All About Symbian - General News

When Robots ruled the app stores

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:38:28 +0100

Remember all the fun developers had (still have) with certification and Symbian Signed to get an application through testing? Lots of automatic tests as well as a human eye checking for compatibility and compliance in the name creating dependable applications? It's going to be interesting comparing the reaction of Symbian developers to Apple devlopers now it appears the same system is in place for their App Store.

Piracy is not the problem, piracy is the catalyst

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:29:09 +0100

Pinch Media, who provide analytic software for developers on Apple's phones, are estimating that piracy rates are as high as 60% on the iPhone (reports Pocket Gamer). You can be sure that this number is matched on Symbian, Windows Mobile other mobile platforms. The level of piracy nowadays is incredibly high. Apple's iPhone may be pointed out here, but a little bit of exploration online and every games console can be found to be exploited. Read on for my thoughts, though.

Phones Show 95 and PSC 13

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:26:25 +0100

Just to let people know that The Phones Show 95 is now live, with the main Symbian interest being in the 'user story' and in the 'top 6 eBay smartphone bargains' - you can watch it here or subscribe via RSS (QVGA/phone version and VGA desktop version). Also, Phones Show Chat, the audio followup show, no. 13 is also now live here. Happy watching/listening!

Move over Apple - Nokia, App Stores need to get FAR more draconian

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:38:00 +0100

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.

Rafe speaks up at The Way We Live Next

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:22:38 +0100

Our very own Rafe has been caught on camera yet again - this time with Brad Rees (MediaCells) and Micky (NokiaUsers.net), talking about their thoughts of the The Way We Live Next 3.0 event, held in Espoo, Finland on the 10-11 November. I've embedded the 6 minute video below, but here's the YouTube link as well.

Nokia officials 'reveal' Nseries future and Symbian-Maemo transition

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:07:40 +0100

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.

Twitter welcomes MMS as Orange turn on UK Twits

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:48:58 +0100

As well as switching on SMS support for Twitter users in the UK (and joining Vodafone and O2 in supporting the service), Orange have added their own little twist into the mix by allowing pictures taken on your smartphone to be shared on the micro-blogging service via MMS.

I don't get App Stores

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:46:10 +0100

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.

Personalising your apps and the mystery of the missing apps

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:18:06 +0100

If your smartphone is all about personalisation, why is it that we are left with the manufacturer's default choice of applications in the firmware? Years ago you checked the memory size and radio frequencies, now it's interrogating the firmware load-out. It's a given that no matter what Symbian OS product comes out, there are caveats in the review as to why application (a) was left out while application (b) made the cut. With the example omission of Podcasting from Nokia's recent Eseries smartphones, I've been musing...

AAS Podcast #159: AAS Insight #95 - The Way We Live Next, Q&A

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:09:13 +0100

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.

Nokia PC Suite now Windows 7-compatible

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:20:42 +0100

Nokia PC Suite has been updated to version 7.1.40.1 today (from 7.1.30.9) and it weighs in almost 300MB in total. Is it worth it? Yes, if you run Windows 7, which is now fully supported. If your current PC Suite installation doesnt prompt you for the update, you can download it over at the Nokia PC Suite web site. (via Clinton Jeff)

Symbian to Maemo 5, N97 to N900?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:25:00 +0100

There are a few people in the mobile ecosystem whose opinion I make sure to listen to. Mark Guim has been around the block almost as long as I have and here provides a (month) long term review of the Nokia N900, running Maemo 5, of course. If you're currently using an N97 (for example) and had been wondering whether the grass was greener on the other side, his review should answer your questions. Summary? If you live in the browser, you'll love the N900 - if you live in apps and media, then best stick with Symbian and the N97.

2015 is the new 1984 as Nokia plan to take over The Way We Live Next

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:20:52 +0100

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!

Rafe's SEE 2009 walkabout (part 2)

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:20:22 +0100

SEE 2009 (Symbian Exchange and Exposium) is Symbian's annual big show. In part 2 of my walkabout video you can join me on a amble around the show floor at SEE 2009. I share my impressions and analysis in an unscripted, one-take, walk and talk. Part 2 covers the remaining stands and concludes with some general thoughts on SEE 2009.

Gartner Q3 2009 Smartphone Sales Figures

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:45:04 +0100

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%.