Nokia has made available, via its website, a wide range of Ramadan related content for a number of phones (including all recent S60 devices). There are a number of applications: Quran (multi-lingual interface, search and bookmark, Emsakya (prayer alerts), Hajj and Umrah (journey guide) and more; as well as ringtones, wallpapers, anasheed (Islamic vocal music) and landmarks (for Nokia Maps).
Samsung recently announced the existence of the i8510 (INNOV8) handset and have now revealed that the 8GB version will be sold exclusively in the UK in partnership with the Carphone Warehouse (a similar arrangement to the iPhone), although which networks the phone will be available on has not yet been specified. The i8510 will have two memory variants: 16GB and 8GB, it appears that only the 8GB is a Carphone Warehouse exclusive, with the 16GB version being sold by other retailers and dealers in the UK.
What with more and more video codecs being involved and YouTube continually fiddling, it's not surprising that shareware-by-any-other-name Mobitubia is having to be fiddled with too, to keep it working efficiently. Version 1.81 build 5 just got released for anyone who's donated to the project and features video playback fixes, general app bug fixes and a new feature: Make thumbnail, for clips which don't come with one. Recommended.
Our very own Krisse, when not writing for AAS, produces a series of video and text reviews for the independent Nokia Duck site - here's a fresh, beaky look at the Nokia E51 - well written as always!
The next part of my Mac virgin series, trying to get to grips with OS X and get my Nokia N95 8GB connected up and productive. In part 1, I found it fairly easy to get the two devices paired up by Bluetooth and synced using iSync. In part 2, I look at connecting my phone up via USB cable and archiving my photos and videos.
Vodafone has made available, via widgetvine.mobi, a number of WRT Widgets which have been developed by Vodafone's Group Research and Development department. There are some genuinely useful widgets available such as cinema listings, travel planning and news retreival. Read on for more information and a few screenshots.
Digia has announced it has integrated TD-SCDMA to the S60 platform. TD-SCDMA is the version of 3G being used in China with networks covering 8 major cities and more to follow. The solution will enable manufacturers to reduce device development time as they will be able to use a ready-to-go software and hardware package (specifically a TD-SCDMA/EDGE modem from ST-NXP Wireless). This should help increase S60's market penetration in China.
In All About Symbian Insight #35 (AAS Podcast #88) Rafe, Steve and Ewan chat about the launch of the N-Gage's Reset Generation, carbon offsetting from your phone, the continuing importance of voice and the Nokia Music client/store.
Apparently the Nokia 6220 Classic just got a firmware update, to 3.23, with photo processing improvements, Share Online on the standby screen and general bux fixes and speed benefits throughout. Anyone able to try this on Nokia Software Update and report back? (via p@sco)
When the Apple iPhone appeared with its single 'simple' page of app icons, S60's folders of icons were ridiculed by some. As Justin points out here, with iPhones now filling up with page after page of disorganised icons, a system like S60's hierarchical folders is sorely needed. Some fans are now acknowledging the sense in S60's UI after all(!) (via this week's Carnival of the Mobilists)
It has a super clamshell form factor, it's beautifully made with brushed metal outer casing, it's got the battery from the E90, it has disco-worthy colour-cycling LED backlights, it has a cover UI, it has GPS - and it runs S60 3rd Edition FP2. And you can only get it from one network. The Nokia 6650 is something of an enigma, one which I have valiantly tried to unravel in my All About Symbian review.
I'd more or less given up reporting on smartphone coverage in Channel 5's Gadget Show (in the UK) because I kept forgetting to watch it, but have just discovered that Channel 5 has put the whole of the last 3 series up on the web for anyone to watch as and when. Of note is the very latest episode, in which the Apple iPhone 3G is pitched against the Nokia E71 in three real world tasks - the result? An honourable draw, but worth a look!
With eclectic musical tastes and a love of all things Web 2.0, Ewan was the natural choice to review Mobbler, a new S60 client that integrates with Last.FM to share your music favourites with the world and present to you other tracks and genres that you'll probably like. And it's Open Source too, i.e. free - what are you waiting for?
Over on sister site All About N-Gage, editor Tzer2 plays through all twelve levels of new N-Gage game Bounce Boing Voyage, proclaiming it a brilliant debut for the developers Rovio. With colourful graphics, good sound, smooth animation and clever puzzles it's clearly super value for money at only 7 Euros. There are three bonus N-Gage Arena levels, too, with an online competition for highest scores. A certifiable hit.
There's been a blitz of Eseries coverage in the last day or so... Just a sample: PhoneScoop have reviewed the Nokia E71, calling it 'classy, smart and nearly perfect'. Dotsix has been doing a series of Nokia E90 comparisons with a laptop, no less. An engineering firm in Texas is trialling five E71s and initial impressions are that they've 'never seen any mobile device come close to it for speed'. And PDA Essentials magazine have given the E90 the convincing nod ahead of all its competitors (from HTC, Toshiba and Asus) in a big roundup of qwerty smartphones, in issue 78, out today in the UK (and no, I didn't write this one!)