability

The HTC Touch Diamond2 will be available to customers across major European and Asian markets in early Q2 2009 with broader global availability coming later in the year. The Touch Pro2 will be available across major global markets beginning in early summer.