Nokia BH-905 is in da house!

Along with the E72 we also have the Nokia BH-905 bluetooth headphones (with active noise cancellation) to review courtesy WOMWorld. Having received the package only yesterday, we’ve been busy ogling at what a bluetooth headphones comes with. We never expected an accessory to be so loaded in terms of features and other things.

The BH-905 comes with the following things in the box

1. The BH-905 headset
2. CA-143U cable to convert into a wired headset should you choose to use it as a wired headphone
3. CA-144U to extend the length of the above cable
4. An AD-63 audio jack (3.5mm) should you want to connect to a 3.5mm slot
5. An AD-52 audio jack (2.5mm) should you want to connect to a 2.5mm slot (hinting at some of the Eseries devices and a few S40 devices)
6. An AD-70 audio jack should decide on wanting it to connect this device to a 6.3mm audio slot (music systems and home theatre systems)
7. An AD-71 audio jack to connect to the airplane’s audio system
8. A cleaning cloth
9. Leather casing to keep all of these things safely and properly
10. AC-5E (2mm) charger to charge the battery
11. User manual to understand what is where and how it works

Now, tell me, how many bluetooth accessories do you know that come with their own set of accessories? This bluetooth device is anything but a ‘regular’ bluetooth device and if you were to move around with them you are gonna get people looking at you. Trust me.

Here are unboxing pictures of the BH-905. Stay tuned as we review this bluetooth device and put it through its paces.

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Busting the myths related to firmware updates

Just got a trio of videos for all you people out there which will address all those myths and questions regarding firmware updating and how to actually do it. Oh, if you are a N97 user or are looking to buy it but don’t like it because of various things… here’s something that should make you reconsider.

Video – 1:

Video – 2:

Video – 3:

E72 Review Part-2: Lighting

E72 keypad

Well just a few days back we dissected the E72 in terms of design, an area where it performed exceptionally well. This part of the review we see how the beautifully designed E72 does in the lighting department.

For the review I will divide it in three sections,

1. Back-lighting:

The back-lighting on the E72 is pretty good. It is definitely as good as on the E71. Over the last so many devices, I have actually stuck to having the device’s brightness at 50%, which 99% of the times is absolutely sufficient. This tradition stays with the E72 as it bright enough to work as a torchlight (the screen). With AMOLED becoming the standard for high end phones, it’s surprising to see the E72 still use the TFT screen technology but as it works really well, it’s doing duty in the E72. Perhaps the E73 will change that. But as of now, I’ll rate the E72’s back-lighting as amongst the best, a strong 9/10. Good back-lighting coupled with very good sensors means that you have a great experience viewing things.

2. Notification Light:

the soft keys along with the one touch keys on the E72

The notification light feature, a unique differentiator amongst all Nokia devices for the Eseries devices. What began with the Eseries has trickled to other lines as well. But trust only Eseries designers to come up with a suitable evolution to it. It’s as if this is a whole two generations ahead in terms of execution. The light does not have to squeeze through tight confines of the phone. This time around the light is softer and more prominent, even for alerts it blinks real quick. This notification light gives every intention to the user and others that the E72 is a device to be reckoned with. I’d give it a full 10/10 for this. Absolutely stunning and great is the implementation of the light within the phone.

3. Keypad lighting:

The keypad lighting is one of the most important features, something that can make or break this device. The E72 does not disappoint in this department, it delivers absolutely uniform lighting to all the buttons across the entire keypad, including the soft keys too. The soft white light is calming and soothing. I’m glad that Eseries have chosen to get a nice soothing white light for the keypad.

The three buttons on the E72

The volume keys at the side also are backlit just like it was for the E71, only on the E72 it seems much better. The E72 seems to have improved on its predecessor in almost every facet. 9.5/10 for this is what the E72 scores.

4. LED light:

The E72's LED as a torch

Though we will be covering the LED flash when we review the camera performance, I’d like to talk about the LED flash as a torchlight. This feature implemented on the E63 was one of the first sensible things Nokia put into it’s smartphones. The E72 too has the feature of making the LED flash function as a torch (press the space bar key until light comes on). The light it throws is worthy of emntion. It seems that the next generation LED lights have been used in the E72. Not only is bright, the area that one can see with it is also very good. This makes the the E72 stylish as well as extremely useful in emergencies. 10/10, full marks for great execution.

Overall the E72 scores really well in this department, making it more and more tougher to spot flaws for this device. Could this really be a ‘perfect’ phone from Nokia?

Stay tuned to this blog as we bring you more about the E72.

The N97mini is in da house

Over this weekend, I took delivery of a rather brown device, the Nokia N97mini. Over the course of many  weeks, we’ll put the mini through it’s paces and test it to see if it is as good as the saying, “good things come in small packages”.

Till then an unboxing should suffice…

Stay tuned!

Nokia E72 Review Part-1: Design

The Nokia E72

With the first impressions giving you a first hand impression of the Nokia E72 and how it works an feels, you must have realized that I really like this device, but now it’s time for the phone to come under the scanner, it’s time to see what the E72 is all about.

The E72 is a clear successor to the E71, a device which has vowed a lot of people the world over. And without any delay let’s jump to the juicy part of this review.

Design:

The E72 carries the tradition of the E71 and looks like a generation ahead of the E71. This phone is not just merely a little bit of cosmetic changes here and there, but a completely new phone carrying the DNA of the E71. The phone has the build quality that would shame other manufacturers. In fact, I haven’t seen Nokia’s with such high levels of build quality. Nothing seems to rattle or make any noises. Even though it’s a candy bar (which should be the easiest deign to execute) the E72 has excellent fit and finish. As good as some luxury cars. The glossy finish has been replaced with a more matured matte finish and it lends an air of classic sophistication without being loud. It also means the device will look ‘clean’ always, this matte finish also acts as a grip when holding the device.

the soft keys along with the one touch keys on the E72

The face of the E72 is totally refreshed and at first I thought the one touch keys would not be easily accessible and foul up with the experience. But I was thoroughly mistaken, those keys are so nicely done up and so comfortable to use that I am really in awe of the designer(s) who thought of it. The soft keys along with the call and ‘end’ keys are finished in a brushed metal finish and it gives the device some life and extends the appeal of it. The optical track-pad, a first for any Nokia phone has been brilliantly executed on the E72 and is extremely addictive and a great solution which eases the pressure on the thumb. Along with it, should you choose to browse faster is the regular D-Pad which serves as the protector for the optical track-pad as well a navigating key. The one touch keys along with the D-Pad and the ear-speaker have a thin line of chrome metal and that takes the design of the E72 to a whole new level, I’m yet to see a business device has ‘good’ looks and the E72 is already bordering on great. To complete the front look is the trademark chrome lining that runs across the phone, this is a familiar design execution on the E71. On the E72 it seems to have matured and looks very classy. In black it’s like an expensive sedan which is not loud and brash but clam and sophisticated.

QWERTY on the E72

The QWERTY has been very nicely executed, employing the E63’s keypad, the E72 makes typing easier with larger keys. It feel different than the other keys, but feedback is great!

The new asymmetrical look for the slots.

Moving to the left side of the device you will find two outlets on the top and a lanyard clip slot at the bottom. The outlets for the Micro USB and the memory card are unique again in terms of design execution, the designers have tried to be bold, and have succeeded. This design execution makes the device fashionable and at the same time new. On the right hand side, are just three buttons with no labeling and finished in chrome paint with excellent backlighting. No prizes for guessing it is the volume rocker and the mute key. At the bottom you shall find just one slot which is for charging the phone’s battery. The top of the phone houses two things that are different – the E72 comes with 3.5mm audio jack – finally the successor has the standard audio jack! Along with that the power key has undergone a complete makeover, from the ‘red’ colour key it has evolved to a chrome finished key with power symbol ‘etched’ onto the button! Hold it an angle and it seems as if the the symbol is reflects light and looks as if it is backlit!

The three buttons on the E72

The metallic cover on the E72

The back side of the E72 has the same metal cover. The design is now ribbed and each line is closer than it was on the E71. The release of the cover is ala the E63’s and with the speaker moving next to the 5MP camera, it seems like the only cliche on this otherwise uniquely designed device. The camera module is jutting out and though it puts the camera lens at risk, it also makes the speaker more audible as it is not muffled.

The metallic cover on the E72

All in all the design is superb! I honestly don’t think there is a device that is as stylish the E72, heck there’s no QWERTY device that looks so sexy! So can it be that this device has no flaws in it’s design? Almost! I did find it to be leaking light at some areas, nothing major but just a small flaw perhaps, though not big enough to create pandemonium.

I’ll give the E72 a solid 9.5/10. I have yet to see any phone that looks better than the E72.

Below is a full gallery full of E72 images.

the soft keys along with the one touch keys on the E72

E72 keypad

The new asymmetrical look for the slots.

The three buttons on the E72

The metallic cover on the E72

The metallic cover on the E72