The Oxford Dictionary has taken pride of place on each symbian device I have owned for the past several years. It allows me to check words on the go without having to carry around a dictionary. I have found it very useful and now that I am a student, even more so. Therefore, I thought it high time that I did a review now that I have moved to another symbian device, the Nokia N97. Happily, the good thing about the Oxford Dictionary is that you are able to install it on a new handset by a simple method of reinstalling and reapplying your code without having to re-purchase it every year.

The Oxford Nokia N97 dictionaries consists of the Concise Oxford Dictionary +240,000 words and phrases (6.27mb) and Concise Oxford Thesaurus +365,000 alternatives (2.04mb) from the reputable Oxford University Press a department of the University of Oxford. You can install your dictionary on any drive. I use my memory card as the dictionaries take up more room than the average smaller applications. In addition to the installation of the dictionaries, you need to install the application engine. The instructions for install are straightforward. For my purposes, I purchased not only the Concise Oxford English Dictionary but also the Concise Oxford Thesaurus. In addition, I have purchased the sound module but have not found a need for it yet, so it remains uninstalled but is ready for future use.

On opening the application, you will see the dictionary screen. It is as simple as typing in the complete word or characters to start the search process and you can scroll down with the 4way navigation-pad when the QWERTY keypad is open. This scroll option is not available in portrait view. As you type in the characters, the dictionary will bring up words with those characters. For example, if you type ‘a’ it will bring up words beginning with ‘a’. If you then add ‘p’ it will bring up words beginning with ‘ap’ and so on. Once you have completed your input, the appropriate word is highlighted. Click on the highlighted word and this will bring up the definition of the word and phrases in use for that word.

Within this same screen you will see notes such as whether it is a noun for example ‘n’ or a verb ‘v’. In addition, if you have the thesaurus installed, you will see the alternative word thesaurus. There is a side bar enabling you to slide up and down the screen using your finger to view the full details of the specified word. There is no kinetic scroll within the present dictionaries in the n97. Clicking back brings you back to your original search screen.

Choosing options in the dictionary gives you the following. History shows the last 15 words searched. Info, tells you what dictionaries you have installed and the Editions. Dictionary content – points out what dictionaries you are using and here you can select or unselect your dictionary choices. Dictionaries – gives the list of dictionaries available for purchase online. Settings – allow you to set the preferences that best suit your needs and include how often you would like the dictionary to check for the new versions. Send – allows you to send a link of the dictionary to a friend. Directions – allows you to choose the format and language order of the dictionary you choose and allows purchase of additional packs via online purchase.

There are often special discounts available and it is worth watching out for these, as one of these events meant that I managed to get both Dictionaries at less than half price. I highly recommend it. You will not get a smaller or more portable compact dictionary that you will have with you always whenever the need arises.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary $44.95

Concise Oxford Thesaurus $24.95

Languages available: English Chinese German Russian Japanese

The dictionary is also available for other platforms as well as mobiles including the Nokia e-series and n95.

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dani2xll
Hi! My name is Dani and I am a student reading Linguistics at university. My passion is technology and I love to write and share my thoughts, ideas and views on the subject. Thank you for reading my article. You can add me via twitter @dani2xll http://dani2xll.com
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