Review: Nokia Lumia 900 for AT&T
Apps
There's a Nokia-made application called App Highlights on the 900. This app is tied to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile and offers a rotating array of Nokia-recommended applications for download. It's OK. There are plenty of AT&T-branded apps on board, such as Code Scanner, Navigator, Radio, and U-Verse, too. The Marketplace for Mobile is a fine app store, though I wish it were easier to weed out non-U.S. market apps (i.e., way too many Chinese-language apps show up in search results).
Bluetooth
The Lumia 900 supports the usual set of Bluetooth profiles. I had no trouble at all pairing with headphones or my car. Calls sounded really good through both mono headsets and my car's hands-free system. The stereo Bluetooth profile also worked well, and I was able to push pictures to my PC with no problem.
Clock
The 900 can be used to check the time, but it takes a wee bit of getting used to. The font used for the clock (and date) is white and too thin. Choose your wallpaper carefully. It stands out nicely on darker wallpapers, but makes telling the time really difficult if you go with something too light. There are no ways to control or alter the position of the clock on the home screen.
ESPN
The ESPN Hub is any sports nut's dream app. It's full of content from U.S. sports leagues, such as NCAA Basketball, NFL, MLB, NBA, and so on. It can be used to check scores, see upcoming game schedules, dive into social media and sports talk, as well as scan headlines and read in-depth articles. It's the best sports app I've encountered on any smartphone platform. Well done, Nokia.
Nokia Drive
Nokia is serious about getting you from Point A to Point B. The Lumia 900 ships with Nokia Drive, Nokia Maps, and Nokia Transit. Nokia Drive is used for turn-by-turn navigation when driving. Nokia Maps is a full-feature mapping service with access to points of interest, arial views, and 3D renders. The 3D maps view lets you adjust the angle of view and is a really neat way to view the surrounding landscape and get a perspective on how the map relates to the real world. For point-to-point navigation, you can choose from a range of different voice styles (female voice w/UK accent is the default). Maps can be set to day or night mode, landmarks such as gas stations are visible. Nokia Transit will probably be less useful for most U.S. citizens, but those who live in NYC, Chicago, Boston, D.C., and other cities with extensive transit systems will surely benefit from its ability to get you from here to there on trains and buses. The best part is Nokia Transit works even when it can't access the network (such as when you're underground on the subway). Pair these apps with an excellent GPS radio that pinpoints the Lumia 900 in a blink, and you have a killer navigation tool.
Hands-On: Nokia Lumia 900
Liveblog: Nokia Lumia 900 for AT&T
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Nokia Lumia 900
