The long-awaited online multiplayer puzzle/strategy game Reset Generation is now available from the N-Gage application's showroom (use the "Update Now" option if you can't see it). UPDATE: The PC version has also now launched, you can play it through your browser for free on All About N-Gage (Windows only, but it works with both Firefox and IE). The PC version is identical to the N-Gage version, including online multiplayer.
As you know, I do like a good real world speed test. And Vaibhav has been very thorough in his testing of text entry speeds on the Nokia E71, E90 and N95/N78. Interesting reading, if only to note how close the results are - in most circumstances a good T9/predictive texter will keep up, even against the likes of the qwerty-toting Eseries. Of course, if your texting skills aren't quite so hot....
It's the hottest ticket in town and Rafe and I were able to spend a whole afternoon with the Samsung INNOV8, due for availability in September. With slick black styling, 8 megapixel camera, GPS, UPnP, Wi-Fi and every other acronym you can think of, including DivX and WMV compatibility, the INNOV8 is the highest specified phone in the world - and it runs S60 3rd Edition FP2. You'll find thoughts, details, screenshots, photos and a video in our exclusive hands-on INNOV8 (p)review. And as a bonus, there's also more close-up photos of the device in Rafe's INNOV8 gallery.
It's been a while since I updated my (smart)phone-choosing Grid, but I bit the bullet and this now has the iPhone 3G, the Nokia E71, the Nokia N78 and the HTC Touch Diamond, among others. How does it do for you?
Guest writer Tim Salmon brings us a timely review of Psiloc's GSync utility, designed to automatically archive your text and MMS messages to labelled GMail. After a few recent glitches (in part caused by Google), GSync now appears to be working well.
The single-player demo of Reset Generation (previously only available to Fileplanet subscribers) is now available to everyone, click here to play it through your PC web browser. The full version of the game, which is possibly launching on PC and N-Gage next week, will also include a multiplayer online mode and the ability to embed the game in your own blog or website.
The 5320 XpressMusic has finally gone on sale in Finland, and is the cheapest S60 so far (the SIM-free model is launching for 195 euros plus taxes). All About Symbian has managed to get one of the first retail units, and we've written some first impressions and done some preliminary photos with annotations, which you can see by clicking here. We can answer any questions you have about the phone if you post them in the thread of this news item. The full review is coming soon.
You know AAS doesn't post device leaks and rumours. But this is something more off the wall - and yet, if not true, a terrific, terrific idea. James Burland is reporting that he's heard that Nokia is only months away from (maybe) launching a Movie Store. He even quotes the tech specs of the videos and has details on DVD ordering after watching. What do you think?
Facebook regulars might like to note a new version of the FindMe application, now available and in beta for S60. You can find instructions on grabbing it here on FindMe's Facebook page. It seems as though it uses a similar white-list location system to Nokia Chat, although it uses cell location rather than GPS. Comments welcome.
Over on All About N-Gage, we've been taking a look at using games from the new N-Gage platform on television sets through the TV Out feature found on some compatible devices. As well as a video demonstrating the platform in action on a telly, we present an editorial assessing which games work, which don't, and what the future might hold for TV Out on N-Gage.
The biggest mobile mapping app in the world (sorry, Nokia Maps, we love you too) just got a new S60 release, to version 2.2, with public transport timetables in 60 cities worldwide, faster search results, star ratings for businesses and other user-generated content. What are you waiting for? Read on for some illustrated example of new functionality.
Skyfire, which aims to give a PC-like browsing experience on your phone, is now available as a limited access beta for S60. Skyfire uses compression and a proxy-based technology to deliver full featured (Flash 9, Quicktime, Java, AJAX) web pages to phones. Their aim is to deliver exactly the same page to your phone that you would see on your PC. We've got 100 instant access beta invitations to give away for our US readers. Read on for more details.
Well worth waiting for is Rafe's part 2 of his definitive Nokia N78 review. This time he looks at all the multimedia aspects of the N78, from camera to video to music to UPnP. Including a test of the unique FM transmitter, Rafe leaves no stone unturned. See also Part 1 of the review. Part 3 will feature all the other applications and Rafe's concluding thoughts on the N78.
Hmm.... Nokia has put a new mini-app, 'Secret' in the Download! 'What's Hot' folder for many handsets. On running it, you have to enter a four digit code from the Flash web site www.openatownrisk.com, then [update] type the same code in again on the web app, finally revealing an abstractly wierd video clip, featuring fishing midgets, motorcycling lobsters, table-tennis-playing grandads, spaghetti divers and... well, you get the idea. And the chance to win a limited edition T-Shirt (see below). Er.... Nokia? What's this all about? Is there any point to this other than keeping Flash animators in employment? (Thanks to kflyer for initial report)
Nokia has announced that its US-spec E71 is now available at a variety of retailers across the States for a SIM-free price of $500 (about £250). See also our review of this qwerty-keyboarded phone.