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Nokia E7 review: Maps and apps
The Nokia E7 comes nicely kitted out for the modern business person on the go – there's Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and Skype to connect you to the world, CNN widget for the news and BBC iPlayer widget for the, er, PMQs.
Skype is clear, but despite the front-facing camera, it doesn't give you the option of video calling. Still, it's a nice little addition for those with friends and family in more interesting places than London.
There's QuickOffice and Adobe PDF reader, although attempting to work on a presentation would be hell on this less-responsive touchscreen. Of course, for typing, there's the lush keyboard, so at least long emails to your minions won't be a difficulty.
Spotify is available for all your premium account music needs and the phone comes stocked with a range of other fun but less-used apps, such as Last Minute hotels, Qype and the Metro.
If you're not a fan of the simple usability of the Nokia Social Networks client (we weren't) then Snaptu is available from the Nokia Ovi store, or Gravity, but that'll set you back a cool £8. £8! For Twitter?
Again, all of the apps can be customised to make Home screen shortcut widgets, which is useful if you're addicted to something in particular.
As usual it's the Nokia Ovi store that's the weak link in the equation. There's a decent base of gaming and social media, but sadly nothing such as, say, a free Posterous or Tumblr app, which would have been a joy to use with the available hardware.
Maps
Now we've raved about Ovi Maps before, and on a capacitive screen of this size it's even more fun. Pinch. Zoom. Pinch. Zoom.
Although it takes a few seconds to locate via GPS, it's a strong and accurate lock when it does, and the compass doesn't waste precious seconds recalibrating the way the iPhone does. Okay, some may say it's not as pretty as Google Maps, but it's just as functional and we rather like the 3D view.
The sat nav is free and incredibly easy to use. Just hit 'Drive' and input your destination and you'll soon de directed by the usual women's voice. Heading abroad? Download the free pre-cached maps for using over there and not eating up data. Score.
