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Nokia 6710 Navigator GPS Function
26 Oct 2009
Since the Nokia 6710 Navigator uses its main function as part of its name as well as integrating it into the design of one of the themes, it has much to live up to in this area. Many mobile phones these days offer built in GPS, but in most cases you are required to buy additional mapping software to make the most of it. You may also be charged for network usage if you ever do get around to using the GPS functions. However, the Nokia 6710 Navigator GPS functionality is advertised as being ready to go straight out of the box. What's more it is also ready for use whether you are on foot or travelling in a car, something which few other handsets offer from day one.
The 6710 is a slider phone and, unlike other GPS enabled handsets and indeed most modern standalone sat nav units, does not have a touch sensitive screen. This means you need to use the numeric keypad and navigation keys on the top half of the phone to access the functions. This is fine when you are setting the destination and finding out directions. However, if you need to make a change on the fly it can be more difficult, particularly if you are travelling in a vehicle when it is dangerous and distracting to have to make many button presses. These problems are, however, more than offset by the fact that the standard retail package includes an in-car cradle to make the 6710 instantly ready for use on the road.
The Navigator does have one touch sensitive concession. There is a zoom bar just below the main screen along which you can drag your finger in order to zoom in or out of the current map view which alleviates some of the interface problems.
The mapping software included on the 2GB micro SD memory card is suitably impressive. It has regional mapping and also features satellite photos and live traffic updates. Because of the integration with Nokia's Ovi app store, some of the services require a subscription and as such may not be appealing to every customer, but none of them are mandatory so there is no additional financial obligation for the basic GPS functionality.
You can take the SIM card out of the 6710 and use it as a dedicated GPS device. But again the question arises as to when exactly this kind of function would be useful. For someone who has not already got a basic sat nav for their car, the Nokia 6710 Navigator GPS function is well featured and useful. But for anyone else it seems like an unnecessarily expensive solution to a problem that can be solved for much less with a dedicated GPS system.
The 6710 Navigator can be quickly synced with your PC using either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and there is also 3G connectivity and HSDPA for fast downloads of updated mapping and additional applications from the Ovi store. The 6710 Navigator manages to pack in a considerable level of connectivity together with smartphone functions without ever managing to feel quite like a smartphone. This is largely down to the slightly outdated slider design which does not suit the advanced technology under its relatively bland brown or silver shell.
The Nokia 6710 Navigator GPS makes good use of the tools with which it is endowed, but the lack of a touch screen interface makes it feel old hat. Anyone looking for an in car GPS system will probably go for a dedicated unit before they choose the 6710.
Since the Nokia 6710 Navigator uses its main function as part of its name as well as integrating it into the design of one of the themes, it has much to live up to in this area. Many mobile phones these days offer built in GPS, but in most cases you are required to buy additional mapping software to make the most of it. You may also be charged for network usage if you ever do get around to using the GPS functions. However, the Nokia 6710 Navigator GPS functionality is advertised as being ready to go straight out of the box. What's more it is also ready for use whether you are on foot or travelling in a car, something which few other handsets offer from day one.
The 6710 is a slider phone and, unlike other GPS enabled handsets and indeed most modern standalone sat nav units, does not have a touch sensitive screen. This means you need to use the numeric keypad and navigation keys on the top half of the phone to access the functions. This is fine when you are setting the destination and finding out directions. However, if you need to make a change on the fly it can be more difficult, particularly if you are travelling in a vehicle when it is dangerous and distracting to have to make many button presses. These problems are, however, more than offset by the fact that the standard retail package includes an in-car cradle to make the 6710 instantly ready for use on the road.
The Navigator does have one touch sensitive concession. There is a zoom bar just below the main screen along which you can drag your finger in order to zoom in or out of the current map view which alleviates some of the interface problems.
The mapping software included on the 2GB micro SD memory card is suitably impressive. It has regional mapping and also features satellite photos and live traffic updates. Because of the integration with Nokia's Ovi app store, some of the services require a subscription and as such may not be appealing to every customer, but none of them are mandatory so there is no additional financial obligation for the basic GPS functionality.
You can take the SIM card out of the 6710 and use it as a dedicated GPS device. But again the question arises as to when exactly this kind of function would be useful. For someone who has not already got a basic sat nav for their car, the Nokia 6710 Navigator GPS function is well featured and useful. But for anyone else it seems like an unnecessarily expensive solution to a problem that can be solved for much less with a dedicated GPS system.
The 6710 Navigator can be quickly synced with your PC using either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and there is also 3G connectivity and HSDPA for fast downloads of updated mapping and additional applications from the Ovi store. The 6710 Navigator manages to pack in a considerable level of connectivity together with smartphone functions without ever managing to feel quite like a smartphone. This is largely down to the slightly outdated slider design which does not suit the advanced technology under its relatively bland brown or silver shell.
The Nokia 6710 Navigator GPS makes good use of the tools with which it is endowed, but the lack of a touch screen interface makes it feel old hat. Anyone looking for an in car GPS system will probably go for a dedicated unit before they choose the 6710.
