So Nokia's Nseries PC Suite 2.0 has finally limped out, a whopping 350MB download, of which 200MB is Microsoft's .NET modules. Has the world gone mad? The core PC Suite modules are around 25MB, plus maybe another 25MB for Lifeblog, the Map Loader and Software Updater. Read on for my rant and some links... [Update: v2.0 beta has now been withdrawn]
Maybe I missed an announcement, but Nokia seems to have just overhauled their already Flashy (pun most definitely intended) Nseries web site. You know the drill, more whizzy animated windows, more music accompaniments, more err.... 'loading' bars. Still, there's quite a bit on the N95 8GB and N81 and I loved browsing the world photo map.
You'll remember I recently did a roundup of Nokia E90 cases that came down in favour of pouch/holster designs overall? Noreve, long time friends of AAS, have now added an E90 pouch to their case range. I'll be reviewing this, along with others arriving soon, don't worry.
Ewan's something of a wiz on the old Rubik's cube, making him a natural for reviewing Magic Cube on his Nokia N95. It's Java-based though, so should run on just about any other smartphone. With a neat keypad-based interface, Magic Cube gets the thumbs up.
Vodafone recently announced its upcoming range of Christmas phones. As well as the Nokia N95 8GB, Nokia 6120 and Samsung i450 another S60 phone, the Samsung i560, is mentioned. The specifications show that the i560 has a slider form factor, a 2.4 inch screen, a 3.2 megapixel camera, an integrated GPS and HSDPA connectivity. This suggest that the i560 may be a slider version of the Samsung i550. Read on for more.
A thread discussing the next steps of the Symbian Signed program is currently available on the Symbian Developer Network. Proposed changes envision three main types of signing: 'Open Signed' for use during the development process, 'Express Signed' suitable for many applications and 'Certified Signed' similar to the current process.
Can this be for real? SIM reports that Mobile9 is now hosting a S60 online theme creator - just pick the elements and graphics you want and a signed .SIS is made-to-order. Although I'd usually advise against ad-hoc installation of SIS files like this, I can't help wondering how well/safely it works. Comments and reports welcome!
Unwired View is reporting that the FCC has cleared the Nokia N81-1, which means the schedule for a Q4 release would seem to be on track. Note the N81-1 has support only for European 3G bands (2100 Mhz).
Ho yes. Another year has flown by and we present the All About Symbian As-Official-As-It-Gets 2007 Pub Meet. Prizes, Demos, Speakers, Chit-chat and good beer. In case you haven't been to one before, here's AAS video podcast 21, in which I waffle on about what to expect from the pub meet and some other minor event happening the next day over in Docklands...