Samsung sells Symbian stake, Windows Mobile updates abound, Apple to announce new products, and more...
Added on 2008-09-03 10:52:00
by Marianne Schultz
 There are some changes on the horizon for Symbian, Windows Mobile updates are out for some smartphones, Sony has released the SDK for the panels interface on the upcoming Xperia, and more. There's a lot going on these days in the mobile world and here's our round-up to help you stay in the loop!
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| Tags: Samsung, Symbian, Windows, Mobile, 6.1, update, iPhone, iPhone 3G, Nokia, Comes with Music, Knack, Verizon, Apple |
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Software Version 12.046 for N78
Added on 2008-07-16 05:35:00
by Tanya Palta
 Nokia has released a software update for the N78. Version 12.046 improves softkey selection, Bluetooth stability, video playback, email sending and alarm clock functions.
To get this software through your Nokia N78, click Menu > Tools > Utilities > Device Manager. Select Options > Check for updates and follow the on-screen prompts.
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Software Update for Nokia N78
Added on 2008-06-26 11:34:00
by Tanya Palta
Nokia has released an over-the-air" software version 11.043 for the Nokia N78. The release includes improved stability with Bluetooth (headsets and car kits) and music (playback over a long time and content refresh). This release also includes optimized Camera performance and Naviscroll sensitivity improvements.
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Parting Shots: Nokia E66
Added on 2008-06-26 10:19:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 We spent the last week with the Nokia E66 and have published our full review. We have to say that we found ourselves liking the phone a lot. The improvements that Nokia has made to the organizer applications are significant, the 3.2 megapixel camera is a big step up over the two megapixel shooter on the E65 and GPS with Nokia Maps 2.0 is a really nice feature. We also found the hardware very easy to use with a couple of notable exceptions, the volume keys are terrible for example. Still, when you use the device for awhile you come away impressed. The problem is that you won't be able to use this device for very long because a combination of a small battery, just 1000 mAh, and 3G connectivity means that the battery life is terrible. We were only able to manage three hours of talk time on the E66, and for a business device that needs to get through a full day of hard use this just isn't acceptable.
Read the full Nokia E66 review here.
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Nokia N78 Now Available in The US
Added on 2008-06-24 11:31:00
by Tanya Palta
The Nokia N78 is now available in the United States, announced the Swedish mobile giants in a press release. Available courtesy select consumer electronics and wireless retailers, online retailers and at the Nokia Flagship Stores in Chicago and New York, the Nokia N78 retails for approximately USD 560.
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First Call: Nokia E66
Added on 2008-06-19 14:19:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Nokia was kind enough to lend us an E66 and we'll be reviewing the phone over the next couple of weeks. The E66 is one of Nokia's enterprise focused E-Series devices and is the successor to the E65, which also sported a slider design. Unlike the E71, with which it was announced a few days ago, the E66 does not have a QWERTY keyboard.
The upgrades over the E65 seems significant on paper. The camera's been upped to 3.2 megapixels and auto-focus, the phone's been slimmed down to .54 inches from .61 inches, Symbian Series 60 Feature Pack 1 is on board and the RAM has been doubled. All of these should result in a very capable device, but we'll have to wait until we're done with our review before we can be sure. Lots of pretty pictures after the jump.
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Google Maps Updated
Added on 2008-06-09 08:10:00
by Tanya Palta
 The Google Maps application for Symbian S60 devices had been updated and can be downloaded from here. Updates include:
* Zooming is smoother in operation
* Speed improvements
* Favorites sharing with Nokia Maps, Route 66, and others
* Changes to menu structure
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Nokia Maps 2.0 now available
Added on 2008-05-23 05:35:00
by Emily Price
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 Nokia’s Maps 2.0 application is now available for S60 devices. The app is free for existing users and will come standard on any new Nokia S60 devices. Improvements you’ll see in the new version include satellite view, traffic data, and dedicated pedestrian mode for when you need some direction while on foot.
[via AllAboutSymbian]
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Nokia 6210 Navigator at CTIA 2008
Added on 2008-04-02 18:41:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 The successor to Nokia's GPS focused 6110 navigator the 6210 has new stylings and replaces the Garmin GPS software with Nokia's Maps 2.0. Nokia's mapping solution is interesting in that it allows you to both pre-load maps on the device and download them on the fly from the internet. The device also sports a built in compass and has a pedestrian navigation mode. Under the hood is Symbian Series 60 and the camera has also been updated to 3.2 megapixels with auto-focus and the ability to geo-tag your photos. The device was announced a couple of months ago a Mobile World Congress but this is our first chance to get a close look at it and we took a bunch of photos for your viewing pleasure, available after the break.
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Nokia N78 at CTIA 2008
Added on 2008-04-02 18:20:00
by Alfredo Padilla
We spent some time with the Nokia N78 today, which was originally announced at Mobile World Congress a couple of months ago. The update to the venerable and very successful Nokia N73 (review), the N78 runs the latest version of Symbian Series 60. The phone has a few updates compared to its predecessor but has also taken a step back and stood still in some areas.
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Nokia N96 Video Preview
Added on 2008-04-02 17:13:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 We got a chance to spend some time with the Nokia N96, the successor to the wildy popular Nokia N95 (review). The N96 sports Nokia's new styling that we've seen on devices like the N82 (review) and N81 (review). As we mentioned in those reviews we're not particular fans, Nokia seems to have sacrificed a lot of ergonomic usability in the name of, dubious, style. We're also concerned about the 950 mAh battery. This is the same size battery that the original N95 had and caused so many people problems. We wonder why they didn't go with the larger 1200 mAh battery found on the latest versions of the N95.
The N96 is certainly packed with features, however. In addition to the same five megapixel camera and VGA video recording we've seen on the N95 it add DVB-H support for mobile TV and 16GB of internal storage. How well it will do is going to depend in large part on how annoyed people get by the uncomfortable keypad and controls. Video after the break.
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Nokia 6220 Classic Video Preview
Added on 2008-04-02 16:01:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Catching up on devices that were launched at Mobile World Congress, since there's really not much else to do here, we took a look today at the Nokia 6220 Classic. Even though this device runs the Symbian Series 60 interface and is a full fledged smart phone it's not in Nokia's N-Series lineup of high end devices. That doesn't mean there are no high end features, however. First off is GPS functionality, which seems to be creeping down Nokia's product line like some slow growing fungus. The big features, however, is the five megapixel auto-focus camera with Xenon flash. This is similar to the spec that we see in Nokia's flagship N96 and to see it in what should be a mid-level device is pretty impressive. Video after the break.
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Samsung G810 Video Preview
Added on 2008-04-01 09:27:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Last night at the Showstoppers event here at CTIA 2008 we got a chance to play around with the Samsung G810. This Symbian Series 60 smart phone sports a five megapixel camera with auto-focus and 3x optical zoom, which is a feature that's extremely rare amongst cell phones. It also has GPS capabilities and can geo-tag your photos as you take them. The G810 isn't currently available from a U.S. carrier and we have our doubts about whether it ever will be, so keep an eye on your friendly importer if you want to get your hands on one. Our video preview is after the jump.
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Nokia to launch Windows Mobile handset?
Added on 2008-03-31 13:17:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Take this one with a huge grain of salt but over at MSMobiles.com they're claiming that Nokia will be announcing a Windows Mobile Standard smart phone during CTIA. There's no source but the story claims that they handset will be revealed during the Microsoft keynote tomorrow morning. If this turns out to be true it will be a major shift for Nokia which has traditionally only used the Symbian Series 60 platform for their smart phones like the N95 (review).
One thing that may lend credence to the story is that Nokia's enterprise focused E-Series devices like the E90 (review) have not been as successful as the company might have liked. Windows Mobile devices with their native Exchange Server integration may be an opportunity for Nokia to better compete in the enterprise space. This is a rumor that's reared its head several times in the past and I guess we'll know tomorrow morning if this time it's true.
Update: it looks like we've fallen for what is likely an April Fool's joke, god I love that unconfirmed rumor tag, it's the only thing that's saving our dignity right now :)
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Samsung lineup at Mobile World Congress
Added on 2008-02-11 13:33:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Samsung has announced a plethora of new handsets. First up is the G810 slider smart phone. Running the Symbian Series 60 interface the G810 packs a five megapixel camera, GPS and Wi-Fi into a 12.5 millimeter thin frame. The camera includes advanced technologies that are rare on a cell phone camera including face detection, Wide Dynamic Range and image stabilization. The handset is expected to be available in March for a European release. More handsets and pics after the jump.
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Nokia reveals lineup at Mobile World Congress
Added on 2008-02-11 09:23:00
by Alfredo Padilla
Nokia revealed its lineup of new smartphones at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today. Topping the list is the N96, the successor to their successful N95 handset. The N96 adds new styling reminiscent of the N81 and ups the ante with 16GB of built in storage plus the ability to add even more storage via Micro SD. Also revealed were the Nokia N78, 6210 and Navigator and 6220 Classic. Pics and specs after the jump.
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Nokia Smartphones to be Powered by Windows Mobile?
Added on 2008-02-08 04:10:00
by Tanya Palta
 If certain rumors are to be believed than Microsoft is in talks with Nokia to develop Windows powered Nokia smartphones. Of course don’t dream of a Windows Mobile Nokia device popping up anytime soon.
Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business International Marketing Director John Starkweather confirmed with iTWire that they indeed are leaning over that direction:
"they obviously have significant investments in Symbian … there are a lot of places where we have significant synergies and we would love to see the day where those synergies would extend completely with Windows Mobile."
[Via Into Mobile]
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Symbian to support multi-core processors
Added on 2007-10-04 13:49:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Having multiple cores on a single processor has been a big trend on desktop/laptop computing for awhile now, and it looks like mobile devices might be jumping into the game soon. Symbian has announced that future versions of the operating system will be able to support ARM's Symmetric Multi-Processor technology. Having multiple cores on a single process has significantly improved battery performance, an important consideration for mobile devices. It will also provide for better multi-tasking capabilities as each "core" on the chip can handle different functions. Don't get too excited though as it doesn't look like we'll see this before 2010.
[Via: Engadget]
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Sony Ericsson To Offer Windows Mobile Smart Phones?
Added on 2007-09-19 14:41:00
by Richard Baguley
  Is Sony Ericsson going to follow in Palm's footsteps and offer phones running two operating systems? This report at Digitimes claims that it is, saying that the company has asked HTC to manufacture a smart phone for them running Windows Mobile instead of their usual Symbian OS. The report claims that the phone will go on sale in 2008. This is interesting for two reasons: if true, it would be the first time that HTC has made a phone for Sony Ericsson, and it would also be a big shift for SE; they have previously been a stanch supporter of Symbian.
[Via Gizmodo]
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Coreplayer coming soon for Symbian
Added on 2007-08-24 08:46:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Coreplayer, the cross platform and multi format multimedia player for mobile devices is expected to be available for Symbian based smart phones next week. Coreplayer has been an very popular piece of software on Windows Mobile and Palm OS phones for awhile now. It allows you to listen to or watch just about any video file out there. Although we have long been a fan of the music player on Symbian Series 60 devices, this should be an opportunity to replace the less than impressive Realplayer video player that is included with such handsets. Of course Coreplayer for Symbian has been rumored for a long time without results so we'll believe it when we see it.
[Via: All About Symbian]
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Snoop on towers with CellTrack
Added on 2007-07-16 13:22:00
by Randall Bennett
 We showed you the code to activate a cell tower snoop mode for the iPhone last week, now if you're a Symbian Series 60 user, you can get all up in your carrier's biznass with CellTrack. While it doesn't look to be as detailed as the iPhone's mode, if you really want to know what your cell tower's cellID is and get details on signal strength, this app is for you. For the rest of us, we'll just point and laugh as you use your silly Symbian phone to geek out.
[via JAMP]
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Sony Ericsson P1 Receives FCC Approval
Added on 2007-06-01 12:17:00
by Alfredo Padilla
.jpg) Look what just came down from the FCC, Sony Ericsson's latest smart phone, the P1 (in this case the P1c) has just been approved by our favorite American agency. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there is support for the 850 Mhz band used here in the good ol' U.S.A. Although we aren't surprised, we have to say we are disappointed (again). All the other goodness is there though (dual use keyboard, scroll wheel, 3 megapixel camera, UIQ 3), so if you've got good 1900 Mhz coverage in your area you can now (legally) get the P1. Links after the jump.
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All About Symbian Hands On With P1i
Added on 2007-05-18 08:59:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Sony Ericsson announced the newest Symbian UIQ smart phone in its P-Series lineup just a couple of weeks ago. GSM Arena did a review ASAP, but now we have the second hands on with the device from All About Symbian's Rafe Blandford. There's some good stuff in there, including a completely different opinion about the keyboard than GSM Arena had (Rafe likes it, GSM hates it). We have to admit that seeing these reviews is causing some serious overseas envy as the lack of 850 Mhz GSM and North America 3G means we probably won't see the P1i on our shores any time soon.
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Beefing Up Your Smart Phone With Software
Added on 2007-05-10 13:25:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 One of the great things about so called "smart phones" is their ability to run native third party applications. Native applications are built specifically for the platform you are installing them on. This is in contrast to the java applications we talked about last week, which will run on any phone with the necessary support for java. The bonus of native applications is that they generally have full access to the phone's capabilities, providing much more flexibility and power. Today we'd like to share with you some of our favorite applications for smart phones.
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Sony Ericsson Reveals the P1
Added on 2007-05-08 14:08:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Sony Ericsson today took the wraps off their latest P-Series handset, the P1. The successor to the P990, the P1 slims down, loses the flip and ups the camera to 3.2 megapixels, amongst a range of other upgrades. Unfortunately the upgrade U.S. users were looking for is not here as the P1 lacks the 850 Mhz GSM band and doesn't support AT&T's 3G network. Full specs and a couple more pics after the jump.
[Via: Gizmodo]
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Enter the Nokia N75… Finally!
Added on 2007-04-27 01:24:00
by Rusty Weiss
 The long-awaited Nokia N75 has finally decided to make an appearance, albeit fashionably late, with a showing on AT&T’s Web site.
The N75 is another demonstration of the convergence of technology in the mobile world. It is an enhanced music player, camera and video player all rolled into one device.
With its 3G Symbian capabilities, the device has been widely anticipated for some time now. Now, we can all breathe a little easier.
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Samsung SGH-I400 Smartphone Unveiled
Added on 2007-04-25 10:19:00
by Tanya Palta
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New Addition to the Raku-Raku PHONE Line
Added on 2007-04-14 21:50:00
by Rusty Weiss
The Raku-Raku phone series is quite popular amongst seniors and those with a need for simple, user-friendly handsets. And now, the series has a new bundle of joy in the family.
It may seem a bit odd that a wireless manufacturer would create a stripped-down, basic-function device, and then label it with a five part name. Yet, the FOMA Raku-Raku PHONE Basic sports more than just an enigmatic name.
The Raku-Raku shows off a Symbian OS, the leading operating system for smartphones that focuses on conserving memory.
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Hands On With the N95
Added on 2007-04-12 11:35:00
by Richard Baguley
 Our full review is still a few days off, but we've spent some quality time with the N95. Read on for more details, and a shedload of photos of this interesting new cell phone.
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Symbian 9.5 Announced at CTIA
Added on 2007-03-26 08:48:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Today Symbian announced the newest version of their operating system for mobile devices, Symbian OS 9.5. This version is supposed to offer processor and battery optimizations as well as goodies like support for new camera features and mobile TV standards. Symbian OS powers most of the smart phones on the planet, although their market share in North America is less than stellar. Links after the jump.
[Via: All About Symbian]
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