Best Crypto Updated to V2.00

If you are a security-conscious S60 3^rd Edition handset owner and want to protect your sensitive files, you might want to give SmartphoneWare’s Best Crypto a try. It’s designed to provide a very secure protection level for just any kind of file and uses both the highly strong industry-standard RC6 (ECB-Mode) and less secure MD5 algorithms. The encryption/decryption task can be performed through the S60 File Manager, too. While this $17.95 application deserves a complete review, for the time being suffice it to say that V2.00 of Best Crypto was just released with the following new features:

• Allows multiple selection and multiple files encryption/decryption at once from both safe list and FileMan,
• Shows detailed progress of encryption/decryption operations,
• Possibility to cancel encryption or decryption process at any time added,
• Safe list: Item display format is changed. More items can be displayed on screen at the same time now,
• Possibility to launch/view file directly from Best Crypto added,
• Icons in FileMan re-designed, they look better on high resolution devices now,
• Large files are encrypted/decrypted much faster now,
• Error during operation doesn’t put file into undefined state any more. All changes fully reverted and temporary data cleared on any failed action,
• Languages: English, German and Russian,
• Symbian Signed.

If you’re upgrading from a previous release, consider the following:

• The new version can’t load your previous version options. So you will have to add your sensitive files to the safe list again. Encrypted or not, the new version recognizes the old version encrypted files.
• If you’ve purchased the previous version, you can use the new version for free and your registration information will stay the same. When the application starts, however, you will need to enter your registration information again.
• The new version won’t replace your old version on your device — both versions can be installed at the same time. If you don’t need the previous version any longer you can uninstall it manually.

For more information regarding this application and to download a 15-day trial, visit this page.

Cell Phones to Enter Cuba

These days, we tend to think of access to mobile phones as something mundane. In spite of the fact that service providers all over the globe differ from one another in terms of the features they provide, owning a handset and initiating a phone call is no longer a heroic task. However, that hasn’t been the case for Cubans. As the government didn’t allow them to own cell phones and no carrier existed there, people had to get their friends or relatives abroad to provide them with such a service. Now the new Cuban president, 76-year-old Raul Castro, has decided to remove the ban although people would have no choice but to pay for it in foreign currency. For more on this, read the BBC article.

Nokia 6220 Classic Manual on the FCC Web Site

Remember the announcement of the Nokia 6220 Classic a couple months ago? The successor to the 6120C will have a 5MP camera with Xenon flash, one speaker, AGPS, FM radio and will provide various V2.0 bluetooth profiles including A2DP. The phone won’t have WiFi, won’t offer a 3.5 mm audio jack, and will come with a BP-5M battery. If interested, you can download its draft manual from the FCC web site using this URL. It downloaded on my hard drive with the CGI extension, and I had to manually change the extension to PDF.

The New N95 Classic Firmware Release and User Data Preservation

When Nokia released firmware V11.0.117 for the N82 back in January, everyone was happy to see the debut of User Data Preservation (UDP) which meant it was no longer necessary to reinstall everything into the phone memory after updating the firmware. At that time many people, myself included, thought it would become a standard feature of all future firmware releases on FP1 Nseries handsets. Now it’s interesting to find out that the latest N95 Classic firmware release, V21.0.016, doesn’t come with UDP. A friend of mine who just finished updating his N95 also told me that he had to reinstall his applications altogether into the phone memory.

The obvious question is why Nokia hasn’t made UDP a part of this firmware release. Are there any software limitations at work? I don’t think so because the N95 has a lot in common with the N82 as both are FP1 handsets with analogous features. Is a lack of ample time to be blamed for the absence of UDP? Again I don’t think that’s the case because Nokia could have managed this over the 2-month span after the release of the N82 firmware update.

If software technicalities and timing issues are ruled out, we should pinpoint the cause somewhere else. In my opinion, Nokia purposefully distributes new features when it releases firmware updates so as to avoid making a certain handset stand out in the crowd. So, for instance, when it releases a new firmware update for the N95 8GB and enables Flash Lite 3 for that handset, the software engineers do their best to keep it away from the N82’s firmware release. Yes, the N82 will most likely get Flash Lite 3 support soon, but it could have gained the title of a Flash Lite 3-enabled handset back in January. And, clearly enough, the same strategy can be observed when Nokia manufactures new handsets. The N95 8GB has a better battery compared with the N95 Classic but doesn’t come with a physical camera shutter, the upcoming N96 has a 950 BL5 battery with its array of features, and the N82 offers a better battery compared with the N95 Classic but doesn’t offer music-dedicated keys.

At the end of the day, will User Data Preservation be bestowed on the N95 Classic? There exists no technical obstacle to prevent it, but that will take some time.

Nokia BH-503 or Nokia BH-604: Which One to Buy

Yesterday I posted an article about Nokia BH-503 and compared it with Nokia BH-604. I also tried to highlight what either of them is intrinsically capable of doing. However, if you’re still wondering which one to buy, it might not be a bad idea to read my observations below.

 

Stereo Bluetooth headsets and built-in microphones

As we all know, stereo Bluetooth headsets come with built-in microphones. In general, these microphones are inferior to the ones found on different handsets. For instance, built-in headset microphones cannot come close to what the N82’s microphone offers. Nonetheless, we should choose the best built-in microphone when it comes to buying a stereo Bluetooth headset. I’m confident that the BH-503 has a relatively better microphone if you compare it with the BH-604. The microphones are essentially the same upon taking calls, but if you use an application like ALON MP3 Dictaphone to record surrounding sounds the difference becomes obvious. As far as ALON MP3 Dictaphone is concerned, the BH604 generates a noticeable hissing sound when its microphone replaces my N82’s microphone for recording purposes. The BH-503, however, does a better job of recording surrounding sounds without inserting extra noises into the recorded file.

 

Stereo Bluetooth headsets and Symbian screen readers

If you use a Symbian screen reader to access your handset features, I highly recommend that you go with the BH-503 rather than the BH-604. While both headsets function equally well on my XPS M1210 notebook with JAWS 9.0, the BH-604 generates annoying speech cutouts at the beginning of utterances on my N82. This means that if you press a key on your handset, wait for a few seconds and issue the second key, you won’t hear most of the phone’s response. This is not an issue with the BH-503. Besides, the BH-604 usually produces high-pitched sounds which can be easily caught by many users’ ears. The BH-503, on the other hands, never changes the sound frequencies in a way that its audio is quite similar to the audio which is generated by the handset speakers.

 

The last word, for God’s sake

Technically speaking, although both headsets make use of V2.0 bluetooth profiles, Nokia BH-503 is a better stereo Bluetooth headset for both sighted and visually impaired handset owners. If you use either Nuance TALKS or Mobile Speak, the BH-503 should be your top priority even with its higher price tag.

Nokia N95 Firmware V21.0.016 Available

Today Nokia made a relatively minor firmware update, V21.0.016, available for N95 Classic owners. Of course, the term “minor” applies to this release only if we compare its features with those of the previous V20 firmware update. Anyway, the new features provided by this firmware are:

 

• Flash Lite 3 support (for accessing Flash video sites such as YouTube),
• Standalone Widget support (via Web runtime),
• Standby-time improvements,
• Better Bluetooth headset compatibility,
• Enhanced Java application support.

 

This firmware update brings the N95 Classic on a par with the N95 8GB with its firmware release V15.

Nokia BH-503 Review: Stereo Bluetooth Headset for Fashionmongers

You might have read part 1 and part 2 of my Nokia BH-604 stereo Bluetooth headset review. The BH-604 is one of the best stereo Bluetooth headsets I’ve ever seen, and the +18-hour battery life it offers cannot be easily ignored. I currently use it at home as my major headphone because it’s also compatible with my Dell XPS M1210 notebook.

 

Why buy a new headset then?

On the face of it, my BH-604 satisfies all my audio-related needs. However, it cannot be easily worn in outdoor environments due to its bulkiness. The BH-604 offers a stable headband which is to make sure the headset remains secure while moving around or taking a walk. While Nokia has done a great job with the headband, the earcups are so big that they might make you feel a bit uncomfortable in the public. What’s more, if you wear the headset for more than, say, 20 minutes, you should take care of your hair after removing it because the headband tends to alter your hair. Obviously using a comb in a taxi and in front of those who are still staring at a big headset isn’t everyone’s preference. That’s why I decided to look for a second stereo Bluetooth headset with similar functions but with a special focus on wearability and fashion. My pursuit continued for a few days until I came across Nokia BH-503. I was also lucky enough to buy a $160 headset at a rebate price of $90.

 

What is Nokia BH-503?

In terms of keys and functions, Nokia BH-503 is in essence similar to Nokia BH-604. That is, all BH-503 keys are located on the right earcup and it allows users to move back and forth among songs, move forward and backward in a track, alter the playback volume, stop/pause/resume the playback, receive calls, and switch to the music player application. However, the BH-503 has smaller earcups and offers a unique approach to the issue of wearability by means of a laid-back design. Put differently, it has a neckband rather than a headband: IMG: Nokia BH-503, taken from Nokia. Unlike the BH-604, the neckband isn’t a mechanically-adjustable tool, and might require a bit of getting used to. Once, however, you are accustomed to the neckband and the tiny earhooks which have been designed to keep the headset in a solid position, you’ll never put it down. The BH-503 weighs 105 grams, offers more than 11 hours of talk time and music playback, comes with the Nokia Compact Travel Charger AC-5, and, like the BH-604, has a soft carrying pouch. It is compatible with various V2.0 Bluetooth profiles including A2DP and HSP, and can be paired with any A2DP-compatible device using the universal “0000″ passkey. All BH-503 keys can be found on the right earcup and, unlike the BH-604, it has no sideway keys. The only minor issue I face upon using the BH-503 is that the Volume Up/Down keys are upward buttons, meaning I should press either of them using my index finger while holding the bottom side of the right earcup with my thumb.

 

New discoveries

In my post about Nokia BH-604 I stated that I can’t use the playback keys on the headset to control the music as I connect the BH-604 to my notebook. Well, it seems that I’m partially wrong here because this just applies to Winamp. Both Nokia BH-503 and Nokia BH-604 are fully compatible with Windows Media Player 11 and can move the user back and forth among songs. As another upside, I just discover that I can take advantage of the headset microphone to record using ALON MP3 Dictaphone. This means that if, for instance, I go to the seaside and decide to record the wave sounds, I need not keep the N82 in my hands as I wear the BH-503.

 

Final thoughts

As I have the experience of using two fabulous Nokia stereo Bluetooth headsets, I suggest that you take into account the unique features each one provides before making the final decision. Do you want superior battery life? Go with the BH-604 as it provides up to 18 hours of talk time and music playback. Do you need a fashionable headset for outdoor use which doesn’t make you feel a tad uncanny? Select the BH-503 as its eye-catching design generates nothing but admiration. Do you fancy a super-loud audio volume? Choose the BH-604 as its cups fully cover your ears so as not to let extraneous sounds in. Are you in need of a relatively small headset? Buy the BH-503 as its 105-g weight cannot be compared with the 250-g weight of the BH-604. Finally, is your uttermost concern audio quality? Snap up either of them and you won’t be regretful about following my advice. Currently the BH-503 is slightly more expensive than the BH-604.

Mobile Speak 3.40 and Limited Observations

It wasn’t a while ago that I posted the news of the release of Mobile Speak 3.40 on this blog. I was planning to compare it with TALKS 3.51, however, Code Factory’s sales department didn’t reply to my requests for a Mobile Speak demo license. Actually, I got a Mobile Speak 3.32 30-day demo license in early January, but I can’t use it with Mobile Speak 3.40. As a consequence, I asked Code Factory a few times to provide me with another demo license for the purpose of reviewing the application on this blog, but they haven’t yet sent me a reply. As a consequence, what you read below is far away from a full-blown review because I was limited to 10 minutes of Mobile Speak per session, and didn’t find it comfortable to restart my N82 every 10 minutes. If and when I get the demo license, I’ll publish a more in-depth Mobile Speak review here.

 

Getting started

As with Nuance TALKS, Mobile Speak requires the installation of two files. One is the screen reader itself, and the other is the TTS engine. After going to the Mobile Speak download page, I ran the wizard and downloaded the Fonix US English package of Mobile Speak. This gives me the familiar DECTalk voice in US English.

When installed, all Mobile Speak icons are placed in a folder titled Mobile Speak. This folder can be located on the main menu, and allows users to start/stop Mobile Speak or configure it.

 

The 3.40 improvements

As this is not a comprehensive Mobile Speak review, I directly jump to the improvements found in V3.40. First of all, the music player is now accessible with Mobile Speak. With the 3.32 release, I couldn’t use the music player and Mobile Speak together. Also, Mobile Speak 3.40 can recognize progress bars, and you need to press the joystick up or down to hear the progress bar indicators.

Mobile Speak can now play a sound upon starting up. I find the playback process problematic on my N82. First, it gets played before the standard Nokia start-up sound, thereby confusing many users. Second, it’s quite louder than the Nokia start-up sound, and its volume cannot be altered at all. It’s worth mentioning that the use of such a sound can be disabled in the Configure Mobile Speak window; however, once enabled, the problems can be observed readily.

With the 3.40 release, Mobile Speak users can adjust the volume of the Nokia TTS separately, and this is useful for calls. As before, Mobile Speak does a good job of reading the standby icons without any delays whatsoever.

 

Problems

Mobile Speak 3.40 is a bit sluggish while navigating in lists and different menus. Although things have dramatically improved with newer Mobile Speak releases, there’s still some work to be done in this regard. Moreover, from time to time I experience total speech cutouts for a few seconds before being able to resume my normal activities. Finally, the Configure Mobile Speak window is as sluggish as before, meaning it requires a couple of seconds to become active.

Y-Browser Updated to V0.88

I’m wondering why the super-popular free S60 3rd Edition file browser, Y-Browser, hasn’t yet been updated to V1.0. Whatever the cause, Y-Browser V0.88 is now available for download, and this time it’s not a MOSH-only application. The update brings several bug fixes, provides FP2-compatibility and offers new features like file type associations and command shortcuts available via its Settings menu. In addition, the download page now offers updated V0.88-compatible plug-ins such as BtObex sender, Mail folders, Text viewer and Zip.

If you are a Symbian screen reader user, note that Y-Browser 0.88 doesn’t work smoothly with screen readers. That is, as you press Right to move to the list of files inside a folder and then press Up and Down to navigate among the files inside that folder, both TALKS and Mobile Speak tend to repeat the full directory path before reading the file name which gains focus. This is much more noticeable with TALKS as the so-called screen refreshes get announced in rapid successions — something for both screen reader developers to look at. I’ve used my N82 to test both screen readers with Y-Browser 0.88.

ALON MP3 Dictaphone 2.80 Released

 

A short while ago I reported that ALON Software is to release ALON MP3 Dictaphone 2.73, and the application itself was on the company’s download page without any hints as to what it would offer. Now we know that ALON Software has made ALON MP3 Dictaphone V2.80 officially available. According to ALON Software, this release can automatically archive recorded phone calls. I’m just downloading this new release and if you want to grab it, use this URL.