Slashdot Mirror

You know what, such phones still exists ... Nokia 1100 for example.

Check again
To quote Nokia's spec:
"Music player for MP3 and AAC files"
"Possibility to get additional memory with MMC."
"Voice recording up to 3 min"
(And these specs are for real, of course - I have one)

I must be a dying breed. I want my OS to provide I/O and memory management services, a program loader and a job control language. The way I see it, soon my OS will bundle window managers, networking stacks (as if it's difficult to roll my own!) and read my email for me. Why can't I have an OS that works just as an OS?

I never cease to be surprised by how many Slashdotters are luddites when it comes to technology. Ever noticed that making calls on phones is, pretty much, a solved problem? Ever noticed that it's easier to cram more silicon and memory in a small space these days? Ever noticed that real people hate lugging an mp3 player, a digital camera *and* a mobile around and then having to charge all three (and if they had to pick _one_, they'd carry the mobile?

And given that the market has been _very_ efficient about punishing phones that have been too big or that have had poor calling interfaces, I wouldn't worry about added features making the phone feature difficult to use. And in the meantime you always have "basic" phones like the Nokia 1100.

Or, alternatively, "Interestingly, Nokia has locked themselves into Microsoft's Windows Media Player and Motorola has not done so"

Played formats (decoding): .3gp and .mp4 file formats, MPEG-4 video, H.263 video and AMR audio, RealMedia (Real Video and Real Audio), MP3, and AAC

It does not say that Nokia is licensing Windows Media Player for phones, rather the technologies underneath, such as WMA, for achieving better interoperability with the PC. WMP10 is used as the PC frontend for the music solution they just launched.

There's going to be "support for Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) digital rights management and the MPEG Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) family of codecs in Windows Media Player via a plug-in" too to support the service.

Perheps you are referring to something like the Nokia 3650...It has the buttons in a rotary fashion...

Or were you referring to the handset of a rotary dial phone? In which case it would be too impractical to carry around anyway.

Therefore it isn't much of a surprise than standalone PDA's are dying when my current pda/phone combo is nearly the same size as a Nokia 7610 and comes with a decent input method (which always was the killer issue with using a standard phone pad to enter details), sends and receieves phone calls/sms/mms and works as a PocketPC with a large base of useful applications. A Nokia simply doesn't cut it and the SonyEricsson P9xx is only discounted because it's syncing with Outlook isn't particulary great (especially with the categorisation of tasks and notes).

A friend of mine is selling his iPaq after getting a Blackberry from work. Sure it doesn't have a NES emulator, PocketScumm and a few other of the niceties - but it does everything he needs.

I'm going to really hate having to give this back.

Nokia to develop phones based on the one chip

I'll buy on your satire dear sir, when you show me a cellphone using php or python to run applications.

Done.

Anyway, I happened to get my hands on one, and I still have it. It works perfectly with the good old Ericsson rotary phone we used to have when I was a kid.

It's a neat combination for playing pranks on people: they seem to have a hard time comprehending how a rotary phone could function in a car, in the woods, etc.

You're kidding, right?

Actually, I think using web based mail while travelling is a lot smarter then ssh'ing in and using mutt. Do you suppose Windoze users are smarter then?

(I use the IMAP client on my http://www.nokia.com/phones/9300 )

I use Nokia Lifeblog - it allows you to post to blogging accounts like Typepad. It's a free download for a trial version and you acn import files off your hard disk so you don't even need a Nokia phone!

Some phones have IDEs provided by the manufaturer. Check out the Nokia Developer Forum and Blackberry's SDK (though you have some limited functionality with Blackberries unless you get your app signed, from what I've read.

With the free SDK, JDK, J2ME, J2ME In a Nutshell & Learning Wireless Java I was able to whip up a simple app for my phone in no time at all.

Already done.

The Nokia 7280 already has a rotary dial in place of a number keypad.

Apparently phones are going retro for some strange reason. :)

I've got a Nokia 5140. The design goal here is basically a phone that can take the knocks.

I haven't "road tested" mine, but a friend who works for Vodafone (a mobile phone company) here has tales of what this model of phone has survived.

<shrug> I like it, anyway.

Switch to T-Mobile USA.

The network is 1. GSM, 2. 1900Mhz only. This means that you can order a phone from Europe or Asian way in advance of the US release.

I got a Nokia 7610 for $380 in September. It's out now on Cingular for something like $320 with a two year contract.

You won't have service in the middle of nowhere though. That doesn't bother me since I spend most of my time in cities and the suburbs around them. It does bother some people. It's all about what you want; I want cool phones without having to wait for the US release.

Also, maybe separate gadgets do their own task better, but somewhat i would hate to have a Batman's like belt full of gadgets :)

Maybe in this year the example is taken by more vendors, and that kind of device grow in features and get lower prices.

I found my old phone. It was an 8210 (the American version). In grey. Totally sweet.

I bet you wouldn't want to run SSH on your desktop without a keyboard. So why would you want to on your phone?

IMO these devices are perfect for remote access:
http://www.nokia.com/phones/9300
http://www.nokia.com/phones/9500

The 9500 (big with Wifi & camera) has just arrived in the stores and the 9300 (smallet, more elegant, but without the former) will arrive this month. I'm probable going to get myself and my GF a 9300 later this year.

I wouldn't know about networks and prepaid stuff or the UK situation. Currently I use a Clie TG50 PDA with a SE T630 phone and I have been able to use SSH anywhere with my GPRS account (keyboard scuks, tho...). Since GPRS is usually billed by the MB, SSH tends to be very cheap even when I use it abroad.

X.

I bet you wouldn't want to run SSH on your desktop without a keyboard. So why would you want to on your phone?

IMO these devices are perfect for remote access:
http://www.nokia.com/phones/9300
http://www.nokia.com/phones/9500

The 9500 (big with Wifi & camera) has just arrived in the stores and the 9300 (smallet, more elegant, but without the former) will arrive this month. I'm probable going to get myself and my GF a 9300 later this year.

I wouldn't know about networks and prepaid stuff or the UK situation. Currently I use a Clie TG50 PDA with a SE T630 phone and I have been able to use SSH anywhere with my GPRS account (keyboard scuks, tho...). Since GPRS is usually billed by the MB, SSH tends to be very cheap even when I use it abroad.

X.

bluetooth keyboard. It doesn't work with a 6600 but a 6620 would work. Or a 7610 (what I have. It's got all of the features of the 6600 but it's smaller and weirder looking).

Well it is aptly named "TimePort", heh. I don't think u suck as a consumer though - I think you're actually a 'smart' consumer. You want to perform specific functions, and have bought something which fulfills those specific needs. Apart from the very high-end models (which have only recently broken the 1MP level), camera phones are good for nothing except getting 'up-skirt' pictures. A colour screen, a ringtone that doesn't jar (this is POV, I guess), speakerphone and Snake are all I ask from my phone :-p 3120

Nokia beat Apple with a rotary cell phone, it's their Nokia 7280 (http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,,62356,00.html).

After initializing the card for the first time (using windows, it needs to update the firmware, etc.), the card works like a regular com-port/modem. Beware of wvdial though, i had to patch it to make it work reliably with the AirCard. Also see http://centerclick.org/aircard555/

I recently dumped the aircard and replaced it with a GSM phone Nokia 6820. Which not only has a fold-out QWERTY keyboard, both a commercial and a free ssh client, and bluetooth, but also an IR port which emulates a modem when put next to the IR port on a laptop. Then just dial *99# and you're in business, even when traveling abroad. (The AirCard doesn't support data calls outside of the US.)

I think it's a better deal than the dedicated wireless cards, unless you're planning on using it constantly. It appears that the speed on the 6820 (with AT&T / Cingular service) via IR is better than the AirCard too.

Think about this: ideally, a "cellphone" for me would be a tiny box that has only three things:

• a battery (can't do without it)
• a GSM tranceiver (to talk to the outside world), and
• a Bluetooth tranceiver (to talk to the "world" that lives in my pockets anyway).

Now, this thing, I can just leave in my pocket. As for: (a) Talking? A small, cordless headset (w/ voice dialing and a voice interface for the common functions). I carry one anyway. (b) Keypad? A small PDA (to control the more advanced functions, say SMS and web-browsing), which has a screen already. I carry one anyway (when I need it). (c) MMS w/pictures? (not that I ever send any of these, but anyway) I carry an ultracompact digicam (Kyocera SL400R) anyway, when I want to take pictures. A Bluetooth interface shouldn't be that hard. (d) More serious stuff? Well, every laptop now has Bluetooth, pretty much. The phone can still stay in my pocket and double as a GSM modem.

If you think this is far-fetched, check this out:
Nokia Wireless Image Headset
Now, this, I can carry only when I need the "extra" functionality!

As for Bluetooth cameras, well someone has thought of it already:
Concord Bluetooth Camera
But it still needs to go some way towards miniaturization (which should be doable).

So: Do one thing and do it right! If modularity works for programs living in a PC, why not for hardware that lives in my pockets? Seems possible to me with the "new" technology. Just my 2c...

For example, Nokia 6630 records QCIF (174 x 144) video "up to 1 hour". I assume you need large enough RS-MMC. While camera phones, because of their small size, cannot compte with quality of compact cameras or DSLRs, they have the (dis)advantage being always with you.

If we speak about "real" camcoders, I like to have one with 100 GB 2.5 inch laptop drive. I think it will cost about the same as MiniDV casette unit and would be much more convinient than cassettes. I know there exists some camcorders with fixed storage, but their optical quality is not good.

I hate cellphones too, and do not own one. I hate the phones, I hate the pricing, I hate the services, I hate the companies involved. ... however, curious little devices like the Nokia 6820 are starting to woo me towards the dark side. As data fees continue to decrease, Mobile Internet is starting to become attractive.

Bastards!

Why not having a look at Nokia 9500 ? Maybe it is closer to what you need. Nokia 9500

I wanted to take a moment to plug a couple of things... The first is my personal moblog which really isn't anything special. However, the way the photos are published is kinda unique, and I thought other people might find it nice to play with.

What I use is the rather well-known PHP-based Gallery photo management / presentation software, combined with an implementation of the Nokia Image Upload Server API as a plugin for Gallery.

It works great... I just snap a picture on the phone, go to the Gallery (on the phone) which is where you generally sort through all the pictures, pick Image Uploader then Upload. A GPRS connection is made, you are prompted for the default folder or a new one, and the image is uploaded. That's how I get all the pictures in my moblog. The only limitation is that you cannot caption the photos. The API seems to support it, but it's not implemented in the plugin, nor do the phones support it.

(I looked into this a bit, and here's what I found: Captioning isn't enabled on the server, the phone doesn't prompt for any sort of caption info, and since the phone doesn't detect the capabilities of the server, implementing it on the server won't make any difference. Ah well. At least the photos get there, and you could always rename the file, because that name will be automatically set as the caption in lieu of one.)

Mono screen. Monophonic ringtones. Phone calls and SMS text messaging only - no MMS, no WAP, no internet. No camera. The only "toy" feature is a white LED torch on the top.

Small without being fiddly - keypad is pretty decent, menu system is Nokia's normal pleasant low-end-phone one again.

Most importantly - my mum has no problem using hers at all.

link to nokia's product page

Then check out the Nokia 7280.

s90 (7710 is a series90 device) has pretty spiffy hand writing recog input system(it's testable in the downloadable sdk's emulator).

also.. nokia has qwerty devices in the coming.. 9300 for example is the size of a normal phone from few years past and opens up for a full qwerty(closed it is like a normal phone from couple of years back, 6310 like). they also got the bit bigger 9500, which is like 9300 but with wifi and a camera(9300 doesn't have a camera).

(and i'm right there with the stylus text input sucks.. I'd rather use the 9 pad to enter text than stylus..)

If not was about price, availability, and probably linux compatibility having a cell phone with a good pda, web browser, GPS (and maybe even ebook reader and ssh client) is like a dream. It even have good mp3 player, radio and not so bad camera included. But if it marks a trend, the future looks promising.

Read the specs, it's 900/1800/1900Mhz. Will work fine in the U.S. I'm sure they'll be selling on eBay shortly.

I don't want a web browser, organiser, games system, movie camera or LED wave messaging in my mobile phone, but I do want a digital camera. I won't be texting pictures to people (waste of money) but I'd definitely be taking random pics of stuff during my normal day. What I really want is something like the Nokia 3120 except with a camera. Then I could dump the images onto another machine when I got home in the evening via IR or Bluetooth.

Obviously it will never compete with the quality or features of my real digicam, but it's useful to be able to take okay quality shots of stuff at any time. Since I carry my mobile all the time anyway...

There are plenty of Bluetooth keyboards if you get sick of onscreen keyboards or handwriting input.

For me, Nokia's scheduling FUD is going to work against them - I was waiting for the 6260 to become available before upgrading but despite having a release date of Q3 2004 and heavy advertising it is proving impossible to get hold of (on Orange, in the UK). Now instead I will wait for the 7710 but I'm not holding my breath expecting it to come out in Q4 2005 as announced.

***My phone is getting outdated and I cannot get a basic cellphone anymore.***

that argument is getting tired.. been hearing that for 2 years.

and during that whole time, just phone phones have been available and still are. fine, just buy a normal _lowest of low_ end phone.

or wouldn't you consider something like 1100 basic? vote with your wallet if you want.

Well, completely wrong is perhaps a bit harsh: ownership of mobile phones is lower in the US than it is in many developing world nations, precisely because a mobile phone is preferable to landline for the reasons that you give but you miss the point that the ownership of mobile phones is far lower in the US than most other developed world nations too.

And it's not all about natural geography or lack of an existing landline infrastructure: mobile phone usage in Scandinavian countries such as Finland and Sweden is fantastic. In fact, if I remember correctly, in Finland over 90 percent of the people have a mobile phone.

As for mobile phones being expensive, well, that's free market capitalism working for you. In Britain, where caller party pays like almost everywhere else (ie, if you call me then you foot the bill and it doesn't cost me a thing), I have a pay as you go mobile phone that cost me £35 (~$75) to buy, and which costs me pennies a day to use and with no contract whatsoever. And it's as reliable as anything else, plus it's portable. (Of course, if I wanted to use my mobile phone more extensively, then I have a range of options available to me from the various UK operators.)

From the anecdotal evidence that keeps cropping up on Slashdot and elsewhere, it very much seems to me that mobile phone ownership being synonymous with costing heaven and earth is an American phenomenon.

What's this then?

.

Nokia announced in June that Series 60 will feature SVG UI and viewer support.

Nokia rocks!!

Nokia has a way of hiding interesting future information in press releases under phone releases. Check out this press release from series60.com which is also available directly from Nokia and in some of the press coverage. It basically says that, Series 60 will have higher resolutions, pen and keyboard input and a lot more in the near future.

Also in the press coverage is a neat little snipped about testing the new 3220 Near Field Communications shells as contactless public transport tickets in Germany. That would be a great improvement over the current state of the art which is at least here in Finland is text message single trip tickets, which are handy, but hard to check quickly and probably crackable in the long run.

...including the usual FUD can be found at the Nokia homepage.

nothing suspicious about that at all. get yours here.

Meanwhile, has anyone got any success stories re. getting a Linux laptop on the internet with a mobile phone?

Well perhaps I've misunderstood you (or I'm being an insensitive European clod), but getting a connection to the internet through a mobile phone isn't at all difficult (on GSM networks - which is why I'm probably being an insensitive clod)

I've used a

• Nokia 6210,
• Nokia 6310i,
• Nokia 6230

• USB cable,
• Bluetooth and
• Infrared,

• a normal landline dialup (9600 bps!) and
• GPRS

Obviously this isn't limited to Nokia phones (hey, I just work here) - as long as the phone supports some kind of serial connection, you're go. No special software - wvdial does a fine job of taking care of the nitty gritty.

Gnokii does a decent job of accessing my phone features.

Meanwhile, has anyone got any success stories re. getting a Linux laptop on the internet with a mobile phone?

Well perhaps I've misunderstood you (or I'm being an insensitive European clod), but getting a connection to the internet through a mobile phone isn't at all difficult (on GSM networks - which is why I'm probably being an insensitive clod)

I've used a

• Nokia 6210,
• Nokia 6310i,
• Nokia 6230

• USB cable,
• Bluetooth and
• Infrared,

• a normal landline dialup (9600 bps!) and
• GPRS

Obviously this isn't limited to Nokia phones (hey, I just work here) - as long as the phone supports some kind of serial connection, you're go. No special software - wvdial does a fine job of taking care of the nitty gritty.

Gnokii does a decent job of accessing my phone features.

Meanwhile, has anyone got any success stories re. getting a Linux laptop on the internet with a mobile phone?

Well perhaps I've misunderstood you (or I'm being an insensitive European clod), but getting a connection to the internet through a mobile phone isn't at all difficult (on GSM networks - which is why I'm probably being an insensitive clod)

I've used a

• Nokia 6210,
• Nokia 6310i,
• Nokia 6230

• USB cable,
• Bluetooth and
• Infrared,

• a normal landline dialup (9600 bps!) and
• GPRS

Obviously this isn't limited to Nokia phones (hey, I just work here) - as long as the phone supports some kind of serial connection, you're go. No special software - wvdial does a fine job of taking care of the nitty gritty.

Gnokii does a decent job of accessing my phone features.

Meanwhile, has anyone got any success stories re. getting a Linux laptop on the internet with a mobile phone?

Well perhaps I've misunderstood you (or I'm being an insensitive European clod), but getting a connection to the internet through a mobile phone isn't at all difficult (on GSM networks - which is why I'm probably being an insensitive clod)

I've used a

• Nokia 6210,
• Nokia 6310i,
• Nokia 6230

• USB cable,
• Bluetooth and
• Infrared,

• a normal landline dialup (9600 bps!) and
• GPRS

Obviously this isn't limited to Nokia phones (hey, I just work here) - as long as the phone supports some kind of serial connection, you're go. No special software - wvdial does a fine job of taking care of the nitty gritty.

Gnokii does a decent job of accessing my phone features.