In an even more densely packed review than my own of the Nokia E90, My Symbian's Michal Jerz comes up with very similar annoyances, balanced out by a large number of positives and genuine delights. After reading both reviews, you'll know everything you need to about the latest Communicator. And that's a promise.
Read on in the full article.
Yours is best, of course!
You didn't mention any problems with the camera button - do you think Michal had a faulty unit? Or did you have a hand-picked one for review purposes.....
The camera button is very cheap and cheerful on the E90 - disappointing, and not a patch on the shutter button on the N93 and N95. But it's easy enough to use, once you get used to it. Probably a personal thing.
Steve
superb keyboard?
My Symbian seems to differ on this most important point, with Steve being seemingly disappointed.
Any clue, please?
it's another personal thing. In my opinion, the keys could have been larger, with more feel and gentler action. but I'm being a bit picky, perhaps. I'm sure a few of you will have E90s soon and can see for yourself.
Steve
It seems that O2 at least are talking about the E90 available in July (shop.o2.co.uk/ComingSoon).
Neither Vodafone nor Orange mention the E90 at all.
Any news on availability for monthly paying customers?
I have three E90s and the Camera button is equally cheap on all of them, so it's not just a faulty unit. Regarding the keyboard, as Steve wrote, it's a personal thing so it'll depend on your own preferences. For me, it's the best keyboard ever used in a Communicator (which doesn't mean that it is perfect, there's always room for improvement) but your opinions may be different... I like it for its shape, longer key travel and good tactile feedback.
Cheers,
Michal Jerz
My-Symbian.com
It will take several months for this phone to come to India. Have seen it once when I was at the OpenC event in April, its a beauty. One of the Forum nokia guys had it with him. Could'nt get my eyes off it.
Some time ago I had the chance to type some words on a 9300i. I loved the way it felt in my hans while typing.
Hi Steve!
When I check on the Nokia spec. site:
forum.nokia.com/devices/E90_Communicator
there is A2DP missing in the bluetooth profiles.
Can you confirm, that the production unit you were able to test had A2DP?
Thanks a lot!
Regards
Michael
Does the E90 and FP1 have any additional Email functionality compared to an E61? For example are you able to move emails from Inbox to IMAP server folders rather just being able to subscribe to IMAP folders and display their contents? Can you download an entire Email and any attachments automatically (IMAP account type) without having to retrieve each email and each email attachment manually?
Best Regards
Nick
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Just received and played with E90, SIM free from Mobile Fun (mobilefun.co.uk, good bunch of guys)
First impressions
Bad Points:
1. Dreadful camera button. It is worse than useless in fact I would say that it is actually faulty in design. It seems to take a shot at random as there is no precise feel to it. Really very very bad.
2. Disappointed that the screen is quite dimly lit (both of them, in particular the second screen). Yes they are both trans-reflective but not a patch on the N95.
3. The navigation button on mine doesn't have a positive feel in the down position on the main keyboard. Other positions are fine. Not sure why they made the 5 way rocker button smaller on the main keypad. The front facing one is very much easier to use with the center enter button recessed.
4. Pity the secondary screen is as small as it is. Why could they have not made it the same as the N95? The E90 body is much wider so could have easily accommodated it. Because of this it truncates far too much info to the user. And before you say it, why should you have to open the clam up for a bigger view?
5. Accessing the camera is a joke and slow is not the word, saving pictures is slower than a digital camera of 10+ years ago.
6. Why an earth have they reverted to a 2.5mm audio socket?
7. Main keyboard very fiddly and slow to move around in comparison to say a Blackberry Curve (8300). The Curve uses round buttons that are far smaller and much faster to use (and more positive in feel). In addition maybe Nokia should also incorporate the trackball of the Curve and do away with their multi-way offering altogether.
8. Not sure if it is just mine but the phone is nowhere near as sensitive as the N95 or Sony K800i or Blackberry 8300 parked in the same position. (On Orange) That is worrying.
Good Points:
1. Superbly made, feels very tactile and a joy to hold and look at, even if it is the brown one, (sorry "mocha"😉 as I really wanted a red one. Sad I know.
2. Audio is stunning from normal received cell calls to audio music tracks.
3. Battery life seems very good
4. Very easy to set up - just plugged into the PC that has the latest N95 software on it, recognised the E-90 and sync'd straight away, couldn't be easier. Setting up retrieval of email simple, again identical to N95.
5. Works in the same way as N95 so didn't have to learn a whole new set of menu's.
Summary;
I wanted the E90 to replace my N95 and Blackberry 8300, all in one package. At this time and after only a few hours of playing with it I am not convinced at all. Which is a pain because I was so looking forward to getting my hands on this new piece of kit. Wish I hadn't sent my Blackberry back now...! Maybe some firmware upgrades will sort a few of the niggles out but that won't change primary screen size, terrible camera and (indifferent) keyboard buttons out.
Finally,
I think the E90 Communicator Team should employ more of the N95 engineers, they could have made this a world beating phone (albeit in smaller numbers) like the N95 has become in such a short period of time.
Will I be sending it back? Not just yet but very probably, at £535 plus VAT it ain't cheap....
Martin Lynch mlands.co.uk