It's Sony Ericsson's first ever S60 smartphone, running the same version of S60 5th Edition as the Nokia 5800, but with several Sony Ericsson extras, plenty of horsepower under the bonnet and a distinctive camera-centric tablet form factor. Can Sony Ericsson succeed where Samsung have been struggling in the battle to compete with the lesser specified Nokias? Here's part 1 of my multi part AAS review of the Satio.
When is a game not a game? When it's more an online proof of concept, as Ewan found out in his review of Smart Trivia from the Ovi Store, with barebones interface and enforced cellular connection. At least the questions themselves are OK, plus there is multi-player action. Can Smart Trivia go for gold or will it fail the starter for ten?
fring (sic) today released, to selected Symbian devices, an updated version of their social communication application that enables Skype video calling functionality. This is the first, consumer ready, implementation of Skype video calls on a mobile phone. You can both place and receive Skype video calls from other users (including other fring users). It is an extremely impressive technology implementation and a good example of what is possible with the Symbian platform. Read on for more.
Nokia's latest music phone, the X6 is due to hit UK stores this Friday (27th November). Shipping on Orange, and packaged with Comes with Music, the monthly tariff is £35 (or £25 if you trade in another Nseries handset). Alternatively, you can go for the SIM free version direct from Nokia's webstore at £449.
Spotify has arrived on Symbian - the music service du jour is now complementing its Android and iPhone offering with a Symbian S60 client. Available only to premium subscription members (£9.99 a month), the client will let you stream music on request to your handset, or you can download music to listen to when you are offline and out of coverage (ie on the London Underground).
The Gadget Show's Jon Bentley is very experienced at handling and reviewing smart/camera phones and in this episode of their Web TV he delivers his verdict on the new Sony Ericsson Satio. Summary: crisp photos but nowhere near as pleasing as those from the Nokia N86, nice application bundle, frustrating resistive touchscreen, annoyingly AWOL 3.5mm audio jack. AAS's production Satio arrives tomorrow, so watch this space for a Satio/N86/i8910 HD photo and video head to head. Can't wait!
Following on from the E52 thread, and in a clarion call for higher build quality among Symbian OS-powered smartphones, I've pooled my own and other people's comments, to produce a Top Dozen Best Built devices. With the current E52, E55 and N97 perhaps near the top of a 'Worst built' list, I think it's fair to say that terrific build quality is something to be cherished in models of all vintages. Read on.
Sometimes I think that convergence has gone too far and that modern smartphones are just too complex for their own good. And then I think 'Nah, manufacturers and networks just need to seed devices with bloggers and power users like you and I to help with testing before unleashing devices on the general public'. Witness the reported withdrawal of the Nokia N97 from Vodafone and Sony Ericsson Satio from the Carphone Warehouse after high returns and plenty of issues. Ah, life on the bleeding edge, it's not for the faint-hearted or for the great unwashed...
Bill Perry, one of the senior services managers for Forum Nokia, has blogged about the Ovi Store and some of the numbers driving the growth. Over 100 devices, in 20 countries, with the N97 and the 5800 being the top devices. The average user has downloaded 8 items and there's been 70% growth in October's downloads compared to September.
The GSM Association has announced the winners of the Asia Mobile Awards 2009, with the Nokia N97 mini walking away with the only hardware award, that of 'Best Mobile Handset'. It has been a good month for the 'mini' - you may remember it was named no. 1 in my Phones Show Autumn 2009 'Top 5' as well. And, I suspect, there are a few more awards to come from various corners. Watch this space.
An arcade game – and and ol' fashioned up-the-screen 2D shoot-em-up at that. On a touch screen. Surely this is as big a folly as “Can you fly the Spruce Goose across the Atlantic?” So onto Skyforce Reloaded, the almost franchise-like arcade game that's on every mobile platform, and which now makes its way to S60 5th Editon. But how does it work on devices like the 5800, which have no physical keys? Find out in Ewan's review.
CellPhoneSoft, UIQ specialists until a year or so ago, have launched their new flagship title for S60. Swiss Manager Pro 3.0 is a 'task manager, system information tool and file manager in one' (I've pasted the feature list below, along with a screenshot). It also includes a 'memory cleanup function' which sounds interesting. Comments welcome if you've tried this and/or want to review it formally for AAS(!)
They said I was mad to try attempting this review mini-series. But I've done it. Phew! In part 1 of my review of the Nokia N97 (v20) and Nokia N97 mini, I looked at the hardware, design and build quality. In part 2, I looked at the OS, The Interface, The Apps. Now, in this, the final review part, I look at the N97/N97 mini's camera and multimedia performance - and then I wrap up with my verdict of both devices.
The Marble rolling game genre isn't new to Symbian OS, but rarely has it been done better than here, in MicroMaze for S60 5th Edition, reviewed by Ewan. 80 plus levels over six different rolling surfaces and with bridges, barriers and trap doors to avoid, this is a smooth action casual game that you'll be playing for quite a while.
In a longer-than-usual Insight podcast, Rafe, Ewan and Steve cover all things Symbian, including a detailed report from The Way We Live Next, coverage of news from Gartner, Google/AdMob, discussion of Samsung dropping/not dropping Symbian, plus an extended reader/listener Q&A session. Listen here to AAS Insight number 95.
