Recent News - Links of Interest - Page 105
Reset Generation screens published and gameplay explained
Completely confounding expectations, Reset Generation has at last been unveiled with gameplay screenshots, a hands-on preview of the game itself and details of Nokia's plans for user-created content. Looking absolutely nothing like Pathway To Glory or High Seize, Reset Gen is a sort of mixture of puzzle, strategy and a thick layer of retro, with multi-player online support for up to four people. Perhaps most intriguingly though, the web-based PC version will be absolutely free, and in a form which anyone can embed on their website. PC players will play in the same game world as N-Gage players, so it shouldn't be too hard to find opponents online. (via Skywish on the Official N-Gage Forums)
Adobe Open Screen project
Yesterday Adobe announced the details of the Open Screen Project. This will see Adobe, in conjunction with partners, create a consistent 'rich Internet experience' across televisions, PCs, mobile devices and other consumer electronics using future evolutions of its Flash and Air platforms. Adobe will open up Flash and Air by releasing more technical information and removing license fees and format restrictions for Air and Flash.
Nimbuzz enters a crowded IM/VoIP market - in style
Thanks to (the other) Ewan for pointing out the existence of Nimbuzz, which hasn't actually formally launched yet. It's yet another VoIP/IM client for phones, but it's distinguished so far by having a native S60 client (kudos) already, by supporting Skype chat (yay for the AAS office) and by having the slickest and smoothest Web 2.0 download, sign-up and install I think I've ever experienced. Mobile VoIP isn't truly there yet though. As with Skype Mobile, a chargable gateway is used, though full VoIP is apparently on the way, as per Fring.
Sports Tracker to Life Tracker
There's an interesting article on Business Week about Nokia's unexpected success with their free Sports Tracker utility/service/web site, with users generating content based around uses that were far wider than Nokia originally expected. In related news, Nokia has now released their 'urbanista' (Sports Tracker) widget for general embedding in other people's sites and blogs. Here's the info page and here's a (blogged) test photo-walk I did yesterday to try it out. Make sure you have the very latest version of Sports Tracker, v1.71. There's a full AAS tutorial in the making too, watch this space.
Vodafone UK adds unlimited data to contract accounts
Database applets to standalone apps
DDH Software, developers of HanDBase, the cross-platform (including S60) database solution, have launched a competition, rewarding the best two 'Applets' (i.e. designed databases, such as Pet Health or CD tracker) with full commercial runtime licenses, 'enabling the winners to turn their entries into commercially-available standalone mobile applications'. Importantly, the 30 day trial version is fine for creating the applets. Press release below the break.
'Open To Anything' spoof
You've got love these hyper-glossy Nokia Flash sites - Open To Anything is to the Nokia N95 8GB what Stavros is to the Nokia N82. Worth a watch, if only for a few chuckles along the way. (via p@sco)
Eqo IM and VOIP Client Leaves Beta on S60
Vancouver based Eqo has released their IM client from the beta test it has been in over the last few months. Suggestions for users have been rolled into the multi-platform client, with support for MSN,GTalk, AOL, Yahoo Messenger and others on board, alongside a VOIP and SMS client.
DivX movies on demand
Real Time Traffic coming to Nokia Maps
Nokia has announced that Real Time Traffic Information is coming to Nokia Maps, courtesy of ARC Transistance, the European network of automobile clubs. RTTI in Maps 2.0 (already in beta) should enable proper, dynamic routing that takes into account real world conditions. The full press release is below.
N95 and N82 top four-way camera test
Smartphones Show 58 is up today, with a four way test of the top camera (smart)phones in the world, looking at the 5mp Nokia N95, N82 and Sony Ericsson K850i and the LG Viewty. Plus a review of the Nokia E90-competitor, the i-Mate Ultimate 9502.
Top Travel Tips
Playing Safe vs High Risk?
Rita over at Symbian Guru has been collating a fascinating exchange of comments centred around the Nokia N95 and its impact both inside and outside the company. Rita goes off into an extended basketball/rugby metaphor that I'm afraid I don't quite follow, but she does make great points about the different strategies employed by Apple and Nokia. The first plays things safe and tests to the limit, the second produces bleeding edge releases ahead of the competition and then fixes problems as they go. Fascinating contrast.
MyStrands Social Player Updated, includes Last.FM Support
Strands, The team behind the social music site, MyStrands, have updated their Social Music Player for Symbian S60 (and java) equipped phones. Picking up all the music on your device, Strands can recommend similar artists and songs, match you up with users that have similar musical tastes, and helps you navigate your musical neighbourhood. Conscious that other services are available, the big news for this update is the inclusion of support for UK based Last.FM, and the sending of your track information to that service as well.
