So, i think I've finally gotten my E71x phone right where I want it: using more free apps than paid-for apps, using Wifi vs. AT & T's service and being productive while away from my laptop. Before making the switch to a Symbian system, I worried about interoperability with my laptop and I am very pleased to report that the Nokia PC Suite has truly rocked my world by being even better than my Windows Mobile Device center. My appointments, contacts, tasks and files sync back and forth with an ease that makes me wonder why I didn't try out a Symbian OS earlier.
I confess to having some reservations initially because so-called power users gave scathing reviews of the Nokia E71x phone. I agree with their assessments primarily because that out-of-box experience is littered with the equivalent of PC bloatware/crapware/craplets. For someone who purchased a Wifi-enabled device, the lengths A T & T went to to ensure that your applications went through their portal is mindboggling. However, I got this device under 'special' circumstances and I was determined to use my phone's capabilities to the maximum!
right now, I've got the following applications installed on my phone:
- X-plore: You need thi program to aid in systematically removing the trials and demos that litter the phone system. Please support these developers because they are invaluable to the ecosystem of mobile devices. :)
- Emoze: i like checking my email when away from my laptop so this was a no-brainer for me to get. Don't bother with XpressMail because it's an AT & T offering. The odds are in favor of XpressMail being preconfigured to use A T & T's service/data plan. The free version is limited to 1 account and for less than 10 a year, you can upgrade so you can view/send emails from multiple accounts. It's totally worth it!.
- ShoZu: this program is a little killer application that has become an important hub on the train of social networking. It is linked to a lot of sites and I use it daily to post updates/pictures/videos to sites lik Flickr, Smugmug, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Blip.tv, Picasa Web Albums, and many more!
- Google Maps: A must-have for anyone on the go a lot. I recently used it when I was lost downtown and I was thoroughly impressed by the street view and the receiver strength of my phone.
I would keep going, but my thumbs need a break. :) In short, this phone is a great device. Short and sweet.PPS: Please see my previous Nokia E71x posts on more recommended applications for your new Symbian S60 device and on tweaking the Nokia E71x phone.
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wang zhu
Hey,
Thanks for your articles. It has been very useful! Your guide and your approach to the locked AT&T's E71x is exactly what I was looking for (e.g. less usage of AT&T's paid services and more of what is available to the unlocked E71 community). However I was wondering if you wouldn't mind addressing few questions in regards to your post about Nokia Maps and X-plore
1. Is it necessary to run Nokia Maps Updater once you install the 2.0 and 3.0 file you listed? You said if you install the E71 version it should detect Nokia Maps aka Novi 3.01. However mine says only 3.0 is available for update but then I can't even click the download button. Hence, I forewent this step entirely and started downloading the map loader for US. Will this affect my user expeience at all (still downloading maps so cannot verify). Additionally, I noted that my 2gb memory card only alotted 1.3gb of memory space for map uploads. Do you know if this is normal? I checked my sd card and it clearly shows that it has 1.8gb of free space left.
2. I looked at Xplore and it looked like a management application. Are you saying you can use this to delete all the demo games and such on th E71x?! Because if so, that is fantastic news.
Once agan thanks again for a great post!
Posted at August 11, 2009 on 8:36pm