Nokia N82 Cell Phone Review - Other Features

Alfredo Padilla
Published on February 05, 2008 Comment on this

Tethered Modem (6.5)
We are pleased that the Nokia N82 can be used as a dial up modem for your computer via USB or Bluetooth. Setup is straightforward, just connect your device and dial out by targeting the N82 as your modem. You will need to go find your particular carriers dial up options, however. This is one area where support for Bluetooth EDR does mean that using the N82 as a wireless modem means you take a much smaller hit in terms of overall data transfer compared to USB. It should be noted, however, that in the U.S. you'll be stuck with Edge speeds, which max out at around 230 Kbps, and can be significantly slower depending on your signal strength.

GPS (8.0)

Like the Nokia N95 the N82 has built in GPS capabilities. This is a feature we're seeing in more devices, even those at the mid to low range of the market, so it's not the high end feature it used to be, but it is still a key feature for those looking for a true all-in-one device. The Nokia N82 supports true GPS, as opposed to the cell phone triangulation that many other devices tout as "GPS-like" capability. Like other recent N-Series devices the Nokia N82 ships with Nokia's Maps application. Although not as fully-featured as some software like TomTom or Garmin's mobile offerings it does a solid job of finding your location and giving you directions, which are the key features you're looking for from GPS software.

It should be noted that having turn by turn directions read to you, like most GPS devices do, will cost you a monthly fee of around $10. If you don't want to pay that price you can still find your location and get directions on the device, but you'll have to look at the screen to see where you're going. One drawback to Nokia's Maps is that it uses your data connection to download maps dynamically like Google Maps. This means that if you're not in range of a data signal you won't be able to get your maps. Thankfully you can download maps at home and load them onto a memory card so you always have access to them, but this requires some foresight on your part and isn't as convenient as the aforementioned alternatives that come with a full set of maps already.

FM Radio (5.0)

Like most of Nokia's handsets the N82 features an FM Radio built into the device. you will need to plug the included headphones in to use the Radio as it's used as the antenna as well. The included software allows you to easily scan through stations and save favorites, but the interface isn't particularly elegant. In particular we find that Nokia's fetish for on screen icons that you navigate using the D-Pad rears itself again, we would have much preferred mapping actual functions to the D-Pad as there simply aren't that many functions to assign. The radio software can us your data connection to download information about the radio station and song you're listening to.

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