Steve Litchfield, of Psion and Symbian famXXXX err... infamy, takes a long hard look at the Nokia N-Gage and finds it has a lot going for it, especially with a few choice additions and tweaks. If you've ever rejected Series 60 because of some of the other Nokia offerings, why not look again at the humble N-Gage? You can read the full article here.
George Samenuk, CEO of McAfee, is talking up mobile viruses to corporate buyers and their IT departments (The Feature reports). "What choice do users have? Do you want your business or government to go down because you didn't spend money protecting PDAs or 3G phones... This is a bet-your-job environment. You will lose your job if you don't have comprehensive, layered security solutions." So yet again, we have the Anti-Virus companies talk up the fear, uncertainty and doubt of handset viruses, with no word yet from any virus writers. Are we really on the brink of armageddon?
Symbianware have announced that 12 of their Series 60 applications have been Symbian Signed, the service that tests apps for security, integrity, and compatibility. Normally costing 560 Euros per app, Symbianware's apps were sponsored in part by Siemens Mobile.
After years of using only the royalty free MMC card standard, Nokia has applied to join the Association that controls the SD card standard - membership is normally a pre-requisite for using SD Cards on an electronic device. MMC card support isn't going to stop overnight (especially with the embracing of RS-MMC), but this opens the way to better data exchange with over 700 other manufacturers. It should be noted that devices like the Sendo X already support SD cards, and the option in the Series 60 licencing would allow Nokia to licence back the SD technology from Sendo. There's an off the shelf solution if we ever saw one.
After the flash trailer appearing a fortnight or so ago, Nokia have now announced their new title One, a 3-d Fighting Beat em up with a whole host of multiplayer styles and ranking options that take advantage of the N-Gage Arena. You'll have to wait until May 2005 to find out how the character customisation and mod system works.. we're thinking an AD&D style character generation system when you start the game.
DemoMobile, the biggest "look at my company, please invest!" show in the world has finished for another year, and there have been a number of good products on show designed for the mobile phone. There was the tilting screen as a cursor, the number buttons as a touch pad, the take a picture of an advert and we'll scan online shops for it... the list is endless, but the problem is the same. They need support from carriers and handset manufacturers. The Feature rounds everything up.
Nokia have revealed some more details on their hoped for Flagship MMC Game, Pathway to Glory. Along with the Arena Network Play, you'll be able to issue orders and communicate with other members of your squad using the N-Gage as a Walkie-Talkie. Messages will be transferred through the arena service. Two arena multiplayer variants are available - one which where the players canset all the variables, and another where you play opponents of equal skill (dependent on your rating) to gain points and promotion in the online ranking system. RedLynx have also been announced as the Developers of the game.
Straight out of the "where did they come up with that for an idea" comes N-Gage.com's Blindfolded boxing. Every week, the top boxer in each international region will win 2x N-Gage' QD's, and two copies of Crash Nitro Kart, Spiderman 2 and Operation Shadow. Congrats to Nokia on recognising you need two of everything to have a good multiplayer prize!
The David and Goliath battle is over, and there are some happy faces up at Birmingham just now. Sendo and Microsoft have agreed to settle the issues in the litigation battle launched by Sendo over the various issues surrounding the Microsoft Smartphone. "We felt we were wronged," said Marijke van Hooren of Sendo, "and felt we had to take on Microsoft to recover our losses, our reputation, and image. Sendo are very happy with the settlement." The terms of the settlement are confidential, but Microsoft will surrender it's shareholding in Sendo. Hopefully now Sendo can focus 100% on the Sendo X and getting it out to everyone who wants one around the world.
Do most mobile gamers play at the bus stop? On the train? While leaving on a Jet Plane? Mobile Entertainment Analyst takes a look and discovers that 60% of mobile games are played at home. And 4 in 5 of those home players are shunning their PC's and Game Consoles. There's some more nice numbers in there (more women play mobile games, but more men pay for them) so grab a coffee and have settle down to read.
Access' Series 60 Web Browser, Net Front, is offering free registrations for people providing feedback on the application (reports NewLC). Download the 45 day demo from this page, which also has the feedback form.
Symbianware's Import/Export application, SmartvCard, has been updated. Featuring both the vCard standard and CSV Plain Text File options, it's one of the easiest ways to move your Address Book around platforms. We've reviewed the Series 60 version previously.
Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Siemens and Sony Ericsson are looking at ways to bring the Broadacasting Services to you through your mobile phone. 'TV-Like' and Multimedia Content would be covered under the 'Mobile Broadcast Services,' work which started out under the OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) previously.
