Rally simulation/game ChaseHQ2 Evolution looks a million dollars from the screenshots. But be warned that all is not currently sweetness and light. Have you got 8MB of RAM free? No, neither had I. Here's the full review.
PyS60 is now available on SourceForge. This means you can get and contribute to the source code for the Python runtime for S60. Python for S60 is rapidly gaining a dedicated following. For those wanting to learn more about Python for S60 Jurgen Scheible's comprehensive Python S60 tutorial and the Python Series 60 Wiki are very useful.
A new blog has been added to S60.com, the S60 Multimedia Blog, written by Jukka Ekland and it will be covering all aspects of multimedia related to the S60 platform. There are already several intering posts including one about the inclusion of Real Player in the S60 SDK (of interest to developers) and another about MP4 video recording (of general interest).
Steve's been trying to stay platform-impartial, as part of reviewing smartphones for his TV show, but it's just... so... hard.... It's not just in sales that Nokia's S60-based smartphones are ahead of the Windows Mobile competition. Read on...
Have you ever wondered about keeping structured data and lists on your smartphone? Steve Litchfield introduces HanDBase for Series 60 and shows what it can do.
If you fancy a little wider reading for the weekend, try the weekly Carnival of the Mobilists, latest roundup here. There's always something interesting and thought-provoking included.
Interesting interview with Symbian's Jorgen Behrens, over on Builder UK yesterday. Some good sound bites, including Microsoft being 'a mobile upstart', backed up by the familiar 10-to-1 sales ratio. Thanks to MobHappy for the heads-up.
Ewan's been doing some hard thinking about the issue facing music on your smartphone, and, in summary, he's having a few doubts about the whole concept. Read the article (and the second opinion) and then let us have your thoughts in the comments thread.
The story pretty much speaks for itself. American Network Operator Cingular has applied for a patent to "[allow] a user of a mobile phone (or other device) to select a displayable icon, such as an emoticon, that indicates the mood or emotion of the user or conveys other information independent of text." To which I say :-(
Navicore has announced the launch of a new version of its navigation system for S60 phones - Navicore Personal 2006. New features include updated maps from Tele Atlas, 7 digit UK post code support, traffic and POI updates via GPRS, multiple modes (cyclist, pedestrian, car) and integration with the phones contact store. The S60 version is available immediately and Series 80 and UIQ will be supported later in the year along with European map availability.
3D Tracking is an innovative service which allows you to see where you (or rather a suitably set up mobile) has been. The service allows you to view current and past routes and positions. It uses information from a Bluetooth GPS to send location information (via a small piece of Java software) to their servers and display the results overlaid on Google Maps or Google Earth. The service is available at no charge.
A couple of news goodies from Forum Nokia: there's now a complete (C++) SDK for Series 60 3rd Edition; and the source code to Python for Series 60 is going to (at last) be made available as Open Source.
According to this thread on Nokia's own forums, Orange plans to make display of their 'love it or hate it' Home screen optional on future branded S60 smartphones. They don't seem to be able to 'fix' existing devices though. Still, at least they've been listening to their customers....
