T-Mobile To Offer Bluetooth Equipped Nokia 3650

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.t-mobile.com/products/overview.asp?phoneid=184769">http://www.t-mobile.com/products/overview.asp?phoneid=184769</a><br /><br />T-Mobile is offering the Nokia 3650 on their site. It isn't available in stores yet, believe me, I know.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030418-nokia3650.gif" /><br /><br />My sad story with my Sony Ericsson T68i/m is over. After going back to the factory 3 times for the worst reception and dropped call record I've ever had, the local T-Mobile store swapped the phone out for me. I got a Samsung S105. No bluetooth, but it does have IR, so I'm happy, though I did have to spend 40 minutes on the phone with T-Mobile's data service support center to get GPRS and the Pocket PC working. It involved an insanely long connection string. Why T-Mobile doesn't post this stuff on their web site is beyond me.<br /><br />That said, T-Mobile's support, both in the stores and on the phone is top notch among cell phone providers as far as I am concerned. They gave me a 30 day guarantee on my satisfaction with the S105 and recommended if I am not happy to come back and swap it for the 3650 when it is in stock next month. Now that is service! :way to go: I don't know if I'll bother though. IR works for me and I honestly think they are sort of sick of watching me walk in to the store again. :? I know I would be if I were them.

[Paragon]

See Ed.......If you had just gotten an XDA right from the start you would have avoided all this hastle. :)

Dave

[jpaq]

ED!

You are not alone!

I am currently waiting on my fourth (4th) T68i/m for the same reasons. The reception has been mediocre, but the dropped calls are nowhere near acceptable. The failure to connect, even with signal, is terrible, and those are just the common flaws of the first three. Each one had its own individual quirk(s) as well.

You are also correct that the 3650 is not yet available. As you said, they will sell them, but they are not in stores yet and not even available via their handset exchange through customer service. I know. I asked after I was told that I would have to wait another 2 weeks for my 4th T68i/m after waiting a week for one that was supposed to arrive within 3 days.

I, unlike you, am not willing to settle for IR. I spent the money on the Socket BT card and I intend to use it. Needless to say, I am not really looking forward to getting another T68i/m, so I am keeping my eye out for availability of the 3650. I'm hoping that it gets released to the public before my 15+ day waiting period is up.

The clock is starting.

Last point, I concur. T-Mobile support people are top notch.

[chancesc]

I got this phone last week from ATT Wireless. It's great! I too replaced my T68i with the 3650. The reception and sound quality on the 3650 is great, much better then the T68i.

I am using it with a Casio E-200 with a Socket bluetooth CF card. It works very well.

Since I returned my T68i to ATT within 30 days, they gave me the 3650 for $150 after discounts.

I am very happy with it. Highly recommended.

[Janak Parekh]

I am currently waiting on my fourth (4th) T68i/m for the same reasons. The reception has been mediocre, but the dropped calls are nowhere near acceptable. The failure to connect, even with signal, is terrible, and those are just the common flaws of the first three. Each one had its own individual quirk(s) as well.
Can I ask why you feel the 4th will be any better? The T68's antenna is known to be not as good as others. I personally haven't found it to be too bad, but I know lots of people have, and it is definitely not a hardware defect per se, but rather a design flaw. It seems to be better in certain areas than others.

The new Nokia and SE antennaless phones tend to be noticeably better.

--janak

[Ed Hansberry]

I am currently waiting on my fourth (4th) T68i/m for the same reasons. The reception has been mediocre, but the dropped calls are nowhere near acceptable. The failure to connect, even with signal, is terrible, and those are just the common flaws of the first three. Each one had its own individual quirk(s) as well.
Can I ask why you feel the 4th will be any better?
It won't. What clinched the deal for me is just 5 minutes after the T-mobile rep admitted he had used the t68 and didn't care for the reception ("But it isn't wasn't as bad as you are saying") my T68 came up with a missed call warning. It was laying there, on the counter and had been for 20 minutes as we talked. The stupid thing never rang. He looked at it, looked at me, went "oh....." and the paperwork started flying. :D He was getting there anyway - as I said, these guys are very helpful, but it saved me 15 more minutes of discussion.

[jpaq]

I am currently waiting on my fourth (4th) T68i/m for the same reasons. The reception has been mediocre, but the dropped calls are nowhere near acceptable. The failure to connect, even with signal, is terrible, and those are just the common flaws of the first three. Each one had its own individual quirk(s) as well.
Can I ask why you feel the 4th will be any better? The T68's antenna is known to be not as good as others. I personally haven't found it to be too bad, but I know lots of people have, and it is definitely not a hardware defect per se, but rather a design flaw. It seems to be better in certain areas than others.

The new Nokia and SE antennaless phones tend to be noticeably better.

--janak


Janak,

Oh, I don't think it's going to be any better, but they do not have any other BT phones available yet (the 3650 hasn't made it's way to consumers yet).
So I have to wait for the 4th stinking T68i/m unless I can slip in at just the right time and get the 3650 if it becomes available before the 4th strike comes in by mail.

:evil:

[Vincent M Ferrari]

My company is giving one to me in June. I can hardly wait! :mrgreen:

[ricktakagi]

I can't find anything that says that the 3650 has BT. Am I missing something? I too REALLY want to replace my t68i for something else. Can someone clarify this for me?


Rick

[Ed Hansberry]

I can't find anything that says that the 3650 has BT. Am I missing something? I too REALLY want to replace my t68i for something else. Can someone clarify this for me?
the T-Mobile site doesn't mention it but it is mentioned at Nokia's. There are no non-BT 3650s.

Keep this site bookmarked - http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/ - best phone site on the internet.

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?id=199

[rbrome]

T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless, and Cingular all offer this phone now. You can also buy it unlocked (without a particular service or contract) from many third-party vendors.

[Ed Hansberry]

T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless, and Cingular all offer this phone now.
Right - but T-Mobile doesn't ahve it in stores yet. I wonder too if you ordered it from their site if it would ship immediately?

[bdegroodt]

First person to get one of these and get it working (or not) with their iPaq etc, let us know. As many know, Nokia hasn't been real good about making BT productst that play well with others and I'd like to see if they made it right this time around.

[Brad Adrian]

Okay, call me stupid, but how do you dial the 3650? It doesn't have the traditional keypad layout. Are those keys actually laid out in a CIRCULAR pattern?!?!?

[adamz]

Ed, since you've got T-Mobile you don't HAVE to settle for whatever phone's they offer you. You can just slip that SIM card into any GSM phone you want. T-Mobile *says* they won't support the phones that they don't carry... but if you ask, they'll still help you set it up. (Excellent support is right!!) The R520m bluetooth phone can be found for about $50.

[ch_thom]

First person to get one of these and get it working (or not) with their iPaq etc, let us know.

I've had a Nokia 3650 for about 3 weeks now. I'm on the O2 network in the UK. I've also got an iPaq 3970 and the 2 devices work great together over bluetooth using either GSM or GPRS.

Set up was a piece of cake - let the 2 devices find each other, pair them up, enter the relevant GSM or GPRS connection settings and you're away into the world of wireless connectivity with your PDA and mobile 'phone.

By the way you can also beam software, pictures etc. between the devices. I don't yet have a bluetooth dongle for my desktop so I can't use the Nokia desktop software suite to install software on the 3650. However I downloaded some free games for the 3650 from the Nokia site onto my desktop, synced them to my iPaq then sent them via bluetooth to the 3650, where they were automatically installed. This method also worked for the 3650 video software upgrade. This upgrade lets your 3650 record video AND sound. The 3650 as it is shipped takes video with NO sound.

Finally I've been transferring pictures taken with the 3650 to the iPaq over bluetooth and viewing them there. The bigger screen is much better and it shows off the surprising quality of the pictures.

ch_thom

[/img]

[bdegroodt]

ch_thom that's very encouraging news. Such an affordable phone, too. Any comments on the overall size of the unit? Compared to a T68 maybe?

[daS]

Okay, call me stupid, but how do you dial the 3650? It doesn't have the traditional keypad layout. Are those keys actually laid out in a CIRCULAR pattern?!?!?
Not to worry Brad, you're not the one that's stupid. :lol:

Yes, the keys are in a crazy circular pattern. The reason is that Nokia is tarketing the youth market with this phone and they think that switching from a standard pattern is a good thing because it's cool. :roll:

They also think that this will make the phone attractive for gaming. I for one don't get the idea of playing action games on tiny phone screens, but then I'm about double the target age. :wink:

[lemongrass]

Can you post the instructions for getting the Pocket PC working
with the s105?

[ch_thom]

ch_thom that's very encouraging news. Such an affordable phone, too. Any comments on the overall size of the unit? Compared to a T68 maybe?

It is about a third larger than than the T68. Personally I think the T68 is too small. A few people at work have them and to be honest I find them difficult to use. I also don't like small phones in general as I'm afraid of losing them. Having said that the reaction of people who've seen my 3650 has been VERY positive. Everybody is impressed by the gadget factor of the video camera but most most remark that their surprised at it's size, as they all thought is was bigger than it is after seeing the advertising pictures in magazines and on the TV. If it's any help my last 'phone was a Nokia 7110 and the 3650 is almost exactly the same size - a few mm wider due to shape but shorter as it has an internal antenna whereas the 7110 did not. It is a solid weight but not too heavy.

Yes, the keys are in a crazy circular pattern. The reason is that Nokia is tarketing the youth market with this phone and they think that switching from a standard pattern is a good thing because it's cool.

They also think that this will make the phone attractive for gaming. I for one don't get the idea of playing action games on tiny phone screens, but then I'm about double the target age.

Don't know about the youth market - I'm 33 in July. I didn't buy the 'phone for it's cool factor, I bought it for the bluetooth and the fact that as I'm a gadget freak I HAD to have the video and camera functions. Also, as I've mentioned before, I didn't want a tiny 'phone like some of the Samsung clamshell devices or the T68.

I would say that I haven't had any problems using the 3650. I adjusted to the keypad quickly and don't even think about the different shape anymore unless someone points it out. The large colour screen (for a 'phone) actually works really well with the available games and I've been using the 3650 far more for gaming in the last 3 weeks than I did with the 7110 in over a year. I also like the fact that I can add extra Java games to the 3650 as and when I like.

As far as 'phone functions are concerned the 3650 is great - strong signals, at least on my network, good audio and a great loudspeaker function that works really well. The loudspeaker can be activated/deactivated during a call and with this on you can leave the handset a fair distance away, such as on your desk while you access your desktop PC, while continuing a conversation with no problems. There are also call switching functions, so you can have more than one conversation going at once, call waiting and call hold features - I'm not sure how many of these are network dependent features though.

Other features include polyphonic ringtones, ringtone composer, image viewer, Realplayer playback, camera, video capture and playback, WAP browser, SMS, MMS, email, voice recorder, to-do list, note taker, calendar, contacts list, speed dialling, changable wallpaper and screensavers all accessed through the latest Symbian interface which is, in my opinion pretty good. There's also the facility to add MMC memory to the 3650. Nokia supply a 16Mb card but it can take up to 128Mb. The 3650 can be configured to save all captures pictures/videos/voicenotes/contacts etc. to the memory card and this leaves the 4Mb 'phone memory free.

In view of the above the 3650 could, I suppose, be used as a mini PDA however I have an iPaq for that and it is obviously superior as a PDA. I basically use the 3650 simply as a video/still camera for fun shots and as a bluetooth GPRS internet connection for browsing and email.

It's not all good however, the camera is pretty good but it's only VGA quality, has no zoom or flash and the video capture is restricted to 15 seconds or 95kb, whichever comes first, in order to ensure it can be sent as an MMS message.

Hope this info is of some use to you guys.

Cheers

ch_thom

[vetteguy]

Sigh...one more example of how cellular phone companies do anything they can to get new customers, but absolutely nothing to keep them. I would love to buy this phone from them at a decent price, but I already have a service plan (through them!) so I can't do it. And they have no program in place for people to switch phones and take advantage of these offers if they already have a plan (like me). Nope, I would have to actually CANCEL my current subscription, and RESUBSCRIBE! I'm sorry, but it's 2003 people. Time to move out of the chisel-on-the-wall way of doing business.

[daS]

Thanks for the detailed info. Perhaps you can post a review on my www.BluetoothNews.com site?

Don't know about the youth market - I'm 33 in July. I didn't buy the 'phone for it's cool factor, I bought it for the bluetooth and the fact that as I'm a gadget freak I HAD to have the video and camera functions. Also, as I've mentioned before, I didn't want a tiny 'phone like some of the Samsung clamshell devices or the T68.

I would say that I haven't had any problems using the 3650. I adjusted to the keypad quickly and don't even think about the different shape anymore unless someone points it out.
I got the tarket market info from Nokia at CES. While I guess the circular keypad might make a better gamepad, for me, I'd rather be able to dial a number without looking. I know that a lot of people can pick up new keyboard layouts easily, but I'm not one of them. :?

[daS]

Sigh...one more example of how cellular phone companies do anything they can to get new customers, but absolutely nothing to keep them. I would love to buy this phone from them at a decent price, but I already have a service plan (through them!) so I can't do it. And they have no program in place for people to switch phones and take advantage of these offers if they already have a plan (like me). Nope, I would have to actually CANCEL my current subscription, and RESUBSCRIBE! I'm sorry, but it's 2003 people. Time to move out of the chisel-on-the-wall way of doing business.
Well in fairness to T-Mobile, the prices they charge for the phones are far less than the real cost. They can afford to do this because the extra cost is buried in the contract price.

Of course, the big advantage of GSM is that you can always buy a phone at the full retail price and insert your T-Mobile SIM card in it. But then, when you see the price, you'll see why they only let you get one new phone a year.

[vetteguy]

Sigh...one more example of how cellular phone companies do anything they can to get new customers, but absolutely nothing to keep them. I would love to buy this phone from them at a decent price, but I already have a service plan (through them!) so I can't do it. And they have no program in place for people to switch phones and take advantage of these offers if they already have a plan (like me). Nope, I would have to actually CANCEL my current subscription, and RESUBSCRIBE! I'm sorry, but it's 2003 people. Time to move out of the chisel-on-the-wall way of doing business.
Well in fairness to T-Mobile, the prices they charge for the phones are far less than the real cost. They can afford to do this because the extra cost is buried in the contract price.

Of course, the big advantage of GSM is that you can always buy a phone at the full retail price and insert your T-Mobile SIM card in it. But then, when you see the price, you'll see why they only let you get one new phone a year.
But they don't give me ANY incentive once I'm "hooked". So say I wasn't a subscriber, and I signed up for a year and got this phone. Then, say 6 months down the road a new razzle-dazzle phone comes out which I also want. I have at that point 2 options: get it from eBay or one of the online stores, or sign up for ANOTHER year contract on top of my existing one. And the last time I checked, they couldn't just "stack" an extra year on. I realize that the phones are costly, but rather than risk me leaving for AT&T, Cingular, etc. to hop onto one of their incentive deals, why not give me even a modest deal on a phone without making me get a brand new contract?

[daS]

But they don't give me ANY incentive once I'm "hooked". So say I wasn't a subscriber, and I signed up for a year and got this phone. Then, say 6 months down the road a new razzle-dazzle phone comes out which I also want. I have at that point 2 options: get it from eBay or one of the online stores, or sign up for ANOTHER year contract on top of my existing one. And the last time I checked, they couldn't just "stack" an extra year on. I realize that the phones are costly, but rather than risk me leaving for AT&T, Cingular, etc. to hop onto one of their incentive deals, why not give me even a modest deal on a phone without making me get a brand new contract?
Well if you want to leave to another carrier, you still have to pay off your contract, so at that point, you are at the some point.

The bottom line is that they have built-in the phone discount into the full year contract. If you want to switch phones every six months, they lose money. On the other hand, if you are a high volume customer, you might be able to get someone in customer service to help you out.

[ricksfiona]

The 3650 is pretty cool especially with Bluetooth, but it's hard to go for it for the hope that a MS based Smartphone will come out soon. Is there any hope that a tri-band GSM, bluetooth equipped MS Smartphone will come out in the next 6 months?

[daS]

The 3650 is pretty cool especially with Bluetooth, but it's hard to go for it for the hope that a MS based Smartphone will come out soon. Is there any hope that a tri-band GSM, bluetooth equipped MS Smartphone will come out in the next 6 months?
I haven't heard of any MS Smartphones with Bluetooth coming out. The only close thing I've seen is TI's reference device called WANDA (a Pocket PC Phone.) You can read what I wrote about it here (http://www.bluetoothnews.com/industrynews/TI_Wanda.htm).

[ricksfiona]

The 3650 is pretty cool especially with Bluetooth, but it's hard to go for it for the hope that a MS based Smartphone will come out soon. Is there any hope that a tri-band GSM, bluetooth equipped MS Smartphone will come out in the next 6 months?
I haven't heard of any MS Smartphones with Bluetooth coming out. The only close thing I've seen is TI's reference device called WANDA (a Pocket PC Phone.) You can read what I wrote about it here (http://www.bluetoothnews.com/industrynews/TI_Wanda.htm).
Cool device, but I don't want a full-blown PDA used as my regular phone. Those 2 in 1 devices are just too big.

[Paragon]

I don't want a full-blown PDA used as my regular phone. Those 2 in 1 devices are just too big.

You do realize that this Nokia 3650 is only 1/2" narrower that an XDA BUT it's twice as thick and the same length.

Dave

[daS]

Cool device, but I don't want a full-blown PDA used as my regular phone. Those 2 in 1 devices are just too big.
Well the WANDA (http://www.bluetoothnews.com/industrynews/TI_Wanda.htm) is quite a bit smaller than the current Pocket PC Phones, and as Paragon Dave just pointed out, the new Nokia is big too.

I'm also a fan of the "two box" solution. I even wrote a article about that in an old issue of Pocket PC Magazine (www.pocketpcmag.com) (although, that one only appeared in the printed magazine and has not been posted to their web site.)

But the WANDA could change my feelings about convergence devices. With Bluetooth built-in, I wouldn't have to hold something the size and shape of a slice of bread to my face in order to take a call. But I guess it's not a surprise that the lack of Bluetooth is my main objection to the current crop of Pocket PC Phones. :D

[jkcofield]

I just spoke to a T-Mobile rep (a couple of them actually) and they do have a "handset upgrade" deal, but it's not available on the 3650 yet. However, they all did say that it would be at the end of the month. He said that it will require a new contract and it will be the same deal as the current one for new customers. $299 for the phone up front, with a $100 mail in rebate after the purchase.

I'm also a fan of two separate devices, and wanted to pick up a 3650 since I'm really not too happy with my t68i. I'm hearing some good things about the Nokia and always had good experiences with their products in the past. I had picked up the t68i for it's Bluetooth capabilities, but have had nothing but issues with it since I got it.

BTW, I'm on Long Island in NY and the reception is spotty, at best, with even the best phones.

Anyway, just thought I'd share what I found out.

Jeff

[bdegroodt]

Can anyone that has their hands on this phone confirm that it has a native POP client for email and that it can send and receive on TM?

[Vincent M Ferrari]

Getting mine early next week, so I'll let you know :-) Frankly I can't wait to get my hands on it. 8)

[bdegroodt]

I played with one of these at an ATT store today. Was a bit surprised by the size of it. Thought it was smaller. Too big for me, but I can understand the appeal. Very nice phone all the way around. Should do well on the market.

[dorelse]

Does anyone have an opinion of the benefits of the Nokia 3650 vs the S/E T68i? (I'm specifically interested in connection quality, and how well they integrate with BOTH Palm & PPC's.) I have t-mobile if that matters.

I've had the opportunity to play with both, and don't really have an opinion one way or the other. Both seem nice, similiar features (minus the 3650's camera), the T68i's size is much more appealing to me, but I've also heard grumblings about the t68i's issues? What are they? I've chosen cellphone poorly in the past, and would like to avoid the same mistake again....

[Ed Hansberry]

I just got the 3650. After 2 hrs, i can say it is a decent device. Not a fan of the round dial pad, but I'll get used to it. The t68 was, bar none, my worst phone experience ever. Dropped call rate was staggering and the t-mobile guy at the store said I wasn't the only customer complaining about it.

Go with the 3650.

[Radimus]

I have just recieved my nokia 3650 and I like it...

The phone is a good size for my sausage sized fingers, the round dial is a bit unusual, but I'll get used to it

I lost my previous phone through t-mobile, and they offered me a 'replacement' of the current free model, or a percentage off on any other model they had... so I picked up the t68i for the low low price of $300.00. I wasn't very impressed with it, other than the phone worked well with my bluetooth jabra headset

In any case, I just returned the t68i for the 3650, and my $100 mail in rebate is in the mail already... so $200 for the phone and no extension of the contract was a good deal.

My current issue with it is that it doesn't like the jabra headset... It will bond to it, it just ignores it....

I'm ordering a USB bluetooth dongle this week to sync to my PC