The Nokia 5800 just got a firmware update via both Nokia Software Update (100MB or so) and over the air (6MB), to v31.0.008, for many worldwide product codes today. Changes are listed below, but do please comment if you notice something extra that's new or shiny! The usual caveats over backups apply, though the 5800 has User Data Preservation, so don't worry too much about your data.
Rolling around on deadly tiles? It must surely be a new implementation of a classic genre... Ewan finds out more with Sensitive, for the Nokia 5800. It's light on graphical wow, but it seems this is more than made up for with cerebral gameplay.
If you're an AAS regular, you'll know that I love doing direct, informed comparisons between different cutting edge smartphones. Having been using the HTC Hero and Nokia N97 side by side for the last week, here's my head to head between Nokia and HTC's flagships. The result is somewhat predictable, but I do note that both devices are currently flawed and awaiting major software updates. The Hero's is apparently imminent, the N97's is about 3 weeks away. Still, hopefully it's an interesting comparison and worthy of comment.
In show 87 in our Insight podcast series, the AAS team discuss the Ovi SDK and Ovi Maps API, plus we talk about Ovi Maps 3.3.54, Nokia Messaging (Social/Instant), Ovi Suite 2.0, N97 software version 2.0, updates for other devices (including the 5800), plus we answer a reader question about the Nokia N97 mini.
Long term readers of All About Symbian will know that I'm a sucker for eBooks on my mobile phone, and Steve was quick to point out that a number of titles had popped up as standalone eBooks in the Ovi store from OffScreen Technologies (a veritable factory of little utilities in the store) and would I like to take a look at them and see if this is the right way forward? Read on...
It's always good to see a reminder of this particular bit of lateral thinking, so I'm happy to link over to Phil Schwarzmann's feature on his favourite Apple iPhone/touch-optimised web sites that also work well on his Nokia N97 (or 5800 or Samsung i8910 HD or any other wide-screened S60 touch phone, of course). Don't get too excited over the Stitcher example, though, it's essentially just a selection of podcasts, we're still waiting for a really decent Internet Radio client for S60 5th Edition [Steve looks meaningfully in the direction of Nokia here....]
For completeness, Phones Show Chat 3 is now online, and thanks to Tim Salmon, we've now got show notes for the three shows so far. There's also now, as of this morning, an official iTunes feed for the podcast, for convenience, as well as the main RSS feed. Comments welcome, as usual. Note that this audio podcast is cross-platform, so it's not totally Symbian-safe(!) Coverage also includes Android, iPhone and lots of N900/Maemo references.
The Samsung i8910 HD (a.k.a. Omnia HD) has been left for the last couple of months in firmware limbo, with some showstopping bugs - but today sees the launch of 'XXII1' firmware (the 'II' refers to 'September 09'), with my observations below. You can get the update for your own i8910 HD by hooking it up to PC Studio (version 7.2.24.8, please!) and using the built-in Updater tool. This update has been made available by Samsung Italy, so your phone will need to have an existing Italian firmware installed before you can get the update. Note that there's no User Data Preservation, so backup and sync first - you know the drill by now, just make sure your PIM data, email settings and registration codes are all safe.
Nokia Beta Labs 'IM Beta', part of the Nokia Messaging 'empire', previously only available for the E75, has now been upgraded to v2.0 and also supports the E71 and E63, according to the Beta Labs blog. Version 2.0 also adds support for Google Talk, in addition to the existing Yahoo Messenger and Ovi systems. You can investigate Nokia Messaging IM Beta here.
In a report surely to be widely read by networks around the world, Strand Consulting have summed up the iPhone effect on a network's bottom line, but I think it goes a lot deeper. The standout line is "Not one (operator) has increased its market share, revenue or earnings as a result of introducing the iPhone." But then networks have never been about one product. They've been about offering the right device, to the right people, at the right time, for the right price. Let me explain.
What happens when a west-coast geek smashes their iPhone? Well, they try the N97 for a month. Noted commentator Cali Lewis reports back to her GeekBriefTV online video audience on her month with the Nokia N97. Acknowledging her love of the iPhone and Apple's Mac OS, it sounds like the phone made a positive impression on her, but it felt over complicated, even though the better quality camera and flash appealed to her.
Over on OviGaming.com, Ewan feels his doubts about Nokia's N-Gage games platform starting to emerge once again. Can N-Gage stay off the iceberg? Read Ewan's say and then have yours in the OviGaming story comments!
After the morning keynotes and interviews at Nokia World 2009, I decided to take a quick look round the 'experience lounge' at Nokia World. Following on from part 1 of the video, the tour of the show floor continues in part 2. You'll see the Nokia X6, Nokia X3, Nokia N97 Mini, Nokia 5230, Bounce Evolution running on the N900 and more software and services. There's also a quick look at some of the show floor features including a Twitter screen and side theatres.
In All About Symbian Insight 86 (AAS Podcast 148), Rafe, Steve and Ewan talk about the devices unveiled at Nokia World. Symbian devices include the Nokia N97 Mini and the capactive sreen enabled Nokia X6. There are also mentions for the X3, N900 and Nokia Booklet, plus some general discussion on Nokia World. You can listen to AAS Insight 86 here or, if you wish to subscribe, here's the RSS feed.
Top theme maker Tehk is branching out into the burgeoning market for 'premium' themes - with the complexity of modern Symbian devices, it's becoming harder and harder to create themes which contain icons and elements for every nook and cranny, and I don't think it's unreasonable for theme makers to charge a small amount for their time and effort. Tehk here introduces the first of a seven part design series, branded 'Evolution', with a variety of versions at various prices, from 1 Euro up to 6 Euros. Read on for a screenshot and some of Tehk's comments.
