UIQ developer Fast Track initial report

First day started of with representatives from UIQ, Sony Ericsson and Motorola expressing the benefits of using the UIQ platform, their intentions of trying to help developers getting started using the platform and porting already existing software to the UIQ platform. There was much focus on how to get the ecosystem involved to further improve the platform and the flexibility of the UIQ platform showing of the Sony Ericssons Walkman® phone the W960 and Motorola’s multimedia device, the Z8. Both running UIQ, one using a touchscreen, stylus input and a ordinary hard keys and the other one without a touchscreen, a nice interface (judging from the looks) and pretty cool multimedia capabilities. Alright so we get the picture, UIQ is not only a user interface for touchscreen devices but also flexible enough to fit the manufacturers needs, whether it’s touchscreen, hard buttons or new unheard of technologies.

Talking about the Sony Ericsson W960, it didn’t took long before Abbas Sumar, Application Acquisition Manager for Sony Ericsson announced we’d all be handed either a W960 (thus not the P1i everybody was expecting) or a Z8, raising a cheer from the crowd. I’ve got it all on video and will of course publish it as soon as I get home (which should be on Sunday). I was one of the lucky ones to receive the SE W960 and will publish an unboxing video among others reporting on my experience with it once I get home.

Playing Quake on the Nokia N95 8GB

I’m getting ready to leave for UIQ’s develop Fast Track, which takes place 29-30th of November. I thought you wanted to see how Quake performes live on the Nokia N95 8GB. As you can see the game does not flicker and runs really smooth.

You’ll find download and installation instructions for Quake here. 

Nokia N95-1 v.20 firmware available

Nokia just released the v.20.0.015 firmware update for the Nokia N95-1 ‘classic’. Download and install available via Nokia Software Update. This is probably the N95’s most important update, bringing demand paging functionality to the N95 classic. The update is (at the time of writing) available for EURO1 product codes, you’ll find instructions on how to update your phone here.

What’s new?

• Demand paging and 30MB free RAM after booting! (faster and smoother phone)
• New welcome application
• New camera software, camera also works faster now.
• Hold camera button to launch camera (if shutter is open).
• My Nokia application added, SMS tips and mobile web portal system
• Search 4.0 included, integrated on standby screen like the N95 8GB.
• Multimedia menu not changed (still the old one).
• N-Gage game previews available now just like the N95 8GB and the N81 (Fifa and Asphalt).
• Nokia Music Store application added
• Keypress bug gone?
  

Don’t hesitate to write a comment with anything new you’ve discovered. I’m off to Budapest tomorrow to cover UIQ’s Fast Track but will of course keep an eye on SimplySymbian.

Firmware update for the Nokia N95 8GB available

Steve at All About Symbian reports about a new firmware update for the Nokia N95 8GB. This update takes your phone from v. 10.0.021 to 11.0.026. Quouting Nokia Europe ‘This software version includes performance and stability improvements to the browser and Nokia maps.’ The update seems to be available for EURO1 product code 0549487. Follow my instructions on how to upgrade your Nokia N95 firmware, you’ll also find more instructions on how to change the product code to make the firmware available for your device.

Update: I successfully changed my product code and updated the phone. Great to have and unbranded N95 8GB

Unboxing the Nokia N95 8GB video

Please bare with my first public appearance

Yesterday I received my Nokia N95 8GB which I ordered Monday morning (the 19th of November) from Expansys. The package was shipped on the 20th from France and it arrived on the 21st (Wednesday) after lunch, totally 3 days. In my book that’s a fast delivery, and I could track the whole trip on DHL’s website, something I always find exciting I’ve been having some connection problems and haven’t been able to upload this earlier.

So Expansys did deliver in time and eventually their customer service did answer my calls, the trick was not to call early in the morning or in the afternoon. Around mid-day seemed to be the best time. Once I figured that out I always seemed to get through and got to talk with staff members within one minute or so. They were all very friendly and helpful. As a consumer I would have preferred if they changed their customer service hours to 4 hours per day and instead informed their customers of when to call. That way they would improve both the number of dropped calls but also customer relations.

I specifically asked the staff for a non wobbly Finnish made model and that’s what I got, 2-0 to Expansys However the phone is branded with some Italian carrier called TIM, meaning it has a TIM logo on the back, some weird applications and customized menus (which I will remove as soon as we get a firmware update). The box seal was also broken but that’s probably because they checked if the slider was wobbly.

So far the TIM logo has been my only disappointment. I could easily have bought a 3 branded device in Sweden and picked it up at any store. It would have cost me less money and I would have received a Swedish or at least an English instruction in the package (they did put a CD in the box which included English instructions). It’s a pain in the a** not being able to use T9 when writing Swedish text messages (the phone was meant for the South European market, and packet with languages such as English, French, Italian and Spanish.

The phone feels solid really solid. The black finish together with the bigger display and the improved navigation buttons looks awesome. The demand paging functionality has significantly improved the speed of the N95 8GB, the menus all work very smooth and I’ve hardly encountered any crashes yet. So far I’ve been very satisfied with the batteries. The GPS works outstanding just like with the N95 classic, that is if you know how to use it.

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