Life So Far With My Nokia N93

“This thing is pretty big”…..That’s all I could think when I first received my phone.  It’s a pretty big phone when you first see it, but after having it for over a month, I don’t feel that way anymore.  This phone is pretty amazing!  I really wanted the silver color, but couldn’t find one.  I get so much attention when I pull the phone out, that it is hilarious.  I had a guy follow me one time and hide around a corner, watching me snap pictures.  I stopped to take a picture and folded it out (which caught his attention) and when I finished, I flipped it around in the normal cell position, so that I could send it via email to my work address.  That was all it took!  It’s been like that ever since I have had the phone.  People see it and just want to come touch it. 

The first week, it definitely took some getting used to.  This is my first Nokia/Symbian phone and getting around the phone was pretty simple.  Within minutes, I had my son’s picture on the front display.  This is my first Nokia/Symbain phone and after having almost every OS (i.e., Windows, Blackberry, and Palm), I must say, I think that the Symbian OS is the best.  Coming from a Treo 700p, Blackberry Pearl and the T-mobile Dash, I thought that it would take some time getting used to sending text and emails with a regular keypad……BOY WAS I WRONG!  The predictive text on here is wonderful and sending text and/or emails have not been a problem.  I invested in a Nokia Bluetooth Keyboard and it has made my experience even lovelier!  It took no time for me to pair the phone and keyboard and then begin to use it.

When I first got my phone, I was on version 11.0.034.  Again, I didn’t know too much about Symbian, but after reading many weblogs (WomWorld, Darla Mack – Mobile Diva, All About Symbian, Symbian Freak and The Nokia Blog, which are my personal favorites) and the many different forums, I found out about version 20.0.058.  I looked at a video on The Nokia Blog (which is a great site, by the way) about the new version and was impressed by the differences and the bugs that had been fixed in the new version.  I wanted to upgrade too but I knew nothing about NSU, Phoenix, or anything dealing with upgrading your phone.  I had read so many posts about people bricking their phones and was terrified to try on mine (especially after reading Darla’s blog about bricking her N73)., BUT…………

After a week or so and wanting to play games like, I Hate Guns and playing vNes, vSun and vBoy and also being that I’m a risk taker, I decided to give it a shot.  I researched and researched and then more research, lol.  I downloaded all the files that I needed to and sat still for what felt like the 5 longest minutes in my life.  At the end of those minutes and a phone reboot, this is what I saw……

 

 

 

I was so scared!!!  I thought I was going to brick my phone. (I know the screen shot says 1/02/07, but the actual upgrade was done the week of Christmas)

 

 

 

 

With the new firmware, the standby screen now has the WLAN scanner on it.  It’s a really useful tool.

 

 

 

 

I have been very impressed with the picture and video quality.  It’s not the best camera in low light, but I’m not complaining.  The sound quality is excellent.  It sounds like you have a microphone pointing in whichever direction you are shooting.  I have literally put away my digital camera and who needs a camcorder when you have your all in one phone?  Now don’t get me wrong, this phone will not be the best for shooting a movie, but simple home video or catching something quickly while out on the town, makes this phone worth the money.  I mean who constantly carries there digital camera and camcorder with them everyday?  Below are some pictures that I took with the phone the first week that I got it.  The first picture was shot in close-up mode.  These pictures came out great!

Here are 2 videos of my son that I took.  The first one is my son and nephew dancing and the second is from my son’s Christmas Party…..

One of the features that I fell in love with is, the ability to plug your phone into the TV and view your photos, play music, surf the web and play videos games all on your big screen TV (if you have one).  Now that I have the new firmware and can play videos games like they are supposed to be played,lol, I hook my phone to the TV and play away.  Now I don’t need to really purchase any games.  I have vNes, vSun, and vBoy and the roms you can get for free.  So there are countless games that I can play…..

I started out wanting the N80, then the N73 but decided to wait.  Then I read about the much anticipated N95, which I can’t wait to get my hands on.  Since that phone will not be out for some time, I decided to get the N93 and I would say I’ve made an execellent choice.  I purchased the N80 for my fiancee and there is a difference.  I like the N93 so much, it has made me question the purchase of the N95.  Originally, I planned to purchase the N93 and then sell it once the N95 became available.  I have since changed my mind and will just have both the N93 and the N95.  The gaming aspect, form-factor and video (even though the N95 shoots dvd like video, I’ve read there is no auto focus) of the N93, brought me to that conclusion.  This phone is an execellent phone and I would recommend it to anyone.  A lot of people may say “it’s too expensive”, but you get what you pay for.  With that hefty price, you’re getting a multi-media computer, camcorder and a nice camera.  I think once you make the purchase, you will definitely agree!!!

Update:  1/04/07

Thanks to Stefan and James for pointing out to me the comment I made on the N95 not having auto-focus.  After doing some research, the N95 does have auto-focus, but not opitcal zoom.  Thanks again guys.