Excellent suggestion; I compared with Lumia 710 & found it has all the important features that I'm looking for PLUS it costs less than 10K probably & good CPU speed than N8 & good battery.

Only drawback I see is its Symbian compared to Windows in Lumia 710 (but same as N8 but half the cost of N8) & I don't think it has flash with still camera, missed phone touch protection & I guess poor video format support.

Sir, I prefer to be completely honest with you, so having said that, I'd like to bring to your notice that the 1Ghz processor on the N500 is bottle necked, cause of the lack a proper GPU. But I'd assume you're not into HD Gaming so thats not an issue. It'd be like limiting you're CBR250R's ECU @ 100Kmph, even a Splendor can keep phase with you, but the real enjoyment is that he'd be spilling his guts out to be there, while you're completely relaxed. In short the N500 kicks ass in the app support front with ease.

Seriously, why do you need Windows?(Not even a bit of sarcasm used.) This is a similar question I ask to people who'd die for Android. If you're leaning to it cause of the eye candy, then I'd warn you in advance, you're heading for a big disappointment. You wont believe it, but I saw a comparison video between the Lumia and iPhone, they we're saying the Lumia wins cause you can post pics on FB faster, you can view your friends online profiles faster etc etc. Seriously? Do you believe thats all that matters? For the common man who goes for everything that shines, yes. But for someone who believes in getting worth out of something he paid for, no.

Nope no flash, photography with flash only assists photography for the purpose of utility.

Lol, I never thought I'd be quoting this, but.... here goes, 'Its a Nokia!'

Wait, will edit this post and add a review with some screenshots.

Edit.


Hope this clarifies your queries based on video format support.

Got myself a new phone.


1.5K On The Road(Literally.)

Okay...but...yes, I'm not at all into gaming stuff, but would certainly like my applications to work faster. Ok, put it this way,

Ok, this is most important requirement though I haven't thought about it earlier
1. I believe there're wide range of application available on Android than any other O/S
2. Not sure, but, I think Nokia is moving away/not supporting Android anymore, this means, I've to switch to one stable O/S that Nokia is looking forward to support. If its Windows or whatever, I'd prefer having something that is non outdated/non supported for sometime.
3. And NO...I don't want anything for the most beautiful looks (otherwise, I would've gone for iPhone). I need something that's most practical

Aah...don't worry on that part; using FB through mobile will be like once in a year, that too, I don't post much pics; I'd mostly use mobile internet for...
1. GPS - Navigation as top most priority; maps through Google or Nokia is fine
2. Internet - Use GLat often & little of FB or access website to recharge wireless internet
3. Small applications like Weather, measuring true speed, trip meter etc

Can compromise if most of my purpose is met



Err...in simple words...
1. Do I need to use some software to convert AVI files into mobile formatting?
2. Can I install a software like WMP/VLC player etc & then load any video format?
3. Does the phone support compression?

Guys if i were to buy a phone what bare minimum specs should i look for in terms of hardware? Asking this so that the phone supports atleast two succeeding soft upgrades over its current one. The phone would be used for music, browsing, gaming, some utility apps and navigation besides telephony(duh!). i also expect a good battery backup. If I'm not the kind of a person whose phone is stuffed with apps, does it make sense restricting myself to android? Also how serious are nokia regarding their continuation with symbian os. I'm a student so i have a 'Cheaper the better' sort of budget which I'll decide ones i get an idea about the minimum specs i should be looking for.

thanks.

Good, then the N500 wont dissapoint you at all. In fact you'd be amazed, due to the wide range of compatibility + Outstanding speed bump cause of the 1Ghz processor.

Strictly technical term, cause it includes a variety of overpriced app's that have absolutely nothing to do with productivity. Seriously what use in an animated cartoon app that repeats everything you say? If you ask me I'd say 'I dont know, and its stupid.', but at the same time I'd be considered stupid for not having this so called cool app by the rest of the society. Now the + point about Symbian, if you search genuinely you get everything you need, be it CFW's,Hacking Security Certificates, Installing cracked app's, everything, but the sad part is that only about 5% of total users who've used Symbian know how to use this, the rest 95% are limited to the Ovi Store(Which is nokia's pathetic excuse to make every Tom, Dick and Harry use third party app's so as to ensure its hold as a SmartPhone in midst competition.) hence they are'nt aware of its potential and cling to Android cause of all BLINGY apps present in its app store.

Nokia has nothing to do with Android. And Symbian has been around for a really really long time(Since 2001), so no worries, cause it'll continue being there.

Everything lies in the hands of the beholder. A properly UTILIZED iPhone can literally kick the rest of the competition's ass when it comes to Utility.

Reasons 1,2 & 3 itself decides that the winning points goes for the N500. If you're interested in a detailed report then I can provide screenshots on the above 3 points.


Nope.

No need. If you look in the previous screenshots you'd notice that Xvid, MP4, and Wmv is supported out of the box.

Zip out of the Box, the rest 3rd party. I currently have WinRar installed on the phone.

Ashwin, Rachit, Antz & Krish - Today we'd gone to one of the leading showroom to have a look & feel. There's little bit of disappointment & some hard facts to share...

1. Lumias & N8 has one big issue that, they support ONLY micro SIM cards; this means, my existing SIM card has to be cut using some machine & I'm not comfortable with that!!!
2. Biggest of biggest disappointment is that, N8 & Lumias have non removable battery. I don't know why the hell these ppl are making life so complicated!!! First of all 710 has low withstand on battery charge, I thought of overcoming by buying additional battery for which they explained the complications!!! Whew!!!
3. So its N500 then, I'm 99% determined for few practical reasons...
3.1 Regular SIM & removable battery
3.2 I get all my requirements at a very good price, which is less than what I'd planned
4. The only disappointment like I said (which Ashwin still is not convinced) is SYMBIAN instead of ANDROID
5. It was news to me that Nokia NEVER made phones that uses Android!!! I'm now inclined towards Sony Ericsson just for Android

PS - Why I keep chanting Android is because of one impressive Android application is Strava | Running and Cycling GPS Tracker, Performance Analytics, Maps, Clubs and Competition

Edit - The so called leading mobile dealer quoted Rs 9700 after discount (ofcourse I didn't bargain as my homework is not yet completed); looking at Yebhi.com (9K), Buy The Price(9.1K), Flipkart (9.5K), are there any other RELIABLE online stores anyone is familiar here that sells at competitive prices?

Sir, this might come in as a shock to people who know me up close. A few hours ago I shifted to Android. Not by choice, cause mom had difficulty using her Galaxy and she insisted that I give her mine in exchange for hers.
I rooted the phone within 10mins of acquiring it and am messing around with 3rd parts apps' and I have to comment, THIS IS TOTAL CRAP! .
So sir, I'd say it's be best if you borrow someones Android and use it for a while, so that you get a picture of what am reffering to, anyways to complete my persuation I'll post a screenshot later showing the price's of some of the app's I found on Android Market, just hope you dont get a stroke when you see em.

If you're inclined towards SE then only go for the top models, cause the base ones are'nt made by SE.

9k for N500 is a steal. I paid 9.6k+500(Extended Warranty.) bought from Nokia outlet.

Well can't do that, but, can borrow someone's phone to see how it works

See...my point has always been on APPLICATIONS available for Android rather than LOOK & FEEL. So that's fine with me.

Oh!!! And yes, forgot to mention one more thing; y'day when talking to the salesman at the mobile showroom, when he was suggesting me SE or Samsung, I said, I'm opting for Nokia just for user friendliness & ease of use. After that he never made an attempt to change in the brand.

Not that I'm inclined on SE, but for Android.

Well...you never know about the online stores or showroom who makes best offers

Y'day I visited Poorvika

I'm planning to visit few more stores like...
Welcome to Sangeetha Mobiles - The Largest Online Mobile Shopping Store in India
Welcome to wavetel
The MobileStore - The Mobile Store: Buy Online at Lowest Prices in India - Mobile Phones, Tablets, Cell Phones, Accessories, Batteries, Bluetooth, Chargers and more

Ashwin - Sry, I'm getting biased once again with Android

I think these are equivalent of N500

Sony Ericsson Xperia Duo
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
Sony Ericsson Xperia active
Sony Ericsson W8
Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini
Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman

This is one app Movie App for Android Phone & Tablet - IMDb that I like to keep using often in addition to navigation. Symbian seems to be outdated

I have been a silent observer of this forum for long time. The conversation going has irked me to come out of hibernation :-). I use android and a close friend of mine has recently bought N500 coz he simply is not comfortable with anything other than Nokia. I'd say if you opt for Android better go for mid range rather than lower end Android. Because you will feel cramped for the lack of internal memory. As Ashwin suggested N500 does its job and there ends all the fun. Android is whole new world and more utilitarian along with eye candy. N500 is slow and you will be left wanting for more.

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Lol, no worries, you'll learn eventually. Just joking, I just pointed out N500, cause it felt like a VFM product, but if you feel different then I totally support your choice. Cause ultimately your the one using it.

The first and the last, yes. Then one's in the middle, hmmm.

Nice taste, but better wait till they give out an official word on its release. And the expected price range may be about double the cost of N500.

A friend of mine has it, and its a hard to break phone. Pretty cute and handy but, the SE UI cramped inside that miniscule screen's a drag to use, and I mean a real DRAG!.

Good choice, but dont need to pay extra for its ruggedness, cause obviously you're not going to play hard ball with it.

Kinda similar to the X10 Mini, but with a bigger screen and Walkman branding, is it worth the difference in cost.

Similar to the X10 Mini, but with a bigger screen and poorer camera.

Looks like a souped up X10 Min. Nothing special in the specs other than the optimistic price tag.

Now, this I can guarantee is a worthy upgrade from the N500, But costs 14k, and the only notable improvements are a GPU and an AF camera.


Sir, since you're into Android, why dont you look forward to Samsung phones? Cause I find them better and digestible than SE ones i.e in terms of product pricing.

Dude, comparing the Symbians with the Androids the Symbians seem way slow, and I agree. But thats not cause its slow in actuality, infact its the stock transitions that make it appear slow.

If you find it hard to believe me, look for Symbian's with customized theme effects, they'd appear faster than the Androids in response timings. Here's an example.

Theme Effects.

@Ashwin

I understand you are a symbian fanboy but the fact is symbian is dying/dead dude. Saw your older post.. about apps in androids costing alot. I use my android as a little computer, have 23apps not one paid and i can do everything that my computer can do.

FYI


According to this.. symbian holds less than 1% market share lol




Android rocks !

@ Ashwin
Apply the same custom ROM or theme to Android and it will be blazing fast. Tell me how many Android phones you have played with? Leave alone your rooting in 10 mins. Could you please mention what Galaxy series your mom is using?

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