We just got our hands on Nokia's sexy new
N78, which it's bringing to us previously Nokia-starved North Americans in full-fledged, unlocked 3.5G. The phone boasts Nokia's new maps 2.0 app, along with photo geotagging, and of course all those N-series trimmings like WiFi and dual cameras. There's no N-Gage support yet, but a firmware update is forthcoming. Unfortunately for us, we had trouble getting geotagging or even online photo uploads in general to work at all -- we didn't stoop so low as to look at the manual, but Nokia certainly has some interface kinks to work out here. Maps 2.0 is all it's cracked up to be, and the phone tracked our walk down the block with accuracy bordering on creepiness. The keypad is a bit of a departure for Nokia, with ridges instead of full keys, but it didn't take us long to get comfortable with. We're less impressed with the touch sensitive "Navi wheel" on the d-pad, given Nokia's sporadic software support and its generally janky nature. The overall build of the device is classic Nokia, light but not too light, certainly not too thin but quite comfortable to use and pocket. We had no problem reading the screen in direct sunlight, and it's bright indoors as well. Though we can't recommend this unit without reservation, it's certainly one of the hottest phones for its form factor going, and once Nokia spruces up the new software a bit -- S60 3.2's new transitions are nice but aren't quite enough to make up for the shortcomings -- our gripes will be pretty much non-existent.
posted Jun 5th 2008 3:12PM
Does anyone know whether N78 has an accelerometer?
I am debating between N95 8GB, N82 and N78 and can't seem to decide.
Also, how different is S60 3.2 vs. 3.1?
Thanks very much in advance!!!!
I really don't use the accelerometer in my N95 8gb.
I would like to know if the GPS is better than my N95. It's virtually useless for me (lock time is very slow - even using aGPS).
Geotagging, however, does work & so does sending photos up to Flickr via Lifeblog. Then they're magically ported to Blogger to keep my parents' need for baby photos satisfied.
HOT!
why you guys deleted this from main engadget? :P
ok nevermind my comment
It's not deleted but the comments section is now messed up on my computer.
*drools*
=)...
I've been playing with a test N78 for over a month now, and it's a pretty decent phone if you can get over the keypad.
Shots and video taken with N78: http://www.twango.com/xj911
The GPS works well, although you have to subscribe to navigation.
the updated interface is nice, but there's not much change other than appearances.
Overall I really dig the phone, it took me a couple of weeks to get used to the keypad and some of the newer functions though.
Why does everyone confuse GPS with Nokia Maps?
GPS is free.
Geotagging? Free. Google Maps with GPS? Free. Sports tracker? Free.
Nokia Maps is free to use. Nokia Maps with voice navigation costs money.
So I've read conflicting reports- is it *true* GPS or A-GPS? Since you've been using it you might have a better idea/documentation. Thanks.
forgot to add...no accelerometer.
But FP2 = not fix for the bug in the Dialed/Received/Missed Call log re:icons, it always shows the mobile icon so if you have 2 numbers for one contact (Home & Mobile) it will always show the mobile icon even if the person called you from their home number
@Anthony:
It's A-GPS, which IS true GPS. Basically, it uses cell phone triangulation in order to get an approximate area, then uses the real GPS chip to narrow it down to an exact location. This greatly reduces the time it takes for a GPS to get a satellite lock. The A stands for Assisted.
In the case of the iPhone, they don't even use the word GPS at all.