Nokia, a Finnish mobile phone handset maker, has released a much anticipated updated to their popular E series of phones. The current E61i is an amazing business-class phone with fantastic productivity-focused suite of applications and amazing build quality. Today Nokia released the E71, an updated more stylish version that is skinnier, more attractive, and more functional than the E61i.

In the hardware department, Nokia has carried on their tradition of making their phones globe-trotting business tools with quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz), dual band 3G connectivity operating on 850/1900MHz, 900/2100MHz, or 850/2100MHz (yes this means there will be a US 3G version), Wi-Fi, on-board GPS with A-GPS capabilities, a 2.4″ display, a full QWERTY keyboard, and a microSD card slot. It’s smaller than the E61 and measures 4.5″ x 2.2″ x 0.4″.

Meanwhile, in the software department, the E71 enhances productivity by receiving needed updates to the Contacts and Calendar applications. By the appearances of the screenshots, the home screen shows you messaging info including unread voicemails, emails, and SMS messages. According to Symbian-Guru, the E71 has smart technology that offers auto-completion, auto-correction, and a utility that learns how you type to help fix your common errors. Very cool.

The E71 features a 3.2 MP camera, which is fantastic for a business device. The camera will allow for still photos and decent looking video to be taken as well. Also in the multi-media department, the E71 will feature Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for full stereo Bluetooth headset capability.

My Take

The E61i is an incredible device that means business. Nokia, again, seems to have taken much of the feedback in the blogosphere to heart with the rollout of the E71. The application updates look fantastic as do the plug-ins for the active standby mode (the modules that appear on the home screen.

Nokia is smart to include a US 3G version. I believe this will help convince enterprises in the US to consider the E71 for their mobile workforce as 3G networks become more present across the US.

I will post more information when I get the E71 in hand and am able to do a full review on it.