| Nokia 9210i Communicator |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 |
| Announced | 2002 |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 158 X 56 X 27 Mm |
| Weight | 244 G |
| Display |
| Type | Tft, 4096 Colors |
| Size | 640 X 200 Pixels, 110 X 35 Mm |
| | - Second Display (80x48 Pixels) |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Monophonic, Wav |
| Customization | Download, |
| Vibration | No |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | Many |
| Call Records | |
| Card Slot | Mmc, |
| | - Total 40mb, 8 Mb Sd-ram
- Processor: 32-bit Arm9-based Risc Cpu |
| Data |
| Gprs | No |
| Hscsd | Yes |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Usb | |
| Features |
| Os | Open Symbian, Based On Symbian V6.0, Series 80 Ui |
| Messaging | Sms, Email, Fax |
| Browser | Wap, Html, Flash 5 Animations |
| Clock | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes |
| Games | Yes |
| Colors | Black |
| Camera | No |
| | - Video Streaming
- Attachment Viewers
- Video Player
- Office: Word, Spreadsheet And Presentation Viewer
- Imaging (camera Connectivity) |
| Battery |
| | Standard, Li-ion 1300 Mah (bll-3) |
| Stand-by | Up To 230 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 4 - 10 H |
|
Nokia - 9210i CommunicatorTake-2 with the Nokia 9210i
24 November 2002
Written by Kinny Cheng
Take a closer look!
Major features
High-resolution 4096-colour wide LCD screen
Increased internal memory available
External memory card slot (MMC standard)
CSD and HSCSD data connections
Symbian OS-based
“Mobile office” features
Internet applications - e-mail, WAP & improved WWW browsers
Built-in audio and video support through RealOne Player
Built-in Flash player (support for vector graphics within WWW browser)
Speakerphone feature
Concatenated (long) SMS and picture messaging support
PC and SyncML synchronisation compatibility
Problems/Issues?
Missing Bluetooth and GPRS connectivity options
Sales package (should contain):
1 x Nokia 9210i Communicator unit
1 x lithium-ion battery @ 1300 mAh
1 x fast charger (ACP-12 variant)
1 x data cable (DLR-2L)
1 x 9210i CD-ROM (software & guides)
1 x 9210i user guide
1 x 9210i settings checklist
1 x 9210i “quick guide to mobile services” sheet
1 x 9210i “getting started guide” and “accessories guide”
1 x 9210i “applications guide”
Overview
The “improved” version of Nokia’s communicator product, the 9210i, doesn’t look much different to its predecessor model - still being the big chunk that comes with a long list of available features, appealing to individuals that rather not carry their laptop around with them. There are some new things on this communicator model that will make life somewhat easier. But to have the trailing “i” within its model number, it has to at least come with some sort of advancement, right?
New/outstanding features
Probably the biggest and most beneficial change is the increased availability of built-in memory on the Communicator - up to 16MB of user memory is now available, as compared to the mere 2MB on the 9210. The built-in WWW (World Wide Web) browser comes with several improvements as well - now supporting CSS and JavaScript, the ability to open two browser windows at the same time, and a content sensitive pointer and edge sensitive scrolling. Macromedia’s Flash Player and RealNetwork’s RealOne Player have been included as well.
On the basic phone functionality side of things, picture messaging support has been added as well.
Physical aspects
Nokia has changed the colour used for the keypad to a silvery base, which coincides with the key colours below the small LCD screen. This physical variation is probably used to distinguish the 9210i from the previous 9210 model, but does make the exterior kinda look better also! :)
Apart from that, everything is virtually the same - keyboard layout, LCD screen, exterior design, and its high quality build. A very solid PDA phone indeed!
User Interface & display
The 9210i retains the same Symbian OS user interface as previously found on the 9210. In addition to the QWERTY keyboard, the 4-way navigation key facilitates the “moving around” part on the 9210i, while quick access keys above the number buttons allow the respective functions to be brought up instantaneously. Four soft keys on the right of the display provide context-sensitive functionality.
On the outside, the phone interface is very similar to any other Nokia phone menu layout - but has been cut down to only relevant phone functions only. These include a basic messaging interface, call registers, call divert, and IR activation only. Other functions are only accessible from the primary communicator interface.
Making and receiving calls
You can take the calls directly via the 9210i’s earpiece or through its speakerphone. To switch between the two, simply have the communicator interface opened to enable the speakerphone ability - and have it closed up to talk like with any old phone! Call quality using either method is as good as any other mobile phone or desktop speakerphone.
There is also the headset or car kit accessory available for the Nokia 9200 Communicator series of PDA phones. Probably one of the very few PDA phones to come with the latter ability.
Messaging
One would reckon a QWERTY keyboard is going to make all the difference when it comes to messaging. But don’t forget the size of the keys when compared to the one on your laptop or PC! The QWERTY keyboard on the 9210i isn’t too small. But alike most handheld devices with a fixed keyboard, there’s nothing much we can do but accustom ourselves into using it.
The 9210i comes with several messaging methods - including the standard SMS, Internet email, and fax transmissions. All this can be accessed via the “Messaging” quick access key from the communicator interface. Should you only need to type a few words, SMS messages can still be composed through the phone interface. Take note that T9 is not supported on the 9210i.
Build quality
The construction of the 9210i is probably one of the best when compared with its sister products (probably because of the type of people using their Communicator-based products). You should not be able to find any flimsiness or unusual sounds - even on prolonged use!
Battery life
A high-capacity, 1300 mAh lithium-ion is supplied with the 9210i’s sale package, and provides good battery times for all situations. Of course, if you end up using the PDA functions more on a single charge, the overall talk and standby times will vary significantly. On average use, I was able to attain approximately 4-5 days standby and around 3-4 hours of talk time.
Major features...
High-resolution 4096-colour wide LCD screen
The 9210i comes with a high-resolution, full colour screen featuring up to 4096 colours. Many of the applications, including the built-in Internet browsers and multimedia software, can fully utilise this feature to bring out the best effects possible.
Increased internal memory available
An increased amount of built-in memory is one of the 9210i’s strong points. Given the hike in file sizes for data files and third party applications, it becomes a necessity to have memory space available when it is needed. Internal application memory has been increased to 16MB (14MB on 9210), while user memory is now at 16MB (with 6MB of this occupied by pre-installed applications).
External memory card slot (MMC standard)
Memory cards (with the MultiMediaCard standard) can be used to store information and applications on the 9210i. Information stored on such memory cards can be accessed either through the appropriate applications or via the 9210i’s built-in file manager utility.
CSD and HSCSD data connections
Applications with the ability to establish data connections can utilise the 9210i’s data modem, which supports CSD (Circuit Switched Data) and HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) networks - having speeds of up to 9.6 kbps and 43.2 kbps respectively.
Symbian OS-based
The 9210i features the Symbian OS, an operating system optimised for wireless devices (such as mobile phones). Having an open standard, this allows for developers to easily write or create software based in either Java or C++ languages, which can ultimately be executed on the phone itself.
“Mobile office” features
Software found on the 9210i, such as the word processor, spreadsheet, presentation viewer, calendar and contacts, have been designed to be compatible with Microsoft Office-based formats. For example, you are able to view and edit Word and Excel documents, while being able to review PowerPoint presentations and have complete access to contacts and calendar information from Outlook or Schedule+ programs. In addition, e-mails and faxes can also be sent from the ‘Messaging’ feature in addition to the standard SMS messages, and a voice recorder is also featured for those notes that you rather take down saying them!
Internet applications - e-mail, WAP & improved WWW browsers
In addition to e-mail, a WAP and WWW browser has been included allowing for the browsing of WML and HTML-coded pages in colour. The improved WWW browser comes with support for CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript, as well as the ability to open up two browser windows at the same time (previously un-doable on the 9210). Lastly, browser navigation has been improved with the addition of edge-sensitive scrolling and a content-sensitive pointer.
Built-in audio and video support through RealOne Player
The 9210i comes built-in with RealNetwork’s RealOne Player. Being very much similar to the PC version, it has the ability to stream compatible audio and video content from the Internet.
Built-in Flash player (support for vector graphics within WWW browser)
Additionally, the 9210i’s web browser comes with support for pages that include vector-based graphics. The built-in Flash player can display web pages with Flash-based animations, menus and graphics - alike the browser on a standard PC.
Speakerphone feature
The 9210i comes with a speakerphone option, allowing phone calls to be taken without the need to actually hold the 244-gram device up against your face all the time. Audio on the speakerphone is sufficiently loud, and does beat having an aching arm after those long talks!
Concatenated (long) SMS and picture messaging support
A basic set of messaging features are available on the 9210i - including the ability to send and receive concatenated SMS (up to 1500 characters supported) and picture messages. Most people would compose their messages with the QWERTY keyboard, since the outer phone interface does not provide support for T9 predictive text input.
PC and SyncML synchronisation compatibility
Software provided with the sales package allows you to synchronise information on a 9210i with those from Windows applications, such as Microsoft Outlook/Schedule+ and Lotus Notes/Organiser - keeping similar copies on both devices for convenience and portability. The SyncML standard, which is built into the 9210i, allows for the universal synchronisation of remote data and personal information across differing platforms, networks and devices. This allows for information, such as those found in contacts directory and calendar data, to be synchronised with appropriate databases located on internal or external servers without protocol standards restrictions.
Problems/Issues?
Missing Bluetooth and GPRS connectivity options
One of the more disappointing aspects of the 9210i is the non-inclusion of features such as Bluetooth and GPRS, which I would consider as “important” and “practical” features for the Communicator user.
I’m surprised that Nokia has gone to the trouble of implementing vast improvements in the 9210i’s WWW browser and including the RealOne Player, when we’re still restricted to a narrow bandwidth option (via CSD). And to remember that not a lot of GSM networks in the world support HSCSD too!
Throwing GPRS into the 9210i would have been a big plus. Bluetooth may just complete the granting of the “wish list” for this new Communicator model!
The 9210i would have been a worthy upgrade if such features had been included.
In Summary
Up till today, I still find Nokia’s 9200 Communicator series of PDA phones being well designed and fitted with most of the necessary features for the mobile businessman.
But the 9210i isn’t a phone to get all excited about if you’re a current 9210 user who is considering an upgrade. Sure, Nokia has managed to throw in a few more features plus improvements to its WWW browser. But I would not consider these innovations as significant - but mere improvements to the existing product only.
So for those first-time seekers of a PDA phone, the 9210i is a very good candidate to consider if you are looking for an all-in-one device. |
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