The Nokia device after 10 years

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Another competition from @WomworldNokia, where this time they have thrown another stone in the pond by asking the question that what a Nokia device will look like in future, say 10 years later. You can win some Nokia goodies like their legendary BH-905 headset or other Nokia/ Ovi goodies or Nokia T-Shirts etc. Though that Ovi Map competition is still on till April 13, 2010, but those who might not have won something there.. could try their luck again this time…


10 years would be a long time and things should evolve really a lot than we could have been thinking now, many of you already seen the concept of future Laptop and also the news that half of its part already could be available soon. So, what would be still there to stay …

Being a realistic person, I wont go directly into Star Treks (like many people used to think about 21st century). Battery life, signal strength, usability, portability and one in all that Nokia always tried to make (hope that this hunger will never stop) always been and must be the prime elements that gonna to stay here always when we talk about Smart Phones. So, I will try to revolve my thoughts around the same and will keep it centered around what really seems to be possible after 10 years.


Battery Life: The future will be sure of such device that would be running insanely longer without any battery restrictions. We reached up to 15-16 hours of talk time, but still this will be a place, where people will be looking for in future. Taking the idea from Quartz based wrist watches, I really think that something could be devised that would be running from body heat or movements coz this would be a thing that will sustain for sure than anything else like Sun, Atomic energy or anything else. More of it, this would be a step towards Eco device as well.

Just think, you will not be needed to charge your phone or replace your batteries for very long like you don’t do with your wrist watches. You will never cry on switched off phones in odd places.


Signal Strength: Connecting people … been the slogan of Nokia and so Nokia always worked upon Signal_Strength_Bar-2 presenting devices with legendary signal reception. But still all been dependent of service provider all the time. We watched people in movies crying over signal reception just like the way we find ourselves out of battery in crucial occasions. Obviously, the thing that needed to be evolved most.

Considering the step taken with Nokia N900, VOIP is sure a core of future technology and extending the same in future context, technology should evolve in a way that connects each global connections in the same way (something like we seen in Anti-Trust movie). Something that could make use of radio connections, TV signals, Wi-fi signals or anything like that in the same way for powerful voice conversations or data usages. Something such will reduce the dependencies over service provider signals and roaming issues as everything will be combined and providers will be earning money through cloud usages only.

just think, you will not be needed to worry about if that place, you wanna go will make you out of signal reception or you would be paying for higher if travelled in some other country. You are connected, no matter where ever you are.


Usability & Portability: The way of using phones has changed a lot since the first telephonic conversationsericsson_spider_computer_02 started. Not long, when we were used to wait outside the PCOs for our turn in night after 11PM for some cheaper calls or the time, when we were needed to call the operator to book some long distance call or those old phones, we were needed to move the ring in rounds to dial some number. Starting from getting slim phones, now its all being changed into touch phone and qwerty era. One can never be assured that what the next turn the technology will take and what users will like in next.

We seen Minority Reports movie and the way, Tom Cruise interacted with machines there. We started getting such cameras in market that are having inbuilt projectors. Sure one can think about a future where dialing number would be more of voice based than any touch or press interface itself or even combination of all such input methods. Voice recognition technologies are evolving and same time processing power of Smart Phones too. Its very realistic to think about such a time when dialing would be having plenty of options like voice commands, a projected screen in air that could take any size you wanted (like some from 3.5 to 10 meters). Even one could think of tiny Bluetooth headset or of any other technology then, which will remove the necessity of using hands completely.

Such flexible devices could be wrapped around your wrist, may be part of your color or anything like that (as you seen in the concept future Laptops) and the concept of cloud could extend things in a way that even phones wont matter about connecting people and the device we would be having then would be kind of some universal nature. Whole data like your contacts, SMS, music contents and even call history etc will be saved in cloud only (depending upon evolved connectivity then).

Just think, with the same device you would be calling someone, doing presentations at office and even using as personal theater at home. Never using hands for calling and provided evolved video calling then maybe not even voice if required at occasions. You would be carrying the same like regular dressing coz you have not to worry about its size, not to worry about its battery and not even needs to be worried about connectivity.


Really so many thoughts in mind, but summarizing into a few points … 

What I see in #FutureNokia is

  1. Seamless connectivity over any available global connection like TV/Radio signals
  2. Addition of projectors in Smart Phones (its high time to introduce one as cameras already did)
  3. Batteries that could run unusually long over Human body movement or heat etc
  4. Use of flexible displays to make the device settle down in untraditional places
  5. Consistent experience over device due to cloud technology.

future-search5-2Though it wont be part of the competition as the competition actually needs hand drawn, photoshoped or anything like such drawing to be submitted that how the device will ‘look like’ not what it’ll be, but I am happy with sharing my thoughts only.


More than the competition itself, the thought really touched me more and sent me back there in my teenage kid_dreaming when I was like 12-13 years and with one of my friend from a big wrist watch shop, I was used to dream about future things, those common fantasies like we were able to disappear, if we were able to travel faster than thoughts, if we were able to make a home, where there were so many mirrors placed in a way that even light get trapped for more than 12 hours and we were able to enjoy daylight even at night time without spending anything. We were used to use tiny motors from watches for making fans or button based curtain openers for woody little houses we were making, were used to take part in showcasing toys in dynamic manner in front of public using so many little tricks with electronic parts.

Oh… those days.. one get trapped if starts thinking about them, but still I think that we were used to be more creative then or thoughts were more fresh than any mature one ever could have. I really think that Nokia should open some kind of competition for kids in the same way to know that which design will be cool. Definitely, kids could surprise you more for sure.

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Call for Nokia-An ideal Smartphone for mass

Choosing to buy something always brings confusion due to lots of choices out there. Either it be simple T-Shirts, a Wrist Watch or be it a Flat or Car, we always find ourselves chewing our nails that “which one to choose?” Same with Cell phones, lots of choices there, but what we need and how much we are ready to pay is an equation that never seems to be settling down.

As numbers grew for mobile users all over the world, so the number of features offered by various cell phones. In the race of raising features, it really become hard to select one affordable to pocket if you wish to buy one for longer while as each one seems to be missing something, you would have loved if included.

Nokia, sure a deserving brand for the Number #1 spot due to nokia variety of the products it cater for each segment of the market. What fascinate me about Nokia is, its products compete more among themselves rather than struggling against rival companies. Only with Nokia, I find the motto of “stick with the core”; Best Signal Strength!!! Best Battery Life!!! Best Price packed with features!!! anything else come second. For sure, they must have a very active cell of persons to monitor the consumer needs and responding to them in a way, which suits more to users than the business needs. The same orientation to users and seemingly uncountable number of phones for each segment keep them steady on their spot.


Today, I decided to put my thoughts for a dream Smartphone, which would be affordable, feature packed and hopefully able to capture market in snaps of time. Sure, its inspired by their best cost effective Smartphone Nokia 5800 and so I would be mentioning things with its perspective that what could have made it much better. Hoping that I would be reasonable enough about cost and will not be that mean about asking costly features. Even then I would highly obliged if readers join the conversation to suggest me more.

Specification for Dream Phone: Call for Nokia

I can’t go for each and every details here, but I am talking about Nokia here, so some features will be like already standard. I am assuming to keep all of them in the phone, which would not be being mean I guess ;-D.


Price: Most of the technical specification sheets put it on bottom,money while I am putting it on the top. This is my main concern and so of most of the users out there (at least in Asian Continent).

My Price band is Rs. 13, 000/- to Rs. 15, 000/- ($280 – $325)
Note
: Nokia 5800 is standing on Rs. 13, 200/- or $290. Possible!!!


Battery: Again last thing first, but no one wants to starve with abattery discharged cell phone, when required most.

My choice Li-Ion 1320 mAh (BL-5J), same as Nokia 5800, don’t know why Nokia went with Li-Ion 1200 mAh (BL-4D) in Nokia N97 Mini. Again Possible!!!


Connectivity Options: The technology is all about connectionsconnectivity today and your mobile is the closest techy thing with you all the time. Office has some other means of connections, your home has something and cafe, restaurant might have something else, more of it, you want still to be connected if on some deserted Island. So, as Nokia says “Connecting People”, my choices are

2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G: HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 (not asking HSUPA)
Wi Fi (uPnP, DLNA whatever), Class 32 EDGE/ GPRS, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP, microUSB v2.0 (should be able to charge phone) Possible!!! I am just asking about things, which are already available under the same price.


Build, Dimensions and Screen: Definitely in now days, no onescreen wishes (should not) anything lesser than a 3.2” resistive Touch Screen TFT with at least 360 x 640 pixels and at least 16M colors (more is better, but intelligent is to be better on battery and cost), so it does suits to Nokia’s aim for filling market with more touch screen devices by this year. Nokia 5800 had the same and no reason that they cant make another one within same cost.

Another thing is dimension and sure most of the people around the globe are loving the sleekness of Apple’s iPhone, so you know what people like. Nokia has made many sleek non-touch screen phones for sure, but don’t know I am not finding them sleeker in Touch screen department. Is resistive screen technology the reason? I know Capacitive ones are high on price, neither do they stand on my choice, but if they could give sleekness a bit more effort like they attempted in Nokia N97 Mini (I am not asking for a physical keypad here), then it would be huge plus.

Plastic is not what many would like to stand with, but definitely it doesn’t go deal breaker, if you manage to keep the price and features perfect. But even then if build material could be more robust (something like N97 mini or N900 and many of E-Series), then it will make many wishes come true.

And yes I am asking Proximity sensor for auto turn-off, Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate as well. Should not be costly enough, I guess.

Isn’t it Possible!!! for Nokia? Sure it is.


A-GPS/ Navigation: I am not sure about the cost involved in a gps built-in Digital Compass, but I have seen it in Nokia N97 Mini and Nokia N900 and sure its a very intuitive thing. If could keep it then well.. if not then not insisting, but what’s important is same GPS capability Nokia 5800 or Nokia N97 Mini had and obviously the same free navigation. Possible!!!


Processor, RAM and Internal Memory: I am asking for ARM 11 434 MHz processor only, no snapdragon, no separate graphics, but please don’t throw another 80 MB internal memory. Okay!! you can’t give me 8 or 16 GB internal memory, but at least internal memory could be kept on 128 MB or 256 MB at least (anything below would be unacceptable). You can go with a 128 MB RAM, not asking 256 MB as I know that a company needs profit. But anything generous than it would be lovable and obviously, I am not leaving 8GB Card included. Possible!!!


Operating System: Yes, the world is changing for mobiles and techies are looking for some Maemo, iPhone OS or Android. Symbian might seems to be loosing it, but even then it has a largest base and most percentage users are familiar with it. I don’t mind being with a Symbian OS v9.4, Series 60 rel. 5 or more as Google Apps aren’t supported with Maemo yet and most of us can’t live without that.


Camera and FM: OK!!! I am not asking you for a 5MP Carl Zeiss optics, but really I want Xeon flash back as was with Nokia N82 and a better 3.2 MP camera than Nokia 5800 had. Don’t know why, but I don’t find Nokia 5800 one better than Nokia 73. Obviously, no one wants to carry SLRs or digital cameras in pocket all the time now days. Moreover, you don’t wanna miss a decent secondary camera in front for supporting video calling, if you have so many connectivity options.

And come on!!! why cant the video recording size could be improved than Nokia N82. Small video recording size might require some hardware inclusion, but could be given a try within the cost. Not impossible!!!

FM Receivers been a must for India at least and FM Transmitter is becoming something God. I understand that it costs (That’s why might have been removed from Nokia N97), so usual FM Receiver as in Nokia 5800 would do fine. Many people love FM Recordings as well and I don’t see its hard enough to incorporate the same feature (its a software thing, not costing bucks to manufacturer).

Same goes with Call recording. I think its time, when this feature should be incorporated in all the Smart phones by default with all the legal issues won. Would be great for corporate.

All of these things are Possible!!!


Video format support: Here I feel something sure going wrong for sure. There are many open source solutions for support all kind of videos on computers and still there is no Application like VLC Player or mplayer for Symbian?? I just loved the way, I was just able to copy paste my video files in Nokia N900 and they were ready to play, if not with default player installed then with mplayer at least.

May be its hard for providing the support out of the box, but why open source community or developers taking this much time to make such a player for symbian, its out of my understanding. Definitely, it becoming a core weakness of Symbian against other completive. Please do something about it. Its not a rocket science and sure Possible!!!


Browsing: Now days, smart phones have taken more responsibility and with receiving and dialing calls, browsing web has become of much more importance than ever. The same reason, people loved the way iPhone browser worked, the same reason, Nokia N900 spreading like a fire, the same reason Opera been so popular around all Smart Phone users.

I know its not easy to bring full web experience over phone, with more RAM, better processors and big screen sizes, it has became a reality on other mobile platforms like Maemo. Flash Lite support 3.0 is essential and if latest workaround Flash 10 could be fruitful, then it would be great for Smart Phone world.

Hoping that like Opera trying to revolutionize browsing over Desktop, will bring the same technology to Smart phones as well, even then Opera 10 for mobile isn’t bad either. Possible!!!


Messaging: Its an era, Nokia always been innovative. Either it be simple tricks with even less capable Series 40 devices or full fledge integration of message needs with Nokia N900. Its high time to bring the same thing to lower regions as well.

Push Mails, full HTML support for mailing and some kind of fantastic email client with support of HTML signature. All of these things are possible and will take the experience at a larger level.

Integrating always on IMs like Google Talk, Skype in your phone out of the box, will mark an era for sure and technically its not that bigger call as API are available for free. Possible!!!


There are many mobile sets out, who meets most of these thing, but miss one or two points. Unfortunately, I don’t find any of Nokia filling all of these above including price strictly. All of them miss the things by an inch or two, which is sure frustrating but understandable due to difference of opinions all over the world and in various classes of users. These were my requirements, someone else might have others, there is no end of it, but if Nokia 5800 became so strong that iPhone or anything else not getting any stand in India, then sure such a phone could win the battle for mass for sure.

I really wanna comments from all to know what other users might be wishing for. But note that what I mentioned here are not the best of the technologies, but best affordable one in the price band. Don’t be mean about asking for more. ;-D

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