E61: Nokia's antidote to Blackberry
The E61 is a Blackberry-like device with a QWERTY thumb-board, quad-band GSM with EDGE, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. It has 75MB of on-board memory that can be expanded using micro SD cards should users require additional storage space. The unit supports VoIP calls and ships with a variety of third-party email tools, including Blackberry Connect--a tool which will enable users to connect to Blackberry services like push-based email technology. Push technology means no prompting and no downloading. This technology has made Blackberry an efficient and reliable communications platform as it automatically delivers email and data to and from a wireless device without additional user configuration.
Also, a Blackberry can interoperate with major email applications to enable wireless email forwarding. A user can access up to ten email accounts with a Blackberry unit. The push-based Blackberry architecture and infrastructure from the Canadian company Research in Motion (RIM) has enabled users to remain connected to business and personal information while on the go. Users will surely enjoy the features of the E61 together with the added benefit of Blackberry connectivity.
The E61 however is not the first Nokia phone to support Blackberry functionality. Unknown to many, the Nokia 9300 and 9500 can work seamlessly with Blackberry. I am the first consumer in the Philippines with Blackberry in my 9300. I requested, cajoled, forced and even begged Nokia and Smart to activate Blackberry in my 9300 as I could not get used to carrying the big, black and ugly looking Blackberry 7730 that I owned. Although Blackberry is very useful, many were taken aback by its looks. This is the reason why business people, especially women, did not dare touch the Blackberry units being offered by Globe and Smart. And now, while others check email in their ugly looking units, I can proudly check my email while flashing my Nokia 9300.
With the E61, Nokia has proven that looks should not be sacrificed for functionalities. Despite bearing a strong resemblance to my old Blackberry unit, the E61 has much more to offer. It sports an elegant silver finish, a four-way joystick and a wide 16 million color screen. It also supports full attachment handling and editing functions. There's also an additional functionality that the Nokia E61 can do: it can send and receive email, even while making a phone call--a very useful feature especially if you are collaborating with your associate in sending important email.
Aside from the Blackberry functionality, the E61 offers features that will make things easier for its users. One of the most useful tools of the E61 which my old Blackberry did not have is its TRANSFER tool. This function allows users to get contacts and contents from other phones. It automatically transfers content from other phones to the E61 device via Bluetooth or infrared.
The E61 also offers a feature called Voice Aid; this feature provides audio feedback from contact lists and phone logs, as well as audio feedback of current time. I have successfully called Luanne Erni, Nokia's Marketing and Communication Manager with my eyes closed as this function allows the phone to "say" the names in my contact list. It also provides audio feedback by number dialing using a joystick or keyboard.
The E61 also comes with the latest version of PC Suite, a group of PC applications that allows users to manage and secure the information stored in the E61 using the PC. With PC Suite, users of E61 can do back-ups, synchronize, install new applications, manage files and contacts, send messages using the PC, transfer images from phone to PC, manage connections and transfer music. The PC Suite also includes a player that allows users not only to view but also convert video files to files viewable using the E61. Users of the E61 can also use the unit as a modem to easily connect to the internet thanks to "one touch access", a feature that makes use of the E61 as a modem for the user's laptop or PC. Just select your operator and you can connect to the internet immediately with no additional tweaking needed.
With the introduction of the E61 in the market, Nokia has proven that a business device can have maximum utility and yet be aesthetically pleasing. Whoever said that you cannot mix business with pleasure has not seen the Nokia E61 yet.
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