Phones Show 144 is out this morning - and I mention it only because the main feature is my hands-on video review of the Nokia E6. Rolling in all my thoughts on this device into one easily-digested nine minute chunk of your time. Summary: it's the best built phone I've ever handled - yet I still can't recommend it to everybody. See below for the embedded video and salient links.
Months after you thought the Samsung i8910 modding scene had finally died, out comes arch-modder 'faenil', curator of 'faenil's pit', with a major new firmware release, 'n2o5', bringing an all-singing, all-dancing graphical interface to a wealth of i8910 system settings (browser user agents, camera tweaks, kinetic UI tweaks, and much more), compatibility certificates, Qt runtimes, and more. See below for warnings and links.
A new firmware for the Nokia N97 mini, version 30.0.004, is now available OTA (17MB) or via Nokia Software Updater (Ovi Suite). This is part of the series of updates to older devices that Nokia announced last week. Updates include a new version of the browser (7.3, the same as that shipping with Symbian Anna), updated Maps (3.6) and emoticon support in Messaging.
Yesterday Nokia quietly released an update to its C5-00 smartphone, in the form of the C5-00 5MP. The variant replaces the original 3.2 megapixel EDoF camera unit with a 5.0 megapixel EDoF unit. Other changes include additional internal memory (50MB to 270MB) and RAM (128MB to 256MB), and an increase in weight from 89.3g to 95g. The C5-00 5MP will go on sale in Q3 2011.
Nokia today announced a raft of updates coming soon for many S60 3rd Edition and S60 5th Edition phones (listed below), giving them an updated version of the browser (Web v7.3 - the same as Symbian Anna), updates to Ovi Maps and the addition of emoticons for use in SMS and MMS messages. The browser update is the most significant and should breathe life into many older Symbian smartphones.
Nokia made a number of important announcements today at its Nokia Connection event in Singapore. The Nokia N9, a MeeGo Harmattan smartphone, was announced. Equally important was the announcement that Qt would be at the core of bringing applications to the next billion users, indicating that Nokia intends to bring Qt to its mobile phone devices. Nokia also announced three new Touch and Type Series 40 devices.
Also coming out of Nokia Connections in Singapore today are some new accessories for your smartphone, giving you a number of options based around charging and audio. With speakers, home stereo adaptors, Bluetooth headsets and a fast charger for micro-USB devices.
At today's Nokia Connection event in Singapore Stephen Elop, Nokia's CEO, announced that the Symbian Anna software update for the Nokia N8, C7, C6-01 and E7 would start shipping in new devices in July and would be available for all existing device owners to download by the end of August. He also announced that, over the next 12 months, Nokia intends to bring 10 new Symbian based smartphones to the market.
Last Thursday Fujitsu announced the F-022 phone for the Chinese market. The flip form factor phone, which is based on Symbian, is the result of a collaboration with fashion brand Folli Follie. Features include a fashion conscious design (glitter-motif, embedded zirconium jewel, detachable fragrance chip), 8.1 megapixel camera and water/dust resistance. The phone will be available from Beijing Digital Telecom (also known as D-Phone) shops from the 24th June.
Nokia and Elle have joined forces to find the next fashion correspondent. We're not sure how much of a crossover there is between the average All About Symbian reader and fashion followers, but we do know our audience is a diverse and talented group. And this is a good opportunity to mention the Nokia N8 pink (and see the embedded video for a chance to win one), which was recently announced by Nokia and is being used in the promotion.
Nokia China, in conjunction with China Mobile, has announced the forthcoming availablility of two new TD-SCDMA (Chinese 3G) Symbian^3 smartphones - the Nokia T7-00 and the Nokia 702T. The T7-00 has a body similiar to the Nokia N8, but with an 8 megapixel EDoF camera and a clear black display. The Nokia 702T is a China specific variant of the Nokia E6. The handsets will be available in Q3 and will ship with the Symbian Anna software update.
Nokia has published a video showcasing its partnership with optics maker Carl Zeiss, with an emphasis on the implementation of the Nokia N8's camera. The video details the specialised knowledge need to create the optics, highlights the importance of robustness and discusses the key camera characteristics. While the video has a marketing message, it does offer a rare behind the scenes glimpse of what goes into making a high-end camera phone.
The Nokia X7 can be pre-ordered from the Nokia UK online shop for £399 SIM Free, £359 on PAYG or from free on a £25 per month contract. It also available for pre-order in Nokia online stores in Germany (€459), Italy (€429) and China. Pre-orders will also be available from a number online retailers shortly. The pre-order page indicates delivery will take place at the end of June.
Nokia has announced, via its Conversations blog, quoted below, that the Nokia E6 and X7 are now shipping. Both devices are due in for review in full retail form at All About Symbian imminently and will receive the usual comprehensive testing. The two phones use the new Symbian Anna version, and this is expected to start rolling out to other Symbian^3 phones soon. Watch this space.
The Nokia E6 can be pre-ordered from the Nokia UK online shop for £349 SIM Free, £339 on PAYG or from free on a £25 per month contract. It also available for pre-order in Nokia online stores in Germany (€429) and Italy (€399). Pre-order will also be available from a number online retailers shortly. The E6 is expected to starting shipping towards the end of June.
