CTIA 2008 - Live Report

Nokia N810 Internet Tablet WiMax Edition

After launching the N96, N78, 6220 classic and 6210 Navigator in Barcelona a few months back, the company did not have anything interesting to show off with. Being number one in the World, they had to come with something, which were one entry and one mid-range CDMA phones and the N810 Internet Tablet WiMax Edition.
The device is not a phone, but rather something used primarily for entertainment – watch TV, chat with friends via the full QWERTY slide-down keyboard, use it for navigation thanks to the built-in GPS (awful performance during our tests with the N810), talk with friends via the built-in Skype and of course surf the Net… you get the idea. The new version only adds WiMax 2.5 GHZ support, which when unavailable, falls back to just Wi-Fi (if available). In the U.S., Sprint's Xohm Wi-Max service should be launched soon, and thus the Tablet will be able to use it. The major plus of the new technology is the increased range, which in urban areas is expected to be around 1.5 miles.

Slightly upgraded is the Maemo OS2008 running the Tablet – better e-mail client, support for Chinese characters in the browser and improved software upgrades. Current N800 and N810 owners will also be able to upgrade to it.

Our full review of the N810 (not the Wi-Max Edition) can be read here.


Nokia 3606 and 1606

Nokia showcased also two new CDMA devices, its first ones to support the AWS 1700 MHz frequency, which carriers like Cricket and MetroPCS will use. The two devices have similar design language, with the higher end 3606 being with glossy blue finish, while the lower end 1606 is in grey. Both phones are running S40 UI.

The 3606, being a mid-range device, features hidden when inactive display on the front, with two touch-sensitive music controls below it. Opening the shell reveals an almost flat plastic keypad surface with no dividers between the keys. The key-press feel is not great, but should not cause a lot of problems.

The 1606 is the entry-level model, and lacks a camera. The design again is very similar to the 3606, but the front shell only has a simple greyscale landscape display. The keypad is almost the same also, but with dividers between the keys. Though not unique, the built-in LED light on the hinge which is activated by a button on the front shell, above the screen, is helpful.

micoUSB are becoming the standard, and both devices feature those (they can be used for charging as well). Both devices will be available around Q3.




Nokia Remade Concept