Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage solutions out there, and applications for Android and iPhone are much touted features. However, there are various forms of support for Symbian too. Options include Dropbox's mobile website; the upload agents, Pixelpipe and Furtiv, and other miscellaneous workarounds. However, there is also an unofficial Dropbox application, called NDrop, available on the Ovi Store. Read on for an overview of how to access your Dropbox account on Symbian phones and a mini-review of NDrop in particular.
One of the elements to Facebook that I use a lot is normally the first to go in any portable version. Both in Nokia’s Social Networks widget and the regular mobile page (or even the more finger friendly touch.facebook.com) you can’t get access to Facebook’s IM system. I have said on many occasions that IM on a mobile is the holy grail that never delivered, but I still find it useful. So here comes Friendchat, a Facebook IM client for S60.
I'm a sucker for webcams - being able to glimpse live views of far-flung places round the world while I'm seated comfortably in my armchair never fails to impress me - even if, in iSpyCams case, the images are small and phone-sized and despite the somewhat dated Java-driven interface. Available for purchase in the Ovi Store, here's my heavily illustrated review.
One of the more interesting tweets, as the N8 launched, were from people looking for a Twitter client. Many of them skipped over the Social Network icon on the handset, and headed to the Ovi Store, where all they could find was Gravity. Cue lots of grumbling about the price from those used to the 59p fire-sales in other stores.
Tap2it doesn’t sound very descriptive in the Ovi Store, but once you install it and see the caption is “TapSearch” things become a little clearer. This is an alternative search engine that runs on your phone. It's fast, it delivers, but it does need a little bit of work before it can be recommended for everyone.
In part 5 of our Nokia N8 review, I look at the device's speed, responding to criticism of the speed of some common operations, at the N8's application set, at Symbian^3 additions such as the contact quick dialler and extended homescreen, at User Interface quirks that remain, and at general compatibility. See also part 1 (hardware), part 2 (camera), part 3 (multimedia and games) and part 4 (email, web, connectivity) of our definitive N8 review, plus my head to head comparison with an Android camera-centric flagship.
*Spark is another in a long line of “new home screen” applications that offer you a little bit more than the standard Symbian screens. Be it weather reports, a different way of presenting applications and shortcuts, pushing news via RSS feeds or keeping you in touch with your friends, this is a well worn path. If done correctly, you can create a base of users who'll evangelise on your behalf and you can continue to support – get it wrong and you’ll find a horrible mess of too many icons, a mash of text and instant “urgh” and uninstall from the users. How does *Spark fare? Let's find out.
Sitting in the recent Nokia World keynote, I spotted a familiar logo on the projector screen. The Foursquare logo. “Ooh that’s new,” I thought, “does that mean there’s an official application for Symbian now to join Android and iOS?” The short answer was yes, the client was on display in the Nokia Experience Lounge and the UI, and while having the obvious Symbian cues, also looked close enough to the aforementioned clients. It’s even labelled as “by Foursquare” although officially it is a collaboration with Nokia. Here's my review.
David Gilson reviews the free Pixelpipe Send and Share, the new incarnation of the popular uploading service that works independently of Nokia's Share online and thus works more seamlessly, using a wider range of file types and (presumably) on more devices. It's all win, win, win until David points out a few caveats, including less flexible authentication and a greater need to do some of the set up using your desktop's web browser.
Steve Litchfield dons his sports gear and trials the new Sports Tracker application with wireless heart rate monitor. Can this new version of an old favourite, in conjunction with some Bluetooth accessory magic, help you improve your workouts, whether walking, cycling or jogging? (Short answer: Yes. With bells on!)
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