Nokia Lumia 900 – reviewed

[section_title title=Portability – Media support – Durability – Ecosystem – Nokia spesific software]

Portability

The Lumia 900 is a quite large smartphone with its (127,8 x 68,5 x 11,5)mm size and weight of 160 gr. Although a lot larger that the iPhone 4, and a little larger than the iPhone 5 (as can be seen in the gallery below), for me the size is no problem. I really like the feel of the phone in my hand, and it really isn’t that much thicker than the iPhone 4. What you get for this size is of course that gorgeous screen I mentioned earlier.

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Subscore: 8 out of 10

Media Support

Apple has its iTunes, and Windows Phone for now has the Zune software. First things first: I utterly, truly, really HATE the iTunes software on PCs. It is a bloated piece of …. It hangs whenever I look at it (try to sync a device, switches between the movie store to the app store tabs and so forth), but what iTunes got going for it is the truly integrated experience of having one location from where you can buy your music, e-books, movies, TV-series and apps. So what is Microsoft’s answer to iTunes and can it be compared?

Microsoft’s answer has been the Zune software with its Zune marketplace. And it is a joy to use compared to iTunes. Take a closer look at the software in the gallery below. Windows Phone 7 and thus the Lumia 900 can play most media file types available, and I do think that the new Xbox-branded app, which will replace the Zune software, and store will improve its already good catalogue of available content over time, as did iTunes previously.

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Subscore: 9 out of 10

Durability

The polycarbonate uniform body mixed with the Corning Gorilla Glass makes this a very durable phone. I have not felt the need for neither a case nor screen protector for this phone. It has been residing in my front left pocket, alongside keys, change and what have you. No problem! The phone feels solid, and is treated accordingly.

Subscore: 9 out of 10

Ecosystem

When it comes to apps, one of the more common criticisms leveled at Windows Phone 7 is its lack of apps. Today there are more than 100.000 apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace, admittedly fewer than what iOS touts, but basically more than enough. The most important ones are there, but I have to admit that some is missing as well. You wont for instance, find Instagram or Path, if those are important for you. Neither could I find RunKeeper, although Caledos Runner, which is linked to my RunKeeper account does the job, though admittedly not as good as RunKeeper on iOS. Most of the high-end developed apps are beautiful, yes even more beautiful than most iOS apps, but there is also a lot of crap around from more home-brewed app developers. The appstore, or Marketplace as it is called in Windows Phone 7 (will be renamed to App Store in Windows Phone 8) is a mess. It is not good looking at all, and finding what you are looking for entails scrolling through lines of more or less related apps to what you are searching for. So Microsoft: Please redo this one – it really needs it.

That downside aside, you will (eventually ) find what you need in the Marketplace.

When it comes to accessories, Nokia has introduced its own line of accessories to go along with your Lumia 900; speakers, bluetooth devices, car chargers and so forth, and you will also with little effort find third-party accessories that goes along with your beautiful phone. The fact that Nokia follows the EU-initiative/regulation that requires phones to use standard USB-connectors as well as the included Bluetooth interface, which is not just limited to hands-free devices like the iPhone 4 and 4S is, makes it quite easy to go out and find accessories that fits your Lumia 900.

Subscore: 8 out of 10

Nokia specific software

Nokia has taken an active role in promoting the Windows Phone platform and has included several Nokia-made applications with the phone;

• Nokia City Lens – an augmented reality app that superimposes information on your surroundings on to the camera screen – making it more easy to find a particular restaurant or shop in your neighborhood
• Nokia Drive – a turn by turn navigation application with 2D or 3D maps. For free! That just works!
• Nokia Maps – great free maps, that knows where towns and cities are, as well as other significant geographical details – as opposed to the Apple Maps app in iOS 6 (just had to – honestly )
• Nokia Music – that in select markets (including Norway) offers free streaming music from an extensive catalogue – included – for free!
• Nokia Traffic – which is a travel route planner.
• Nokia Trailers – movie trailers
• Creative Studio – Photo editing application which allows for adding filters and warp-effects on photos you have taken
• Camera Extras – adds more functionality to the camera with smart group shot, which takes 5 rapid pictures of a group of people and then picks out the best picture of each face and combines them into one, Action Shots, Panorama and Self timer. Makes the camera even better!

I am showing off some of these apps in the gallery below:

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Subscore 8 out of 10