Update: Nokia Press Release

Nokia today announced that users of the Nokia N80 Internet Edition will have easy access to low-cost calls over the Internet with SIPphone’s Gizmo Voice over IP (VoIP) services. The Nokia N80 Internet Edition is optimized for SIP-based Internet calls, and now Nokia and SIPphone have worked together to create an easy way to configure and make calls using Gizmo VoIP directly from your multimedia computer.

“Mobilizing the Internet is a key focus for Nokia and I’m excited to see how a multimedia computer like the Nokia N80 Internet Edition can provide people with the convenience of Internet calling,” said Ralph Eric Kunz, Vice President, Multimedia, at Nokia. “Our collaboration with SIPphone makes Internet calling easy, plus our open VoIP platform allows for any SIP-based VoIP provider to incorporate their services in our device architecture, giving consumers the best of the Internet world.”

Nokia N80 Internet Edition users download the free Gizmo VoIP settings from the Download! folder in their device, automatically beginning the installation process. During installation, users go through a simple two-step process for creating a free account that they’ll use to make Internet calls. Other capabilities, such as customizing voicemail greetings, purchasing Gizmo Call Out credit for dialing landlines and mobile devices and managing Gizmo account settings are available by using the Nokia N80 Internet Edition to browse the www.gizmovoip.com web site.

“Collaborating with Nokia has allowed our development teams to create a compelling VoIP experience on the N80 Internet Edition and instantly enable millions of mobile consumers around the world to save money,” said Michael Robertson, Chairman and CEO of SIPphone. “Ease of configuration and intuitive everyday use options make this Internet calling service unique in the mobile VoIP space.”

Making an Internet call with the Nokia N80 Internet Edition is as easy as making a regular voice call, only the call is carried through wireless LAN, saving money and conserving cellular airtime minutes in the process. The VoIP framework, based on the SIP-protocol, is integrated into the Nokia user interface, so downloading the GIZMO VoIP settings is simple. Furthermore, the open S60 platform on the Nokia N80 Internet Edition is optimized for downloading compatible third party Internet call applications.

Nokia N80 Reviews

PCMag reviews the Nokia N80 and comments on the smartphone’s WiFi connectivity: “Connectivity is a big strength here: You get EDGE, stereo Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. EDGE speeds were a bit poky, at around 80 Kbps, when the phone was hooked up to a laptop as a modem. Wi-Fi zipped along at up to 925 Kbps using the built-in Web browser. I connected the phone up to several Plantronics headsets, a PC, and a Mac via Bluetooth. File transfers, PC modem use, and syncing with Microsoft Outlook via Nokia’s PC Suite all worked fine. I couldn’t get the N80 to sync with the Mac, though file transfers worked.”

Mobile-Review reviews the Nokia N80 and isn’t that happy with the smartphone’s WiFi performance: “One of major advantages of Nokia N80 is WiFi. First disappointment for me was the fact that battery went flat after WiFi was used for 2 hours and 30 minutes. In future it was possible to make it 3 hours instead. However expecting that this model will work more with such weak battery was rather naive, that’s why those who are looking for wireless WiFi connection from their handset better have charger with them. … Short conclusion is not positive at all – WiFi technology works nominally in Nokia N80 though it can help you out most of times, it still requires additional attention and careful use. You will not be able to use WiFi constantly due to battery limitations.”

CNET reviews the Nokia N80 and comments on the phone’s Internet access: “We like that the N80 automatically looks for available access points and you can be connected with just a couple of clicks (see Performance for more). The N80’s Web browser is worth a mention too. Based on the Symbian’s S60 software platform, the browser tries to prove a “true Web experience,” according to Nokia, and includes some neat features. For example, it will present you with a thumbnail of the full Web page so that you can easily navigate to a certain point on the site, rather than having to scroll all over the place–very nice.”

MobileTechReview has a review of the Nokia N80 and writes about the smartphone’s WiFi: “WiFi may not be an absolute must on a smartphone, but it’s certainly a popular and important feature to business users. While most Pocket PC phones, the T-Mobile SDA MS smartphone and some other Nokia S60 devices have WiFi, by no means is it a given: just look at the WiFi-less Treo phones, Cingular 2125 and Motorola Q. Given the N80’s capable email client, excellent web browser and high resolution display, WiFi is a natural fit and indeed the device is a pleasure to use when browsing the web over WiFi. Not to mention WiFi’s high speeds are a good consolation for those of us who are using the N80 in the US where we can’t take advantage of the phone’s 3G capabilities. WiFi supports WEP encryption (64 and 128 bit), WPA and 802.1x and has a site survey feature so you can scan for available access points. Connections are reliable and range is comparable to PDAs, which is to say a bit less than notebook range but still very usable. We managed to keep a standard 802.11g connection alive at a distance of 65 feet through several beefy walls with no problems. Battery life takes a hit when using WiFi, similar to other PDA phones. Use WiFi for an hour per day and you’ll be fine… several hours WiFi use per day warrants a trip to the charger or a spare battery.”