Barriosquare Foursquare app now in Extras-devel, getting closer to Ovi Store
I previously gave you a short tour of Barriosquare on the Nokia N900 and told ... [read more ››]
New Twitter app for the N900, along with a nice update to Witter
One of the reasons I have been using my Google Nexus One more than the N900 over the last month or so is the sheer number and quality of applications for Android. The N900 is a fantastic device, but applications need to get better. I saw a Tweet from Chanse (Nokia employee) that he was testing a new Twitter application called TweeGo. I followed the link to Maemo Central and followed the instructions to download and install the application to my N900. I also discovered an update to Witter and can honestly say that lack of a good Twitter app is no longer a concern for me on the N900.
TweeGo
I was getting some dependency errors and had to enter apt-get -f install to get things straightened out, but now all is good. TweeGo definitely has a slick look and feel to it, but still feels a bit early in development with some limits on Twitter functionality. You can view your Twitter stream, post status updates, and perform some functions after tapping on a Tweet (Retweet, reply, favorite, unfollow). I do not see any way to view mentions or direct messages, update your status with photos, or view conversations/threads. I was all ready to stop using my current application, Witter, and make the switch to TweeGo when I saw there was an update to Witter made today too.
Witter
The updated Witter version improves the UI, which is the area I wanted to see fixed up since it already had a ton of functionality built into it. As you can see in the screenshot, you can now view profile pics in your Twitter feed while also getting a cleaner default theme. The one final function I would like to see is the ability to view the conversation. Other than that, I have to say I am quite happy with Witter and am pleased with the way applications are rolling out on the N900.
Nokia Nuron gets reviewed by Engadget, they are not impressed
I was expecting to get a chance to try out the Nokia Nuron from T-Mobile sometime before it’s release this week, but T-Mobile hasn’t been hooking me up with review units like they have in the past so we have to look elsewhere for reviews. Engadget posted their Nokia Nuron review and the bottom line is not very encouraging. The device will be available under contract for $70, which is a nice price for a device with free Ovi Maps, but sadly Engadget thinks that price isn’t even good enough to recommend it.
As I said back when the Nokia 5800 XM launched, it should have been launched on T-Mobile USA last year with WiFi, GPS, and T-Mobile 3G support. I agree that launching a smartphone without WiFi today is not a good choice and have no idea why we are seeing the Nuron rather than a 5800 XM. If they are targeting teens, then the device has to have a good messaging client and Nokia does not have that on S60 with no threaded SMS and a rather weak keyboard input method on 5th Edition devices without a keyboard.
Barriosquare Foursquare app now in Extras-devel, getting closer to Ovi Store
I previously gave you a short tour of Barriosquare on the Nokia N900 and told you about the beta opportunity. We just received word that Barriosquare is now available in the Extras-devel section of the Maemo repository so it is much easier to get it loaded onto your device now. You no longer have to use terminal commands and be a member of the beta test group to install and use Barriosquare.
JoikuSpot Premium for N900 1.0 available now for less than $10
Just a few weeks ago I wrote about the beta version of JoikuSpot for the N900 and was able to use it for downloading data when connected to my computer. I spent the last couple of weeks bouncing around with a Sprint Overdrive and Palm Pre Plus with Mobile Hotspot, but tonight when I needed a connection I ended up putting my T-Mobile SIM back into my trusty Nokia N900 and firing up Joikuspot. I then discovered that the beta version had expired and JoikuSpot graduated to a full version, called Premium, for the N900. The great news for those who are reading this site and are probably one of the early adopters is that you can buy JoikuSpot Premium Linux (N900) Edition for just 7 EUR, which is less than half the regular price. This launch price is only available to the first 1,000 people who purchase the application. BTW, this works out to about USD$9.50.
I purchased the full version immediately and am actually posting this entry from my MacBook Pro connected to the N900 wirelessly. With the fast T-Mobile 3G data signal, this solution is awesome and will result in me not needing to turn on the Verizon HotSpot option on the Palm Pre Plus. If you have a Nokia N900 on T-Mobile I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you go buy this application right now.
Review: Proporta Screen Protector and Sync-Charge Cradle for Nokia N97 mini
I wrote my review of the N97 mini back in early December and still think it is one of the best Nokia smartphones available today. It is a S60 5th Edition device built as stout as an Eseries device. Even though I have been trying out some of the newer smartphones for my ZDNet blog, I do keep the N97 mini close at hand for apps and rock solid performance. Proporta reached out to me to see if I wanted to evaluate a couple of accessories for the N97 mini and they ended up sending along an Advanced Screen Protector and USB Sync-Charge Cradle. Let’s take a look at my thoughts on these two accessories with an image gallery of both following my writing.
Advanced Screen Protector
I switch devices almost as often as fast as I change my underwear and thus the first thing I do with my devices is purchase and install screen protectors on them. This way, my device displays remain in mint condition so they retain their resale value when I decide to switch to another device and so I can throw my device in my pocket without worrying about scratching. I was curious to see how much of the front of the N97 mini the Proporta Advanced Screen Protector would cover since the BodyGuardz I installed on my N97 covered the entire front with openings for the buttons, camera, and proximity sensor. The Proporta protector covers just the display area itself, which is really the most important part to protect.Inside the slim packaging you will find the screen protector, fiber cleaning cloth, bubble removal/application card, and directions on the inside of the packaging. There are only three steps to installing the Proporta Advanced Screen Protector and unlike some recent skins I have tried there is no liquid used or drying period. You simply peel off the backing with the yellow tab and slowly place the protector on the N97 mini as you then slide the protector on and continue peeling back the covering. I was able to clean the display and install the protector within less than a couple of minutes.
I understand that Proporta uses some kind of adhesive material to secure the protector to the display, but it doesn’t leave any residue or anything and can actually be washed and reused if needed.
I am seeing no impact on the clarity of the display and it actually reduces glare from sunlight and bright indoor lighting a bit too and I prefer it over the glossy finish the device already has. It does give a slightly rougher feel to the display, but nothing that affects the usability of the device. It is supposed to improve the “feel” during stylus use, but I have never used a stylus on the N97 mini so that is not a benefit I personally care about.
The Proporta Advanced Screen Protector sells for just $6.95 and if you are looking for a way to protect your display, then this is a good product to consider.
Ratings (out of 5)
Overall: 4.5/5
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T-Mobile to get Nokia Nuron with 3G data support
Back when the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic was released I wrote that this would be the perfect phone for T-Mobile USA to roll out with since they had a few XpressMusic devices, but could use a higher end one that was still available for a low price. Somebody must have been listening because T-Mobile and Nokia just announced that the Nokia 5230 Nuron is coming to T-Mobile USA with support for T-Mobile’s 3G data network (the real fastest carrier in the US). This is also the first device in the US pre-loaded with the new free Ovi Maps 3.0 software so buyers get a full GPS navigation solution on a fairly large 3.2 inch touch screen display. With a price of only $69.99 with a two-year service agreement, $50 mail-in rebate, and qualifying voice & data plan I think this may be what my oldest daughter needs to get her around town when she starts driving in a few months. BTW, the Nuron looks very similar to a 5800 XM and I will be curious to see what is physically different.
The Nokia Nuron has the following specifications:
- Quad-band GSM
- Dual Band HSDPA
- S60 5th Edition
- Bluetooth 2.0
- FM radio
- Integrated A-GPS receiver
- 2 megapixel camera
- 3.2 inch 640×360 nHD touchscreen display
- microUSB port
- 3.5mm headset jack
- microSD card slot
- BL-5J 1320 mAh standard battery
- Proximity sensor
- Accelerometer
- Dimensions of 4.37 x 2.03 x 0.61 inches and 4.05 ounces
Nokia now has four smartphone classes; Nseries, Eseries, Xseries, and Cseries
So now that the Nokia C5 has been announced we see that Nokia is standardizing on four series for Nokia smartphones, not their Series 40 phones. We now have the Cseries, Xseries, Eseries, and Nseries. We also learn over on the Nokia Conversations blog that each device will be numbered from 1 to 9, that signifies the range of functionality and approximate price with 1 being the lowest and 9 the highest. We see the recent devices as the X6, C5, E72, and N900 so you can see how the first numbers match the functionality.
As stated on the Nokia Conversations site:
This new naming convention is designed to make things easier for users, so they can quickly and easily work out where a device sits within the series and beyond that have a clearer idea of what each series does. Nseries remains the flagship and most advanced range of products. Xseries comes next and focuses on social entertainment. Eseries remains focussed on productivity and business whilst Cseries represents the core range of products.I am not sure how well these will appeal to consumers since it seems easier to me to have names like Motorola DROID, Nexus One, and iPhone. I am not a big fan of phones with numbers for names, but with the large selection of phones that Nokia has and the range of their four series I understand why numbering is necessary.
What do you think of the four category naming scheme?
fring and Truphone updates available for Nokia owners
I’ve been a bit remiss in mentioning software and services other than what I have been discovering on my own Nokia N900 so I wanted to let you know about updates to two applications I have used quite a bit in the past. Both fring and Truphone have new versions for Nokia owners.
fring
Back in November fring announced support for Skype video calling on selected Nokia devices. The supported devices included the Nokia X6, N97 mini, N97, 5800, N95, N95 8G and N82 phones. I installed it and tested it out on the N97 mini with Mickey Papillon during the Smartphone Round Robin event and was very impressed with the quality of the video and ease of functionality.Yesterday fringe announced support for the Nokia E72 and E75 (and other Symbian 9.3 devices). Now many Nokia users can make video calls via fringe or Skype right from their smartphones.
fringe also stated that all Nokia fring users should update to the newest version that includes quality improvements, bug fixes, and improved connectivity.
Truphone
Truphone 5.0 was also just released with support for the Nokia E52, E55, E72, E75, and N86. I started using Truphone a few years ago on Nokia devices and that is the platform they started with so it is good to see the application still being updated for Nokia devices.Truphone lets you do the following with your device:
- Free Wi-Fi calls to other Truphone users
- Low-cost calls over Wi-Fi
- Low-cost international calls without Wi-Fi
- Fantastic call quality
- Low-cost international SMS (selected devices only)
- Free incoming phone number for UK & US customers
