When you insert your SIM card and switch the phone on, it’s still in “offline” mode. The phone isn’t user-friendly so if you’re using this phone for the first time, like me, you will only realise that its offline when you attempt to make a phone call, which is when you’re prompted to switch to “phone” mode.

After taking a few pics, I plugged in the USB cable and thought I’d be seeing the images in the few minutes it would take to transfer them via USB. But no. Windows Mobile loves making your life difficult. It will not let you read your phone as a mass storage device, as Nokia does. No, you have to install the software that comes in CD in the box first before being able to transfer the images. Can anyone explain the logic in this?

Before installing the software, I tried transferring the images to my PC via bluetooth. You think that even worked? There was no option under send image to send via bluetooth. Again, logic?

The touch interface on the Touch Diamond 2 was supposed to be better than its predecessor. Fortunately for me, I didn’t get to play with it. After experiencing Nokia’s responsive touch technology, the touch interface on this phone was a big disappointment. For a phone with a large enough screen – 3.2″ LCD, the icons at the bottom are fairly small, forcing you to use the stylus. I hate using a stylus.

Setting up your Gmail is quite simple, you just need your username and password, and the mail app searches the web for server details. Connecting to a wireless LAN is (surprise) easy.

I tried watching a Youtube clip via the one touch access (it was a Dane Cook making fun of Vanessa Hudgens clip), the video took very long to download. After about two mintues, only 13% downloaded, which I couldn’t view. It was then that I saw that two connections to the internet were being run simultaneously! Er, what? Logic? So Youtube was trying to load via my crappy Vodacom 3G connection.

The 5MP camera (which takes good quality images) and Bubble Breaker (oh yes) were the only two good things about this phone.

To say this phone was dubbed an “iPhone killer” is a joke. It doesn’t come anywhere near the iPhone or the N97 for that matter. It’s not an easy phone to use. If you’ve been using HTC / WM since forever, then maybe you’d like this phone.

Full specifications here.

Check the next edition of Digital Life to see what Theo has to say about it.

I got to play with the phone for a short while and if first impressions are anything to go by, I wouldn’t mind owning this handset. What I like about is that it’s light (much lighter than my N85) even though it has a slide out keyboard. It’s slim, sleek and well, stylish, especially in the deep red colour that it’s also available in. So it gets full marks in the ‘looks’ category but I can’t vouch for battery life etc.

Some plus points:

• supports mobile VPN
• Nokia Messaging – you only need your username & password (supports Gmail, Windows Live, Yahoo! [remind me again who uses Yahoo!], AOL).
• customizeable home screen views for business and personal. So when you get home, flip screens and no work mail coming in.
• data encryption for phone memory and microSD card

View full technical specs here.

Even though I don’t mind owning this device, I’d still pick the N97 over this

Converting your cellphone into a WLAN.

I came across this particular software called JoikuSpot that does exactly that. Visit www.joiku.com from your phone and follow instructions to download the application. You need to select your phone model and add your cellphone number in international format. An sms will be sent with the download link. Configure settings accordingly.

If you visit the website from a web browser, you will notice that there is a light version (free) and a premium version (€15). I am referring to the free version.

This is just an emergency solution, not a permanent one. Can you imagine what your phone bill would be like? I would suggest that you keep a Virgin mobile SIM card in your wallet for a situation like this as they charge 50c/MB out of bundle – which is 75% cheaper than Vodacom’s (prepaid) offering.

Above (l-r): Patrick Henchie, Program Manager - Nokia SA, Brad Brockhaug, Vice President - Nokia Sub-Sahara Africa, International DJ Colleen Shannon, Jake Larsen, Head of Music - Nokia Middle East and Africa and Mathia Nalappan, General Manager - Nokia SA

It was also announced that the Nokia Music Store will launching in South Africa on 24 April 2009. The software for it, Nokia Music is currently available to test on Nokia Beta Labs. The software will only be available to Windows users, for now. All songs will be in the .wma format and will not be DRM free. As far as pricing goes, in the UK, it would cost 80p for a track and £8 for album. The local store will feature artists like The Parlotones, Gold Fish and Arno Carstens.

Really cool touch-tables brought in at Movida

Features of the Nokia 5800

• 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen with 16M colors (640 x 360 pixels)
• Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
• Alphanumeric keypad, full and mini qwerty keyboard, handwriting recognition
• 3.2 megapixel camera with Zeiss optics
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Wi-Fi
• TV-out port
• Stereo speakers
• Finger and stylus UI control
• 109 gm weight
• 8GB of memory
• Symbian OS v9.4, S60 5th edition

Unfortunately I didnt get to take the phone home with me last night, but I’ve been told I’ll get one to play with.

Patience.