Through the efforts of Annecy Vanjoki, the population of the Earth has already realized that total changes are coming in the mobile industry: buyers will soon forget about their MP3 players (unless it is an Ipod), budget digital cameras will be deliberately ignored in favor of integrated into cellular communicators, and various peripheral devices will be connected to a cellular device (better without wires), bypassing personal computers. The Nokia N91 phone brings this imminent future closer with its built-in hard drive. The functionality of the N-series gets a large (according to mobile criteria) free space for data, and aesthetic music lovers (concurrently and hi-tech lovers) get a device of their own dreams.
Appearance
The N91 case is made almost entirely of stainless steel. It is absent only on the back side of the device, near the camera module due to the antenna preinstalled there. The steel is matt, very pleasant to the touch and slightly rough. Scuffs and scratches easily remain on such a surface, but only in cases where the device is in extreme conditions.
The battery cover can be removed rather tightly: you need to press on a special lever located on the right side just in the middle, and apply some effort. If you do not turn off the model first, the hard drive will be stopped, and an SMS message will appear on the display stating that the hard drive is an affectionate thing, and the device must be turned off before removing the battery.
The keypad slider slides easily. There is no auto-finishing mechanism, but it is not necessary. It is possible to answer the call and end the dialogue by opening / closing the phone. Controlling the player, it is always located in memory (you cannot turn it off), is carried out using the keys located on the same element of the case. If any event occurs that activates the sound signal (warning or error, for example), then the player is suspended for a period of extraneous sound. From the file manager it is possible to launch an audio file, but it will open in a new player module, and the resident one, which is in the photo memory, will pause. The situation is similar with video files. This is very comfortable: it is possible to constantly be distracted from the player, and later return to the very moment at which the player was stopped.
The player control buttons are metal, while all the others are plastic. An unusual key that activates the player is located in the upper right corner of the player control monoblock, the purpose of the other buttons is obvious, without unnecessary comments.
The number buttons hidden under the slider are rather small, but well spaced. Their kind of drowning in the body requires adaptation. There is plenty of room above the top and bottom rows of buttons for easy pressing.
The joystick seemed uncomfortable somewhere, but this is a matter of habit. Probably, someone will be confused by some kind of "freedom" (it is forbidden to call such a structure looseness), it is pressed without difficulty and accurately.
The panel around the screen is also plastic. Its color may turn out to be black or, as in our episode, silver.
On the left, at the level of the screen, there are volume control buttons, under them is a speaker. Contrary to fashion, there are no stereo speakers, and the only existing one is relatively loud, but does not crackle.
The interface port in this model turned into a mini-USB and is located on the same side. The charger port is located in the corner of the bottom of the device. As with all recent Nokia models, it is thinner than usual, for this reason the set includes a connector for "old" chargers.
The Symbian button for accessing the menu is located at the top of the screen on the right side.If you hold the device in your right hand, you can remove it with a large finger, but owners of small hands will need to reach out. The key is often needed, and not everyone will like its similar location.
The upper side of the case is covered with a black lacquered plastic cover. It houses an on / off profile button, a switch that locks the keyboard, and a typical 3.5mm headphone jack with a remote control interface. It is very comfortable to use the keypad jumper, but it only blocks the system and number buttons. The player can still be controlled using special keys.
Despite its large parameters and weight, the model fits comfortably in the hand. However, it will most likely become inconvenient for small female palms to always reach for the volume control keys or the menu key, so the device can be called strictly male.
Undoubtedly, the N91 seems massive. Additional adjustments to the parameters were made by the hard drive - a rather fragile thing, fearing shakes and falls. Additional structures were needed to protect it. The sound insulation also turned out to be quite high quality: you cannot hear the operation of the hard drive, even if you put your ear to the case. For example, in the Samsung i300, the knocking and whistling of the hard drive could be heard even at a distance.
The screen resolution is the smallest for this range of models (176x208), which imposes certain restrictions on the functionality of the N91. For example, WEB-pages look good, and even the main menu icons can be scrolled. Due to the need to place a large amount of information in a small resolution, the clarity of the picture suffers. Resolution is just the complexity of the matrix. Brightness and saturation of color shades, viewing angles and its behavior in the sun do not initiate any special remarks (however, as well as violent positive emotions).
The battery life is very short, about one day. If you actively listen to music, then the charger will need to be carried with you. Partly the situation is saved by the stylish metal cradle in the set. Using it, it is possible to charge the N91, but it will not be possible to synchronize the data, you will need to pull an additional wire. The model looks very serious in the cradle, so it is possible to identify it at your workplace.
The remote control is plugged into the corresponding socket at the top of the device's body, and the headphones are plugged into the 3.5 mm connector on the body of the remote control. They can be connected directly to the N91, but for dialogue you will need to take the device out of the bag, because the headphones do not have a microphone. This problem is solved by the remote control with a built-in microphone. Except for the volume control buttons and the player, there is a button for answering an incoming call and a jumper for blocking the keypad of the remote control (but not the device). The keys are a little harsh, but they can be pressed normally even through clothes. The rotating "dog" will allow you to fix the remote control in a comfortable state.
Standard headphones are made in the form of very small earbuds, and the wire is made so that it can be worn around the neck and, as needed, insert the earbuds into the ears. In principle, when headphones are not needed, it is possible not to take them off, they almost do not interfere. Girls or young people with long hair will probably need extra attempts to get the headphones out of their hair, but the majority of potential N91 consumers will not feel uncomfortable wearing them around their neck. But in working form, they often fall out of the ears, so before purchasing it is better to check the headphones on yourself. The sound of this design gives out very normal, loud, but the feeling of live music is achieved only by pressing the headphones in the ears. They did not make any particularly pleasant or unpleasant impressions.Real fans will use third-party headphones recommended by Nokia or their own favorites. The stereo headset is not supported, which removes the ability to listen to music wirelessly. An unusual solution for a musical device.
In general, the N91 looks like a huge, massive tube, but the metal, stylishly made body partly hides these disadvantages. Some narrowness and relatively small thickness make it possible for the device to sit comfortably in the back pocket of jeans (in trousers, as in a shirt, the pockets will most likely sag due to its weight). However, the main place of this model is in the bag, if its owner is on the road, and in the cradle, when the owner decided to take a break from music.
Capabilities
The device menu is standard for all recent Nokia smartphones. For example, it stands out from the menu that has been tested not too long ago only by an insignificant number of applications. And those are not installed only because the N91 simply does not support individual parameters. But also our "patient" is able to boast of unique features. First of all, this is the player, which we will see in detail, and the associated menu modification. The latter consists in the fact that when you switch the melody, its name for a couple of seconds. appears slightly to the left of the battery indicator. In standby mode, the player turns into a small strip on the desktop, which shows the current melody, the state of the player, etc. (it is possible to disable this option).
The player supports the following formats: MP3, EAAC +, AAC, Real V8, AAC +, ВМА, WAV, M4A. Playlists are fully supported, playback of recently added songs. Sorting is performed by artist, album, genre, composer. Of the "uluchshayzers" of the quality of music, there are 2 parameters without parameters, they can be turned on or off - amplification of low frequencies and expansion of the stereo base. If the 2nd effect is more or less felt, the music becomes richer, more voluminous, then the 1st sense is less distinguishable. You will not hear strong bass (at least with the proposed headphones). The equalizer has a more significant impact on quality, but it's a different matter for the worse or for the better. More often, actually for the worse, however, manual tuning still corrects the disadvantages of the built-in profiles (Acoustic, Pop, Bass Booster, R&B, Hip Hop, Rock + the ability to make your own). There are 8 tracks available for the parameter.
The player is comfortable to use, and the sound quality can be adjusted quite clearly. One way or another, the hardware implementation of the musical component is done with high quality, therefore lovers of pure sound will not be disappointed either. Music on the model can be transferred both via Bluetooth and via USB. Wi-Fi is specialized for working with UPNP devices (broadcasting multimedia content to compatible wireless devices). The N91 connects in removable disk mode using the YUSB 2.0 protocol, but then the radio part is turned off and the menu is blocked. You can use your smartphone only after disconnecting. Another possibility is to connect using PC Suite (both hard disk memory and internal flash memory are available). And III method - auto-sync with Windows Media Player 11 or newer. So it is possible to record music to the model from a PC and vice versa. The accompanying CD offers a nice skin for WMPLAYERA.
It is possible to work with the software and music part of the device without a SIM card, which may be useful in some situations.
It should be noted some properties of the software, not related to the musical part. Probably support for GPS receivers via Bluetooth and the use of information provided by cellular stations.
Instead of a menu for working with a flash card, the N91 naturally has a menu for working with a hard drive. From it it is possible to format, rename, scan and format the hard drive itself for errors. The last 2 points require a charger to be connected.
The implementation of the menu and all software, as usual, is close to flawless.Of the shortcomings, there is an opportunity to highlight the lack of installed games and office programs. Obviously, the model is aimed at music, but still the device's platform itself obliges to create it more universally. Naturally, the missing software can be installed additionally, but for the 9th version of Symbian OS there are too few applications.
Capabilities
The camera module received 2 megapixels, which makes it possible to create photographs at a resolution of 1600 x 1200. The lack of a flash and macro function imposes certain restrictions on the use of the camera. In general, the picture parameters are also typical: white balance (sunny, incandescent, cloudy, fluorescent), color tint effects (black and whitish, sepia, negative), night function that increases the shutter speed. It is possible to create a series of photographs, there is a timer (10, 20 or 30 sec.). There is an opportunity to save photos in 3 quality functions. The zoom for photos is 20x, for video it is less.
Video comes out of satisfactory quality, but slightly distorted, artifacts appear from time to time. But, unlike the N80, the picture does not split into squares. In the best quality video is recorded with a resolution of 352 by 288 in MP4 with the MPEG-4 codec, and the sound is AAC. The quality of both photos and video depends on the light, the sensor makes noise when there is not enough light. In the sun, photography and video come out wonderful.
There is no camera for video calls; its location does not make it possible to use the main one for such purposes. As a result, the interlocutor will observe you not in the present tense (as the technology of video calls itself implies), but in the past. Rather, it will watch your photo, which you set for the video call function.
conclusions
It is completely unclear why Nokia preferred niche instead of versatility. With the existence of a perfectly performed musical part of the model, the screen, office software, A2DP profile are completely forgotten. The positive aspects of Nokia N91 include support for 3rd generation networks, the existence of a proprietary browser and Wi-Fi with UPNP.
Thus, the consumer will have to choose between versatility and high quality audio.
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