The current trend of thin, large screen slate-type smartphones might offer more power and lots of screen real-estate, but due to the the lack of a stand they sure make it more difficult for you to just glance at the screen and get the information you want. As screens get larger and widgets more advanced, it’s seems like every new generation of devices seems to be able to show more info at once, on a single screen. Yet at the same it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a device that can stand upright or sideways on its own and actually allow you to see what’s on the screen, without having to pick it up, sort of like a night clock.

Earlier devices like N96, N86 8MP made it easy due to the inclusion of a kickstand, while smartphones with a flip-out keyboard (E7, N97) also have an angled screen that make this possible. The same can’t be said about the N8, for example. It’s even worse with those 4.3” monstrosities that can’t stand upright, at least not at an angle, requiring you to constantly pick it up. Holding a phone upright, even for a 15 minute video can get tiresome. I’ve had my share of trying to balance my N8 in front of a heavy device, only to find the angle not quite right or the device falling flat.

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We’ve talked about Powermat, the wireless charging system before and even recommended it as one of the ultimate accessories for the N8. Here’s some more good news if you have an N8: a charging case for the Nokia N8, targeted for early Q2.  These Powermat cases usually are a hard case that has a built-in receiver on the back. This way you can simply put the N8 on the mat and it immediately start charging. It will also sense when the battery is full and instantly stop charging, a very elegant solution and definitely one I’d be interested in for my N8.

Judging by the image above it will probably be a black-only case at $39.99. Powermat this promise Powercube batteries that could replace the batteries for other Nokia devices like the 5800 XpressMusic, but it’s slow starting to look like they abandoned that idea for these cases.

Find out what else the Nokia N8 can do for you, by visiting the Dial-a-phone website.

Source: Engadget

We showed you what we consider to be the ultimate accessories for the N900 in part 1 and 2. Now it’s the N8’s turn, just in time for the holidays.

Case

Nokia Carrying Case CP-500

Here at The Nokia Guide we usually tend to prefer Nokia cases and it just happens that the N8 is probably the devices for which Nokia made the most amount of cases for. That’s 13 different types of products or 34 unique products in the Cases & Styling category! So there’s plenty to choose from here. But for the Ultimate Accessories for the N8, we will have to go with the CP-500. It’s available in a regular leather or snake leather print. The N8 rests in a plastic shell where all side ports and buttons are accessible, there’s even an opening for the camera. This does mean that camera module and lens are exposed.

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Nokia creates several  version of a device for specific regions like Asia-Pacific (APAC), USA,  EURO and Middle East and North Africa.  Many times the differences are limited to product codes with slightly different firmware versions and language support.

When it comes to devices for specific region, one thing has persisted and stood out for a long time: APAC devices are known to get many extras. Take the N95 as an example. Not only did it come with a screen protector, but also a case.

While it isn’t as dramatic with the N8, a device which already comes loaded with goodies, there is one small difference. The APAC version of the N8 comes with the Nokia’s SU-36, one of very few stylus that’s designed for capacitive screen.

Nokia does say that the accessory comes in “selected markets only” and the APAC region seems to be only region so far that comes with this.

You could always buy the SU-36 separately, or even the SU-39, but it sure its nice to get these extras in the packages.

At Nokia World 2010 we got an interview with the product manager responsible for Nokia’s portfolio of high-end Bluetooth headsets, basically the BH-600, 800 and 900 series. Among all the headsets being shown, there was one that truly caught our eyes: the BH-806, the successor to the Nokia BH-804. The 800 series is all about compact size, high quality materials and style. So it’s wasn’t a surprise that the soon-to-be released BH-806 looked stunning with it’s curved metal body and overall minimalistic design. If there was a headset that could go head to head against the Jawbone Prime, this would be it. The product manager revealed that the product wasn’t ready yet as the final selection of the metal being used and texture was being finalized, but the arching design was pretty much done. We were also told that the final accessories to be included in the box were still being selected, but judging by previous models in the 800 series, it’s safe  to say that we will see a neck strap and desktop cradle/charger.

The pictures should give you an idea how small the unit is, but the metal being used and it’s texture could still change in the final product.

Nokia has released two accessories that are are specifically made for the female N900 user.  The CP-513 is a satin pouch that comes with detachable jewelry and two available colors. Nokia calls the CP-397 a “case” but looks more like tiny purse. Comes in black leather and supposedly has some room for those lady “essentials” like an extra memory card and screen cleaner, right? Only question is, where can you actually find these? Some of these accessories so hard to find that the only place you’ll actually find them is that little store inside Nokia House in Finland.

So tell us ladies, do you approve these accessories?

There’s no denying that the N900 is quite the capable gaming machine. With various native Maemo games and lots of emulators from DrNokSnes to VGBA and on the hardware side a capable graphics, fairly fast CPU, TV-out and a QWERTY keyboard. But let’s say you wanted to take things to another level. Well, now you can add Game-Gripper to the list. It’s basically a controller that latches on to the N900 and takes advantage of games and emulators that allow for custom keyboard binding, like DrNokSnes. It comes in 9 different colors, out of which we think the all-black model will look extremely good on the N900. It’s a pretty basic with a  rubbery flexible design, and it also have openings to accommodate things like the charger and headphones with the controller attached. It will set you back €14.95 and pre-orders can be done here.

Would you buy the Game-gripper or do you prefer the QWERTY keyboard?

Nokia never made a USB desktop cradle for the N900. The closest thing from Nokia is the now discontinued DT-13. Brando has released two very interesting solutions for the lack of a proper desktop stand. The first model, the 8500 syncs your N900 using the built-in USB connection and charges the battery in the process.

The second option is basically the same thing, but adds a place to charge a second battery. That last model, the 8600, cost $6 more, but the option to charge a second battery seems well worth the extra.

Both of these cradles seem  a bit plasticky to us, but overall quality seems to be good. Have seen any cool desktop cradles for the N900, let us know.

32GB microSDHC card have been announced almost a year ago, but are just now starting to become available. Instead of leaving the memory card business to third parties, Nokia usually follows with their own branded versions of the highest storage capacity  available on memory cards available. This time Nokia has released a monstrosity in the form of the MU-45, their version of a 32GB microSDHC card. This also means that 64GB of storage is now easily available to the masses as flagship devices such as the N900 already have 32GB of built-in storage.

Nokia branded memory cards are usually not the fastest, but very reliable. We still don’t have no word on pricing, but expect something in the range of $130 to just south of the $200 mark. It’s also safe to say that the latest if you bought your Nokia in the last 2 years it should be able to supprt the SDHC standard. Nokia’s own compatibility list can be found here.

When we took a look at Nokia’s first and official case for the N900, the CP-321, we liked the stylish and simple design, but it was several steps back in convenience: It lacked any access to the lock switch, microUSB port, 3.5mm headphone jack, camera button and both the camera lens and speakers were blocked. It was pretty and helped to to protect the N900, but it sure wasn’t useful. Nokia went back to the drawing board and came up with what we have here: the Nokia CP-408. Would we choose it over the CP-321? Is it the ultimate N900 case?

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