If you charge with a lower mA output current, it'll only result to a longer time required to recharge the battery. You should exchange the charger with a local charger meant for the E71 or at least use an international adapter. The original 800mA charger will charge faster, around 1.5 hours. The 350mA took more than 2.5 hours to complete charge which is too long.

Guys, I am having a problem with reading SMS. I currently choose to save all my messages in memory card. This morning I received an SMS from Maxis and all of the sudden all my previous sms-es cannot be opened, not even new ones. I was wondering if there's a solution for this.

Anyone has this problem before?

Yup, did everything I can think of like restarting phone, removing battery, removing sim card and memory card. I even re-set the date and region. But I am still facing this problem. This problem occurs even before the firmware upgrade.

The thing is I am able to read and write from the memory card. I have reformatted it and restore all the files. Problem is still the same. I am even able to execute programs from the memory card. Doesn't seem like a memory card problem. Sounds like phone software problem pertaining to memory card handling. Changing storage preference to phone memory solves the problem. But I am still unable to open/access my sms in the memory card.

Yes, like others have said first few cycles of charging and recharging the battery is not seasoned yet. My ex-N95 behaves the same way until few rounds of these processes and it can withstand average of 3-4 days. Currently my E71 can only lasts 2+ days and I expect it to be better soon (because the 1500mAH battery capacity is bigger than N95's).

Keep your phone updated especially software updates as Nokia will usually introduce power efficiency and network performance in each incremental software release.

Also, the battery indicator bar is not linear. For each step of reduction, it does not require the same amount of usage. For E71's case, the first (topmost) bar drops very quickly. Eventually when you reach the last 2 bars, it'll take a lot longer before you see battery warnings.

Guys, I think I found the solution to our battery problems. I found information from another forum:

Garmin Mobile XT version 5.00.20

Change History:
Changes made from version 5.00.10 to 5.00.20:
Update the subcategories listed for City Navigator Europe 2009 maps.
Correct various out of memory conditions that can occur.
Correct the processing of a received Location Message to not save the point on the Recent Finds list.
Correct the processing of received text messages to not close the GMXT application when a text message is received without a subject.
Correct an error that occurs when a headset is plugged into some devices.
Correct the use of the directional pad for movement between hyperlinks within Flight Status.
Correct saving and editing waypoints with non-English characters.

Tips On 5.00.xx

Delete CardRunner.dll from sys\bin will save ~20% standby battery power, if you don't want to use location message.

Happy enjoying your Nokia E71. Finally....

This post has been edited by davidmak: Nov 27 2008, 03:32 PM

If I interpret correctly, the CardRunner.dll is a service file that autoruns when you start your phone. What does it do? It is a location-based service introduced by Garmin Mobile XT. It attempts to integrate your phone contacts to the entire application. Where you can share your 'current position' with your contacts who uses the same application. This is where it sucks the battery because it will keep checking for 'Location based message' that could be sent by your contacts. Because of this, parts of the app will have to run and your GPS is active from time to time (I think).

Anyway lets see if this gives an improvement. I'm still testing this tip.

Yes, I think renaming the extension would disable it. As a secondary precaution, I took the file to another folder and rename the entire filename and extension. Please take note that when you upgrade to 5.00.20 the installer will replace the file so you should doublecheck that the file is properly removed.

I would in turn have to thank ipmart-forums and malsingmap forums. Apparently that Garmin feature was widely documented and it has cautioned of the extra battery usage. Somehow we all overlooked it. So all users of Garmin Mobile XT v5.0 onwards will be affected unless they remove the file mentioned previously.

So far, I think this tips is accurate and is working. Last time when I charge my phone to the full, just 5 hours the first bar will deplete. Now, its 8 hours and some wifi and its still full bar! Hahaha! Maybe my mind is playing games with me.

Not to spoil your decision lar... but I feel WM is not as responsive as Symbian S60 phones. Getting from one part of the OS to the other takes some time. Its not really really long or its really so slow, just its not responsive.

The X1 does have a lot of qualities over E71 like a better camera, better display, etc. But one thing I like about the E71 is the robustness. I can check my online stuff, emails and smses without any fuss. Doing that on my HTC Diamond takes a longer time and sometimes it'll crash.

I would keep the E71 for IM-thrashing hehehehe and save some money for the Touch Pro.

This post has been edited by davidmak: Nov 28 2008, 02:44 PM

Update on the battery fix (Garmin-related) I found yesterday. It is working. An entire work day from 7am till 5.30pm with regular calls and texting and very minimal WIFI usage, only 1 bar is used!!! I think thats an improvement. I'll track more and see.

Don't worry, you're still on track. My E71's performance has been amazing. I think its definitely working.

Here's another piece of recommendation. Try N85 or the upcoming C905. Frankly speaking, I don't have good impressions of the N96 and because it is only my impression, you should get yours buy checking out some online forums and the forum here. It is slow at some tasks and not really stable. The C902 however fairs better but the small screen is a complete deal breaker when it comes to a camera feature phone. I would opt for the C905 since it has a larger screen AND it has WIFI and GPS. The only down point is, it has no front facing camera. Again, you don't need it because your business phone, the E71 already have it covered.

There's nothing wrong. The AP set is not local and as such the keyboard follows the country of origin. When you flash a APAC/Singapore firmware, the keyboard mapping naturally follows APAC/Singapore's keyboard. Since your keyboard isn't, then the keys are wrongly mapped. Its ok, it'll same some time to get used to it. After that, there'll be no difference.

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Anyway I just want to report that the battery problems have been completely resolved. The Garmin Mobile XT tip that I posted few days ago work. It'll save roughly 20% of battery power. For my case, a full charge lasted 4 days and counting. I still have 2 bars to go. I think it'll make 5 (by the end of today).

Allow me to explain further. There's no high-tech approach here where our GPS can scan or receive news that there'll be a roadblock or speed camera in real time. The GPS system is supposed to be only a one way passive receiver. We rely on the latest information available from forums like malsingmap where people who commutes our national highway and streets share information on the exact location or stretch of recent roadblocks.

With this information, the mappers can code in notifications/warnings into the maps or POI. Thats how you will get the notification and warnings. So keep your map and point of interest (POI) as recent as possible so you have the latest information possible.

You can check it at the mapset section. It'll tell you the version you're using. You can go malsingmap.com or www.pda4x.com for the latest maps.

Yes, just replace the map file. The filename is gmapsupp.img. So you just copy and paste over the old one. Thats it. However, do consider the unlocking (security) keys. They will be different from one release to the other. Otherwise you may opt for the 'unlocked' version.

Yeah, especially when you try typing with it. Hehehehe... it'll make you want full qwerty keyboard for your future phones.

Yeah the case looks good but I have had bad experience with silicon cases as they gather lots of dust due to constant rubbing when you put it into your pocket. Would prefer hard rubber/plastic case. Just need one of those to save me from wiping the entire phone every morning due to fingerprints and smudges.

Well companies like Zitron and Avaxx all started as regular mobile sales and servicing companies. They used to sell mobile phones from other brands and at one point offered AP units too. They then got promoted to authorized distributor status where certain criteria must be met (for example servicing standards, etc). Sapura is one of Nokia's authorized distributors but they are not the top tier ones so their inventory allocation is lesser. You can check with Nokia for a list of authorized distributors.

Point is that, Nokia does not have its own sales and servicing facilities here. In Malaysia, the way of doing business is different. They are given to different companies who represent Nokia. They all use Nokia as the surfacing brand.

What CSL claim here is that the phones that they sell are indeed original. Meaning the phone and accessories are original and not fake imitations from China. However, warranty wise they are not officially from Nokia. They will be serviced and supported by CSL themselves. So thats AP set.

Few years ago, we do have AP sets with their shells and accessories switched with China made replicas or used items. They look alright until you inspect them carefully. Fast forward to today, phones releases come and go at blazing speed. They come in cheap and in big quantities. It is no longer economically viable to fake them anymore. Last time people used to swap original accessories for individual sale. It no longer viable now.

This post has been edited by davidmak: Dec 4 2008, 09:15 AM