Friday, March 28, 2008

Motorola split!

Motorola, the world's 3rd largest handset manufacturer, has finally caved in to the demands of its investors with its decision to divide the business into 2 independent, publicly-traded companies - Mobile Devices and Broadband & Mobility Solutions.

The brains behind this strategic shift believe this will improve efficiency, flexibility, and increased management focus. Mobile Devices will concentrate on design, manufacture, and sales of "compelling" mobile phones and accessories around the globe. On the other hand, Broadband & Mobility will cater to the needs of the government and other enterprises.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Forum Nokia Code Camp Competition

Register your application today for your chance to win up to 15K Euros in cash prizes and an opportunity to showcase your winning application at the S60 Summit in Barcelona, Spain.

The Forum Nokia Code Camp Competition is on and we are looking for the next developer rock star! Registration begins March 18th, so get ready to code your application and enter.

Prizes

Global Prize

  • Cash award of 15 K Euro for the Global WRT and Flash Winner
  • Success case/PR on the winning application
  • Demonstration opportunity at S60 Summit pod

Regional Prizes

  • Cash awards (varies by region)
  • Demo opportunities at local events
  • Transportation to the S60 Summit on May 29 and accommodation in Barcelona, Spain

Competition deadline

You must submit your application between March 18th and May 9th, 2008

For further details please check Forum Nokia Code Camp Competition



Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Kudos to UIQ Open competition winners!

UIQ Technology announced the winners of the UIQ Open, a developer competition aimed at finding and showcasing the most innovative, useful and entertaining third-party applications created with the UIQ open software development platform.

he judging panel selected two winning applications in each of the five categories.

  1. Business:
    1. FlyingMoney Manager by FlyingBird Software
    2. Mobile Documents by VISIARC AB
  2. Mobility:
    1. Handy Weather by Epocware
    2. IM+ All-in-One Mobile Messenger by SHAPE Services
  3. Lifestyle:
    1. Spodtronic by Liquid Air Lab GmbH
    2. The World Factbook by jDictionary Mobile
  4. Entertainment:
    1. MicroPool by Gábor Fetter
    2. Paintball 2 by Crazysoft
  5. Utilities:
    1. Easy Search by WebGate JSC
    2. GDesk by FiendSoft
For further information about the UIQ Open competition, visit http://uiqopen.uiq.com

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Sony-Ericsson G900 : one of the world`s smallest Smartphones

Sony-Ericsson G900 announced one of the world`s smallest (Only 99 grams and 13 mm thick) Smartphones, using the classical Symbian v9.1 platform with the UIQ 3.0 interface. Although very small, the features list is impressive: 3G ( including video call) and Wi-Fi plus a QVGA 6 cm touchscreen interface. G900 should be available in Q2 2008, unfortunately the price is not yet announced.

Check out preview here:

2008 Code Example Challenge

Forum Nokia is looking to showcase your abilities in the 2008 Code Example Challenge. We are looking for inspiring code snippets and example applications and will accept entries from all areas of mobile technology. From Open C to Flash, Symbian C++ to Python, Java ME to Web Runtime - if your code is geared for Nokia Platforms - it is eligible.

In order to bring a spotlight onto some focus technology areas - we are announcing a few special prize categories.
S60 Web Runtime Widgets
Flash Lite
Location Based Services


The competition is for code samples placed in the Forum Nokia Wiki. You should contain introductory text and a useful and fully documented code. Bonus points are given if you attach a functional example application (with source code) or can submit many different entries. Entries should be original work not published previously elsewhere.

The contest starts March 11th, 2008 and ends May 31st, 2008 winners will be selected and announced shortly afterwards. There will be a grand prize winner - as well as winners in each announced category.


Before letting your inspiration fly, read the following information:

Ban on Blackberry in India (?)

All those who use Blackberry devices in India, here is a bad news for you -------

Blackberry may be banned in India!

Reason: According to the Department of Telecom (DoT), the service doesn't allow for lawful interception, and is hence perceived as a threat to national security. Typically, encrypted messages sent from BlackBerry handsets cannot be intercepted by anyone; not even RIM.

The government had asked Research in Motion (RIM) to provide them with access to algorithms required to decrypt BlackBerry messages latest by March 31st else face a total ban on the service in India.

N96 launch date for UK: Aug 2008

Nokia is going to launch N96 in August 2008 in Europe region. N96 is considered to be combination of N81 and N95. It has 5 MP camera with 16 GB internal flash memory. It also has support for 'Live TV'.
The battery is still restricted to 950 mAh :(

The detail specifications are available here.


Can't wait to view this mobile...here is the promotional advertizement.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Mobile Animation Challenge 2008, Singapore

Mobile Animation Challenge 2008, Singapore This national mobile animation challenge is targeted at secondary school students for the purpose of engaging them to create promotional clips on the mobile platform. Participants are required to assemble original and relevant media contents to create a promotional clip of not more than 30 seconds, based on the following theme: “Living in an Green IslandTell us how life will be different in an energy-efficient future. The National Energy Policy Report (available at http://www.mti.gov.sg) outlines some policies that can lift Singapore’s energy efficiency. Can infocomm technologies help us to do more with less energy? Assemble an animation clip on a mobile platform of not more than 30 seconds to tell us how this can be done.

For Discussion on this event monitored by lecturers from the ITE institue in Singapore go to Developer Discussion Boards >> Multimedia Technology and Content >> Content >> Graphics & Video & Streaming >> Mobile Animation Challenge 2008, Singapore

Sites maintained by Forum Nokia Champions

Here is list of sites maintained by Forum Nokia Champions.

Thanks to Li Yong Fei for his efforts!

Avinash Rathod and Vindod Kumar are my buddies :)

anina.net anina.net
Andrade Felipe www.felipeandrade.org/blog/
Kaner Ugur bloggy.kuneri.net
Li Yong Fei www.symbianer.com
Symbianer Mobile mobile.symbianer.com
Janousek Scott www.scottjanousek.com/blog/
Nathan Eagle web.media.mit.edu/~nathan
Paul Coulton www.mobileradicals.com
Reuben Edwards www.reubenedwards.com
Maximiliano Firtman www.entupalma.com
Frank H.P. Fitzek www.fitzek.net
Thomas Riisgaard Hansen www.daimi.au.dk/~thomasr
Faisal Iqbal www.orison.biz/blogs/chall3ng3r
Andreas Jakl www.mopius.com/
Robin Jewsbury www.mobizines.com/
Sunil Kumar skumarmobiledev.blogspot.com/
Vinod Kumar K Vhttp://vin2ktalks.googlepages.com/
Hanfei Li kharry.blogspot.com/
Alessandro Pace www.biskero.org/"
Gabriel Palomino www.wittycall.com/
Angelo Perkusich percomp.org/
Antony Pranata www.antonypranata.com
Bjoern Quentin www.mobile-j.de
Mika Raento www.iki.fi/mikie/
Avinash Rathod symbian.avinashrathod.com
Jürgen Scheible mlab.uiah.fi/~jscheib
Jo Stichbury descriptors.blogspot.com
Chirag Solanki www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=21051772
Kiran Trivedi www.mobapps.org
Gábor Török mobile-thoughts.blogspot.com
Luis Valente www.icad.puc-rio.br/%7Elvalente
Steffen P. Walz spw.playbe.com
Bai Wansong blog.csdn.net/Beover1984
Yi Ying www.egametimes.com

IRCT goes mobile!!

IRCTCmobile allows you to perform various ticketing related services through your mobile phone. This service is available for all GPRS subscribers in India.

You can now book tickets using Credit Cards and Cash Cards, view trains between stations, check availability, get fare, perform PNR enquiry and many other information services. The tickets booked through IRCTCmobile shall be delivered to the postal address provided during the booking within 3 clear days from the date of booking.

Unique Features:

  • A world of convenience.
  • A simple registration process
  • A complete user-friendly application
  • Cashless transactions with the use of payment cards
  • Door delivery of your ticket

How to download:

For Windows mobile users:

Windows mobile user can download software by pointing Mobile's web browser to http://www.irctcmobile.co.in/dlw.

For non-windows mobile users:

Step-1

Please enter your 'Mobile Number' and 'Verification Code' displayed in the provided image for secure downloading of application.

Step-2

You shall receive a SMS from IRCTC containing a link to download the application. Select the link and follow the instructions to successfully install IRCTCmobile.

Note: IRCTCmobile may appear in your 'Phone Menu' or 'Games Folder' or 'Application Folder' depending on your phone model.

Step-3

Open IRCTCmobile, create your secret 4 digit PIN and login with your IRCTC username and password.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Mobile payment on Airtel

In the wake of growing mobile VAS (value added services) market in India, Airtel has launched a range of mobile commerce solutions in India. For this Airtel has partnered with companies like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, Corporation Bank, VISA and mChek. These services promise to bring happiness in the lives of Airtel customers who have a credit or a debit card. Airtel users can now transfer money, pay bills, recharge their phones, buy movie, air and rail tickets instantly by using their mobile phone. No extra charges apart from what you pay to your creditcard company. This is indeed a handy service, which has been launched by Airtel and will make Airtel users happy.

MChek will develop this solution for Airtel.

This indeed shows that VAS are gaining pace in India.

Press release by MChek is available here.

S60 TouchUI

Touch enabled S60 was showcased at the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2008, here in the demo video.

Virgin Mobile in India

The British communication group Virgin Mobile launched its Indian operation in India in collaboration with telecom operator Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTL), heralding a new era in mobile telephony.

Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, launched the Virgin Mobile brand by flying down the façade of popular hotel in south Mumbai and unveiled its logo in mid flight.

“The deal brings a tie-up between two of world’s leading business leaders - Ratan Tata of the Tata Group and Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin conglomerate” quotes tech2.com

Virgin Mobile will be launched in 50 cities initially and will subsequently be launched in more than 1,000 cities by the end of 2008.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Firmware updates for N73 and Nokia 6120

Nokia N73 is getting an update v4.0808.4.2.2 Nokia N73 is booting much faster with new update (there is no change in RAM size).. and Focus sound bug is also fixed.Another improvement is Nokia Mobile TV Receiver SU-33W support. To use this stream, you need DVB-H coverage.


Nokia has also released a new firmware for Nokia 6120. The new firmware (v4.21) is coming with User Data Preservation. But it’s not available for all countries :(
You have to Install Nokia Software Update to install new firmware

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

MobileTV in Delhi, India

Now Delhi guys, get ready to watch TV on your mobiles!
Yes! you can watch cricket match on your mobile..no matter weather you are in car, bus, office or even in toilet :p

MTNL has recently launched MobileTV service in Delhi. But catch is that it works only on phones working on Symbian OS.

As stated at Techtree,

"Initially, MTNL customers will be able to watch seven TV channels on their GPRS-enabled mobile handsets till the commercial launch of the service, which is slated for April this year.

Five of the seven TV channels are free channels; users will have to pay a minimum of Rs 50 per month to access these on their mobile handsets. As regards the remaining 'paid' TV channels, customers will have to pay the necessary amount per channel"

Reference:
MTNL Soft Launches MobileTV Service
MTNL launches Mobile TV
MTNL Launches MobileTV Service


Morph phone..........not just a phone

Few days back, I posted an article about armband shaped Nokia phones. Today, one of my friend working in Nokia(India) has given me a video link showing demo of morph phones. Well, I just can't wait to get such a phone. I hope Nokia is not fooling people by showing these dream phones.

Few features of morph phones:

  • The phone is ultra-transparent.
  • Its battery is charged by solar energy. So you don't need to carry charger with you.
  • It is stretchable.
  • It has dirt repellent surface.

Morph References:
Concept
Demo

Monday, March 3, 2008

The future of mobile development?

I got pretty good article explaining future of mobile development at all about symbian site. It explains problems in current mobile development process. The basic thesis of the post is that native mobile development is declining because of platform fragmentation, issues around certification, and marketing problems.

Default Search Engine for Opera...Not Yahoo! But Google

One more disappointing news for Yahoo!. Opera has opted Google as its search engine by dropping Yahoo!. In press conference, Opera had announced Google™ the default search engine in Opera's mobile Web browsers. Now anyone using Opera Mobile or Opera Mini can access Google's powerful mobile search directly from the browser start page, meaning they'll be able to quickly and easily get the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it.

Full press release is available here.

Beta launch for Symbian's Open Signed Online

Symbian's Open Signed Online starts next week for those without Publisher IDs, though in beta version. Being in beta, it has put some restrictions. We hope, over a period, these restrictions will be removed.

As provided at Symbian site:

Open Signed Online (BETA) Service Information
  • During early stages of the Open Signed Online beta, the service will only be available to registered Symbian Signed account holders from 0900-1500 GMT (UK time) Monday-Friday.
  • As for any beta, we may discover issues that impact the performance and/or functionality of the service. Such problems may result in the service being taken off-line at short notice for extended periods.
  • The Open Signed Online process is fully described here.
  • Note that Open Signed Online currently does not allow you to sign a SIS that is "owned" by someone else and hasn't been enabled for Open Signing; i.e. if a SIS uses a UID from the "Protected Range", the email address you use for Open Signed Online MUST match the email address of the account which owns/created the UID.
  • If you attempt to sign the same SIS file in rapid succession, the service you receive will proportionally slow down. This is to prevent abuse of the service.
  • Installation of the signed SIS file will be restricted to the IMEI (i.e. mobile phone) you entered and valid for 36 months.
  • SIS files that have been Open Signed will present a notification upon installation that the SIS file is intended for development purposes only.
  • The service will work for SIS files intended for all Symbian-based UIs, i.e. S60 and UIQ.
  • SIS files can be signed for all Platform Security Capabilities except CommDD, MultimediaDD, NetworkControl, DiskAdmin, DRM, AllFiles, TCB.

Google Maps client for UIQ 3!!

Google map client was earlier available on J2ME for symbian phones. Now Google has released UIQ client for Google maps. The new client is fast, looks neat and has a function called 'My Location' which basically gives a guess of your whereabouts.

After being partner of UIQ in January, none should be surprised for Google's support for UIQ applications.

One can download it from http://www.google.com/gmm .

Basic language for Symbian .... Coming Soon !!

Last year, in smartphone show, NS Basic announced its support for symbian platform. Currently site has added a page displaying details about NS Basic for symbian. According to site, it will support S60 as well as UIQ SDK.

Don't miss NS Basic / Symbian FAQs ;)

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Armband shaped Nokia phone

The main idea behind Nokia Morph concept phone is the use of nanotechnology based flexible materials, transparent electronics and self-cleaning surfaces. These materials should enable Nokia to produce a mobile device that “…might be stretchable and flexible, allowing the user to transform their mobile device into radically different shapes”.

Different shaped devices you see in the picture, is actually the same one mobile handset, that transforms itself into the concrete shape according to the user needs.

The concept was developed by Nokia research center in cooperation with Cambridge University and is on display at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

Reference:
Nokia Morph Phone Concept

Linkedln mobilize

Linkedln a social networking site is on mobile now. Most of the social networking sites are targeting mobile market. MySpace, Facebook and Friendster are already having their present in mobile market. Thought late, Linkedln has entered in mobile market. Goto http://m.linkedin.com site and enter your credentials and here you enters in Linkedln network.

Reference: