II. SOFTWARE   (Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3)

1. Desk

Nokia 9500's Desk is much more advanced and useful than the one known from 9200 series. Now it combines functionality of both the old Desk screen and the Extras screen. You not only place your shortcuts or notes there, but you can also create custom folders. Each newly installed 3rd party application's icon is available from the Desk screen (it can be placed either directly on Desk or in any of its folders, including multiple shortcuts in several folders at the same time).

You can not only create your own folders (e.g. for games, utitilies, documents etc.), but you can also modify their names and icons. The same applies to applications' shortcuts and notes.

Notes are not only accessible via their icons on desk but there is also a separate list that shows all notes and allows quick and easy selection, which is very useful given that notes can be put not only on Desk but also in any Desk folder.

Desk is the main application of the 9500. If you launch applications from it and then close them (most applications have the "Exit" option), you'll get back to the Desk screen. Desk supports three different zoom levels.

2. Personalisation

Nokia 9500's UI is now skinnable, however all standard skins look the same but with different colors (that's why they are called Colour palettes). It is not known yet if the device will be supporting custom, installable skins.

Users can also change Desk wallpaper, Phone screen wallpaper and Phone screen color scheme (there are several nice background pictures available by default but you can use any own picture).

As mentioned earlier, it is also possible to change icons of Desk folders and applications' shortcuts (one can choose between 13 folder icons and 10 application icons). Phone screen supports custom operator logos (they can be switched on or off in Phone menu's Display settings). My Own key of the PDA keyboard can be assigned to any system or 3rd party application.

Nokia 9500's Profiles are the same as in the 9200 series, which means that, unforunately, there is no separate setting for call diverting for each profile (like in old GEOS-based 9110 Communicators) but only a general one for all profiles.

Profiles can now be timed, i.e. one can set profile expiration time after which the device will automatically switch to previously used profile.

Another useful change is that instead of just one VIP group (now removed), the "Play ringing tone for" option can now be assigned to any chosen contact groups, which means that you can easily ignore specific contacts groups by disabling ringing tones for them - separately in each profile.

The 9500 provides brightness (3 levels) and contrast (4 levels) control of the internal display. One can also choose screensaver timeout separately for the phone and PDA screen. Phone screensaver is a large digital clock, PDA screensaver is a blank screen and it is not possible to use other, own screensavers.

3. Control Panel

Control Panel provides access to all settings and options of both the PDA and phone part. It is divided into 7 folders: General, Data management, Telephone, Messaging, Connections, Security and Extras.

General folder contains settings for date and time, Regional settings (date and time format, numbers format, currency), Phone language, My Own key configuration, Display settings (contrast, brightness, brighness period, screensaver timeout, colour schemes, cursor settings - speed and acceleration), phone and PDA wallpaper configuration and Enhancement settings (headset, loopset, car kit, TTY accessory).

Data Management folder consists of Application manager (installing and uninstalling 3rd party applications), Camera folder settings (video and images folders), Backup utility (creating security backup on Memory card), Memory information (free space on internal disk and memory card, installed file types and sizes) and Messaging Tools (auto deletion of sent and received messages).

Telephone folder gives access to all telephony-related settings: Profile settings, Speed dials, Voice/Fax/Data diverting and barring, Call waiting, Network selection, Fixed dialing, Automatic redial, Sending own number, Summary after call).

Messaging folder provides settings for Fax (cover page, send immediately/upon request, resolution, ECM, resend options), MMS service, Synchronisation profile, SMS, Service messages, Email and Remote mail.

Connections folder contains setting for all kinds of connections.

It allows setting Internet access points (CSD, HSCSD, GPRS/EDGE, WLAN). You can set their priority so that if you disable the "Ask before connecting" option the device will be automatically trying to connect until it finds access point that is currently available (e.g. it will use GPRS access if WLAN network with the highest priority is not available).

You can also configure all Bluetooth options (on/off/visible, device name, paired devices, authorizations),

Wireless LAN options (networks, scan interval, simultaneous Bluetooth usage, security, channel, TX power etc, connection status and quality information),

Cable connection mode: PC Suite connection, IP passthrough (using PC internet connection via USB cable)

and RealPlayer settings (bandwidth, connection timeout, ports, access point, proxies).

Security folder contains phone security settings (PIN, call barring, lock code, autolock on/off, remote locking) and certificate manager. Besides PIN and lock codes, the phone now also offers possibility of locking the device remotely, by sending an SMS message from any other GSM phone, containing a predefined text (keyword).

Extras folder contains Service commands editor, Location service options, Printing settings and About this product information.

Phone-related settings are also accessible from the Phone side. Phone's Settings menu gives access to Call settings (Call divert, Anykey answer, Automatic redial, Speed Dialling, Call Waiting, Send my number)

Phone settings (Cell Info display, Network selection, Confirm SIM service actions, Help Text activation, Start-Up tone)

Security settings (PIN code request, Call barring, Access codes, Locks), Display settings (Colour scheme, Operator logo, Screen Saver timeout), Time and date settings, Right selection key setting.