Steve casts his eye over the new Nokia N93i Nseries multimedia computer and find that there are more than just cosmetic changes. In his full review, he examines the physical differences but notes that differences in the camera algorithms may be just as significant.
Ruby, the programming language, is now available for UIQ 3 phones following on from its early availability on S60. Ruby is currently in the proof on concept stage and is gradually being developed in response to feedback from interested parties, the next update should be available in February. Thanks to augeas for the heads up.
Symbian has announced the forthcoming availability of P.I.P.S. (PIPS is POSIXon Symbian). This allows the running of POSIX libraries on Symbian OS. It is aimed at allowing developers to more easily port existing applications and middleware to Symbian by providing standard POSIX C APIs on Symbian OS.
I see Python for S60 just received a big update, now to v1.3.17, quoting "access point selection support, added documentation for GLES and a few bug fixes". Also new is an API for the camera viewfinder, though it's reported as not fully featured yet.
Maybe not so much a battle as a minor skirmish, but the Sony Ericsson W950, the Nokia N91 and the iPod Shuffle all come out of Ewan's blind listening tests with decent scores. Read the article for details and comments.
Rounding out our CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2007 coverage in style, we (well, mainly Rafe) present AAS video podcast number 6, 11 minutes long and featuring plenty of video of the new Nokia N76 and N93i, plus extensive photo sets for general CES, the N76 and the N93i. Full text reviews of both devices will be along in due course.
According to GamesIndustry.biz, British game publisher Eidos has apparently just done a deal with Nokia to provide "embedded Tomb Raider games on N-series handsets". The phrase implies games built into handsets, rather than sold on Nokia's Next Gen games platform, and it's also unclear which models will contain the games. Rather encouragingly, Eidos went on to say "There's a real market there, it's no flash in the pan - particularly when you see some of the newer handsets, and how good content looks on those." (Story spotted by mathias_szil on the N-Gage Arena boards)
A new accessory has appeared on the Nokia site. The CA-100 allows you to charge your Nokia phone from a USB port. This will be a boon for frequent travellers who carry a laptop or have access to a computer and want to leave their main charger behind. Similar accessories are available on eBay, but are not always reliable.
OK, so you're all going to laugh at my expense, but necessity is the mother of invention and I needed a tripod mount for my Nokia N93 video filming work. With the prototype DT-22 having been reclaimed by Nokia, it was back to cardboard skills and duct tape....
Antony Pranata usefully provides screenshots, details and the right download address for the new (beta) Yahoo! Go 2.0, a Java host for a selection of genuinely useful widgets (news, searching, etc.) Do note though that the 500k download has to be done in Services, not Web. We'll be knocking up a full review in the next week or so.
Now that the Apple [cough] device is out of the way, it's time for a little Nokia N93i buzz. Darla's been posting her first hands-on impressions, Symbian Freak have their own opinionated first 36 hours with the N93i and - hey - apparently I'll have a loan N93i for review on Tuesday. Watch this space for a detailed review and video coverage.
It's AAS audio podcast no. 10, in which Rafe sat down for an in-depth interview with Antti Vasara, Nokia's Eseries enterprise manager, for a wide ranging discussion on the marketplace, Nokia's viewpoint and some of the specific areas in business that these devices can address.
Having now had a day or so to mull over the iPhone launch and the media frenzy surrounding it, I've been pondering the fact that in one important way, the iPhone definitely IS a 'break through' device, while Ewan refutes Jobs' 'Five years' boast by casting a satirical eye back five years instead and then describing what we have today.