Messages
Messaging is the first option after pressing the menu button. From Text Messaging you can create, send, view already sent SMS (text) messages. The 3200 comes with four predictive text input dictionaries English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Like all Nokia phones, the 3200 uses T9 software for predictive text input. 10 text templates are also available for fast sending.
Now standard feature of most wireless phones is the MMS multimedia messaging. Unlike regular SMS, MMS can carry not only text but also pictures, sounds and video. Nokia's MMS implementation is very easy to use just select recipient (could be phone number or e-mail), insert text, graphics or sound recordings, preview it if you like and then send it.
IM or Instant Messaging is also available on the 3200. Unfortunately I could not make it to work. I tried everything but could not make eight ICQ or AIM connect. The reason might be that the phone was from AT&T wireless and I was using it on T-mobile network. I've used IM on Nokia 3650 and I am very impressed its functionality is limited to sending only text messages, but being able to stay in touch with your ICQ palls and colleagues everywhere you go was thrilling. Nokia 3200 supports both AIM and ICQ by default.
Call Logs
All the phone numbers you called were called from or missed are here. In addition, GPRS data counters are also under this menu.
Contacts / Phone Book
Since a phone is mostly used to call someone, phonebook usability is critical for me. In all of my tests I have found that Nokia is #1 when it comes to easy of use and intuition. Viewing phonebook functions does not make you think about how to do this or that you intuitionally know where to go. Find contact is the main search feature and allows the quick filtration of the phonebook entries by typing the first one or several letters of the contact's name you want to find. Since 3200 features camera, the phonebook also has Picture ID capability showing a small picture of the person calling or showing the picture when browsing the phonebook.
The only thing I found somewhat confusing is the way you enter new contacts. First you enter the name, then you are asked for the phone number and then the new entry is saved in the phonebook. You are never asked during the initial entry to specify what type of phone number is this (mobile, home, fax), nor you are asked to input more information such as e-mail address, street address, note. So pretty much you have to save the new contact, then find it again, do Edit and then manipulate it.
Other than that, the phonebook is very powerful and supports:
- multiple numbers per name (General, Mobile, Home, Work, Fax)
- additional details such as e-mail address, web address, street address or note
- primary number ability to set one number as primary, so when you select the name you can just press dial and the phone knows which number to dial (in case there is more then one)
- caller groups contacts can be organized in different groups such as friends, family, VIP, business etc and then different ring tones assigned to each group so you know when the phone rings if this is a business call, VIP etc.
