-
Recent Reviews
Categories
-
Archives
-
Calendar
The folks at Cupertino were not amused when Siri thinks that the Lumia 900 is the best smart phone/cell phone ever. The so called embarrassment was due to the fact that Siri uses Wolfram Alpha engine to answer various inquiries.
As a “solution”, Siri has been updated to ignore such questions by responding differently with answers such as “the one you’re holding” and “you’re kidding, right?”. Is Apple’s action is a little too much for the sake of saving face? Luckily Apple isn’t venturing into many industries under the sun or we would be getting biased answers from Siri.

Apple says its voice recognition app – Siri – is intelligent and it understands what you mean. This is primarily due to Siri’s analytical brain – Wolfram Alpha. Unlike most other search engines, Wolfram Alpha doesn’t search the web, it understand it by doing dynamic computations based on a vast collection of built-in data, algorithms, and methods.
So when you ask Siri what is the best smartphone in the market right now, you can expect the chatty collection of codes to return a response that’s intelligent, and maybe it did.
Some iPhone 4S users in the US asked Siri “what’s the best cell phone ever?” and it returned a surprising result. Based on the Wolfram Alpha method, Siri says the Nokia Lumia 900 is the best cell phone ever and here’s how it came up with that blasphemous revelation.
This is based on the data collected in the US, and of course we won’t know if Siri is telling the truth for a few more weeks till the Lumia 900 is launched here but what do you think?
[source]
UPDATE: Added BlackBerry Bold 9900 into the comparison.
In our previous Samsung Galaxy S III spec comparison, we compared it with its direct rival the HTC One X and its former Galaxy predecessors. Now we are comparing it with the rest of the notable flagship models including the Sony Xperia S, Huawei Ascend D Quad, iPhone 4S and the Nokia Lumia 900.
With the Xperia S in the picture, Sony is in the lead for having the highest pixel density for squeezing 1280×720 pixels display into a compact 4.3″ screen. In terms of camera, it is the highest among the lot at 12MP. However it is one of the thicker and heavier models of the lot. In our review, the Xperia S performs admirably well despite being a dual-core processor and we appreciate the polished interface it has to offer.
Huawei too is going quad core with its Ascend D Quad which is expected to be released in mid 2012. It uses its in-house K3V2 processor which is clocked either at 1.2GHz or 1.5GHz. It is one of the smaller quad-core phones with a 4.5″ screen that has better pixel density at 326ppi. For those that feel 4.7″ or 4.8″ is too big in the hands might find the Ascend D Quad as a more comfortable choice.
In terms of cloud storage, it is worth pointing out that both Apple & Microsoft are bundling their own storage in the form of iCloud and SkyDrive. Overall, looking at all flagship devices launched this year, all of them are on the Micro-SIM bandwagon. So for those who are still using a standard SIM format, you are likely to convert/cut your SIMs if you’re getting a new high end phone soon.
We have just received very reliable information that Nokia Malaysia is currently very busy planning the brand’s biggest launch campaign to date this year and it’s happening in May. The launch will introduce three new smartphones to Malaysians, all of which are arguably the most anticipated Nokia devices after the Lumia 800.
This month, Nokia will be launching the Lumia 900, the Lumia 610 and the phone that’s gotten everyone talking, the epic 41MP 808 PureView.
At the moment, we have not been able to gather any info on pricing and other launch details but @anotherwx on Twitter says that the Lumia 900 and Lumia 610 will be launching on May 11 with roadshows planned at Sunway Pyramid, the Gardens Mall and Suria KLCC although right now we can’t verify the information provided by @anotherwx.
In any case, we’re pretty sure more information about this will pop up eventually and we’ll be ready to pounce on it so stay tuned.
To kick off the Nokia Lumia 900 fever in the US, Nokia has launched a new campaign site called Smartphone Beta Test. The new campaign claims that if you’ve been using a smart phone in the last 5 years (indirectly hinting at iPhone introduction in 2007), you’re part of a secret experiment which helped Nokia create the Nokia Lumia 900.
Over the top marketing strategy or just simply brilliant? Head after the break to watch the ads.
Nokia has finally revealed the Nokia Lumia 610, an entry level Windows Phone for the masses. At a lower price point of €189 which is about RM770, this makes really affordable for people to get on the Windows Phone bandwagon. While it also runs on Windows Phone 7.5, the Lumia 610 is actually running on a different variant called Tango that allows it to run on devices with lower RAM and processor while still maintaining an optimal user experience.
In terms of specs, the Lumia 610 runs on a single core 800MHz Qualcomm processor with 256MB RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a 1,300mAh battery. At the front, it has a 3.7″ WVGA TFT display which pushes 800×480 resolution. In terms of imaging, it comes with a 5MP camera with assisted LED flash.
The Lumia 610 comes with a choice of 4 colours – white, cyan, magenta & black. It is expected to start shipping in Q2 2012.
The Nokia Lumia 800 and Lumia 710 will be launched here in Malaysia in a few days but if this photo – accidentally mistaken for a Lumia 800 by Nokia themselves — is anything to go by, then we can expect at least one more Lumia making its debut here.
Earlier thought to be a US-only version, what we see here is very possibly a GSM version of the Lumia 900. What’s the difference between the device you see here and the recently announced white Lumia 800 we mentioned earlier? The biggest difference between the Lumia 800 and 900 is of course the screen size but that’s not clearly obvious in pictures, what is evident is the difference in the placement of the micros USB slot. On the Lumia 800, the micro USB slot is located underneath the micro SIM tray cover at the bottom of the device but on the Lumia 900, the slot is located exposed at the top, as you can see in the picture above (thanks for correcting us on this in the comments joevo2).
We’ve established that this is a Lumia 900, but what makes this a GSM version? For one, the obvious omission of the logo of US carrier AT&T is a tell-tale sign. Currently the Lumia 900 is only sold in the US by AT&T, so what’s with this official looking press picture not having an AT&T logo? That points to the device being available for other operators, very likely on GSM networks as well.
The Lumia 900 brings a larger 4.3-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display versus the smaller 3.7-inch AMOLED CBD display on the Lumia 800 but with identical screen resolution at 800×480 pixels. Also, you get a 1.3MP front camera and because the Lumia 900 is running LTE in the US and have a bigger screen, the device also gets a bigger 1,830mAh battery compared to the 1,450mAh in the Lumia 800.
Those are the features that separate Lumia 800 with the Lumia 900. The 1.4 GHz processor, eight-megapixel rear camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash, 16 GB internal memory and 512 MB RAM are identical on both devices. We’re hoping the larger battery stays in the GSM Lumia 900 as well.
So can we expect the Lumia 900 to come to Malaysia? It’s very possible but without an official word form Nokia, don’t expect this phone to be here anytime soon. Although we do expect to see the GSM Lumia 900 making its debut at Mobile World Congress at the end of this month.
There’s been a lot of curiosity and interest surrounding the Nokia Lumia 900. Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas earlier this month, Nokia’s first LTE device features a larger 4.3-inch AMOLED Clear Black Display (compared to the smaller 3.7-inch AMOLED CBD on the Lumia 800) and a 1.3MP front-facing camera (the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710 do not have forward-facing cameras). Aside from that, the other vital specs of the Lumia 900 are almost identical to that of the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710 including the single-core 1.4Ghz processor, the 512MB and the same 8MP camera as the Lumia 800.
Still, many of you asked if the Lumia 900 will be available here in Malaysia. Initially, we dismissed the possibility due to the fact that the Lumia 900 is an LTE device. There are currently no commercially available LTE networks in Malaysia and none will be available until sometime in 2013.
However, Nokia have been dropping clues of the possibility of a GSM version of the Lumia 900. We didn’t post anything about these clues because they didn’t carry enough credence for a vaguely readable let alone interesting article, that is, until now…
A prominent UK online retailer has put up – and promptly taken down – a pre-registration page for the Nokia Lumia 900. The site indicated that the device will be available in stores at the UK sometime in June. Considering that there are no LTE networks in the UK as well and considering that it is virtually impossible for one to be available commercially in June, it’s very likely that UK will be getting a GSM version of the Nokia Lumia 900.
Why is this a big deal? Well closer to closer to home, sources close to the matter have revealed that a GSM version of Nokia Lumia 900 is indeed possible. This is because the Lumia 900 was developed from the ground up to work on either LTE or GSM networks. All that is required is some minor changes to the antenna array and tweaks to the software for the Lumia 900 to work on GSM networks.
Naturally, Nokia has declined to comment officially on this. This reaction is expected considering the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710 are not yet available in all of the markets that Nokia has presence and intends to sell the two devices in. Nokia will want to maximise the sales of the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710. The prospect of a slightly better Nokia device being available in the immediate future will be detrimental to potential sale of the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710. Nokia will not risk potential buyers taking the wait and see approach hoping for a better-specced Nokia to be available soon.
Does this mean the Lumia 900 is coming to Malaysia? From what we’ve gathered, it’s definitely possible but we can’t say for sure right now. Should you wait for the Lumia 900? We wouldn’t hold our breath if we were you. Performance-wise there’s very little separating the Lumia 900 and the Lumia 800 or the Lumia 710 for that matter. In fact, there’s really nothing differentiating them as all have the same processing capabilities and RAM. Whether the 0.6-inch increase in screen real-estate is appreciable is up to debate, if you ask us, it’s not going to be much of a difference. And although the addition of a front camera is nice, it’s not something critical or of much use, honestly speaking.
So, the Lumia 900 coming to Malaysia, we’ll notch that up as a possibility but in all honesty, it’s not going to happen anytime soon.
Nokia today announced its first LTE smartphone, the Nokia Lumia 900 running on Windows Phone 7.5. Other than the 4.3-inch 800×480 pixel AMOLED ClearBlack Display, a 1.3MP f/2.4 front camera and LTE connectivity, everything else about the Lumia 900 is pretty much identical to its smaller-screened stable mate, the Nokia Lumia 800, including the single-piece polycarbonate body and the 1.4GHz single-core processor with 512MB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. You also get the same 8MP with a 28mm f/2.2 Carl Zeiss camera as on the Lumia 800. Also, being a LTE device, the battery on the Nokia Lumia 900 has been beefed up to 1840mAh compared to the 1450mAh unit in the 800.
The Lumia 900 is scheduled to hit stores within this quarter and as the title suggests, the phone is for the US market only at the moment. Closer to home, we’ve gotten word that Nokia is currently gearing up to launch the Lumia 800 and 710 in Malaysia. No word on the exact date but the indication is that it will happen before the end of March.
Whatever it is, Nokia had better haul ass because the Lumia is going to face some tough competition from the Android camp especially from Sony Ericsson and Samsung looking to refresh their smartphone range with ICS-ready device right about the same time as Nokia is looking to launch Lumia in Malaysia.
Considering the choices available and soon to be available, would the Lumia series be a consideration for you?
Head on to after the jump for the full Nokia CES keynote launching the Lumia 900.
