S60 Open to new features

The Nokia Podcasting Application and "Coverville"!

Seriously. I know there has already been folks that have discussed this application, both attributes AND areas for improvement, so that's not my deal here.

Sometimes it takes an event like being disconnected from your S60 device to make you realize what are some of the things you have begun to take for granted. Since that event recently happened to me (thieves, they can really ruin your day, you know?), I have begun adding back the "must haves" to my new handset. Well, for me, I've really missed the podcasts.

I like to listen to podcasts while I run or bike. It takes my mind off the fact that I am sweating like a in the Texas heat and gasping like a out of water!

One of my favorites is a podcast called "Coverville" . Coverville features unique and unusual covers of cool songs (pop, rock, etc) by all sorts of new and established bands and/or performers.

The show is great because it's always different. Sometimes it is covers of one artist by a lot of different folks, other times it is one band covering a lot of different bands, sometimes it is even a mix of original tunes by original artists, but the versions that are well known are actually the covers done by other people!

The host, Brian, sprinkles in music trivia, interviews with artists, even something he calls "Lost in Translation" which is songs covered in different languages from the original.

It's perfect for running and biking because you can get music to keep you going and some interesting info as well. Any of you music junkies will love this one if you aren't already subscribed.

Here's the podcast URL to check it out: http://feeds.feedburner.com/coverville

The last show was some great covers of Rolling Stones songs, and it was the first one I downloaded when I got my handset setup. YES!

Brian is quickly approaching his 500th episode of "Coverville", so even if the Stones aren't your thing (what's wrong with you?!!!), you'll certainly find plenty to check out.

Have fun!

I wrote earlier that the WidSets team now offers a catalog of S60 widgets. This is a good thing, but it also seems to have created some confusion in the terminology. In an attempt to make things clearer, and to help you enjoy your widgets with a clear mind, here's my take on the terms:

• Widgets are little Web applications, and come in many shapes and sizes


• WidSets is a service that distributes widgets.


• With some widgets, you need some sort of widget program (like the WidSets client) to see them.


• If you have an S60 phone, you can use fancier widgets that can do more stuff and can be launched directly from the application menu.

-Oren

People say that you shouldn't judge a book just by its cover.

Perhaps they should say that about S60 devices too.

I was just recently reading one of the S60 related blogs from our friends in India, called, (drum roll please) The S60 Blog. They were suggesting that there should be an S60 version of the Nokia 8800. Their intention was to say that although the Nokia 8800 has a wonderful combination of beauty, elegance, style, etc., but was lacking the power, functionality, and user experience delivered through the S60 platform. I think they really liked the form factor as well.

Just for a bit of background here, for anyone who may not have been reading this blog over the past week, you need to know that I was separated from my S60 multimedia enhanced (Nokia N95) most unceremoniously last weekend.

Yes, thieves broke into my car and stole it. ;-(

Since then, I have been granted the use of a Nokia E66, a business focused device. (I know, you can't buy them yet, and I'm truly sorry for that, because, well, you know...)

So imagine my surprise when I unwrapped the E66 and held it in my hand, then opened and shut the slide a few times...and I was reminded of some of the very good things found in the fashion conscious Nokia 8800.

Wait a minute...did he say...?

Yes, I did.

Allow me to explain. Before I set anyone off, let me just say upfront that this is not a "fashion" phone. It is certainly not an "all beauty - no brains" package. This is, first and foremost, an enterprise optimized device with GPS, Wi-Fi, S60 browser, basically the whole s60 package plus email options galore, security features,etc. But, it reminds me of the Nokia 8800.

Uh, in what way...?

First, look at the physical dimensions.

Nokia 8800
Size: 107 x 45 x 17.2 mm
Weight: 139 g

Nokia E66
Size: 107.5 x 49.5 x 13.6 mm
Weight: 121 g

Height/length, almost exactly the same.
Width - the E66 is a bit wider, but that allows for a significantly larger screen.
Thickness, the E66 at only 13.6 mm is actually 3.6 mm thinner than the Nokia 8800!
Weight, the E66 weighs 18 grams less, but still feels incredibly solid.

But beyond just the dimensions, it was the solid construction, the precision of the slide, the satisfying feel of the spring loaded slide mechanism and the sophistication of the finishes that kept bringing me back to the Nokia 8800 comparison. Wait until you see it in person - then you'll understand!

Anyway, this isn't supposed to be a commercial for the Nokia E66, but my point is, i wasn't looking for this kind of experience from a phone designed for the business segment. Maybe I should be.

And maybe our friends at The S60 Blog in India should be as well.

The WidSets team just launched a catalog of S60 widgets that are available free for your widget-capable S60 phone. You can find over 1000 S60 Web widgets by pointing your S60 browser to the catalog home page.

-Oren

Tough weekend I had this week. I was at the store for about 15 minutes and some (fill in your own favorite nasty word here) broke into my car. This was not your high quality professional thief, mind you, but a rank amateur.

I felt I deserved better.

How did I know it was an amateur? He stole the faceplate from my car stereo, and then attacked the dashboard and the rest of the car stereo with a screwdriver - just digging and gouging in an attempt to dislodge the radio/cd/mp3 player. He never got the radio out, but took the useless faceplate anyway.

Sheesh! He destroyed the radio and jacked the dash enough to look pretty bad.

Then, he went into the center console. ;-(

This is where the story gets really ugly. (Those with small children may want to stop reading here. )

HE STOLE MY N95!!!!

You might ask, why did I leave it in the car? I've already beat myself up enough over that one, ok? Let's just say I did, and leave it at that. (it had to do with having no pockets in my running shorts and a bunch of other lame-o excuses no one really wants to hear...) But the bottom line is...

HE STOLE MY N95!!!!

It was the beginning of a holiday weekend here, and I couldn't get my SIM replaced or a new handset until Monday. ughhh.

So, I had another SIM and put it into a NON-S60 phone. I synced up my calendar and contacts, so I was at least able to make calls and remember commitments, but there was sooooo much I couldn't do. No Wi-Fi, no GPS, no S60 browser, a weak music player, minimal video options, and a VGA camera, for pete's sake!

All my great stuff I set up to post on Vox and Share on Ovi...gone. My Slingplayer...gone. My Facebook...gone. My Plazes...gone. More than one thing running at a time so I can switch back and forth...gone.

You know, you can start to take for granted all the functionality that is packed into S60 devices while you have one, but try giving it up for 4 days. It's truly a drag.

.NET is not just for Windows anymore. The Net60 framework from Red Five Labs makes it possible for .NET CF developers to run their applications on S60 devices. If you're a .NET developer in the US, or just interested in .NET CF development, you're invited to a free live webinar on July 10, co-sponsored by Forum Nokia and Red Five Labs, which will explain more about Net60 and how to use it to leverage your .NET CF applications for S60.