New wireless telecommunications device

[Tom]

My contract is up. I have a Nokia N73 which is still fine, but obviously I want to get something newer for nowt.

It must be Symbian to run TomTom, and Viewranger, so I'm limited really. I had considered the N95 8GB but stupidly it won't fit into the cradle I have in my car, which would mean buying a load of bluetooth car shit that I don't want. So if I can't keep the car cradle I might as well look at other manufacturers as well - unless someone knows of a pop port socket to mini-usb plug converter cable?

I was thinking about the Sony Ericsson W960i. I've had a SE phone before, the V800, and it worked fine. Anyone know 'owt about this new one? It certainly looks pretty.

If its no good, I can always sell it and keep the N73. Or is there another capable phone out there that I should also consider?

Bloody Nokia and their changing interfaces. First it was the socket from the 6610 which was fine. Then it was the pop-port. Now its mini-usb. Make your fucking minds up ffs!

 

[DaGaffer]

Nokia n82 is coming like, now. Slimmer than the n95 but similar spec, and (allegedly) much improved battery life. I'd check about the battery life bit though; I have an n95 and the battery's a joke.

 

[caLLous]

I have a W950 and it's great except for a few things that seem to have been addressed with the W960. For one, it has a camera (which never really bothered me with the W950 but I can understand why it would upset some) and, although not having actually held one, the keypad looks a lot more friendly. It also has 8gb of storage which is bound to be plenty for commonly listened-to music. Off the top of my head I don't think it has expandable storage, which takes the number of ways of transferring stuff on to or off of it from 3 down to 2 (usb cable and/or bluetooth) but otherwise it looks great.

I've been a loyal SE user since the T610 and don't touch Nokias anymore so don't know anything about their current offerings.

edit - I did read somewhere (I think it may have been a review on mobilereview.com) that said they've put the 'back' button on the front (as opposed to the left hand side under the jog wheel) whilst keeping the jog wheel on the side. When thinking about it (as the review did), it kinda makes the jog wheel pointless in some respects because having the back button right under it (a la W950) was a pretty intuitive one-handed way of navigating around.

 

[caLLous]

Mobile-review.com Review of GSM/UMTS-smartphone Sony Ericsson W960i

It would seem that the same controls layout is a pretty much consistent solution for the W960i, but not this time – the maker has turned the things upside down on this front. The left-hand side no longer houses the Return button, since it has moved to the front plate. In fact, this new layout will prove convenient only if you don’t really need the JogDial, since when separated, these two control elements are pretty much useless. Basically, this JogDial+Return couple is designed to let you manage the device with only one hand. But in the case of the W960i, this is no longer possible. In other words, everyone who has been using Sony Ericsson’s solutions for years (the P-series, or the M600i and the W950i) can well kiss their previous experience goodbye – it doesn’t make any sense in the new model. Being a seasoned user of Sony Ericsson-branded phones, I can say that not only is it fiddly and awkward to use, such layout delivers a knock-out blow to the handset’s ergonomics. Obviously, my reflexes tell me that I shall find this key somewhere around the JogDial, but it is not there anymore. We could easily overlook this letdown, if only new users were able to handle the W960i single-handedly. However, even they have to use both hands to move about the device.

I <3 their querky translations.

 

[Trem]

I have always hated SE phones when messing with my mates.....then I bought one (W880i).

It is easily the best phone I have ever had (after getting used to it). It takes all the features that are good from other makes and then some.

I will never have a Nokia/Samsung again.

 

[Clown]

It's the one Bodhi got me waiting for. He seems to know about his phones, although his Sony fetish could cause some bias in his reviews. The w960 was due out this month, but looks like his has been delayed until Q1 2008. Don't know why.

 

[soze]

The N95 8GB has a good battery not brilliant but easy lasts a day where as the n95 made 5 hours. Best phone IMO for running TOM TOM ect is the TYTN 2 it is a brilliant phone and so far i could not be more impressed with it. I have fond the N95 strugles aboit with GPS running but the TyTN 2 is fine.

 

[Bodhi]

I am waiting on the W960i as well. I've had a W950 for a year now and it's been faultless (ignoring the lack of camera). Still yet to decide if the moved back button is a good thing or not - I use my 950 almost exlusively using the touchpad for day to day stuff, the scroll wheel is only for browsing contacts or music, in either case I don't use the back button too much.

I'm sure it'll run TomTom fine, just make sure you get the UIQ version rather than the S60 version, although both run on Symbian they are different versions, apart from that go for it. The 960 will be a great phone no matter (good camera spec, awesome battery life, office viewer, wi-fi, 8Gb, touchscreen, PS3 style media player, etc etc), you won't exactly have a turkey on your hands.

7th Jan I should get mine. Can't wait.

 

[Clown]

You gonna sort me out too?

 

[Trem]

Another thing about SE phones - how fucking good is that Track ID feature, I was amazed by it and the only thing it hasn't found is a song by Neds Atomic Dustbin which I tested it with, fair play really I think its only me who still likes NAD.

The W960i is available now on Play -

Play.com (UK) - Mobile - Free Delivery

 

[Tom]

Another thing about SE phones - how fucking good is that Track ID feature, I was amazed by it and the only thing it hasn't found is a song by Neds Atomic Dustbin which I tested it with, fair play really I think its only me who still likes NAD.

The W960i is available now on Play -

Play.com (UK) - Mobile - Free Delivery

Damn thats a good price - the cheapest 18 month contract (and I loathe 18 month contracts) for the N95 on Vodafone is about £570 total.

I might just buy that, I just want to play first.

 

[Clown]

Yeah but you get calls with the contracts.

 

[Tom]

I already have a contract. Nothing stopping me from using another phone with it.

In fact I could get a free upgrade, flog it, and buy that SE phone with some of the proceeds.....

 

[Clown]

That's what a lot of people do anyway

 

[Bodhi]

You gonna sort me out too?

I would if I still worked there. I'm only getting one myself by requesting my PAC code, then getting a friend from the department that calls you up asking why you want your PAC code is going to sort me one with cheap line rental. I should think I'll get it on a 12 month deal aswell.

 

[Clown]

ETA Bodhi?

 

[Bodhi]

Out on Vodafone, don't know about the other networks. ETA for mine has moved back to mid Feb, but that's my own personal circumstances. Heard rumours O2 were getting it on the 22nd of Jan, no idea about the other networks.

 

[Rulke]

My shiney new W960i has just arrived

 

[Tom]

I decided to save my money for a bit and keep my existing phone.

 

[Clown]

Hello, good afternoon.

Right, this phone is out at the Vodaphone website. It's free on a 13 month contract, the cheapest one being £35 a month - 500minutes, 250 texts. If you go through quidco, you can get £90 cashback.

This makes the phone £330 for 12 months.

Hope this helps!

 

[Tom]

It isn't £330 when you consider I'd have to pull out my car kit and install a bluetooth system, with integral holder.



I loathe bluetooth handsfree kits.

 

[Ch3tan]

You would be better off with a stereo or sat nav that allows you to use handsfree over it via bluetooth. All you would need then is a simple cigarette lighter charger for your mobile.