The Nokia 5320 XpressMusic has the lowest launch price so far of any S60 device, and is squarely aimed at the mainstream market. It's a music-oriented device, with external playback controls, a dedicated audio chip and a 3.5mm headphone socket. It will also become a slightly gaming-oriented phone later this year, when the N-Gage application becomes available for it. All About Symbian has put it through its paces, and you can find out how it did by reading our review. If you have any questions about the device, post them in the comments thread of this news item and we will try to answer them.
It seems that Nokia Map Loader has 'graduated' from Nokia Beta Labs and has been updated to boot, it's now at v2.0.2 and ensconced on the main Maps page (click on 'Download' etc). I doubt there's more to the new version than bug fixes, but it's still great to see the whole Maps (/Chat/Share online) ecosystem all finally come together. The Flash intro video for Maps isn't that new, but is worth a watch and quite well done for getting the message across.
Google has just pointed out that they've put some new optimisations in place on their mobile site for the duration of the Olympic Games. There's a dedicated mobile-friendly index page to their coverage at www.google.com/m/summergames, plus just typing in a sport name into the main home screen will also get you results and information. Going to be an exciting few weeks and now you can stay in touch wherever you are!
AAS's own Attila Katona has given us clues as to his Bobby Carrot inclinations in the past, but here he goes into detail about each episode in the long-running Java puzzle game series (which should work on most S60 smartphones). Is there a best episode? And what's so special about the last 'Forever' game? Find out in the part-history, part-review, Bobby Carrot series.
Nokia are, theoretically, doing their bit for the environment with the release of we:offset, a Carbon footprint calculator, along with a facility to donate an appropriate amount to projects that aim to balance your footprint out. It's a worthy release, although (over on my personal blog) I can't help think it's way too little way too late in the grand scheme of things...
Over on our 'other' domain, All About N-Gage, Ewan has reviewed the biggest N-Gage game so far, Reset Generation. With a colourful portfolio of characters and assorted superpowers, and with both N-Gage client and Java client (for playing in any web browser on any PC), Reset Generation is a super-full multi-player strategy game that's well worth taking note of. Did it achieve 90% and a Mega-game? Read the review to find out! Have you tried it yet? Leave a comment below.
ABI Research are quoting Q2, 2008 phone sales figures (via IntoMobile). On average, growth was around 18%, bucking the worldwide financial situation. 301 million phones were shipped during the quarter, with Nokia selling over 40% , and with Samsung in second place with 15%. Motorola, LG and Sony Ericsson are each around the 9% mark, with Apple estimated around 2% and lumped with other tier two manufacturers into an 'Others' category.
Nokia's arguably missed a trick by not promoting Reset Generation's embedding ability, which lets you put the entire full game (including multiplayer online) on your own blog or site using a tiny bit of HTML code. You can find out how to embed the game by clicking on this item's headline, and if you've already embedded the game you might want to post a link to your site in the comments thread.
It was fascinating to read Malcolm Lithgow's very detailed real-world head to head between some budget Symbian smartphones, the Nokia 6220 Classic and the Sony Ericsson G700 and G900. Mainly because Malcolm has been (and still is) a big fan of UIQ 3, which gives him a novel perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the two platforms (and individual devices). Some good points in here, even though most of us would have wanted to see a higher spec S60 device used for the comparison. (via Carnival of the Mobilists 135)
Following our own review of the Nokia 6120 Classic, the folks over at PDA247 have put up a review of the Nokia 6124, essentially the Vodafone version of the same device and listed on pay-as-you-go for only £100. Staggering price, it had to happen one day, although the review also mentions what sounds like a serious overheating problem during 3G calls.
And a big 'Ya Boo Sucks' to those out there that say a smartphone can't also be a semi-pro stills camera. Here's the first N82 Photo Awards selection, following in the footsteps of several awards given to photos taken by the N95...
It's... another All About Symbian Insight podcast, number 34, with Rafe and myself discussing Google Maps 2.2, Skyfire, Missing Sync for Symbian, plus the Samsung i560 and G810. Then we move onto the Nokia 6650 and the Samsung L870 and INNOV8.