Those adventurous should try this, the new virtual pc and XP mode for Windows 7
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/

Currently still in beta, but pretty stable in my opinion.

After installing the virtual pc, you gotta install the XP. The installation of XP and necessary driver is largely automated, but it took around 10 minutes for the entire process.

First issue i have encountered is the lack of East Asian languages, Microsoft doesn't provide a copy of the necessary files. I have to dig for my XP disc for the installation eventually.

Additionally, you could not run the virtual XP and the xp mode programs parallel. By default, the virtual XP goes into hibernation when you closes it. But this prevents you from executing the xp mode programs, though you get a prompt to either activate XP or the program. On top of that, aero peek/snap doesn't work for XP mode programs, and they share a single icon on the taskbar :( Luckily aero shake still works for these programs.


To install any program, only way is to launch XP and installs from there. It would be more intuitive to have the installer be able to install off 7.

Looking at the way Microsoft takes it, XP mode doesn't seems to target average user. If they could iron out the parallel execution and installing on Windows 7. This tool will be neat!

The whole installation appears to be slower as compared to the beta version that i have tested earlier. But, its still much faster than its predecessor. The installation took around 25 minutes, inclusive of the reboot, input and stuffs.

Breakdown of the installation process (all values are approximated):
Loading setup files - 2 min 30 sec
Expanding Windows files - 9 min 40 sec
Completing installation - 4 min (This is the final step listed in the installer)
The rest are left out as they do not take much time.

Playing around for awhile, and i'm loving it :D
Besides the webcam, W7 is able to locate the drivers necessary for all my devices on my Dell XPS M1210. I have tested the webcam drivers from Dell, it could only work for 32bit W7, while it crashes the 64bit OS.

Nice OS. Watch out for the next post on the new XP Mode

Besides the handset, the trial bundle comes with free MaxMobile Value. The data plane comes with 10MB for $5.35 per month. Excess usage is chargable at 0.32 cents/KB and capped at $36.38.

This plan probably designed for all the like users like me. Occasionally email checking, surfing the web on the go, definately fit in well with the free bundled data. Best part is that, when needs arises for heavy usage, the plan provides additional data usage and limits the amount of charges. So i don't have to worry about hefty charges out of no where like the iphone in the past.

Comparing to Singtel data plan, Starhub has a better offer in my opinion. Singtel does not impose any limit on the excess charges, so bill may skyrocket if the user did not keep track. Although excess charges is cheaper on Singtel plan, but they charge at 2KB block, so any part thereof, you have to pay. There is also a minimum charges of $0.03/session, which works out to be around 11KB. Not comfortable with this per session thingy, not really sure how does Singtel defines a single session.

Anyway, definately recommend anyone with Starhub plan to take on the Value plan, the charges are transparent enough for my liking. Those with slightly higher usage could also opt for Premium plan that bundles with 1GB for $19.90, other charges remains the same.

The best deal with 5800 bundle probably going to be the free unlimited music downloads. Not only that, you could share the songs with any of your friends :D

But there's a catch, the songs are, of course, digitally protected, so they could only be played back on nominated PC and compatible nokia phones. Basically when the nokia software is set up, the user will have to nominate a PC for the synchronisation of the music. So even though you could install the software across multiple computers, only one would be recognised. That do limits the unlimited music greatly, cause only one comp sitting at home could playback the files...

Since i do sync my music files across multiple computers, don't really like that limitation being imposed.

On to the sync software itself, the software is rather unstable. Not sure if it's my machine, the software often quits when i try to preview the songs.

Another frequent problem is the inability to download the songs. There's no error message being shown, basically just a cross at those songs not downloaded. Eventually, i have to resort to using the phone to download the songs.

Another issue would be the user friendliness of the store, it seems to me that there is no way to browse the store. So users better know what they want to find, otherwise no 'window shopping' on the music store.

Additionally, like many other online store for singapore, there's no way to search for a chinese song using chinese characters. Though this is something very minor.

The sluggish performance of the software leaves much to desire. It seems that my broadband could not cope with the few list of songs.

Looking back my post, it appears like its all bashing of the software, haha. Most importantly, the songs are all for free, who cares about those limitations =P

Despite being the first touch device, the OS is great, carried on the user friendliness from previous symbians. A few tweaks and the OS will be perfect.

The touch interface ain't implemented consistently across, a double click is required to activate an item in list menu, while a single click is sufficient for grid interface.

In addition, unlike unconventional touch interface, flick scrolling is not available, in placed is a drag scrolling. Tried both type of scrolling mechanism, personally would still prefer the flick scrolling.

Hey, but the dual speaker and the bundled stand makes up for all the minus. These 2 combinations make the 5800 an excellent music device.

As the dual speaker situated along the left side of the phone, mounting the phone on the stand creates a down firing speaker. Maybe its just me, but i find that amplify the sound and make it more stereo

Finally, topping it all, is the unlimited music download from CWM :D