Nokia launches N8 imaging smartphone on Rogers
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 7:40PM 
Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Editor's note: Please see our full review of the Nokia N8 here.
Nokia unveiled its highly anticipated N8 Symbian smartphone during a packed event at downtown Toronto's Bang and Olufsen store. Movie magic and imaging were the themes of the night with a film screening and demos of the new device's multimedia capabilities and 12Megapixel camera.
To demo the N8's capabilities, some devices were connected to HDTVs where they played back video as well as allowed guest to play games in full resolution. Nokia also premiered the short film The Commuter, which was shot and edited entirely on an N8 device. Below are more specs and details from Nokia's release. Look out for our review on Canadianreviewer.com.
Nokia Brings Lights, Camera and HD Action with the Nokia N8
Now available in Canada exclusively through Rogers, the long awaited Nokia N8 marks the debut of 12 MP camera with Carl Zeiss Optics
Nokia announced today the launch of the highly anticipated Nokia N8, available exclusively through Rogers Communications Inc., offering Canadians cutting edge design and stunning hardware, along with a top-of-the-line multimedia experience.
Seeing is believing with the Nokia N8. This powerful touchscreen smartphone, dubbed the world’s best cameraphone, is a home theatre in the palm of your hand. The only smartphone with Dolby Digital Plus Surround Sound, the Nokia N8 offers the best of video entertainment, information sharing and social communication, such as a 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash and HD quality video recording. The Nokia N8 comes equipped with an HDMI cable allowing for easy hookup to an HDTV for the ultimate entertainment experience.
Lights, Camera, HD Action
The Nokia N8 allows users to film, edit, perfect and share high-definition masterpieces directly from their smartphone. Users can edit video content on-screen with an intuitive built-in editing suite and share with friends, family and social networks. HD video recording with Dolby Digital Plus Surround Sound provides an exquisite surround sound experience that unlocks the full audio potential from films, videos and more. The 12MP sensor and Carl Zeiss optics offer supreme photo quality, and the Xenon flash makes it easier than ever to capture quality photos in low-light conditions. Users can transfer large files to an external hard drive with USB on-the-go and upload content, such as photos and videos, to social networking sites.
Nokia Canada's General Manager Richard White
“The Nokia N8 has seen the most consumer pre-orders globally of any Nokia phone to date– and this is a company with a truly rich history not only in Canada, but around the world,” said Richard White, General Manager of Nokia Canada. “We are thrilled to debut the powerful new Symbian software in Canada on the Nokia N8 and also offer Canadian customers a truly phenomenal multimedia experience in one beautifully designed package.”
Social Butterflies Stay Connected
Social networking is second nature with the Nokia N8. This brilliant smartphone is packed with features that enhance Canadians’ daily lives and keep them better connected than ever before. The Nokia N8 offers extensive personalization capabilities, allowing Canadians to showcase their personality and make the phone their own. Users can update their status, share location and photos, and view live feeds from Facebook and Twitter in a single app directly on one of the three homescreens. It’s impossible to miss a moment with the Nokia N8. Users can swipe between work, play and fun with one easy gesture on the touchscreen. Calendar events from social networking sites can also be integrated seamlessly into the device calendar for a truly all-in-one social experience. The Nokia N8 makes it easy for Canadians to not only create exciting content and stay entertained, but also connect with social networks all over the world.
Canadians can also visit Ovi Store to discover new apps, games and themes they cannot live without. Each week, Ovi Store continues to grow and add more great content that supports more than 30 languages in more than 180 countries. Currently, Ovi Store sees more than 2.7 million downloads worldwide per day. Visit store.ovi.com to learn more.
Navigate Just About Anywhere, Anytime...
The Nokia N8 comes equipped with free* global Ovi Maps walk and drive navigation, making it easier than ever for Canadians to access people and places in over 70 countries worldwide. When driving, Ovi Maps for mobile is a full-fledged car navigation solution with enhanced safety and real-time trafficinformation. When walking, the service provides pedestrian-friendly directions, including routes that take a pedestrian through parks, pathways and other shortcuts. Along the way, users can see 3D landmarks and search points of interest like nearby restaurants or ATMs.
The New Symbian: Open for Business
Powering the Nokia N8 is the latest edition of Symbian, the world’s most used smartphone software. The new Symbian introduces several advances including support for flick scrolling and pinch-zoom. The Nokia N8 is also the first Nokia device integrated with Qt, a software development environment that simplifies the process and makes it possible to build applications once, and deploy across Symbian and other platforms.
Accessorize in Style
The Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset BH-505 is a lightweight and hands-free solution for users on-the-go. Equipped with an integrated microphone, the Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset BH-505 doubles as a wireless headset for music and a hands-free device for calls. With convenient call controls, switching between music and calls has never been easier. Trendy and modern, this accessory is the perfect pairing to the stunning design and seamless functionality of the Nokia N8.
The wait is now over. The Nokia N8 is available exclusively though Rogers for $79.99 on select 3-year data and voice plans, backed by Rogers exclusive Handset Protection Guarantee Program in the event a customer’s device becomes lost, stolen or broken. Terms and conditions apply, see rogers.com/protection.
Reader Comments (5)
Has anyone bought and tried this phone in Canada yet? I have heard of a number of issues which are requiring rebooting etc...anybody?
Thanks for your comment. We are testing it right now and will have a review out shortly.
So? thumbs up or ?
I bought a Nokia N8-00 the next day after the launch. The Camera & Phone sections are OK but the interface reminds me of programming back in the dark age decades ago. Nokia should hire a separate OS team and name it a new series instead of backward compatible with older models.
Just my luck, I can't even get the USB to work with any of my laptops (Vista & Windows 7). I have to use BT/USB-on-the-go to transfer my photos. No go with the HDMI either.
The N8-00 will serve as my 'always carry around camera' until a better camera phone is available.
Pros: Camera/Video, USB-on-the-go, microSDHC
Cons: Symbian
This is a smartphone that once you "get smart" and tweak it, it is really the best phone on the market!
This is the most "loaded" phone on the market. For self employed people, this phone rocks!
*Call quaility is excellent
*GPS is excellent (I downloaded the UK female voice, oh yes!)
*12 mp Camera excellent (what? this is a cell phone, eh? especially panorama app)
*HD VIDEO, beyond excellent (what? this is a cell phone eh!)
*Email excellent, I have 4 all visible on one of my 3 home-screens!
*Texting excellent and fun now!
*Surfing the net with the OPERA app is excellent
*FM transmitter, yes a transmitter (no more need of an ipod or ipod connector in the auto)
*organizer is excellent (coming next app is perfect)
*open word, pdf's excellent
*screen transitions if fine
*Look-hold-feel-excellent...and there is more...like facetime (i have not even tried)
Pointers
*Download ovi suite first to your pc
*Don't use the nokia browser (it does suck)
*Make sure if you were on bb that your service provider changes you over to the right network
*If you want a really cool look, inteligent full featured phone get the Nokia N8.
*oh yeah, I bought 5 cases including skins, water proof cases, leather holder on ebay for under 14$ including shipping! yes including shipping....
*rogers sells a Nokia adaptor for your old car charger for 10$
*To copy paste info. from email, you must forward, then highlight, copy and go to calendar or where ever you want and paste.
*If you do not have a lillte technical knowledge you might be better off going with the iphone or I do like the iphone "perfected" Samsung galaxy S, that would have been my second choice.
*Oh yes, put all your contacts in ms outlook to transfer from a bb.
Regarding the comment about the USB problem, I am running "crappy" vista and my connection has worked fine with no issues.