Nokia E63 Tries to Challenge My S60 Device Perception
I can’t spend too much time with it yet because my review queue is fairly backed up, but I received a loaner Nokia E63 device today. This is the unlocked U.S. version (E63-2) that runs around $279: it works on both the T-Mobile and AT&T networks, but I believe the 3G only works on AT&T’s frequencies. I’ll double-check on that, but since I only have the AT&T SIM from my iPhone I won’t be testing on T-Mobile.
The price is great for an unsubsidized S60 device, and it’s fairly feature loaded as well: QWERTY keypad, 2.36-inch QVGA display, 1500mAh battery, microSD slot, miniUSB port, Bluetooth, WiFi, A-GPS, 2MP camera, speakerphone, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. As far as 3G speeds go, this device doesn’t support HSDPA, so the maximum upload and download speeds are 384kbps. A few quick tests show that I’m getting around 200kbps in the home office.
Since I live in Google services, I immediately installed the supporting Gmail application which supports multiple accounts. I’ve got my work and personal mail up and running as a result. Since Google recently launched their Google Sync service, I figured I’d be able to use that for two-way synchronization of Contacts and Calendar items. I was half right. On S60, Google Sync only supports Contacts with SyncML. I have that working fine but I had to resort to another over-the-air solution for my appointments. None appear to do exactly what I need (for free, anyway; GooSync will — if I pay), as I want multiple calendars synchronized. I looked at the Seven beta but ultimately decided upon CalSync60 for now. Seven will handle e-mail as well as a calendar, but I’d prefer to use Google’s application for that. Speaking of applications: Nokia’s PC Suite doesn’t run Mac OS X. Guess that’s what “PC” means in the title. 
That means if an app can’t be installed over-the-air, you have to get the installtion file on the phone another way. The fastest I’ve found is to simply download the application file onto a Mac. Then pair the phone with the Mac over Bluetooth. A simple Right-Click on the file offers an option to send it over Bluetooth to a device.
Armed with my contacts and e-mail, I’m going to put my iPhone on the shelf for a little while. I figure that I’ve likely underappeciated S60 devices in the past, even though I find the UI a bit inelegant. I’m trying to approach this device as if it were my very first daily smartphone, in order to ensure I learn as much as I can about the experience. If you have suggestions for good applications I should be trying, I’m all ears!
Google’s ActiveSync sync of Contacts and Calendar works with S60. The only issue is that only the default calendar is synced. http://blog.lanthaler.org/2009/02/nokia-e71-gmail-calendar-and-contacts.html
Funny that you mention this. After I wrote the post, I got the idea to try Mail for Exchange and use the Nuevasync solution I’d written about previously. I have it working with multiple calendars right now, but perhaps using Google with Mail for Exchange directly is the way to go. Thanks!
Update: actually, I hit up the comments in the link you provided and it looks like Calendar sync doesn’t work or isn’t stable, nor does it work with multiple calendars. The Nuevasync solution I have working does, so I think I’ll stick with that for now.
Hi ! You can find almost all Symbian apps here: http://my-symbian.com/main/index.php !
The E63 doesn’t have 3G. The 3G, Infared and a 3.2 Mpixel camera are what you get when you step up to the E71.
Buckenator, I hate to get technical, but it’s worth setting the record straight: The E63 DOES have 3G. It has UTMS. However, it does not have “3.5G” (i.e. HSPA) as it is often called. The 384kpbs up/down speeds are most definitely considered 3G.
Correct, it is 3G, but as slow as you can get and still technically be 3G. I’m spoiled by my EV-DO Rev. A.
Besides HSDPA, the 3.2MP camera and the IR port, as Buckinator pointed out, the E71 also offers the extremely rugged metal frame and 10mm of thickness (vs. 13mm for the E63).
You should really take a look at the E71 as I’ve mentioned before. It has US 3G, as well as GPS. Its thinner, and yes GoogSync does work, for everything, Contacts, Notes, ect…its really quite nice to be honest.
Yup, I almost bought an E71 about a week ago for $280. It’s back up to $320, so I’ve held off. I may not have my AT&T SIM much longer, so as an investment, the E71 might not be a good purchase for me; even with the features it offers over the E63. Same with GooSync: it may work really well, but the phone is a review unit. Buying a yearly service for it isn’t in my best interest at this time.
Nice, finally someone from the US using symbian S60 in public
. In europe an emea it´s like Blackberrys in North America. For most because of the huge base of apps and you don´t need any kind of bis/bes to use mailing,turn by turn (a)gps, tethering … Nimbuzz is a nice Multi IM. You can also use facebook and SIP (voip) with it.
Did nokia stop exchange support?
Symbian is maybe “ugly” but only on it you can have apps like Joikuspot!
Hi Kevin! I’m an E63 owner from the Philippines. A bunch of us (regular participants in one of the local tech forums) have put together a wiki about the E63 (it’s a work in progress) and we’ve listed down some of the apps that have been tested to work on the phone. Most of the apps we’ve tested are freeware/free-to-use.
http://tipidcpe63.wikispaces.com
Looks very helpful to me; thanks!
Divx mobile
Coreplayer
Joikuspot
IM+
Mobbler
Youtube S60 App
X-plore
SMSPreview
PythonForS60
Symtorrent
Nokia Audiobook