S60 Open to new features

Forum Nokia recently recognized the first set of applications to be selected for it's Innovation Series. Some of you may already be familiar with one or more of these apps but here is a summary and video demos showing each one:

What's interesting about this set of applications is the diversity of both the apps and the development environments used to build them, and the fact that all deliver what we believe to be a unique and compelling user experience to S60 device users - these are not time-wasters or novelty apps, they are much more substantive:

Qik (native S60)- live video streaming to the web from video-camera enabled devices such as N95
Hava (native S60) - TV place-shifting - watch your live TV content or recorded DVR conent on your S60 device anywhere with a 3G or WiFi connection
JoikuSpot (native S60) - turns your S60 device into a mobile WiFi hotspot
WebMessenger (native S60) - secure, enterprise grade mobile IM integrated w/Microsoft OCS
Plusmo (WRT) - mobile widget platform
Whrrl (Java) - Location based social discovery
UbiSafe (Java) - Location/GPS tracking
Backup Pal (hardware appliance) - backup, copy, and restore contacts without software or a PC.

If you don't see the videos immediately above, go to http://share.ovi.com/channel/Forum_Nokia.Innovation

I'll be updating this list on a regular basis with more new cool S60 apps from Forum Nokia developers.

Many of you will perhaps already be aware of "Salling Clicker" from Salling Software in Stockholm. This is a really nice application that allows you to use your S60 device as a remote control for the media on your computer. I should first point out that this isn't a standalone S60 application since you first need to install some software on your PC or Mac with which you can then create an installer for your particular device, in this case S60 devices. Your PC or Mac will be serving your media and acting as a host device for the client installed on your handset. You start by downloading the application for PC or Mac(you can start with a trial) installing and following the wizard which will help you install the client on your particular S60 device(s) and setting it up for either a Bluetooth or WiFi connection. In this case I'm using a PC notebook as a media center hooked to a 32" LCD TV, I haven't installed the application on any of our Macs but I'm sure it would work fine! I tried first to connect the devices(N95 & E90) over WiFi but the third-party firewall I have installed on the Windows XP notebook didn't seem to like it so rather than spending hours trying to figure out which software components or ports to connect through I decided to use bluetooth which appears to function fine. I decided to use the N95 as the primary remote since I use the E90 as a phone but if you've got only once device you can set Salling Clicker to automatically mute the system volume while you're on the phone. I should point out that only one device at a time can connect, connecting one will disconnect the other, well at least from what I could see, I had to test it!

When connected you can control applications like iTunes, PowerPoint or Windows Media Player. There are third-party plugins available to control other applications which I haven't yet tried. You can for example connect to iTunes, browse your music or podcast library or playlists, select the item, play and pause it etc. If it's video podcasts you're browsing you will of course need to have TV or monitor powered on but if it's music you don't need one since all the info you need is available for your S60 device display. This is great in my case since I don't need to run the LCD TV to play some music. In iTunes a "Salling Clicker" playlist will be created which displays the tracks of the currently selected album. You can search by artist, album or track title and any album art added will also be displayed.

You also have access to some system settings, you can shutdown your computer, set the system volume, display your S60 device info and use the device as a mouse pointer where you use the directional controls to move the mouse. Since in Windows Media Player you can also browse any music videos you happen to have(Video PlayLists) as a bit of a workaround I instead set the video library to browse my video files(home movies etc) and can use my S60 device to start, pause and forward my videos when the TV is on of course!

What was your most used service on summer holiday or what do you think what will be the most important service during your holiday?
Since I live in Finland and our summers are sometimes a bit tricky I used Foreca weather service the most. I checked it many times in a day and sometimes checked weather for a town on other side of the globe, just for fun. It was really usefull too and it provides many different views including informative animations. To make the use very easy it provides also short weather summary in active idle screen so that you don't have to do anything to see it (using calendar entries as solution here). Service is not working only in Finland but elsewhere too, try it yourself: http://corporate.foreca.com/en/products/wireless-mobile/

Wellcome back to work or if your holiday is still ongoing or comes in near future: relax relax relax!

I just saw that Mark/Space has made their "Missing Sync for Symbian" commercially available for all you Mac lovers out there.

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Missing Sync for Symbian syncs your S60 mobile phone with your Mac. You can synchronize personal contacts, calendars and tasks, plus your favorite music, photos, videos and files.

There is even something they call Proximity Sync™. This uses Bluetooth to sync data automatically whenever your Mac and phone get within about 30 feet of each other.

As I am not in the Mac owner's category, I ask you.

Is this better than iSync and Multimedia Transfer?

Will you shell out $39.95 for it?

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.