As a previous owner of a Treo 600, I went through a lot of “stuff” that I’d rather not discuss in detail. I will say that I had some unpleasurable experiences with this smartphone. I graduated to a BlackBerry and was addicted to email bigtime. I definitely know why they call the device the “crackberry”. However, the BlackBerry lacked in every other department. Ever since I’ve left the BlackBerry, I’ve sort of swore off smartphones and am pretty happy with my Sony Ericsson S710a.

Until now.

I heard a quick review of the Nokia E61 on yesterday’s Buzz Out Loud podcast, and decided to see what all the hooplah is about. On paper, this phone is almost perfect:

• GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA 2100 (3GPP Release 99) networks
• Weight: 144 g (with Nokia Battery BP-5L)
• Dimensions: 117 mm x 69.7 mm x 14 mm, 108 cc
• Up to 64 MB of fixed user data memory
• Expandable memory: 64 MB hot swappable miniSD card (!!)
• Symbian operating system OS 9.1
• Email client for connecting to personal and business email
• Supports POP, IMAP(with idle) and SMTP protocols, and MS Active Sync
• Settings via OMA Client Provisioning, OMA Device Management
• Supported email clients: Intellisync Wireless Email, Visto email technology, BlackBerry Connect, GoodLink and Seven Always-On Mail
• Attachments viewers and editors support the most common features of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel (Microsoft Office 97, 2000, XP and 2003). Compatible with Zip Manager and Adobe Reader
• Instant Messaging client (Yahoo, AOL, OMA)
• SMS distribution list

But wait, there’s more!

• Pop-Port™ interface
• USB port full speed supported via Pop-Port™
• Remote and local (peer-to-peer) synchronization over Bluetooth technology, IR, cable
• Bluetooth wireless technology 1.2
• Video and audio streaming (3GPP and RealMedia: Real Video and Real Audio)
• WCDMA (3GPP Release 99)
• Multiconnectivity – WLAN connection can be shared by multiple applications at the same time. For example: email, browser and synchronization. Possible to use WLAN, Bluetooth technology, USB and infrared at the same time Maximum six Bluetooth technology connections in use at the same time. Note: only one for Bluetooth wireless connectivity for audio (Holy cow)
• Talk time GSM Up to 4-7 hours
• Standby time GSM Up to 9-11 days

This device is straight up pulling my heart strings, and it’s Nokia. Look out Treo, Look out HP, Look out RIM, Look out Motorola, Nokia may have a <Insert Smartphone name> killer right here. It’s shipping worldwide very soon. Someone loan me a dollar?

Related posts:

• Nokia E61 Review
• Apple: There Is A Storm Coming
• SEC Has Heart
• The RIM-pire Strikes Back – Blackberry Bold
• Apple, You Can Release Your Phone Now

Post written by Bwana