Nokia E71

So, it’s time for a new phone and I’m champing at the bit, a bit.

In order to rein in my new and shiny lust, here are my requirements for a convergence device:

• phone (voice, sms)
• PMP (mp3, video)
• web browser
• email client
• extensibility- ie. Symbian OS
  • ebook reader (preferably mobipocket)
• keyboard / touch screen

Nice to haves:

• RSS client (bloglines does a more than adequate job though)
• onboard storage (memory cards are not an issue)
• keyboard / touch screen
• A-GPS

And though I’d like you to believe that this sterile pros and cons exercise sold me on the Nokia E71, it just looks freaking cool.

I now realise why this phone gets compared to the iPhone- design. It’s slim and sleek and has a satisfying heft. The keyboard is great (even though it’s hard to use it one handed- which will probably improve my driving), the camera is crappy (this is a balanced review see?), it doesn’t have a standard 3.5mm jack and the screen is crisp.

This is the first time that I’ve owned a phone that has build quality as one of its features.