Having reviewed Pano Wallpaper Pro yesterday, a commenter pointed out the smaller and simpler Wide Wallpaper, also a pound in the Ovi Store and claiming to do the same job. In fact, do it better, since this apparently supports photo overlapping and thus creates the Android-like parallax effect - or at least as far as Symbian is able to. Did it work in practice? Yes and no. Read on.
Is there still a place in the world for the old stand-by of Internet Relay Chat? More than anything, this is the question that you have to ask if you are considering a purchase of SimpleIRC. To be honest though, if you're considering it you probably know (a) what IRC is and (b) are using it for something in your online life. In which case, a tick in both those columns means that SimpleIRC is going to be a useful addition to your phone.
You may remember that David reviewed Pano Wallpaper a few months back, a free utility to aid breaking images up into wallpaper-sized chunks? Well, now we have a 'Pro' version, with loads more options and with the crucial capability to set your homescreen wallpaper auto-magically. It does work and quite slickly, but I was disappointed that the application stopped short of providing Android-like parallax 3D in the all-important portrait mode. Here's my review.
In this video review we take a look at the recently released Rally World Championship application. With a slick user experience, it presents a guide to the drivers and teams involved, but more importantly allows you to follow the rallies as they happen, with breaking news stories, videos, live maps and timing updates. World Rally Championship also serves as a good example of how a rich media application, with a custom user interface, can be created using Qt and Qt Quick (QML).
Symbian has long supported the use of custom folders to help organise content in the app launcher. They reduce the need for scrolling, thus allowing you to find and launch applications more quickly. However, every custom folder has the same icon, which can get confusing. This is where the Folder Icon application comes in; it allows you to customise the image used for each folder. It's an extra piece of the customisation puzzle, but, especially on the homescreen, will also help solve cases of mistaken identity.
Fresh from add-on application Camera Pro, we have another ambitious photographic add-on for Symbian^3 phones, this time not limited in effective applicability to the N8 and this time focussing(!) on stills only. ShutterPro Premium aims to extend the range of basic camera settings and then add a range of image processing effects, from tilt shift to 3D anaglyphs. There's quite a bit to take in, but I've put my thoughts down below. One thing's for sure though - ShutterPro Premium's for thoroughly planned shots and not for ad-hoc snaps.
There are huge applications, sprawling labyrinths of functions, coupled with perfect form (Steve will no doubt be along with one of those later today) but right now I want to show you a fast application, in the modern "single function app" mode that is so prevalent on smartphones. And it's for fast food. Yes, welcome to Symbian, the McDonalds Finder!
If there's anything that the Las Vegas hotels are good at, it's giving you a massive experience - because at some point they know they're going to get you sitting down at a gambling table where they have at least a 0.5% advantage. But as the attraction of Vegas expands to luxury resort, spectacular shows and fantastic food, the sooner they can get you into their... ecosystem the better. Which is why the Wynn Las Vegas application is a little bit interesting.
The idea of helping yourself to get to sleep with an ambient soundtrack isn't new, of course - you'll remember I reviewed Sleep Machine - Thunderstorms a while back? Sleep Maker has the same idea, but offers a full fifteen ambient sounds, ensuring there's something for everyone. It's written in Qt and is a tiny bit cartoonish, but the samples are good and the timer works as advertised and.... ZZzzzzzz.........
I'm always on the lookout for a good To-Do application, be it a standalone application on my mobile device, or one that ties in with a good Calendar app. Could 2Do be the application that makes my heart sing and allow me to run my life from inside my smartphone again?
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