After a bit of a mix-up with a promised N810 Internet Tablet Nokia’s WOM World is lending me a product every bit as good or better: The rare and highly sought-after N82 smartphone in black. Here’s the package I got from DHL, after two failed delivery attempts — boo!

I’ve been given the green light to install whatever I want on it, so after it completes its initial 24-hour charge (it’s a brand-new unit, apparently) I’m going to pop my Fido SIM card right in and give my E61i a well-deserved week or two off.

Right off the bat I can say that the N82 looks way better in black than the Soviet army-grade tin finish seen in its original release. The black is so deep and rich that it’s actually a challenge to get a properly-focused photo!

I’ll have more to report once this handset is up and running. Rather than present a single long review I’ll be posting about my N82 immersion as I go. Until then…