Click to View

Nokia started shipping its highly-anticipated 6680 imaging phone to carriers today. Optimized for picture taking, the 6680 has two integrated cameras and a flash, plus Nokia's XpressPrint printing solution, a slide activator, and a 262,144 color display.

It is the top-shelf model in a new series, which also includes the 6681 and 6682. All three models are built on Nokia's Series 60 user interface (UI) and the Symbian operating system, the top-selling smartphone UI and platform.

The 6680 is a tri-band (900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM phone with both EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) and WCDMA networks. EDGE is a 3G network technology that delivers data transfer rates averaging 135 kilobits per second (kbps).

What's most interesting about this handset, however, is its two cameras and flash. On the front is a basic VGA (640 x 480 pixel) resolution camera, while a 1.3-megapixel (120 x 960 pixels) camera with the slide activator and control are on the back.

In addition to being two-way video calling ready for remote video conferencing, the 6680 also provides for video sharing—a new multimedia service that allows people to share live camera views or video clips during a normal voice call. By simply opening the camera slide, you can add a show-you-what-I-mean type video to a voice call.


                          Screen As Viewfinder

The smartphone's always-on e-mail supports office document viewers and various types of attachments (JPEG, MP3, PPT, DOC, XLS, PDF). Its browser delivers Web access in a pocketable format. As with most smartphones, you can sync calendar information, contacts, and tasks with compatible a PC.

Other features include a MultiMediaCard slot for memory expansion and Bluetooth wireless networking for cordless headsets, PC syncing, and other functions. The 6680 measures 4.3 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches (108 x 55 x 21 millimeters) and weigh 4.7 ounces (133 grams).

Nokia's XpressPrint solution offers support for PictBridge and other advanced printing methods. So you can print pictures, e-mails, contacts, etc. directly from the 6680 using compatible home or office printers or photo kiosks via a USB cable, Bluetooth wireless connection, or by extracting its MultiMediaCard card from the side of the phone.

Although Nokia would not say which operators it shipped the device too, the 6680 should be available from local carriers in the European, Middle Eastern, and Asia-Pacific markets soon. We expect it will sell for about 500 euros without a service contract. There's no word, as usual, as to when or even if the 6680 will find its to the United States.

Other Models
The Nokia 6681 (Europe) & 6682 (America) are cheaper versions of the 6680. So instead of two cameras, you get one 1.3 megapixel camera in basically the same form factor. They also nix WCDMA networking and Bluetooth, but keep GSM and EDGE support.

Nokia is expected to ship the 6820 in the U.S. sometime in the second quarter for an as-of-yet undisclosed price. The 6681 may hit European shelves in April for about 450 euros sans service contract.