Last night at the January 2012 edition of Mobile Monday Nigeria, I got a quick time to play with the Nokia Lumia 800.
Here are a few pictures that I took.
First Impressions
I have used two Windows Phone devices before now, and so I am already familiar with the OS and UI. It runs fluid on the Lumia 800. Very fluid.
In addition, Nokia’s homegrown services, Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive and Nokia Music are present.
Hardware-wise, the Lumia is almost a replica of the N9′s superb body. It is sleek in the hand and to the eyes. However, the display being 3.7 inches felt really cramped to me.
Personally, Windows Phone looks the most superb on displays of 4 inches and above. It works the same but larger displays certainly make it look better.
Nigeria Launch
We still do not have an official word on the launch date for Nokia’s Windows Phone devices here in Nigeria, so enthusiasts will have to wait a while.
This post was written by
Mister Mobility – who has written 937 posts on Mobility blog.
Founder, Mobility blog. Serial lifestyle entrepreneur, speaker, wordsmith, and friendly neighbourhood alien. Follow him on Twitter @Mister_Mobility.
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January 31st, 2012 at 9:54 am Browsing with
Windows Phone is an interesting OS. I’ve used WP on a Samsung Focus which I believe is less than 4″. Given the choice between the HTC Titan or Radar I would go for the latter. The good thing is that there are options out there. Maybe it’s just preference?
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January 31st, 2012 at 10:01 am Browsing with
Love the hardware.
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January 31st, 2012 at 10:28 am Browsing with
Great! Really Great!! God knows I’d snap the Lumia 800 immediately it’s available in Nigeria!
Questions, Mr Mobility; what is the difference between Nokia Maps and Nokia Drive! And why is the darn phone not yet available in Naija?
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January 31st, 2012 at 10:31 am Browsing with
A beautiful OS indeed.
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January 31st, 2012 at 11:23 am Browsing with
I like the hardware but the memory card omission and the Bluetooth file transfer issues on Windows Phone 7 devices is a big problem as long as I am concerned.
The reviews of the performance of the Windows Phone 7 OS and the UI and if UX is generally good, but so is iOS devices. Microsoft is copying Apple’s business model with very little modification and I’m wondering who they intend to impress with that model.
iPhone users worship Apple and what they shove their way and won’t likely give Windows Phone 7 devices a look-in, Android users also adore the freedom offered them by the OS, Nokia has been wooed into the Microsoft OS to help convert their massive crowd following to Windows Phone but I guess a good number of them also cherish the kind of freedom they are already used to on Symbian devices, This is going to be a tough road for both Nokia and Microsoft I can’t see the likes of Eye.Bee.Kay being confined to the Microsoft’s Apple-look-alike matrix for the sake of brand loyalty, certainly not after bragging in the process open about Symbian versatility.
Mr. mobility has always been very dynamical or should I say capricious about things and I’m certain he would not lack a grammatical workaround to take care of his reasons for switching to WP7. Of course we know the nature of his job demands a degree of dynamism.
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January 31st, 2012 at 11:34 am Browsing with
Herry,
Actually, I am undecided yet as to what to use personally. Its been tough going sifting and settling – and I haven’t settled yet. My plan is to choose a platform and buy a phone that I like for use on that platform, while review phones can come and go as the sun rises and sets.
That way, I can keep my prefered phone for as long as I want and still keep dynamism alive on Mobility blog.
Just as you have stated, the WP UI is really elegant and lots of things work exceptionally well on that platform. Windows Phone easilly qualifies as my best UI. But, the lack of Bluetooth file transfer and mass storage is a big issue. I don’t want to convert audio and video before playing.
You summed it up nicely here: “I guess a good number of them also cherish the kind of freedom they are already used to on Symbian devices”
Going from Symbian to Windows Phone would be like moving from an open, free, standard middle class residence in the inner city to a locked in, heavily guarded palatial mansion in the suburbs. A mansion, yes; but locked in with high barbed wire fences.
I don’t know again jare!
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January 31st, 2012 at 11:39 am Browsing with
Afewgoodmen,
Nokia maps & Nokia Drives are twin apps. The latter derives from the former and is what you use when you need audio and visual directions to drive around town. I’m not sure why they were made into two applications, as it seems to me that Drive could simply have been implemented in Maps.
Why the darn phone isn’t available yet in Nigeria? Well, it is available unofficially in some stores (read: No Warranty), but officially, Nokia is yet to launch it here.
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January 31st, 2012 at 11:41 am Browsing with
I may be wrong, but check this out.
Going from Symbian to Windows Phone would be like moving from an open, free, standard middle class residence in the inner city (ANDROID) to a locked in, heavily guarded palatial mansion in the suburbs(iOS). A mansion, yes; but locked in with high barbed wire fences.
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January 31st, 2012 at 11:44 am Browsing with
For me I always love to do things I like in a free way, not being confined or restricted especially in a mobile world. Windows phone might have a wonderful UI and UX with all fluidity but why having a phone that I cannot share files through blue tooth? without an external memory support? that I cannot copy and past…. Nokia as a manufacturer is a great brand with quality hardware specs, but windows OS is a no go area for me.
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January 31st, 2012 at 12:47 pm Browsing with
@Harry, you are correct in saying I would not touch a WinPhone7 (or Android!) as it is.Too many restrictions.
I simply do not value UX fluidity that much- to throw away indispensable conveniences to which I am used -on Symbian.
@Mr Mobility, your best bet, i think, is to remain loyal to Symbian (on a personal level).
When all these other wanabee OSes get their acts right, you may try some infidelity….;-)
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January 31st, 2012 at 1:11 pm Browsing with
@Harry Echemco you described yourself as an Android Fanboy.
I am not a fanboy of anything, Symbian inclusive. i just use what works for me. No brand loyalty!
It may shock you- if an OS emerges That provides all the features i so much cherish on Symian (without introducing extraneous negative issues), and MORE- i would jump unto such a device. In a heartbeat, FUNDS willing!
No such mobile OS esists -YET..
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January 31st, 2012 at 1:49 pm Browsing with
after years on feature phones and symbian. I cant imagine a smartphone without bluetooth file transfer. Wait. I see a friend’s lovely pic and i cant collect It? I see dbanj’s new single video and i cant transfer? I have to go and download myself? This kinda phone cant work In naija market. Its insane. Does elop think abt us at all? Even if developing countries dont make the bulk of smartphone market. What abt the individuals currently wit symbian and looking for an upgrade..WP7 Is a big downgrade for me. its not all abt a sleek UI. Android and Blackberry seems to be d most reasonable option for folks around here now looking to use a smartphone..i wish we could ve a new ecosystem. A symbian-like OS In terms Of resource Efficiency. Has all the functionality out-of-the-box. Doesnt gulp data. Not limited to mandatory Internet subscription. Good battery life. Gets the job done. Have at least 200k apps..
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January 31st, 2012 at 2:23 pm Browsing with
Long live belle
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January 31st, 2012 at 2:33 pm Browsing with
But lumia requires internet data connection for it live tiles update, which means monthly data plan is required to use WPs!!!!!!! CRAP!!!!!
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January 31st, 2012 at 2:53 pm Browsing with
All these symbian fanboys obviously havent used anything other than symbian thats why somebody can say he hasnt seen an OS that does all what symbian does. Are you kidding me. Symbian is restricted compared to android. How many apps do you have on symbian? I have apps that a symbian user cannot even dream of. Symbian is dead! Accept it and move on or sink with it. Your choice. How will someone want to access the net and still complain about buying data plans? If you dont want data plans, simply do Pay As You Go. Or you can use your phone for offline games and text messaging. To browse is not by force
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January 31st, 2012 at 3:01 pm Browsing with
@Eye.Bee.Kay
Yes I described myself as an Android fanboy for your amusement. I know you will rather label me an Android fanboy even if decorum held you from doing that and I am not denying this so long as Google maintains their business model as regards Android OS.
I said it yesterday that Symbian is not even a likely option when I am due for update but it may surprise you to know that if Google decides to change the rules tomorrow by disabling Bluetooth, USB mass storage and memory card support, and Symbian devices are still out there, then Symbian will suddenly become an option.
The truth is that Symbian is not entirely bad, but with Android still in existence, Symbian can only belong to yesterday. Given how much Symbian had served in the past, this is a very sorry but basic fact. But so is Polaroid camera. Symbian will painfully but firmly remain in our hearts and past.
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January 31st, 2012 at 5:18 pm Browsing with
Now, @Efe, do not be so melodramatic.
Trying to pull my NOSE?
People who KNOW better have done comparisons. The result? While Android has more variety, there is hardly ANY app category that does not have equivalents on both sides.
Care to list one or twof those Incredible Android apps that Simbians can not dream of?
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January 31st, 2012 at 5:20 pm Browsing with
I really was preparing to love these lumias until the specs dawned on me. It may be usable for users in the US & Europe market where you can easily share files through dropbox and likes. But here in naija, I won’t wanna spend my hard earned data to send or receive video,audio,pics e.t.c when other platforms are providing Bluetooth with which to achieve this at no cost.
A Nokia device running WP7 was my dream upgrade from my former sgs. Changed my mind immediately I learned about its specs and went for the sgs2 instead.
Still hope that someday in the future Elop will consider the rest of us in developing countries and make our Bluetooth available on WP7.
Also, the same reasons I run away from ios, Elop is implementing in WP7. no mass storage, at the mercy of Zune, e.t.c
naaaaa…. WP7 ain’t ready for me yet.
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February 1st, 2012 at 7:39 am Browsing with
does this phone have NFC,perhaps thats the weak reason for not including bluetooth file transfer
The other theory is that.Elop been a mole planted behind enemy lines is continuing with a script,wgich is to sink the Nokia platform.Afterall was he not the one who describe nokia as a burning platform
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