Those folks at GSM Arena have obviously had too much time on their hands as they've put together all the latest smartphones from the main manufacturers and have tackled another subject close to my heart: screen visibility and contrast in all light conditions. Representing the Symbian world in the round-up are the Nokia C6-01 and N8 and, it's fair to say, both acquit themselves pretty well, with CBD and anti-reflective AMOLED screens respectively.
More than two years after its debut, the Nokia 5800 has received yet another firmware update. Taking it to version 52.0.007, the latest build is a small (5MB) update including changes to the touchscreen sensitivity and rotation, newer versions of the Web Browser and Ovi Maps, and improved connectivity over Wi-fi. The new firmware is rolling out around the world and the various network-brands and regional variants of the 5800, so if you're still waiting, take the time to back up your smartphone. Just in case.
Kudos to the web programmers and the rest of the team at GSM Arena, who have produced the really rather cool 'Photo Compare Tool'. Essentially they've taken a large number of recent phones and smartphones and shot the same three test photos with each (ISO 12233, Grey and Colour). You can then choose which three phones you'd like to compare using the drop-down pick lists and click any of the offered crops to show the full photo in the main window. Oh heck, just go try it, you'll see what I mean. Curiously, the Symbian-powered camera champions, the Nokia N86, Samsung i8910 and Sony Ericsson Satio aren't represented, but there's still plenty of other Symbian (and Maemo) interest. Full list below.
You'll possibly have spotted some remarks of mine in the comments to yesterday's smartphone spectrum post, in which I referred to Nokia's EDoF cameras as 'cutting edge'. I've written several times (e.g. in my Nokia C7 review part) on how these work, but to emphasise the technology and tolerances involved, check out a post yesterday on Nokia Conversations, in which Damian Dinning waxes lyrical about both the challenges involved in making EDoF lenses and the possible benefits for the end user.
Version 32.0.007 of the Nokia 5530's firmware was released today, the update is available via over-the-air download. There is nothing noticeable in terms of user experience updates. According to other sources, there is a small number of language specific bugs that have been addressed. In our own examination, Web has received a minor update too. Click through for further details.
The official Symbian blog as just published a video taken at SEE 2010, with Terence Warmbier of the Immersion Corporation. This is the company responsible for the haptic feedback hardware found in every Symbian device. Immersion is pushing haptic technology to allow users to discern material textures and spatial sensation, from just a tap of a screen. This technology is already applied to user interfaces and games, but Warmbier also spoke about using haptic ringtones to allow the user to feel who is calling them. Click through to see the video.
While the press focus might be on the organisation of the Foundation, the operating system continues to drive forward, as NTT Docomo announce eleven new Symbian OS-powered handsets at the SEE2010 show. This makes 143 models of phone that have now used Symbian for the Japanese network.
Just when you thought that HX-V8-32 firmware was the last 'hurrah' of the Samsung i8910 HD, along comes HyperX and his team to push the venerable smartphone to one final chapter. HX-V11-5 includes full Qt integration and extensive customisation options, some of which are listed below. There are still ways in which the i8910 remains the top dog in the Symbian world (besting the N8 with stereo speakers, larger display, etc.) so this new release is particularly interesting.
Now this is yet another piece of good news. While the N8 might have been the smartphone for the camera geeks and the C7 is the newest Symbian handset for the fashion conscious, it’s the C6-01 that I think is going to be the most important of the new Symbian devices (yes, even shading the E7). The small and affordable unit has now started shipping from the Nokia depots around the world, so expect it in the retail chain and available to buy at some point early next week.
Xenon-cameraphone fan though I am, it has to be said that at my advanced(!) age and with family responsibilities, I don't get to party til 3am anymore (though see here from 7.45pm tomorrow!), so don't really get a chance to see what the likes of the Nokia N8 can really do in near pitch darkness with real people (as opposed to pot plants and fans!). Luckily, Jay Montano shares my love of Xenon and has put up a feast of N8 Xenon-lit party shots from Halloween, last night. What's even more impressive than the lighting and 'freezing' in time is the power management - seems like the N8 took over 300 photos with Xenon flash without breaking sweat...
Seemingly now rolled out to all Nokia N8s (from an unscientific editorial survey!), there's a 3.3MB 'Phone apps' update available over the air, listed in the 'SW update' application. As you'll see from the screenshots below, the update 'improves the stability of the phone applications'. This should mean that the N8 runs more smoothly than previously, although most of the changes will be invisible to the end user.
Although Rafe and I have had the Nokia N8 for close to a month now, neither of us has got round to disassembling the bottom to test removal/exchange of the BL-4D battery. Partly because there's a question mark over whether this does in fact void the warranty, but mainly because the battery life is so good that neither of us has missed not being able to swap cells. In any case, Micky Aldridge has gone where we feared to tread and I've embedded his video below, showing removal and replacement. Looks like a 5 minute job at most, should your N8 battery ever degrade or fail.
Is there still a place for bling in the smartphone world? Nokia’s British-based Vertu, which specialises in luxury phones, thinks so. Their latest model, the (announced but previously not viewed) Constellation Quest, has just cleared the US FCC regulations, which means we’ve got some more details and it looks like that this runs a variant of S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2, with a customised UI theme and additional applications.
Nokia today announced the Nokia Digital Radio Headset (DAB) accessory for its Symbian^3 handsets (N8, C7-00, E7-00 and C6-01). Using Symbian^3's USB OTG technology it allows you to listen to and control DAB radio. DAB radio offers clearer reception, higher quality audio and a larger range of stations than traditional FM radio. The DAB headset will be available from Friday 22nd October, with first availability via the Nokia UK shop, at a cost of £44.99.
Nokia today launched the C5-03, a lower-mid-range touschscreen smartphone in a slab form factor, with a two tone design colour scheme. Hardware includes a 3.2" resistive touchscreen display, 5 megapixel camera, tri-band 3G, WiFi, GPS and compass. It runs Symbian^1 (S60 5th Edition) and comes with the full range of Ovi services including Maps, Store and Music. The C5-03 will be available at the end of this quarter, with an expected retail price of €170 before taxes or subsidies.
