An unexpected parcel arrived yesterday following the launch of the N97 and announcement of Nokia Maps 3.0 and I was excited to find out what it could be!!! Thanks to the guys at WomWorld, I found out that they had sent me a Nokia 6210 Navigator and BH-602 bluetooth headset!!!
For a period of two weeks I am lucky enough to trial the Navigator and with a license code for the BETA version of Maps 3.0, I could really put both the device and the new application through its paces and share my thoughts with you!!!
First of all, here’s an unboxing to show you what I have received and a little look around the handset!!!
The devices came in a really nice hinged box – about the size of a shoebox – covered with imagery of countries around the world. This isn’t a retail box that you would get by the way, but a special box promoting the new version of Nokia Maps.
On opening the lid you are met by sketches of 3D buildings and lots of different mapsters, below the sketches you notice an image of the 6210 Navigator and links to the Nokia Maps website.
Below two flaps, presented in a protective ‘tray’ you get to see the 6210 navigator and BH-602 bluetooth headset! In this area you also see the new features/benifits of Maps 3.0 on the reverse side of the flaps. Underneath this tray are all the accessories you would expect to find in a retail box – chargers for both the 6210 and BH-602, user guides for both and a CD with software you can use with the device. As well as this you will alsp find a microUSB cable to connect your phone to the computer and a Nokia Headset that makes use of the 2.5mm audio jack on the top of the device. Sadly, unlike some other headset adaptors, there isn’t a 3.5mm connector on the top of this adaptor and instead the earphones are wired to the answer/end call control ‘box’.
Another interesting addition is an unusual Share on Ovi ’sticker’. On it there is a link to the Share on Ovi website and a code that you can scan using the Nokia Barcode Scanner to retreive a link directly on the phone to the website. Strangely though, the barcode scanner isn’t preinstalled on the 6210 Navigator so you have to download this software to retreive the address. Also, unless you know, there is no way of telling what you are supposed to do with this code!
Let’s take a look at the 6210 Navigator! The 6210 is a slide phone and has a classic Nokia design. Like with recent Nseries devices, the 6210’s face and keypad make use of a glossy black plastic material which can be prone to fingerprints and smudges!!! What is different is that the rest of the phone makes use of matte black and silver/grey plastics. The back cover also feels more rough in comparison to the shiney finished devices I am used to. This helps make it feel like it won’t slip out of our hands and doesn’t attract moisture when in use. Even though both of these factors are plusses, I personally prefer the shinier patterned backs from Nseries.
On the right hand side of the device you will find the volume rocker and camera key, and on the top a standard Nokia power port and a 2.5mm jack. On the left hand side, you will find access to the microUSB port and memory card slot. Another thing I found that is different in comparison to Nseries models is the fact that these ‘doors’ are actually hinged using plactic instead of having a flexible rubber hinge which make them feel much more sturdy.
Moving on to the back of the handset, here (as you’d expect) you find the camera. The 6210 has a 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus as well as a dualLED flash. There is no Carl Zeiss lens here and unfortunately no camera cover to protect it. Luckily though, the camera itself is recessed so that it isn’t flush with the back cover. Because of this the camera will be protected from scratches, but dust etc. can still get to the lens. Also on the back (in the bottom right corner if you have the phone in your hand) is a mono speaker. I think that this is a poor position to be – especially as the 6210 is targeted as a navigation device. The speaker gets covered by your hand when in use so if you are using the Maps application for example in pedestrian mode holding the device, the speaker will get muffled and it will be more difficult to hear the commands. I think the speaker would have been much more suited on the top or even the side of the device as this would be a much better position.
On the top half of the slide you’ll find the two selection keys, call and end keys as well as the S60 menu key and ‘C’ key. The buttons have plenty of space around them and if you have bigger fingers there shouldn’t be a problem!!! At first I thought that the menu and ‘C’ keys would be quite small and fiddly to use, but even though they aren’t large keys, they are raised and are on a higher level than the others which makes them just as easy to press and access. In the centre you will find a large and spacious D-Pad and underneath, a new button which gives quick access to the Nokia Maps application. This button also lights up and flashes when a GPS connection is being made.
The numberpad has large keys and they provide good feedback. There isn’t much room to press numbers 1-3 however because the top slider seems to get in the way. The only other key to have a problem was the number 8 but I think that it is just a defect with my review unit – it seems to be stiffer than the others. Another thing to note is that the 6210 has a blue backlight to the keys instead of the usual Nseries white.
Here’s a quick rundown of the specs of the 6210 Navigator! It runs on S60 Feature Pack 2 and features a bright 2.4″ LCD display. You naturally get a built-in GPS receiver which supports A-GPS – but unfortunately it doesn’t support WiFi. 
Apart from that the 6210 is a capable device which supports all other types of connectivity including 3G for Europe and HSDPA. It is powerered by a BL-5F 950mAh battery!
I’ll be using the 6210 as my primary device to really put the device and the Maps application through it’s paces so stay tuned for my thoughts!!!
Last but by no means least is the BH-602 that came packaged in the box!!! The BH-602 is a a stylish, good looking headset constructed out of plastic with chrome accents and has a soft touch (what looks to be leather) face which is very nice. It is one of the longer headsets that I have tested measuring in at 70×10x10mm but nevertheless it is very comfortable to wear and at 18g it feels very light.
On the left hand side/the top of the headset when worn is the volume rocker for ease of access during a call. Even though i’ve always had a good experience which touch based alternatives to the volume rocker, it’s nice to see a hardware rocker back on the headset because it will be easier for more people to get used to. I think Nokia’s rocking switch method is the best over traditional buttons to control the volume (like on a phone). The rocker springs back into the middle and you tilt it from side to side to control the volume.
On the right hand side/the bottom is a power key which is very easy to press and doesn’t require much force. On the top of the headset you will find a standard Nokia power port and at the bottom as you would expect is where the microphone is located. On the back you find the earpiece which has a flexible rubber cap over the end so that it will ‘mould’ to your earhole and fit comfortably and securely. What is different about the BH-602 in comparison to other Nokia headsets is the earloop. It is a rubber earloop which hooks over the back your ear and inside this rubber seems to be some kind of wire so u can shape the end if you need to so that it fits comfortably.
On the face of the headset you will see a long ’strip’. Here is where you will see different coloured LED notifications when the headset is in use making them clear and easy to see. Another good thing is that these LED lights are at the perfect brightness so that they are easy to see but not bright to light up a room!!! Because of this you won’t see them/look like a fool when driving in the dark!!! 
I will demonstrate the LED indicators in my next post about the headset!!!
So here is my look at the little surprise I received, once again a big thank you to WomWorld for sending them out to me and stay tuned for more posts on both devices!!!!
Filed under: Technology | Tagged: Review
