In the picture above we have practically all of the “Communicator” Series of Nokia, a type of device that began with the Nokia 9000 (1996), which is still stay alive thanks to the recently introduced Nokia E7 (2011).
Within the portfolio of Nokia, the “Communicators” have always been a separate product concept, more advanced than the rest, the black label of the finnish company. 15 years have elapsed between the first and the last model, a sign of strength for a communication device that continues to have followers and public confidence, after all a product that it’s been adapted to the current technological developments.
Generational differences stay in both hardware and exterior design, representing technological innovations of its time and the communication skills to serve the user (either voice as “text”).
DESIGN, EXTERNAL AND HARDWARE FEATURES
The Nokia 9000 and Nokia E7 have only one similarity if we look at them closely, and is nothing but the fact that both feature a full QWERTY keyboard. The most striking thing when we get them together is its dimensions and weight: the 9000 boasts a weight of 397 grams and a thickness between 32 and 37mm, while the E7 is as thin as 13.6 mm and weighs only 175 grams.
The two products share a label but the E7 has changed the design. The 9000 is a clamshell phone with external display of 1.75-inch and alphanumeric keypad, plus a full QWERTY keyboard and 4.7-inch display when opening the device. The E7′s concept its been acquired from the N97 model, missing the external screen and keypad, and incorporating a single 4-inch screen.
If the E90 still keep a distinctive design common in the “Communicators”, the 2011 device is adapted to the trend of the moment and stays with a single screen and QWERTY keyboard, which help to reduce the thickness of the product and get a less elongated body: the Nokia E7 turns to a more compact cellphone.
If we analyze the body of both phones, we will notice two curious details that characterized the Nokia 9000: the external antenna, and the location of the earpiece at the back of the phone (disappeared in the 9500 and 9300). We will find the E7′s earpiece over the word “Nokia”.
The front of the 9000 is populated by numerous mechanical buttons, but observing the E7 we will be delighted with a flat display with Gorilla Glass finish and only a single action button located on the lower-central area, which when pressed will give us direct access to the applications and multitasking menus.
The Nokia 9000 we will just find a 12-pin connector on the bottom, to use the phone in the car and to insert it into a desktop charger: it’s necessary to connect a PAR-1 adapter to use a data cable or “standard” Nokia charger. In the top of the device highlights the IrDA (or infrared), which in today’s mobile phones is only included on the Japanese market.
The Nokia E7 multiplies the available connections, basically because it will use multiple technologies: an smart phone is a multimedia product. In the top there are a 3.5 headphone jack, micro USB port (for charging and use the data cable) and an HDMI out to connect the device directly to a TV in order to play HD content ( with multichannel sound.) On the left side is located a lock / unlock screen mechanism, and in the right we discover a compartment for SIM card plus a dedicated button for camera feature.
If the 9000 only owns an infrared technology for wireless communications, the Nokia E7 uses Bluetooth v3.0 (to transmit / receive files, and be connected with other devices) and Wi-Fi (b / g / n) to access broadband Internet after being paired with a Wi-Fi router.
The design of the device’s body is another major difference between the two phone generations. The 9000 is not uniform and in fact you will appreciate the similarity with the old home phones: the body is wider at the ends and curving inwards as we approach the center. Even in the front, the alphanumeric keypad is slightly sunk into the housing. Yes, the edges are perfectly rounded.
The design of the Nokia E7 is nearly uniform and flat, and only at the ends we will observe how the body is slightly curved.
With both devices face to face, the QWERTY keyboard denotes the changes occurred in the past 15 years. The 9000′s keyboard keep an structure and composition almost identical to what we would find on a computer keyboard: Ctrl, cursor, “intro”, reverse, number, Tab, Esc, Shift… commonly distributed. And also there are function keys to access SMS, Fax, calendar, and other features. The E7′s keyboard, in comparison, is incredibly compact, with smaller keys, numbers and letters sharing the same key… and basically with a distribution designed according the available size.
The keyboard of the Nokia 9000 was more suitable to use with the device resting in a surface, whereas in the case of the E7, much lighter, text input is performed while you hold it with both hands.
SOFTWARE, FUNCTIONS AND APPS
The Nokia 9000 was, unquestionably, a mobile device for professional use, while the Nokia E7, although within the “E” series (business), perfectly fits to the particular consumer needs.
The last decade of the twentieth century was just the start to popularize the use of mobile phones, and the consumer was more close to devices such as the Nokia 3210, Ericsson T10 and Motorola Startac, for example. An era in which the functions of a mobile phone were limited to sending / receiving text messages (SMS) or sending / receiving voice calls: plain and simple. Products like the Nokia 9000 represented a technological leap for very specific needs and within a very select group of people (the price of the product was very high).
The Nokia 9000 was one of the stars of the movie “The Saint” with Val Kilmer, where the device showed some of the advanced features of this smart phone, such as the Internet. The Nokia 9000 with GeoWorks operating system was a communication tool capable of organizing contacts and an executive meeting, to establish a list of tasks, send fax, access to Internet, send and receive email … and of course make calls: the 9000 was like a tiny computer.
Note: Operating system screens
But 15 years of technological innovations, evolution in wireless communications and software, new trends and needs in the communication between people, synergy into the cellular functions of different types of product… . have led to the today’s “Communicator”, the Nokia E7, that is not only a communication tool but also a productive entertainment solution, unthinkable decade and a half ago.
About the ways to get a communication, the E7, with Symbian OS ^ 3 allows the user to contact with its circle of friends and family either through phone calls or video calls, social networks (Twitter and Facebook, p. ej), instant messaging (MSN Messenger …), email and SMS. A compendium of options, which make it impossible not to get in touch with someone by message, only with text, or also with documents, images, or even home videos.
The Nokia E7 is more than just a communication tool, it can be used as mp3 and video player, through the device’s screen, or vía HDMI port to place the image in a TV); to take photos and record video with the 8MP lens; and also, the Nokia E7 is a gaming Smartphone.
With the E7, unlike the 9000, have increased the importance of the apps and, thanks to OVI Store and its thousands of applications, we can get weather information, edit images, receive RSS News feeds, editing and reading documents, get benefit of the device management utilities…
note: Nokia E7 screen shots.
Software developers, improvements in operating systems for mobile devices, the increasing adoption of 3G data plans by consumers, and the popularity of apps have been the key points which have contributed to the transformation and evolution of the legendary saga of Nokia Communicators.
But the sucess of 3G broadband Internet access has been the main responsible to enjoy YouTube and services linked to OVI Maps, to look for a job offer from the browser, to be informed about weather, upload a photo to Facebook from wherever in the world, or to get in touch with our friends and family, in real time, via instant messaging …
The “Communicator Series” have been changing gradually, and the 2011model is perhaps the best product of its time, like the Nokia 9000 in 1996.
Nokia announces powerful family of smartphones and Ovi services at Nokia World showcase; vision of location-based
future brought to life
Published September 14, 2010
London, UK – At Nokia World, the destination for people passionate about mobility, Nokia today announced a family of smartphones powered by the all new Symbian platform which brings significant enhancements in speed and ease of use. The new devices, which are tightly integrated with enhanced Ovi services and apps, reinforce Nokia’s vision of a mobile industry that is increasingly being defined by socially connected, location-based devices and experiences.
Highlights include:
- Three new smartphones, Nokia E7, Nokia C7 and Nokia C6, which join the previously announced Nokia N8 to form a family of Symbian products.
- The latest version of the Symbian platform brings more than 250 new features and improvements and retains the familiarity enjoyed by millions of smartphone users worldwide;
- Showcase of the Nokia N8, the ultimate entertainment smartphone and world’s best cameraphone;
- Availability of a richer Ovi Store experience – starting with the Nokia N8 – that includes a friendlier look and feel, and more popular and unique apps and games;
- The latest beta release of free Ovi Maps with new pedestrian and motorist features. “Today our fight back to smartphone leadership shifts into high gear,” said Niklas Savander, Executive Vice President, Markets, Nokia. “Despite new competition, Symbian remains the most widely used smartphone platform in the world. Our new family of smartphones introduced today feature the all- new Symbian OS, rewritten to be faster, easier to use, more efficient and more developer friendly.” Savander also commented on the high level of anticipation for the Nokia N8. “Based on the level of consumer interest and the highest online pre-orders in Nokia history, we expect big things from the Nokia N8.” A smartphone for everyone In addition to the Nokia N8, the new family of faster, more intuitive Symbian smartphones includes:
- Nokia E7 - the ultimate business smartphone. With Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync on board, the Nokia E7 provides direct, real-time and secure access to corporate email inboxes and other personal applications. Equipped with a 4-inch touchscreen display featuring Nokia ClearBlack technology for improved outdoor visibility and a full keyboard, business users will find theNokia E7 is the perfect shape and size to work on documents, review spreadsheets, or read and edit slides. For corporate peace of mind, a combination of business grade security solutions is available. Estimated retail price is EUR 495, excluding taxes and subsidies.
Nokia E7 image – Nokia C7 - beautifully crafted, sleek social networking smartphone. Get live updates from social networks such as Facebook and Twitter and keep track of new email from your Yahoo! or Gmail accounts directly on the homescreen. The Nokia C7 features a 3.5-inch AMOLED display and a stunning combination of stainless steel, glass and soft edges. Estimated retail price is EUR 335, excluding taxes and subsidies.
Nokia C7 image – Nokia C6 - the small and stylish smartphone. Sporting a 3.2-inch AMOLED display with full touch capabilities and Nokia ClearBlack technology for improved outdoor visibility, the latest Nokia C6 (C6-01) features the best of social networking and mobile entertainment in a stainless steel and glass design. Stay connected to email, access millions of tracks through Ovi Music, and download apps and games from the Ovi Store. Estimated retail price is EUR 260, excluding taxes and subsidies.
Nokia C6 image As a smartphone family, the Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia C7, Nokia C6 share several similarities. All are built on the new version of Symbian, the world’s most popular smartphone platform. It strikes a balance of innovation and intuition offering a variety of improvements and features such as support for multiple homescreens, visual multitasking, gesture-based interactions and a noticeable reduction in prompts — all while presenting a familiarity that means millions of people can pick up one of Nokia’s new smartphones and instantly know how to use it. People will also discover free Ovi Maps, access to Ovi Store, messaging, social networking and other experiences that come standard across all of these smartphones. The Nokia E7, Nokia C7 and Nokia C6 are all expected to begin shipping before the end of the year. …with content for everyone The new family of Symbian smartphones will include a completely updated Ovi Store experience. The new store experience is driven by a friendlier user interface and a new collections feature to quickly access popular apps and games available now, or soon, such as foursquare, Angry Birds, Need for Speed Shift and Real Golf 2011. Additionally, Ovi Store will continue to offer exclusive apps including
Audiotube, Tesco and others along with favorites such as Fring, Shazam, and Asphalt 5. For developers, the uniform Symbian platform together with the Qt development environment enables easy smartphone application creation and extensive reach.
A mobile world centered on where you are Free access to Ovi Maps, the world’s most comprehensive walk and drive navigation, to Nokia smartphones was only the start. With the latest beta release of Ovi Maps, available for download today, people will benefit from new features and even greater map detail. Ovi Maps beta adds visibility to subways, trams and trains in 85 cities around the world, real-time traffic, safety alerts in or out of navigation mode, visibility to parking and petrol stations, and speed limit warnings. In addition, people can use the improved search capabilities and share their location immediately via text messages or email to other browser-enabled phones. New gear for on-the-go Nokia also showcased the Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset BH-905i offering an improved audio experience with active noise cancellation and a collection of five unique new Bluetooth headsets designed for a variety of needs, including hands-free multitasking, talking and navigating in the car with voice guidance.
About Nokia At Nokia, we are committed to connecting people. We combine advanced technology with personalized services that enable people to stay close to what matters to them. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia device – from mobile phones to advanced smartphones and high-performance mobile computers.
Today, Nokia is integrating its devices with innovative services through Ovi (www.ovi.com), including music, maps, apps, email and more. Nokia’s NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, while Nokia Siemens Networks provides equipment, services and solutions for communications networks globally.
Operating system: Symbian ^ 3 (upgradable to Symbian Anna)
The Nokia E7 is one more device within the portfolio of the Finnish manufacturer, not being only just another Symbian Smartphone ^ 3, so represents the continuation of a saga that began in 1996 with the first “Communicator”, the Nokia 9000. The E7 continues the tradition, with changes in nomenclature and new conceptual design, but without abandoning and improving communicative intentions that have characterized over 15 years Nokia Communicators Series.
The Nokia E7 is the best adaptation of this class of devices to market trends and consumer.
1.Evaluation of construction, quality and accessories included
In advance, the Nokia E7 retrieves the virtues of a good QWERTY keyboard, which excelled in the 9500 model, being lost with the old Nokia E90.
The Nokia E7 is the thinnest “Communicator” (with only 13.6 mm thick) and better built in recent years, which highlights a Gorilla Glass glass screen, metal body (except in the upper and lower) and an exceptionally comfortable keyboard layout.
With E7 the user cannot access the battery compartment and not find a micro SD card slot, we will have only 16GB of internal memory. Like the Nokia N8, the “Communicator” has external access to the SIM compartment, top left profile, with the peculiar mechanism to adjust the volume.
The structure of the E7 saves an enormous similarities with the N8, but this time AMOLED touch screen is 4-inch, more suggestive when browsing web pages, and with the addition of Gorilla Glass Glass it’s difficult to scratch or damage: the screen has a great touch response. If we have a look to the back of the device, we will appreciate that the 8MP lens don’t protrude from the surface of the housing.
The front only has a central button with flashing light, to access the application menu (and multitasking menu), and a secondary camera for video calls, just visible to the eye.
The top section contains all the connections: micro USB, HDMI (includes plug adapter for TV standard) and 3.5 of headphone jack. Including the off button on the E7.
In the right profile there is a removable compartment of the SIM, the button for the camera function (1 single position) and a volume control mechanism. On the left profile we get the convenient and comfortable mechanism for locking / unlocking the screen.
The great attraction of Nokia E7 is its sliding keyboard in landscape mode: comfortable, spacious, excellent touch, and brilliant design. This time, the new Communicator features a keyboard that transmits a great user experience and happens to be incredibly handy (infinitely better than the old Nokia E90). Nokia has done a good work: useful area of 10cm wide and 2.5 cm in height , and keys with a size of 0.5 × 0.7 cm, separated from each other by about 0.2 cm. The measures are all in the physical QWERTY keyboard, the difference between getting higher or lower productivity / comfort. So far is the best horizontal QWERTY keyboard I have ever tried.
One of the most important accessories for a multimedia smartphone is the headset, and the Nokia E7 includes a fabulous in-ear style headphones which are ideal for enjoying deeper sounds and isolate the noise.
The new design for the “Communicator” series has seemed successful, attractive and better suited to current times, though I will particularly miss the book format that characterized these devices from the earlier 9000 to the Nokia E90.
2.Battery capacity and performance
The Nokia E7 has a 1200mAh battery, which lasts quite long, of course depending on the features that we will use.
Test
Configuration: brightness to 75%, 2G/3G dual network, 1 running mail account automatically synchronized every 15 minutes.
Battery charge: 100% at 18:30h and 0% 20/Abril at 19:45pm on 22/Abril (phone off, 2x8h approx.)
Use:77 minutes on voice calls, 3 hours and 45 minutes of music playback, 58 photos taken, low use of email (send-receive).
With the Nokia E7, the activity that requires less energy consume is the music playback, 3-4% every hour.
Other measurements (using Nokia Battery Monitor v1.3 app):
- DivX video playback via HDMI: 35-36% within 2 hours.
- DivX on screen video playback: 19-22% x 1 hour, and up to 26% x 1 hour if we consider playing a movie in MKV (HD) (home indoor, brightness to 100%).
3.Evaluation of the UI and OS: Symbian ^ 3
Symbian ^ 3 is very similar to S60 5th Edition on a visual level: Nokia users will thank you not to feel lost, which often happens when you change of operating system. But when you get deeper into Symbian ^ 3 you will appreciate the changes taking place, both visible to the naked eye as the unseen. Symbian ^3 has not won favor with analysts demanding, but because of that we cannot consider it as inefficient OS with poor performance.
The first thing to appreciate is that we have available 3 desktops, so we can organize various widgets, shortcuts, inbox, WLAN connectivity, favorite contacts, or warning notices, and little else. It would have been interesting to include a full-screen widget for Facebook and Twitter.
All three desks have space to accommodate a maximum of 18 widgets, but the variety is not so much to fill them from a useful perspective: we can leave empty one of the screens to enjoy a background image. Do you know what? We can assign a wallpaper for each of the 3 home screen.
Pressing a few seconds the applications menu button, the multitask menu appears: we get previews of applications and horizontal navigation between different active windows or apps. As happens with Symbian S60 5th Ed, you can distribute at will the location of the menu icons and create new folders, giving it a more personal to the User Interface (UI).
The Nokia E7 comes with the midnight “theme“, which gives a different feel to the icons, when compared to the default theme carried by both Nokia N8 and Nokia C7.
Symbian has ever been proud of being ease to use, but also give the users flexibility to assign ring tones, tones for messages or emails. The strange thing in Symbian ^ 3 is that we have no visual notification (flashing light) for new emails. It is always a pleasure to set up to 5 sound profiles, ideal when we are at work, we have the headphones on, or we are immerse in noisy places: offline profile disconnect all wireless connections, including the 3G/2G reception.
I recommend the “search” app, which utility may be critical if we have to find, for example, specific information contained in an specific e-mail.
Symbian User ^ 3 offers good fluidity and softness to interact with the system, which is important when we show our photo album or while we are surfing on the web with the browser.
I would like to point out a number of things: it is important to install the updates proposed by Nokia software (menu, applications, tools, updates. SW), which solve some lag and make improvements; if touch at the top right corner of the screen (battery bar), we get a pop through which we quickly enter the connection settings (BT, Wi-Fi, USB ….); set up the search widget streamlines our local search for a particular post, for example, or an entry in Google also. Symbian ^ 3 can organize your applications at will, and so we shall set our own application menu.
One of the peculiarities associated with the sliding keyboard of the Nokia E7 is that we can apply a configuration particularly interesting: assign an action when opening the keyboard: to initiate a new SMS or email, write a note or open a particular application. To do this go to settings, phone.
Sometimes I have been asked how to disable the flashing of the access key to the applications menu. We have to enter to settings, phone, notify light, diffuse light, and select “Off”.
Nokia has recently announced an update for Symbian Smartphones like N8, C7, C6-01 and E7, called Symbian Anna, which will bring a revamped user interface and promises improvements in performance.
4.Applications: OVI Store
Apps included
- OVI Maps: complete program to enjoy GPS navigation while we are in transit, on foot or by car. The Nokia E7 comes with version 3.06 of OVI Maps, 3D view and incorporating additional services from third parties to supplement the information available to the user at the destination: TripAdvisor, Weather, Michelin Guide, Lonely Planet Guide, bookatable … etc etc . A number of services to be located, make reservations for hotels or restaurants, receive information from the place where we are and what’s nearby …. Moreover, it is possible to download maps of the geographies we need, of the countries, for example, we have decided to travel: we can use completely free maps in offline mode.
- Social Networks: Symbian ^ 3 includes an app for Facebook and Twitter, which runs through OVI account. We won’t experience the same quick access comparing with other operating systems, the response is slower than expected. The app can let comment on entries, send messages, view photo albums, upload pictures hosted on our device, or write our “tweets “. The app “Social” is recommended for Twitter (below points to a free app that serves as an alternative).
- Quickoffice: The version included “only” is entitled to read documents.
- Zip: practical utility, especially when we want to share multiple files via Bluetooth, or simply reduce the size of a file to send.
- Recorder: applications / office. I think this app may be useful for those who frequently take voice notes. The configuration of the highest quality sound exudes an amazing audio.
- Registration: applications / tools. Useful and basic information for users who need to check the minutes of calls or amount of data received, vital to know whether it has reached the limits of their limit rate for voice and Internet.
Downloadable applications
- Snaptü: more agile, though it may seem simpler to handle both Facebook and Twitter. The application “Social” of Nokia is still too slow to access, for example, to photos posted by us or our contacts. Also worth a look at Snaptü to explore other possibilities: Picassa, Flickr, other Social Networks, RSS news reader, managing email accounts, among others.
- AccuWeather or ForecaWeather: the second is perhaps more attractive according the data offered.
-Google Maps: as an excellent complement to OVI Maps, provides lots of information and better search engine for places in a city. From the web browser enter http://m.google.com
-Readerv1.0b: Nokia Beta Labs has developed this handy newsreader, that still take several seconds to start, although it provides a comfortable reading through the font size, and the contrast between black background and white text. Navigation between the different news turns out to be very fluid. Recommended.
-Googlereader: the advantage of Google Reader is that if we later change devices and operating systems, RSS feed is not lost: we get them through the online Google account, and always available both from the screen phone or online (www. google. com / reader).
-AngryBirds: One of the most attractive games available for Symbian, which promises hours and hours of play, and the use of reasoning and ability to overcome different levels of the game. The Nokia E7, with its 4-inch display, is fantastic to enjoy Angry Birds.
-Nokia Battery Monitor v1.3: a good application that works through a widget, to control Smartphone’s power consumption.
-IM for Nokia: app to connect to MSN Messenger, Google Talk and Yahoo Messenger. It works very well.
note: the last two screenshots, the app “Nokia Battery Monitor”
The OVI Application Store has thousands of apps, lots of options for a variety of tastes and needs.
5.Voice and Data
Voice: no problem, the voice is clear.
Data: I have been generally satisfied with the management of email and web browsing, although the app “Social”, to access Twitter and Facebook, is still slow, so it is preferable to use Snaptü.
Email: incorporating a broad physical QWERTY keyboard makes writing very comfortable, simple, practical and productive … both for professional and personal use. I recommend configuring your mail account, if Gmail, to download the entire message, which helps open the inbox and access to content: Symbian ^3 still lacks in smoothness and speed of access to the email app itself comparing to other operating systems.
Synchronization of mail every 15 minutes is a good choice to be close to real-time perception. Professionals can sync mail in real time with “Exchange”, but is an account that I could not test personally.
Web Browsing: Nokia Web browser is not the best in this section in terms of fluency, but we have the option of downloading from OVI Store “Opera Mobile Browser, which will provide greater agility, faster loading and better tactile experience . Nokia E7’s 4-inch screen is a good framework. Adobe Web page takes about 1 minute to load on Nokia browser and just 30 seconds on “Opera”.
Instant Messaging: What is the first thing that comes to mind when contemplating and testing the Nokia E7 keyboard? Staying connected to friends or contacts through Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, and MySpace Chat. “IM for Nokia” works quite well and allows you to connect to various systems with one app.
Tethering: The best way to share the Nokia E7’s 3G Data Plan with a PC is through the USB port. In the case of a PC with Microsoft Windows, you will be asked for install the “Nokia PC Internet Access.”
To share 3G data plan with a Windows computer you will have to change the type of USB connection of our E7 to “Con PC to net”: from the application menu, settings, connectivity, USB.
6.Multimedia performance: audio and video
Music Player: flawless. The Nokia E7 anditsin-earheadphonesprovide an excellent sound quality in the playback of our favorite mp3 tracks. Once you have connected the headphones and playing a track, the user can adjust the balance between treble / bass thanks to an equalizer with up to 5 preset modes, or go to Options / Settings to enable / disable “loudness or stereo widening”
The user interface is as logical as a classification of content by artist, album, genres or playlists. If you put the E7 in landscape mode it will enter to very particular view, showing the covers of the albums and having an smooth horizontal navigation.
How do we include music on the Nokia E7? Simple, we connect it to a PC / Mac through the USB port, and we wait for a new drive. We only have to copy / paste files and folders from one place to another, always making sure we have the type of USB connection in the phone to “mass storage” mode (menu, settings, connectivity, USB).
Local video player, the Nokia E7 has the ability to play DivX and MKV video either directly on the screen of the device like in a TV screen via HDMI: during my tests I could not play all MKV videos.
If we reproduce video in the AMOLED screen, the images pass fluid and beautifully defined when the file is MKV (HD), while it may provide some dark night scenes if we play DivX content (. Avi): in some cases we get the choice of enlarged image mode, 16:9, or fill the screen.
If we connect the E7 to a TV screen (via HDMI), playback is still quite fluid, although I have seen occasional slowdown in the image with the MKV encoded material, which is probably just due to the 680MHz processor of the device.
The chances of DivX video playback and some MKV is one of the highlights of this smartphone: the 16GB memory could store just over 40 episodes of a tv series digitized at 400MB/episode.
YouTube video playback (via Wi-Fi): The images do not flow with the quality according the encoded source. The Nokia E7 software doesn’t process the HQ definition.
Video recording: Nokia E7 includes 720p HD images with good clarity, quality and detail, especially if reproduced on the screen of the device.
he Nokia E7 owns an 8MP camera with dual LED flash, with autofocus. Overall picture quality can be seen in the samples under these lines, sharp and clear with good ambient light.
note: size 3264 × 2448
note: size 3264 × 2448
The last two photos were taken indoors.
These two samples above are a clear example of the results to not include an autofocus lens: we will appreciate a clear and detailed flowers in the background, not in the foreground.
The configuration options revolve around 6 preset scene modes, exposure and contrast level, color tone (black and white or sepia), or different resolution choices, for example. Comment that every time you start the camera function (not if only in sleep mode), the sharpness level is set to normal: for superior sharpness, we must change the option manually.
But one of the best features on Symbian ^ 3 is the image editor included: adding text, distorting, change the size of the picture, adjusting brightness / saturation / shadow / contrast, add various effects (color, cartoon, Negative, Solarize , emboss, sketch …), red eyes …. an appropriate complement to adjust images without having to use a personal computer.
8. Connectivity and available storage
In this sense, the owners can not complain about the range of options available. The E7 boastsWi-Fi and Bluetooth, and comment that if the user has trouble connecting to Wi-Fi router, you may need to change the compatibility mode “b / g / n” just to ” b / g “(in the router configuration page): Some devices do not accept the 802.11n standard.
Apple Mac users will enjoy a unique alternative way to get files via Bluetooth: having Bluetooth turned on, one option is to “explore device …” (down from the BT logo that stay at the top right of computer screen), which let you navigate freely through the device memory via folders, and so you can select the files to be imported to the computer: it is the most practical way to obtain, for example, 30 photographs.
The “Communicator” also includes an HDMI output, to playback video and still images hosted on your Smartphone directly from the television screen: the application Nokia Big Screen let the E7 screen emulate a remote control to navigate through the different type of content to view. With the HDMI you can also enjoy the music, connecting the phone to an A/V receiver or Home Cinema via HDMI input. Recall that the Nokia E7 has been certified by Dolby Laboratories, which means that it can send multichannel sound to be performed by Home Theater System
Via HDMI you can also surf the Internet, read email, get on Facebook or Twitter, or play Asphalt 4 …. viewing content on the big screen of a monitor or television.
The E7 micro USB port owns a triple function: first, to charge the device when connected to a computer; secondly, to freely store or transfer files or folders; and a third, thanks to one of the adapters, to standard USB, we can connect an external hard drive or a pendrive to read and transfer content.
The Nokia E7 only has 16GB of internal memory, without the option of inserting a micro SD card to expand storage capacity.
9. Weaknesses / strengths
The purpose of this section is to establish which are the improvable features.
Strenghts
-4-inch screen
-Sliding QWERTY keyboard to manage e-mail and instant messaging.
-Music and DivX-video playback
-Via USB adapter, reading and obtaining content from USB devices.
Weaknesses
-No autofocus camera lens.
-YouTube video-playback
-No micro SD card slot
The 680MHz processoris slower thanother smartphones in the same or lower price range: the market trend is offering 1Ghz processor or dual-core at 1GHz.
10.General Consideration
I have been very satisfied with the Nokia E7 during the 2-week trial, in my opinion a new “Communicator” that improves the experience on email mainly thanks to its excellent QWERTY keyboard and the touch 4-inch screen.
This Smartphone also stands as a great music and DivX video player, and also enjoying the instant messaging: it’s a pity that the E7 doesn’t include an autofocus lens and we also don’t have micro SD card slot.
The design and construction of this “Communicator” is excellent, comfortable to wear and use, and the best point is that only counts 13.6 mm thickness. Nokia has done a good job, and I personally recommend this device.
Finally I would like to emphasize that within a short time, N8 and E7 will get an update to Symbian Anna, which promises to improve the user experience.
Key features: touchscreen AMOLED 4-inch (640 x 360), 123.7 x 62.4 x 13.6 mm and 175 grams, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 3.0 + A-GPS, 16GB internal memory, 1200mAh battery, physical QWERTY keyboard, 8MP camera + dual LED flash, Dolby certification, USB mode mass storage, 680MHz processor.
