04 July 2009

Weekend Reading:
Krusell's TOP-10 Sales Chart for June

The Swedish manufacturer of carrying cases for portable electronics, Krusell, has released their "Top 10"-list for the last month.

As usually, the list is based on number of pieces of model specific mobile and smart phone cases ordered from Krusell during May 2009.Krusell's list is unique due to the fact that it reflects the sales of phones on six continents.

Last month Nokia took a Grand Slam by taking all Top 3 positions at Krusell's best seller list for May. The list in June also gives an impression something is happening in the market. Nokia takes 5 out of 10 positions, HTC takes 4 and Apple one. Sam... .. .

Read more:

.:[ June 2009 Top-10 sellers via Krusell - full story ]:.

04 July 2009

WomWorld and N97 Testers
Discuss Communication Functionality

I've been testing the N97, and as part of that trial, I participate in periodic online discussions focusing on various insights into the device, as well as where we see devices and our methodologies headed in the next generation of devices and services.

Today, we talked about communication functionality.

One of the ideas that were mentioned was a universal communications tool that provided threaded communications in one location, with all communications seen as compleme... .. .

Read more:

.:[ N97 Testers Discuss Communication Functionality - full story ]:.

04 July 2009

Weekend reading:
America's Appetite for Smartphones
And The Killer Apps They Can't Live Without

A Best Buy Mobile survey conducted by GfK shows that many adult Americans plan to buy a smartphone in the next 12 months and they are confused. 

They do value their mobiles and would go to great lengths to keep their mobiles. Their texting habits are regrettable.

Six in ten (60%) of those surveyed said they would rather abstain from alcohol for a week than give up their mobile phone. One in three would give up television to keep their mobile phone. If caught in the rain with a choice of a mobile phone or an umbr... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Survey Reveals America's Appetite for Smartphones - full story ]:.

03 July 2009

Nokia’s Ovi Store
Honored for Technology Innovation

The Nokia Ovi Store has been recognized with a Meffy Award for Technology Innovation. The Meffys are given out by the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF), a global trade association for the mobile media industry, to recognize products, services, apps and projects that are leading the mobile entertainment industry into the future.

The Ovi Store is Nokia’s one-stop shop for digital media, where mobile users from more than 170 countries download and use applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, Web and location-based services and much more.

The honor underlines Nokia’s work to bring unique content and services to customer devices, including kSnap & translate, which allows users to photograph printed text in 11 langu... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nokia Ovi Store Wins Meffy Award - full story ]:.

03 July 2009

Nokia Is First Choice For
Mobile Navigation In Europe And Russia

According to the study conducted by Frost & Sullivan amongst European and Russian consumers, Nokia is the number one choice for mobile navigation over other leading handset manufacturers.

The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the perceptions, understanding, expectations and motivations of European and Russian consumers towards navigation and location-based services.

The key objectives of the study were to analyse consumers' awareness of, and level of satisfaction with different types of navigation systems (e.g. PND, mobile phones), the different features available (e.g. navigation, 3D imagery, voice guidance, tou... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nokia #1 choice for mobile navigation in Europe - full story ]:.

03 July 2009

Mippin Launched Set Of
Homescreen Widgets For Nokia N97

Mippin, the brilliant news and content discovery service just announced they have released a set of Buzz Widgets for the Nokia N97.

Mippinsays that S60 version is the next step in its commitment to provide the best experience for each phone, and in turn further enhance content discovery.

Mippin is a browser-based, mobile-optimised service delivering a huge range of content sourced from across the web to a mobile site that is individually personalized using Mobile 2.0 feat... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Set Of Homescreen Widgets For Nokia N97 - full story ]:.

02 July 2009

QT Labs Recruiting and Hiring
Software Developers To Work For Qt R&D

Forum Nokia has just issued a Nokia N97's plug-in for Carbide.ui Theme Edition that provides theme designers with the ability to skin Nokia N97 specific elements such as greatly improved home screen, various highlights, icons and Nokia N97 specific applications. By extending the features of Carbide.ui, the plug-in lets designers easily create high quality themes for the company's flagship Smartphone.

The new Nokia N97 plug-in contains additional or updated theme components and previews for the new S60 home screen in landscape and portrait orientations. There is an also new preview screen for Music Player 4 which is only available in portra... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nokia N97 Plug-in For Theme Designers & Skinners! - full story ]:.

02 July 2009

QT Labs Recruiting and Hiring
Software Developers To Work For Qt R&D

Qt software is now recruiting for good developers, QA people and technical writers who would like to work for Qt R&D in Nokia. You can find all the details at the QT’s job portal, so don't waste any time, polish up your CV and get applying!

Company needs a people who think creatively and come up with new approaches and solutions at the right time that deliver value. The Brisbane, Berlin and Oslo offices all have ads out looking for Software Engineers who would like to be a Troll, as part of Qt.

As sculpturs are required to show their portfolio so they require all developer candidates to submit source code together with their application. You can become an active contributor to WebKit, or work on tuning innerloops in our graphics syst... .. .

Read more:

.:[ QT Labs On the look-out for good people - full story ]:.

02 July 2009

New Firmware Update
For Nokia E71 & E66 Has Just Gone Live

I just want to give everyone a quick heads up that Nokia has rolled out yet another firmware update for their award-winning Eseries device!

Firmware upgrade for Nokia E71 version 300.21.012 is now available through Nokia Software Updater for most of the generic product codes from EMEA and APAC region and is expected to be available for the rest of the world (NAM and branded devices) shortly.

Unfortunately full change log is not available at the moment but as you would imagine, the firmware update is always recommended because it usually improves the performance and reliability!

Finally, just in case you wonder if firmware is hackable or not you'll have to wait a little bit more as there is no reports about hacking for now but if you don't care about hack... .. .

Read more:

.:[ New Firmware Update For Nokia E71 - full story ]:.

02 July 2009

New Version of Ovi Contacts
Brings Support For Touch Devices

It’s time for the semi-monthly update of the Nokia Ovi Contacts application (previously known as Nokia Chat).

Kristian Luoma, Product Manager, Ovi Contacts has released the new version of the Ovi contacts client which finally delivers long awaited support for S60 5th Edition devices, Nokia N97 and 5800.

There is no signs of any noteworthy new features comparing it to the actual 3rd Edition variant and it only brings the touch support and finger friendly user interface. In N97, however, there is something interesting to tell about. That is, abi... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Ovi Contacts Gets Support For 5th Ed Devices - full story ]:.

02 July 2009

New Version Of The Ovi Maps
For Your Mobile Phone Now Available

The latest version of Ovi Maps application for your device is enhanced through additional features and services, opening up a new world of possibilities with better maps than ever before: high resolution satellite and terrain maps – both in 2D and 3D views – 3D landmarks for over 200 cities, rotation, tilting, night view, and fly-overs and fly-throughs.

Ovi Maps on the device offers also enriched POI information by Lonely Planet, Michelin and Wcities, as well as a weather service that provides 24 hour and 5-day forecasts.

Walk from one place to another using WALK, our pedestrian navigation with routing optimized for those on foot, providing better orientation in a city or outdoors. Or use DRIVE, our fully fled... .. .

Read more:

.:[ New Version Of The Ovi Maps Now Available - full story ]:.

02 July 2009

Nemesis Service Suite Gets An Updated
And Support For The 5th Edition Devices

NSS is the very useful, actually a must-have tool for every Nokia mobile phone user who has to deal with Nokia Software Updater, phone flashing, changing product codes, language packs and especially debranding devices. Its ability to change the product code and decustomize the handset from the default operator bonding made it the number one service and tweaking tool for so called power users for the last couple of year.

The software includes a one click tool for changing the product code which in combination with NSU allows you to change the language pack, flash phone to different edition or get the rid of the branded software and update your phone to latest avail... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nemesis Service Suite Gets An Updated - full story ]:.

02 July 2009

The Betavine Summer of Widgets Competition
Win Samsung Netbook Bundled With a Nokia N96

Betavine, Vodafone’s mobile developer community, is offering weekly prizes to mobile developers throughout July and August in its Summer of Widgets competition.

Each week during the competition, three prize packages of a Samsung NC 20 Netbook bundled with a Nokia N96 handset will be awarded to the three best new widgets uploaded to the Vodafone Widgets Developer Platform – which also allows developers to distribute their widgets to Vodafone customers in some of the company’s major markets.

Running from 6th July to the 30th August, the Summer of Widgets competition will offer three prizes every week to the developers who have submitted the best widgets based on the follo... .. .

Read more:

.:[ The Betavine Summer of Widgets Competition - full story ]:.

01 July 2009

Nokia N97 User Review
By Marc Obermann (Dogmann)

Well my N97 arrived from Nokia, it's a white version made in Finland not that makes any real difference in my personal opinion but it's just what it is.

I've waited until I updated the firmware today as felt that was the right and fair thing to do especially as I got off to false a start.

This was entirely due to the Ovi Suite 1.1 included in the box I wont dwell on this to much other than to say it took 2hr 25 min to download and install the 9 parts I had selected and I wasn't happy or impressed to say the least. It actually got much wor... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nokia N97 Review By Marc Obermann - full story ]:.

01 July 2009

Nokia Rolled Out New Firmware
Updates For Nokia N96 and Nokia E51

Exceedingly busy day for Nokia Software updater team brings many firmware upgrades to Nokia N and E series devices.

Highly-anticipated firmware update for the Nokia N97 went live this morning and now it is followed with probably the last update for company's ex 'flagship' device and one of the most overpriced S60 devices ever.

Of course, I’m talking about Nokia N96 and software version 30.033 which is now available for download as FOTA update. Unfortunately there is no detailed change log at the moment and even most importantly we still can’t confirm that new software is hacka... .. .

Read more:

.:[ N96 and E51 Get The Firmware Update - full story ]:.

01 July 2009

Speaker Test:
Nokia N97 vs. Nokia 5800 XM

So, I know a lot of you were wondering about the speakers in the N97. Honestly, I don’t think they’re that bad… but they are a lot different than those found in the 5800.

I was messing around tonight and noticed that basically the bass line was absent, almost entirely, from my tracks when I played them through the internal speakers.

Of course, the output is brilliant over headphones and I can’t really fault it at all for that. If I had to guess, I would say Nokia tuned these speakers much more for voice-calls and not for music. The fidelity is very treble heavy and seems to boo... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nokia N97 vs. Nokia 5800 XpressMusic - full story ]:.

01 July 2009

Skyfire Makers Today Released Minor
Update To Their Popular Web Browser

Just a quick heads up that Fring dev team today announced minor update to its popular free to download and free to use mobile phone application, related to minor bug fixes and general stability improvements.

As you remember, Skyfire has released the version 1.00 a couple of weeks ago and their R&D team has been hard at work going through users’ feedback, and they are pleased to release first update that should solve the bugs you reported and make the browsing experience even smoother and easier.

Perhaps the most significant improvement is reduced memory footprint which should help folks reporting issues on memory constrained devices such as the Nokia N95-1. According to official Skyfire blog, there are also number of other minor impr... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Skyfire For S60 Devices Gets Minor Update - full story ]:.

01 July 2009

New Software Version
For Nokia N97 Officially Released!

As expected, Nokia has rolled out the first firmware update for Nokia N97 earlier this morning.

Software will be progressively available for most of the generic product codes as FOTA update but additionally this software release is also available through the Nokia Software updater so you can get it through your PC as well.

According to Nokia Software Updater team, this software release includes significant improvements in the software stability, especially email, imaging, USB detection, widget stab... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nokia brings first firmware upgrade to Nokia N97 - full story ]:.

01 July 2009

The Nokia N97
Stop Motion Unboxing

Weeeell, Daddy has a new Toy to play with! I've received a shiny white Nokia N97 aka Social Networking Powerhouse and immediately thought I wanna do something cool to unbox it.

Since I currently have no decent Camera to do a Video, and there are also Tons of Unboxing Videos around, I thought I’d do something cooler and gave my first Stop Motion Video a Try!

It's not really long, but gives you a good Look of what you can expect, so please watch it and tell me what you th... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Unboxing the Nokia N97 .. in a different Way - full story ]:.

01 July 2009

REVE Systems Joins the Symbian Ecosystem
To Grow of its Range of Mobile VoIP Solutions

REVE Systems, a VoIP solution provider, has joined the Symbian Foundation to partner and support the growth of mobile VoIP solutions.

By becoming a Symbian member, REVE Systems hopes to ensure further close integration of its VoIP solutions with mobile phones based on Symbian OS.

As a Symbian member, REVE hopes to extend the convenience of its winning mobile environment VoIP offerings by providing enhanced new features. At the same time, the company, which has several innovative solutions in the field of VoIP billing, Sw... .. .

Read more:

.:[ REVE Systems Becomes Part of the Symbian Ecosystem - full story ]:.

30 June 2009

Symbian Exchange & Exposition
Earls Court 2, London, 27-28 October

The main annual gathering of the Symbian community has had several different names over the years. In the early years after the formation of Symbian Ltd, the event was called the Developer Conference or the Developer Exposition which is followed with the unconventional name Symbian Exposium has been used for a couple of years.

In more recent times, the name adopted has been the Symbian Smartphone Show and now, the first Symbian Foundation annual gathering will be named as Symbian Exchange & Exposition and it will take place on 27-28 October, at Earls Court 2, in central London (the same venue as the 2008 event).

The SEE 2009 is basically a the open source replacement for Symbian Smartphone show, an informal ‘unconference’ in which everyone participates, but there’ll also be key... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Symbian Exchange & Exposition Announced - full story ]:.

30 June 2009

Nokia N97 To Gets First Firmware Update
Unconfirmed Nokia Change Log Is In Da' House!

The first firmware update for the Nokia’s flagship Smartphone has been a hot topic of discussion in the blogosphere this morning and now, Nokia Conversations Twitter account has officially confirmed the news that Nokia N97 will be getting the first public firmware update tomorrow (July 1st).

'Official: N97 SW 1.1 (11.x.021) to be released to first variants on July 1st 2009'

As you would imagine, the firmware update is always recommended as it usually improves the performance and reliability of the phone, reduce number of bugs and brings funct... .. .

Read more:

.:[ July 1st to bring firmware upgrade to Nokia N97 - full story ]:.

30 June 2009

Million Dollar Poker: Feat Gus Hansen
Play Online Multiplayer Poker On Your Phone

Gus antes up with N-Gage's first online multiplayer poker title, Million Dollar Poker! Featuring the world famous poker superstar, Gus Hansen, Million Dollar Poker is now released on N-Gage. Mobile players can now bring their skills to the online table, and play against N-Gage users world-wide or against artificial intelligence developed with poker legend Gus Hansen.

As usually, all you need to do is to navigate to the Showroom tab, select 'Update Now' and it should appear at the head of the games list. Alternatively, you can get trial version directly from the game page linked below

Hansen is one of the best and now you'll have a chance to play against him on your N-gage compatible mobile phone. Million Dollar Poker is only card game on mobile that integr... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Gameloft's Million Dollar Poker Goes Live on N-Gage - full story ]:.

30 June 2009

PyS60 Gets Minor Update
Python for S60 v1.9.6 Now Released

The new PyS60 version is the latest update for development series of PyS60, which is now based on the new Python 2.5.4 core and brings more opportunities for Python developers and the end users as well.

Python for S60 version 1.9.6 brings minor improvements and fixes bugs and issues known from previous version.

Improvements includes support for a virtual 4-way directional pad is added for Canvas and text widgets. This D-Pad is displayed at the bottom of the screen and this feauture is enabled by default on touch enabled devices. Currently, this is suppor... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Python for S60 version 1.9.6 Released - full story ]:.

30 June 2009

Nokia Java Runtime 2.0 for S60 Devices
Enjoying Java Apps Made Smooth and Simple

If you here for a long enough than you already well aware that I am not huge fan of java applications, or to be precise MIDlets.

Apart from the stone-age user interface and general slowness, the most annoying issue are endless, annoying and worthless security prompts! Ironically most of the phone users don’t even understand what the heck the prompts are saying and confirms all of them without thinking twice whether they really know it's safe to do so or not.

However, it's also important to say that Java is deployed on more than 2 billion devices. It is s the most wide-spread mobile runtime in the world ensuring the best market reach for developers and widest selection of mobile services and solu... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nokia Java Runtime 2.0 for S60 5th Edition - full story ]:.

30 June 2009

Nokia Messaging IM BETA Adds
Desktop-like Instant Messaging Experience

Davis Fields, a guest writer over at Nokia Beta Labs, has just rolled out the first Beta version of the Nokia Messaging/IM application for the Nokia E75.

"E75 IM Beta" is deeply integrated into Nokia Messaging application and offers a near desktop-like instant messaging experience on your mobile device.

It allows you to stay in contact with your friends across multiple communities, easily switch between and save conversations and login invisibly. IM is initially available for the Nokia E75 - the first Nokia S60 device bundled with a lifetime subscri... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Desktop-like Instant Messaging Experience - full story ]:.

30 June 2009

Pikkoo Introduces Live Screensavers For
Mobile & Launches The First Weather Screensaver

Pikkoo, an innovative Finnish startup, today introduced the ground breaking Live Screensaver concept, streaming information to mobile devices without ever pushing a button.

Using Pikkoo Live Screensavers, mobile users will not only be served up-to-date information anytime, anywhere without a need to launch an application, but also will be able to interact with their screensaver just as any other mobile application.

With the introduction, the first live screensaver is launched in partnership with Foreca, leading Finnish digital weather service company. Foreca Live Weather Screensaver will bring up-to-date, geographic-specific weather informa... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Pikkoo introduces interactive Live Screensavers - full story ]:.

29 June 2009

Leading Mobile Phone Manufacturers Back
Micro-USB as Standard Phone Charger In Europe

Leading Mobile Phone Manufacturers have agreed to back an EU-wide harmonisation of phone chargers, the European Commission said on Monday, hailing the pact as good news for consumers and the environment.

The implementation of a standardized universal charger solution is long-overdue as its benefits are obvious on many levels, from the environmental aspects of producing a more energy-efficient product, to smoother supply logistics, to simplifying the lives of consumers.

Ultimately, it means that customers will not have to replace their charger with each device upgrade. This makes life easier for them and is good for the environment not to mention that proposed charger could be made available as a stan... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Telecom firms back standard phone charger in Europe - full story ]:.

29 June 2009

Sony Already Working
On A Cellphone-Game Gear Hybrid?

The Sony Ericsson partnership has produced several rumors of in-fighting between the companies, particularly in the case of the much-rumored PSP phone because Sony has refused to grant the PSP license to Sony Ericsson, supposedly until the 'product proposition lives up to brand promise' but Nikkei, a major Japanese business publication, reported that Sony has a team working on the product now.

The development of a cellphone-game gear hybrid is seen as a way of better competing with Apple's iPod and iPhone, which is deemed to be encroaching on the gaming space traditionally dominated by the likes of Sony's PlayStation Portable and Nintendo's DS.

A growing number of game-makers including Capcom Co Ltd and Square Enix Holdings are now offering software for the iPod and iPhone to take advantage of the Apple products' popularity, posing a threat to Sony's PlayStation Portable and Ninte... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Rumors surface of a PlayStation cell phone - full story ]:.

29 June 2009

Mobile Effort Launches
SMS Planning App for S60 Devices

The software development company Mobile Effort offers the customers the first release of “Message In Time”, SMS planning application that never forgets to inform people about important things.

Let’s imagine that you’re going to send your friends greetings for Independence Day with the help of SMS. Or maybe you want to say “Happy Birthday”.

Or you intend to remind your colleagues about some important things tomorrow morning. But being beyond the wall of business you can forget these vital details. Message In Time offers you to write SMS when you have time and make it sched... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Mobile Effort Launches SMS Planning Soft - full story ]:.

28 June 2009

Weekend Reading:
35% of Teens Admit to Using Phones to Cheat

Common Sense Media today released the results of a national poll on the use of digital media for cheating in school.

The poll, conducted by The Benenson Strategy Group, revealed that more than 35% of teens admit to cheating with cell phones, and more than half admit to using the Internet to cheat.

More importantly, many students don’t consider their actions to be cheating at all. The results highlight a real need for parents, educators, and leaders to start a national discussion on digital ethics. “The results of this poll should be a wake-up call for edu... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Teens Admit to Using Cell Phones to Cheat in School - full story ]:.

27 June 2009

Leading Assistive Phone Screen Reader
Now Available For Symbian S60 Devices

Nuance Communications, Inc., today announced the availability of TALKS & ZOOMS 4.0, Nuance Mobile’s assistive software that converts displayed text on a handset into highly intelligible speech and magnified content for blind or visually impaired mobile consumers.

The latest version of TALKS&ZOOMS features a new text-to-speech (TTS) audio system for Series 60 third-edition phones that enables users to look up or enter contacts, find notes, access and update calendar appointments, manage multiple calls, mute and hold calls, and more – all while the phone is already being used for a call.

With Nuance’s TALKS & ZOOMS, blind and visually impaired users are able to take advantage of the many features found on today’s popular mobile phones, including contact direc... .. .

Read more:

.:[ S60 Devices Get Nuance Voice Recognition - full story ]:.

26 June 2009

Weekend Watching
Video Walkthrough The OVI Store

It's time for another episode in Nokia's ongoing series of Nokia N97 demo videos. Following on from the nice Nokia N97 Homescreen and Facebook widget promo films, here is the latest installment focusing on the new Ovi Store on the N97.

The Nokia N97 is the first Nseries device to ship with a launcher to the eagerly awaited, but sadly not as good Ovi Store, a one-stop-shop for thousands of applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, web and location-based services and much more.

Ovi Store has premium and free content from a range of global and local content providers and developers including Facebook, MySpace, Qik, Glu and Netflix. The introdu... .. .

Read more:

.:[ High Quality Ovi Store Demo On Nokia N97 - full story ]:.

26 June 2009

XpressBeer For 5th Ed Devices
Brew And Drink Beer On Your Phone!

Liquids and electronics never get along well, but apparently, the XpressBeer and the Nokia Touch devices such as 5800 XpressMusic and Nokia N97 go down well along with one another!

XpressBeer is very simple yet fun Python based application that provides you with unique opportunity to brew and drink beer without damaging your liver and making your motor skills worse ;)

It fills up phone screen with a virtual lager and hook into the accelerometer to detect phone orientation, so every phone movement will result in a corresponding beer swish... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Very Simple Yet Fun App For Your Phone - full story ]:.

26 June 2009

Nokia Music Store Opens In Poland:
Over 4.5 Million Tracks Always At Your Fingertips!

The Nokia Music Store is now available in Poland. On Music.nokia.pl music fans can buy their favourite tracks and albums from the Nokia Music Store, choosing from over 4.5 million tracks (about 400 000 CDs) by Polish and international artists representing all music genres.

The music is provided by major and independent labels, and includes a special exclusive offer to buy Moby’s latest album, or download David Guetta’s “When love takes over” music single, before they are widely available.

Nokia Music Store is an online, easy-to-navigate music store that lets you browse and buy music, using recommendations and searching your favourite artists, tracks, or albums dire... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Nokia Launches New Music Store in Poland - full story ]:.

26 June 2009

Qt 'Tower' Demo On A Nokia N97
The New Pre-release Of Qt For S60 Is Out!

Three months after their latest release, commonly referred to as 'Garden', the Qt to S60 porting and dev team is pleased to provide another pre-release (based on Qt 4.5.2.) of the S60 Qt port.

Qt for S60 is now getting close to being feature complete, it is also much easier to install than before and if you did not already, this is the perfect time to start playing with Qt for S60!

This time, the pre-release code name is 'Tower' and nearly all functional areas which are wrapped by Qt’s beautiful Api are now doing their job also on S60 devices. Besides the usual optimizations, fixes, code cleaning and various improvem... .. .

Read more:

.:[ Qt for S60 'Tower' demo running on Nokia N97 - full story ]:.