[Ben]

http://gsmarena.com/nokia_n80-review-58.php

Oh my! Yum yum yum yum yum! *rubs tummy*

GSMArena excel in their usual way in this first look from 3GSM, with some wonderful real-life pictures. The writeup is perhaps a little less inspirational, but it's a good effort. The writer is certainly correct in that the black version is the better looking - in my opinion it's simply stunning. Hopefully this masterpiece will be with us very shortly - it's certainly on my shopping list as soon as it surfaces!

[getti]

It's not a first look from GSM Arena infact they dont even review the phones!.

They translate the reviews from http://www.mobilmania.cz/

Infact the original N80 bit is here http://www.mobilmania.cz/Mobilnitelefony/AR.asp?ARI=111382

[Ben]

Well, I get them from GSMArena, in English, so ner :p

But yes, hats off to Mobile Mania.

[Hands0n]

I want one :) So does the Mrs, now that I showed it to her!

I hope Nokia/3 make a better job of the N80 than has [apparently] happened with the N6280. I'll probably play the waiting game to see how the N80 pans out for the first month of release before taking the plunge. But I definitely see it as a suitable replacement for my 6680 when the time arrives.

Nokia are certainly claiming some quite large ground in the 3G handset space.

[getti]

I have a 6280 and its a VERY nice phone. However the only problem i have had with mine was dust getting on the screen and i only had it 2 days.

Only a tiny bit but i have found out how to take the cover off the front and i have now removed the dust i had,

I am a little happier now and it will only be unitl the N80 is out and then i will either get a sim free one or an upgrade from 3. I dont care if i cant access content for a few months until 3 launch it if it means i can get the great value contract with WiFi

[solo12002]

Question is whill you with three, they appear to block everything else, why would they let us use wi-fi without their wall??

[Hands0n]

Good point - it is quite likely that 3 will utterly cripple the N80 in terms of the enhanced functionality that it provides, given their [to date] predisposition to unfettered Internet access.

Alternatively, now being a Content Company, perhaps 3 will use the N80 to herald some new offerings :D

I'm interested in how the N80 will use WiFi though - the notion that I could access the Internet from my own WiFi set up at home or work makes for exciting prospects. More reading is required :)

[3g-g]

Question is whill you with three, they appear to block everything else, why would they let us use wi-fi without their wall??

3 and Skype have joined forces, so expect to see embeded Skype SW in all of the 3 versions of this handset. I'm not sure how 3 could cripple this function, the data passed through the handset to a WiFi point will have nothing to do with Three, it'll be the ISP (that's supplying the internet connection) that handles the data. Three won't have much say in where you go. So, I suppose in theory it'll be "bye bye" for limited content on Three handsets if you're within reach of a hotspot! Good news!

[Hands0n]

Hmmmm, considers the worth of purchasing some Skype Out credits :)

That is, of course, most interesting reading 3g-g. So that should mean free and gratis Skype calls [if] accessing a domestic or free WiFi hotspot, and with the usual access charges if using a commercial one. Nice.

My hauntingly cynical question is "Why are 3 bothering with this, there's nothing in it for them". Or is there :D

Excellent news indeed - I wonder how the competition will respond, will they ally with Skype or will we have to face a plethora of public and proprietary VoIP offerings - with wholesale incompatibility. I digress.

[Ben]

Oh they'll figure out some way to lock it down :p Perhaps forcing the handset to communicate via a 3 proxy server for filterning and billing to take place. Skype will no doubt be locked to using the 3G connection also.

I can't find whether the N80 actually supports UMA? I hope it does... that's the fun part! AFAIK it's only that little flip that does at the moment :\ Surely if the N80 has WiFi then the rest is just software...

Personally I think all the networks should set up UMA gateways. Then when connected to a WiFi network the phone could send/receive calls/whatever using the same number but loads faster, with the added benefit of fantastic indoor coverage and lower cost to the network. The networks may even see an increase in content sales as users escape flakey coverage and slow speeds.