Update: Hunt for the E71x results in success
As a way to support Nokia in the USA, I decided to pick one up today (launch day). However, I just got off the phone after speaking with five local area AT&T stores and NONE have the E71x in stock yet. One store said they may get a shipment today and to call back after noon so that is the next plan of action for me today.
It sounds like there may be some limitations with the AT&T model (lack of VoIP support), but the presence of AT&T Navigator (TeleNav’s software), the slick black color, and hopefully better camera make it a good enough device for me to try. I will have to see about all the AT&T bloatware that is added too and see if that will bother me or not.
Have any readers had any luck picking up the E71x?
UPDATE: I just called back and the store that said some kind of shipment was coming in confirmed they have them in stock. After my afternoon conference call I will be stopping by to pick one up so stay tuned for a first impressions article late tonight/tomorrow with more articles to follow.
8 Comments to Update: Hunt for the E71x results in success
PseudoFinn has been doing a good bit of calling around. Sounds like they are trickling into stores now with an expectation of Thursday.
See this Jaiku thread: http://pseudofinn.jaiku.com/presence/8668590d52d9416d9b1fdda6d3ecb5cf
kevinMay 4, 2009
friend just bought one here in Austin, Tx. The salesman said he sold around 9 or so.. as of 10am
PseudoFinnMay 4, 2009
Kevin is absolutely correct- I have been waiting all weekend to stop by the local AT&T shop at 9am on the dot to score one. Unfortunately, stock hasn’t arrived in town yet.
I’ve been hounding all of the AT&T retail locations within 20 minutes drive- still no luck. Stores closer to metro Detroit have confirmed stock, but it’s just a bit far for me to drive today. If there’s nothing local by 7pm, I might have to just shoot down that way. No doubt it will be worth it; I love the E71 and can’t wait to get my hands all over the FP2 model. I have to admit though, I’m not partial to the black shell- the grey E71 is much more sophisticated looking and classier, at least in photos.
Couple of things I’m interested to know with the AT&T branded device- can you tether? That’s a deal breaker for me. I need to tether a netbook and an N810. I’ve also heard (though have a hard time believing) that the GPS will not function with any software other than the AT&T Nagivator app- massive deal breaker. Navigation isn’t the only use for GPS, and although I’ve not used AT&T Navigator yet- I suppose I’m interested in checking it out, but I don’t care to only have a ten-dollar-a-month option.
Two non-crucial features for me would be installation/operation of VOIP apps, as well as the ability to reassign the hardware shortcut keys- which I’m a big fan of. Both are, of course, do-able on the unlocked version and I shouldn’t think be an issue.
I hear that some of the AT&T bloatware cannot be deleted, and the icons cannot be moved from the root menu into a junk folder. It’s kind of lousy, but I get it and I’m happy to just bury them at the bottom and forget. FP2 on an E71? Totally worth it.
Now come on Mr. Delivery Man- or whatever your real name is- get those E71x’s dropped off down the road! 
Psuedofinn, according to E71blog.com, you CAN move and rearrange the AT&T icons (which is great!) but you CAN’T reassign the shortcut keys. He had one in his hand to test, so this isn’t speculative.
With having Nokia Email installed, reassiging the keys is critical, so that’s a bummer. If enough of these things sell, maybe a 3rd party app will be able to fix this?
One bonus to getting a locked phone is that you CAN get the protection plan. With those of us who work in construction, that’s great.
jjrose2006May 4, 2009
just picked one up on amazon.com for $0.01
PaulMay 4, 2009
@jjrose2006, I did the same. Great deal !
Brad,
Unfortunately, you can only move two icons into folders on the E71x (MEdiaMall and Cellular Video). Some other icons can be moved, but only in the same folder and you CANNOT move things into a Junk or Stuff folder like I always do on my S60 devices with all the extras I never use.
You also CANNOT uninstall any of the demo apps. I will list all of this here soon to clear it all up for everyone.
There are definitely pros and cons, but it is looking like many of the cons can be corrected by downloading the applications yourself. I really wish the out-of-the box experience for the newbie was better though.
Maybe you can just “push” the AT&T stuff out of the way like we do on the s60′s Bookmark list for its browser. I was pulling my hair out trying to remove all the Ovi bookmarks when I first got the phone. But now that I’ve saved more bookmarks and folders, I forget those Ovi ones are there because they are pushed “down” the list so far that I never scroll down to see them.
Still bugs me when I’m reminded of it though!
Matt, AT&T does have a 48 hour (or something like that) return policy!
May 4, 2009