Worth the Hype?
Written: Dec 07 '00
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Pros: storage space, internal modem, good sound quality, large screen
Cons: software glitches, IRdA incompatibility with newer operating systems
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| grooveguv's Full Review: Nokia 7110 GSM Cellular Phone |
Hi people... I have been using the 7110 for about 8 months now, upgrading from a Nokia 5110. I researched every single phone that was available on the market that had WAP compatibility, and decided on the 7110 as the "ideal" WAP-enabled mobile. It has a large screen, a huge amount of data can be stored (1000 phone book entries with e-mail addresses and two phone numbers for each entry), and the battery life was stated to be long. Well, after eight months, some of that has changed somewhat.
To start with the negative experience, the software had LOTS of problems. I happen to use three different WAP accounts, one for bank transactions, one for reading my e-mail through my ISP, and the last one is the mobile operator's own WAP service. When I switch from account to account, and try to connect, the phone crashes and I have to move the battery out to have a "cold start reset". I usually have the vibrating alert on, but if the phone is switched on for a long time, the vibrating alert sometimes decides to shut itself down. I have heard from other users that the newer version of the software can be reloaded, but that will change the settings and there is a danger that the phone book might be reset. I don't want to risk that, as the phone book has all my business and personal contacts.
I have heard that some people have had mechanical problems with the spring-mechanism lid, but although I have abused that part of the phone a lot, it's still working perfectly. It is possible for the auto-answer mode not to work every time (once in ten calls maybe), but that probably has something to do with the metal contacts.
I wasn't planning to slander this phone actually, there are a lot of positive sides to it. I love the bulk of data I can store on the phone itself. Being constantly on the move, I need to have most of my contacts on the phone and this has the capacity. I have categorized my contacts, but the maximum five categories is somewhat limiting. I also use a Palm V, and I have transferred most of the address book on the Palm via IR to the phone. Most of the time, it didn't create any problems. I also use the modem on the phone to connect to the internet through the Palm without any major problems.
My only criticism about connectivity is that the phone book cannot be transferred as a whole to any device, except for a printer, using the infrared port. I use Windows 2000 on my laptop, and an IRdA connection is not possible with this operating system, you have to use a PCMCIA card. If your laptop uses a Type III card like mine for another purpose, the odds are that you will want the IRdA connection to work, but that just doesn't exist. I have tried to contact Nokia for a solution, but I have not received any replies as yet.
The phone is light enough to carry in a jacket pocket, but it's not the lightest phone around, about 160g with the standard battery. The voice quality is quite good. The menu options are fairly standard, while I don't feel a lack of any functionality, I also don't feel an overwhelming affection for any additional facility with a phone at this price level.
All in all, the 7110 is a fairly good product, except for a few glitches, especially if you plan to use WAP and other connectivity functionalities. In this regard, a technology-literate user will utilize much more of the 7110's potential than an average "press-yes-and-talk" user. This is by no means a negative comment, but this IS a web-enabled phone and a fair share of the price tag is for those functionalities. Although I'm waiting for the technology to combine PDAs and mobile phones effectively in a really portable package, the 7110 will do until that arrives.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400
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Epinions.com ID:
grooveguv
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Member: Guven Ilter
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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