It’s a pity Nokia is still married to the Symbian operating system. Symbian’s outdated S40 software is the only thing not to like about the Finnish company’s new 5330 Mobile TV Edition handset.
The phone is the evolution of Nokia’s 5330 XpressMusic, and sports all the same features. It has an exceptional multimedia player, a feature Nokia has perfected on its XpressMusic range, FM Radio, Bluetooth and 3,2 megapixel camera.
But what will really sell this phone is the addition of a digital video broadcasting handheld (DVB-H) receiver. The mobile TV application is simple, and its menus are straightforward, leaving no room to get things wrong.
Using MultiChoice’s pilot DStv Mobile offering, the content purchase mechanism built into the application is easy to use.
One concern, though, is the size of the screen – at 2,4 inches with a 240×320 resolution, it’s not exactly large. However, it does show broadcasts in landscape mode, making use of what little space it does have.
Having said that, the picture is crystal clear and the sound is even better.
However, one can’t use the mobile TV application without the headphones to act as an antenna. Using the headset means Nokia can keep the minimalist design of the phone intact, but it would have been nice to have had a small aerial to replace the headphones.
The battery life on the 5330 is impressive – Nokia says it will power the DVB-H receiver for up to six hours. I managed three hours and the device still had more than half it’s battery left.
SA doesn’t have a mobile TV service yet. However, broadcasters like MultiChoice and e.tv are working on getting something out soon. The 5330 has proved successful in Nigeria, where DStv and MTN have had the service running for some time.
There is no release date or price set for SA, and the value of the product will definitely depend on its landed cost. But with services on the way, expect the product to arrive here sooner rather than later.
If it is well priced, it will make an excellent companion for smartphone users hoping to watch TV on the go.
For lower income earners, the 5330 will make a great standalone device, because it still has the basic features of a semi-smart device. — Candice Jones, TechCentral
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