Imran (over at Mobile Messaging 2.0) pointed to an interesting blog post this weekend, about the social impact that location based applications can have. Now that networks (such asGyPSii, that Steve is currently looking at) are more connected via social features and an always-on, always reporting attitude, Jan Chipcase asks if is this a step too far?
Files on Ovi, the commercial hosting and PC access component of Nokia's new services, has just gone live for real, i.e. it's not beta anymore. See this post for details and rates, there's the free service for direct access and fees required for 'anytime' hosting. Comments welcome - will you use it? If not, why not?
It's been a while since I updated my (smart)phone-choosing Grid, but I bit the bullet and this now has the iPhone 3G, the Nokia E71, the Nokia N78 and the HTC Touch Diamond, among others. How does it do for you?
The single-player demo of Reset Generation (previously only available to Fileplanet subscribers) is now available to everyone, click here to play it through your PC web browser. The full version of the game, which is possibly launching on PC and N-Gage next week, will also include a multiplayer online mode and the ability to embed the game in your own blog or website.
Thanks to Russell for reminding me to open up AdMob's latest Metrics report (PDF link), revealing the top devices and OS used for browsing mobile web sites. Symbian OS has a big worldwide lead here, at 58%, with Windows Mobile and RIM tied on 13%. Apple's share is tiny, but then the iPhone's browser doesn't work well with mobile sites (I've tried).
You know AAS doesn't post device leaks and rumours. But this is something more off the wall - and yet, if not true, a terrific, terrific idea. James Burland is reporting that he's heard that Nokia is only months away from (maybe) launching a Movie Store. He even quotes the tech specs of the videos and has details on DVD ordering after watching. What do you think?
Facebook regulars might like to note a new version of the FindMe application, now available and in beta for S60. You can find instructions on grabbing it here on FindMe's Facebook page. It seems as though it uses a similar white-list location system to Nokia Chat, although it uses cell location rather than GPS. Comments welcome.
Skyfire, which aims to give a PC-like browsing experience on your phone, is now available as a limited access beta for S60. Skyfire uses compression and a proxy-based technology to deliver full featured (Flash 9, Quicktime, Java, AJAX) web pages to phones. Their aim is to deliver exactly the same page to your phone that you would see on your PC. We've got 100 instant access beta invitations to give away for our US readers. Read on for more details.
Stop. Press. Carnival of the Mobilists 134. Out. Now. Over at the newly revamped Mopocket.
Hmm.... Nokia has put a new mini-app, 'Secret' in the Download! 'What's Hot' folder for many handsets. On running it, you have to enter a four digit code from the Flash web site www.openatownrisk.com, then [update] type the same code in again on the web app, finally revealing an abstractly wierd video clip, featuring fishing midgets, motorcycling lobsters, table-tennis-playing grandads, spaghetti divers and... well, you get the idea. And the chance to win a limited edition T-Shirt (see below). Er.... Nokia? What's this all about? Is there any point to this other than keeping Flash animators in employment? (Thanks to kflyer for initial report)
Nokia has announced that its US-spec E71 is now available at a variety of retailers across the States for a SIM-free price of $500 (about £250). See also our review of this qwerty-keyboarded phone.
For those who grew up with 'Series 60' and are now trying to get used to 'S60 3rd Edition', there's a timely article here from Ravindra, pointing out that the old d-pad shortcuts on the 'home'/'standby' screen are still available as an option. I can quite see his point and I'll bet that many people reading this had totally forgotten about this alternative app launcher.
You may remember GyPSii, a GPS-aware photo and text social utility, from a few months ago? It has now been partnered with Samsung worldwide, according to Unwired, for use in their smartphones, meaning that we should see GyPSii preloaded on several forthcoming Samsung S60 phones, including the Innov8.
A short post, but just to draw people's attention to a new guide on Nokia Beta Labs, showing how to configure a number of populat XMPP-based chat/instant-message systems to work with Nokia Chat, reported on a couple of weeks ago. Good stuff, but let me know when they've worked Skype chat in as well...
How successful is 'Mobile TV?' Will in the UK, it seems fair to label it as a 'statistical error.' The BBC are looking to resume trials of 'casting TV and radio to handsets, after their previous 12 month trial finished in April. The viewership peaked at 580 viewers in June last year, with an average usage of 13 minutes a month. They are now looking to syndicate their channels to the UK 3G networks, and are asking for the public's opinion.
