All About Symbian - News

Review: Smart Trivia

2009-11-25T08:05:17+01:00

When is a game not a game? When it's more an online proof of concept, as Ewan found out in his review of Smart Trivia from the Ovi Store, with barebones interface and enforced cellular connection. At least the questions themselves are OK, plus there is multi-player action. Can Smart Trivia go for gold or will it fail the starter for ten?

fring enables Skype video calling on Symbian

2009-11-24T16:23:20+01:00

fring (sic) today released, to selected Symbian devices, an updated version of their social communication application that enables Skype video calling functionality. This is the first, consumer ready, implementation of Skype video calls on a mobile phone. You can both place and receive Skype video calls from other users (including other fring users). It is an extremely impressive technology implementation and a good example of what is possible with the Symbian platform. Read on for more.

Nokia 6700 - 5mpx, aluminum slider in multi-colours at €160

2009-11-24T13:22:44+01:00

Nokia today announced a new mid-tier S60 handset - the Nokia 6700 Slide. A key characteristic of the phone is its sleek design and aluminum finish. It will be available in six colours (pink, red, petrol blue, aluminum, lime and purple), in Q1 2010, at a cost of €160 (before taxes and subsidies). The phone runs S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2, features a 5 megapixel camera (with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash), 2.2 inch QVGA screen, FM radio, tri-band WCDMA (HSDPA and HSUPA) and an emphasisis on the ability to share media to friends and the web.

Friday will see the Nokia X6 arrive for sale in the UK

2009-11-24T11:44:48+01:00

Nokia's latest music phone, the X6 is due to hit UK stores this Friday (27th November). Shipping on Orange, and packaged with Comes with Music, the monthly tariff is £35 (or £25 if you trade in another Nseries handset). Alternatively, you can go for the SIM free version direct from Nokia's webstore at £449.

Portable speaker double test: Proporta Twisted System and Nokia MD-6

2009-11-24T11:24:13+01:00

Two reviews for the price of one, this morning, with me looking in detail at Proporta's new Twisted System Speakers and Ewan looking at Nokia's MD-6 Mini-Speakers. In each case, the idea is to give you better, louder audio when away from home. But do either set rise to the challenge and warrant the space needed in your rucksack or briefcase?

Spotify music service launches Symbian S60 client

2009-11-23T09:47:52+01:00

Spotify has arrived on Symbian - the music service du jour is now complementing its Android and iPhone offering with a Symbian S60 client. Available only to premium subscription members (£9.99 a month), the client will let you stream music on request to your handset, or you can download music to listen to when you are offline and out of coverage (ie on the London Underground).

The Gadget Show's verdict on the Sony Ericsson Satio

2009-11-22T13:18:22+01:00

The Gadget Show's Jon Bentley is very experienced at handling and reviewing smart/camera phones and in this episode of their Web TV he delivers his verdict on the new Sony Ericsson Satio. Summary: crisp photos but nowhere near as pleasing as those from the Nokia N86, nice application bundle, frustrating resistive touchscreen, annoyingly AWOL 3.5mm audio jack. AAS's production Satio arrives tomorrow, so watch this space for a Satio/N86/i8910 HD photo and video head to head. Can't wait!

Celebrating the Dozen Best Built Symbian-powered smartphones - ever

2009-11-21T19:43:21+01:00

Following on from the E52 thread, and in a clarion call for higher build quality among Symbian OS-powered smartphones, I've pooled my own and other people's comments, to produce a Top Dozen Best Built devices. With the current E52, E55 and N97 perhaps near the top of a 'Worst built' list, I think it's fair to say that terrific build quality is something to be cherished in models of all vintages. Read on.

N97 and Satio get withdrawn?

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

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

When Robots ruled the app stores

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

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

Rita's love hate relationship with the Nokia E52

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

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

Piracy is not the problem, piracy is the catalyst

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

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

Ovi Store downloads rise by 70%

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

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

Phones Show 95 and PSC 13

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

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

N97 mini wins 'Best Mobile Handset' award

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

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