iPhone hype

So, Apple have announced detail of their iPhone. And the whole internet has gone iphone mad! Well, it seems that way. I've had a look at the spec, and it does seem to be a nice looking product. But I have my doubts, and to be honest I'm not sure. See, I like S60 phones, and in particular the NSeries (It's why I started this blog, after all) Is there anything the iPhone can do that I can't on my N73? Or won't be able to on the N95? And if there is something the iPhone can offer over either of these handsets, will it be something worth while, or just a gimmick?

Most importantly, for me, the iPhone is not 3G. I'm into the habit of downloading video, songs, pictures, on my phone. 25MB podcasts. 3G makes that possible. HSDPA on the N95 will make it even easier. I don't take many pics on my phone, but when I do the quality of the camera on the N73 is more than adequate. I send email. I use instant messaging. The new S60 web browser is the best browser on a mobile phone, for navigation, bar none.

I do like the promise of up to 8GB memory. The N91 has a mini hard drive, the iPhone will be flash memory. I would like to see that added to NSeries phones. I have a W950i with 4GB built in memory, it's very good.

The iPhone has created a lot of interest. Ultimately, I suppose, interest in phone functionality over and above text and calls can only be a good thing. Too many people don't use their mobile phones to the full capability. But the iPhone is gonna have to be a special product to take me away fom the NSeries.

Read more »

Windows Messenger no longer free?

I haven't used messenger on my mobile for a while now. I tried to login today, and I got a warning screen, informing me that there is now a monthly subscription fee (screenshots below) Has anyone else come across this? The cost is 10RMB, does anyone know exactly how much this is? It seems that the charge will be via reverse SMS, which I'm not keen to sign up for anyhow. For the forseeable future, it looks like I'll be sticking with Yahoo messenger which is not chargeable, other than data used.

Read more »

Yahoo Go 2.0

One application I use more than pretty much any other on my N73 is Yahoo Go. It seems I'm not alone, either, judging by the emails I receive every day. I saw some people posting on various forums that they were looking to get Yahoo Go for their N80 or N73. I have the .sis file and email it out at least three or four times a day to people who ask for it. It works fine on either phone (but apparently not on ESeries handsets)

Today Yahoo announced they are launching version 2.0 of their YGO application. It will include Onesearch, which is a context aware search applciation, at the heart of the application. Onesearch is a context aware search application that is designed to return more relevant searches to queries.

My only hope that when Yahoo Go 2.0 is launched that Yahoo release it for all compatible products from their own website. Make it easier for all to use the product, and more will. Surely the logic explains itself?

Read more »

58th Carnival of the Mobilist

The latest edition of the Carnival of the mobilists is online, the first edition for 2007. As ever it links to a variety of interesting articles relating to all sorts of mobile technology news and opinion. Personally I'm glad COTM is back, it's certainly a highlight of the week.

Read more »

New NSeries phones

With CES happening it was almost a certainty we would have some new phones to see from Nokia. And Nokia didn't disappoint. The N93i has been confirmed, there is the N800 and also the N76. Pics and detail below:

N76 Spec list
At only 13.7mm thin the N76 offers a super slim multimedia computer for your pocket. The Spec is quite standard for an N-Series phone these days, 2GB expandable memory, 2.0 megapixel camera, Tri band GSM and 3G conenctivity, Bluetooth, etc. It odes look very good, possibly the nicest S60 flip from Nokia:





















N800 Spec list
The N800 is a Linux handheld style tablet PC. With no built in telephony the N800 is slightly away from Nokia's core product line. It does look to be an interesting product. It has WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you can connect to the net via WiFi connection or Bluetooth to your mobile handset. You can use the N800 to send/receive email, communicate via IM, and use the built in webcam for video calls.





















N93i Spec list
The N93i offers pretty much all you can get from the N93 but in a slimmer, shinier, silver shell. If there is one thing non enthusiasts always mention about the N93, it's the size. Now, hopefully the N93i will address that issue for those people and take the N93i to a more mainstream audience.

Read more »

N95 video

The release date for the N95 steadily grows nearer. Whet your appetite even more with this video:



I gotta have this phone. Is there anything on the horizon that can touch the N95? Please, Nokia, don't blow this phone with shoddy firmware. I'd rather wait an extra month knowing it'll work on release than put up with a half baked, ill prepared, poorly tested product.

Read more »

Fexplorer for Series 60 v3

Well, it's back into the swing of things with the new year well and truly underway. Work, work and more work. Things are a bit quiet on the phone front though. Although I expect that to change over the coming weeks with 3GSM due to happen soon.

One piece of news that I missed first time round, and here now for you who also missed it. One of the most popular pieces of software for S60 phones seems to be about to make it's way onto S60v3 handsets. Fexplorer was quite simply *the* file explorer to use on your phone. There may be a built in file explorer on the handset but Fexplorer allowed you to go further into the menu structure than the built in app offered.

There is a beta available to download, but it seems you may need to play around and sign the application to get it to work. I'm going to give it a go later, I'll post back with any relevant info.

Original story seen here.

Read more »