CONSUMER
Gadget review: Nokia 3300
13-08-2003
by
It would seem that Nokia never tires of producing new handsets, but in its latest arrival, the 3300, the Finnish firm has produced a truly different device.
Hardcore rockers, gangster rappers and clubbers will all go for this phone, which is targeted squarely at young consumers who identify themselves not only by the phone they carry, but also by the music they listen to. That's what the new Nokia 3300 MP3 player and GPRS mobile phone is all about -- music, style and personalisation.
The phone lets users download music MP3s or AAC music files over GPRS or via USB from a PC. It also comes with a digital FM radio and voice/music recorder, making it as much a digital Walkman as it is a phone. Add this to its imaging capabilities, 125 pixel x 125 pixel colour screen and changeable covers, and the device becomes something that any file-swapping Kazaa junkie will envy -- as will music fanatics who are more respectful of copyright laws.
The 125-gram phone's specs aren't nearly as impressive as Nokia's flagship 3650 imaging phone, but they are good. Apart from the main music features and functions -- including some useful accessories like stereo FM earphone and music managing software for a PC -- the 3300 is True Tones ringtone supported, which means users can use "real" music for their ringtones. Polyphonic ringtones are also supported.
The digital music recorder, which can be plugged into any stereo, is a nice touch, as is the phone's ability to copy from its in-built FM radio, although anti-piracy advocates may not be as keen on the feature.
Beyond music, the phone, 114 mm x 63 mm x 20 mm and shaped like a boomerang, with the four-way scroll key on the left, keypad on the right and screen in the centre, takes some getting used to. But the design makes playing Java games much easier and enjoyable and any serious mobile gamer aught to get used to it since its the same as the design the much awaited N-Gage gaming phone will have when it's released at the end of the year.
With the 720mAh integrated lithium battery, a user can listen to music with the digital player for up to a maximum of 11 hours and the stereo FM radio for up to 9 hours. Talk time is around 3 hours and standby is up to 270 hours.
MMS support, WAP and the 64 MB memory card are also good add-ons, although the phone would be even better if it came with Bluetooth for file transfers and multi-person gaming. Though it can receive and send photos, it has no camera of its own, which may hinder sales for anyone looking at new phones and already has an MP3 player or iPod.
But here's where this fun and highly personalisable phone really stands up: Price. At about EUR370 before a network subsidy, the users are getting pretty good value, an a very hip and cool phone.
Creating successful email surveys: Denise Cox of email specialist Newsweaver argues that you can tap into your readers' likes or dislikes by surveying them.
