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Lets All Bid Adeu to the Idou-Sony Ericsson Pulls Satio From Shelves
Nov 27th
Nokia Doing the Same With N97?
What’s the Deal With the Satio?
The Sony Ericsson Satio, also known one time as the Idou, was one of the first phones to debut a 12 megapixel camera. It has other features such as 3.5″ with a ratio of 16:9 with 640×360 resolution, 3G and Bluetooth, along with the usual Smartphone capabilities. It is a really nice phone and sales were almost through the roof.
OK, So Why Was It Pulled?
The phone was doing really until is was pulled from shelves by Carphone Warehouse and Phone4You, two of the largest retailers of mobile phones in the UK. They were apparently still available from other dealers such as T-Mobile and Vodaphone, but after reading the following, I sincerely don’t think anyone will want to.
The phone, the retailers and customers are saying, seems to be freezing, powering off, crashing and showing other signs of incompatibilities and nuisances. This is apparently due to a problem with a software skin placed over the phone’s native OS. It is said the customers are returning the phone because when trying to switch apps, or access their stored apps, the phone will power down for no reason. Two of the Satio dealers, Orange and Vodaphone do not use these skins, but have their own, which could be why they are still selling the phones and haven’t pulled them as of yet. It seems the phones with those skins aren’t having any problems.
Is There A Solution?
Sony says there is a solution in the works. Apparently it will come in the form of a patch that can’t be deployed over the air. So the best thing is to bring the phone back to whee you got it from so it can be fixed. Sony is also saying the patched should be in place and the phones back on shelves before Christmas. According to The Times, Carphone Warehouse and Phones4you are also offering new phones in place of the defective ones.
What’s The Deal With the Nokia N97?
Apparently, the Nokia N97 was pulled for almost the same reasons as the Satio. When someone goes to the Vodaphone site to purchase the N97, they are immediately redirected to the N07Mini (which isn’t actually so mini…).
What Is the Actual Problem?
Most people are thinking that because the two phones both use the Symbian OS software that it might actually be the problem. The phones were pulled to test the OS as well. And this in no way is what Symbian needed at the present time. With other companies looking at Maemo, and Android, Symbian is hitting a major setback in trying to keep a hold of the open source smartphone OS world.
So What’s the Verdict?
I think that with the Smartphone competition so fierce these days, the companies were in a way being forced to get their product on the shelves as soon as possible. But apparently the need to so so has shown the quality of the phones to be lacking at best. Just like Microsoft releasing the WinMo 6.5 OS, not really being a major upgrade like they said it was supposed to be, they should have waited until everything was tested and sure of the quality. Sony and Nokia should have waited as well. In their rush to play the market, they are hurting not only their sales in the holiday season, but their reputation as well.
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Voice On the Go-Talk to Compose Your Email and Text?
Nov 2nd
Making it Safe to Drive and Talk or Text
What’s the Deal?
Apparently there is a new (or not so new, depending on how you look at it) device that allows a person to talk to compose email and text, as well as listen to incoming messages-All while you drive. This can be done anytime, on any network and any phone. Cell phones are Smartphones-it doesn’t make a difference, they are all compatible. The BlackBerry, iPhone-all of them, Nokia’s Motorola’s, WinMo phones, you name it and it will work.
Can It Do Anything Else?
Really? You want it do do more? Ok, you win… Here goes–The Voice on the go application can also go through your contacts and place a call from the list, check and update your calendar, send Tweets and update your Facebook profile. Wow..That is real cool. Do you know why? Where other apps claim to be all voice activated, this one really is. With others you have to press a button to be able to activate it. With Voice on the Go, it is completely voice activated. Making it a lot more safer to drive. And with the Txt L8R campaign up and running, this is just in time.
What’s the Verdict?
If you own a mobile phone and drive with it, you need this app. Not onl will you be using one of the coolest applications around, you are making the road much safer by being more aware of your surroundings. And it only costs 5.99 a month-A small price to pay for your life and its safety, don’t you think? I sure do.
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
Nokia Admits Mistake By Not Pushing In the US Market-(Finally)Launching New Smartphone In the US
Oct 30th
Teaming up with AT&T To Do It
What’s the Deal?
For the first time in about 3 years, Nokia is going to make a push for the American market once again. They are looking to release a Symbian based phone and is teaming up with AT&T to use their SnapDragon processor. Apparently what is happening is that Qualcomm, the chip’s maker, recently joined the Symbian Foundation and will therefore back the Nokia-AT&T deal.
Why All of A Sudden?
Well, since it’s highest market share in March of 2002 of 35%, the Finnish company has been steadily going down the tubes. Last year it was down to a mere 10%. The last figure available is from June of this year and is showing Nokia’s market share in the US at only 7%, a total drop of 28% in 7 years. And it apparently it hit them hard. That’s what they get, though, for ignoring the US market. So now they are trying to make up for it by releasing this new phone.
And What About the New Phone?
Well, there are no actual details about the phone except for the SnapDragon processor. There is still no release date as of yet either.
Ehat is real interesting about all this is in the recent past, Nokia and Qualcomm were bickering over a patent issue. Apparently, The argument was over ownership of a patent to a CDMA chip. But later they finally put the issue to bed.
And The Verdict Is?
The deal itself is still in the works and the last details are being ironed out. Personally, though, I think it’s great that they are using Symbian again. With the N900 getting pushed back over and over again, it makes you wonder why they ever used Maemo in the first place.
And they should never have ignored the Americans. That was a big mistake. In the 7 years that they forgot about the US, they could have made a killing. With all the new Smartphone Technology that is out there and the Nokia branded phones being some of the best, it is going to take a long time to play catch up. Rest assured that as soon as more details and secs are available, I will get right on it and bring you the latest.
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The Long Awaited Nokia N900 Delayed Yet Again-Why?
Oct 23rd
In My Previous Post “Is Symbian A Dead End, Or Just A Fork In the Road,?“…
…I had talked about the Nokia N900 and how it was foregoing the Symbian platform for the newer Maemo OS. I wrote:
Now, back in May of this year a mole form Nokia leaked to the press that Nokia might just be looking to replace their mobile operating system from Symbian to Maemo with the release of the Smartphone successor to the N97, called the N900. All this time since Nokia and Symbian developed the S60 platform, Nokia has firmly stood behind it with their feet firmly planted in cement. Now it’s been confirmed that they are using Maemo instead.
And also went on to say that no one was sure why Nokia decided to switch to Maemo, but we were all supposed to find out by the end of this month (October). But now,the head of Maemo Marketing, Peter Schneider, states that the long awaited Smartphone will …”start shipping at the end of November.”
What’s the Deal With That?
Well, apparently Nokia should have stuck with the older, but working perfectly operating system, based on Symbian. This is because Maemo marketers released about 300 of the Nokia N900’s to test users and, it is being speculated, the feedback was much worse than they had hoped for. Although Peter Schneider didn’t officially state that this is the reason for the delay of the official release, but it sure looks that way. Even all of the sites, like Amazon UK, that were allowing pre-orders on the phone have pulled the orders.
Why Is the Nokia N900 So Important That We Can’t Wait For IT?
The Nokia N900 actually seems to be the type of phone that is worth the wait. it comes packed with many awesome features and, of course, it has the Maemo OS. Don’t get me wrong, I know I have my preferences, and I have bashed Maemo in preference to Symbian in the past, but it really isn’t a bad little OS at all. After all, it is based on Linux’s open source OS for desktops and I love Linux ( typing this on my own right now). So Maemo, mixed with the cool features of the phone itself, is what makes the Nokia N900 worth squirming for. The N900 comes with a Carl Zeis camera, HSPA, Wi-Fi b/g, a 3.5″ 800×480 touchscreen and a slide out QWERTY keyboard. This smartphone is more like a mobile computer than a phone.
And The Verdict Is?
I think the problem is with the integration of the new OS than anything else. It has a sturdy and reliable hardware package that is sure to beat out the competition, so the only thing that could be the problem is the software. So we are all just going to have to wait until November 17th like everyone else. It’s a bummer, I know, and this is the second time that its been delayed, but it will be worth it, I promise.
For more great articles, user ratings and reviews like these, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org.
And check back tomorrow for the latest in the fight between Nokia and Apple. Hey… I wonder if that has anything to do with the phone being delayed…Hmmm I wonder?
Is Symbian A Dead End Or Just At A Fork In The Road?
Oct 9th
What’s Up With Symbian? A Bit Of History
Despite its surge in sales and its 47% share of the market, Symbian has been declared by most as a dead end. When Sony Ericsson started laying off employees as it closed down its UIQ department and ported some pieces of the UIQ to Nokia in 2008, it has gone downhill. Ever since then, S60 has been knocking at death’s door as well, although David Wood, one of Symbian’s great masters said that “the statement was a little premature, but attention grabbing.”
Recent Developments With Nokia and Symbian
Now, back in May of this year a mole form Nokia leaked to the press that Nokia might just be looking to replace their mobile operating system from Symbian to Maemo with the release of the Smartphone successor to the N97, called the N900. All this time since Nokia and Symbian developed the S60 platform, Nokia has firmly stood behind it with their feet firmly planted in cement. Now it’s been confirmed that they are using Maemo instead.
So Why All of A Sudden the Change of Heart?
With the slated release of the N900 set for later this month, we are sure to soon to find out. Apparently, early reviews are stating that this phone is more than just a Smartphone; it should be in a class all by itself, considering that it isn’t a tablet either. Nokia is saying that it will “…bridge the gap between Smartphone and desktop PC.”
The Verdict
But for all you Symbian freaks out there, don’t be too alarmed. While some people think Symbian is dead, it is still going strong. It is true that it took a bit hit when Nokia dropped them with the release of their new Smartphone, but just look at where it’s still alive and well. Sony Ericsson and Samsung are still running the OS, and many Nokia Smartphones are still using it. So Symbian, although sliding a bit, will be around for a long time to come.
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