Recent News Headlines - Hardware
Head to head: The Nokia N97 vs HTC Hero
If you're an AAS regular, you'll know that I love doing direct, informed comparisons between different cutting edge smartphones. Having been using the HTC Hero and Nokia N97 side by side for the last week, here's my head to head between Nokia and HTC's flagships. The result is somewhat predictable, but I do note that both devices are currently flawed and awaiting major software updates. The Hero's is apparently imminent, the N97's is about 3 weeks away. Still, hopefully it's an interesting comparison and worthy of comment.
The Samsung i8910 HD gets 'II1' firmware
The Samsung i8910 HD (a.k.a. Omnia HD) has been left for the last couple of months in firmware limbo, with some showstopping bugs - but today sees the launch of 'XXII1' firmware (the 'II' refers to 'September 09'), with my observations below. You can get the update for your own i8910 HD by hooking it up to PC Studio (version 7.2.24.8, please!) and using the built-in Updater tool. This update has been made available by Samsung Italy, so your phone will need to have an existing Italian firmware installed before you can get the update. Note that there's no User Data Preservation, so backup and sync first - you know the drill by now, just make sure your PIM data, email settings and registration codes are all safe.
Rafe's Nokia World 2009 tour (part 2)
After the morning keynotes and interviews at Nokia World 2009, I decided to take a quick look round the 'experience lounge' at Nokia World. Following on from part 1 of the video, the tour of the show floor continues in part 2. You'll see the Nokia X6, Nokia X3, Nokia N97 Mini, Nokia 5230, Bounce Evolution running on the N900 and more software and services. There's also a quick look at some of the show floor features including a Twitter screen and side theatres.
AAS Insight 86 - N97 Mini, X6, X3, N900 at Nokia World
In All About Symbian Insight 86 (AAS Podcast 148), Rafe, Steve and Ewan talk about the devices unveiled at Nokia World. Symbian devices include the Nokia N97 Mini and the capactive sreen enabled Nokia X6. There are also mentions for the X3, N900 and Nokia Booklet, plus some general discussion on Nokia World. You can listen to AAS Insight 86 here or, if you wish to subscribe, here's the RSS feed.
Rafe's Nokia World 2009 tour (part 1)
After the morning keynotes and interviews at Nokia World 2009, I decided to take a quick look round the 'experience lounge' at Nokia World. In the video below you can join me on my first tour round the show floor, where I share my first impressions and analysis. You'll get a feel of the atmosphere on the show floor and there's a quick overview of some of Nokia's new service solutions, the Nokia Booklet 3G, Nokia Internet Stick (CS-18) and some third party software.
How to: Optimise the Nokia N97 (v12)
So my white Nokia N97 was returned to me after Ewan's extensive video diaries and after Tzer2's Finnish experiments on it. It's a little battle scarred in places, but hey, phones are designed to be used(!) I'm well aware of all the N97's pros and cons, but was relishing a chance to really get to grips with some of its - ahem - quirks, a couple of months on from my initial look. Read on to see how I got on, and to learn how to set up and optimise the N97 in this 'waiting for v20 firmware' probationary period.
The Phones Show 89
Just for completeness, note that The Phones Show 89 is now live, with video coverage of the news of the last month, plus critical hands-on reviews of the Nokia E52 and E55. Note also the iTunes subscribe links, here's the right one for the VGA (high res) version.
The world's going megapixel CRAZY and I feel like crying
As you'll see from the photo below, 12 megapixel camera phones are now starting to be sold on the High Street. On the face of it, more is usually better in a specifications battle, so why should I be so irritated by the latest battlefront? Read on for my thoughts on why the entire phone market is being somewhat misled.
Nokia X6 Comes with Music lands at Nokia World for music lovers
Nokia's next S60 music device, the X6, has been announced at Nokia World in Stuttgart this morning. It's going to be marketed as a music phone and the 32GB of storage is going to allow a huge amount of music to be downloaded, and is only available in a Comes with Music variant. But the 16:9 ratio capacitive touch-screen (at 3.2 inches in size) is going to be great for video playback and media browsing. More details to follow.
The Nokia N97 mini now official
Nokia has now officially announced the N97 mini at Nokia World 2009, with smaller screen and overall form factor, full-width keyboard (no d-pad) and a focus on social media ('life casting'). Significantly, they're also talking about a whole new memory map and kinetic scrolling across the whole interface, all of which is also to come to the N97 itself in October. More details, images and videos below.
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