Engadget Mobile Podcast 038 - 03.05.2010
By Trent Wolbe 
posted March 5th 2010 1:00PM
posted March 5th 2010 1:00PM
Nurons, Sliders, Backflips, Partners, Experiences...it's all a blur to us by now. One thing we do remember is that we play our own little version of Judge Judy as Nilay Patel assumes his permanent role as the Bruce Willis of Analyzing the HTC-Apple Suit. Or something.
Hosts: Chris Ziegler, Sean Cooper
Special Guest: Nilay Patel
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Daestro - Light Powered (Ghostly International)
00:02:18 - Nokia 5230 Nuron excites the T-Mobile nervous system
00:12:56 - Nokia C5 arrives with S60 3rd edition OS pretending to be a 'smartphone'
00:20:45 - Nokia's Series 40 to 'offer a compelling touch experience'
00:23:42 - Exclusive: First Windows Phone 7 Series partner device unveiled (with video!)
00:36:46 - BlackBerry slider photos leak out!
00:43:56 - Motorola Backflip for AT&T unboxing and hands-on
00:55:32 - Palm's webOS 1.4 emerges: screenshots galore
01:00:00 - Palm boss Rubinstein sends letter to employees, talks turnaround
01:06:47 - Apple sues HTC for infringing 20 iPhone patents
01:15:17 - Apple specifically going after Android in HTC lawsuit
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The G1 does have a nice geeky appeal. I admit, with a Nexus One, I'd still remember the feeling of flicking out the keyboard, seeing the orientation change and entering in text. Only to flick it back in. Call me crazy, but I actually like the G1's form factor. I hated it at first but the keyboard was just cool how it opens. Nice phone to develop on and it has a hell of alot of ROMs.
I'm an Android Fan-boy and I agree. I would rather offer them the iPhone than the Backflip. It's just crap. I suggested it to a friend that they get the iPhone instead of the Backflip and they just won't. Even if they know the iPhone is crap, they want Android. They either have to get the Backflip now, or wait for the Mini3 without a cell phone, cuz theirs is breaking.
The one thing i dont get about the HTC lawsuit is that shouldn't it be the responsibility of the source code owners to make sure their software doesn't break patents? How can apple only sue HTC as solely responsible and not Motorola, or Samsung? Can't HTC go and sue Google for giving out open source software that breaks copyright laws? Is this lawsuit only for specific Handsets?
If Apple wants to do it, then fine. But Google should be the knight in shining armor here and give HTC full access to their legal dept. This is all clearly some pissing contest between 2 billionaires bases on Google rolling out full multitouch, except Jobs was too chicken and peed on Google's adopted child rather then on Eric Schmidt himself.
I'm appalled you'd consider a Blackberry Pearl over any Symbian device. I'm even more appalled how Symbian gets slandered by the Engadget voices, especially 3rd Edition, and Blackberry OS continues to get a pass. Can we see a non-touch Blackberry OS device vs. a non-touch Symbian device in similar price brackets, and then a touch vs touch Symbian vs. BB OS device shootout? Could it include internal OS structure like supported app frameworks, etc?
Heck, let's one up it, and compare the 5230 to the Nexus One, iPhone, and Storm, and see if the "uberdevices" have anything besides "prettier eye candy" and UI points over this device. I don't think US consumers realize how close in functionality the $179 Nuron/5230 and C5 are to the $300+ competition, nor how they are better in many aspects.
Engadget does little help for itself with elitist attitude instead of explaining how certain devices fit into the global market. The Nuron will be a great device for a good reason you elitists are obviously oblivious to. Americans aren't financially independent techies with disposable income. Smartphoning is still a luxury for minorities and poor inner city consumers.
Right now, mobile service pricing at the big 4 is still out of reach for many Americans. In my hood, they'd love an iPhone or an Android phone, and they'd like to use Facebook, MySpace, MocoSpace, email, Twitter, IM, etc., but don't feel they could afford $70+ a month after spending $200 on the latest phone. So they go to MetroPCS, overpay for a low end Blackberry or a cheap Samsung featurephone they falsely tout as a smartphone, but for just $40 a month, they get unlimited service.
Now TMobile has an affordable device priced less than anything MetroPCS can offer, priced lower without subsidy than most of the "smarter" devices MetroPCS offers. So the math will bear out some significant savings. For instance:
While MetroPCS lists several devices as smartphones, they only have one Blackberry Curve at $360 or a Samsung WinMo 6.1 device at $250, both outdated older models. This is well over the $180 the Nuron would cost, and the Nuron has a better feature set, like better camera, Flash enabled browser, an app store, robust multitasking, bluetooth tethering, VOIP support, better multimedia codec support, etc., PLUS it has a touchscreen, which many consider premium feature at this price point.
So while the MetroPCS plans are $30-40 less per month than TMobile's top unlimited plans, MetroPCS customers know they'll get a device capable of displaying desktop web pages with embedded video, a better network, and better device choice. It may be worth it to use the device's cost savings to supplement their montly service costs, and then the value is alot closer and cost, but TMobile's service along with the access to more online services and content will usually be seen as an an instant upgrade.
No other devices in TMobile's or at&t's portfolio can bring the lower tier consumer from the major prepaids, or those looking to upgrade from a featurephone, like the Nuron.
Engadget really must stop thinking only the rich and securely employed use smartphones. So closed minded, instead of thinking maybe some people want a device under $100.
This was such a nokia/t-mobile hating podcast.as far as the t-mobile Nuron 69.00 data plan its like 10 bucks or less and calling plans 40 or less its well worth it. I hate when you guys say well you can get an iphone or a android for 50 bucks more but you guys are not comparing data,voice and text plans.
At least they finally acknowledged that Symbian and Nokia fans exist. Now to reevaluate your assessments of these two market leading entities, and admit their criteria for a top notch device, OS, and manufacturer, and figure out why most of the world totally disagrees with them when it comes time to spend their money.
It is NOT about apps, Engadget, nor the UI. That only bodes well for devices with holes to fill, whereas the more complete OS, Symbian, is what most want, and the UI isn't as simple, but maybe the world's consumers aren't as simple as those in my beloved USA. I figured that long ago. What's taking Engadget so long?
Stop being haters, Engadget. Nilay, Joshua, etc., don't hate the player, hate the game. And if you're hellbent on hating on Symbian, stop jocking RIM's OS, which is miles worse, with sad app frameworks and web browsing.
@christexaport I agree that Engadgeters do normally Hate on Symbian, but come on... this podcast wasn't that bad :P
Let's face it, the Nuron and C5 are not compelling for Engadget readers. Especially with the crazy US pricing structure, and they did explain that.
And i say that as somebody who owns, and loves, the phone that has become the biggest laughing stock in Engadget history. The n97 is a truly awesome phone now, the best on the market in my opinion! But the flack it cops is really nokia's fault for releasing it as buggy as it was
@christexaport
We've never denied they exist.. Chris IS a Nokia fanboy ;)
I think I've said on just about every podcast that my favorite set is a Noki E71.. Seriously, rewind a few eps and listen...
@Sean Cooper
Fair enough. But realize that Engadget's readers don't include many that would like a Nuron, but only because of the total bias against that demographic. The users for the Nuron are out there, and it will sell well. When it does, I hope someone figures why Engadget can't get them as regular readers. I'm seeing alot of people on the TMobile blogs and other sites saying how much this will be a Godsend, and it fills the gap between the prepaid services lacking smartphones and TMo.
So WTG, TMo. Not so much, Engadget. But we're getting there. Next time point out how this is the cheapest contract smartphone in America, is feature complete, and can be had without contract for less than an iPhone on a two year deal. Price means alot to the blue collar guys that can't afford an iPhone.
Nilay brings too much negativity to the Podcast. I think if you are going to have a guest it ought to be Miller only. Ricker, Josh and Nilay all are negative and hate everytihng ever.
Just a tip to readers, always when these guys say(Nilay in this case): Who is gonna buy this...
It always means majority of people. Damn I am laughing always.
And funny that they think teens will buy G1 or Droid instead of Nuron. --> LOL!
Buy Nuron unlocked $180 maybe with cheap data etc plan and sold it after like 12 months at $50? Very cheap route.
@Paullll So you think the majority of people going to T-Mobile will buy a rebranded Nokia 5230? I'll take that bet.
@Nilay Patel
I bet the Nuron is one of their best selling models. Especially since they put devices in rows based on pricing. Its the first smartphone they'll see, and it'll have EVERY feature box ticked.