LightNotepad V1.58 Released

The small, popular and accessible text editor for S60 3^rd Edition handsets, LightNotepad, was updated to V1.58 yesterday. This free application which gets frequent updates is a must-have for those who want to read and edit text documents on their handsets, and I’m bold enough to claim that LightNotepad easily surpasses its Windows counterpart as far as reading-related features are concerned. This release provides the following new features and bug fixes:

• Short cuts Ctrl+E = Find and Ctrl+O Open.
• Remember settings on exit (Screen size and orientation, Zoom, and WordWrap).
• Ask at start-up to load last used file, and remember cursor position.
• Bug fix; Remember file name, while recovering file from abnormal program termination.
• Install same language as phone is. (English, Finnish, Spanish, Italian.).

This is the direct download URL for those who want to get the update without visiting the developer’s web site. If you like LightNotepad, consider donating some money to the guy who’s behind this and other free Symbian applications by going to the program page.

Python for S60 V1.4.4 Released

The popular SourceForge Symbian application, Python for S60, was just updated to V1.4.4. If you have Python-based applications on your handset, don’t hesitate to install this update. Technical enhancements in this release are:

• PC Suite synchronized contact field types broken.
• E32.start_service() crashes pys60 1.4.2.
• Unread(sms_id) returns 32.
• Calendar can’t see appointments on last day of a month.
• Audio.say won’t say äö.
• Print in _internalsocketobject.
• PyS60 1.4.0 text drawing fails on Image with tuple.
• Select_access_point() and access_points() bug.
• Custom font drawing doesn’t work with Image.
• Error import socket because of e32socket error.

Python-based projects are important because the applications they provide have been accessible so far.

Code Factory Provides Trial Licenses via Its Web Site

If you want to give Code Factory’s Symbian products a try before making a purchasing decision, you can now obtain a trial license for your handset without having to contact a dealer. Just go to this page, fill out the form by providing the required pieces of information such as product serial number, device brand and model, email address and full name, hit the Submit button and the 30-day trial license will be sent to your email address. This form can generate trial licenses for Mobile Speak, Mobile Magnifier and Mobile Color Recognizer.

Nokia N78 OTA Firmware V11.043 Released

This “over-the-air” (OTA) software release will not be available through the Nokia Software Updater application, but is available directly through your Nokia N78. The release includes improved stability with Bluetooth (headsets and car kits) and music (playback over a long time and content refresh). This release also includes optimized Camera performance and Naviscroll sensitivity improvements.

Technology innovations mean the size of this “over-the-air” update is approximately 2 MB. To get this software through your Nokia N78, click Menu > Tools > Utilities > Device Manager. Select Options > Check for updates and follow the on-screen prompts. Remember that you can also use Wi-Fi to download the update.

Nokia to Purchase the Rest of Symbian LTD

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE June 24, 2008

Nokia to acquire Symbian Limited to enable evolution of the leading open mobile platform

Visionary move embraces openness and accelerates innovation

Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced it has launched a cash offer to acquire all of the shares of Symbian Limited that Nokia does not already own, at a price of EUR 3.647 per share. The net cash outlay from Nokia to purchase the approximately 52% of Symbian Limited shares it does not already own will be approximately EUR 264 million.

Nokia has received irrevocable undertakings from Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ), Panasonic Mobile Communications Co. Ltd. and Siemens International Holding BV to accept the offer, representing approximately 91% of the Symbian shares subject to the offer. Nokia also expects Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. to accept the offer.

The acquisition is a fundamental step in the establishment of the Symbian Foundation, announced today by Nokia, together with ATT, LG Electronics, Motorola, NTT DOCOMO, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and Vodafone. More information about the planned foundation can be found at www.symbianfoundation.org .

“This is a significant milestone in our software strategy” said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, CEO of Nokia. “Symbian is already the leading open platform for mobile devices. Through this acquisition and the establishment of the Symbian Foundation, it will undisputedly be the most attractive platform for mobile innovation. This will drive the development of new and compelling, web-enabled applications to delight a new generation of consumers.”

“The wide support for this initiative, uniting the industry around the Symbian platform, reflects the strong gravitational pull it has for application developers and other ecosystem players. We will drive efficient, open innovation by unifying the platform and simplifying the software supply chain, leveraging our experience from mobile devices. Nokia is strongly positioned to realize the benefits of open innovation, as well as accelerating time to market, enabling us to meet and exceed consumer expectations for leading converged devices and experiences”, Kallasvuo continued.

Symbian Limited is the software company that develops and licenses Symbian OS, the market-leading open operating system for mobile devices. User interfaces designed for Symbian OS include S60 from Nokia, MOAP (S) for the 3G network and UIQ, designed by UIQ Technology, a joint venture between Motorola and Sony Ericsson. A privately-owned company established in 1998, Symbian has its headquarters in London, UK and other offices in the United Kingdom, United States and Asia (Bangalore, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo).

“Ten years ago, Symbian was established by far sighted players to offer an advanced open operating system and software skills to the whole mobile industry”, said Nigel Clifford, CEO of Symbian. “Our vision is to become the most widely used software platform on the planet and indeed today Symbian OS leads its market by any measure. Today’s announcement is a bold new step to achieve that vision by embracing a complete and proven platform, offered in an open way, designed to stimulate innovation, which is at the heart of everything we do.”

Mobile devices based on Symbian OS account for 60% of the converged mobile device segment (source: Canalys, 12 months to Q1 2008). Symbian OS represented approximately 7% of all mobile device sales in 2007, up from 5% in 2006 (source: Strategy Analytics). To date, more than 200 million Symbian OS based phones have been shipped, over 235 models, from 8 vendors and on more than 250 mobile networks around the world. More than 4 million developers are engaged in producing applications for Symbian devices.

Nokia expects the acquisition to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2008 and is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. On a reported basis, Nokia expects the transaction to be dilutive in 2009, approximately breakeven in 2010, and accretive in 2011. On a cash basis, Nokia expects the transaction to be dilutive in 2009 and accretive in 2010 and 2011. After the closing, all Symbian employees will become Nokia employees.

Mobile Tycoons to Consolidate the Symbian Platform under the Symbian Foundation

This is an exciting piece of news which, I think, will benefit handset owners in the long run. I’ll talk about the upshots of this decision in a later post. The press release follows.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE, June 24, 2008

Mobile leaders to unify the Symbian software platform and set the future of mobile free

Foundation to be established to provide royalty-free open platform and accelerate innovation

London, UK - Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and NTT DOCOMO announced today their intent to unite Symbian OS(TM), S60, UIQ and MOAP(S) to create one open mobile software platform. Together with ATT, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and Vodafone they plan to establish the Symbian Foundation to extend the appeal of this unified software platform. Membership of this non-profit Foundation will be open to all organizations. This initiative is supported by current shareholders and management of Symbian Limited, who have been actively involved in its development. Plans for the Foundation have already received wide support from other industry leaders.

To enable the Foundation, Nokia today announced plans to acquire the remaining shares of Symbian Limited that Nokia does not already own and then contribute the Symbian and S60 software to the Foundation. Sony Ericsson and Motorola today announced their intention to contribute technology from UIQ and DOCOMO has also indicated its willingness to contribute its MOAP(S) assets. From these contributions, the Foundation will provide a unified platform with common UI framework. A full platform will be available for all Foundation members under a royalty-free license, from the Foundation’s first day of operations.

Contributions from Foundation members through open collaboration will be integrated to further enhance the platform. The Foundation will make selected components available as open source at launch. It will then work to establish the most complete mobile software offering available in open source. This will be made available over the next two years and is intended to be released under Eclipse Public License (EPL) 1.0.

The Foundation’s platform will build on the leading open mobile software platform, with more than 200 million phones, across 235 models, already shipped by multiple vendors and tens of thousands of third-party applications already available for Symbian OS-based devices.

“Ten years ago, Symbian was established by far sighted players to offer an advanced open operating system and software skills to the whole mobile industry”, said Nigel Clifford, CEO of Symbian. “Our vision is to become the most widely used software platform on the planet and indeed today Symbian OS leads its market by any measure. Today’s announcement is a bold new step to achieve that vision by embracing a complete and proven platform, offered in an open way, designed to stimulate innovation which is at the heart of everything we do.”

“Establishing the Foundation is one of the biggest contributions to an open community ever made,” said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, CEO of Nokia. “Nokia is a strong supporter of open platforms and technologies as they give the freedom to build, maintain and evolve applications and services across device segments and offer by far the largest ecosystem, enabling rapid innovation. Today’s announcement is a major milestone in our devices software strategy.”

“The complete, consistent platform that the Foundation plans to provide will allow manufacturers to focus on their unique differentiation at a device level” said Dick Komiyama, President of Sony Ericsson. “Sony Ericsson believes that the unified Symbian Foundation platform will greatly simplify the world for handset manufacturers, operators and developers, enabling greater innovation in services and applications to the benefit of consumers everywhere.”

“Motorola has long been a leader and advocate of open software for mobile platforms. We’re excited to be joining Nokia, Sony Ericsson, NTT DOCOMO and others in leading this open source effort to form the new Symbian Foundation and unite the Symbian ecosystem,” said Alain Mutricy, Senior Vice President, Platforms & Technology Office, Motorola Mobile Devices. “Also, Motorola, together with Sony Ericsson, will be contributing UIQ technology to the Foundation and will work with UIQ as they are refocusing as an important supplier in the new Symbian ecosystem. This will be a great addition, as the Foundation will be able to leverage UIQ’s unique experience, which includes expertise in touch technology.”

“DOCOMO welcomes this development and we look forward to moving our Symbian based devices and service onto the Foundation platform. We are also willing to contribute our MOAP(S) assets to the Foundation. This is a very positive step in further increasing the adoption of the Symbian software and creating an even more open, consistent and complete platform. The Foundation software will enable us to enjoy the benefits of a global platform in bringing new, leading-edge services to the Japanese market. It will increase efficiency and help us provide our wide customer base with the most advanced mobile experiences.” said Toshio Miki, Associate Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Communication Device Development Department of NTT DOCOMO.

“Mobile phones have turned into sophisticated multimedia computers and smart phones continue to grow in popularity,” said Kris Rinne, Senior Vice President of Architecture and Planning at ATT. “The Symbian Foundation will reduce fragmentation in the industry and holds the promise of incorporating leading technology and the most mature software into a unified platform for the entire industry. This will create an environment that will encourage and enable developers to build compelling applications that will positively affect our customers’ lives and support ATT in offering its differentiated services to consumers.”

“Joining the Symbian Foundation is an ideal opportunity for LG to broaden our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible mobile experience” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We believe that open mobile platforms will contribute to advance the mobile industry. At LG we will play a leading role in creating a better mobile environment, working with the Symbian Foundation to provide our customers with smart new features based on this open platform.”

“Samsung Electronics is committed to Symbian as one of the future platforms for our mobile devices and believes that establishing the Foundation is a visionary move in positioning the platform as a proven open platform for future development. We are delighted to be playing a significant role in that future by joining the Foundation board. We have already used Symbian and S60 software successfully to deliver appealing devices and see these steps making the platform even more attractive for bringing the latest technologies and services to the market” said Dr. Do Hun Kwon, VP & Managing Director, Samsung Electronics Research Institute.

“ST sees strong consumer demand, across all segments, for a richer multimedia experience,” said Monica de Virgiliis, General Manager of the Wireless Multimedia Division, STMicroelectronics. “This new foundation synchronizes and harmonizes the mainstream software approach to address this need and makes the software widely available. We anticipate this will fuel the growth of multimedia-capable devices and we are excited about being able to leverage our long-standing leadership in consumer digital multimedia to satisfy more and more consumers.”

“TI has long supported open platforms, and we are excited about the formation of the Symbian Foundation. We believe the new structure will remove barriers to innovation in the mobile industry by providing a common platform on which exciting next-generation applications and services can be built,” said Greg Delagi, senior vice president of TI’s Wireless Business Unit. “Manufacturers can get a head-start on development with TI’s proven OMAP-based Symbian S60 software development platform. Combined with the Foundation’s open collaboration model, this will allow more developers to harness the performance and multimedia capabilities of the OMAP family to accelerate improvements in the mobile user experience.”

“Vodafone believes this is a significant step in driving mobile innovation for the Internet as well as creating a richer mobile experience for our customers” said Jens Schulte-Bockum, Vodafone’s Global Director of Terminals. “We have been challenging the industry to reduce complexity and focus on fewer operating systems. This step will help to drive even faster innovation, as well as enable operators to accelerate time-to-market for compelling and varied new services.”

Foundation members share the vision that the Foundation will unify the software platform, supercharge innovation and accelerate the availability of new services and compelling experiences for consumers and business users around the world. The combined platform is already one of the most advanced and widely used mobile platforms, making it highly attractive for all ecosystem partners, including developers, mobile operators, content and service providers and device manufacturers.

The Foundation is expected to start operating during the first half of 2009, subject to the closing of the acquisition of Symbian Ltd by Nokia.

Nokia Map Loader 2.0 Introduces a Web Shop

Nokia Beta Labs has announced the availability of Map Loader 2.0 which offers a web shop. With this application installed, you can buy navigation and city guides directly from your PC. It has a new tab page – called “Services” – which helps you browse through Drive, DriveWalk, Traffic and City guides before deciding what to buy. Map Loader 2.0 also supports PC Suite connections, meaning you can connect different S60 handsets to your PC via Bluetooth or cabel and take advantage of the new features provided by the application.

I’m just downloading the application and can’t say if it is accessible with Windows screen readers. Keep an eye on the Comments section. . .

Fring releases API to the Public

(Note: I don’t know why Fring owners insist on writing it with a lowercase f.)

LONDON, 18th June 2008, fring™ today released the fringAPI™, bringing fringsters a potentially unlimited selection of mobile games, tools, services and communities to enrich their mobile-internet experience.

The fringAPI™ enables third-party web-developers using only XML and JavaScript know-how to bring the fring community new mobile applications and mobile versions of web-based applications, providing access to fring client GUI with web browser extensions and basic phone functions. Tightly integrated within fring, all new applications are enriched with fring’s built-in presence indicators including real-time awareness of users’ presence (online, away, offline, or in a call). Users will benefit from a rich, augmented experience combining a selection of new mobile applications with fring’s award-winning service featuring VoIP talk, multi-community chat, online presence, file transfer, 3G-Wi-Fi auto-roaming and more interaction between fring users (fringstersTM) and their online buddies.

“We built the fring community by harnessing and bringing our users the benefits of internet communication & experience, within the challenging mobile environment. By opening the fringAPI, we are now sharing our “mobile-internet key” to let talented developers worldwide add-on any flavor of mobile internet fun and functionality for our users to enjoy.” Explained Alex Nerst, Co-Founder and CTO of fring. “We’re looking forward to the ride, welcoming the worldwide pool of talented developers to join us in creating the best and broadest selection of mobile internet applications via fring.”

Any fringAdd-on™ application is automatically integrated into the fring interface free of charge with strict privacy control, and becomes widely accessible to fringsters on hundreds of devices1 across platforms, service providers and communities.  The fringAPI is currently available for fring clients for Nokia S60 v9.2 and additional devices and platforms will be added in the coming weeks. Developers can obtain information and documentation from the Developer Zone at http://developers.fring.com .

Nokia E66 and Nokia E71 Announced

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE June 16, 2008

Slim, stylish Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 multimedia computers offer easy access to range of email solutions, including Microsoft Exchange

London, UK - Nokia introduced today the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 - the latest email-optimized devices from the Nokia Eseries product range. The sleek Nokia E71 with full QWERTY keyboard and the stylish, slide-to-open Nokia E66 easily mobilize a broad range of personal or professional messaging needs, including Microsoft Exchange, the world’s most widely adopted corporate email solution. Both devices are expected to begin shipping in key markets in July. The Nokia E71 and the Nokia E66 are expected to retail at EUR 350, before applicable taxes and subsidies.

“The Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 were designed for people who lead a mobile lifestyle and want quick and easy access to their personal and work email. With both of these devices, we have responded to consumer feedback by making calendar and contacts available at the touch of a button,” said Søren Petersen, Senior Vice President, Devices, Nokia. “Equally important, people want well-crafted devices that are as beautiful to use as they are to behold. Stainless steel was chosen as the core material for these devices, giving them additional strength and a touch of class. Furthermore, the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 offer all the latest multimedia features that people desire.”

Easy, one-touch access to email

The Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 come fully equipped for easy-to-install and easy-to-use professional and personal email. People who use Microsoft Exchange at work can access their email using the Mail for Exchange mobile email client, which comes pre-loaded with the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66. With these Nokia Eseries devices, people can get reliable real-time access to their email, calendar, contacts and tasks, as well as download attachments like Word, Excel, Powerpoint or PDF files directly to their devices.

The Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 support email accounts from more than a thousand internet service providers (ISPs) around the world, as well as Gmail, Yahoo! mail and Hotmail. Additionally, the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 support the Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email solution as well as third party email solutions like System Seven and Visto Mobile. Both devices come with the new switch mode that allows people easily to switch between personal and work home screens.

“With mobile email penetration and access to wireless applications growing at a rapid rate, Nokia is well positioned with its extensive lineup of market leading handsets to address the needs of consumers, high-end users and mobile professionals alike,” said Andrew Brown, Director, Wireless Enterprise Strategies Global Wireless Practice, Strategy Analytics.

Sophisticated tool, premium design inside and out

With a stainless steel case, etched graphics and available in two colors - grey steel or white steel - the Nokia E71 bears the hallmarks of Nokia quality and craftsmanship. The cool metallic finish is complemented by the bright colour display, which showcases the Nokia E71 device’s brilliantly simple user interface. Designed for both one-handed and two-handed use, the Nokia E71 pays special attention to ergonomics, as evidenced by its narrow shape and specially designed keypad.

The Nokia E66 offers a premium look and feel with its stainless steel accents and smooth sliding design. Sharing the same key features as the Nokia E71, including an enhanced calendar, contacts and customizable home screen modes, the Nokia E66 offers unique additions, like an orientation sensor that automatically optimizes itself for full screen viewing or silences the ringer when the device is turned over. Available in grey steel or white steel version, the Nokia E66 leaves a lasting impression as a sophisticated business tool in a distinct design.

Always Entertaining

In addition to email and personal information management, the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 support the latest Ovi services including maps, music and media sharing that power users expect from their device. This includes fast and seamless browsing with HSDPA, wireless LAN and 3G connectivity, Assisted GPS (A-GPS) and Nokia Maps for navigation, a music player with support for up to 8 GB expandable memory and a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera.

Built for Businesses of all sizes

In addition to serving entrepreneurs and smaller businesses, the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 also come fully equipped with a robust suite of enterprise grade features, including a built-in encryption functionality for both the device memory and for the memory card. Both Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 also include integrated mobile VPN support that gives mobile professionals access to their company intranet, and device lock and wipe to protect corporate information. Incorporating underlying technologies that allow IT departments to effectively manage security settings, corporate applications, data and advanced voice features, the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 expand the range of Nokia Eseries devices that support enterprise-specific deployment.

Accessorize with Style

Also announced today were a number of Nokia accessories that support the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66. The Nokia Car Kit CK-100 and Nokia Display Car Kit CK-600 offer convenient handling, simplified installation and software updatability. The Nokia Car Kit CK-100 features Nokia Talk voice guidance and a remote control, while the Nokia Display Car Kit CK-600 features a removable color display and a remote control with illuminated keys for active call management. For increased mobility, Nokia also announced the sleek Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-212, as well as the Nokia Mobile Holder CR-106 and Nokia Mobile Holder CR-105 designed to complement the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 respectively.

Mr Wong Soon Nam, Vice President, Consumer Marketing, SingTel, said: “Our customers will enjoy a superior, cost-effective wireless email solution with SingTel’s Broadband on Mobile and the new Nokia Eseries devices. These will give them a competitive edge and the ability to effortlessly retrieve important information on the move, making their office truly mobile.”

“The Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 carry the promise of the Nokia brand, which revolves around quality, reliability and usability,” said Mr Golinelli, Executive Vice President, Sales, Consumer Domestic Mobile Services, Telecom Italia. “Our wide range of customers is interested in funtionality but also in design and the Nokia E71 is the right and new concept for a new way of working.”

“With the growth of corporate mobility adoption, the users’ demands for new solutions and devices get stronger. The new Nokia Eseries devices, Nokia E71 and Nokia E66, attend to our consumers’ different profiles and needs, due to their design and features, which fit both users’ daily work and leisure moments in this connected society,” said Paulo Cesar Teixeira, VP, Operations, Vivo.

FlyingBird Releases Money Manager for S60 3rd Edition

FlyingBird Software, the provider of productivity software for Symbian OS smartphones, has announced the S60 version of its popular and award-winning Money Manager personal finance application. Money Manager is a complete personal financial manager for mobile devices that allows users to securely record transactions, track account balances, generate reports and budgets, and manage their finances while on the go.

Flying Money Manager features:

• streamlined and intuitive user interface,
• fast and easy data entry,
• scheduled and memorized transactions,
• splitting of transaction categories,
• multi-currency support,
• predefined expense and income categories,
• reports export to Microsoft Excel format,
• back-up and restore,
• QIF import/export.

The software supports most account types, including checking, savings, credit card, cash, asset, liability, and credit line accounts. Flying Money Manager s60v3 may be used as a stand-alone application on a handheld or as mobile companion for the desktop applications like MS Money or Quicken.

The security of personal financial data on mobile devices is of concern to many. To address this Flying Money Manager s60v3 has built-in secure password protection, using 256-bit Blowfish encryption to protect against malicious hacking or other threats. Money Manager s60v3 works on Nokia Nseries, Eseries and other Nokia, LG and Samsung smartphones based on S60 3rd Edition.

Flying Money Manager s60v3 is available now for $29.95 at www.flyingbirdsoft.com. A full functioning 15-day trial version as well as additional information is available at http://www.flyingbirdsoft.com/products/money-s60.