Posted by Mia in 
Nokia E61i is a typical case of “fixing the mistakes”, redesign and technical re-equipment of an existing model phone, which either had a lack of popularity among users, or experienced a shortage of certain functions necessary for the phones of its class.
In our case, the initial model was already familiar to consumers as E61; can not say that this unit met a cold reception in the market, or suffered from obvious technical deficiencies. The audience kept E61 with confidence, but it’s time to freshen up the attention of several potential customers, updating both the “stuffing” of the phone, and its design.
As with the previous model, E61i is made on the notebook form factor, and is equipped with a full alphanumeric keyboard, as well as the platform continues to be from the undying Series 60, which has, I think, just an inexhaustible reserve of strength.
Design
With regard to the design of Nokia E61i, then, at a first glance, it has undergone no major changes. Some changes have been made in color palette thanks to which the device began to look more stylish (which is quite important).
But if you take Nokia E61i in hands, it will be felt that the device is thinner than its predecessor. Very little, maybe a couple millimeters, but for such an impressive body size, even such savings (in the first place it has been achieved by reducing the size of the battery) are noticeable – in fact E61i supposed to wear in a jacket pocket, where extra space is not enough.
And that’s the main thing – it would not only fit, but it does not bulge. By the way, the developers replaced at the same time and covered the internal compartment – now it is made of durable metal alloy.
Keyboard
The keyboard has been changed greately; it is interesting that the new owners have to re-type the text as those users who are not familiar with predecessor, Nokia E61i, and the owners of this model.
This is primarily due to the fact that the developers have changed the size of the alphanumeric keys. Previously, they were more flat and wide, in E61i surface of each button has decreased, but its height – on the contrary, was slightly increased.
A couple of days working with Nokia E61i, typing speed went into the familiar rhythm.
Even the navigation keys changed more radically, and these changes are only welcomed. Vanished joystick, which is not only quite distracting from the overall design of the phone, but was not too easy to use, and has been replaced by a more familiar flat four-position key.
In addition to it, as well as two traditional context keys and buttons receive a call, and rebound in the navigation unit has four buttons for quick access to particular functions – a notebook, the main menu of the operating system (that is, of course, Simbian 9.1) and a message center.
The fourth button allows the owner to use it as he/she wants – for example, it may start the organizer, or some frequently used applications.
Display and Camera
E61i screen is positioned horizontally – another feature, designed to facilitate the work with text documents. Specifications of the display remained the same; it is based on a matrix that supports the resolution of QVGA (240×320 pixels) in full color (16 million) mode.
Depending on the application simultaneously on the screen may appear eight lines of text, in most cases this is enough for comfortable work. If you switch to a smaller font (eg, utility for reading books), the eyes begin to be tense. On the other hand, the screen in the traditional spirit of Nokia is made in a bright and high-contrast, it is very tolerant under bright summer sun, and working with it is a real pleasure.
Yes, and look at a video display much more convenient than a phone with a vertical layout. However, E61i has somewhat a different purpose.
The camera, which was completely absent in E61, appeared in E61i. The latter is equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, but its lack in E61 was felt all the time.
Now the problem is solved, and users must remain satisfied, it is worth noting that, despite the dimensions of the shell, the owner can easily take photos.
E61i in size is closer to today’s handheld digital cameras. It has 2 GB memory thanks to microSD cards.
Of course, you need to remove the metal cover, but it’s better than the removal of the battery.
Actually, potential buyers of E61i are interested in its software. First and foremost it is worth emphasizing that the phone supports a wide range of data protocols: here and quad band of GSM-transmitter, and GPRS to WCDMA, and more local Bluetooth (up to 62-65 kb / s), Wi-Fi and infrared.
Due to this, the owner of E61i will feel comfortable both in urban spaces, and the corporate information environment. By the way, E61i supports connectivity to gateways and Blackberry.
Communication functions of E61i include the primarily work with e-mail, with the device supporting push email (but it needs support from the server, as well as the need to install the gateway software – but it’s freely downloaded from the Nokia web site). There is a the default mode, the phone itself is drawn to the mail server through POP3 or (more correctly, but, again, depends on the configuration of the server) IMAP at given intervals. Of course, the user can check mail from multiple mailboxes.
Large advantage of Nokia E61i is ease of setup. All parameters are automatically determined immediately after receiving a service message from the operator; e-mail, of course, is not counted, you have to manually configure it, but it takes a few minutes including the procedure for checking server availability and accuracy of a login and password. As a Web browser using the clone Web Core – one of the best mobile solutions to date, the new version which includes a built-in RSS-agent, perhaps it is not as convenient as special programs, but does not require installing any additional software.
Synchronizing with your computer, as usual with Nokia, is using Communication Suite, which disk is attached to the phone. Although the relationship can be established from the infrared port or Bluetooth, a sales kit includes USB-cable.
For business people
In addition to communication applications E61i has already “charged” business applications, first among which is QuickOffice – a package that supports the work with text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations compatible with products from Microsoft Office programs and lets you edit these documents.
To read PDF-files, the phone has a mobile version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. In addition, the device insertion includes such traditional applications as editor and organizer reminders that support data exchange with Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Outlook. To search for files (still a big flash card of their climbs abound) the owner of E61i can use the built-in file manager, but to save space – Archiver ZIP.
In addition to business applications on the phone there is an already installed standard music player, and RealPlayer to view streaming video from the Internet and Flash Player, reproducing animation clips.
Games can not be found in memory of E61i, but given a fair amount of entertainment software for the S60 platform. The owner can download them on network. He/she can also download other useful software (maps of world time, the weather around the world, and a voice recorder, without limitation records of one minu te).
Conclusion
Nokia E61i leaves an impression of a real business device without any “vignettes”, “flowers”, “Amusement Park” in the form of toys, a separate button for the player, a powerful audio player. In return there is a function designed to help, if you’re out of office, without a laptop on your knees, but the presentation must be read, however, like to work with e-mail. And of course, build quality, elegant design and a long battery life.
