Nov 07, 2001 08:39 AM
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(Updated Nov 19, 2001 02:21 PM)
The Nokia 8210 is one of Nokia's latest and greatest offerings in the fast-paced world of cellular phone technology. Yes, that sentence did sound like some sort of press release, but I really did just make that up myself. Anyway, the Nokia 8210 is a dual-band cellular phone which is clearly aimed towards bridging the gap between the cell phone and the PDA.
PIM Features
Personal Information Management (PIM) features that are offered by the Nokia 8210 include the following:
Infrared Data Transfer. The 8210 allows you to transfer certain kinds of data back and forth between your phone and other compatible devices. Such devices include computers, printers, and other mobile phones. While the exact types items and information which can be sent and received are constantly evolving, they currently include things such as business cards, phone numbers, ringer tones, messages, and e-mail.
Calendar/Datebook. A decent scheduling program which allows you to keep track of important events.
Phone Book. You can store up to 250 different names and phone numbers in your phone, any of which can be recalled in seconds.
Other Features
Voice Dialing. Similar to many other recent cell phones, the 8210 allows you to reach others simply by speaking their name. Just program the number to be dialed, along with the corresponding name, for which you will be prompted, and from then on you will be able to dial that person using your voice. Unfortunately, the 8210 can only store up to eight different voice dial entries.
Dual-Band Capability. All this means is that, despite the fact that its preferred mode is digital, it also has the capability of placing and receiving calls in analog mode. This is essential, in case you get stranded out in the middle of nowhere, where the service might not be so great.
Messaging. With the Nokia 8210, you have the ability to send and receive short (up to 160 characters) messages on your phone. In addition to standard text messaging, you can send messages directly to other compatible phones.
Picture Messaging. I have not yet had occasion to use this feature, but the 8210 offers the ability to send and receive certain pictures, along with text, between your phone and certain others. According to Nokia, this feature works between Nokia 8210, 3210, and 8850 phones.
Size
As I hinted at in the title, the Nokia 8210 is absolutely tiny for a mobile phone. Nokia says that the 8210 measures approximately 101.5 millimeters in height, 44.5 mm in width, and 17.4 mm in depth. For those of you who are metric system challenged like myself, that's approximately 4 x 1 3/4 x 2/3 inches. As you can tell, one would have no problems at all slipping this baby into a front pants pocket. What's more, at less than 2.8 ounces in weight, you literally could forget the phone is there. If ever I thought that I had lost this phone, the first place I would probably check would be my pocket.
While smaller is usually better when it comes to cellular phones, Nokia may just have gone a little too far with the 8210. While flip phones may have the luxury of being somewhat shorter without a significant loss in function, non-flip phones such as the 8210 are more limited. What I'm referring to here is the fact that most people's mouth is more than three inches away from their ears. Since you obviously have to hold the earpiece over one of your ears, the problem ends up being that the microphone doesn't quite make it to your mouth. For me, the mouthpiece ends up being about halfway down my cheek -- and I don't have an especially large head. While the microphone seems to work well enough despite that fact, it still feels weird and it irritates me.
Durability
First of all, let me state that I have neither any concrete evidence nor personal experience upon which to base any opinions on the durability of the Nokia 8210. They just haven't been around long enough to develop any kind of solid reputation yet. That having been said, I would still be constantly worried about damaging a phone this small. I mean, 2.8 ounces?! A cellular phone that light in weight makes me wonder how well it might hold up. Sometimes, when I get home after work or class, I neglect to take all the various and sundry items out of my pockets before plopping down on the couch. I'd be worried that if ever I did that with the 8210 in my pocket, that would be the end of it. After all, just how shock-resistant could one expect something so insubstantial to be? I suppose that this is one case where only time will tell.
Display
One thing worth noting is that despite the fact that the phone itself is almost unbelievably diminutive, the screen isn't. The nicely-illuminated, monochrome display allows for five lines of text, and the words are still actually large enough to be legible. Of course, the screen is also capable of displaying several simple, slightly entertaining, and totally useless graphics.
Battery Life
The battery life for the Nokia 8210 is fairly good, but not quite as good as some of the other phones out there today. It purports to offer a maximum talk-time of somewhere around 2.5 hours, with a maximum standby time of 4-5 days. Like I said, this is fairly good, but certainly not the best out there. Of course, these maximums will almost certainly never be realized, as they are, in fact, maximums.
All in all, the Nokia 8210 seems to be one of the most promising newcomers among cellular phones. While the potential negative points I mentioned earlier may turn some people off to the 8210, it will undoubtedly develop a significant usership if it hasn't done so already. While I'm pretty sure I wouldn't wear it as an accessory as Nokia seems to suggest people should, but I might carry it in my pocket
