New link ***Mobile Phone***

Hi everyone, there's a new link I've added on my "d3xlabs supported mobile sites" on the right toolbar. Called "Mobile Phones".

www.mobiles.com.au

Its an Australian Mobile website full of information on mobiles, plans, accessories and even ringtones. There's even a news section about useful stuff like "What to do with old mobiles" and "Choosing a mobile phone".

Its worth a visit! Just click the link above!

***New link created: d3xbay.blogspot.com***

I'm experimenting here.

A few friends have asked me to help advertise/sell their mobile phones on their behalf. Instead of SMS-ing everyone I know, I thought I'd try create an experimental blog for it.

Advertising these offers is not new for me. I've helped many a friend let go of their first loves. Its not difficult. "See a need, find the buyer". Someone out there is always looking for something within their budget. Not EVERYONE is willing to buy new I guess.

So here it is: d3xbay.blogspot.com
Whilst I'm debating about creating a logo link for it, I've placed the address discreetly on the sidebar under my MSN and email.

(And in case, you're wondering, I couldn't think of a more catchy name)

So far, there are 3 mobiles on offer. Check it out!

Beyond expectations

Surprising, yet, not surprising... The E71 is selling like hotcakes. Within a matter of couple of days, shops everywhere, including Incomm is sold out!

I've just helped a few friends book their units from Incomm, and just in time too, otherwise they'd never be able to get their hands on these smartphones.

Imagine, if white was available....

Sneak peek: My new Nokia E71

Its been a truly exciting past few weeks. Since my last post, I've been tracking numerous forums in the region about the release of the (ultimate) Nokia E71. I was quite settled in accepting that Nokia would only release it on 11July08 in Singapore, and probably in Brunei a week or so later. (THEN, I thought, I'd be the first to line up at Incomm to get it!)

Until...

A friend called me at 9.30pm on 29Jun08.

He had just bought one.... from DeeJay.

My heart stopped. I was beaten to it.

Nevermind I thought, I'd still surely be the first to get one from Incomm then, when they release it. Needless to say, like an excited schoolboy, I went to meet my friend at close to midnight just to have a "feel" of the precious E71. All this time, just reading about it online, and there it was, in my friend's possession! It just made me more impatient to get it.

Then, the next morning, I received a call from my sources; Incomm had launched it! So, at 9.30am in the morning, thinking I'd SURELY be the first then to buy one from Incomm, I booked one and zoomed over immediately. But, as it turned out, a few others had beaten me to it already. Ah well.... at least I have it now.

Since that fateful day, I've been falling more and more in love with the E71. Using it for over a week now, it truly is a joy to use. So many worthwhile upgrades compared to the E61i. So many neat add-ons, so many reasons to love it.

I'm currently working on a in-depth review for all my readers, but in the meantime, here are some shots I've taken with my E71, and a few with an iPhone, just to show you the size and form factor. Enjoy!

So far, I have to add (without giving away what final rating I would usually add at the end of a review), this is arguably Nokia's best smartphone to date. In just two days, all stocks in Incomm were sold out, and from what I hear from other shops, the story's the same everywhere. That says it all doesn't it? So if you're one of the elite few to have bought one in the first few days of launch, consider yourself lucky!

Anyway, do watch out soon for my in-depth review, in my next post!

(I was supposed to review the Sony Ericsson G700 and G900, but the E71 was launched! Don't worry, SE lovers, it will come right after my E71 review)

The Nokia E71 is now available in Incomm at a retail price of BND728-00.
Pls make sure you use your DST privilege card for better discounts.

Is your heart racing? E71 and E66 officially launched!

Its been a while since my heart's been racing... for a mobile. So, when it does skip a beat, you KNOW its the ONE.

Imagine my moment of love-at-first-sight when I clicked here, here and here! Its official! The rumours we've seen are true. Its shipping out together with the other ultimate-do-it-all, the Nokia N96.

I've been watching the E71 product presentation on the Nokia Europe site over and over. My heart races for sure.

Images courtesy of GSMarena.com

Some (other) official details:

• Both the E66 and E71 will retail at EUR350 (USD538) roughly. Not a bad price at all.
• Both will come in white and grey steel colour variations with materials similar to the Nokia E51 already in the markets today.
  
• Both come with 3.2megapixel (autofocus!!) cameras, HSDPA, GPS, Wifi connectivity and microSD card support.
  
• E66 - Also features a sport built-in accelerator which allows auto screen rotation AND, as introduced on the Nokia 8800 Arte, the silencing of incoming calls when the device is turned over.
• E71 - Has calendar features that auto scroll and there is also predictive text now, a Nokia-first for this QWERTY device.

Ok, now the other difficult part. The wait.

Funny - E90 gathering

Read this on a friend's blog and thought it was hilarious. I am always amused by our friends in the Land of the Rising Sun. They do the best in everything... cars, gadgets... phones....

Repeating what Eninety asked in his post, "Any translators?"

Post and video here.

Kinda makes you want to get an E90 now doesn't it? Maybe we should have "mobile gatherings" too, since we have so many "car clubs" around nowadays.
Now THAT, would be funny....

Apple iPhone now on 3G!

Its finally come, the long long LONG awaited news of the 3G version of the iPhone. Strange though, considering in Brunei, the original non-3G one didn't even make the "official" list. And here we have the 3G edition already. Go figure right.

Launched on contract in the US first (where else), it is pretty much an upgraded version of the iPhone we all love (or hate), except with slightly better specs. (We reviewed the iPhone when it first came out here).

Details/Specs:

• Official launch on 11JUL08.
  
• Estimated price of the 8Gb version is 499Euro and the 16Gb version at 569Euro. Not a bad pricing, quite similar to the prices we get locally here. Unless the money-hungry get greedy and charge exorbitant prices for being the first in Brunei to launch iPhone 3G.
  
• Same 3.5" with 480 x 320 pixel display
  
• Grown 1mm (!?) in width, height and thickness.
• HSDPA support
  
• Same 2mp camera as the original iPhone but (get this) NO secondary video camera (on a 3G phone?!)
• According to the news release from GSMArena, on 11JUL08, "Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US - and availability will be further expanded to cover up to 70 countries worldwide before the end of the year". Well, I'm sure we'll see it here in Brunei somehow.
  

There you have it, a teaser on the coming 3G iPhone. I have a sneaking feeling there will be numerous sales on 2nd hand original iPhones soon.

For me, I'm still sticking to my aim of getting this baby, the E71. (E66 images just fyi)
Its been a while since I've found myself refreshing and refreshing websites on a daily basis trying to read about the official launch of it. I'm so going to run to Incomm to get one as soon as my sources tell me its here. I aim to be the first to own one!

But, its not in sight yet. So, back to waiting... and refreshing. In the meantime, this video here really wets my appetite!