Nokia 8290 - For the Spy Kid within
Written: Apr 08 '01 (Updated Apr 08 '01)
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Pros: small, light and loaded
Cons: may be too small for some
The Bottom Line: versatile phone loaded with dynamic options
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| psugrowler's Full Review: Nokia 8290 Cellular Phone |
Accessibility is a very important concept. Access to people and information is a valuable commodity. This resource can lead to power and profit, but to what extent?
Nokia and other cell phone companies extol these virtues of connectivity. Never miss a call. hip Email in the palm of your hand. bold Internet at the press of a button. stylish Business the right way. sleek These companies are dire to attach this activity with an upbeat aura. Convenience with a “Have a nice day!” smiley. “Welcome to the New Era,” scream cardboard coffee sleeves on Madison Ave.
The reality, on the other side of the fence, is that this can be an expensive service - regardless of your means. There is no need for this sort of “sophisticated expressionism” when it comes at a premium. Any fool, who can nonchalantly foot bottomless phone service bills, is probably someone you wouldn’t wish to do business with.
Connecting people has become a billion dollar business constantly on the lookout for your intangible dollar. Look for ways to justify the service, instead of incorporating it into a lifestyle. Besides, ignorant people abusing cell phones in public are just that. Bottom line – don’t buy into flowery image, buy into practicality. Anyway, dial tone triumphant – if you give them phones, they will call. Who’s gotta have one?
Choosing the Nokia 8290 was really quite simple. I had used cell phones for years but never had become an owner - Ericsson, Motorola Star Tac and the ever-popular Nokia 5100 phones. Now, with an assortment of affordable call plans and a preference to Nokia’s functionality and design - the time was ripe.
Nokia 8290 is about the size of a box of Chiclets. Smaller than a cigarette box at 3.9” x 1.7”. This phone conceals away in the palm of your hand, and is a featherweight at 2.8 ounces. Trim, slick and perhaps a better alternative to the one Maxwell Smart has been using all these years.
The phone design is simple and intuitive. Soft keys and a scroll button guide you through the functions of menus, submenus, and phone book. The talk and end buttons are illustrated with corresponding green and red icons. The on/off button is seamlessly built-in to the top of the phone. The buttons are easy to press and a volume control button can be easily accessed on the left side of the phone. Within seconds, your fingers can master any desired function.
Plethora is the only word apt to describe the limitless number of features that this model offers.
* 200 minutes digital talk time
* voice dialing
* calling groups
* personal ring tones
* vibra alert
. . . to name but a few of the robust functions. The long list of other functions includes: auto redial, calculator, caller ID, email, fax, infrared (to communicate with your Palm or other device), phone book, profile settings and more.
Nokia 8290 also offers an array of changeable color covers. Not just for those who are in need of style but to differentiate your talk toy from those of your friends. ;)
The phone performed well – easy-to-use, with great clarity. The ring was a pleasant brief chime that I opted for and the automatic vibration that accompanied it was an added surprise. Programming the phonebook was simple and effortless. Leaving second long voice tags for auto dialing was downright mischievous.
Nokia 8290 has earned my business. A dynamic product to bolster finicky coverage areas and adequate call plans. Impressive quality in the palm of your hand. Effective yet dangerous, I hope I don’t have buyer’s remorse when the first bill arrives.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99
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