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Author: Ed

  • Nokia 6230i Review

    hyp4mhz
    Welcome to the Nokia 6230i mobile phone review. The 6230i and its predecessor the 6230 is classed as a business mobile phone. As such Nokia has tried to fit in everything that a business user could possibly want. As a result it appealed to almost everyone and hence sold in the millions! Initial pricing was top of the line and over the years it has fallen to mid-range and in 2007 it is seen as a value priced mobile. We think this is a great do it all phone Battery Life The battery life of this phone is excellent 9 days on stand by and at least 3 days with normal usage (1 hour worth of calls and numerous SMS messages). Recharging with the included charger takes less than 2 hours. Speed The 6230i is very fast. That said its not as fast as the 6230 version but by mere micro seconds. Menu navigation activation of any function cannot be criticised. Construction. The 6230i is constructed in the traditional fashion with Nokia's famous X-press On covers. So you can choose hundreds of different colors or designs. However beware that non-genuine covers have variable build quality, genuine Nokia covers cost a lot but have superior build quality. Also note that the 6230i although looks identical to the 6230 there are differences and getting covers for one will not fit the other. Physical differences between the 2 are the the 6230i has a slightly larger screen, mini-USB on the side and a separate center button on the navigation pad. The higher pixel count compared to the 6230 is not noticed as unless you compare it side by side. Overall the build quality is great and the covers click into place better than the original version. Screen resolution, keypad, all work really well. Light and right are the best description. There a a ton of colors available over the years. That said in 2007 the overall design is looking dated but it functionality is state of the art and as fully featured as phones released this year. Functionality The 6230i reviewed had everything you could wish for in 2007. The list could go on for pages. Basically everything can be customised to suit your taste and style. It is also nice to see updated 3d icons for menus and so forth compared to the 6230. If you live by your mobile then this is the one to get. Connectivity It has Bluetooth, Infrared and USB options so your not missing out on PC related file transfers. However you need to install the software on the PC before being able to do most things. MP3, radio and video/sound It has a built in mono speaker that's loud and clear located on the left side. It sounds better than a lot of other phones. It even has a sound equaliser. However the MP3 player application is not as fully featured as dedicated music phones. Video playback is smooth and quick. The FM radio is as good as it gets, with programmable stations and visual radio options. You can even set it as your alarm 'ringtone' or even use it as a normal radio in loudspeaker mode. However like all mobiles you need to connect the headphones to get radio reception. Web Browser They included the standard Nokia web browser and works well considering the small screen by today standards. It has all the usual functions you can expect in a internet browser. The camera/video recorder The camera and camcorder function are quick to start and takes OK pictures for a mobile phone. Nothing exceptional about the quality here. Being a business phone that is all you should expect. The screens The screen looks good although small by today's standards. the colour and brightness is excellent. Call quality and network reception The voice call quality of the 6230i is top rated and it has the ability to keep network reception going even in marginal mobile coverage areas. Issues It doesn't have any issues worth mentioning. Nokia phone software for Windows This Nokia suite that comes with the phone is very good. It has everything you need includes contact and content manager. Missing from earlier software was the carrier logo editor. Network Supported by all GSM networks and carriers. Summary All things considered this is an excellent mobile phone. It has all the features you could possibly want and more. It is an improvement over the 6230. You can not compare it to other mobiles that are dedicated for a specific function eg. Blackberry for email, or walkman phones for music. This is clearly designed as a do it all phone - which it does well. Anyway, the physical design is getting old but if you can live with that then it is a must buy. Our recommendation? It's a must buy if you haven't already tried. Specifications and price
    • Nokia 6230i (Series 40 2nd Edition)
    • Network Tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz) GPRS EDGE
    • Design Traditional L103 x W44 x D20 mm Weight 99 grams Black/Silver/White/Pink
    • Display/s 65K TFT - 208 x 208 pixels
    • Camera 1.3MP Camera Video capable 3GP (176 x 144)
    • Connectivity Bluetooth, Infrared, USB
    • Memory 32 MB internal memory Package include additional 32MB MMC MMC memory - up to 512MB
    • Ring tones MP3, MIDI, WAV, Vibration
    • Features SMS, MMS, WAP JAVA MIDP 2.0 Push-To-Talk Modem for PC Web browser (WAP 2.0 - xHTML) Speaker Phone/Hands free FM Radio + Visual Radio Chang-able covers Mobile wallet *See below for more details.
    • Speed : Vs Nokia 6230 Navigation 10/10
    • Battery Life : BL-5C Li Ion Claimed operating times Standby Up to 300 hours Voice Up to 5 hours
    • Price history $350-399 AUS out right purchase 2007
    Best features Lots of features Very easy to use Connectivity Could do better features The covers could fit better. Option of metal based covers. Worst features Not much really - design is getting old. Detailed features Sync data with PC Alarm Clock, Calendar, Notes, Stopwatch, Task list, Timer Themes, Customisable backgrounds, Screensaver Music, Picture, Video 3GP and MPEG4 player Voice dialling - answer - recorder Configurable keys 150 SMS in phone 20 dialled numbers 20 received calls 20 missed calls Calendar To Do Memo Wallet feature 1000 Contacts in phone with pictures JAVA Games (Runs Java games up to 500K)

  • Nokia 6230 Review

    hyp4mhz
    • Nokia 6230 (Series 40 2nd Edition)
    • Network Tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz) GPRS EDGE HSCSD
    • Design L103 x W44 x D20 mm Weight 97 grams
    • Display/s : 65K Colour TFT - 128 x 128 pixels
    • Camera Single 640x480 Camera Video 3GP
    • Connectivity Bluetooth 1.1, USB, Infrared
    • Memory 3 MB internal memory MMC memory - up to 512MB
    • Ring tones MP3, ACC, AMR, MIDI (64), Vibration
    • Features SMS, MMS, IM, WAP JAVA MIDP 2.0 Push-To-Talk Modem for PC Web browser (WAP 2.0 - xHTML) Speaker Phone/Hands free Picture, Music, Video Player Changeable covers FM Radio *See below for more details.
    • Speed Benchmark Fast
    • Battery Life : 850 mAh Li Ion (BL-5C) Claimed operating times Standby 300 hours Voice 3 hours
    • Price history $300-350 AUS OUTRIGHT 2007
    • Sample Camera Picture
    Welcome to the Nokia 6230 mobile phone review. This model was chosen by us because in prior jobs we all had one at some point. We all agreed that it should be the benchmark for reviews since its very popular phone. Originally released back in 2003 it was released as a top spec phone representing what we consider the ultimate evolution of the 40 series phones but as with all mobiles it has moved downwards in the model order. Battery Life The battery life of this phone is excellent. One Standby it lasted 9 days with a bit left. On busy days with bluetooth, infrared, SMS and with a few calls it managed to go a full day with power to spare. Charging time based on the include charger was a mere 1 hour 45 minutes. Mind you the charger is higher capacity than that of lower models. So using the charger for other compatible phones will achieve the same results. Speed The phone is very fast. Construction. The 6230 is a well constructed phone with one issue. The changeable covers are a tad loose. Although well secured to the body of the phone which is nice and tight the cover mechanism allows a but of leeway causing the occasional creaking noise. Other than that the plastics of the original cases are well made and detailed and scratch resistant. The keypad is small but well weighted. Its memory card is hidden under the battery. Remember that the 6230 was one of the first mainstream phones with a memory card! Functionality The 6230 has all you need in a good mobile phone in 2007. We could go on and on about the various features and customising options. Connectivity This phone has all the options, bluetooth, USB and infrared. Like most phones the PC software needs to be installed before you can do even the most basic file management tasks. About Infrared: We love it because it enables secure, stable and simple file transfers between any device without installing specific software. It only uses a small amount of power. MP3 and video/sound The inbuilt speakers sound better than many mobiles and it is nice and loud. However it music abilities are limited to the manual selection of files you want to play. This applies to videos as well. The FM radio works well and it can even be used as the alarm tone. Web Browser The included browser is a LG version and works well. Since the phone tech is pretty good downloading pages and content is fast. Superior to the U8360. Yes, you can go to your own URLs. The camera/video recorder The applications tarts up quickly and takes OK pictures and movies for phones of this vintage. The screens The Nokia's display was one of the best in 2005 and still holds true although small by 2007 standards. Nice clear graphics images are used but again showing its age. The image is better than say the W300i. Call quality and network reception Voice only call quality is very good. Quality and equalisation tends to the high side. Network reception is also very able to make calls even in marginal coverage areas. Ie. one bar reception. Issues The only worth mentioning is the changeable covers issue and old style design. Nokia Phone software for Windows The PC suite that comes with the phone is almost complete, You can mange every piece of data you have in the phone and memory card. It is split into various applications so that you can use one without needing to launch every application. Network You can get the phone for every network as an out-right purchase. Summary We still have one in use after 3 years and on the original battery. Our recommendation? Perfect do it all phone if you can live with its looks. Best features Price for features. Great screen Bluetooth. Could do better features Only single alarm. Not enough internal memory. Worst features No USB cable included in package. Detailed features Sync data with PC Alarm Clock, Calendar, Notes, Stopwatch, Task list, Timer Themes, Customisable backgrounds, Screensaver Music, Picture, Video player Voice dialling - answer - recorder T9 SMS dictionary 150 SMS 20 dialled numbers 20 received calls 20 missed calls Calendar To Do Memo Wallet feature 150 SMS in phone 1000 Contacts in phone with pictures JAVA Games (Runs Java games up to 125K)

  • Nokia 3120 Review

    hyp4mhz
    Welcome to the Nokia 3120 mobile phone review. The 3120 has been around for a few years now and still available because its good basic mobile phone. I mean basic literally - not entry level. If you only need a mobile for emergencies or just staying in contact every so often then this is a perfectly suitable model to get. Battery Life The battery life of this phone is excellent. Left on stand the battery will last up to 10 days with calls it'll go for at least 5 hours continuously. We know because we used it on a particularly busy day! Speed The phone is quite fast. Menu scrolling and activation is on par with other basic mobiles. Construction. The 3120 is well constructed with sturdy materials. Nice looking and integrated well despite 5 different coloured material used. Most of all it doesn't have any creaking plastics. Even in 2007 the phone looks modern on the outside. Physically it's probably 1cm too small to be comfortable holding for average sized adults. For teens and younger it would probably be perfect sized. The keypad is plastic and when you press the keys you encounter very strong spring feedback. Hence it is unlikely that you will need to lock the keypad if placed in a pocket by its self. Functionality The Nokia 3120 in 2007 is not a feature rich phone. However there are a few things that will surprise you. The customisation features for example extend to screen savers with timing options! All the call management basics are there: contacts, speed dialling, last number dialled, call waiting, hold divert and timer and even hands free. Text messaging including MMS is all there with a few useful bonuses like message counter, message sorting into folders! Other functions include calendar, calculator, alarm clock, stopwatch and countdown, key pad shortcuts, and even timed profiles and call groups. Connectivity It can only connect via a POP-PORT USB cable - not included in the package. Besides with only .5 of a megabyte (512k) to use I don't think you'd need one. MP3 and video/sound It doesn't play MP3s only MIDI. The inbuilt speaker is nice and loud though. Web Browser It has a basic browser and access the internet via GPRS. So its not very quick but works. The camera/video recorder It doesn't have one! The screens It only has a 128x128 screen but unlike other basic phones its colour. The image quality is washed out - as per any other CSTN screen. At least not mono like others in this category. The package came with a wired hands free! However this does not make it entry-level, its still a basic mobile phone. If Nokia updated it with a OLED screen MP3 player, radio and memory card I can predict more sales. Call quality and network reception The call quality is excellent and it is able to hold on even to a marginal signals. Call clarity is typical Nokia meaning good. Issues We didn't encounter anything worth mentioning. Nokia Phone software for Windows No PC software came with this phone. Network You can only buy this phone outright. Summary It is a very good basic mobile phone. If your after something reliable then this is perfectly acceptable. Among the best out there. *When considering its successors the 2626, 2610 or 2650 these look cheap compared to the 3120 but have more features. If you in this price range consider getting a pre-paid package by the same network you're on with a better phone. You don't have to sign-up for a new number if you choose. Best features Lots of little things - see above. Could do better features Front screen could be higher resolution. Worst features Very little on board memory. Specifications
    • Nokia 3120 (Series 40 1st Edition)
    • Network Tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz) GPRS Class 6
    • Design Candy Bar - Standard Phone L101.8 x W42.6 x D19.4 mm Weight 84 grams White and Grey
    • Display/s 4096 CSTN - 128 x 128 pixels
    • Camera None
    • Connectivity USB
    • Memory 512K internal memory
    • Ring tones MIDI, Vibration
    • Features SMS, MMS, WAP JAVA MIDP 1.0 Speaker Phone/Hands free Customisable backgrounds and font colours Picture Viewer
    • Price history Under $150 AUS OUTRIGHT 2007

  • Game Review – Zoy’s Rescue 2

    NAME: Zoy’s Rescue 2
    COMPANY: Sumea
    PLATFORM: JAVA
    GENRE: Platformer
    SIZE: 79 KB
    TEST PHONE: LG U8630
    RATING: 5/10

    Zoy’s Rescue Mission 2 is a game by Sumea.

    The premise: You play as Zoy, a cute pink alien creature that has to rescue
    it’s baby forms or ‘Juniors’ from various planets. What they are doing by themselves is a mystery.

    Zoy reminds me of any number of Pokemon from Nintendo except that Zoy doesn’t have any special powers.

    Gameplay: It’s essentially a platformer and based on the famous Lemmings series or more recently Sonwy series by Aliasworlds Entertainment or even Pekka Kana.

    Graphics are good and sound is typical mobile phone game.

    However there are major problems with game the controls. They are not refined or consistent. (Maybe it was the phone?) Nevertheless overall I couldn’t get the hang of it because of it.

    Summary

    We rate this game a 5/10.

    I am giving Zoy’s Rescue Mission 2 just a pass mark because if you’re willing to eventually learn the controls it could be a fun game.

  • Game Review – Survivor – Expedition Robinson

    NAME: Survivor – Expedition Robinson
    COMPANY: Sumea
    PLATFORM: JAVA
    GENRE: TV mini games
    SIZE: 79 KB
    TEST PHONE: LG U8630
    RATING: 6/10

    The premise: You play as one of the final 5 survivors, competing in various challenges for immunity and the respect of your tribe. It very much like the TV show except without the ability initiate alliances and scheming.

    The game itself is like a set of mini challenges or games – 6 in all by winning allow you to progress in the game. The mini games are almost all 1 button affairs which is perfect for the mobile phone. Unfortunately the games aren’t really anything special most of them hit and miss affairs in terms of targeting.

    Of note – On the spear throwing challenge you even get to see a statue of Zoy from Sumea’s other mascot game character.

    Gameplay: It’s essentially a set of mini games with an over-arching story line set in the Survivor TV world. As mentioned previously mini games are mostly on button affairs which is perfect for a mobile phone although 2 of them require up and down keys.

    Mini games consist of:
    – catching fish with a net
    – catching fish with a rod
    – fire lighting memory game
    – spear throwing
    – guiding a raft down rapids
    – walking on a log

    Graphics are OK and sound is typical mobile phone game. There are no major problems with this game.

    I found that it didn’t ‘suck me in’ with its design but I did find it quite fun. Suggestions for the next version include a feature to make alliances and better graphics and sound.

    Summary

    We rate this game a 6/10.

    I am giving this mini Survivor game a good score mainly because for once a game based on a TV show or movie isn’t a total waste of time.

    An entire game can be played within 10 minutes. Can be played by people in any age group.

  • Game Review – Yoyo Fighter

    NAME: Yoyo Fighter
    COMPANY: Sumea
    PLATFORM: JAVA
    GENRE: TV mini games
    SIZE: 77 KB
    TEST PHONE: LG U8630
    RATING: 8/10

    You play as Yozo who has been transported via magical portal t the World of Stone where you have to save your friend Jaco from the Golem Boss. Your weapon of choice is a Yoyo.

    The game is platformer and a pretty good one. You jump and when you find the powerup to your shoes you can ‘fly’

    The game reminds me of an Anime which involved an assassin who goes undercover in a school to weed out baddies, her weapon is a Yo yo. (which I can’t remember the title of at this stage)

    Gameplay is good considering there are many different actions which can be performed by your character.

    Graphics are pretty good but as usual sound is limited.

    As a mobile phone game its pretty good and comes with auto saving. So this can easily be played while commuting.

    This game doesn’t have any real issues worth mentioning.

    Summary

    We rate this game a 8/10.

    Yoyo Fighter is a pretty good game. Like some others it could be a Gameboy title with much expansion and a few more special abilities.

    Not a must have game but worth while addition.

  • Game Review – Street Soccer

    NAME: Street Soccer
    COMPANY: Sumea
    PLATFORM: JAVA
    GENRE: Sports
    SIZE: 82 KB
    TEST PHONE: LG U8630
    RATING: 9/10

    With the World Cup Soccer on this year its obviously a good time to check out whether there are any decent football games.

    I found an ‘old’ but a good one !

    Street soccer does exactly what its name says. It doesn’t attempt to replicate ‘proper game’ of soccer – but a game that would have been played on the street. A game with 4 players and a goal keeper for each side.

    The premise is that same as a real game meaning that you have to score goals however the have added in the function to fight opposition players if they ‘foul’ you or vice versa.

    The gameplay is like other football games where you can control players and pass the ball to other members of your team bearing in mind not to pass it to opposition players. You can even be stretcher-ed off if your player loses all its health. There are even powerups and speedups to collect too!

    The controls themselves are easy to master and the layout is convenient for a phone.

    Graphics a OK and perfectly suitable for this type of game.

    Sound is limited like all mobile phone games, but who cares when your having this much fun.

    The level of difficult is good, not too tough or too challenging if you don’t want it to be.

    It is immersive enough to miss your train or bus stop if you’re not careful.

    Yet again I am impressed at quality at the mere mobile phone game.

    Summary

    We rate this game a 9/10.

    Street Soccer is a great football game for the mobile phone. Must have game even if you’re not into sport games.

    Its like having your own team !

    Great entertainment when the World Cup Soccer game is not on TV.

  • Game Review – Stranded

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    Stranded
    NAME: Stranded
    COMPANY: Glu
    PLATFORM: JAVA
    GENRE: Adventure
    SIZE: 453 KB
    TEST PHONE: LG U8630
    RATING: 9/10
    DEMO: Stranded Demo

    Stranded by Glu – The simplest description of the game is that it is something like the Gilligan’s Island or the current LOST TV series.

    The premise: You play as Mark one of the survivors of a shipping accident. In order to survive you have to do various tasks for the camp and for yourself. In addition there the mystery of the island to solve.

    The game play is very simple with the direction buttons used to walk and the 5 or select button to do every other task. It’ very mobile phone friendly. Despite this ease of use and the quest story line there are many other tasks or mini games which you can perform. These include cutting down trees for wood and fruit, fishing, hunting wild boar and snakes, looking for lost children, cooking, trading with natives, growing vegetables and other fruit – and lots more. There is even some romance!

    One of the most interesting features is the animal and plant list which I guess is a task in itself to complete. Thankfully it’s not a requirement to complete if you want to ‘finish’ the game.

    Stranded the game has details like a night and day and high and low tide events, animated shore lines, moving trees, water falls, fruit falling off trees and even smoke trails left by rampaging boars. Some of the details is very good.

    Sound is typical mobile phone game. Considering the graphic detail it would have been nice for some special effects. Especially for that easily freaked out lady doctor. (You’re in a forest girl you can’t expect complete silence.)

    There are no major problems with Stranded. It even has an auto save feature.

    I found that its pace was a bit slow at the start but after that it was very good – probably because you moved along at whatever pace you want. A compliment to the designers is that is reminds me of the old Apple ][ adventure games of the Eighties!

    How to improve the game for a next version ? Extra sound effects, even more intricate graphic details, a run mode for the character, a quicker loading save feature, the doctor lady gets a name and freaks out at more things. A love issue between Mike and Mark. Sorry but the innuendo between Ian and Mark in this version is hilarious. Whether this is intentional or not I think is funny regardless. No children will not understand it.

    Summary

    We rate this game a 9.5/10.

    Stranded by Glu is is very good little quest game. Technically it is a front runner and it has a story line that is engaging.

    Despite all that tasks you can perform, as a mobile game it amazingly works very well. The tasks are not all that difficult to complete yet worth completing simply so that you can find out what happens to the characters.

    This game is worth getting for the long run it can take up to an entire day if you wanted to and still not finish – due to the real time feature. The bonus is that you may complete the quest to get off the island but you don’t have to end it there as there are other tasks you can take up. Namely identifying and collecting all the various species of fruit and animals etc…

    Definitely a must have or try even if you’re not into this sort of thing.  We gave it 9.5 and didn’t score 10 because we think that at least 2 more midi tracks and slightly better graphics would have made it perfect.  It’s a classic mobile phone game.

    Need more convincing – I’m in the process of putting a walk through for the game!

  • Game Review – Pitfall Glacier – The Lost Expedition

    NAME: Pitfall The Lost Expedition – Glacier
    COMPANY: Activision and Sumea
    PLATFORM: JAVA
    GENRE: Forward scrolling shooter
    SIZE: 89 KB
    TEST PHONE: LG U8630
    RATING: 7/10

    You play has Harry who’s caught up in another adventure involving pits. You’re on a quest to find a ‘ancient artefact and defeat its guardian’.

    Pitfall is essentially a platformer and it doesn’t depart from the proven formula which is helped create all those years ago.

    The gameplay consists of jumping and climbing, swinging around and throwing rocks at various obstacles such as ice hedgehogs, spikes, big birds and ice monkeys.

    The sound is again limited and the graphics are OK. However that doesn’t detract from the game.

    Controls are easy to master and spread appropriately on the phone keypad.

    There are 15 levels with multiple sub levels so there’s plenty of adventuring to do. There are also lots of different puzzles and treasure to collect on the way. Its difficulty is also increase accordingly so no ‘gameplay’ issues.

    The levels are broken up in such a way that it is easy to stop and restart the game at a later stage. Perfect for train or bus travel.

    No real problems to report.

    Summary

    We rate this game a 7/10.

    Pitfall for the mobile phone is a decent game. It has high production values with no real flaws.

    Not a must have but worth having if you’re into these sort of games.