Nokia Updates 3650 Bluetooth Phone

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?id=694' target='_blank'>http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?id=694</a><br /><br /></div>I know a lot of you have picked up Nokia 3650s, which are very solid companions to Pocket PCs -- great screen, solid reception, and Bluetooth for GPRS functionality. One of the biggest criticisms of the device, though, was its keypad -- and I don't have the faintest idea why they did it. I guess they didn't either, because they finally announced the 3660, which has a "normal" keypad.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20031009-Nokia3660.jpg" /><br /><br />Just as importantly for you Cingular and AT&amp;T GSM users, there will also be a 3620, which supports both 800 and 1900MHz frequencies. I'd like to see more quadband phones, but at least this is a step forward.

[Scott R]

I can tell you why they designed the old keypad the way they did. They did it so as to improve speed for text messaging. The old layout spread out the alphabet sequentially. Unfortunately, so many people disliked it for phone-dialing that they finally gave in and are now offering this. There's a good chance I may get one of these, and I'm torn between which design I like better.

Scott

[Janak Parekh]

I can tell you why they designed the old keypad the way they did. They did it so as to improve speed for text messaging.
How is it better, though? Does it allow for more unimpeded 2-finger operation? I don't quite see that -- having to swivel your thumbs around a radial dial requires more dexterity, too.

--janak

[Scott R]

Janak, I haven't used one personally, so I can only speak in theoretical terms. The idea is that by laying out the keys "in order" it should be faster to locate the key you need. So, for instance, if I want the letter "M", I know it will be toward the bottom of the Nokia 3650, because that's the middle of the keypad layout and the letter "M" is in the middle of the alphabet. If I want the letter "G", I'd know that it's about 1/4 of the way in. With a traditional phone keypad, I could make a reasonable guess as to where the key is, but if I'm guessing that it's on the number "3" button, my eyes (and fingers) will need to reposition all the way over to the next row down on the left-most side to get the letter "G" on the number "4" button. With the Nokia 3650, if I'm slightly off in my guess, I'm probably just going to need to reposition one button over to the right or left.

Scott

[dum spiro, spero]

I currently possess the Nokia 3650 (while waiting for the XDA II or something else to come out, of coures) from T-Mobile. The most prevalent reason I see for designing the keyboard the way that Nokia did was most probably asthetics. It does accent and flow with the natural curve of the phone, but in terms of function, it is highly debatable. However, from personaly experience, I can say that once I got used to the strange layout I was slightly faster in both dialing and SMS, but I don't think that it really makes up for the time it takes to get used to it. It is, however, a very nice symbian phone, which I would recommend for any hihg-end mobile phone consumer.

[Scott R]

I almost forgot...

One of the biggest criticisms of the Nokia 3650 from PDA "power users" is that the 3650 isn't a serious PDA replacement simply because of the poor method of text entry in comparison to a PDA. Well, infosync just reported the other day that Pocketop has released beta Symbian drivers for its foldable full-size QWERTY keyboard. More details here:
http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/4165.html

IMO, this is pretty exciting news for anyone who wants to use the 3650 as their primary device but needs a better method of text input.

Scott

[Prevost]

I SINCERELY thought that design was to resemble old fashioned disc dials in fixed telephones :oops: ...believe it or not, I STILL use one of those phones and I like it!

[Janak Parekh]

I SINCERELY thought that design was to resemble old fashioned disc dials in fixed telephones :oops:
Good point. This occurred to me a while ago, but it's a stylistic resemblance more than anything else.

--janak

[rmasinag]

OT

I heard that the nokia 3650's cannot communicate with Ipaq BT, even PPC2003. Is this still an urban legend or reality. This is pretty much the only BT phone we can get in Hawai'i, so I'm getting a lil desperate here. If so do you guys think these updated versions would finally be able to talk to the Ipaqs?

I really want to try out my HP2210 BT legs :D

[squeeze]

The 3650 and the WM2003 (I use the H5555) work just fine...you just need to know the additional connection strings for it to work. You can find that at howardforums.com.

[Dom]

I know a lot of you have picked up Nokia 3650s, which are very solid companions to Pocket PCs -- great screen, solid reception, and Bluetooth for GPRS functionality.
:) Are your trying to wean us off Pocket PC gently ? ;)
Dom

[Icebaron]

OT

I heard that the nokia 3650's cannot communicate with Ipaq BT, even PPC2003. Is this still an urban legend or reality.

This is definitely an urban legend. I use my 3650 daily with my ipaq for a good several hours to run AIM and email. The bluetooth connection is a real dream and I use it constantly for much more than just web surfing.

For example, if someone wants to give me their phone number, I enter it in my 2215, because the data entry is much faster, then I use bluetooth to immediately transfer the info to the phone sitting in my pocket.

When I take a picture with the included VGA camera on the 2215, I usually use bluetooth to transfer it to the pocket PC for viewing and possibly adding a caption.

Oh... and I LIKE the silly circular keypad layout.

[gorkon280]

This may be the phone I get next year when my verizon contract runs out. I am so sick and tired of the handsets that Verizon is selling. No BT and expensive GPRS is pushing me away from Verizon to T-Mobile. I have a T-mobile GPRS card for my laptop and the 29.99 unlimited plan is excellent. And since both contracts will be running out around the same time (and T-mobile just makes you sign a year versus 3 for Verizon to get the good price), it will be a excellent chance. Then I will buy a BT adapter for the laptop and I will have GPRS with me all of the time and my wife will be able to as well. She uses the laptop more then I. Even though I can get a PC Card sleeve for my iPaq, I would rather use a BT handset.

The cool thing that I find is that more and more websites seem to be making a PDA accessible screen thanks to the WiFi enabled stuff and phones like this Nokia but as you know, we can't always be around a AP and the GPRS options are limited in a CF size. Adding a BT handset will make it easier and this new Nokia is about sealing the deal for my next handset.....unless Sony brings out a sequal to the awesome t610. The only thing I don' t like about the Nokia is it's size but that's really a plus for me. The t610 is about the size I love but that Nokia is not too much bigger. I also wish that these companies would release a model that does not have the camera.....why do I want that when I have a 4 MP digicam? I can get software to rescale the images on my iPaq and I have a CF sleeve. I can just zap the pic with my cam, resize it (and keep the original) on my iPaq and zap it to the handset to MMS it to someone. Easy as pie.

[Dom]

I just more or less gave away my 3650 to get an Ngage. Didn't like the dial on the 3650. Fab machine. If you want some free games or business titles such as Mastersoft Money for your 3650 send me an email and go to MastersoftMobileSolutions
Dom

[Scott R]

For example, if someone wants to give me their phone number, I enter it in my 2215, because the data entry is much faster, then I use bluetooth to immediately transfer the info to the phone sitting in my pocket.Can you provide more details on exactly what you're referring to here? Are you adding a new contact on your PPC and transferring the contact to the 3650, or are you just using the iPaq to enter raw text and transferring that text into the 3650? Thanks,

Scott

[Janak Parekh]

:) Are your trying to wean us off Pocket PC gently ? ;)
No. ;) The 3650, with no touch screen, is hardly a replacement for a Pocket PC. IMHO.

--janak

[Scott R]

:) Are your trying to wean us off Pocket PC gently ? ;)The 3650, with no touch screen, is hardly a replacement for a Pocket PC. IMHO.Yes, but what about a 3650 in conjunction with that pocketop keyboard?

Scott

[Dom]

Yes, but what about a 3650 in conjunction with that pocketop keyboard?

LOL Please can we have more Pocket PC articles :) I get enough Symbian news as it is at the Symbian sites :lol:
Dom

[Janak Parekh]

Yes, but what about a 3650 in conjunction with that pocketop keyboard?
Still doesn't address rich UI controls. I consider that very important with my Pocket PC phone. To me, the SE P900 is much more interesting a Symbian device than the 3650 -- the 3650 is a "smarter-than-average" phone to me.

--janak

[Dom]

Still doesn't address rich UI controls. I consider that very important with my Pocket PC phone. To me, the SE P900 is much more interesting a Symbian device than the 3650 -- the 3650 is a "smarter-than-average" phone to me.

Think you're on the wrong site ;)

[Janak Parekh]

Think you're on the wrong site ;)
:lol: The scary thing is, I was considering getting a P800 as a GPRS Bluetooth phone to go with my Pocket PC. However, I'm going to wait -- GSM coverage is too lousy near my house.

--janak

[Dom]

I have a P800 Janak. It is kind of fab to say the least. Feels a bit bricky but the new P900 will cure that. Wonderful as a phone and it is actually faster than any Pocket PC I ever owned ... which is a mystery. I found myslef leaving the Pocket PC at home. Check out the A920 if you want something that does more than a Pocket PC or Smart Phone ;) Just ignore the lousy battery life :)
Dom

[Icebaron]

For example, if someone wants to give me their phone number, I enter it in my 2215, because the data entry is much faster, then I use bluetooth to immediately transfer the info to the phone sitting in my pocket.Can you provide more details on exactly what you're referring to here? Are you adding a new contact on your PPC and transferring the contact to the 3650, or are you just using the iPaq to enter raw text and transferring that text into the 3650? Thanks,

Scott

I enter the phone number as a contact in the usual way on the 2215. Then, when you click ok and get back to the contact list, you can tap and hold on a contact name and choose "send via bluetooth" to transfer it to the phone. It arrives on the phone like a text message, with a menu option to save the "business card" to the phone. This puts it into the phone's address book just like you had manually entered it.

Another cool option that's available is "dial via bluetooth" which allows me to dial my phone without ever taking it out of my pocket. It's a pretty cool feature on those rare occasions I'm using my handsfree headset.

[Dom]

PDA Horoscope ;0)
Give it 12 months and none of us will be using 2 devices :)
Guaranteed.
Dom

[Casio Collector]

Hi,

I have had a 3650 for a couple of months now, and after the difficulty of first using the keypad, I have found it much faster than the original style, for both dialing and text messaging. Only problem is trying to play snake :)

Timothy Monger-Godfrey

[Scott R]

Icebaron, thanks for the added info. That's what I figured you were doing, but I just wanted to make sure.

Dom, I don't think it's quite that cut and dry in the US, for the simple reason that we have several different carriers using a few different cellular technologies. Each has various pros and cons. When you buy a convergence device, you're locking yourself into that carrier's technology. Furthermore, take a look at all the different types of PDAs we currently have available for both PPC and the Palm OS (plus the smartphones using Symbian). We have a lot of different form-factors and feature-sets. Each appeals to different users, and there are still a lot of users who feel like there's no perfect device for their wants/needs. In order for convergence devices to completely take over, you'd need a lot more flavors of them available than we currently have.

Scott

[Dom]

Just got my P900 from Sony..... WOW.....WOW.....WOW.
Did I say WOW ?
This is one awesom piece of kit. Droolsome. Has the same effect as my first iPAQ (and I drove 100 miles to get that LOL)
Dom

[Scott R]

Just got my P900 from Sony..... WOW.....WOW.....WOW.
Did I say WOW ?
This is one awesom piece of kit. Droolsome. Has the same effect as my first iPAQ (and I drove 100 miles to get that LOL)
DomDom, do you know if the camera is any better than the P800? I was woefully unimpressed with photos I've seen coming from the P800. The Nokia 3650's camera was far better.

Scott

[Dom]

Dom, do you know if the camera is any better than the P800? I was woefully unimpressed with photos I've seen coming from the P800. The Nokia 3650's camera was far better.

Scott

Hi Scott,
I've only used the camcorder function. The screen is 10x better so the pics look better but... haven't transfered to PC to take a close look. I think the SmartPhone is dead based upon this device but .... an iPaq with phone functionality would win me over without hesitation. You could easily shrink the pixel size on a Pocket PC to give you a phone sized Pocket PC but .... well I wonder if anybody will do it ? I got an NGage too but .... will be carrying the P900. The call quality is the best they have heard according to those I have called.
Minus points ? Well my Money app flies on a NGage but is dog slow on this. It seems slower overall. OK they enhanced the interface but shame it has maybe slowed it down... maybe I have just been "spoiled" by the NGage ?
It has an anazing look and feel.... oozes build quality and thoughtful design.

Dom

[cooldw57]

3650 is cool in the first few days I got it, but then it's stupid keypad layout caused me a CAR ACCIDENT two month ago >&lt; , also its bluetooth NEVER paired up with my Laptop w/ BT PCMCIA card AND my Toshiba E755 with BT CF card. I heard rumors saying that Nokia phones got the worst BT compatibility. I tried Sony Ericcsson's T610 and it communicates with my Pocket PC perfectly, DAMN NOKIA and Finland

[Dom]

Must say my 3650 bluetooth worked perfectly. Hated number layout also. NGage is groovy and the screen is fab on it. Has a radio built in LOL but the P900 is the device I am using as my main device. Just shouts out "I am expensive" which I like LOL

[Ed Hansberry]

I really don't care for the round layout of my 3650, but I don't dislike it enough to pay to change it. I can't tell you how many times I've checked voice mail and when I am supposed to hit "*" to enter my passcode, it take me just long enough to register where the darn key is that the voice mail starts recording. :evil: So I have to hang up and dial back in, and if nothing else, delete the recording of me pressing keys I just made.

[Icebaron]

3650 is cool in the first few days I got it, but then it's stupid keypad layout caused me a CAR ACCIDENT two month ago >&lt; ,

No, being a moron and dialing a phone while driving your car caused you a car accident.

[ctmagnus]

3650 is cool in the first few days I got it, but then it's stupid keypad layout caused me a CAR ACCIDENT two month ago >&lt; ,

No, being a moron and dialing a phone while driving your car caused you a car accident.

Thank god somebody said it. I mean, does anyone really think this is a good thing to do? If you MUST dial a phone while driving at least get one that accepts voice commands and USE them. Keep your eyes on the road, not the phone!

[tourdewolf]

PDA Horoscope ;0)
Give it 12 months and none of us will be using 2 devices :)
Guaranteed.
Dom



Well it's been over 12 months, what's the horoscope say for next year?

[dommasters]

Is everybody using just one device then ? I have a P910 to code with but just one machine for personal use - an imate Jam. Brilliant device so far.

Horoscope for 2005 ?

MS will announce a touch screen Smartphone ... or kill it off and concentrate on imate Jam type devices :0)

Dom

[Ed Hansberry]

PDA Horoscope ;0)
Give it 12 months and none of us will be using 2 devices :)
Guaranteed.
Dom



Well it's been over 12 months, what's the horoscope say for next year?
Heh. Still a dual device user here. :D

[Darius Wey]

Heh. Still a dual device user here. :D

Make that two of us. I don't think I'll be going to "one device" anytime soon... ;)