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Connection to server needed. Connect?

I’m very excited about what Nokia has got coming up this year and next. I had a good chat to Rafe from All About Symbian last night at the T-Mobile Winter event and he was telling me about a few features they’ve finally, finally begun to introduce.

“You’re going to the Tube launch?” asked Rafe.

“No?” I replied. We are persona non gratis with Nokia, generally. Perhaps we’re ignored deliberately, perhaps nobody’s watching and no one cares from Nokia, perhaps the PR folk wisely avoided inviting us on the basis that we post content such as this. Either way, I think our message at MIR is still broadly the same: Could do better.

Yes. It’s time for a how-shit-is-Nokia? post! Again.

I really enjoyed Jonathan Jensen’s piece yesterday about Devicescape. I had a look at their informative ‘how to use Devicescape‘ video on Youtube (worth a look if you’re not entirely familiar with their service). Midway through I saw the dreaded: ‘Connection to server needed. Connect?’ message.

Here’s a screenshot:

Yes, it doesn’t matter how fast your HSDPA piece of genius Nokia is. It still asks you the dumbest, dumbest questions a la Microsoft Windows.

It’s a reminder to me — I do forget now and again — that Nokia handsets are telephones. Telephones without wires. WITH internet stuff bolted on, badly.

This ‘connect to server’ rubbish is there because it used to cost an arm-and-a-leg to access the internet on your handset (it still does if you’re a Virgin Mobile customer).

Can’t we get past this ‘connection to server, connect?’ stuff?

Every time I use my Nokia and this thing pops up it winds me up. REAALLLY winds me up.

Because I’m running an application that requires internet access. DUH I want to connect to the server. Of COURSE I do.

There are one or two things you can do to rid yourself of this message, but I’d really like to see some sort of evolution. Can we get past this, Nokia?

No. I know why. I do. I recognise it. I ‘get’ it. Backwards compatibility-and-all-that-jazz.

When, then, will I be able to take out my Nokia handset and connect to the internet (3G, WiFi, Whatever!) automatically (think iPhone-level-simplicity) without having to confirm, select, confirm, confirm?

2010?

2012?

13 COMMENTS

  1. Depends. Some apps/networks/builds let you, some don't. As Ewan rants, it's pants. We have been on about this for YEARS. There should be a one-off prompt at the start of your Nokia handset relationship:

    “Do you ever want to be annoyed by connection prompts ever again, or are you old enough to tie your shoelaces/not sign up to a £1/MB data plan?”

    Ask the £u€king question ONCE, then get the hell out of the way of my mobile internet experience, thank-you Nokia.

    Is this REALLY too much to ask? I cannot believe they are actually stupid, so have to assume they honestly believe they are doing the customer a favour.

    yeeeeesh….

  2. This is why Psliloc Connect (sp!) is so invaluable – because it creates ONE access point that is used if you're on wi-fi or on 3G/2G – Set that as your default and you're laughing. I agree it SHOULD be simpler. But it isn't.

  3. It is bad, isnt it. Also bad is the RealPlayer thing.

    The psiloc thing is OK… but it does create wierdness with VOIP settings when you move in and out of different WiFi areas (niche case, i know).

    What I do admire about Nokia, though, is how they get functionality down market pretty fast — the kid in our post-room has N95 8GB and obvioulsy is not on the best salary. This all makes for large addressable market for app developers.

    The new Touch phone is half the price of iPhone. This really does matter, even if it only has 60% of the capability.

    You can an E71 on a £25 month contract — not too bad.

  4. I agree that Psiloc Connect is part of the answer, though it's behaviour does still depend a bit on the software connecting through it and it can be a bit flaky because of that. I too find this an issue with VOIP settings as I move through different WiFi and on and off 3g/HSDPA.

    As to Nokia dissing MIR, if they were wise they'd engage you and listen to the feedback. Bringing you into the fold would be positive. It's probably fair to say we all WANT to be fans and ambassadors for great devices from Nokia – they just have to get it right. And what better way than to have a dialogue with a site like this that taps straight into knowledgeable people? It would probably be more productive than 'S60 Ambassadors' and 'Nokia Pilot' put together. Come on, Nokia. Wake up.

  5. It's too bad the SIM can't tell the phone “I've got an unlimited data plan. Go crazy!” But then there's be one less thing to write whiny articles about… : )

    But seriously, Nokia doesn't invite MIR to the party? They probably should.

  6. ah yeah please banish “Create WLAN connection in offline mode?” as well! and yes people like us have been asking for this to be fixed since before the iPhone as announced!

  7. ah yeah please banish “Create WLAN connection in offline mode?” as well! and yes people like us have been asking for this to be fixed since before the iPhone as announced!

  8. It's too bad the SIM can't tell the phone “I've got an unlimited data plan. Go crazy!” But then there's be one less thing to write whiny articles about… : )

    But seriously, Nokia doesn't invite MIR to the party? They probably should.

  9. ah yeah please banish “Create WLAN connection in offline mode?” as well! and yes people like us have been asking for this to be fixed since before the iPhone as announced!

  10. If you do want to use Nokia phones, don't put Windows on them…Try finding a phone that supports Android. You won't have any more connection problems.
    Sandra @ VPS Servers

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