Slightly erroneously (see below), but at least it's informing them! As shown (again) below, Nokia Software Update, recently updated, now informs users of the main benefits of installing specific firmware updates. As well as the simple numeric enhancement, users now get plain English 'this is why you should update' prompts. Add in the recent use of official Nokia press releases to push major firmware updates and the slow but steady stream (e.g. here) of general minor update articles and it seems that Nokia's update servers are really cranking into gear.
It may not have Xenon flash, but the Nokia N86 8MP does have a camera with the next level of performance: a bigger, better sensor, variable (and wider) aperture, wide angle optics and faster shutter speeds. In theory, this means, among other things, that it will cope much better in low light situations without needing to use flash at all. Using photos from the latest N86 8MP prototype and comparing them to those from the current imaging king, the N82, I explore the theory below. [Text amended 11.30am]
Tucked away in my office for days on end, exploring the frontiers of technology, at least in the smartphone world, it's exciting to tinker with the latest touchscreen smartphones and generally live on the bleeding edge. But heading out into the 'real world', as I've been doing for the past week, a world inhabited by parents and cousins and grandchildren, it's best to fall back on hardware and software that's going to be 100% reliable. And, in this case, with the classic Nokia N82, to do some things that no other smartphone could have matched anyway.
Another in our series of beginner's 'How to's for the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and S60 5th Edition, Tzer2 here walks you through every aspect of connecting up a Bluetooth wireless keyboard to the phone - it's not something officially supported but it does work extremely well - if you know how! (As always, you can see a complete listing of these guides on our 5800 tutorial index page.)
Manikantan is a keen (Python and) Flash developer and has produced a prototype app, Translator, for S60 3rd Edition phones that leverages Google's recently updated language translation engine. A nice Web 2.0 example, even if it's not very polished yet. See below for screenshot and download link.
Only for UK residents (it seems), the BBC has now started streaming live TV for compatible handsets (currently the Nokia N96 and 5800) at mobile resolutions, 24 hours a day. The quality's currently not brilliant, seemingly a frame size of 176 by 144 pixels, though RealPlayer on S60 phones will sample this up to fit, of course. But - it is TV, it is the real deal and you get the full range of BBC channels. including those normally only available via Freeview or cable/Sky. Screenshot proof, link, handy S60 widget and tips, all below.
Exclusive: the BBC has re-enabled the 'Download' system in their iPlayer widget for UK residents. In addition to the streaming option, video downloads were initially withdrawn because of lack of DRM compatibility with some Nokia 5800 product codes. The issues seem to have now been resolved and the Download! option is back. Thankfully. See below for screenshot proof.
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic has sold fairly well, but where does Nokia go from there? Well, you're about to find out as All About Symbian takes a look at the latest variant model: the Nokia 5800 Sauna Edition. Coated with a special humidity-resistant plastic and preloaded with a thermometer/hygrometer application, this is aimed squarely at the consumer market.
Winding up his three week tour of the USA, taking in social media and gaming events, Ewan decides to take a kitchen knife to his Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. No, really. In this, the eighth of his regular video reports, embedded below, letting us know how he's getting on with S60 5th Edition and the 5800, he talks about pricing, input options, N-Gage, Lifeblog, Music player, the stylus that's easy (for him) to lose and application compatibility. If nothing else, gasp as the aforementioned knife puts the 'soft' resistive screen to the ultimate test...
Another in our series of beginner tutorials for the Nokia 5800, Tzer2 looks at using GPS and Nokia Maps on this device and on S60 5th Edition. Items covered include how GPS and positioning work, how to send your location to friends and how to spy on top secret government installations(!) We've done over thirty of these tutorials so far, and you can see a complete list on the Nokia 5800 tutorial index page.
In a follow up to my popular series, from August 2008, investigating the practicalities of a S60 smartphone owner switching to an Apple Mac as the desktop counterpart, I report back after a couple of months of living the Mac life for real. What improvements have their been to the software available and does using a Mac and OS X now offer a more seamless smartphone experience than a PC and Windows?
Yes, Ewan's heading off for a three week tour of the USA, taking in social media and gaming events. To try and add a little Symbian spice to proceedings, we insisted he take the Nokia 5800 with him, to really try it out 'on the road'. This is the sixth of his regular video reports, embedded below, letting us know how he's getting on with S60 5th Edition and the 5800. In this part, Ewan answers some feedback questions and talks more about the PIM apps with regard to touch integration, before describing why Nokia Maps is a better bet than Google Maps for the overseas traveller. Oh, and watch out for the battlestar-sized stylus and the Black Helicopter....
