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TouchCalc beta testers wanted
Tamoggemon Software has just flagged up a new S60 5th Edition scientific graphing calculator, TouchCalc, and we've agreed to put the call out for beta testers - there are a couple of screenshots below to give you an idea. If you've got a science background, a S60 5th Edition device and a little spare time for contributing to a new shareware project, can you drop Tam a line at tamhan@tamoggemon.com ?
The non-invasive DIY way to fix N97 LED flash flare
I'd been seeing comments about improving N97 camera flash flare (refracted through camera glass scratches) by using a marker pen, but hadn't quite got my head around exactly what to do. Luckily, I came across this helpful video on YouTube (embedded below) - the marker pen has to be applied to the sidewall between the flash silo and the start of the camera glass. See especially the photo at the end of the video.
When is a phone not a phone any longer?
In this feature, I look at the creeping size increases in modern 'phones' - at what point do they cease to become phones and turn into media 'tablets'? I postulate a definition that refers to the way in which these devices are used - proving that the Nokia N900 and HTC HD2 definitely aren't phones at all and throwing doubt on the N97 and iPhone in the process. Controversial? Moi?
Ovi Store re-downloads thankfully widened
Posting on their official Twitter account, Nokia's Ovi Store team have widened the qualifications for re-downloading purchased content, restoring the situation to how it was immediately after the system was trialled a month or so ago. They posted: "OviStore Redownload update: Re-DL poss on replacment device if same model or compatible one". So, as long as you're signed into the store and have a device that's compatible with the one you bought the original item for, re-download should be possible. Which all sounds eminently sensible - at last.
An Obituary for the N-Gage
With the announcement that Nokia are closing the N-Gage service, Ewan has been looking back at the troubled gaming strategy from Finland, from its launch in 2003 to today's ticket to Dignitas in an Obituary for the Nokia N-Gage (2003-2009). We'll pass on any messages of condolence to Finland you may wish to leave.
Q3 global phone marketshare figures out
As expected, the global phone market has continued to contract, year on year, in the current economic climate, according to BusinessWire and Strategy Analytics, though Q3 did show a shorter term rise. There's no breakdown in smartphone numbers as yet, though these are due any day now. Highlight stats from this data are that Nokia's overall market share is down a smidgen, while Samsung's is on the rise. It's still worth noting that Nokia out sold the next three manufacturers in the table though, combined.
Farewell N-Gage - Nokia to shutter gaming service
In a low key announcement, via the N-Gage blog, comes the news that Nokia plans to shutter its N-Gage gaming service. Nokia say they will 'no longer publish new games for the N-Gage platform'; instead games will be provided via its Ovi Store service. Current N-Gage games can be purchased until September 2010 and the N-Gage website and Arena service (online elements) will be available throughout 2010.
N97 v20 out? Check. Now works with Mac? Check
With the Nokia N97 v20 firmware now out for a couple of days and fixing the underlying Sync system issues, I'd been on refresh on Nokia's Mac software site every few hours. It seems that the N97 has now been added to the compatibility list for iSync and that you can now do full iCal and Address Book syncing to the Apple Mac. Go download! I'll be testing this out thoroughly over the next few days...
Your Friday reading links
In case you're after some weekend reading, have a scout through these links: Rita el-Khoury waxes lyrical about how she gradually fell in love with the (white) Nokia N86; Jay has written up the WOM-invited blogger interview with Nokia's Ovi Maps/Good Things team; away from Symbian but very definitely of competing interest, is the qwerty-driven Motorola 'Droid', here's BGR's exclusive and lengthy preview; and finally, Ewan MacLeod has started up a (free) weekly mobile industry newsletter, subscribe away!
Handy PhoneGuard launches
Epocware just released Handy Phoneguard (for S60), described as "an advanced smartphone protection solution that allows the phone’s data to be locked or completely wiped to prevent unauthorized access and use, as well as sending SMS notifications with the new phone number in case the phone becomes stolen or lost." Screenshots (for 3rd Edition and 5th Edition) and press release extracts below.
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