As part of a new series for absolute beginners (AAS regulars, we're looking at your friends and family here, I suspect, or others coming in via Google), here's my first cut at 'Getting started with the Nokia 5230'. We'd genuinely like your feedback on improving this format of article. What else does a complete 5230/Symbian/S60 5th novice really need to know up-front? Your comments will be built into updates of this piece and into future versions for other popular 'entry' smartphones. Thanks!
Read on in the full article.
Digital zoom in photos throws away pixel data and replaces it with interpolated data. A 3X digital zoom-in will essentially cut the pic in 9 equal rectangles, keep the central one and throw the remaining 88% away, reducing a 2Mpix image to around 200Kpix.
With video, it is a bit different, as a SD video frame is around 350Kpix, and all the rest has to be thrown away in any case. Choosing exactly what part is thrown away gives you lossless digital video zoom -- when zoomed in, all video data will come from the center; fully zoomed out, image data will be sampled all over the image.
Double the megapixels in the sensor and you will get you about 40% more lossless digital zoom. You get around 2.5x for 2Mpix, 3.8x from 5Mpix, 4.8x from 8Mpix, 6x from 12Mpix.
Not true. On all camera phones except the N86, digital zoom in video mode is handled a LOT more clumsily than that. Try it!
Many (mostly american) reviewer always said that S60v5 is a new platform thus having a small software/game to begin with.
I just wanna add here, that beside Symbian (S60) program, you can run Java and Flash too in your nokia.
And....
cut & paste and multi task has been more than a DECADE. I start my nokia with Nokia 3650, and as far as I know the multi task and cut&paste has been on nokia device since the Nokia 7650.
Cracking article Steve.
One thing which you left out which I fell is important is that I have found that the 5230 can suffer from the same memory issues on C: as the 5800 and N97.
I have read and followed various articles on the web, including AAS, about improving memory, and these tips have improved the performance on my phone.
Also people should grab a HS-45/HS-54 remote headset as supplied with the N97 and 5800 (mine was 4 quid on e-bay) which is a great improvement on the pair in the box, and lets you control the music player remotely.
As an article targeted at new users of S60, I'm concerned that the article begins with firmware updates. First, some less technical users might be completely frightened by the idea of updating their device. Second, others might not want to consider the possibility that their shiny new device migt already be out of date.
I think new users would first like to know about the cool new things their phone can do so I would suggest this reorganizaion for the topics:
Tap, tap
Entering text
Installing new applications
The ones you love the most
Don't be afraid to Multitask
Where your content lives
Don't forget the Media key
Getting your music and media onto the 5230
Camera tips
Preserving battery life
Firmware, firmware
Software update
Know your tariff
Connecting up to your desktop
Quicker removal
The references to the iPhone in the "Tap, tap" section seemed to set a tone for me as if you were apologizing for S60 to some "iPhone-owning friend". For me, it made the whole article feel like it was trying to justify S60 against the iPhone. I was surprised to go back and find out that "iPhone" was only written twice in the article.
Overall, I think it's a great idea to have articles for beginners. I sure could have used one when I bought my E75. I was excited to see your treatment of "Access Points" for beginners, but then I noticed the 5230 doesn't have Wifi so I guess there are no needs for "Access Points".
Hope this was helpful.
Thanks, yes, I'll have a look at reorganising the piece a little. The tap thing does need explaining, though yes I should probably remove iPhone references! 8-)
I was looking for a concise user advice like this , when I got my first Nokia (9210) .... But could not find .
One more suggestion , for new users to find quickly some basic information , make a sticky link in the appropriate sub-forum .
😊 Regards jApi NL
Hi, great and informative article as usual Mr L ! The only thing I would suggest (as an N97 user) is a section on how to save space on C, how to use file manager to see where things are, what you can and can't remove/move. Suggesting storing all messages to memory card, and removing any apps possible that will install to E/F would help any phone (even one that is not as constricted as mine) and of course checking the privacy data occasionally to maximise the space available on C. I have friends who never backup, update or sync there phones EVER !!! Which is fine, untill they have a problem, and it really doesn't take any major geeky skill to simply maintain your phones performance and secure your basic info. I think Ovi suite is really good for a novice, but would always suggest (as you did) simple drag and drop for all forms of media ! That's my bit, keep up the good work Steve
Thanks all, note that this guide was SPECIFICALLY for the 5230 and that each guide will be tailored to the specific device. Also, this was specifically for beginners, who are unlikely to hammer RAM (for example)....
Great article Steve,
Look forward to those for other devices.
One small comment: section 3. Tap, Tap " ...on the hole"??
Yours, ever pedantically,
Andrew