N80 GEEK

Reminder about your invitation from David Tan

2011-12-12T16:13:00.000+08:00

This is a reminder that on December 1, David Tan sent you an invitation to become part of their professional network at LinkedIn.

Accept David Tan's Invitation

On December 1, David Tan wrote:

> To: Blogger [davidtys74.kindredd@blogger.com]

> From: David Tan [davidtys74@gmail.com]

> Subject: David Tan wants to stay in touch on LinkedIn

> I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
>
> - David Tan

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Reminder about your invitation from David Tan

2011-12-05T18:30:00.001+08:00

This is a reminder that on December 1, David Tan sent you an invitation to become part of their professional network at LinkedIn.

Accept David Tan's Invitation

On December 1, David Tan wrote:

> To: Blogger [davidtys74.kindredd@blogger.com]

> From: David Tan [davidtys74@gmail.com]

> Subject: David Tan wants to stay in touch on LinkedIn

> I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
>
> - David Tan

You are receiving Reminder emails for pending invitations. Unsubscribe.

David Tan wants to stay in touch on LinkedIn

2011-12-01T12:37:00.001+08:00

From David Tan

Managing Director at Mobitane (M) Sdn Bhd

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- David Tan

Confirm that you know David

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Making Music With the N80

2006-11-21T17:59:00.000+08:00

Darla Mack has just posted an interview with Omri Levy, a musician who has created a an album titled "about:blank". It is a collection of demos he made using his N80 and Alon MP3 Dictafone. In the interview, she asks him why he decided to record his EP this way. He says:-

"It happened to me when i first got my first Symbian phone and found a great recording app called "Alon mp3 Dictaphone'. I recorded the first songs on Nokia 6680 and a few weeks ago i've upgraded to N80 and recorded the whole thing again in a few hours."

More power to the N80.

Upgrade For Nokia PC Suite 6.82

2006-11-21T12:13:00.000+08:00

A little late I know, but I just spotted this piece of news from Symbian Watch. Nokia has released the latest version of the PC Suite 6.82. Changes include:-
- Stability fixes for backup and restore
- Improved mobile music experience with Nokia Music Manager
- Update your phone software with Nokia Software Updater
- Added fluency in information exchange between Nokia phones and Microsoft applications (such as Windows Media Player 11) with Windows Portable Device (WPD) driver support

I'm quite keen to see what new improvements have taken place in the Nokia Music Manager. While the current build is alright, improvements could be made on exporting of playlists and conversions to the M4A format. Download it here.

More Rumours and Sincere Apologies

2006-11-20T10:52:00.000+08:00

Darla Mack has posted about another possible Nokia Multimedia Device, the N97. Her scoop comes courtesy of Mobile Whack. The N97 is rumoured to be equipped with a "3-inch display, might have a 5 megapixel camera with 20x digital zoom and include a miniSD card and 20GB of internal memory." Next year is going to be an exciting year for Symbian, with a plethora of new devices coming out!

I would now like to extend my sincerest apologies to everyone who has been reading this blog. I know I have not updated it for the last two weeks. It almost the year end so I have been caught up working on my company's reports and 2007 plans, so I am quite worn out. I'm going to try to post at least twice a week from now onwards, so that I don't get too lazy.

New WLAN Wizard Now Available For N80

2006-11-05T22:17:00.000+08:00

Nokia has released the new version of their WLAN Wizard available for download at the N80 Internet Edition support page. With htis application, you can now quickly and easily search for available Wifi networks, store the confiqurations and launch the Web browser quickly from your idle screen. As Nokia says -

"Is there a WLAN network out there? The WLAN Wizard will tell you, store it and launch it for you! WLAN Wizard shows the available WLANs in the range of N80 Internet Edition directly on the idle screen and it is possible to start web browsing immediately. WLAN Wizard also automatically creates the needed WLAN settings making WLAN usage extremely easy."

Thanks to AAS for the heads up.

Poscasting Application Formally Released!

2006-11-02T21:27:00.000+08:00

All About Symbian and Darla Mack have put up posts announcing that the Nokia Podcasting application is finally out from Beta and is now ready as a final release. Get the application from the Nokia Podcasting Blog.

AAS goes so far as to put some pointers as to how to install the application and preserve your current podcasts and settings. Enjoy!

"Before upgrading your Podcasting app:
1.If you don't want to preserve your subscribed podcasts and episodes:
a. Uninstall Podcast app from App manager before installing ver 1.00.0.
b. Find the Podcasting icon on your device. (For example, in the MY OWN folder on the N91).
c. Click "Options" and choose "Remove"
d. Install the 1.00.0 version of Nokia Podcasting

2. If you would like to preserve your subscribed podcasts and episodes:
a. Simply install ver 1.00.0 on top of the Beta version, you will see a warning message that ver 0.93.(6) will be replaced by ver 1.00.(0).
b. Select OK to proceed with the installation and use the same location where Beta version is installed when asked where do you want to install ver 1.00.0.
If you are not sure where Beta version was installed, open App Manager and check whether there is a memory icon shown besides Podcast. If yes, your Podcast Beta version is installed on memory card (or hard drive); otherwise, it is installed on phone memory.

3.After upgrading your Podcasting app:If you did not remove (uninstall) Podcast Beta version before upgrading to ver 1.00.0, your default directories will not be updated to the one comes with ver 1.00.0.
In order to show the new default directories, open "Directory" view, select "Options" then select "Restore Default." The new Directories should now show."

Search And Download Google Video For Your N80

2006-11-01T11:10:00.000+08:00

I noticed over at the s60 Multimedia blog, an article regarding how to watch Google Video directly over your NSeries device without the need to download to the file a PC first and do a video conversion.

Scott Robbin has developed an application which allows users to search and download videos to your mobile device. It works for both AVI and MP4 devices, so should be playable over Realplayer.

If you have a non-Symbian devices but are interested in trying out the application, the general requirements are that:
-Your phone has an XHTML-compliant browser
-You have enough storage on your phone to hold large files
-Your phone’s connection is fast
-You have an application on your phone capable of playing AVI or MP4 files

Point your Web browser over to Srobbin Mobile website and let the application do the rest. Do note that due to large file sizes, all search results are limited to videos less than 4 minutes long. Thanks for the effort Scott!

The Next Communicator?

2006-11-01T10:55:00.000+08:00

Darla Mack has posted an interesting update from Softpedia regarding what is rumoured to be a possible successor to Nokia's Communicator range of devices. Softpedia has provided sketches of what is possible the next generation device the E90, a slide based QWERTY keyboard based device. I was a big Psion and Communicator user back in the old days, so the possibility of a cutting edge keyboard based Symbian device is really exciting for me.

The rumours go so far as to say that this device will provide connectivity via HSPDA, UMTS, EDGE and Wi-Fi capabilities.... and may include a 2 megapixel digital camera and the miniUSB connectivity support.

As these are still unconfirmed, please take the information with a pinch of salt.

Malaysia's Premier Mobile Publication

2006-10-30T18:31:00.000+08:00

During my trip to 3GSM, I happened to bump into Kash, the chief editor of Mobile World Magazine. MW Magazine, for those of you who may not know, is Malaysia's premier English language mobile phone magazine. I was pleased to be able to compliment him and his team for turning in such an entertaining, informative publication, month after month. I am quite happy to admit that I'm one of their avid readers.

I took the time to visit their website recently and noticed that there are a number of interesting articles. You might find their insights into the Malaysian mobile industry interesting so go ahead and check out the site. If you are in Malaysia get a copy of the magazine, you won't be disappointed!

Download BitTorrent Files With Your N80

2006-10-30T10:51:00.000+08:00

Symbian Watch has posted an annoucement that SymTorrent, a BitTorrent client for S60 3rd edition devices is now available for download. According to them, the application allows "downloading and uploading with resuming. You can also check the status of each file inside a torrent along with several other statistics and properties during download."

SymTorrent is free (and open source) software and is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License. Read more here.

I am testing the application at the moment, and will update you soon.

Who Is Adding Value To Your N80 Experience?

2006-10-27T14:43:00.000+08:00

I noticed an interesting post on the Tommi's s60 Application Blog regarding an article from the MobileUserExperience.com. The article talks about how mobile operators were not providing the author with true value added services.

The author recently purchased an N80 and the crux of the article is about where he derives the true value add from the mobile user experience (ie: not from his mobile operator). Not to miss the point of the entire discussion, I noted that the author also included a number of examples on how he currently uses his N80. Thought you might find this interesting reading. Find out more here.

N80 Comes In Twice In Top Symbian Smartphone List

2006-10-26T17:15:00.000+08:00

InfoSyncWorld has a compiled a list of Top 10 Symbian smartphones for your consideration. The list is surprising in that it also includes devices that have yet to be launched, hence the N80 is represented twice on the list, firstly the regular, plain vanilla N80 and secondly the N80 Internet Edition. They even go so far as to say this about the N80 Internet Edition-

"Offering a Wi-Fi wizard, a new Download! client and a mobile search application powered by Yahoo, the Nokia N80 Internet Edition aims to simplify both the connection process as well as the use of internet on mobile phones. Support of third party VoIP clients is also supported, however, Skype users should look elsewhere as the N80 only support a competing protocol. Another disappointment is the lack of autofocus and VGA recording just like with the original N80; additions that could have lead it to be the first phone in infoSync's history getting full score (100%) in testing. Still, the N80 Internet Edition should be seen as one of few überphones this fall."

Each device featured comes with a nice little write up and review, so check out the link here.

Small N80 Firmware Update Announced

2006-10-23T23:09:00.000+08:00

Symbian Freak reports that there will be another Firmware Update for the N80. Read about it here. Firmware v4.0623.0.42 seems to be a very minor update, key changes being several fixes for the camera forward compatibility fix and Sync agent forward compatibility fix, both for FOTA update. There is also a fix for SMS sending delays. The update should be available from your local Nokia service centers soon, and for the Nokia Software Updater later.

As far as I am concerned, my N80 seems to be running pretty smooth after the last update. I don't have any camera or SMS problems, so I don't think I will be going through the hassle of upgrading until a major fix is announced. Also, after getting feedback from other users about their upgrading experience, I must admit to being a little hesitant about the whole process myself. If you still want to go through with it later, please remember to BACKUP your data and SYNC your contacts to Outlook. Better safe than sorry.

Essential Readers For Your NSeries

2006-10-20T23:02:00.000+08:00

As previously spotlighted by Steve over at All About Symbian, there are a number of applications that allow one to do offline reading from your N80 and NSeries device. I thought I would spotlight a few applications on my own. If you have any additional suggestions, please feel free to add your comments.

MOBIPOCKET READER
In my personal opinion, Mobipocket Reader is one of the killer apps for the N80, allowing me to catch up on my reading even while offline, without the use of an internet connection. Not only can you purchase new eBooks from their store, the application allows you to convert your existing documents, be it in Word, PDF, text or other office formats and take them anywhere with you safely tucked in your mobile device. It even has a built in RSS Reader, which gives you the chance to download the feeds from your favorite websites or bogs (such as N80Geek!) and browser though the headlines at your own leisure. You are going to need to have the Windows version installed in your PC first, so that you can download and convert these documents before transferring them to your mobile.

QREADER
QReader is another free eBook reader for 3rd Edition devices. It’s a simple, no frills application which does its job simply and effectively. It allows you to easily read plain text files and has a basic user interface built in.

MOBIZINES
This is isn’t an eBook reader per se. Rather; it’s a cute little Java App that allows you to view articles and other snippets from established magazines. I use it to catch up on news from the BBC, T3, GQ, TOTAL Film, Maxim etc. It has a nice user interface although a little slow when updating magazines.

WIDSETS
Widsets is a simple RSS service that provides useful information available on the Internet directly to your NSeries Device. There are two parts to Widsets - the application you load on your device and a web service you set up and configure on the Internet. Try it, the interface is beautiful and it’s a pretty fun application to use when downloading feeds and such.

CARNIVAL OF MOBILIST
This neat little application is great because it compiles the best writing from all over the web and compiles all these articles to be viewed offline. The feeds are very Web 2.0 and mobile centric but some of you might find the information interesting.

Where to start looking for e-books:
Project Gutenburg – This site is hosts an incredible collection of literary classics. Most of the books here are classic stories from the collected works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Somerset Maugham, HG Wells and many more legendary authors. Other good sites include the Free EBook Library and Manybooks.net. Finally, the BBC has a site for classic Dr. Who fiction. Check it out here.

Video Broadcasting Via Your NSeries

2006-10-19T23:54:00.000+08:00

At the s60 booth, I witnessed what the s60 team were trying hard to incorporate to open more possiblities for us users. Oren of s60 Multimedia Blog fame, demonstrated Pocketcaster, a live video broadcast service for 3G mobile phones and other portable platforms. Pocketcaster is available from the folks at Comvu, who's goal it is to allow us to instantly post videos to our webcast page, blog or favorite video sharing site. At this point, the application is only available for Windows devices but the s60 team is testing a trial Symbian version to be used for NSeries devices. By the way, the picture shows an N93 capturing a video, broadcasting the said video real time over the web (as show on the laptop) and streaming the image over the LCD display above.

Finally, I got the chance to tinker with the Tune My s60! demo booth. See Phil's post in See into s60 blog to learn more . Essentially, the booth allows you to customise your s60 device by giving you a selection of themes, ringtones, wallpapers and allows you to customize your phone by sending the items over Bluetooth or over the air via SMS. The team even had some nice giveaways like tiny screen cleaners, stickers and labels to help customise your s60 device and make it more unique. The concept is kinda like MTV's Pimp My Ride! Loads of fun.

Symbian VS s60

2006-10-19T22:32:00.000+08:00

Visiting the s60 booth was an enlightening event for me, a real learning experience. For example, I was initially under the impression that s60 and Symbian were one and the same. Poor foolish me. Apparently they are NOT. The Symbian OS is the core mobile operating system, based on open standards which drives advanced mobile devices such as smartphones.

S60 on the other hand, is the UI or the User Interface, which represents the front end of your mobile device, s60 provides us the intuitive, full-color user interface that's both simple and good-looking. s60 flexibility allows for various hardware designs and software configurations. It's this streamlined personalisable interface that allows us to organise ourselves, browse the web, message each other with our NSeries devices using only the keypad interface.

If you are happy (or unhappy) with the user interface of your device so far, leave a compliment or comment. I'm sure the guys will appreciate it.

I got a chance to try out some of the new aspects of s60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1 (Whew! what a mouthful!). the Internet browsers are no longer two browsers, web and services. Instead it is now single browser which can support both the complete web pages and mobile-optimized content. New elements include an auto complete feature, password manager and a floating toolbar for favourite features. Other features include auto lock for sliding devices (such as the N95), A2DP bluetooth stereo profiles, audio messaging, video ringtones, animated screensaver and multiple alarms. On the whole, very, very impresive.

New Symbian Devices From LG and Samsung

2006-10-19T18:22:00.000+08:00

I missed out on the Smartphone Show which is happening in London so I have had to rely on the guys over at All About Symbian to keep updated. LG and Samsung have announced new Symbian devices running on the s60 UI. The first being the LG JoY and Samsung with it's SGH i520 (Pictures thanks to AAS). This can only be a good thing, as with competition come innovation, and with diveristy, more choices for those who may prefer non-Nokia devices.

For example, my wife is a huge Samsung fan and while she's seen the things I can do with my N80, she would not part with her Samsung as she adores the sleek form factor. Like my wife, many Malaysians are smitten with the fancy designs of Samsung and LG mobiles but miss out on the many benefits of a symbian smartphone. The JoY and the SGH i520 should prove popular with the buying public. This can only be a good thing for the s60 developers and for users as this should mean more applications and content to play with.

At this point, both devices look extremely appealing and feature attractive specs. In the case of the SGH i520, it's equipped with:-
- HSDPA / UTMS and EDGE/GPRS
- 2 MP Camera + VGA
- 2.3" QVGA (320 x 240) 262K TFT Screen
- Symbian OS 9.2, S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1
- MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA
- MPEG4 (H.263 and H.264), WMV
- Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR) and A2DP (Bluetooth Stereo)
- Flash Lite 2.0
- Full HTML Browser (S60 Browser version 2.0)
- 45MB User Memory and microSD memory card slot

Good to see that they have incorporated, A2DP and WMV profiles into the device.

Nokia NSeries Blog

2006-10-19T15:59:00.000+08:00

Just noticed a new blog called Nokia NSeries. It's an unofficial site being maintained by Jay3GSM and features hardware previews, comments and notes on cool applications for your NSeries device. Check out the link here.

Back from 3GSM Singapore

2006-10-19T13:39:00.000+08:00

Well, I'm back in the game after spending some time in the lion city. I found 3GSM to be a nice intimate affair and I managed to take away some insight into new innovations and developments within the mobile space. I was particularly delighted at having the opportunity to meet up with my fellow bloggers over at S60 blogs, Oren, who writes for the s60 Multimedia Blog and Jouni who does his thing over at MRKTGMan. Guys, thanks for the chance to catch up and fill me in on the latest developments in the s60 platform.

I also got some time to play around with some prototype of the N92 and the N95. The N92 seems to be able to do its primary job impressively, namely play videos and movies. It has a large beautiful screen and it runs crystal clear videos 30 frames per second. I am almost certain that this is because it operates with a dedicated hardware accelerator, although I may be wrong. The other thing that I liked about the device was that one is able to text at a pretty decent pace using the landscape configuration. Almost like a mini laptop. I can see myself utilizing this feature extensively for web surfing and blogging.

The N95 was very obviously a key attraction at the s60 booth. Unfortunately, the big draw for me, the GPS functionality was not available for trial at that time. I was however, able to play around with most of the other features. The device itself is fairly slim (for a Symbian device), has a gorgeous 2.6' screen and runs on S60 Feature pack 1. I toyed around with the new and improved multimedia button (which has now been allocated a position of greater prominence on the face of the device) and the U shaped scrolling menu system should make it much easier for users to access their applications. The other outstanding physical feature was the soft multimedia keys. Easy to use and very accessible.

I must admit that I am no expert in reviewing mobiles nor do I have enough expertise to properly judge on the merits of these devices. But based on what I have seen, I must say that I walked away suitably impressed. Stay tuned for futher news!

How to Get Mobile TV On Your NSeries For Free

2006-10-16T22:06:00.000+08:00

Thanks to the guys at Web and Blog, I recently discovered a cool site called ZooVision to watch streaming media on your NSeries device. In their own words -

"ZooVision is a mobile video 3gp / Windows Media streaming content aggregator that is changing the way people use their wireless phones and access entertainment. We stream on-demand videos and audio customized to the mobile experience. We believe that the mobile customer demands a video experience that is delivered quickly and of the highest quality. Our on-demand model lets subscribers view music videos, cartoons and niche content right on their mobile phones and wireless PDAs. ZooVision partners with content owners and creators to create a comprehensive offering."

It's pretty easy to get started. Point your devices web browser over at http://www.zoovision.com/ and select the "I'm using a mobile device link. Pick a program that you'd like to view (News, Weather, cartoons etc) and it will activate your Real player application and you are good to go. Remember to choose the right Rreal player connection/settings otherwise the video might not stream correctly. They have a pretty good collection of content from news, weather, classic B & W movies, cartoons (think Popeye) , as well as a Internet radio station.

I have tested out their services and it works pretty smoothly on my N80 (slight artefact's but okay visuals and audio). You do need have a unlimited 3G plan or wifi connectivity to view the content otherwise expect to incur a bomb in traffic fees.

UPDATE: Some users have mentioned that they have had troubles trying to connect to the service. Apparently. some operators do not allow support streaming services and may block the required ports. For more information, please go to the comments page.)

Off to 3GSM Singapore!

2006-10-16T15:35:00.000+08:00

I'll be heading down to Singapore tommorrow for 3GSM World Congress Asia, one of the regions the premier telecommunication events. Hopefully, I'll be able to check out some of the highlights and developments in s60 and the mobile space. I will report back with all the latest news when I return. Cheers!

Win Papyrus For S60

2006-10-13T16:19:00.000+08:00

"Papyrus turns your Smartphone into a powerful time management system. Papyrus offers innovative and compelling tools to manage and keep track of your schedule, plus advanced views, category coloring, and icons far beyond the ability of the default Smartphone Calendar and Tasks programs. What's more, Papyrus is highly customizable, so it works the way you work while keeping the intuitive and user-friendly interface you expect of your Smartphone."

Papyrus together with Darla Mack is offering all of us an opportunity to win their productivity suite for S60 devices. Just head over to this link and post a comment on what you like most about Papyrus and stand a chance to win the software! You can download a trial copy here to give you a taste of the product and give your remarks later. Thanks Darla!!

Upgrade Your Quickoffice

2006-10-13T16:06:00.000+08:00

As most of you know, Quickoffice has been updated to version 3.1 . You can update your version by pointing your browser here.

"With Quickoffice 3.1, users not only benefit from the industry's leading document solution, but can also receive many useful product upgrades that will improve their mobile productivity," said Paul Moreton, VP, Product Management at Quickoffice. "Building on the key concept of offering our users software updates and upgrades without having to search the Web, Quickmanager delivers immediate access to powerful new tools on-demand, regardless of a user's location. As an easy to use, powerful and secure download mechanism, Quickmanager also offers global carriers increased revenue through on-device Premium SMS billing revenues."

New enhancements include:
- improvements in speed and memory usage, allowing users to work with larger documents.
- Access to all Microsoft Word® documents, Excel® spreadsheets, PowerPoint®presentations .
- Email attachments can be saved to a phone memory or memory card for action at a later time. - Ability to instantly update the Quickoffice application
- Ability to upgrade to the editing version of Quickoffice directly from their smartphone.
- Over-the-air billing and installation;
- Automatically refreshes itself ensuring most current ver. of available updates and upgrades

How to Get Podcast on Your NSeries Device

2006-10-13T11:02:00.000+08:00

All About Symbian has posted an article on Podcasting for Beginners on N60 devices. If you have'nt got the application yet, you can download it here.

Personally, I find the podcasting application to be one of the most useful tools and an application that I use, almost on a daily basis. It's pretty convenient to hear the news or listen to tech updates while on the move. The only real bugbear is that most podcast files are pretty large (typically between 5 to 20mb) and video podcasts even larger (try 50 to 70mb!). So a fast wifi connection is an absolute pre-requisite. The built in search application isn't so great at tracking down podcasts, so I have left a link of some of my favourite shows on the side of this blog for your reference. Have fun!

Good Things Come SoonR Or Later

2006-10-12T18:38:00.000+08:00

With regards to my earlier post about offline desktop search via Orb, I should highlight that there is a similar service from SoonR, a competing application that claims to be able to do the same via almost any phone. SoonR is a unique application which allows you to connect your mobile phone to your Skype account, Outlook, and remote PCs. SoonR allows you to do all this without the need to install on your phone, the application only needs to be installed on the PC.

I have managed to use SoonR to access my Outlook email, calendar and contacts from my mobile phone. This is pretty convenient as I can check my inbox, respond to my emails remotely. Another interesting feature is that it allows me to search, view, share files on my PC. Documents and pictures are apparently optimized for that particular handset although pictures and images tend to be displayed a little smaller than what I'd like. New features include AJAX implementation which provides a faster user experience with background loading that allows rich web applications to be experienced properly. For more info, please go to this link.

Nokia Adds Orb MyCasting Service To Nokia N80 Internet Edition

2006-10-12T10:07:00.001+08:00

Nokia has made a press announcement today announcing that they will work with Orb Networks to integrate Orb MyCasting into the Nokia N80 Internet Edition.

"Orb MyCasting offers a single solution that allows you to enjoy all of your digital media stored on your home computer, remotely. It will allow you to instantly access your home photos, videos, music, and even TV, where and when you want. Orb's intuitive solution simply streams your content from your home PC using the Web browser and player on your Nokia N80 Internet Edition, creating your own "personal media portal". You can also remotely record TV programs using Orb's Digital Video Recorder (DVR) function and then play back those recorded programs to you N80. For more info on Orb check out their corporate site .

The Nokia N80 Internet Edition is the first multimedia computer that bringstogether wireless LAN (WLAN), UPnP, and quadband GSM coverage, and alsoprovides an easy to use WLAN wizard (to make connecting to the interneteasy), support for internet calls, a robust browser, along with a3-megapixel camera and a host of other internet related services. The Nokia N80 Internet Edition will be available November 2006." Thankfully, Nokia is beginning to put applications that maximize the N80's connectivity and Internet capabilities. Hopefully, this transalates to more users and more fans.

Play More Games On Your N80

2006-10-12T00:02:00.000+08:00

Krisse over at All About Symbian, has done a fantastic job describing some of the best emulators available today for your NSeries device. Take a trip down memory lane and play some old school titles. Have fun!

Site Changes

2006-10-11T18:09:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone,

In case you have dropped by this blog over the last couple of hours, you would have notice that the site layout has changed several times. I am reworking the look of the web page and should be done by the end of the week. In the meantime, I'll will continue to post and interesting news that I notice around the world of Symbian.

Thanks for your patience and do keep reading! Your support means a great deal to me.

Essential Flash Games For Your NSeries

2006-10-10T13:43:00.000+08:00

I'm sure that by now, some of you would have tried to play around with Flash Lite applications. I have found that a vast majority of software available are small, quirky, fun little applications that are entertaining and even educational. For example, flash games which are very much in the style of the Game and Watch games feature simple game play and can be exceptionally fun! Highlighted below are some of my favourite time wasters...er...applications:

Gosushi- A sushi eating game. Quite addictive.

Bubble Shooting- A really simple bubble popping game.
Cornrush- A different take on the classic game of frogger
Dawn of the Fly- My personal favourite. You play a an imp who's job it is to try to eat as many flies to earn the favour of your demon master.
Kamikaze- A cute side scrolling adventure featuring brave ninjas, scary monsters and really deep pits!
Memory - Title says it all. Try to remember which object goes where
MicroInvaders- An emulator of the classic game of Space Invader
Whack Attack- Whack-A-Mole On Speed
Safari Sudoku- It's everyone's favourite puzzle game...made 10x more fun with animals!!
Tempi Duri- Help Granny swot the nasty spiders!
Zoe - Play Mix and Match with a bunch of cute teens (And a dog!)

Most of the games can be downloaded from Adobe Exchange . For more updates on new Flash Lite applications go to Biskero and Flash Mobile Forums.

Vote For The N80!

2006-10-09T19:29:00.000+08:00

S60Tips is holding a poll to see which is the favourite S60 3rd edition device. So far the E61/62 is right at the top followed by.....surprise! The N80! Go ahead and put in your vote here.

Rankings as of 9 October 2006.
Nokia E61/E62 (33%)
Nokia N80 (18%)
Nokia N95 (14%)
Nokia N73 (10%)
Nokia E60 (8%)
Nokia E70 (7%)
Nokia E50 (5%)
Nokia N93 (2%)
Nokia 5500 Sport (1%)
Nokia 3250 (1%)
Nokia N91 (1%)
Nokia N71 (0%)
Nokia N75 (0%)
Nokia N92 (0%)

Massive List of S60 3rd Edition Software

2006-10-09T19:10:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Darla Mack for pointing us towards one of the most useful sites for all S60 users. Simon Judge runs Symtopia, a software directory containing a lists and links to a some of the most useful Software available for 3rd Edition devices. Please check it out here.

Must Have Freeware Applications

2006-10-06T15:19:00.000+08:00

Antony over at S60Tips has a list of Must Have Freeware Applications for your Symbian device. He has updated it to include S60 Series 3 devices so check it out.

Update On The Update

2006-10-06T12:12:00.001+08:00

After having spent the last 12 hours fiddling with my N80 after the firmware update, I have the following to report:

1) Java Applications have to be re-installed. While the icons for Java based applications such as Google Maps will remain in the background, I discovered after several attempts that they failed to launch properly, I had to remove the applications and re-install them for them to recover their functionality. All applications are now 100% functional.
2) You have to re-install all applications that existed before the update. I did not re-install Muzee, a streaming radio application that I had originally installed on my memory card before the update (due to sheer laziness). Apparently there was a fragment of the program left on the card, so when I rebooted my N80, it tried to automatically install the application but failed. The solution? Re-install all you previous applications to avoid confusing the device and avoid these kinds of error messages in the future.
3) Anti Virus Software has to be downloaded and installed. The included F-Secure Anti Virus program is an evaluation copy that has to be downloaded. Once you click on the Anti Virus Icon, you will receive a message requesting to download the said software, and to update the service. IF you decide to install it, the application will automatically install into your phone memory (about 500kb). You have the option to allow it to scan on a real time or manual basis. I have read that leaving it to run on a real time basis may cause other applications to run slower but cannot confirm this yet.
4) Read Sim card Failure. While I was muddling around in an area where there was low network coverage, the N80 announced a "Failure To Read Sim Card". This is the first time I faced this issue with the N80. Fortunately, a simple restart seems to have solved this problem. I willreport if this occurs again.
5) No More "Out Of Memory Errors". It's a little early for me to tell, but the Web application seems to work smoother now. No "Out of memory" errors as of yet. I spend quite a bit of time browsing the web on my N80 so this helps a lot.

Seems quite daunting for something that is supposed to help your Symbian device run better right? Let's see in a couple of days.

UPDATE: Just a reminder, Please BACKUP your data and SYNC your contacts to Outlook before the upgrade. Some users have reported problems with data loss (See this link)

Firmware Update Successful!

2006-10-05T19:17:00.000+08:00

I have managed to upgrade my firmware to version V4.0623.0.41 using the Nokia Software Updater. Everything seems intact and the phone is functioning beautifully. What was critical was that I backed up the phone and synchronized my data to the PC before attempting the upgrade. Also, as a security measure, I removed the memory card in case things went pear shaped.

The process takes about half an hour depending on your Internet bandwidth. Please note that should you decide to update your firmware, your contacts, calender info, images and most of the installed applications will be erased. Back up your data!!

You first have to download the Nokia Software Updater software (15 megabytes) and install it to your PC. After booting the application, and connecting your mobile via the sync cable, it will connect to the Internet and detect which model you are using. It will remind you to back up your phone and ensure that there is a Sim Card inserted in the mobile. Once you agree to go ahead with the update, it will start to download the firmware and install it to your mobile. From this point it is pretty much automated. The firmware file is over 70 megabyte, so be prepared to wait a while. Please note that throughout the process you are warned NOT TO UNPLUG the phone or it may permanently damage the mobile.

Once the phone has rebooted and you have input the necessary info, key in *#0000# to check the firmware version. The following message should appear:-
V 4.0623.0.41.
26-07-2006
RM-92
Nokia N80 (11)

First thing to do thereafter is to restore the phone data. Next, re-insert your memory card, you will note that the device will try to install your applications, but will be unsuccessful. You will also have to re-install by running your App Manager software. You will see a number files with names like "A66EAC8E.SIS". Open those files and re-install your applications. Not all of them will work so you might have to re-install the entire application.

I kept on getting "Application Corrupt" messages when I tried to install MobiReader, WorldMate and Muzee. I keep all the original .sis files on my memory card so I can re-install whenever necessary and you can do the same. I noticed a couple of applications were pre-installed in the update Catalogs, Nokia-Yahoo Search, Adobe Reader, Anti-Virus software.

As for any changes in the performance, I have not noticed anything out of the ordinary. But it's probably a little too early to tell. Will keep you guys updated over the next couple of days.

UPDATE: Please note that if you are going to attempt the update, BACKUP your memory card AND SYNC your contracts and schedule to Outlook. Some users have faced issues with data loss after the upgrade (please check out this link).
.

N80 Firmware Update (Finally) Available on Nokia Site

2006-10-05T16:35:00.000+08:00

Just noticed that the latest firmware for the N80 is now available on the Nokia Software Updater website -http://www.nokia.co.uk/nokia/0,1522,,00.html?orig=/softwareupdate. I will attempt the update tonight and report back with how successful I was with the upgrading. Fingers crossed!

The complete list of devices that are supported now by the site now include -
Nokia E50
Nokia E60
Nokia E61
Nokia E62
Nokia E70
Nokia N70
Nokia N72
Nokia N80
Nokia N91
Nokia 6630
Nokia 6680
Nokia 6681
Nokia 6682

How To Make Your Own Themes

2006-10-04T11:05:00.000+08:00

I'm certain that by now, most of you know where to look for themes for your NSeries device. If not, point your browser over to the Mobile9 website. They have a large number of user generated themes, some of which are particularly attractive. My current favourite is Random which you can find here. It's lovely, with a very nice font colour and it's own customized icons. Check out the "about" application, it's represented by a cool N80 icon.

If you are keen on designing your own themes, consisting of images from your collection, go to PowerTheme at Iguana Mobile. It's a simple process, consisting of uploading your own images to their servers, customizing the font and text colours and transferring the file to your phone. It even gives you the option to place filters on your pictures, to help readability. I've tried it out on my N80 and it works great!

Essential Applications for Your N80 And NSeries Device

2006-10-04T01:18:00.001+08:00

I’ve been meaning to work on this list for the longest time but never had the time to blog it. Well better late than never! Here is my list of essential applications for the N80. The vast majority of these applications will also work on other NSeries Devices so keep an eye out for the specific version for your device. Also note that a few of these applications are in Beta stages so if you don’t mind running into some bugs every so often, go ahead and download them for your device. I have however, been using these applications for 1-2 months now without any real hiccups so they should note pose any serious problems for you as well.

Finally, most of these applications are free while they are in the beta stages, once the final versions are released, there is a possibility fees will be imposed. If you find the applications of use to you, please go ahead and purchase them; you will be encouraging the developers to develop more essential software for the Symbian community.

WorldMate
http://www.mobimate.com/
WorldMate takes the stress out of business travel by providing must-have information you need while traveling - from world clocks, global weather forecasts, currency converter. I totally depend on this application when I travel. Absolutely essential.

Calcium
http://mtvoid.com/calcium/
Calcium is the most user friendly calculator available for the S60 platform. The developers removed the need to select on-screen buttons and moved all the operations to the joystick. Doing basic calculations on your phone is now only a couple of clicks away.

Mobipocket Reader
http://www.mobipocket.com/en/downloadsoft/ProductDetailsReader52.asp?View=Device
Mobipocket allows you to store all your eBooks, eNews & self-published eDocs on your PC and mobile device. I use it mostly to subscribe to free daily updated RSS eNews to read them when I have some spare time

Agile Messenger (Beta)
http://www.agilemobile.com/downloads.html
Agile Messenger is probably the most popular Instant Messenger for mobile devices in the market today. It currently supports ICQ®, AIM®, Yahoo!®, MSN®, QQ® and Wireless Village®

Internet Radio (Beta)
http://opensource.nokia.com/projects/s60internetradio/ClientPage.html
The S60 Internet Radio is an audio application which supports SHOUTcast streaming audio playback. Currently, MP3 and AAC+ streams are supported. along with local playback of audio files in the following formats: MP3, AAC, eAAC+, MP4, M4A, WMA, 3GPP, AMR, and WAV

S-Tris 2
http://www.clickgamer.com/moreinfo.htm?pid=6265
S-Tris 2 is based on the famous Tetris concept and is the follow-up of our popular S-Tris game. This professionally developed game feature the same addictive game play that made the original such a blast to play.

Nokia Podcasting Application (Beta)
http://www.europe.nokia.com/podcasting
The Nokia Podcasting application allows you to find, subscribe to and download podcasts over the air with your NSeries device. After downloading a podcast, you can listen to or watch it when and where you want.

Essential Java Apps For The N80

2006-10-02T13:04:00.000+08:00

Spotted some very cool applications for the N80 recently. These are largely Java based apps but they work pretty well on the N80, especially with the built in Wifi function. And they are all absolutely free. Sign up for the free services and download the software via your mobile's WAP Browser.

MIGG33 - a useful Instant Messaging and mobile chat app. It gives you flexible, cheap international calls using SMS callback and throwback , cheap international SMS and allows you to Chat using MSN and Yahoo!, or in any one of mig33's chat rooms" . Download the application from their main site http://www.mig33.com/

GOOGLE MAPS - Combining directions, maps, and satellite imagery, Google Maps is a free download that lets you find local hangouts and businesses across town or across the country — right from your phone. Download it from http://www.google.com/gmm/index.html

WIDSETS- Widsets is a simple service that provides useful information available on the Internet directly to your NSeries Device. There are two parts to Widsets - the application you load on your device and a web service you set up and configure on the Internet. Try it, the interface is beautiful and its a pretty fun application to use when downloading feeds and such. http://www.widsets.com/dashboard

CARNIVAL OF MOBILIST RSS READER - This is a free application which collects some of the best mobile news and articles featured on the web. If you are keen on finding out how the mobile world may impact you in the future, send your browser to http://mobili.st/?p=22

NSeries In The Black

2006-09-28T18:26:00.000+08:00

Nokia N91 8GB: With an 8GB hard drive you get up to 6000* songs. Features such as dedicated music keys, premium inbox music-optimized headset with remote control, synchronization with Windows Media Player, and Bluetooth connectivity support combined with the other essential ingredients that make up the Nokia Nseries Music Range, the new Nokia N91 8GB is a true jukebox in your pocket.

The Nokia N73 Music Edition is a stunning multimedia computer with up to 2GB of memory, integrated stereo speakers for optimized audio pleasure, and easy synchronization with Windows Media Player. With support for MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+ and WMA, you can choose how you rip your tunes and play them. Complemented with exquisite photography features such as a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and autofocus.

Nokia N70 Music Edition: All-in-one music playerUp to 1GB memory, the Nokia N70 Music Edition gives you more music in your pocket. You can personalize your music with a choice of digital music tracks and press the music key for direct access to them.

With web connectivity you can enjoy high quality music on the go. You can easily access the latest news on your favorite artists, buy upcoming concert tickets, and hear the latest tracks - all at your fingertips. Experiences such as podcasting, Stereo FM radio with Station Directory and Visual Radio, and Music Recommenders, further push the boundaries of mobile music.

Official N95 Website

2006-09-27T22:24:00.000+08:00

The official N95 site is up and running. Go directly for the preview right here. Some highlights:

"Connect with the world instantly with the Nokia N95 multimedia computer.. It's a 3.5G device featuring wireless LAN technology, quadband GSM (850/900/1800/1900) and WCDMA, keeping you connected on up to five continents...With a simple slide you unlock the power of multimedia computing...Slide to reveal the dedicated media keys and slide back to access the numeric keypad...Plan your route, find your way home and get to know places you've never visited with integrated GPS mapping. Fly over more than 100 countries, zoom to street level and get the low-down on more than 15 million locations around the world...With a wide range of photo bloggers, travel guides, shopping assistants, geo-taggers and more available for download you can expand your device's capabilities with just the right applications and widgets.

I'm already itching.

How To Get YouTube Videos On Your N80

2006-09-27T18:20:00.000+08:00

In the midst of all the hype revolving around the introduction of the new NSeries models, the introduction of several interesting applications have been sidelined. Heres one.

I find that watching video on my mobile device interesting but generally I would not watch a feature length film on a 2.0 inch screen. User generated content, like home videos, music videos and comedy skits are probably the most fun to watch, as they only need about 5 to 10 minutes viewing time, something I can spare while waiting for my wife to finish shopping. YouTube and Google Video are great sites to find short, fun content. But how do you transfer those videos to your NSeries?

Presenting MyMobileClips. It's a website service which will allow you to create your own videos Users have the ability to access all of the features on this site. Features include:
- Uploading your own videos.
- Resizing and converting your videos into the correct mobile format.
- Upload videos straight from Google Video.
- Upload videos straight from YouTube.
- Download videos directly from your mobile phone.
- Discuss various topics in the forums.

I've tried out the service, and it works great! Its Free for now, try it out here.

NSeries Launch Video

2006-09-27T18:16:00.000+08:00

For an interesting discussion from Nokia regarding the NSeries and the mobile industry in general please go to the link below. They discuss the launch of the new NSeries models coming up the next few months, explore uses of the new features integrated in the mobiles and innovation within the mobile industry. Check it out!http://www.rawcoms.com/content/corporate/nokia/060926/en/run/mpv300/index.html

N83 No More

2006-09-26T13:42:00.000+08:00

Sorry for the long absence. It has been an eventful time for us at the office and I have and will continue to travel. Still, no excuse for neglecting my duties.

A few months ago, there was a story circulating that Nokia was working on the successor to the N80, the N83. Pictures were posted, rumours were propagated and then quickly shot down by Nokia themselves. Well, the day has arrived, the new NSeries models will be announced by Nokia next Tuesday and lo and behold, the N83 is revealed! Sort of....

You see, the phone remains very similar to the model that was originally posted months ago but has now undergone a change on model number. It is now, the N93. In its place, Nokia will announce the N81, which has similar specs to the N73 but with the addition of A2DP Bluetooth profiles and a 10 gig hard disc!!! For more on the story, go here.

Dhaka Days

2006-09-12T03:12:00.000+08:00

I am travelling again. I arrived in Dhaka the capital city of Bangladesh on Sunday and right off the bat, I realized that simply travelling around the city was going to be a major adventure in itself. Upon picking us up, the limo driver advised us not to go into the city as there was a major strike happening and that it was "risky". The concierge at the counter said the same, that protesters were battling police near the prime minister's office and that there were reports of several bombs going off in the city.

We finally left for our appointment after hours of waiting for a taxi. Let me just say that if you think you may have seen the reckless driving in Bangkok, Manila or anywhere else in South East Asia, you have not experienced the roller coaster ride that is commuting in Dhaka. Almost all private cars in Dhaka come equipped with roll bars, as the chances of an accident with a trishaw, a three wheeled "tut tut" is unbelievably high.

We left for dinner later that night and discovered almost immediately there was a city blackout. Quite surreal. We would be walking along a brightly lit road and suddenly we would be plunged into darkness and another part of the town would light up.

Today, we had to cancel several early appointments as the city experienced one of the worst floods in recent history. Maybe its not Dhaka. Maybe, I am simply the bearer of luck. Who knows? I will report more on the mobile scene tomorrow, if no further disasters take place. Wish me luck!!

Firmware Update For N91 Now Available

2006-09-05T23:35:00.000+08:00

As reported earlier, Nokia has made their firmware updates available online. The latest update is now available for the N91. You can find it here. Lets hope they come out with one for the N80 soon.

"Mobler" Worm Infects Mobiles!

2006-09-04T20:06:00.000+08:00

From Symbian Freak - the team at F-Secure reports about a new worm thats capable of spreading from PC to a mobile device and back. Right now, the reprecussions are minimal as the "Mobler" worm just copies itself to your memory card and tries to trick the user into infecting their PC but just to be sure, you might want to get yourslf a copy of an Anti Virus software just to be protected in the future.

2006-09-04T01:26:00.000+08:00

A couple of updates, some of which I really should have gotten around to doing much earlier:-

1) Discovered while at the N80 forums that, there is a new version of the firmware for the N80, N90 V 4.0623.0.41. This is apparently only for the European version, not sure if the the Asian version has been released. Will have to follow up with my local dealer to see.

2) AAS has reported that Nokia has released some firmware updates on-line which allow users to update their mobile's firmware OTA (over the air) or via a PC sync. While this service is still none available for the N80, this is big news because it means users can now update their beloved mobiles from the comfort of their own homes instead of making a trip to their local Nokia retailer.

Let's hope the new firmware is posted soon...fingers crossed!

Announcing the N80i!

2006-09-01T19:24:00.000+08:00

I've been writing about several new Symbian phones over the last few weeks and have not spent enough time highlighting the N80 strenghts. Well Nokia has not been neglecting the N80 the way I have and have announced the new N80i! The N80i is essentially the same mobile bundled with some very useful internet applications which will allow users to interact with the internet in a pocketable, easy to use mobile device.

Darla Mack has recently posted about the recently announced N80i and this is what she has to say about the new features:-

Yahoo Go application bundled with the phone allowing access to many Yahoo services.
Flickr integration in the Camera and Gallery applications as first seen in the N72, N73 and N93.
Supports downloading of compatiable third party VoIP applications which use the embeded SIP protocols (also present on the N80).
WLAN Wizard to help users get connected to WiFi Networks.
Nokia's Download! Client (built on the Preminent technology) and currently available on other phones as the Catalog application. It allows you to download new and featured applications for the N80i.
The Mobile Search application (available for other phones here) is bundled and found in the top layer of the applications menu.
Mobipocket eBook reading application bundled with the phone

If you notice, she has indicated that a number of the bundled apps are already available for the N80. In my next post, I will show you some of my favourite apps and where you can find them.

Merdeka!

2006-08-31T00:14:00.001+08:00

To all malaysians viewing this site, happy merdeka day! Liberty and peace to all.

Send instant messages to your online friends http://asia.messenger.yahoo.com

N80 Ads In Malaysia

2006-08-30T23:10:00.000+08:00

The N80 has been heavily marketed here in Malaysia. This is probably the busiest cross junction in kuala lumpur, our capital city and the N80 poster is in a great position, just above the eye level of the average pedestrian.

Welcome to Manila!

2006-08-22T22:16:00.000+08:00

S60 is alive and well in Manila. There are quite a number of Symbian users here in the Philippines and almost all the business partners that I have met up with use a Symbian phone in one way or another. They find the productivity aspect of the s60 software to be a real boon to their business. The single most popular smartphone in the market today is the N70, so Nokia and Symbian seem to be doing all right!

In terms of how advance the market is, they have just launched the Nokia N93 over here. Sony Ericsson isn't too far behind; billboards for the P990 have also started to mushroom all over town!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2006-08-17T20:06:00.000+08:00

I will be leaving for a business trip to the Philippines next week, please don't be too alarmed if you don't see too many updates on the blog. If I have the time I'll try mo-blogging just to check out their connectivity. Who knows, you may get an idea of how the N80 is doing in the Philippines!

To everyone who has posted comments or wrote in to me about the blog, thanks are in order. I appreciate the support.

S60 Tips!

2006-08-17T19:53:00.000+08:00

Anthony Pranata, a staunch supporter of the S60 platform, has recently posted a guide on how to access your PC files from your S60 phone. One solution suggested is via the SoonR service, available from SoonR.com. You can find out more from his excellent site S60tips.com. He has also been kind enough to share a ton of helpful hints and has reviewed a number of useful software for S60 phones. Anthony is also the author of the freeware application Screenshot for Symbian (S60). Drop him a kind word while you're there.

Forums - Get involved!

2006-08-16T03:00:00.000+08:00

Speaking of forums, if you need any urgent help with your N80, go directly to the All About Symbian N80 forum right here. It's been a lifesaver for me simply because almost all issues relating to the N80 have been posted on the forum in the past, and have also been resolved by the many expert users. Go ahead and register, it's the most worthwhile 5 minutes you will spend.

BTW, if you are looking for applications, AAS has also got an has also got an excellent software store. Do visit it for the latest releases.

N80 Gets a Wiki

2006-08-16T02:55:00.000+08:00

Just found a cool new N80 site, thanks to All About Symbian Forums poster, Gavin. He's been working on the N80 Wiki. Check it out for more information, hints and tips and software downloads. Its right here.

N73 Review

2006-08-15T20:25:00.000+08:00

MobileTechReview has a nice comprehensive review of the latest Nseries phone, the N73. They do a good job of comparing it with the N80. Check it out here.

Basic conclusions:-
"Pro: Powerful smartphone, best in class 3.2MP autofocus camera, fantastic display, easy to use, great software bundle, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, secondary VGA camera with video conferencing is handy for 3G markets, compact by smartphone standards, well built, miniSD expansion slot.
Con: No WiFi. Look to the Nokia N80 if you need that. "

It sounds damn tasty. But with the N80, the WiFi feature is a godsend and I think I would not use the Internet elements of the phone without the a high speed connection.

How To Listen To Music In Stereo Using A Bluetooth Headset

2006-08-11T22:29:00.000+08:00

There have been a number of comments that the last batch of Symbian phones, including the N80 and the I-Pod killer phone the N91, do not have the Bluetooth A2DP profile. This profile enables phone owners to use Stereo Bluetooth Headsets to listen to music on their phones. If you were to pair a bluetooth headset with the N80, you would hear your music in mono, which in many cases is far from acceptable. Therefore, most of us have had to rely on a pair of wired headphones which can be a nuisance at times.

I have found a workaound, where you can use a bluetooth headset in stereo, allowing you to enjoy your music wirelessly. I-Tech, an Asian firm which specializes in Bluetooth devices, has released a couple of bluetooth enabled headsets. Nothing new I am sure. Whats interesting is that they have bundled the said headsets with a bluetooth dongle, which, when attached to the Nokia Pop-port connector allows you to use those headsets in stereo mode. And by golly, they sound pretty good too! The bluetooth dongle can even be used for other sources (ie: TV sets, Mp3 Players, DVD players), so the headset can be used for more than just your phone.

Some quick specs:
Listen to your music without wires
Pick up calls at the touch of a button
Flexible foldaway design
Quality stereo sound
Adjustable volume
Padded earphones for comfort
Rechargeable battery
Works with compatible Bluetooth devices for making and receiving calls (Check Compatibility List)
You can find the link here - http://www.itechdynamic.com/en/products_spec.asp?cid=3&pid=03010

It is also supposed to come with Blueplayer software so you can listen to your music in stereo on Nokia Symbian phones (Series 60 version 2 only) (Check Compatibility List). If you don't have it you can find it here- http://www.robertwebbe.nl/A2DP.html

Cases For Your N80

2006-08-08T11:59:00.000+08:00

For those of you who are looking at ways to protect your precious investment from scratches and knocks, take a look at the following accessories. A very high end premium case would be the Loreve leather cases from France. Absolutely stunning quality but also far more costly than what most people would expect to pay for a pouch. Also try Krussel Red Label cases. Not quite as luxurious but good protection all around. My personal choice is the crystal case from InfoCell, a wrap around silicon cover which snaps on to the mobile. This gives the mobile almost complete protection without adding too much bulk.

2006-08-08T00:36:00.000+08:00

Two new NSeries phones have recently been released, the N72 and the N73. The key difference between the two is that the N73 is a 3G phone, with 3.2 megapixel camera Carl Zeiss lens, S60 version 3.0 while the N72 is a slightly simpler phone, 2 megapixel camera, Symbian version 2.0

Camera Phone Tips

2006-08-03T17:34:00.000+08:00

Heres an interesting article on taking photos with a camera phone:
http://www.about-nokia.com/blog/index.php?itemid=307

My personal advice, make sure theres lots of light, try to keep still (both the photographer and the subject) and never use the digital zoom.

The Future of N80?

2006-08-03T16:43:00.000+08:00

There have been unconfirmed reports of a successor to the N80, named the N83. It's reported the most feature rich phone to be released by Nokia. But don't hold your breath, it will only apparently come out sometime next year. Gizmodo has this to say about it:-
"The N83 is speculated to be a quad-band GSM slider phone with a tricked out 5-megapixel camera. The phone also has a 2.5-inch screen, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and includes 4GB of internal memory (!!). Release date is rumored at Q1 2007. "

You can read more at this site:- http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/nokia-n83-spotted-171010.php

Battery Issues And Tips To Increase Standby Time

2006-08-02T23:38:00.000+08:00

The N80 has served me well except for one major disadvantage, the battery life. If you taxing the mobile heavily throughout the day, listening to music, taking photos, browsing the web, don’t be surprised when by mid evening the battery low warning start popping up and the phone shuts down by the end of the day. I have since learnt my lesson and now carry a spare battery just in case. Ironic isn’t it, given that we are in the days of handphones with 30 day standby times! While we try to petition Nokia, here are some energy saving tips.

As a default, the N80 attempts to search for and connect to any 3G network it can find. However, if you live in an area with low 3G signals, it can sometimes be a real drain on the battery. If you don't connect to 3G regularly, you can disable this function until such time when you require it. Go to Settings>Network>Network Mode. It should read Dual Mode. Change the setting to GSM only and the phone will reboot. I found that there was a significant increase in battery life.

One other thing you might want to try is to set up Wifi so that the phone searches for Wifi connections only when you want to use the internet. Go to Settings>Connection>Packet Data>Packet Data Conn. and change from "When available" to :When Needed".

Firmware Update

2006-08-02T20:34:00.000+08:00

The latest version of the firmware is:-

v 3.0618.0.2
23-05-2006
rm-92
Nokia N80 (45.02)

I have not upgraded yet so but will do so soon and report to you about the stability of the firmware.

Most Important Factor Before Purchasing Your N80

2006-08-02T20:33:00.000+08:00

The MOST VITAL, MOST CRITICAL factor when choosing your N80, is the firmware version. Make sure you get one with the latest version. I am currently using V17. You can check the firmware version by keying in *#0000# on the main standby screen (the today screen) of the N80. It should display something simiar to the following-

V 3.0617.0.6
03-05-2006

RM 92
Nokia N80 (08)

You see, our firm purchased a Nokia N80 earlier this year for testing purposes. I had the opportunity to play around with it over a few days and drew the same conclusion that many online reviewers gathered; great features, poor battery, buggy software. I came to this conclusion after the phone repeatedly hung while running seemingly low load applications, after the web browser would say “Out of memory” messages after loading 3-4 web pages, after the phone ran out of juice midway through the afternoon. Here’s what I since discovered – the cause of many of the bugs in the system was due to the earlier version of the firmware V.14.

V 3.0614.0.3
11-04-2006

RM 92
Nokia N80 (11)

Having used the earlier versions and now V.17, I can report that the V.17 is stable enough for most users. A fair number of users have confirmed that this version was far more stable and less crash prone. If you would like to know more about the key differences and how the firmware affects the performance of the phones please go to this review- http://www.mobile-review.com/review/nokia-n80update-en.shtml.

Basic Conclusions

2006-08-02T20:32:00.000+08:00

You’ll notice there are a couple of trends in the reviews-

1) Great phone. Many features. Fantastic functionality.

2) Software problems

3) Lousy battery

I’ll tackle the last two issues in my next posts.

Another Review

2006-08-02T20:28:00.000+08:00

Here’s what CNET concluded:

“The good: The Nokia N80 is a multimedia-rich phone with a 3-megapixel camera, a second VGA camera, and an integrated music player. It also has a sharp screen, PIM functionality, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

The bad: With no carrier backing, the Nokia N80 is expensive. Performance is also a bit sluggish when switching between apps.

The bottom line: If you can afford it, the Nokia N80 delivers a powerful multimedia phone packed with advanced imaging features, PIM functionality, and good call quality.”

Their review at http://reviews.cnet.com/Nokia_N80/4505-6454_7-31582495.html

Mobile Burn Review

2006-08-02T20:17:00.000+08:00

Heres what Mobile Burn has to say about there N80:-

“Nokia's N80 is a truly amazing mobile phone that has a couple of flaws - one of them quite serious. While the lack of a good voice dialing system is a shame, and the lack of a functional automatic keylock is annoying, it is the battery life issue that is going to be the potential deal breaker for many people. The brilliant features like WiFi, the web browser, the camera, and the music player will be of no use if the phone has no power. So if you are a heavy voice user, especially one that spends a lot of time in or travels through poor reception areas, the N80 probably won't cut it for you. But if you are more like me, where a charger is nearly always close by and the signal is always strong, you will be awed by the N80 - and forgive it its poor battery life.”

Check out the full review http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=2345

N80 Review From All About Symbian

2006-08-02T20:08:00.000+08:00

Here’s a quick review on the N80 from the guys at All About Symbian, please go to this link- http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/reviews/item/Nokia_N80_Review_2.php

Here’s their take –

"Despite the niggles I've picked the N80 up on, it should be borne in mind that I'm not a typical user and that the N80 will perform admirably for the vast majority of people. I liked the build quality and sliding design, I liked the inclusion of Wi-Fi and infrared and I liked S60 3rd Edition, including the new camera interface. I even quite liked the slightly gimmicky macro mode. I was less enamoured by the poor battery life, the (slightly) lower quality camera and the way the sliding form factor got in the way of keypad shortcuts. One other possible factor is the still relatively poor third party application catalogue for 3rd Edition, the area where previous generations of S60 smartphone were so strong.As a first S60 smartphone, most users will embrace the N80 with open arms and use it for what it is, a very powerful smartphone (though do make sure you get it upgraded to the latest firmware, the review model with older firmware was not without the odd glitch)."

This is a test

2006-08-01T18:11:00.000+08:00

One of the strengths of the series 60 platform is the ease in which one can send and recieve emails from your mobile. For example this blog is being written on my n80, and I am sending it via a standard gprs connection. This simplifies life tremendously because opinions and thoughts can be broadcasted with immediate impact. Think about it. Say you are on a trip and want to share your views on your blog. With a few clicks, the blog is updated without the need to log on to a pc. That simple really!

Send instant messages to your online friends http://asia.messenger.yahoo.com

N80 vs N91

2006-07-31T13:10:00.000+08:00

I had the privilege of playing around with the Nokia N91, the Nseries mobile that was built specifically to challenge the I-pod. And you know what? With the exception of the 4 gigabyte hard disc, a nice form factor and the fact that you can plug in any headset direct to the N91 without the use of a Pop Port connector, the N80 matches it musically, pound for pound.

My personal opinion is that the N91 has a slightly nicer finish than the N80, sleek silver body and all. The hard disc is pretty cool as well, 4GB gives you lots of memory to fill with your tracks. The N80 however can accept MiniSD cards which go up to 2GB in size, which should be more than sufficient for most of us to hold a small library of tunes and whatever applications or images we collect along the way. Try to get a good quality card, say from SanDisc or Kingston because a poor quality card will impact on your disc access speed and image and video taking functions.

I’d have to say that the sound quality on the N80 sound just as sweet as the N91. Music streaming though the main speakers sound clear and very acceptable given the hardware limitations. Plug in a good pair of stereo headphones with the included Pop Port connector and you get sound that is, in my humble opinion, very comparable to the I-Pod. If you don’t like the results, you can tweak the equalizer until you find something that you find more acceptable. The default equalizer mode sounds to me a little muffled and garbled. I like my music sharp and crisp so I tend to play with the treble settings a lot more.

As for the form factor, while I am a big fan of all things shiny and sleek, the N91 is to me, a big, heavy mobile phone. There are significant weight differences between both models and I must say, while the N80 is not feather light, it certainly is less tiring to hold. This is of course a matter of opinion.

Verdict: The N91 is a nice looking phone with excellent musical abilities, 3G and Wifi connectivity, 4GB hardisc and I-Pod like controls and ergonomics. The N80 beats it with a beautiful higher resolution screen, two cameras on-board(the main camera a 3 megapixel shooter and a VGA camera for video calls and a smaller, lighter form factor) and arguably a larger, easier keypad to work with.

So It's Got A Camera. How Are The Pictures?

2006-07-30T01:49:00.000+08:00

The N80 comes with a 3 megapixel camera. While I would not use it to take photos of my wedding, it does pretty well as a simple point and shoot. The results so far have been more than satisfactory. Check out some sample photos above. Please note that these are compressed files and that the final results are actually far more pleasing.
You need to distance yourself a little from your subject in order to get nice sharp shots, as there is no real auto focus system. What you immediately notice is that unlike camera phones of yore, you will get a lot more detail in your photos, better exposure reading with less bloom and very pleasant colours. The caveat is that the lighting must be good, as gloomy or night lighting conditions don't provide enough illumination for the camera to accurately focus on the subject. Also note that the flash, while nice and bright does not make much of a difference in night shots.

So here's my verdict - under the right conditions, it can produce some nice photos. Just don't expect the flash to be very useful at night.

So It's A Phone. So What?

2006-07-30T01:18:00.000+08:00

The N80 is so much more than that. For example, as I write this, I am also viewing this blog via the N80, to see how the website will look like on the small screen of a mobile. To give you an idea of how useful I find the N80, why don’t we run through my daily routine:-

8.30am
-On my way to work. Listen to MP3s of classic rock via the phone.
9.00am
- Got into the office and synced the phone with Outlook on the laptop
9.15am
- Downloaded and read the news headlines while making coffee
11.00am
- Management meeting. Whipped out N80 to review PowerPoint slides
12.30pm
- Lunch with colleagues. Took some candid shots
2.30 pm
- Viewed some our finalized TV commercials using N80's RealPlayer
4.00pm
- Laptop on the fritz. Connected N80 to office wifi and did research
4.30pm
Checked e-mail and reverted to partners from the phone
5.00pm
- Checked CNN on the mobile to catch up with news on the Middle East
6.00pm
- Logged onto the traffic report to see which route to take home

Still think it’s just a phone ;-)?

What is the N80?

2006-07-29T19:33:00.000+08:00

Rather than try to clumsily describe the device, I think I'll leave it to Nokia themselves to give you a quick overview. Here's their sales pitch:-

"Make the most of every moment with the new Nokia N80. The New Nokia N80 empowers you to pursue your personal and professional goals with equal fervour. Boasting a three-megapixel digital camera, email, MP3 player, personal organizer, game console, and WLAN connectivity, its Nokia’s most advanced all-in-one yet. All this in a single compact device that keeps you connected virtually anywhere you roam!"

1st 3G world phone (with Quadband-GSM & Edge)
High Quality 3MP Camera with digital zoom and integrated Flash
Dedicated shutter key for instant camera activation. High Quality, High definition display ensures your images are viewed in the best possible way and with full screen mode they are easy to share with friends & family.
Excellent Connectivity – including the next generation of wireless connectivity – WLAN.
Large end user memory (internal & hotswap card)

Join The Symbian Revolution!

2006-07-29T19:11:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone,

Thanks for visiting my blog. I have decided to create this blog as a way to share with all of you my time and experiences of using the Nokia N80 as my main day to day mobile, personal digital assistant, photography tool, music player and all around internet solution.

I cannot profess to be an expert in Symbian nor am I in any way at all affiliated with Nokia or the Symbian team. I am merely an enthusiast, someone who has followed the ups and downs of the company and shared a love for their products. I have been delighted with Symbian products even from days long ago when Symbian was once known as Psion and their key software solution, an OS known as EPOC.

I am attached to a marketing firm dealing in the mobile space and I take care of the business development team. What this means is that I do and will continue to do quite a bit of traveling and as such require a fairly capable machine to help me deal with my daily activities. I absolutely need a scheduler, a personal planner , a good communication tool and a multimedia device for me to keep myself occupied when I am running from meeting to the next.

This is where the N80 comes in.

Throughout the short time that I have had one, I have found the N80 to be an extrodinary device. I have spent a considerable amount of time trying to get maximum use out of my N80 and I will be sharing with you what I have discover it can and cannot do and its strengths and weaknesses.

Nokia has come to brand their Nseries devices as Multimedia Computers and I believe that to be absolutly true. I hope to share with you all that I have learnt so far and I sincerely hope you enjoy our journey together.

So lets get started!