Hoy, Ars Technica publica dos interesantes artículos alrededor de Nokia. Por un lado, un análisis del N810
Although I’m relatively pleased with the software, I’m still not entirely sold on some of the hardware choices behind the N810. The value of built-in GPS support seems particularly questionable, especially when you add in the cost of the WayFarer software upgrade, which is required to actually use the GPS. One could probably buy an N800 and an external GPS unit with more features for less than the total cost of the N810 and the WayFarer software. The vast majority of users who want GPS functionality will only use it in a vehicle anyway, so is there really a compelling reason to integrate it into a handheld computer?
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When I wrote my first-impressions article, I thought the keyboard was mediocre and disappointing. Now that I’ve gotten used to it, I think it’s decent, but still not great. I’m not sure if it’s even possible for a thumb keyboard to be great. I like the N810’s hardware keyboard better than the onscreen keyboard of the N800 or the iPhone, but there is still room for improvement. The sliding mechanism for the keyboard panel feels a bit loose sometimes, but in general, I think it’s fairly well designed. This may not even be possible given the size constraints, but ideally, I’d like to see Nokia stick with the same basic layout and design for the keyboard but with round buttons that have a bit of space between them.
Y por otro lado, analiza la nueva oferta «Comes With Music», que realmente no es tan interesante, debería llamarse Cames with DRM
Here’s how Comes With Music will work. Starting sometime in the second half of 2008, customers who purchase a qualifying phone will have unlimited access for a year to Universal’s entire artist catalog, and Nokia is currently in talks to bring the other major labels on board as well. Tracks can be downloaded via Nokia’s phones or PCs, and the DRMed tracks will remain playable even after the one-year subscription period finishes. Here’s the kicker though: In order to renew the subscription and regain access to new music for another year, Nokia says consumers can purchase a new device. Burning a CD of any track(s) will require an upgrade purchase for each track. Don’t worry, the bounce just fell out of our step too.
