Nokia 6210 Navigator: Do you know where you’re going to?

If there is one technology that seems to have not picked up hereabouts it’s GPS. I have been told by people in the telecom business that perhaps the reason for the lack of interest in GPS is that the Pinoy is not one to rely too heavily on maps. And so, we don’t see the need for another contraption to our cars or cellphones that require a new learning.

In the United States, GPS is so common that people don’t go anywhere without first checking the fastest way to get from point A to B. Matter of fact, if you have ever driven in the US you know that GPS can be a lifesaver when you get lost or make a wrong turn.

Not so here, not so here.

Blame it on the tricycles, jeeps and pedicabs, which will take you to any small street that you need to go to. Surely, there is no need for a map when there is a pedicab close by, is there?

I have always believed that there is really no need for GPS in this country because there is always someone standing in the street who we can ask directions from if we do get lost.

But that does not stop technology from sneaking up on us.

I guess this explains why Nokia recently launched the Nokia 6210, which packs more features into a slimmer frame than the earlier 6000 series models.

Of the improvements made in the 6210, the more significant ones are the high-speed data transfer and the tracking of calendar notes by date. With built-in infrared port and options on the Messages menu, one can sync business cards from the phone to a Palm OS-backed device in one go. Now, that is something to truly rejoice over.

When Nokia introduced the 6210 the Finnish company called it a new converged device with integrated compass that offers easy navigation for drivers and pedestrians. That is why the Nokia 6210 Navigator is Nokia’s first GPS-enabled cellphone with an integrated compass for pedestrian guidance.

The Nokia 6210 Navigator comes with Nokia Maps 2.0 and includes full voice and visual turn-by-turn guidance. Combined with an “accelerometer” which measures changes in direction and orientation, the built-in compass makes it easy to follow the map when strolling. When turning the device, the map automatically maintains its orientation. The integrated Nokia Maps 2.0 application can plot the quickest route to the desired destination and illustrate it on the map.

And since telecom companies here have high-speed 3.5G connectivity, the GPS function of the Nokia 6210 Navigator is easy to use. One can get detailed information about each point of interest, as the phone number or Web address is a click away.

“The personal navigation market is expanding rapidly and mobile phone navigation is its fastest growing area. According to recent market research by Canalys, over 60 percent of mobile phone users are keen to have navigation on their phones,” said Chris Carr, Nokia vice president for sales in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

“The Nokia 6210 Navigator offers the next generation in mobile navigation to a broad consumer base. Mobile phone users around the world will be able to enjoy the benefits of navigation with a device that not only navigates, but also communicates,” Carr added.

Car navigation is also simple with the pre-installed one-touch navigation, full voice guidance and self-mount car kit of the Nokia 6210 Navigator. If the user makes a wrong turn, the device will automatically calculate a new route.

The Nokia 6210 Navigator supports assisted GPS (A-GPS), which enables the GPS receiver to acquire the satellites in just seconds.

That’s a lot for this sleek, slim and quite light cellphone. I did take the Nokia 6210 Navigator for a walk and tried out the maps that were loaded onto it.

Sometimes it is hard to get lost in an area we know so well. So many times I found myself arguing with the cellphone about a route which I felt was faster to take than the one pointed out on the display. Talk about back cellphone driver.

Nonetheless, it was quite fun finding out that the 6210 did have good options for looking for a particular street when one is on foot. I will admit here that I did not try to use the GPS while in the car because I did not want to get caught for violating the “no cellphone while driving” ordinance in Metro Manila.

It is always fun to test run a new gadget. Next to playing with my dogs, it is toying with gadgets that truly relaxes me. There is always so much to learn and so many techie myths that we can discard if we just give each new gadget a chance.

I enjoyed browsing the Internet and using instant messaging and sending a few e-mails, which were fast, thanks to my Globe-connected cellphone which has the 3.5G HSDA technology.

The photo ops with my doggies are always part of any gadget test I make. My toy poodles Tasha and Gorby and my Mini Schnauzer Nik don’t really want to be photo stars but that has never stopped me from trying to snap the best photo of them I can get. Now, if they would sit still for even a bit. How was I to explain to the three doggies that the Nokia 6210 features a 3.2-megapixel camera, that if they would cooperate with me, they would have great photos.

I sat in the park as the three went chasing anything that moved. I kept myself occupied as I listened to the stereo FM radio.

I also took the lull to try out some of the games on the cellphone — Snake II and Pairs II and Opposite. I am not too fond of playing games on the cellphone so after five minutes I was done with them.

Nokia has also designed free software that lets you create your own logo and ringtones. The software installation process provides a choice of downloading between phone and desktop via infrared or serial cable.

There is the intuitive Composer software, designed like a music sheet, which allowed me to write music directly onto the bars. Manipulation of the notes was easy as the navigation bar shows notes of different counts upfront. Now, if only I had the talent for writing music.

Since I am no musician, I loaded the 6210 with my standard fave tones and was satisfied with that. It is quite hard to teach old Kathy to love new ringtones.

There is always something new in a gadget, some new function that we may have never imagined possible. I have always believed that we should give gadgets a chance, as much as we should give people at least one chance to be who they really are.

I admit that I am wrong again. There is room for GPS hereabouts. But I would not have known this if I did not give the Nokia 6210 navigator a chance.

Live and learn.