Ultra Cool Gadgets

The latest email-optimized device from the Nokia E-eries, the sleek and slender Nokia E71 makes it easy to stay on top of your email inbox with a full QWERTY keyboard and support for corporate communication via Microsoft Exchange. It’s ready to run on 3G networks here in the U.S. (850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA), enabling fast downloads and streaming multimedia while on the go. It also includes integrated Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g) for accessing open networks at work, at home, and on the road from a variety of wireless hotspots.
The svelte stainless steel Nokia E71 keeps you mobilized with a broad range of personal and professional messaging needs. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion (up to 8 GB), built-in A-GPS and Nokia Maps application, and up to 10.5 hours of talk time on standard GSM networks.
This U.S version of the unlocked Nokia E71 can be used with a GSM network service provider and it provides quad-band connectivity (850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz). It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider. This phone comes with a one-year warranty from a third party provider.

Other features include:

* Advanced contacts database: multiple number and e-mail details per contact, contacts with images
* Speaker dependent and speaker independent voice dialling
* Voice recorder
* 2.5 mm Nokia AV connector
* Up to 18 hours of music playback
* Synchronize music with Windows Media Player
* Streaming media (audio – .rm, .eAAC+; video – .3gp, mp4, .rm)
* Email protocols: IMAP, POP, SMTP; IMAP IDLE support
* Messaging: SMS, MMS (distribution lists for messaging; text-to-speech message reader)
* Infrared and USB connectivity
* Support for local and remote SyncML synchronization, iSync, Intellisync, ActiveSync
* Organization tools: alarm clock, calendar, to-do list, active notes
* Flash Lite 3.0 and Java MIDP 2.0
* Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BIP (for sending images to another device), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures)

Customer feedback:

1. i had both the e61 and e61i and this is a major improvement over both. the form factor is incredible as it is only 10mm thin, much narrower than its predecessors, and feels very solid and sleek with its all metal body. the phone is just beautiful to look at. nokia has improved its processor greatly and the phone has almost no wait time with all its functions now. when i went back to use the e61i, it was unbearably slow compared to the e71. the keypad on the e71, although a little cramped, feels good on the fingers. one of my biggest complaints about the e61i was that earphone speaker was hard to hear out of, but the e71′s narrower body and seemingly louder speaker solves the problem. the e71 has also added a microUSB port, and 2.5mm earphone jack. in terms of software, the e71 has an updated symbian os that includes some additional features and programs that were pleasant to see. the biggest program improvements for me was the updated organizer and the shortcut key options. for all e61 and e61i users out there, the e71 is a must update to nokia’s wonderful line of phones.

2. Network Settings — Nokia has a great website that will text you all the internet, voicemail, and MMS settings for your carrier to the unlocked phone.
Bluetooth Tethering — This phone does not tether with Mac OS 10.4 Tiger. It does tether perfectly with 10.5 Leopard. It tethers with Windows XP via included Nokia PC Suite. It would be nice if a Mac suite were included from Nokia but Apple provides everything necessary with Leopard. It obviously tethers perfectly with Nokia N800/N810.
GPS — The GPS in the phone is first class with both an actual GPS receiver and assisted GPS through cell tower. It works much better than my TomTom One especially indoors. The phone comes with a great program called Maps but the only drawback (and it is a HUGE drawback) is that you have to pay a monthly fee to use any sort of route guidance. You’re allowed to see your position and browse maps for free but if you want to plan a route it costs extra. It comes with a 7 day trial that you should save for emergencies in my opinion.
Networks in General — This phone works great on both AT&T and T-Mobile but each has their drawbacks. AT&T has the faster network but limits you to 5Gb/month bandwidth and charges extra to tether. T-Mobile allows actual unlimited data on EDGE and allows free tethering to any device but has the slower “2.75G” EDGE data network. Wifi is available on the phone and works flawlessly.

With the SanDisk Sansa Fuze, you can fuse your portable entertainment, featuring 8 GB of storage. Listen, watch, and play all day with 24 hours of battery life and room for up to 2,000 songs. Watch your favorite video clips on the Sansa Fuze’s 1.9-inch color screen. Measuring just 0.3 inches thin, the Sansa Fuze marks the next wave of music and video players.
The Sansa Fuze comes with 8 GB of built-in memory enough to store 5 hours of video playback. Watch your favorite TV video clips from wherever you are. To ensure speedy file transfers, the unit features a USB 2.0 connection. Simply connect the player to a PC, and start dragging files from your Windows Media Player 10 or 11 applications.
With an option to extend the capacity, its MicroSD/SDHC memory card slot means storage possibilities are essentially unlimited. Expand your music collection, show albums of photos up to 4000 images, and watch your favorite videos on those long trips.

Technical Details

* Listen, watch, and play all day with 24 hours of battery life and room for up to 2,000 songs
* Watch your favorite video clips or share your photos on the 1.9-inch color screen
* Digital FM radio with 40 preset stations
* Voice recording with built-in microphone
* Expand your existing 8 GB memory with the microSD/microSDHC slot

Customer feedback:

1. What I really like about it is the size, capacity, and most of all price.
The codec support is about average, not great but it satisfies my needs as 99% of my music is encoded in mp3 format.
One of my dislikes is common among all sandisk mp3 players(and most other players) is that the charging/syncing port is proprietary. Not a big issue, mini-usb would have been nice though.
Video playback was smooth(used a mp4 350MB recorded tv show) no sync problems between the audio/video and no stuttering. Too small to really be considered for video playback though.
Picture viewing is about the same as video and by that I mean it works great and the pictures look ok but the screen is so small it is not practical to show off pics with it.
Voice recording works well, don’t have to hold it directly to my face to clearly record sounds…although I’m not sure what this can be used for but it is there and works well.
The radio works great, easy station browsing, easy to add stations to presets, and reception is very clear.

2. Hands down, this is the best digital media player I have purchased. After three failed attempts at buying an updated media player (Insignia Pilot 8GB – terrible sound quality, Creative ZEN 8GB – terrible interface software with the computer) I finally found the Sansa Fuze.
This player had everything I was looking for: low price point, large memory capacity (8GB), an exandable memory port (microSDHC), FM radio capability, and small size.
The unit itself looks and feels of quality construction, the interface with the computer is simple (just drag & drop to either internal or external memory) and it has amazing battery life. I’ve had no problems charging the unit on my laptop or via a USB A/C adapter. The manual clearly states that some USB ports are not powerful enough to charge the unit, particularly those on the front of the computer, and in that case to try the back USB ports.
As for video quality, I can’t speak to it. The Fuze has only a 1.9″ screen, so if you bought it to watch videos you must have microscopes for eyes.