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mocelet · 11-10-2007, 06:06 AM

I have a Nokia E65, which does everything you want (with some extra software in some cases) except the comfy typing. If you want a full keyboard I believe the E61 or E61i are essentially the same phone as the E65 but with a full thumb keyboard. Alternatively, I understand that you can use a bluetooth keyboard with the E65, but I have not tried this.

Taking your points in order...

1. Calendar built in. Displays todays events on the Active Standby screen (you have to turn Active Stanby mode on), and if there are no events today, it displays the next event. Only problem is that it removes events when the start time has passed by a few minutes, not when the end time has passed.

2. I sync to Outlook and it works brilliantly. I have a Bluetooth enabled laptop, and using the supplied PC Suite software I have it configured to sync calendar, contacts and notes everytime it makes a connection, ie every time I return to my desk. You can also sync by IR or USB cable.

3a. Email - built in email client works OK. It supports some push email systems, and can automatically check a POP or IMAP account peridoically. I have it set to use the WiFi for email because I don't have a data plan. It doesn't display HTML email (hurrah!), and I soemtimes have problems getting ti to delete emails from the server, But I would rather they stayed accidently, than got deleted accidently. I also use the mobile gMail app which is really nice.

3b. Built in browser is good and works well. I also run Opera Mini which is better for some sites, and Opera Mobile is also available (but costs money now). All software that connects to the internet can connect by GSM, 3G or WiFi, and control of what connection is used is pretty easy too.

4. Video. Supports mp4, 3gp and some flash (stardudes works, youtube doesn't) natively. I also use SmartMovie for preparing and watching AVIs and DVDs for my phone. You can also get the Nokia Multimedia Convertor tool for free if you register on the Nokia development site. Smartmovie looks better when played back though.

5. Works by IR, Bluetooth or cable. 3G connection (if you can use it) so up to 384kbps.

6. Music. MP3 player built in, but I use OggPlay because it also plays Ogg (duh!) and supports playlists and some other stuff. I have made up a cable to connect standard headphones to it because it uses a pop-port connector, shout if you want details. The sound quality isn't perfect, but it is plenty good enough if you are in a non-silent environment liek a bus, car, train or plane.

Price - Mobileplanet.com have it from $419 (unlocked in mocha or pink, red is $439 for some reason) which is just in your budget, SmartMovie costs $25 or so, but all the other software I use is free. The E61 is $435 unlocked.

Also, back on the mobile reading theme, Mobipocket software works well on this phone, and the screen is surprisingly easy on the eyes when reading. Not e-ink by any stretch, but better than a laptop.

It also does VoIP by SIP, and you can also install fring which allows you to access Skype, MSN and other IM/VoIP services from your phone.

Hope some of that helps. Ask if you have any other Qs.

11-10-2007, 06:06 AM	#3
mocelet Connoisseur Posts: 56 Karma: 11 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: iLiad / Palm Vx / Nokia E65	I have a Nokia E65, which does everything you want (with some extra software in some cases) except the comfy typing. If you want a full keyboard I believe the E61 or E61i are essentially the same phone as the E65 but with a full thumb keyboard. Alternatively, I understand that you can use a bluetooth keyboard with the E65, but I have not tried this. Taking your points in order... 1. Calendar built in. Displays todays events on the Active Standby screen (you have to turn Active Stanby mode on), and if there are no events today, it displays the next event. Only problem is that it removes events when the start time has passed by a few minutes, not when the end time has passed. 2. I sync to Outlook and it works brilliantly. I have a Bluetooth enabled laptop, and using the supplied PC Suite software I have it configured to sync calendar, contacts and notes everytime it makes a connection, ie every time I return to my desk. You can also sync by IR or USB cable. 3a. Email - built in email client works OK. It supports some push email systems, and can automatically check a POP or IMAP account peridoically. I have it set to use the WiFi for email because I don't have a data plan. It doesn't display HTML email (hurrah!), and I soemtimes have problems getting ti to delete emails from the server, But I would rather they stayed accidently, than got deleted accidently. I also use the mobile gMail app which is really nice. 3b. Built in browser is good and works well. I also run Opera Mini which is better for some sites, and Opera Mobile is also available (but costs money now). All software that connects to the internet can connect by GSM, 3G or WiFi, and control of what connection is used is pretty easy too. 4. Video. Supports mp4, 3gp and some flash (stardudes works, youtube doesn't) natively. I also use SmartMovie for preparing and watching AVIs and DVDs for my phone. You can also get the Nokia Multimedia Convertor tool for free if you register on the Nokia development site. Smartmovie looks better when played back though. 5. Works by IR, Bluetooth or cable. 3G connection (if you can use it) so up to 384kbps. 6. Music. MP3 player built in, but I use OggPlay because it also plays Ogg (duh!) and supports playlists and some other stuff. I have made up a cable to connect standard headphones to it because it uses a pop-port connector, shout if you want details. The sound quality isn't perfect, but it is plenty good enough if you are in a non-silent environment liek a bus, car, train or plane. Price - Mobileplanet.com have it from $419 (unlocked in mocha or pink, red is $439 for some reason) which is just in your budget, SmartMovie costs $25 or so, but all the other software I use is free. The E61 is $435 unlocked. Also, back on the mobile reading theme, Mobipocket software works well on this phone, and the screen is surprisingly easy on the eyes when reading. Not e-ink by any stretch, but better than a laptop. It also does VoIP by SIP, and you can also install fring which allows you to access Skype, MSN and other IM/VoIP services from your phone. Hope some of that helps. Ask if you have any other Qs.