Nokia E61 = Light Zaurus, qwerty kbd, wifi, 3G and cheap Options

[zmiq2]

Hi,

I've been lately using my new Nokia E61 very extensively, even replacing the zaurus as more convenient for many occasions.

Pros:
Great connectivity: gsm, 3G, wifi, bluetooth
Integrated useful apps: VoIP, email (pop & imap)
Interesting 3rd party apps: ssh client (v2 with dsa private key), vnc viewer (not tested)
Can be programmed: python shell, free c++ environment
Great usability: qwerty keyboard with back lit sensor, big screen
Web browsing: integrated web browser (upgrade to latest fw required) runs much faster that firefox on OZ and renders nicely, and is javascript ajax capable ! (it's based on konqueror's rendering and javascript engines, like safari)
Smaller that zaurus
Accepts mini-sd card
It's a phone!

Cons:
It's not a zaurus
Wifi range could be better
Connectivity configuration menus could be greatly improved
No touchscreen? (I don't think that's a con per-se, but ...)


It's like having a lightweight zaurus with all ever-needed connectivity options. I'm planning a trip for 4 days, and I'm taking the E61 instead of the Z !!

note: I don't have any relationship with nokia, nor any other manufacturer. But maybe some developers may jump to the E61, and port OZ

[speculatrix]

I've considered the E61 because it's quad band + 3G + wifi + bluetooth. It got good reports on pda247/moremobile247, but was stated as being a little bit weak as a PDA compared to Palm or WindowsMobile, perhaps trying to be too hard to be jack of all trades.

I am wondering whether the newer 3G usb dongles would work with the zaurus, seeing as there's no available CF 3G adaptors (there's PCMCIA ones).

I don't really want to dupe the zaurus' functionality in a phone, so my preferred upgrade for my ageing 6310i is an E70 (tri-band gsm, 3g, bluetooth, wifi).

[zmiq2]

Speculatrix,

if I were you I would quickly get rid of that 6310i, known as a very easily bluetooth hackable phone !

[speculatrix]

if I were you I would quickly get rid of that 6310i, known as a very easily bluetooth hackable phone !

thanks for the tip but I had it flashed to latest firmware only a few months ago.

[gsgmx]

Hi,

I've been lately using my new Nokia E61 very extensively, even replacing the zaurus as more convenient for many occasions.

Pros:
Great connectivity: gsm, 3G, wifi, bluetooth
Integrated useful apps: VoIP, email (pop & imap)
Interesting 3rd party apps: ssh client (v2 with dsa private key), vnc viewer (not tested)
Can be programmed: python shell, free c++ environment
Great usability: qwerty keyboard with back lit sensor, big screen
Web browsing: integrated web browser (upgrade to latest fw required) runs much faster that firefox on OZ and renders nicely, and is javascript ajax capable ! (it's based on konqueror's rendering and javascript engines, like safari)
Smaller that zaurus
Accepts mini-sd card
It's a phone!

Cons:
It's not a zaurus
Wifi range could be better
Connectivity configuration menus could be greatly improved
No touchscreen? (I don't think that's a con per-se, but ...)


....

i own an E61 since November i like many of its features, since a few days i have a 2GB mini SD installed and a german Mobipocket Wikipedia on it. Quite useful.
It syncs great with my Apple Powerbook (not native, had to install a plugin).
Opera 8.65 is availbale for it too.
I do miss the VGA display of the Zaurus and RDP/ICA and yes wired ethernet (i use a Symbol CF on my Zaurus)

George