Nokia 8800 Arte review: Art of seduction

Applications

Nokia 8800 Arte has a decent set of preinstalled applications outside the organizer.

First in line is the size converter that provides quick conversions across various size standards. From shoes to shirts, everything is covered.

Size converter

Then there goes the unit converter. It offers all kinds of converting options, including currency conversion.

Almost any type of unit conversion is available with the Nokia 8800 Arte

The search application helps you find the piece of data you are looking for on you handset, while the download application takes you to the Nokia download center. There you are going to find a lot of useful stuff for your handset. The WidSets application is also at Nokia 8800 Arte owners' disposal. It represents a group of web based applications that can be accessed at the cost of only a few clicks.

Search and WidSets applications

There is also a dictionary, which offers quick multilingual translations. Unfortunately, the word database is not that large, so don't expect too much of it. The world clock application that can tell you the current time in every spot of the world completes the list.

Unluckily the dictionary has a relatively small word database • The World clock application

"...Nokia 8800 Arte is really exquisite and expensive, and it shows. Comparing the Arte to other handsets will be missing the point. Looking back to the Sirocco and the Luna, we can't help thinking that inevitably losing a fraction of their price with time, they lose a huge amount of appeal..."

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Let the games begin

Gaming lovers will probably feel disappointed with the Nokia 8800 Arte preloaded content. It features a single game - Golf Tour. Although it has acceptable graphics and decent gameplay, we weren't amazed with it. Besides, we have seen it on dozens of handsets already.

Golf Tour game

Anyway, it is hard to imagine a Nokia 8800 Arte owner fooling around playing games on their mobile. Now, even this design-centered device can be turned into a portable gaming console with the dozens of compatible games available for download.

Final words - flaunt it

However tempted we are to call the Arte underpowered, we know better than messing with 150 grams of solid steel. Plus, is it just us or is the Arte adding some purpose to the 88xx series with UMTS? Oops, talking about functionality is actually an offense to the Arte and its likes. Nokia 8800 Arte is really exquisite and expensive, and it shows. And that's a good enough reason for the people who favor looks over performance.

Comparing the Arte to other handsets will be missing the point. Looking back to the Sirocco and the Luna, we can't help thinking that inevitably losing a fraction of their price with time, they lose a huge amount of appeal. It's just how things are in the small niche of mobile haute couture where Arte and Luna rub shoulders with Armani and Prada. Common sense is for the common folk.