Nokia 'Tube' the iPhone killer?

Nokia unveiled a touchscreen device they're working on, what they codenamed as 'Tube' supposedly an iPhone challenger, at the Evans Data Developer Relations Conference, which could debut before the the year ends.

Given Nokia's penchant for unconventional execution of what's technologically beautiful, expect Nokia Tube to have iPhone features plus its powerhouse of Nseries capabilities--3G/HSDPA/Wi-Fi connectivity, Java applications, A-GPS, mobile TV, 5-megapixel camera with flash, and its own brand of multimedia and office productivity tools.

Either Nokia, the world's number 1 mobile phone maker, is keeping its promise of releasing a better touchscreen phone or it's simply prepping up the market as Apple is soon to come out with a 3G iPhone.

Whatever, good for us, we're not locked in with few, but presented with more choices.

3G iPhone by June?

Already speculated last year, Apple's expected to launch its high-speed, 3G iPhone around the time it holds its annual developer conference in June this year. Of course Apple representatives decline to make any comments.

Well as for our dear PI, I wonder if Apple is ever launching the iPhone formally here. I mean, essential to iPhone's many features is the iTunes store, which until now is not open to Filipinos (although you can make purchases by means of gift cards you can buy from other sites).

While his royal IT-highness Steve Jobs sees Manila as the copy-from-the-original capital or land of the media pirates, closing its doors to us only encourages (read: legitimizes) piracy or illegal downloading. What to do when you have an iPod that can store thousands of your favorite old and new songs (and movies)?

At its first launch, a day or so iPhones were already available here (costing an arm and a leg though). That's how fast and tech-savvy we Pinoy are. And I don't think it's going to get any different when the 3G iPhone finally comes out.

Nokia's N-Gage is on the roll

Nokia has rolled-out N-Gage, its gaming service, (though initially available as FIRST ACCESS for Nokia N81 owners) as it expand into mobile Internet services. With its launch delayed twice last year, N-Gage currently limits its use to those with N81 multimedia phones to get feedback before making it available to a wider audience.

When I updated the firmware of my N95, the N-Gage icon has been included with two demo games (my kids would play) easily draining the battery. I used to have the N-Gage QD Game Deck (gaming phone) which is more a smart phone than game console sans camera--it was a highly entertaining experience/relationship. I've 'outgrown' it though, as I needed a phone that doesn't look like Nintendo's Gameboy, but is multimedia-capable (such as my N95 now).

Will N-Gage stir the mobile gaming space? We'll see when it's on every Nokia phone menu, and gaming is but a click away.

Fakey Nokia N95

Don't be fooled as they're at it again, this time cloning Nokia's premium Nseries model called N95.

Knock-offs of the N95 are everywhere. I saw this a few weeks ago when I was watching Bitag at IBC 13 on a lazy Saturday late afternoon, where they caught/arrested a guy peddling this N95 copycat.

Obviously from China, this NOKLA N95 (replacing 'I' with 'L') can be easily mistaken for the original at first glance. Click here for a comparison, photo from this site.

As an owner of an original Nokia N95, I must say--caveat emptor!

Wireless landline by Bayantel

Finally, the wireless landline service that reached our home and proof that we deserve visibility in every motorists' Metro Manila map.

We're waiting for either Smart or Globe (PLDT unfortunately subcontracts our area) but Bayantel's hassle-free processing and ready-to-use phone nailed it. We just paid P1,500 cash and had to show an ID and billing statement then voila--instant wireless phone! It costs less than competition, only 699 per month, add to that the caller ID and other unlimited perks. It's a bring-anywhere type of landline phone, problem is Bayantel has limited Manila coverage, lucky though that they're grounded solid in North Caloocan. Bayantel also offers 15-day money back guarantee should we feel disappointed by the service.

Well, so far so good actually.

My next mobile phone - SE P1i

I've never owned an SE mobile phone but I'm keeping my eye on this model - it's the Sony Ericsson P1i.

It sure is a better form factor from its predecessor P990i, which right now has dropped its price to as low as Php 15,000 (of course where else but Greenhills!).

SE P1i, with all its features, is a true converged mobile gadget. I only hope that it won't cost an arm and a leg.

Finally, my revived N73 ME

My Nokia N73 Music Edition is more than a month old and is now clad in a shiny white car-paint-like front cover (shedding its original black skin that's cracked from my oh-so-careful use). I found the original piece from Nokia's Tomas Morato store at a not-so-friendly price of PHP 655.

Went there an hour before closing and most of the customers are smartphone users just like me. The usual complaints would be about short-charged batteries, weak or no signal, camera malfunction, and the more common housing problems.

That is like a red flag waving a clear message to me - caveat emptor - no more Nokia.

Drool-worthy iPhone

I can’t wait to get my hands on Apple’s iPhone.

Announced by none other than Apple’s head-honcho Steve Jobs in his keynote during the Macworld conference, the much-anticipated iPod-cum-smartphone is slated for launch this June in the US, in the fourth quarter of 2007 in Europe, and will make its debut in Asia by 2008.

It’s not cheap—it will retail (as in carrier-locked) for US$499 (4GB) and US$599 (8GB) in the US.

When my old iPod (4G, 60GB, called iPod Photo before) gave up on me by refusing to boot up showing only the dreaded sad icon, I have been on the lookout for a phone that can work as MP3 player as well (that’s the reason behind my N73 Music Edition purchase) to make my pants lighter and so I won’t have to bring too many gadgets with me as I travel long hours to and fro my office.

The iPhone has everything I have ever wanted in a phone: smart phone in a stable software platform, generous viewing landscape, touch screen a-la-PDA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, photo and video camera, and a sensor, much like Nokia’s 5500 Sport, only it detects that you want to use it as a phone.

Hopefully by 2008 (or do I really have to wait, hello US-based/bound friends?), it’s priced more competitively when launched here (or shall I say, in Greenhills), that is, if it is ever launched, here.

My last Nokia phone - N73 Music Edition

Yes, I'm giving up Nokia.

I actually bought my N73 Music Edition last year (Dec 06) and after only a day of regular use, the front housing that protects the LCD cracked.

As expected, when I called Nokia, they said I had to pay for the replacement part. They really didn't care that the cheap plastic they used in this supposedly high-end model is brittle its bound to crack even with careful use. Of course since this phone model is new, replacement parts are not available. Add to bigger disappointment, I was advised that if I want them to order the part, I'll have to have my phone booked at their service center, email them the job order, then they can expedite the ordering of the stock. I asked them - if I have to book my phone, will they lend me a service unit while I wait for the replacement? - I didn't bother to wait for the response.

I'm using 'them' because I was practically calling every Nokia service center listed on their website almost everyday. I even emailed them and got the same response.

Oh please Nokia, drop the 'CARE' word from your marketing gimmicks.