 | In depth exclusive: Dolby Labs on the importance of the Nokia N8 and a rebirth for surround sound |
TechRadar has scored an exclusive interview with Jonathan Jowitt, Dolby's senior technical marketing manager.
When watching movies (or videos in general), in addition to great visuals with an awesome and huge display, something equally important is the sound. 5.1 surround sound (5 speakers, 1 sub woofer) makes home movie watching totally blissful; immersed in the movie, it's almost like being in it if you have really good sound (granted that your player can output 5.1 and not just mangle stereo). Hearing cars zoom around you, or the characters circle you - from action, horror, to comedy and family stuff, you just can't beat having surround sound as opposed to standard stereo.
Click here for the full article. Thanks for the heads up marc/mrbean!
Key points below:
- "Nokia N8 is more than a phone - it's the first convincing PMP hybrid with 720p playback, HDMI out with 5.1 channel surround sound!"
- Apparently, you could get (on the 16GB model) at least 30 90 minute movies (at 533MB per movie in MPEG4 h.264 - DivX average 700MB) . Though if you want more memory, you could just upgrade the memory card to 16GB or even 32GB.
- 5.1 was not expected in handsets, and has arrived much earlier than expected on the roadmap
- industry is going towards an MPEG container; H.264 720p with a standardised audio stream based around 5.1
- "As a viewing experience derived from a mobile phone it's kind of unsettling."
- Difference between what you get on iTunes is iTunes stuff is two channel, for N8 it uses multichannel
- Huge step up from AAC
- "If you had a white board session with a development team to determine what to put in a phone that Apple doesn't have, you'd end up with the N8...They've included some definite iPhone/iPod-type beating technologies in this device. "
- On Content, "That's very much on Nokia's agenda, but I can't obviously give any content partners' names away at this point because the services are not live". Content, content, content. Users need a resource to obtain them for their Nokia device - something simple, easy to use and easy to pay for. So services coming soon for movie downloads on Nokia?
- For full quality movie downloads, Dolby recommends side loading (like iPod, download to PC, loading to iPod) though I can't see why the phone couldn't download direct if both sources are downloading over WiFi (aside from battery drain).
Think about it - as well as your smartphone, this is your music player, your digital camera, sat nav and now full on HD movie player with 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus surround sound and more. It's such a great value for money proposition when considering this is priced at 370EUR minus tax/subsidies. I've only just got a new point and shoot which I'm sure the N8 will make redundant.
| | Nokia N8 DivX playback natively and Gorilla Glass confirmed? |
Apparently, Damien Dinning has confirmed at Nokia Conversations (in reply to a question) that the Nokia N8 will have the elusive DivX playback capability (once confirmed before then immediately retracted - though other users have claimed their N8s played DivX natively). Thanks for the heads up again, eagle eyed mrbean aka Marc.
Unless that's someone pretending to be Damien, well that's awesome!
DivX playback out of the box means your whole home entertainment with a cinema in your pocket is complete. Compress your old videos or just port your DivX collection over to the N8 and playback over HDMI. Apparently for files the N8 does not recognize, windows media player (or some sort of player) will convert files before transferring to the Nokia N8 (though was this in .mkv?)
Damien has also indirectly confirmed Gorilla Glass before in answering Steve Litchfield's questions during their interview, though at the time, some argued Damien was agreeing to "scratch resistant glass" rather than actual "Gorilla Glass".
| | Pics: Nokia N8 AMOLED vs Samsung Galaxy S Super AMOLED |
TestMobile compares the Nokia N8's AMOLED with the Samsung Galaxy S' eye melting Super AMOLED. Though of course the camera could increase/decrease the differences (adjusting to brightness of one screen, affecting look of another), disregarding this, in the photo below you can see that the deep blacks and brighter whites in the Super AMOLED display. I've seen both, but only individually so I can't comment on comparisons, but both look fantastic.
Not to fear though as the N8's AMOLED is not just a step above regular TFT LCD displays (see 5800 comparison) but is apparently head and shoulders above some current AMOLED displays (Eldar has mentioned N8's display is superior to the Nexus one.) And apparently Samsung's Super AMOLED will be exclusive to their own devices for a while - I don't recall where I read that though, so perhaps unless you want a Samsung, we'll all have to settle for great AMOLEDs
In AMOLED vs TFT LCD, AMOLED displays are brighter, have higher contrast, richer more vibrant colours and consume less energy.
In AMOLED displays, each pixel controls its own brightness, as opposed to having a unified backlight in TFT, so blacks can be well, blacker and whites can be whiter and the colours are richer and more vibrant. Plus by not needing a backlight, they can utilise less power.
Here's the HTC Google Nexus One AMOLED vs Super AMOLED on the Wave (on top) VIA Mobile-Review.
The differences are much more obvious here, the Samsung is bursting with brilliance.
Comparison shot between the Nokia displays by All About Symbian. Apparently N8's AMOLED is much better at outdoor visibility than N86/N85 which suffered from vampiric screens.
Samsung's own explanation of Super AMOLED
Cheers for the heads up mark/mrbean
testmobile.fr via blog-n8.fr via mrbean
 | How would YOU change the Symbian UI |
Having read a vast number of articles, comments, blog posts concerning the problems surrounding the current Symbian UI, I thought it'd be a great idea to engender a bit of useful, constructive discussion on the matter by our ever vocal, but small readership.
How would you change the Symbian UI?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
The Symbian Foundation also welcomes new ideas for their projects and you can contribute some of your ideas there as well.
 | Eldar Murtazin interviewed by TechCrunch |
The clueless people at Techcrunch Interviewed the famous russian "Samsung Research Consultant" Eldar Murtazin on the case involving him and the supposed stolen N8 prototype. Of course as America see the world as themselves or nothing they made some of the frankly most arrogant and clueless statements of Nokia during the interview.
| | Nokia N8's incredible camera story part 2: All about the video (+ Digital Zoom tests, continuous autofocus coming soon?) |
scroll below for the originals. This has been edited and compressed.
Here's part 2 of the Damien Dinning's piece of the Nokia N8's camera at Nokia Conversations. In part one, we saw the precision of still images, but now we're covering video.
Unfortunately there's no sample yet, but there is an interesting explanation behind the decisions of the N8's video recording capabilities.
Key points:
- In the case of Video Nokia are again combining the benefits of the large sensor and incredibly powerful graphics processing engine recording at 12mbps in H.264 (though apparently, the first original sample was at 20mbps?)
- No compression artefacts during recording, even when panning
- Handles audio from subtle bird song to loud rock concert
- Twin mics, forward facing for direct sound, e.g. narration, rear mic for ambient sound - together bringing clear stereo
- New algorithms to reduce wind noise
- By using the full 4000x3000 sensor and dropping to 1280x720p, the digital zoom is virtually as good as optical zoom (as opposed to cams that start at 1280x720p and just enlarge those pixels)
- Recommends that you use touch zoom rather than the zoom keys, and if possible, not to zoom in video at all.
- Some camera tips (essential for ALL when taking video, such as panning slowly - so often we pan when recording video but the playback appears as a blur because what we see is too fast for the camera. Pan much slower than your eyes would at the same scene - I've experienced this even with dedicated camcorders) I reckon digizoom is OK if you just want to quickly upload something online/share a video, e.g. youtube/facebook/twitter and WON'T be editing before publishing. Another tip maybe to zoom in before hand before filming and edit these clips together.
- N8 uses Active Hyper-focal Distance as opposed to initial autofocus or continuous autofocus. I don't know, for me, I'd rather either of the latter two. But to preserve image quality, Nokia's used fixed focus, so anything from 60cm and beyond is always in focus. I must admit, there are times I've missed a good video because I've focused wrong with the N900. Continuous autofocus might also drain battery as well as showing up those out of focus blurs.
- This doesn't seem to be the same as a fixed focus as Nokia says this is actively monitored
- Nokia tried continuous autofocus in the beginning of development but was not happy with performance to warrant being in the product at the time of sale. But it may come in future firmware. Would be a nice option - for most, the hyperfocal thing would be enough.
Digital Zoom Test (Screenshot from the Video. This is NOT a photo)
X1
x2
x2,5
x3
via Nokia Conversations.
| | Incredible Gallery of Official Nokia N8 Sample Photos, 12MP, 4000x3000, untouched and loaded with AWESOME. |
Nokia Conversations has published a huge gallery of Nokia N8 Sample Photos - all untouched, with preproduction hardware/software. Note some photos are (if exif is right) taken as far back as April and May.
They look amazing! The symbolic essence of what N8 is trying to achieve was shown yesterday with the butterfly pic; uncompromising quality
And just in case anyone doubts whether users can achieve the same quality, well we've already seen some stunning shots by N8 (some arguably better than official pics!), now it seems the only limiting factor to a good picture is you. One of the bamboo shots is now my desktop wallpaper.
The gallery consists of some 12MP and 9MP images, with the usual auto-rotate for photos (some digital cameras don't have this and it's annoying).
[Thanks for the heads up mrbean!]
Picking up cobwebs
Crop...
Nokia Conversations via Mark (mrbean)
| | Video: MeeGo - Come shape the future of Mobile Computing |
Another video from MeeGoZone about why developers and manufacturers should come join the MeeGo army.
2 leading innovators: 1 amazing software platform:
- Exciting devices
- Easy to use developer tools
- Creative Freedom and Worldwide Audience (with MeeGo application centre to market your apps)
via MeeGoZone
| | 2 Nokia N900 to give away: Win a Nokia N900 with FireFox |
http://bit.ly/N900quiz1
To celebrate the release of FireFox 1.1 on the Nokia N900, FireFox are giving you the chance to win yourself the uber powerful Nokia N900.
All you have to do is get 100% on the mini firefox quiz. CLICK HERE to enter.
For a heads up on the answers, check out this post about FireFox 1.1
Ovi Blog via @MickyFin
| | Nokia N8 Coming soon to T-Mobile [UK], due October 2010 [update, apologies, wrong T-Mobile] |
Nokia N8 coming soon in October on T-Mobile Website.
On the T-Mobile USA, The Nokia N8 is listed as Coming soon, due October 2010. No price plans suggested.
I'm glad the Nokia N8 has scored at least one American network so far. This should mean some decent subsidized prices with contract for your Nokia N8, American readers. No more having to buy unlocked as networks shun some great Nokia devices. Cheers T-Mobile.
Huge apologies guys! I thought I had clicked onto T-Mobile USA, this is T-Mobile UK. :( That Glaring iPhone 4 that's At&t exclusive for some reason did not register. My Bad.
Thanks for the heads up in the comments mrbean.
___
In France, The Phone House has listed N8 as coming soon.
In UK, Vodafone has the N8 also coming soon for a while
In UK, Carphone Warehouse has the Nokia N8 as coming soon for September
| | Using your Nokia smartphone as a modem. |
One of our readers Gemma sent us an email asking for a short how-to on using your Nokia smartphone as a 3G modem. Given that it's something I felt like a great deal of our readers would benefit from (if they didn't already know :-P) I decided to take up the torch and do a quick post showing this.
As we all know, when buying a Nokia device, Nokia provides their software suite installation CD in addition to other accessories. Although the CD itself is not mandatory for installing the software suite (It's just as easy to find on the internet) the majority of users will gain access to Nokia's Ovi Suite or PC Suite via this method.
1st step:
Install the darn thing! As much as you may be inclined to do without it there are quite a few features included with this that'll amongst other things, allow you to use your mobile phone as a modem!
2nd step: connecting your phone to the PC.
This can be accomplished in two main ways, Bluetooth or via the USB cable provided with your phone. Either method works, though for faster download speeds it'd be best to go the USB route (saves battery life as well!)
3rd step launch Ovi Suite or PC Suite on your PC.
You'll be greeted by a screen much like this one. (For the sake of privacy my photos, contacts and text messages have been removed LOL :) )
Provided that your mobile has been connected via USB, it's really a very simple matter.
Click there and voila, you're phone is a USB modem. This is a free feature on every sim-free/unlocked Nokia that I've ever owned, EVER. I've never incurred any extra cost for doing this and for those conscious of your data consumption, Ovi suite will provide information on the amount of data transferred and the time elapsed since the connection was opened :-).
[Jay: Alternatively you can share your 3G connection over WiFi with apps like JoikuSpot. This is free, and the paid premium version will let you secure your connection. I like the USB function too as it also charges your device (if that's a feature)
Do be careful as some networks prohibit the use of your connection as a modem/data tethering. Also note that it becomes so much easier to consume data when browsing over PC.]
As a bonus feature to this little How-to:
How would you like to be able to send and receive text messages on your phone and reply to them without ever picking the phone up? Click on the messaging section and you'll be brought to an area where you can back-up all the messages on your cell either manually or every time your phone is connected to your PC, send text messages to any contact you desire, read conversations in threaded, IM-style fashion and receive unobtrusive pop-up notifications on your desktop every time you receive a message.
This feature is VERY useful for texting while in class! :-)
NB. Don't know what the scenario is for you mac users out there, but I'd imagine it being a somewhat similar procedure provided a PC-suite-esque program exists.
Send your tips and article suggestions to tips@mynokiablog.com!
| | Legal Action against Eldar Murtazin taken by Nokia |
Ohh, today Nokia released a statement on their official blog explaining that Legal Action has been taken against Eldar for the possession of the pre production unit of the Nokia N8 he leaked 1 day before the official launch. Some inaccurate information was reported saying that Nokia wanted the popular Mobile-Review side to be closed down aswell which has been denied though. Also the statement on the blog explains Legal matters where not taken in recent criticisms from Eldar, instead according to Nokia Eldar has some some of Nokia's intellectual property. Eldar is popular in leaking Nokia devices and then dissing them straight afterwards even though they are pre production units.
| | Nokia Messaging Tips & Tricks on the Nokia E72 |
As you know I own the Nokia E72 and believe me its a great device it definitely beats some or most blackberry devices out there. There is also a nifty little piece of software called Nokia messaging which works great on a large amount of Nokia devices. I stumbled across this video showing off some tips and tricks. Enjoy !
Nokia Messaging Tips & Tricks on the Nokia E72
Mail for Exchange Tips and Tricks
| | Video: 16 minute hands on with Aava Mobile and MeeGo 1.1 |
stevechippy of carrypad has uploaded a 16 minute hands on demo with Aava Mobile and PreAlpha MeeGo 1.1:
- Hardware tour
- 6:30 Photo Browser - zoom not implemented
- Multitasker - I really like it, the whole tilting panel as opposed to just sliding left to right.
- Contacts with letter bar on the side, search name with portrait QWERTY keyboard
- FireFox Mobile, Fennec demo
stevechippy via @sirajsoft
| | Aava Mobile MeeGo Demolishes iPhone iOS4 and Nexus One Android 2.2 in JavaScript Test |
Ars Technica performed some JavaScript Benchark tests of Android 2.2 (on Nexus One) against iOS4 (on iPhone) which they said, "Demolishes iOS4".
Well as Chippy from UMPCPortal and CarryPad shows, MeeGo beats them both.
The image above shows firefox on a netbook, 3936.2ms vs 4215.2ms on Aava mobile. From Ars Techica's tests, iPhone with iOS4 took 10901.1s with Android on 5795.2s
What's the significance of this? Well it shows that MeeGo on the Aava mobile (via 1.5GHz Intel Moorsetown and firefox) will load pages significantly faster than the iPhone, more than twice as fast - up to 1.5 seconds faster than Nexus.
Browser type, OS, and device hardware (processors) are the factors involved here. Default browsers are used in general tests to compare default usage.
- 5344.4ms - Asus EEE 1008HA Firefox 3.5.5,
- 17050.6ms- iPhone 3GS 3.1.2, Safari
- 10590ms - iPad, Safari
- 29915ms - Sony Ericsson Experia X10, Android 1.6, 1GHz
- 37233.6ms - N900 @600MHz, MicroB (performed in April, before PR1.2 update)
- 16488.6ms - N900 @600MHz, FireFox (performed in April, before PR1.2update and FireFox 1.1)
- 13237.2ms - N900 @800MHz, MicroB (performed in April...)
- 8981.0ms - N900 @1030MHz, FireFox (" ")
Do note that the Aava mobile is just a reference design product - not something you will see on retail shelves any time soon.
Can you see the camera snapping this photo? ^_^ N82 FTW!
via CarryPad
| | Story of the Nokia N8's incredible camera (Superb Butterfly shot :o so much detail!!) |
Detailed crop, N8 on the right. Natural, colours, much more detail than the competition - LOOK AT THOSE STONES!
Since the 7650 I've been hooked on mobile phone photography. I remember at the time my Dad said, that's just a gimmick. My mum said it wouldn't catch on. From the 7610, to Nseries and the Carl Zeiss partnership, Nokia has been pushing imaging to not just being a camera phone but a phone equipped with a fantastic camera, which with the N8 kills the compact camera alternative. You saw this yesterday with those stunning 9MP samples.
This article on Nokia Conversations by Damien Dinning, Imaging Legend at Nokia, exudes Nokia's passion for perfection on mobile imaging, pushing to the highest quality, NATURAL looking photos. Nokia wants the N8 to produce images that are almost as real as your eye saw them, WITHOUT those ARTIFICIAL enhancements digital cameras implement to FOOL you into thinking images are better than what the camera is capable of.
Now check out this photo below. Full 12mp, 4000x3000, ISO 100, Exposure 1/397.
This picture looks incredible. And it was taken over a month ago still with preproduction firmware/hardware!
Cropping it - look at all that detail! It's overwhelming! And it's from a PHONE! (note, converted, will look even better on the original!)
Crop again:
This is real 12mp, each pixel is usable. Whilst some may not make huge prints, Steve Jobs would say the ability to maintain the detail when cropping and getting closer to your image is PHENOMENAL.
| | Video: MeeGo Advert at Computex: Come Build with Us |
Here's an ad for MeeGo shown at Computex. You can see in the video (or in the screenshots) the many types of devices MeeGo will go on, giving you an even wider audience than just phones; netbooks, TVs, in vehicle infotainment devices and tablets are just some of these such devices.
AIM: Intel wants you to "Come Build With Us". We'll reiterate until the cows come home - MeeGo isn't just Intel and Nokia, and a developer's audience isn't just for the potential hundreds of millions of MeeGo devices, but the also the millions of Symbian^3 and Symbian^4 devices not to mention any other platform that's Qt compatible.
via MeeGoZone
| | Video: Lady Geek Episode 2: Win the Nokia E72 (+ Open Table Review) |
Last week, Lady Geek premiered with a bumper Ovi Highlights edition. Now here's episode 2.
Just wait a bit as they will get around to covering an app for Symbian: Open Table.
This is an app that will help you find restaurants, either nearby with GPS or at a specific destination. You can browse restaurants by type and also filter with price listings (awesome if you're either on a budget or want to splash out, you can find what you want)
Watch till the end as you'll also be given a chance to win the superb Nokia E72.
ZOMG, I can't wait for Qt so we can all share in the cross platform app goodness. Dear developers, there's no reason to just stick with 2 platforms. Make much more money with a bigger audience through MeeGo and Qt (on Symbian^3 s^4+ devices)
| | Gallery: Stunning 9MP 16:9 Shots by the Nokia N8 (FULL 4000X2248) Goodbye point and shoot cam. |
In response to the Nokia N8 sample gallery where the photos were severely converted destroying the quality of the photos (I was just interested in the pretty pictures ^_^) here are some full 9MP images at 4000x2248 (16:9 widescreen), and stunning too, taken and uploaded to flickr by cliboub from SymbianFrance. Please note, this is still on Proto/Pre-Production firmware.
For some 12mp (4:3) samples click here. Note, 16:9 photos are partially reduced to 9MP. (I prefer this ratio; looks better when viewing on the phone and on PC/TV. I set N900 to 3.5mp for this same reason).
Now imagine what photos would look like with final firmware in the sunniest of days :o
Cropped
Delicious? Seriously golden chips aka fries outside UK :P
Cropped!
cliboub VIA SymbianFrance
| | Pics: Aava Mobile's Moorsetown MeeGo Phone (and Android) |
We've seen this Finnish phone before running Moblin and a Qt Interface to demo a possible MeeGo UI (or at least a reference design). We saw it most recently demonstrating the new MeeGo handset UX on video. Chippy, aka Steve Paine of CarryPad has it for the next 48 hours!
This is Aava Mobile (also Finnish, but not Nokia), a phone on Intel's X86 chip (Moorsetown). It's not the first Moorsetown phone, that goes to the cancelled LG W990. (Note, Aava's site only mentions Android for some reason)
Nokia's first MeeGo Phone will be using, like the majority of smartphones currently, an ARM based processor. Future MeeGo Phones from Nokia may have Intel chips in future but until Nokia are satisfied with performance/battery life/size they'll be sticking with ARM.
Visual Multitasker.
Here's Android on it
this explains why in the MeeGo demo it had android like buttons - as it seemed designed for Android.
| | Video tutorials: Nokia E73 Mode tutorials with T-Mobile, from Ovi Store Shopping to setting up exchange/personal email |
T-Mobile's given the Nokeeeya E73 Mode some excellent video tutorials to get even the most basic phone/Eseries/Nokia newbie up and running. They're short and quick, but very informative.
Our demonstrator here is the lovely Jen.
HOW TO INSERT BATTERY/SIM/MEMORY CARD:
CHANGING MODES (Eseries function and the namesake of the E73)
MAKING A CALL/USING MUTE/SPEAKER PHONE AND CONFERENCE CALLING
TAKING PICTURES AND VIDEOS
BROWSING THE WEB (through Web2Go?)
SHOPPING AT THE OVI STORE
SETTING UP EXCHANGE EMAIL
SETTING UP PERSONAL EMAIL
| | Video Advert: Nokia Messaging India Ad (E72) |
This advert is supposed to be airing in India right now. (Indian readers, have you seen it yet?) It's an advert for Nokia Messaging and Eseries and uses Nokia's slogan, "connecting people" and the imagery of the Nokia hands.
Business and personal life - for the up and coming, they don't seem to go hand and hand. To chase new deals, new promotions, meet deadlines, the personal stuff (families, friends, hobbies) often takes a back seat.
They present the Nokia E72 as a solution, with up to 10 personal and business emails to keep you in touch so that "getting everything and not giving up a thing go hand in hand".
Interesting how the child is the hotmail user. (It was my first email too)
Do you use Nokia Messaging? What about Ovi Mail?
I use gmail which Nokia messaging feeds to N97 and N900 and often my mails are picked up before GMAIL does in the browser. Anything that happens on one device is synced with all the others, read mail, drafts, sent, star etc. I pretty much rely on it for my reading all my mails now.
| | Gallery: Nokia N8 Sandwich of all 5 colours! (+Review and Video demo) Tower Bloxx of N8 |
Dear Nokia, I'll help you carry one of thes :) Looks like a Nokia N8 version of Tower Bloxx
I love phone piles! There's currently none more beautiful than this Nokia N8 phone pile with all 5 Nokia N8 colours, orange, silver, blue, green and black.
They remind me of those popular artsy subjects of coloured pencils or crayons that frequent flickr.
This comes with Gizmovil's bumper N8 first impressions. It's in Spanish but you can click here for the babelfish translation.
Have you decided yet which colour Nokia N8 you'd want? (I want that Dark Grey aka black!!!)
There's a hands on with the Orange N8 too; nothing we haven't seen before but you might want to watch nonetheless.
via gizmovil
| | Pics part 2: Beautiful shots from the Nokia N8 (Not full sized) |
Andre has just posted up some N8 full sized samples. In this post, you'll see some absolutely stunning photos by the N8 (found the the same folks at Mobile-Review)
Note, they were uploaded to flickr by chrisdmyk and they're NOT at full resolution. Instead, cropped and killed to 1024x 575 from the 16:9 9MP photos (I'd love to see the full sized ones as the compression adds artefacts, preventing full judging of camera).
Start at this link and just click "Older". The gallery below are the selection which ARE by the Nokia N8. There's a mixture there which aren't by N8. Note that they're also geo-tagged so you can see where the photos were taken.
Head on over to the flickr Page!
| | More N8 camera samples? (Full 12mp 4000x3000) |
Over in the mobile-review forums I stumbled across a post by a user named quagmire (giggity! :-P) who posted a few links to photos on flickr that were shot with the Nokia N8 (supposedly).
Although I'll remain a skeptic ( 'til I have the N8 in my own hands!!) , the pictures that were linked are from the same user who posted a number of other N8 sample pictures a few weeks back. Below is a small gallery of the pictures taken and a link to the flickr user's page.
[Update by Jay. These are Nokia N8 photos as marked by flickr. We've previously covered apyykko's photos in another post a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/88916251@N00/
Sound off in the comments!
| | Video: Nokia N900 and Maezer - Accelerometer Maze game for the Nokia N900 |
Maezer is an app created by Blaizzen (from talk.maemo.org) for the Nokia N900 that uses the accelerometer to move a ball across a 2d maze.
I prefer this to the more glamorous accelerometer type maze games as it's less about the skill of moving the phone at the appropriate time and angle (and such loosing view of the ball) but actually about navigating the maze (the former are often extremely easy)
Installation info at talk.maemo.org/... It's not even in extras devel yet so you can't just download from app manager (and so usual warnings apply)
via OzN900
| | Why do you use a Nokia ? |
A lot of negative comments have been written about Nokia in last few well lets *scratches his head*...... the iPhone arrived. It seems like every person who as a computer and an Internet connection has a negative opinion on Nokia phones, especially those who have never touched one. If you read "certain" blogs exclusively you would think that owning a Nokia is like owning a Sinclair C5 !!!
I mean there is a reason that 1.3 billion people use Nokia phones right or have they all been hypnotised well I haven't so that means there are some good reasons on why those 1.3 billion people and I use Nokia phones.
| | Nokia N8 sample videos? |
The guys at http://www.thenokian8.info/nokia-n8-video-clarity.html seem to have gotten their hands on a few sample videos supposedly taken with the N8.
Although I can't guarantee that these videos were actually taken with the N8 we see that the device used shows pretty decent digital zoom (to a point) and I also didn't notice any dropped frames (YAY!!! :-) ). See one of the sample videos available below and tell us what you think of the video in the comments!
Other videos can be found at saadik1001's youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sadik1001.
| | NEW TODAY! TowerBloxx Delux 3D available for the Nokia N900 (Maemo 5, Demo) |
NEW TODAY from Digital Chocolate, one of the best mobile game developers to date: TowerBloxx Delux 3D has appeared on the Ovi Store for the Nokia N900! (Symbian version available).
I'd make a demo video and screenshot myself but N900 has gone for some rest and repair (for around 9 days). I'll update when I find one.
It says it's free for the demo version (not sure if you have to pay for a full version later). It's an addictive tower building game, where you have to carefully drop the next floor of your tower to make sure it's balanced.
Image via Pocket.at
Aaarrgh, I want to try it out on the N900! If you want to try it out to, head over to the Ovi Store. Click Here to download the free demo.
Anyway, you can see the iPhone version below for now which reviews suggest it looks on par (if not better being higher Res)
| | Happy 10th Birthday @1000Heads - the folks behind the incredible @WOMWorldNokia |
Happy 10th Birthday 1000heads!
This month of July (2010), the folks of 1000 heads are celebrating their 10th Anniversary! Congratulations folks!
Who are 1000heads? Nobody knows Word of Mouth better than them; 1000heads are the guys and girls behind (amongst many things) WOMWorld/Nokia. (Word of Mouth not world of Mobile :p)
WOMWorld is the reason I started MyNokiaBlog.com; to aggregate all my Nokia related posts rather than just flooding the forums with one Nokia post after another.I was already very passionate about Nokia but they brought that love for the Finnish company a million fold. Knowing that Nokia listens and in some little, little way we can contribute to the progress of Nokia (from bug reporting, feature suggestion to just spreading Nokia love to others) was a revelation.
At first, I didn't know who 1000heads or WOMWorld were.
I first found out about 1000 Heads back in 2006. At first I thought they were scam artists supposedly inviting me to "New York", offering "up and coming Nokia phones to try" and all they wanted was confirmation and some personal details. What did I do? Ignore this obviously spammage of a private message on MobileBurn forums. I was extra skeptical as just some weeks before I had my phone stolen.
They messaged again a few months later saying they were sorry I missed the first event and if I wanted to go to Las Vegas for CES. I thought, "I am not falling for this". On the moderator forum, I mentioned these spammers but was told that this could actually be real. Hesitantly, I contacted these "spammers", unsure of what they were doing with my email, home address and passport copy. As I left the reply late, I was unable to join the main crew, instead would be flying with a cool guy you might know called Rafe Blandford. :)
Incredibly that was one of many events I ended up attending with WOMWorld. I was/am always amazed each time I get an email asking if I'd like to go some place and keep thinking it's not meant for my inbox. LA, Amsterdam, some two weeks over Singapore/Kuala Lumpur/Thailand and Chennai and several events over at London. It is quite unbelievable to recollect each one.
They were all so incredible!
Seeing new up and coming phones that the general public weren't even aware of! Being able to take photos and share opinions of early devices like all those mobile sites I myself had been a fan of. Best of all was getting to meet people in the Nokia community, 1000heads/WOMWorld, Nokia Staff/Product Managers and fellow Nokia enthusiasts. Trialling handsets is an amazing privilege, but it's the Nokia Community that draws my attraction to blogging. It has been absolutely amazing getting to meet the people at 1000 heads and Nokia folk that I thought I'd only ever communicate with via a keyboard and an internet connection.
What's great about them is that they weren't only interested in the positive things I said about Nokia, but my annoyances/rants/suggestions too.
1000Heads office, partial view of the new London office (originally in Oxford) Nokia take up majority of the office resources, being 1000heads' biggest client. Check out our 1000Heads crew working hard, finding new up and coming bloggers.
Now WOMWorld/Nokia and 1000 Heads are well known. Everyone's lined up to get noticed by WOM (HA to be on the trial list!). Amazing stunts like Nseries Urbanista, NokiaNav and N97 mini tour amongst the many, many, many fantastic campaigns to get us spreading by word of mouth what we can do with our Nokias.
WOMWorld through 1000Heads I believe is much of the reason for the growth of the Nokia online community, fueling the rise of many new blogs. Given Nokia's inability to put out exciting handsets past the N82 (till N900), WOM have done an absolutely incredible job at keeping things fun. Now Nokia's getting their act together with the N8, E7 and N9 round the corner, expect some brilliant campaigns from the WOMWorld folk again (with the great hardware to market that they deserve).
WOMWorld's site, once only for Nseries now talks about all Nokia phones and services that folks in the community are discussing. Go check them out at WOMWorld.com/Nokia - they bring you news in what's happening in our Nokia community.
Check out the 1000heads site too: www.1000heads.com/
(ps, dear wordpress, you bloody SUCK. The amount of times your interface says a post is published but it's not -_-)
| | Gallery: Nokia N8 Disassembly and Assembly Instructions |
The Nokia N8 isn't even available yet, we've already seen the disassembly photos, why not get accustomed to HOW to disassemble and assembly one :p?
It's probably best NEVER to disassemble your own Nokia as it will void your warranty. Worse, you could break something.
Having said that, the Nokia N8's battery requires some minor disassembly to change it (you'll only need to do things a few years into N8's life if/when battery wears out. It's your standard BL-4D). Avert your eyes if you do not wish to see the N8 dissected.
VIA @a2phone
Update: Download original file here
| | Repairing your Nokia: Finding your Nokia Care Point |
If you've ever had the misfortune of developing a fault with your Nokia phones, your options are either to go back to your retailer/network provider or find yourself a Nokia Care Point. The latter is one I've had no problems with so far (touch wood) with my network/retailer repairs having made me wait as much as 4 months to get my INSURED phone back.
You can find the nearest Nokia care point near you by going to http://europe.nokia.com/support/repair-and-recycle/repair/care-points
Just find your country and you'll be directed to a store locator. Of course, I used Ovi Maps on the N97 to get me there (given all the flack the N97 gets, it is top notch for navigation. I sometimes wish I get lost more often so I can get Ovi Maps out)
Google Maps was giving me info of repair points way out of cardiff. This was 3 minutes from the town centre (Cardiff)
http://www.nokia.co.uk/home/find-a-store/store-locator
Different shops have different set ups. Most of the time, they are mobile phone shops for multiple brands/networks but will also do mobile phone repair.
Make sure you back up all your information (if you can) before popping in to the shop. They'll take your details, and if your phone is within warranty, your repair is free of charge (and most of the time, they're much faster than other repair places I've tried)
Ring up your chosen repair place if possible and ask if they can do the repair procedure in house. Sometimes they can do it for you there and then so you'll only be out of that phone for a short while. Other times, you'll have to send it away which would take 7-10 working days (aka 2 weeks).
This is the Nokia/Repair booth at Zone Telecom. That's Steve there, a very cool N97 Mini user (didn't get a snap of Minesh who was also very friendly and informative about the repair process).
- Most care points don't just repair. They can flash your handset with new firmware/update software if you don't want to be doing that yourself.
It doesn't take any time to get your details sorted. At the end, just collect and keep your receipt safe. You should get a call when the repair is done, and then pick up your repaired Nokia.
Where do you get your Nokia serviced? How has your experience been?
Fingers crossed your Nokia won't ever need to go to a repair point any time soon :) (My indestructible 3310 is still alive and kicking, never seen the phone doctor once)
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