Nokia intros keypad, touchscreen combo candybar
X3 revamped
Nokia has revamped its X3 sliderphone as... a candybar.
Yet like previous X3 - reviewed here - the new "Touch and Type" version has a touchscreen - the first time the Finnish phone giant has placed touchscreen and keys on the same part of a phone, the company claimed.
"We've designed the Nokia X3 to be a touch and type device because typing is ideal for SMS and social networking where fast and frequent input is needed, while touch is ideal for functions such as setting alarms, smooth browsing and controlling applications like music and games," Nokia's handset head, Mary McDowell, said.
The X3 also packs in 3G, Wi-Fi, a 5Mp camera and comes with a 16GB memory card. It'll set you back no more that €125 (£103) before VAT gets added and any operator subsidy is subtracted. It'll go in sale before the end of September. ®
COMMENTS
I like it
I like this. This is the ideal form factor for me, a nice uncramped physical phone keypad for predictive texting (never got the hang of a fiddly tiny Blackberry-style full QWERTY on a candybar form factor), and a touch screen for everything else. Why don't more manufacturers do this?! HTC briefly experimented with the Touch Dual (Nike) slider but it was let down IMHO by Windows Mobile 6 and a lack of wifi.
If ithis phone ran Android (or, I guess, Meego) I would probably get one.
Perfect for my missus
Who wants a decent touch screen phone but just really hates composing texts on a normal qwerty touch screen phone. Will be buying one for her when it hits the stores.
Deja Vu
Just like the Sony Ericsson G900. Remember that? Quite.
First relevant Nokia in a long time?
Looks nice, but it could be 12 months too late though...
