Voice Over IP (or how to get round long distance phone charges using your broadband connection) means one name nowadays, and that is Skype. While Pocket PC handsets have had a Skype client for some time, other platforms have been left waiting. Skype's CEO Niklas Zennstrom yesterday announced that versions for Embedded Linux Devices, Symbian and Windows Mobile are planned for later this year (reports MobileMag). Of course politically for a carrier to put Skype directly on Wi-Fi handset means they'd better be ready to loose a lot of call revenue as users switch to Hot Spots...
Excuse Me, but where were you at Midday? This Photo Contest wants you to take a Photo on your Symbian Phone when the Sun is Overhead, and upload to the Photo Contest 23 page. Vote will start on 1st May 2005 to pick a winner. Winners Photo is displayed on Main Gallery page and can select next category.
In case some of you are wondering who the best is they've all bee nominated in the Handango 2005 Champion Awards. The finalists, decided by a popular vote on the Handango web site, now go forward to the judging panel (All About Symbian will be one of the judges) to find out the eventual winner in theBest Work, Play, Life, Industry and New application for Symbian OS. You can check out the list of finalists at Handango.
So I admit it, I'm a fan of Symbian OS. But how would I objectively score every facet of the main Symbian OS contenders against other PDA/connected solutions, past and present? Find out over at 3-Lib.
It's the real thing, too. Well, H2G2, anyway. Kind of Wikipedia, but smaller. And with a bit more humour. And it's all online here, optimised for mobile devices. Whatever next, a Symbian electronic thumb?
Michele Sciabarrą has set up a Symbian C++ Programming Blog, where he'll be giving valuable hints and tutorials for those of you with knowledge of C++ looking to learn all about Symbian programming.
It's time to pick your favourite photos from 19 great photos in the 2nd Open Photo Contest * here *. This poll will close on 17th April 2005 & Good Luck to all taking part.
Orange, following on from a successful event last year, are holding another Code Camp for mobile developers. Code Camp US will take place in Sarasota, Florida between 18-20 April and ot costs $249 to attend. Symbian is a Platinum Sponsor of the event. Code Camp is effectively an intensive 3 day event built around developer needs with a bit of fun thrown in for good measure (developers that means beer and a chance to win a Segway HT).
Another week, another Mobiles Podcast over at the The Podcast Network. Given the gaming feel of the last week, you won't be surprised that Ewan and Rafe are knee deep in the Gameloft's of this world to talk about Mobile Gaming. As usual, the MP3 (20mb, 1hr) is available for direct download if you've not subscribed to the RSS Feed.
Apologies for another 3-Lib link(!), but Series 60 smartphone owners might like to read my walk through of how to use S60 Notes as a PC-compatible word processor.
[Updated] Unstrung is reporting that Ericsson are suing Sendo for "patents covering GSM and GPRS technologies." Hugh Brogan is quoted (on BBC News) that "We do not want a free ride... We respect other people's intellectual property. We will pay a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory royalty." The Feature goes into a good bit more depth today on this.
The next podcast from The Mobiles Show, on The Podcast Network has been posted. Sun's VP David Rivas was interviewed by Ewan while at 3GSM, and the show is now available to download as an MP3 file or via your favourite Podcasting Client.
The 3-Lib directory of useful smartphone-friendly web sites has just been overhauled, with double the number of sites. All are guaranteed to keep your GPRS useage to a minimum. The directory is available in illustrated form (for reference) and in bare form, for bookmarking on your smartphone.
It's time for the 2nd Open Photo Contest. Please upload your Photos (taken on a Symbian Phone) to the Photo Contest 22 page. Vote will start on 3rd April 2005 to pick a winner. Winners Photo is displayed on Main Gallery page and can select next category.
Symbian OS devices are equally represented in Palmtop User journal, whose latest issue 10 has just been shipped. They've also got a 'free issue and back issues on CD' offer on, for anyone interested, full details here.
