Brighthand's First Impressions of the Nokia 9500 Communicator

[Ed Hardy]

I had the opportunity to try out an upcoming high-end wireless handheld from Nokia. Here's my initial thoughts on this model, which offers a good-sized display, a keyboard, and three kinds of wireless networking.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/No...st_Impressions

[Scott R]

Ed, I'm disappointed that you didn't talk more about the feel of the keyboard. The keyboard on this looks to me like it's sized the same as the old one which was too big to comfortably use as a "thumbboard" and too small to be used for touch-typing. But, if this keyboard is significantly smaller than the old model, than maybe it would be sized right for thumbboarding. What was your impression of it in that regard?

Scott

[gfunkmagic]

Originally posted by Scott R
Ed, I'm disappointed that you didn't talk more about the feel of the keyboard. The keyboard on this looks to me like it's sized the same as the old one which was too big to comfortably use as a "thumbboard" and too small to be used for touch-typing. But, if this keyboard is significantly smaller than the old model, than maybe it would be sized right for thumbboarding. What was your impression of it in that regard?

Scott

Hey Scott, checkout the preview Infosync recently published about the Nokia 9500:

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/4644.html

Their conclusion was pretty negative regarding the thumbboard stating it had terrible tactile feedback and that it's size was awkward for use as a normal two-handed thumbboard...

[Scott R]

Thanks gfunk, that's pretty much what I figured. And it only took them how long to update their older non-GPRS Communicator? For something that won't even be out till the end of the year? And this is the best they could do? Pretty pathetic.

How much longer must I wait for someone to "get it" and make a semi-powerful device with a really good thumbboard? The Danger hiptop/Sidekick has a great thumbboard but it's OS, while nicely designed usability-wise, is fairly weak and it's only GSM/GPRS (and not great reception-wise at that). The upcoming Motorola PPC thumbboard doesn't impress me. The Treo 600's is way too tiny. This ain't rocket science, is it? One day, someone's bound to get it right. I hope.

Scott

[imported_orol]

Originally posted by Scott R
Thanks gfunk, that's pretty much what I figured. And it only took them how long to update their older non-GPRS Communicator? For something that won't even be out till the end of the year? And this is the best they could do? Pretty pathetic.

How much longer must I wait for someone to "get it" and make a semi-powerful device with a really good thumbboard? The Danger hiptop/Sidekick has a great thumbboard but it's OS, while nicely designed usability-wise, is fairly weak and it's only GSM/GPRS (and not great reception-wise at that). The upcoming Motorola PPC thumbboard doesn't impress me. The Treo 600's is way too tiny. This ain't rocket science, is it? One day, someone's bound to get it right. I hope.

Scott

actually I think UX50's keyboard is the "largest" possible for covenient thumboard. plus I have really long finger (well I'm 196cm tall :-)

[Ed Hardy]

Originally posted by Scott R
Ed, I'm disappointed that you didn't talk more about the feel of the keyboard.

You have to realize, I had a very limited amount of time with this device, and all thumboards are awkward to use when you first try them. Basically, when doing a preliminary review like this one, if pressing on a key doesn't send big daggers of pain through my hands, I have to say it's acceptable. Nokia has promised to send me a 9500 for review, and then I'll be able to express a more informed opinion.

Originally posted by Scott R
How much longer must I wait for someone to "get it" and make a semi-powerful device with a really good thumbboard?

I think both the UX50 and the Zaurus C760 have excellent built-in keyboards. I even like the Tungsten C's.

[treo007]

Question: How does the size stack up to the ridiculously large 9200? Does this thing even approach looking like a phone?

As an aside, I'm curious why the world seems more than willing to cap on Palm and PPC (hardware and OS). Why is it that Symbian devices seem to get a reprieve? There are some serious holes in what Symbian (err....Nokia at this point I guess) and it's licensees offer:

1) They are STILL using MMC cards (only the p800/900 uses the not exactly ubiquitious MS Duo). Memo to Symbian: 1999 was 5 years ago! It's O.K. to support SD at this point (it's not exactly a fledgling standard).

2) I don't know about this model, but most Symbian phones have not even had stereo output.....are they kidding???

3) Most devices haven't even shipped with a USB connection sync connection. Yes, that's right, you can use SERIAL or Bluetooth. BT is great, but it's reliability with Windows XP has not exactly been stellar (I'm told a new Service Pack just came out which addresses this). Plus, why should I have to go out and buy a BT dongle for my desktop?

4) The sync is slow and not exactly reliable. The synced PIM info, compared with Palm and PPC, definately leaves something to be desired.

5) Most units seem to be slightly sluggish compared with either Palm or PPC. I don't know if this is a function of the processor, the OS, or a combination of both.

Look, I'm not saying Symbian devices aren't decent devices. They just seem to continue to lack in some areas and no one seems to call them on it. If Palm units still had these kinds of glaring weaknesses, we'd see nothing but the "Palm is Dead" post over and over and over again.

[NJL!2016]

Does it include a touch-screen?

[gfunkmagic]

Originally posted by NJL!2016
Does it include a touch-screen?

No, no touchscreen...

[NJL!2016]

Originally posted by gfunkmagic
No, no touchscreen...

That little pointer thing is obnoxious