Nokia’s new phones include a 5 megapixel camera, “pedestrian mode” GPS, music downloads and more 3G.
- Nokia launches 4 smartphones
- New features include 5 megapixel camera, pedestrian GPS, 3G
- Upload photos/video for sharing
Nokia is upping the ante in smartphones, launching a new version of Nokia Maps as well as new music and photo features.
The company launched a swag of new phones today, including a new version of its Navigator GPS model, and a 5 megapixel camera handset. Other highlights include more 3G, a phone with 16GB internal memory, and online photo sharing.
The GPS upgrade puts Nokia’s new 6210 Navigator well ahead of the competition, with pre-loaded maps, navigation that works without a SIM, and sophisticated WiFi positioning to help pinpoint your location when you’re on foot.
The WiFi function is intruiging – Apple has made news recently using a similar idea to allow iPhone and iPod touch users to find their location on Google Maps without a satellite link. Nokia is pushing the method as a way of improving “slow-motion” GPS when you’re on foot.
Smartphone makers have also woken up to the fact that GPS mapping systems often unintelligently stick to roads when giving directions. Using the new “pedestrian mode” the 6210 Navigator will let you cut across parks instead of routing you the long way along roads, for example. You also get a compass.
The other interesting addition is real time traffic info. We’ll be checking with Nokia as to local availability, but news that this function is appearing in phones bodes well for daily commuters battling Sydney traffic. The new version of Nokia Maps is in beta now, and is scheduled for release by mid 2008. Let’s hope the battery life is up to the challenge.
The other big challenge Nokia faces is converting users to new 3G mobile broadband speeds. Up till recently it’s been a case of faster Web access, but we’re pleased to see online apps start to appear that make use of this feature. LG’s Viewty has already led the way with Youtube video uploads; Nokia’s reply is a campaign to push music and video sharing via it’s “Share on Ovi”, a downloadable client for S60 phones. You can upload video and photos to the site (250 mb/month upload bandwidth, and 100 mb max file size), and share them with friends. The interface looks vaguely Flickr-like, it works from PC or Mac, and supports RSS feeds.
Nokia also joins the growing number of 5 Megapixel phone manufacturers, with the 6220 Classic and the N96. It will be interesting to see how they stack up against LG’s Viewty and the recently announced Samsung G600. The N96 – the new version of Nokia’s “multimedia computer” - is a particular standout, with a massive 16GB internal memory.
Nokia - official specs:
N96 - Q3 2008
- Watch high quality video and live TV on the 2.8" display.
- 16 gigabytes of memory to take your videos, music and other content with you, further expandable with memory card slot.
- Hi-Speed USB for easy transfer from PC.
- Nokia Video Center to find more internet videos for download.
- 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss Optics, camcorder function with video light.
- Integrated A-GPS and rich maps.
- True internet experience with Nokia web browser, featuring visual history, mini-map, Flash video and progressive download.
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6220 Classic – Q3 2008
- Advanced imaging features with 5 megapixel camera
- 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 2.0 with integrated GPS, Assisted GPS (A-GPS) support, pre-installed maps in microSD
- HSDPA data connection for fast web browsing and downloading
- WidSets service preloaded
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6210 Navigator – Q3 2008
- Intuitive pedestrian and car navigation
- High-speed HSDPA data connection for fast web browsing and downloading
- 'Accelerometer' rotates the screen between portrait and landscape mode
- Full multimedia computer capabilities
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N78 - Q2 2008
- Integrated A-GPS
- Audio playback time up to 24h
- Music player with integrated FM transmitter (88.1 - 107.9 MHz)
- CMOS 3.2 megapixel (2048 x 1536) autofocus camera with Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash and up to 20x digital zoom. Automatic tagging with capture location.
- 2.4" QVGA (240 x 320) display with 16 million colors
- Mobile broadband with WLAN and HSDPA
- Multimedia menu and NaviTMwheel for accessing content
- Take up to 1500* tracks with you on a pre-fitted 2GB memory card
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