How to: Use the mobile web - There's a Bookmark for that!

Over the last few years, I've had a burning conviction that's been growing and growing as I watch the current craze for 'Apps' blossom. Now, I've nothing against genuine applications or games, but it has to be said that a large number of so-called 'Apps' are simply scraping or managing exactly the same data as you get right now, on any phone, for free. And my way there are no installations, no complications and no hassle. Apps? Pah - I've a new slogan to rival Apple's. "There's a Bookmark for that!"

The Extended Twitter Round-Up

David Gilson recently performed a big feature on Twitter applications on S60. Mind you, thanks to the feedback of AAS readers, he has now expanded his survey to now cover an eye watering seventeen options for S60 users wanting to get more out Twitter. Gulp. Read on!

Twitter applications for Symbian phones

When it comes to Twitter applications (perenially popular, it seems), Symbian and S60 have no shortage of choice. Guest author David Gilson has done a mass review of all the Twitter applications he could find for S60, and presents us with a detailed feature comparison, along with a number of recommendations.

Battle of the Maps - Revisited

Last year, David Gilson compared Google Maps and Ovi Maps, controversially finding that Google had the edge. However, Nokia has today announced that voice guided road navigation for Ovi Maps no longer requires a subscription fee and is available to all. Read on to see how this game-changing move effects the battle of the maps!

Wikipedia on Symbian

S60 has long been without any form of Wikipedia application, besides the mobile web site. There are now two applications in early development, but do either of them significantly add to the mobile web site experience? David Gilson has been comparing all three and answers that question in this feature.

Battle of the Maps

When it comes to S60, we are fortunate to have a choice of which mapping application we use, but which is best? Is it Ovi Maps (Née Nokia Maps), with its world wide pre-loaded maps and PC integration, or is it Google Maps with the power of Google search? David Gilson has been testing both, and reports on his findings.

AAS to Nokia: 23 suggestions for fixing and improving Ovi Store

We here at All About Symbian have been using Ovi Store for quite a while now, and have noticed a number of things that need to be fixed or could be improved.

We don't doubt the effort and resources that Nokia has put into this so far. However, we think it's fair to demand that Ovi Store lives up to the same general standards as other online content shops.

FleaC – A Smarter API for Symbian OS

With ten years of experience in Symbian C++, the team at Fleasome believe they have a better way to create Symbian C++ applications with FleaC. FleaC offers a simplified API for many key Symbian C++ features and claims to improve developer productivity by up to fifty per cent.

How to transfer and listen to music tracks and CDs on the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

How to install and use Opera Mini on the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

How to make an online OPML podcast directory for Nokia's Podcasting app

Nokia's Podcasting application is bundled with all new S60 devices in the Music or Applications folder. It includes a feature which lets you add web-based podcast directories so you can browse and subscribe to podcasts entirely from the phone, without the use of a computer. This tutorial shows you how to use an RSS feed reader application to create online podcast directories using the OPML format.

Seven reasons why Ovi Store's launch is a very important event

Ovi Store has been announced, and many people just saw another smartphone applications shop. But it's actually a lot more than that, and its launch could be the most significant thing Nokia has done since entering the mobile phone business.

How to download and subscribe to podcasts on the Nokia 5800 (and you don't even need a computer)

Quite a lot of people think you need a computer to subscribe to podcasts, but you don't. The Nokia 5800 lets you browse, subscribe and download podcasts straight onto the phone, with absolutely no need for any kind of PC or Mac. Read on to find out all the details, including how to discover new podcasts or listen to old favourites.

Download! - Still broken on S60 5th Edition

The sad state of Download! has been a topic of discussion in Symbian S60 circles for quite some time. Other consumer device platforms from Nintendo's Wii to Apple's iPhone have managed to show how successful software and content download shops can be if they're easy to use, so why can't this happen on Nokia's Symbian devices? We've taken a look at the latest version of Download! on S60 5th Edition, on the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, to see if it's any improvement...

Nokia still haven't fixed their Download! service. Is it time for a third party to step in?

Nokia's Download! service is a built-in app shop on most S60 handsets, and represents a potentially brilliant way to get S60 software to S60 users, increase sales of Nokia phones and generally make a lot of money for all concerned. Unfortunately Download! is a really badly organised shop with a very poor choice of software, and the phrase "massive wasted opportunity" hangs over it. Will a third party now take up this opportunity and offer a proper app shop?

Searching the world around your position

Steve Litchfield looks at the state of the market in terms of location-based search software and services. A bit of a mouthful, that - what we're talking about is ways of asking 'Where's the nearest hospital (or ATM or hotel) and how do I get to it?' That sort of thing.

Software that's truly worth paying for: The Top Applications

With so much freeware around, is there still a market for paid-for software? And which would be the top picks of the All About Symbian team?

We're about to get "Comes With Music"... why not videos, games and apps too?

Nokia is due to launch its innovative "Comes With Music" service this year, which will let owners of selected smartphones legally download as much music as they want and keep it forever. It sounds like commercial suicide, but it actually does make economic sense for both the music industry and the consumer, and this article explains why. We also ask whether such a scheme could be expanded to cover video, games and applications as well.

Easter-related themes for S60 3rd Edition devices

It's that (other) time of year again, so All About Symbian is taking a look at some Easter-related themes for Symbian S60 3rd Edition smartphones.

The Future of Nokia Maps

Following on from my preview of Nokia Maps 2.0, the team behind the product got in touch to answer some of my points and to give me a glimpse into the product's future.