Tech & Gadget Stream

With Nokia's Ovi Store about to be launched, it looks like Nokia is going to make an effort to take down Apple's App Store. While Google's Android Market had 50 selections when it was launched, Nokia says the Ovi Store will have over 20,000 items ready for download, which is a good start, especially since Apple has about 40,000 apps in the App Store. The questions that people are asking is that whether said "items" include ringtones and songs. Obviously that number includes custom apps and WidSets, possibly even N-Gage games. After all, it's about quality, not so much quantity.

The Nokia E75 has been leaked to death: it should be particularly good at email as it is compatible with virtually all the popular online (Gmail, Yahoo, MSN, Pop, IMAP) and the enterprise email services (Exchange and Lotus). Several email accounts are supported simultaneously, and they can even be split into “Business” or “Personal” screens. There’s support for GPS navigation, thanks to A-GPS and Nokia Maps, the integrated navigation software. We like just about everything in this phone, except for the low-resolution display. If it is meant to be a text phone, we think that it should have a display that is on-par (or better!) with low-end BlackBerry phones like the Curve 8900 (480x360). The E75 should cost around 549 Euros (unlocked). Specs: 2.4” display (320x240), QWERTY Slider, S60 OS, 50MB of internal data, 4GB flashcard included (16GB max), HSDPA, WiFi b/g, 3.2 MP Camera with flash, auto-focus, 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 port, A-GPS + Nokia Maps (pre-registered, maps stored l...

Nokia dabbles with the luxury handset market yet again with the Nokia Royal, and you don't have to be blue-blooded to own one, just make sure you have enough balance in your bank account after you make your purchase. You get 8.2 cts of vvs, color 'F' diamonds, alongside approximately 1,160 individually set sparkling gems with the Nokia Royal. Its carbon fibre exterior is removed and fitted with a vast amount of solid platinum, held down securely by 8 handmade platinum screws. The Nokia Royal has enough platinum to make 16 wedding bands of the same material. If you're thinking of a really, really lavish gift for your other half, we guess you'd best mosey down to the Colette store in Paris on January 31st and rub shoulders with sheikhs and other folks on the Forbes list since there will only be 50 Nokia Royals in existence.

Just when you thought that the Nokia 8800 Gold Arte was the bomb, along comes Goldstriker who obviously has not read up on news about the global economic crisis. Either that, or they think that the rich know a good investment when they see one - in the form of the £12,000 Nokia 8800 Princess Edition when it is released next January. This luxurious handset will feature 8.2 carats of diamond across its front and rear, while solid platinum is a class above its ordinary leather finish. The Nokia 8800 Princess Edition will be launched at the Colette store in Paris.

here's nothing like having your (smart)phone work for you: Nokia is coming up with the Home Control Center , an application that could help in many areas like home security, energy usage monitoring or device/lighting activation. The cool thing is that Nokia isn't trying to do the heavy lifting by themselves. They will let third-party companies create applications and plug-ins, thanks to an extensible architecture. It will be launched next year, so stay tuned. If you could, what would you like to operate remotely in your home?

Nokia has just released two new headsets that makes sure your MP3 listening experience does not interfere with an incoming call and vice versa. I guess it pretty much works in the same manner as the current headphones that come with Nokia's N Series handsets, allowing your MP3 file to continue where it was stopped once you hang up the call. The Nokia WH-600 and WH-700 are headphone cans and in-ear models respectively, featuring in-line volume controls. Too bad they're still shackled by a wired connection - somewhat amounting to a no-no in this day and age where Bluetooth and RF reign supreme.

If you can handle a bulky pocket and don’t insist on a real keyboard (or multi-touch screen), there really is no better way of of converging everything you’d ever want to do in your pocket. Enter the N81. It hits in two versions: One’s got 8-gig of flash, the other relies on your microSD card. Both have got stereo speakers, killer music format support (MP3, AAC, WMA, etc…), suppot for N-Gage games (!), an FM reciever, a sweet “Navi Wheel”, and play video via RealPlayer. All in all: Very nice! No clue on price, but you can bet it won’t be cheap (especially since Nokia is a fan of selling non-contract GSM phones, which means no carrier subsidy.) The Nokia N81 will be released in Q4 this year.

Today Nokia unveiled a small bluetooth device which will give you GPS functionality on “a wide range of Nokia devices” (we haven’t received a list of supported devices yet). The price will be around $170 and it will be available in the near future - and I sure hope you can take away that plunger… The Nokia Bluetooth GPS Module LD-4W combines Nseries style in a slim and attractive core with navigation, so you can find your way around easily with your compatible mobile device. Continuing on our mission to bring location based services to even more people, this GPS module is compatible with a wide range of Nokia devices and Nokia Maps. Take your time getting to your destination - this lightweight (31 g) GPS module has up to 10 hours of operating time. The sleekly designed black and metallic module comes with a LED indicator to alert you to GPS activation, power and battery status, and Bluetooth connectivity status. The GPS module will be available globally.

Nokia has launched its 500 Auto Navigation system, making it the second of such systems to come out from the Finnish cellphone manufacturer. Not only does it provide you with instructions on getting to your destination in the fastest time possible, the 500 Auto Navigation is also a comprehensive handsfree, Bluetooth-enabled solution that allows you to carry on your conversations without having to take your hands off the wheel. The 4.3" color display is large enough for you to scroll through your contacts in order to make and receive calls, while the inclusion of Digital Signal Processing provides crystal clear audio for every conversation. The Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is tipped to arrive in Europe sometime in Q4 2007 for approximately $410.