Recent News Headlines - Miscellaneous
Move over Apple - Nokia, App Stores need to get FAR more draconian
I've now used most of the major smartphone application stores now and have, at last, worked out where they're all going wrong. You see, Apple get stick for applying a little editorial censure and not allowing every app submitted to make it into the live App Store. But what we need is for Apple - and Nokia - and Google - and Microsoft - and Samsung, Sony Ericsson and the other pretenders - to get dramatically more heavy handed. Read on.
Nokia officials 'reveal' Nseries future and Symbian-Maemo transition
Nokia has (allegedly) officially spoken up (albeit at a Maemo-only event) about its plans for Maemo to take over new Nseries models by 2012, reports Ben Smith over at TRMP. According to the Nokia representatives at the event, although further Nseries Symbian-powered smartphones will appear in the meantime, it seems that after 2012, Symbian OS will power the new Xseries and Eseries smartphones and Maemo 5 will power the eye-candy-heavy Nseries top end. Of course, IF that is to happen, there's an awful lot of work needed by the Maemo team - watch for our analysis here both on All About Symbian and All About Maemo. Updated: Nokia official statement on the report below.
I don't get App Stores
The title's not mine, it belongs to Robert Hall who, in his blog, makes the interesting observation (and one which in a way complements my own 'Three apps on my smartphone' piece from last month) that the more add-on apps considered important for a device, the more the admission that the software on the device itself can't be that complete. Us, jealous of the iPhone App Store? Possibly, but Robert does make a thought-provoking point.
AAS Podcast #159: AAS Insight #95 - The Way We Live Next, Q&A
In a longer-than-usual Insight podcast, Rafe, Ewan and Steve cover all things Symbian, including a detailed report from The Way We Live Next, coverage of news from Gartner, Google/AdMob, discussion of Samsung dropping/not dropping Symbian, plus an extended reader/listener Q&A session. Listen here to AAS Insight number 95.
Google Mobile App and voice recognition on S60 5th Edition
We currently have the strange situation where Google show their new voice-driven 'Mobile App' when m.google.com is browsed by a S60 5th Edition phone - and then during installation we're told that this phone is 'not compatible'. However, with a slight adjustment, it's quite possible to use this handy tool on a Nokia 5800, N97 or compatible.
Nokia E52 and E55 gets Firmware Update to v22
Firmware version 22.009.202.01 now available for the Nokia E52. It appears to only be available via NSU, not OTA at this time in the UK, at least. The update most likely consists primairly of bug fixes. For example, there are no noticeable additions like the Podcasting app or Internet radio are present. It may be worth upgrading if you're having problems, but beware - take your backup and restore as the NSU wipes the device clean. Update: of course the E52 should have UDP but just a warning that this one was wiped well and truly back to factory! A similar update is also available for the E55.
2015 is the new 1984 as Nokia plan to take over The Way We Live Next
In which Ewan Spence takes a slightly light hearted look at the infrastructure and privacy implications of Nokia's latest Device/Services concept video, introduced at The Way We Live Next event in Espoo. Rafe responds, having been in attendance, pointing out that the future will always contain challenges and changes to The Way We Currently Live(!). Your comments most welcome, of course - this one could run and run!
Gartner Q3 2009 Smartphone Sales Figures
We've already had the Canalys figures, listed below are Gartner's reports/estimates for the same period, Q3 2009, worldwide. The numbers are very similar (though not for the year-on-year figures, with Q3 2008 looking different, oddly enough), showing Nokia's world smartphone market share at 39%, RIM (Blackberry) at 21%, Apple at 17% and with HTC (50% Android, 50% Windows Mobile) at 6%.
What will Nokia learn from the Failure of N-Gage?
Two weeks after Nokia announced that their N-Gage system was to be closed and the titles merged into Ovi Store, N-Gage old-hand Ewan delivers his verdict, looking at what Nokia did wrong, from support to marketing to community. More worryingly, Ewan also worries that similar errors might be being made with Nokia's other Software and Services.
NimbuzzOut launches
With Skype's native Symbian incarnation still somewhat AWOL, it's interesting to see that Nimbuzz has stepped into the breach with their own pay-as-you-go VoIP to traditional number service, dubbed NimbuzzOut. More details and links below.
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