I’ve always been waiting for the successor of the iPhone 3Gs, apparently June 28 may not be the day the phone be announced due to a leak of a confidential unit so as claim by Gizmodo, which they had the chance to get their hands on for a review of the dud unit. Apparently, the phone was found running iPhone OS 4.0 before it was remotely killed. And before Gizmodo could actually see it. It has a much blockier design which looks real sleek and more modern than the iPhone 3Gs. It does make it’s predecessor look old!

The big question whether the phone is a geninue item is still open for debate. Gizmodo even dissected the phone to find quality Apple-labeled boards and circuity inside, typical that of apple products and reaffirming that it is not some China clone or rip off. Most of the parts are minitureized, including the introduction of a micro-sim card, all to make way for a larger internal, non-removable battery. Not only does it show up in iTunes, Xcode, and System Profiler, but it has different product identifiers than the 3G or 3GS.

Unfortunately, the phone was wiped and they couldn’t get it to boot out of recovery mode, but a number of new features and changes are evident just by holding it. Obviously, it’s thinner than the 3GS, with smaller internal components and a larger battery inside the metal frame.

Here is a list of the observable features in the new 4th generation iPhone:

I had been considering the 4G iPhone as my next phone, with Android as a very suitable contender. I’ve always had my eye on Android phones even before I’ve got my 3Gs, the 3Gs failed in many ways to make my expectations of a modern smartphone, I mean I was real fad up that I could not even use the phone as a mass storage device, nor even put PDF files into it locally to read e-book (I have to email them to myself to get them on the phone). It does not support Bluetooth stereo controls, (something even my 5 year old phones can do), not to mention unable to change message ringtones as well. The iPhone was just rubbish. However, it does make up for it for it’s style, substance, usability and shitloads of fun and crazy apps, maybe that is just the reason why I am still using it today.

Hello Android!
Android is really catching up on the race with Apple, with almost 50%-50% smartphone share in the US. Even when seeking opinions for my next phone, almost everyone recommends me an Android without a doubt- Strangely.

On the Android area, I did have the HTC Incredible in sight. This phone can be what I call a worthy upgrade from my Nokia N95 8GB and iPhone 3Gs (which was not much of an upgrade in anyway). It sports a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, 8GB of internal storage, 748MB of ROM, a microSD slot (with support for up to 32GB cards), an 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash and autofocus, 480×800 AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, and most importantly, Android 2.1 with HTC’s Sense UI on-board. It records video up to 800×480 resolution at 30fps with that 8MP sensor.

One of the key area where Android phones shine is the price, the operating system, provided by google is open source, which cuts down the price of the phone by a considerable bit, a lower version of the HTC incredible, the HTC desire goes at about £350 without a contract here in the UK, the same can be said for the Incredible when it releases end this month too. The cheapest iPhone costs £450, with the 32GB 3GS going at £550, expensive!

It is true that Andriod do not have as many established apps as Apple has and I did mention that apps are what I really like about the iPhone. But what you get on the apple app store is severely regulated, which can be like a double edged sword. The Andriod marketplace may be smaller, but it’s operated on a more free-rein basis and is speedily growing larger everyday!

Remote wipe? A possible anti-jailbreaking measure?
The thing which strikes me the most on the iPhone is the need to Jailbreak it to make the phone is anyway useful beyond the scope of the common idiot it was designed for. Apple had long been fighting the battle against jailbreaking phones, whether it’s the harsh warranty voiding of jailbroken phones, or bricking phones with updates. The ability to wipe this new iPhone NAND memory remotely does paint some interesting speculations of what Apple have in store for potential jailbreakers. Maybe jailbreaking could even be hardware prevented in this new phone, just like the newer generation 3Gs phones. I mean when I spend almost a fortune on a phone, I want it to work how I want it to me and not use it as if I am a criminal or something. That’s another tick for me in the Android department.

This new iPhone does look real good and sleek, but based on these preliminary specs, the HTC incredible trashes it completely. Currently I am leaning and maybe might go Android afterall, impress me Apple.

There is always so much controversy with regards to the inflexible regulations notorious in Singapore- govern this govern that they say. This one in particular with respect to the rules against the use of Segways in commuting. No wonder it never took off, or even heard of to many in Singapore.

However, with the ongoing encouragement of public transport use over private cars, isn’t that a conflict of interests? I mean we can picture ourselves able to commute by bus and train using these transporters on board, these are efficient little tools which can completely replace the car. Furthermore these will all go in hand with all wheelchair friendly facilities around as well.

But no, LTA don’t think likewise:

So with that there goes Segway golf, Segway polo and Segway trekking, just to name afew and maybe forgoing few new possible sports in the Youth Olympics as well. With the exception of a pathetic park in Biopolis and for staff in the airport, we can’t even use them from Orchard to East Coast park (where they will most probably refer you to NEA which will also get you nowhere).

Moreover, how inflexible of the authorities to put the Segway under a motorised vehicle which also comes under the same category as petrol-powered scooters/bicycles, or mainly because they do not really know what it is? After my past experiences them, I won’t be amused if any related government agencies don’t even know what a “Segway” is. But oh yes we are Singaporeans and these things are not taught in school, so it’s ok not to know about it.

In fact, the Segway is proven to be an effective human transporter for more almost 10 years, only that it is not given the proper recognition here and torn between 2 worlds as a “human powered unicycle” and a gasoline powered bike/vehicle.

I guess it will be a long time we get to use these legally on the streets, I guess I can only look forward into using it during my time in UK- where WOW it’s not even legal to use in public parks, but even utilized by civil servants such as postmen and police officers themselves, now thats evolution… there!

Something funny about ipods and questions about their unreliability. Say if you “broke” your iPhone, “get a new one” said jobs. So that will very much go in line as the iPod as well as shown in this video. I think the thing which sets the stereotypical iPod and PC user is the difference in the buy and throw away style, while “PC’s” will opt for more practical devices based on spec-wised (like to the refresh rate and the number of horizontal pixel on their LCD screen) or repair them when they are spoilt, on the contrary. In short, pure nerdy.

“Don’t you all have songs uploaded to your brain?” “No we all have ipods, lots of em!”

Ok folks, here are some official words from Nokia Singapore with regards to the Nokia N96.

Quote from Nokia Singapore:

Yea hurray to vagueness! At least this time they know that there is actually an N96!

Expect the phone to start retailing at $1200 without contract on the initial launch week. Soft launches and purchase of the phone starts about 1 week before ads are all placed on the papers. So technically you can start getting leaked reviews say around, May and Technically see the phone in around National Day or late September. So in the meantime, the N95 8GB will still be Nokia’s flagship phone.

You won’t totally experience the N82 after using it for a few days and putting it through the “real world” tasks. Overall my reactions are mixed, but I felt that Nokia could have made the N82 a better phone.

The main thing which shines in this phone is the camera, throughout this blog posts are some photos taken with the N82 today.

Battery
To me, battery life is a great concern for gadget the road warrior. Battery life is actually descent, but still about the same as the N95 8GB for my regular usage, despite being smaller. It needs charging almost every 2 other days. Even without using Wi-fi, the most I can bring it up to is 3 days on a quad band network, UTMS will be even worst hardly reaching 2 days. Battery drain is generally the same as the N95 8GB with wi-fi on- hardly with 4 hours of usage, it’s almost the same drain as talking on the phone for the same period.

Cavenagh bridge

Merchants Statues

Reflections on the bench

A good camera needs good fuel, but the performance is just acceptable- A full battery charge can last you (to black out) about 200 shots without flash at 5 Megapixels, use the flash and see the battery bar fall exponentially with every shot. The xenon flash have its good and bad points. The good obviously having a large flash area to light in the dark (see sample shot below).

Flyer

Without flash

With xenon flash

The bad is that it drains battery by ALOT and frankly speaking, you are better off with a digital camera which can last you much or even twice more the shots. The phone may be feature packed, but not exactly practical as a dedicated main device.

Furthermore, you cannot use the N82 as a torchlight (with third party apps) with a xenon flash lamp or have a “constant-on” video light at night, so thats a few plus for the N95 8GB LED lamp. Frankly speaking, the LED flash of the N95 is not as bad as it is- it still gets night shots decently done most of the time, it’s only the exceptional darker shots where the N82 really show it’s ommph with Xenon.

Build and Quality
Though a solid piece, the N82 feels much cheaper than the N95 8GB mainly because of the full slippery plastic casing. The worst thing is that the front face is made out of a coated chrome plastic made to go with the rest of the front face of the phone.

This is the same material they use to make the opening windows for the secondary camera, screen and light sensor, (unlike the N95 with dedicated plastic housing). This means that over time this chrome firm can be chipped or be rubbed off the bottom transparent plastic and you won’t want that right on the face of your phone! I can see to that being accelerated if you leave it with keys or coins in your pocket or even scratching/dropping it. You really need a front face protector for this phone.

It’s actually quite practical
On a brighter side, the thing I really like about the N82 is the lens cover which actually allows faster startup of the camera rather than unlocking the keypad and holding the shutter key to start, this is particularly useful to capture quick pictures on the streets when you least expect it as a moblogger. Pictures on my old N95 8GB sometimes turn up misty due to particles sticking to the lens.

Furthermore the audio 3.5mm jack at the top is a right position, whether in your pocket or in a slip/ exercise arm pouch while running, the headphone jack is best placed at the top so as I come to realize, practically on the design part.

Indoors

Merlion

Landscape views

Interface
The interface of the N82 is faster than my N95 (stock) out of the box, especially viewing GPS maps. I believe this is mainly due to updated firmware. But this is a minor plus point considering that firmware can always be updated for either phone.

Conclusion
Overall, the N82 compared to the N95 8GB is either on par in most areas, despite being worse in a few. That can still justify the standard retail price of the N82 being $988 and cheaper compared to the N95 8GB’s $1188. So it just boils down to what form factor you want and whether you want a bigger screen/battery or need to take better night shots.

In all, frankly speaking for photography I can’t name or deny that there isn’t any other Nseries phone other than the N82 which can be better for the job. It is not perfect, but what cameraphone is?

Got the N82 today. Nicknamed, “the imaging king”, the Nokia N82 is a Candybar form factor phone which is the latest crown jewel in line of the N series line of phones. On paper the specifications seem impressive, feature-wise, the N82 is in not much in any very much different from the flagship N95 8GB and very very way ahead above the N81, so why the lower model number of 82?

Has Nokia tech or marketing team forgotten something in the phone which do not entitle it to be called the N94 or N96? The obvious overlapping features with the N95 means that this is the prefect contender to the N95 now, so how will it stack up to it? Well we will find out in a moment.

N82 Box exterior

Inside the Box

Full contents of the Box

Open the Box and be greeted by an array of accessories and eye candy, otherwise what you get is rather basic for the fat-free operation of the phone. Here are a list of of items you will get:

• N82 set
• BP-6MT Battery
• TV out Cable
• Compact Mini-Charger
• Micro-USB Sync Cable
• 2GB Micro SD + Adapter
• 3.5mm PTT headset
• Generic 3.5mm headphones + Ear Sponges
• Manual + Quickstart, GPS instructions
• Nokia PC Suite DVD

External Looks & Ergonomics
Spec-wise, the closest contenter to the N82 will be the N95 8GB, and in case if you wondering which to get, size-wise first, obviously the N82 wins with thinner depth but only a few millimeters shorter in it’s width. Height-wise, the N95 wins with it’s slider layout. However, the N82 will fit nicer into the long pockets with it’s relatively more slender profile.
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Apparently from this leaked picture from Nokia, it seems that the successor to the N93i wouldn’t be too far off in the 2008, spotting a similar form factor with the camera mounted perpendicularly to the phone face. The N96? Figures.

This sideway mounting position is typical for phones which feature optical zooms (yup no pixelated digital zooms for this baby) hopefully it can spot at least a 5x optical zoom to stay decently competitive with dedicated digital cameras out there with 10x optical zoom the norm. As you can see in the picture, the camera will spot a 6MP naive capture resolution.

Going away is the pistol grip clam shell form factor for a hybrid slider system. It seems that both parts of the slider pieces are almost of equal bulk and size (contrary to the ultra thin top bezel of the N95 8GB, with the bulk of the phone at the base). Only time will tell with more details released from Nokia themselves.

Had been testing the camera out lately, and I am say I am quite impressed by the N95 8GB camera, the starting up takes a modest 3 seconds which is so much better than my previous HP rw6828 which can easily take 10 seconds. While the HP rw6828 takes 2 minutes to save a 2 Megapixel image, the N95 8GB takes, processes and saves 5 Megapixel images in hardly over 2-3 seconds, ok mind me if I had my standard really low or nothing better else to compare too, but I am actually blown by the Zeiss Camera, it’s very markable indeed!

Indoor without flash

Sunny outdoors

Shaded outdoors

I personally had not tested the burst function, but I think that’s not something I might actually use unless catching formula one maybe later this year.
The photos provided for here are resized and slightly compressed for web, but otherwise the contrast, brightness etc are all the same to allow you to gauge the rough quality of the photos. Though the phone is nothing compared to a dedicated Digital Camera, the quality for the N95 8GB is exceptional for an all-in-one device and something which I can easily substitute with carrying a digital camera for casual outings and gatherings with friends. In fact I might not even bother to bring a digital camera out now!

Cloudy outdoors

Skyline detailstext

Night dark