Nokia ExpressMusic Touch. Finally!

[Frisbeetarian]

As expected, Nokia has announced its first mainstream touch-capable device - the 5800 XpressMusic.

The handset, pictured below, has been doing the rounds under its "Tube" codename for many months and we finally have all the details. The 5800 XpressMusic, as it's now officially known, is the first retail handset to utilise the fifth-edition of Symbian's S60 operating system - which, importantly, adds support for touchscreen functionality.




The handset is equipped with a 3.2in screen that provides a generous 640x360 resolution, in addition to support for resistive touch - be it from your fingertips or the stylus.

There's a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens and dual-LED flash, built-in Wi-Fi, GPS and an 8GB SD card (upgradeable to 16GB). On the media front, there's a 3.5mm headphone jack, built-in stereo speakers, and an all-new "Media Bar" that promises to provide direct access to music and entertainment.

As a first attempt, it isn't a bad alternative to Apple's dominant touch-capable iPhone. On the hardware front, it manages to surpass what the iPhone has to offer in many areas - and it'll support MMS. Question is, will it be as intuitive to use?

Jo Harlow, Nokia vice president, said:

As Nokia's first mass-market device with a touch screen, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic turns a 'user interface' into a 'human interface' by truly putting people first. For example, we've introduced the Nokia Contacts Bar, which is like a digital RSS feed on your life. By adding the benefits of touch screen technology to S60, the world's leading smartphone interface, Nokia is taking the familiar and giving it a human touch. We have used touch technology where it really adds value such as the Contacts Bar, Media Bar and clever shortcuts from the homescreen to menu items such as calendar, profiles and clock.

The handset will be available worldwide "in the fourth quarter of 2008" at an estimated retail price of €279 excluding VAT. Early next year, Nokia will roll out a "Comes With Music" model that provides access to Nokia's digital music store.

Sound like the handset for you? Head on over to page two for a selection of video demonstrations.


Source: HEXUS.lifestyle - News :: Nokia touches down with 5800 XpressMusic : Page - 1/2