Nokia N78 review – Software

We will include the Web, Multimedia and Camera applications on separate sections of the review. This section has everything else that falls under software, and more than 350 screenshots.

The Nokia N78 runs on the Symbian OS9.3 operating system with S60 v3.2 Feature Pack 2 software platform (not just an User Interface).

What I really wanted to see in this Feature Pack were the transitions that were shown to us at the South African launch. I couldn't find the setting to turn them on. Were they scrapped off? After a Google search, I found out that they are called “Theme effects”. I could have used the user manual as well... The transitions do slow the interface, but they should be on by default as it is valuable eye-candy that can attract more consumers. Transitions don't work well with 3rd party themes.

There hasn't been a major redesign of the interface but there are additional options included. Nokia chooses not to change so that the users stay familiar with the platform no matter what phone they use.

The first change noticeable on the home screen is the size of options and icons that have been reduced and the additional centre soft key. Having more shortcuts means more productivity, so the new soft key is very much welcome.

You can change the direction of  the 5 active standby shortcuts to vertical use, or just get rid of the active standby so that you have a clean home screen. This is done on the settings panel, and once you select such an option, the phone let's you preview the setting permanently, which means that you have to go all over again to the settings application and look for the option if you don't like it. Nokia should improve on “Setting” previews.

There isn't much difference on the menu either. All the old icons and folders are there. It is understandable that there aren't many changes as this is just a Feature Pack and not a new software platform version. Hopefully we will see many positive new changes in S60 v5, also known as S60 Touch UI. You can change the layout of the menu to Grid, List, Horseshoe, and V-Shaped, but I always keep it as grid as it is easier to manage.

The menu can be browsed with the navi-wheel, although the navi-wheel does not respond at times. The software itself is fast and responsive, all applications start fast, and unlike early versions of S60 phones, this one is bug-free.

Even if it was slightly buggy, when updates are released, you can download them through FOTA (Firmware over-the-air), which updates only the components necessary, and doesn't flash the whole phone. This will save you time, and money. You won't have to wait until the phone downloads a file more than 100MB, flashes itself while you bite your nails hoping that it doesn't get “bricked”, and pay a fortune for the airtime.

Nokia's NGage gaming platform is missing from the phone. The platform is one of Nokia's strongest bets on NSeries and produces fantastic high-quality games that can be installed from the phone itself.

The Contacts application has the same old interface, although it is missing an important function: Copy SIM contacts to the phone memory. Now, both phone and SIM contacts are displayed on the contact list, which is also browsable by the navi-wheel. There are several improvements such as shortcuts that eliminate the steps that are taken to edit contacts, add details, and synchronize.

The Messaging application has had a revamp on the email section. All the other folders from Inbox to Reports are present, so no visual impact here. Messaging Listening has been added, while it was previously only available in ESeries phones. On this and many other applications, the central soft key has the most important shortcuts from the left soft key. The buttons that are mostly pressed from the left soft key are on the central one, so the left one includes extended options. A new mode in application is the quick font size change: small, medium, large, or default. You can keep any of the three as a default for all messages.

(The number above is from PhoneReport member Muhammad Hussein, feel free to give him a call ladies)

The voice that reads the messages is difficult to understand unless the text is written in proper English, which is very uncommon in SMSes.

The application is very organized as usual, there are dedicated folders to different categories of messages, you can create your own, and also sort messages by date, subject, sender, and type.

The email wizard is the highlight of the application. You just have to input your email address and password, so that the application can retrieve the settings from one of the more than 1000 built-in settings. If the phone does not have your settings, you can manually set POP3 or IMAP4 settings. I tried out with my GMail and Hotmail account: GMail worked fine, but as Hotmail does not have free POP3 or IMAP4 support, the wizard added a link to my Bookmarks. Unfortunately you cannot create a new email account, unlike in Nokia's recent entry-level phones.

Moving on to a different folder, we find Profile settings, which allow you to fiddle with the sounds and notifications. First thing I do here is put my name and switch off keypad tones, as those are really irritating. If you like to leave the Nokia tone as default, you will notice that it has changed.

The display settings allow you to configure the brightness of the screen, which is quite bright when compare to the Nokia N82, but in terms of quality, I can't wait to see how vivid the N85's OLED display is, not that this one isn't, as it has 24 bit colour depth, which is great for phones.

We spoke about the active standby options, so we can move to the date and time. Alarm options are configurable, such as repetition and snooze intervals.

The same level of customization applies to calls, where you can set-up messages that are sent if you reject someone's call, display call summaries, allow anykey answer, speed dial, allow video to be sent in video calls, and call diverts. The network can be chosen between UMTS only, GSM only, or Dual mode, where GSM kicks in whenever UMTS is not available. I advise you to leave it in Dual Mode, unless you don't use the 3G, then you can save battery with GSM mode.

Remote Drives are something new to us, we haven't seen them in phones, but we believe it's something to do with Files in Ovi, where you have a remote hard drive on the internet. No way to test this for now. Or is there? Let us know!

Still on the connectivity, you can preset what the phone will do when a USB cable is connected, configure the XDM profile, and FM Transmitter frequency.

Continuing with applications, now outside the Settings Panel: Log records all calls, messages, data calls, just like on earlier phones, and allows you to delete the data for privacy as well.

File Manager now allows you to search between your files, and let me tell you that the UI is poor, but the function is fast. From here you can access the remote drive, but not explore your hidden files and folders, for that, use a 3rd party application.

Speed dial has a program of its own. Insert nine contacts, and each number will turn to the contact's image. Simple.

I am not a fan of 3-D Tones, I actually find it pretty useless as most of the times the phone is in my pocket, but if you find these tiny functions fun, select a sound and define the trajectory that it should simulate on the air. When Dolby technology is added to the phones (LG already has it), 3D and surround sound should go to a whole new level.

Another thing that I don't use are voice commands, as I don't drive. I believe these can be very useful, but I don't see anyone actually using them. They are pre-configured, but you can always customize them to your voice, for more accurate recognition.

Settings Wizard was a complete nonsense: first, it does not copy my SIM contacts to the phone memory, and then, it cannot transfer anything from my N95 to the N78.

If you are lazy to search the user manual, like us, there is an in-depth glossary of the applications and terms on the phone, that should help you if you're stuck somewhere.

Extra programs include Clock, which is basically the same thing we found on the settings panel, but the new version has a tab dedicated to world clock.

The calculator is as old as it can get, but a new version should be on the way, we need one with scientific mode, Nokia!

I had no problem with the old calendar, but the new one has new options, such for setting up reminders and copy data from the Notes application.

The Application Manager had a slight clean-up, and is now divided between Installation Files and Installed applications. There is a shortcut to the “Download apps.” bookmark, instead of it being a shortcut to the Download! application.

Skipping to the Notes application, everything seems to be the same, but now you can synchronize the notes as well to a compatible device. Quickoffice is installed, let's you view documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, but it's not licensed to let you edit them.

The Converter calculates amounts in a determined value to another set of value.

The Speech settings were spoken about in the Messaging application as they are part of the Messaging Listening. You can select which voice, speed, language, and volume you desire, as well as set-up language detection, and choose the audio source. Smart.

No IM server is defined, I guess that will have to come from the operator. A strange option on the menu was Operator tests, and their function is unknown to me.

Last, but not least, the Download! application. The catalogue updates itself with the newest games, and programs available, you just have to choose and install. Unfortunately it is not as attractive as the iPhone App Store, but it is free.

Final word for now: is the Feature Pack 2 of S60 3rd edition better or worse? Better definitely, as new applications and tiny functions have been added, and bugs fixed. We're loving the transitions as well. The functionality is that of a smartphone, but rest assured, that it works as easy as the old 3310.

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