Over on Symbian.com, David Wood's latest 'Insight' editorial is on the way the huge success of Symbian OS smartphones will inevitably spark a renaissance in home-produced applications. Back to the way things were in Psion's hey-day?
Ewan takes a good look at the free beta of ShoZu, a utility to aid uploading of your photos to a photo blogging service, and concludes that it's technically impressive but that it doesn't yet have all based covered in terms of functionality.
Just a quick one to point out that the EU Watchdog is satisfied that the purchase of UK Mobile Operator O2 by Telefonica will not distort roaming charges. The Spanish telco can now confirm it's offer to O2 shareholders (Mobile Burn).
Steve's been hankering after an active standby screen for his Nokia 6630, and Best Desk seems like a very capable contender. Here's his review. Summary: very configurable, very capable, but also very new.
i-Symbian have published a fairly long (but interesting) four part interview with long time AAS-friend Arjen Broeze. Of special interest to anyone looking at OPL for developing programs for the Nokia Communicator,
Arjen Broeze writes: I have just released iDesk version 1.45. This version fixes some bugs that existed in the previous version and also adds a small number of new features like virtual cursor support, searching for buttons, finding unassigned applications. This version also fixes the problem with increased CPU-usage... which should result in longer battery-life.
Fresh from the AAS review of the N70, Steve's included a video version in the second edition of his video/podcast "The Smartphones Show," released today. Also featured in the show is a look at the iTech laser 'virtual' keyboard. It's free to download, over at www.smartphones-show.com.
Some interesting comments in a Vunet article regarding Nokia's choice of the DVB-H standard over the DAB standard for 'mobile TV.' While DAB will reach the UK airwaves first, Nokia's Mark Selby is quick to point out that the DVB-H standard will better cope with multiple channels, that the UK spectrum may be opened up earlier, and it's not always about just the UK.
Okay so Engadget and Gizmodo are carrying P970 pics (allegedly) and following the links up the chain, it looks like a cut down keypad design, no Wi-Fi or 3G option, and possibly a downgraded camera. The rumours are saying Q1 2006, so the good money is on an announcement at the upcoming 3GSM.
Write Once Run Anywhere is one of thsoe software phrases that AppForge have been attacking with their CrossFire product. CrossFire allows .Net and Visual Basic code to be run on a number of PDA platforms (including Symbian and Palm). Their first patent, for "methods and systems for providing platform-independent shared software components for mobile devices" has just been award, with others pending (thanks to Symbian One for the link).
A curious use for the traditional Nokia Series 60 Standby screen, courtesy of Steve Litchfield and a bottle of Hardy's. Inspired thinking or Irritating art? You decide, comments welcome.
Tom Hume has been putting Yahoo! Go through its paces on his blog, and Hume's conclusion is that "Overall, Yahoo! Go seems rather niche. It's a nice stake in the ground for Yahoo! to demonstrate that they're taking mobile seriously, but practically speaking how many high-end Series 60-owning folks make use of so many Yahoo! services, want to use them when they're mobile, and want to pay for the privilege?"
