In June this year, we reviewed version 1.0 of Business Calendar. This was the first serious attempt in years at replacing the built-in Symbian Calendar application. Even though the 1.1 update addressed several of our criticisms, there was still some missing functionality. Fortunately, version 1.3 has been released with a number of new features, including multiple homescreen widgets. Read on to find out whether this is now the ultimate Calendar replacement.
The Nokia Store application is currently inviting users to claim a number of free gifts. The store has had several rounds of free gifts in the past where users could claim paid-for applications free of charge. On offer in this round of pre-Christmas cheer is: Camera Lover Pack, Angry Birds, Moodagent, Nimbuzz free and eBuddy. However, contents may vary from device to device. Read on for more details.
The best web browser for Symbian just got itself an update. Following the update to Opera Mini last week, its big brother, the full-on browser Opera Mobile has also now been updated, to v11.5.1. The main change is enhancements to language choice and predictive text in the search field, but there are also a ton of bug fixes.
Just updated in the Nokia Store but also available via the web directly, is the latest and greatest version of Opera Mini, v6.5.1, adding predictive text input and a choice of input languages in the search field. We've quoted the changelog below, along with the links you might need.
Last week Nokia announced the availability of the Qt 4.7.4 release bundle for Symbian. This is the same release that is shipping in Symbian Belle handsets and is now also available for Symbian Anna handsets. The bundle contains Qt 4.7.4, Qt Quick 1.1, Qt Mobility 1.2, Qt Webkit 2.1.1 and Qt Quick Components 1.1 for Symbian; collectively representing a major release for Qt on Symbian.
Nokia Maps 3.8, which was in beta for a while but then formally released for Symbian Belle devices, is now rolling out via a 16MB download in SW_update (in 'Applications' on each phone) for the Symbian^3/Anna phones like the Nokia N8 too. Screen proof and brief notes below. Although the usual component-based installer is probably at work behind the scenes, the update via SW_update is silent - just a six minute wait while it all installs. Drive, Weather, Check-in, Guides, etc. are all present and correct, in addition to the usual maps-centric functionality.
After a month in beta, Nokia Suite (for Windows) has been formally released via the usual Nokia PC connectivity pages, replacing the former Ovi Suite. It's not just a name change though. In addition to the label, there are functional changes, we've included a brief changelog below. The new release version is 3.2.100, replacing the latest beta 3.2.98 that had been in Nokia Beta Labs.
Firmware updates are currently rolling out to the venerable Nokia E72, bringing it up to version 81. As usual, there is little information about what the 1.3MB update actually contains, but it is safe to say there will be bug fixes and various optimisations. Web has been upgraded too, to version 7.3.1.32. Only one of the resident E72's in the All About Symbian office has received the update, so your mileage may vary to when the update is available to you too. Read on for more details.
Nokia's next-gen 'QML' implementation of its Store client continues to advance, in beta form to v3.18.036, with more fixes, as listed in the quote below. Also offered (in theory) is a set of free premium apps/themes for C7 owners - if I sound unsure then it's because our editorial C7 didn't get offered anything!
Nokia Maps 3.8 has been in beta for a while but seems to have been formally released at last, albeit so far only for Symbian Belle devices (screens from the Nokia 700 below). There's the usual component-based installer, the separate modules for Drive, Weather, Check-in, Guides, etc. plus a brand new homescreen Maps widget showing your location in map form. The new version is 3.8.139 (11wk41 b02), for those keeping score(!)
Nokia has finally relaxed its somewhat restrictive policy of only allowing you to download paid content up to five times (it was a draconian three times, originally) - the limit has apparently now been raised to ten times. Given that you also have to be fully signed in as well, many have argued that there shouldn't be any limit, but ten is a reasonable number and should appease even serial phone switchers like ourselves!
Earlier this year, Microsoft and Nokia announced the forthcoming availability of Microsoft Business apps for Symbian Belle. The first phase of these (OneNote, Lync, PowerPoint Broadcaster and Microsoft Document Connection) are due to be delivered later this year via an over the air software update. The second phase, due to be released in the first half of 2012 and comprising native versions of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, was being demoed, in an early beta form, at Nokia World for the first time.
Opera has announced updates for its Mobile and Mini browsers, plus its MeeGo netbook and tablet versions. The core engine of Opera has seen numerous optimisations and tweaks, while the clients have seen significant functionality updates. Opera Mobile has been updated to 11.5 (for Symbian and MeeGo) and most notably supports viewing bookmarks saved in the Symbian browser, along with an import function. Meanwhile Opera Mini v6.5 now features intelligent autocomplete of domains and search queries. Mini 6.5 also sports a unified address and search bar, unlike Mobile 11.5.
Notable from the last few days have been two big updates over at Nokia Beta Labs. Nokia Suite, the renamed and refreshed version of Ovi Suite, has been moved to v3.2.98, with a veritable mountain of bug fixes and tweaks. Changelog below. And the Nokia Store QML client has been updated to v3.18.032, with two important installation fixes.
Tucked away in the online manual for the Nokia Lumia 800 Windows Phone (now available online) are details of the Contacts Transfer application we spotted last week at Nokia World. This allows you to pair your existing phone over Bluetooth and transfer your contacts from the older phone.
