All About Symbian - News

N97 and Satio get withdrawn?

2009-11-21T12:45:55+01:00

Sometimes I think that convergence has gone too far and that modern smartphones are just too complex for their own good. And then I think 'Nah, manufacturers and networks just need to seed devices with bloggers and power users like you and I to help with testing before unleashing devices on the general public'. Witness the reported withdrawal of the Nokia N97 from Vodafone and Sony Ericsson Satio from the Carphone Warehouse after high returns and plenty of issues. Ah, life on the bleeding edge, it's not for the faint-hearted or for the great unwashed...

When Robots ruled the app stores

2009-11-20T19:38:28+01:00

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.

Rita's love hate relationship with the Nokia E52

2009-11-20T15:47:45+01:00

You've got to love the way Rita el-Khoury splits her reviews into an unusual 'love' and then 'hate' list format. She's been trialling the Nokia E52 and here presents her '6 things she loves' and '6 things she hates'. Some of them I found somewhat shocking - specifically the build quality/light leakage photo.

Piracy is not the problem, piracy is the catalyst

2009-11-19T16:29:09+01:00

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.

Ovi Store downloads rise by 70%

2009-11-19T14:37:38+01:00

Bill Perry, one of the senior services managers for Forum Nokia, has blogged about the Ovi Store and some of the numbers driving the growth. Over 100 devices, in 20 countries, with the N97 and the 5800 being the top devices. The average user has downloaded 8 items and there's been 70% growth in October's downloads compared to September.

Phones Show 95 and PSC 13

2009-11-19T13:26:25+01:00

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!

N97 mini wins 'Best Mobile Handset' award

2009-11-19T12:39:10+01:00

The GSM Association has announced the winners of the Asia Mobile Awards 2009, with the Nokia N97 mini walking away with the only hardware award, that of 'Best Mobile Handset'. It has been a good month for the 'mini' - you may remember it was named no. 1 in my Phones Show Autumn 2009 'Top 5' as well. And, I suspect, there are a few more awards to come from various corners. Watch this space.

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

2009-11-19T11:38:00+01:00

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.

Review: Skyforce Reloaded

2009-11-19T08:59:55+01:00

An arcade game – and and ol' fashioned up-the-screen 2D shoot-em-up at that. On a touch screen. Surely this is as big a folly as “Can you fly the Spruce Goose across the Atlantic?” So onto Skyforce Reloaded, the almost franchise-like arcade game that's on every mobile platform, and which now makes its way to S60 5th Editon. But how does it work on devices like the 5800, which have no physical keys? Find out in Ewan's review.

Swiss Manager Pro launches

2009-11-18T15:26:39+01:00

CellPhoneSoft, UIQ specialists until a year or so ago, have launched their new flagship title for S60. Swiss Manager Pro 3.0 is a 'task manager, system information tool and file manager in one' (I've pasted the feature list below, along with a screenshot). It also includes a 'memory cleanup function' which sounds interesting. Comments welcome if you've tried this and/or want to review it formally for AAS(!)

Rafe speaks up at The Way We Live Next

2009-11-18T09:22:38+01:00

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

2009-11-18T09:07:40+01:00

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

2009-11-17T15:48:58+01:00

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.

Nokia N97/N97 mini: review part 3 - Camera, Multimedia and wrap-up

2009-11-17T15:03:32+01:00

They said I was mad to try attempting this review mini-series. But I've done it. Phew! In part 1 of my review of the Nokia N97 (v20) and Nokia N97 mini, I looked at the hardware, design and build quality. In part 2, I looked at the OS, The Interface, The Apps. Now, in this, the final review part, I look at the N97/N97 mini's camera and multimedia performance - and then I wrap up with my verdict of both devices.

Review: MicroMaze

2009-11-17T12:41:25+01:00

The Marble rolling game genre isn't new to Symbian OS, but rarely has it been done better than here, in MicroMaze for S60 5th Edition, reviewed by Ewan. 80 plus levels over six different rolling surfaces and with bridges, barriers and trap doors to avoid, this is a smooth action casual game that you'll be playing for quite a while.