Nokia 6230 Phone (Cingular)
November 21st, 2005 - Posted in Nokia
With Bluetooth, expandable MultiMediaCard memory, an FM radio, and support for EDGE high speed data, streaming video and video recording, the Nokia 6230 is a svelte powerhouse. For mobile Internet users and those who crave high end features, this phone delivers all the goodies in a tidy, unassuming package.
Design
At first glance, the 6230 looks like just another candybar phone from Nokia. Looks can be deceiving, though, as this phone packs a lot under the hood. The large 128 x 128 pixels TFT color display dominates the front of the phone and a five-way button just below it controls most of the phone’s menus and features. The phone’s 8 MB internal memory can be expanded using the MMC card slot located in the battery compartment (the phone ships with a 32MB card). Charging and data ports are placed on the phone’s bottom edge. The 6230 uses an internal antenna– nothing to snag or break off. The VGA camera unit is housed on the back of the phone. Up/down volume keys are located on the left side. Finally, Nokia provides optional changeable faceplates for the 6230.
Calling Features
The 6230 boasts some powerful calling functions that make it a perfect part of a mobile office. A speakerphone makes it easy to converse without touching the handset– a big plus for car users. Enhanced voice dialing supports voice controlled dialing of up to 25 contacts. There are also 16 built-in voice commands for controlling the phone’s menus. Because the 6230 is Bluetooth enabled, wireless headsets can be configured with the phone for total handsfree operation. The phone supports Cingular’s “Fast Forward” call forwarding device, which enables you to effortlessly forward your wireless calls to your land line phone.
The 6230’s internal and expandable flash memory can be used to hold up to 1000 contacts for quick access to email addresses and phone numbers. The phone lets you easily assign pictures to your most common callers. In addition to vibrating alerts, the phone supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3 ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. Ringtones and pictures can be assigned to various incoming callers. Twenty-four ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from Cingular’s MEdia wireless web service.
Messaging, Internet and Tools
The 6230 is a top contender in the messaging and wireless Internet arena. Support is built in for sending and receiving pictures, text, graphics, sound and video via messages. When used in combination with the phone’s built-in still and video camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. The phone ships with a built-in email client with POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP protocols support (Cingular messaging charges apply). There’s also a built-in web browser for MEdia downloads and mobile web browsing. Cingular’s MEdia service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit– a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
Getting on the Internet is easy with the 6230. It supports the GPRS protocol, as well as the new, high speed EDGE data protocol. When used with a Cingular data plan and the phone’s Bluetooth or USB data capability, the phone can be used as a wireless modem for laptops and PDAs.
A number of handy software tools are bundled with the 6230 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator with unit and currency converters, a calendar with monthly views, a to-do list with priority levels, and an alarm clock with snooze. Via download on its Web site, Nokia offers a free application called PC Suite that facilitates easy synchronization of contacts, calendar events and other data between the phone and your PC. Synchronization is possible using Bluetooth or a USB data cable.
Imaging and Entertainment
Because the 6230 shines in the entertainment department. The phone’s VGA camera can capture stills and video, both of which can be sent to your friends via MMS messaging or email, or to your PC via USB or Bluetooth. An included image-editing application lets you modify the pictures you take before you send them. Three minutes of video capture is possible with the 6230 as is streaming video, so long as you have a data service that supplies video content. With an optional stereo headset, you can listen to tunes on the phone’s built-in FM radio or to MP3 or AAC audio files stored on a memory card. The phone also supports custom themes and wallpapers.
Java support is built into the 6230, making it a powerful gaming companion for both online and offline games. The phone ships with two games, Beach Rally II, Golf. Multiplayer gaming via Bluetooth is supported and more games are available via the Cingular MEdia service.
Vital Statistics
The Nokia 6230 weighs 3.42 ounces and measures 4.06 x 1.73 x 0.79 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of digital talk time, and up to 9.4 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 800/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.