N95 Classic Hits v20 Firmware

Well, sorry guys, apparently it's v20.0.0.15 and not v21, but maybe this is just a temporary update before the next firmware?? Hmm...

Undoubtedly this new version has fixed many, many of the n95-1's problems. Nokia has took time to listen to our cries and complaints and we have to admit, they've nailed it with this firmware. Faster camera startup, Demand Paging with more RAM, n-gage 2.0 gaming, and pretty much everything we asked for.

Here's the complete changelog of this firmware.

New Features:

• Maps application version updated (Nokia Maps 1.0)
• GetNGI (Games)
• Music shop
• OTA WMDRM (Windows Media Digital Rights Management)
• Active standby search
• Video ringing tone
• ODP (On Demand Paging)
• DVFS (Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling)
• Switch application version updated

Changes and improvements from previous SW release:

• General stability improved.
• Several localization errors corrected.
• Various application help files updated.
• Default language not always read from SIM correctly.
• Volume side keys don’t work in all situations.
• WLAN wizard can’t always connect to secure WLAN network.
• Cannot edit or delete access points if lot of WLAN access points created.
• Midlet icon may be shown twice after installation in some cases.
• Midlet suite upgrade doesn’t work correctly if amount of midlets in suite has changed.
• Streaming aspect ratio is not correct if QTSS server doesn’t provide Framesize tag in SDP.
• Key presses are sometimes missed.
• Connection dropped easily in crowded WLAN environment.
• Cannot pre-configure push email application in variant.
• OTA configuration containing an unknown parameter is ignored by device.
• Call divert icon disappear after power cycle.
• UPnP interoperability improved.

Browser:

• Dropdown list not opened if size is defined.
• Large images in web page are not rendered correctly after scrolling.
• Flashlite memory management improved.
• Cannot access to SIM phonebook if device language is set to Chinese.
• Cannot add Chinese characters to input/search box in browser.
• Real One Player may show invalid default name for some downloaded videos.
• RSS-links does not work anymore if article was downloaded from web feeds.
• Improved handling of large web pages.

Media Player

• Streaming doesn’t always continue after long pause.
  Some m4a files cause music library to crash.
  Album art not shown for WMA files if picture size is over 64 KB.

Gallery

• Image editor closes on attempting to edit and send an image a second time.
• Cannot upload images to online share if lots of images stored in device.
• Image viewer crash when opening malformed JPEG file.
• Thumbnail creation speed of big video files improved.

Messaging

• Cannot have non-ascii characters in mailbox name.
• Reduced character coding -option in text message settings doesn’t work as expected.
• MMS presentation not saved to draft folder is exiting application with end key.
• IM client allows empty alias.

VOIP

• Device may reset if moving out of WLAN coverage during VOIP call.
• Cannot register to VOIP if found WLAN connection is too weak.
• VOIP doesn’t re-register if going momentarily our of WLAN coverage.
• Automatic connection to SIP server fails often if started device in offline mode.
• VoIP call can't be established when multiple profiles with same realm.

Camera

• Video recording with front camera may freeze the device.

Telephony

• Device may restart if receiving voice call during ongoing video call.
  Unable to create call after successful balance query.

Streaming

• Maximum limit for streaming bandwidth for UMTS and WLAN increased
  from 999kb.

Voice Mail

• Call divert indicator disappear in device is restarted.

Navigation

• Improvement to Location API performance if lots of landmarks in device

So what are you waiting for, update your firmware NOW! If you're an n95-1 user, this could just be the best thing in your life. :)

*changlog provided by SymbianFreak

Nseries PC Suite 2.0 Re-Launched!

The original version of Nokia NSeries PC Suite 2.0 was removed from the Beta labs due to too many bugs and errors, but now it's back again for the public to test drive.

I have to say the installation was a bit nightmarish, especially of you dont have broadband. As it's called a "web installer", it downloads the required files when you want to install, instead of being bundled in the .exe file. This causes huge headaches! I'm on a 1mbps package and it took 1hours+ to download all the required software and install.

Moving on, the new suite is great and comes with all the new music and video managers (Optional) along with all the best bits, rolled up into one great looking ball of an application. It's wrapped in black and looks a bit vista styled.

You'll also notice some new icons in 'My Computer' when your phone is connected instead of the normal 'Nokia Phone Browser'
Including one sectioned under 'Cameras and Scanners' .

Other changes include the "File manager" being changed to "Explore your Nokia device", applications being grouped into their respective category, implementation of Nokia Map Loader into the suite, as well as a few extra links here and there.

Something i found missing from the original PC Suite is the "Contacts" and "Messages". Meaning in this new version of Nseries PC Suite, there is no way for you to view and sort your messages and contacts, backing them up could also be an issue.

Anyway, this is still just a Beta software and is not an official release. I am sure Nokia will continue to improve on this and you can also help by providing them feedback and suggestions.

If you would like to try out this neat looking piece of software, please click here:

Nseries PC Suite 2.0 Download link

Pros: Looks nifty, small and simple to use
Cons: Missing "contacts" and "messages. No any faster than the previous version

Gone Scaling Mount Kinabalu

Hi all, pls note that we'll be away for a week so no new goodies and news will be posted. I'm on my way to south east asia's highest mountain and ck's away with his family go china. We'll bring you the latest when we get back as well as a recount of our adventures!
I'm posting this last minute in the airport using my N95 so pls forgive me for any errors.

I have also added in language translation so now you can view our blog go your favourite language

New Nokia N95 v21.0.001 firmware in the making?

We found something great upcoming (maybe ) for the classic N95-1 and according to RDA @ forum.nokia.com its a new firmware version 21.0.001 and it seems to have answered all our prayers. It should be in the production line, but we stress this is a WRT (Web Runtime) demo firmware for developers and is NOT a final release!

Notice the standby screen now has the search function addeed in! besides that its same old same old. The menu seem to be pretty much the same except the obvious add-ons including N-Gage and Music Player. Both of which has been optimised to be like the N95 8GB edition (N95-2).

Now this next part will get your fingers tingling, but, does this look like Youtube playing flawlessly on the N95 to go full screen? We'd like to think so!

And now for the grand finale, the cherry on the cake! The... The new device paging support with better RAM handling!

Is that drool on your shirt?

We reccomend you set up an alter for your N95. It deserves one.

First accelerometer game for the N95

Accelerinvaders!  A Space Invaders clone (2D) for the N95, that uses its accelerometer.  The gameplay is pretty much the same as the original, but its a heck lot of fun playing it on the N95, Wii style.

Controls:
shoot: big d-pad button
move ship: move phone

Here's the download link: Accelerinvaders File

Navball - New multiplayer GPS game!

We've stumbled upon this rather peculiar game lately, called Navball.

NavBall is an exciting new multiplayer game that uses GPS phones like the N95 to create an action-packed 45-minute match across the city.

- 2 Teams of 11 players compete for 45 mins
- For each team, a Ball and Goal are placed on a city map
- The location of the ball is discovered by GPS
- By lining up, a team kicks the ball towards the goal (& scores)
- Highest NavBall score wins!

During the demo this was only available to the city of Amsterdam, but if all goes as planned it should be available in many other cities.

N95 8GB slower, NOT faster

Some bad news for folks that are headed to get the N95 8GB (N95-2). In one of the forums we're in there's been complaints about the N95 8GB being slower than the original. Here's what we could make out:

1. The new N95 8GB actually boots up (remarkably) slower than the old N95.
2. Pixel density is slower than on the original N95 because the screen got bigger from 2.6 to 2.8 yet it has the same 3D accelerator.
3. Quake (it's a game) tests and other 3D Demos seem to run much more smoother in the old N95 than in the new 8GB version.

Accidental mistake? I think not.

LightSabre App for N95

N95 users everywhere are turning into Jedi Masters with the recently released Lightsabre app. We found it useless when first installed, all the swooshing and swinging, and nothing else really... but recent updates have made this "workout" quite fun. Flashing lights, smooth sounds in tune with your every swing, it wasnt long before we sinked into our own little Starwars fantasy world.

Here's the changelog for the application:

v1.0 -> v1.1 (13-Nov-2007)
-No lag when swinging
-No space inbetween saber hum when idle
-Light Saber green light emulator
-Text that says "Press OK to Start"


v1.1 -> v1.3 (17-Nov-2007)
-Opening and closing slide turns saber on and off (NICE)
-Press any number key for a saber hit sound effect
-More fx samples for swings
-More Vrumms, less Tishes
-Press d-pad left for volume down, d-pad right for volume up
-Press d-pad up for Dark Side, d-pad down for Light Side

You can download the file at symbian-guru.com.

**Please note that you have to install this on the phone memory, and not the memory card.

N82 officially revealed

Leading mobile company Nokia continues to expand its Nseries range with its upcoming N82 smartphone. No confirmed date as to when it'll be launched, but knowing Nokia it wont be anytime soon. The N82 does pretty much what the N95 can do, A-GPS with satnav, 5 megapixel camera, WiFi, and the recent buzzed accelerometer.

The only difference, er... well... it's candybar shaped and has a xenon flash, so now you can blind muggers with your phone's flash! The N82 looks relatively similar to the N73, but has been neatened up and is slightly slimmer...hardly noticeable though. Nokia has also smartened up and decided to add in a auto-rotation function to the phone, a luxury that current N95 users can only have by using the RotateMe software.
So what's the verdict, well, to be honest i hate something that can do whatever the N95 can do, but just looks different. ...but for now i still enjoy having the world's first dual slider, satnav, 5 meg, WiFi multimedia device! ;-)

You can check out the N82 yourself at:
Nokia Europe - Specifications
or
Nokia Nseries

Say goodbye to Wii, Hello to N95 - Nokmote!

What more can i say, it's time to throw out your set of Wii games and controllers and start enjoying your N95. Samir, the French programmer and everyone loves, promises to come up with an application called Nokmote that will allow N95 users to control their device by simply tilting it. In terms of practicality this will just slow you down when you're using your phone; but when you talk about games, well, it's a whole different story. The N95's built in accelerometer makes possible to play games like the Wii controller. Tilt the phone left, and your car goes left, tilt it right, and your car goes right, simple. Sadly there's no BETA or ALPHA version out yet, but here's a preview of the wonderful applications.

Shirley Temple Recipe

The holidays are coming soon, so why not mix things up with a fancy mocktail!
A mocktail is actually a mock cocktail, it looks like a cocktail, but is made with fruit juices instead of alcohol. Here's my favorite recipe and it's perfect for a hot, sunny afternoon.

Ingredients needed:
- 8 tablespoons of lemon-lime mix
- 3/5 can of 7-UP (or Sprite)
- 1 slice orange
- 3-5 drops grenadine syrup
- 1 maraschino cherry (optional)

Instructions:
1. Combine all of these ingredients into a cocktail shaker with crushed ice and shake well.
2. Pour into an iced tulip glass and garnish with a slice of orange speared through a cocktail sword with a maraschino cherry.
3. Add a coloured straw.

Enjoy!

MOSH now has a client

MOSS, oops! I mean MOSH is a service by Nokia, providing a user-driven distribution channel for applications and other content for mobile devices. It enables you to create, upload and share your applications, games, audio, images, and video instantaneously. Or you can be a spectator, and just enjoy what other people have shared.

The service is available at: mosh.nokia.com.

The MOSH client, available for download in the Nokia BETA labs, serves as a shortcut to all the basic functions in MOSH, such as searching and browsing content, uploading content, and checking your stats. For now this application is still in BETA. For those of you who are not comfortable with bugs in your phone, i advice you to wait for the official release. But if you just cant wait to get your hands on a new application, then go ahead, try it! It's compatible with s60, s60v3, as well as s40, so it should work with all the newer Nokia phones.

Feel free to post your feedback and comments on the applications.

The client is available for download here: Nokia - MOSH Client

N-Gage 2.0 to be delayed

Bad news everyone..... The much anticipated N-Gage 2.0 platform will be rolling into our lives a little later than we hoped. The N-Gage platform which will host a set of online services that incorporates music, games, GPS, photography and various online features, was originally scheduled to arrive this November. However, Nokia now reports that we will only be able to grab a hold of it on the 9th of december.
Kari Tuutti, Nokia's representative, has informed Reuters that the delay is because the testing service has required more time than originally anticipated.
...yea, thats what they all say.

N95 8GB (a.k.a. N95-2) set to be a disappointment

Last week the bigger, badder, and so called "better" version of the N95
started shipping. ...yeap, i'm talking bout the N95 8GB edition.
So here's the thing... for most current N95 users, we were looking forward to upgrading to
this new version because of the 8GB memory and of course the increased RAM!!!

Sure, there's the lack of a lens protector, misroSD slot, not to mension the increased fattening of the phone. But all that could have been overlooked when you think about the tempting 80MB of free RAM... and of course the pleasant experience of opening numerous applications without the annoying "memory Full" message.

All right, here's the thing. Before you go off day dreaming about some geeky tech fantasy, i'm here to burst your bubble. For all of you who are planning to upgrade, i suggest you dont.
Users of the N95 8GB have reported getting "memory Full" error messages even with the increased RAM!!
So what is exactly wrong with the N95? I'm guessing it's more of the OS that needs adjusting through a firmware upgrade, and not the phone's RAM.

Another problem reported with the N95 8Gb was that it constantly switched the screen to landscape automatically during sleeping mode. So every time you use the phone there's a need to slide it open. Some also complained that it overheated easily and the battery had to be removed from time to time. Personally, the N95 8GB also feels more like a brick to me since Nokia flatted out the back and the front (no space on the sides, screen is not deeper than the front plate, etc).

Do bear in mind that 8GB microSD cards are already in the market, and are compatible with the N95. So if you can live without the larger screen, black colored cover and raised media keys, you're better off keeping that money in your pocket and be satisfied with what you have. -it's called gratitude!- ;)

Happy Diwali (Deepavali) to all those celebrating

Diwali, (in Hindi - दिवाली or दीपावली), is a major Indian festival that is very significant in Hinduism and Jainism. Celebrated by approximately 1 billion Hindus and Jains and known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps (called diyas or kandils) are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. The lights also represent the time when Rama came back from the forest, and all his village lit lamps to welcome him back home. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional dīpa or deeya (earthen lamp, as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival. Diwali is a colloquial name used in North India, while the festival is formally called Deepavali in South India.

Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of Hindu month of Kartika (purminata) or Ashwayuja (amanta). It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Diwali comes exactly twenty days after Dussehra. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Hindus it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the year in some Hindu calendars. There are several beliefs regarding the origin of the holiday. The most repeated version is that Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the time when Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honor of the day Bali went to rule the nether-world, obeying the order of Vishnu. In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on Oct. 15, 527 BCE. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith. In India, Diwali is now considered to be more of a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.

To add to the festival of Diwali, fairs (or melas) are held throughout India.[1] Melas are to be found in many towns and villages. A mela generally becomes a market day in the countryside when farmers buy and sell produce. Girls and women dress attractively during the festival. They wear colourful clothing, new jewelry and their hands are decorated with henna designs. Among the many activities that take place at a mela are performances by jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune tellers. Food stalls are set up, selling sweet and spicy foods. There are a variety of rides at the fair, which include Ferris wheels and rides on animals such as elephants and camels. Another attraction is the puppet shows that are shown throughout the day.

Rice Art or Kolam as the Hindu's call it is an auspicious art of decorating courtyards and pooja rooms/prayer halls in South India drawn mainly by women and girls. Some women use rice flour to draw a kolam, which is the traditional medium to be used while others use sandstone or limestone powder.Generally, a kolam is drawn with bare fingers using predetermined dots. The dots are either connected together to make a pattern or loops are drawn encircling the dots to complete a design.



If you happen to be in Malaysia and would like a taste of Hindu culture and it's unique cuisine, why not drop by the KL's Deepavali Open House held on the 17th of November.

Venue:
Brickfields
Kuala Lumpur
Contacts:
Phone: 603 2617 6272
Fax: 603 2698 3819

Rotateme On the n95!

Once again, i'm here flush the iPhone down the drain. Well here's why
Remember how cool it is that the iPhone can rotate it's screen automatically?
Now the N95 can do it to. Rotateme (which will be released at the end of November) can automatically rotate the N95's screen using the devices internal accelerometer (the thing that automatically rotate the N95's photos). Seeing is believing. Here's proof!


If you have an N95 and you'd like to experience he accelerometer for yourself, download this application by Nokia's R&D group.
Here's the link: http://research.nokia.com/files/MovingBall_Example.sisx

Sandisk Ships 8GB microSDs

Not long after Kingston's launch of one, SanDisk has followed suit with its own 8GB SDHC card, which should be capable holding roughly 2,000 songs, 4,000 photos, or 15 hours of MPEG-4 video. While it will come with its own MicroMate USB 2.0 reader, the card will not be especially fast, as it is rated at only Class 2 speeds -- approximately 2MB/s. It should ship in April for $190. Mobile phone users may, however, appreciate SanDisk's forthcoming Mobile Premier microSD cards. Designed as high-performance models, the cards will come in 1 and 2GB capacities, and have a read speed of 10MB/s. Writing is done at 9MB/s. The Mobile Premier line will also bundle an adapter, enabling use with full-sized SD slots. The cards should launch in the spring for $45 and $70, respectively.
Hmm.... now what to fill up mine with??