Mobile Royale - An Asian Perspective on Mobile Industry

Not an April fool's joke, but a new Opera Mini beta is to be released soon. I believe that it'll be v5 with a file manager. It's new logo looks promising!

This might be illegal, but undoubtebly worth giving a check out. Bery95 over at Symbian Web Blog has modified the current Opera Mini with six beautiful icons which will give an amazing look to this little application. He describes that it is probably the most downloaded application on phones and deserves a shining beauty like this. He doesn't expect to do any hacking or such disturb to Opera Software ASA. In my own words, he's done a GREAT JOB. To download the modified versions, click here.

Yesterday, Symbian FREAKS (Ed- Notice the caps lock), had posted a big, victorious article saying that they were able to pass all the security locks in the Symbian OS 9 S60 v3.1 (in a tone that they conquered the world) and hack the system. The article had demonstrated that hacking is a really good thing and meant that it is the best way to improve applications, OS etc. It also strongly recommended that the phone they buy is owned to them, they want to have personal fun with it, and hence Nokia should allow and encourage hacking. So, let me ask from you all, who takes responsibility for the end results of their "personal fun hacking"...? Whoever takes the responsibility, you can be assured that it could sometimes be a simple mass destruction and a horrible dream for each and every Symbian user (don't worry. I don't they can't completely bypass your Symbian phone's security. It can be done only if you willingly do so. It is still far far away from you). It is undoubtebly true that some disastrous hacker will use these tricks for their attempts. So dear FREAKS over there at respected Symbian Freak, I agree that you own your phone and can have fun and also that this is some sort of improvement, but don't bring danger into other people's lives. It really is good to have an open platform than a closed one, but I'm sure that you realise the hidden danger in opening it. Specially the after effects. I might not be a reputed blogger like you all, but I still believe that it is no wrong to point out a fault. After all, what is the use of hacking a OS which is already outdated? I'm sure FP2 has lots of improvements on security, and I don't think hacking it would be an easy task. So dear bloggers, don't use blogging to post junk.
To read authors views on this at one of the most respected smartphone websites, AllAboutSymbian, please click here .

Nokia 6300i has been released, with Wi-Fi and VOIP. All other functions are similar to the Nokia 6300. It should be available for around 175 Euros before taxes, in Q2 2008.

Adding to the previous posts, screenshots and photos, here's my brief review of N810 (The device is to be collected by WOM soon, but I'll post you a whole bunch of new pics and a good lengthy review if I manage to get a way to upload them, sooner or later).
[*] Web browsing
The task for what N810 Internet Tablet (here on referred to as device) is made. It supports each and every type of website on the earth and scores 10/10 for web browsing.
[*] Chatting, IM and internet calling
The device supports all sorts of internet communication and with a really nice interface, an integrated webcam and Skype made as a part of the device, it scores 8/10.
[*] Multimedia
The device supports a variety of multimedia formats ranging from .mp3 to .avi and on and playing multimedia on its huge beautiful screen is a real pleasure. It scores 8/10 for multimedia.
[*] User interface, OS and the screen
The device has a 65k colour screen featuring a resolution of 800x480 (did I make any mistake?) and is powered by OS2008 Operating System. The screen provides unbelievably great results for a 65k screen and the touch user interface adds a really nice experience. It scores 10/10.
[*] Camera, Radio and Sound Quality
By default, the device's camera can only be used as a webcam, but by adding a small piece of applet from Nokia, you are able to make captures from it. The pictures are not that good quality owing to its VGA cam, but still provides impressive results for a frontal camera. The FM Radio is also an add on application from Nokia, which you can download if you feel the device's connectivity is not enough. The sound quality is not the very best, but still performs good enough and I'm sure you can bring the sound quality to a much higher level by plugging in a different set of headphones to the universal 3.5mm audio jack. It scores 7/10.
[*] Connectivity
The device supports a wide variety of connectivity options giving you seamless access to internet from your nearest Wi-Fi hotspot or via Bluetooth using your phone's 3G/GPRS service. The device has an internal GPS chipset and comes with Nokia Maps v2 preinstalled. Bluetooth or USB cable (provided with the sales package) can be used for file transfer. The device scores 9/10.
[*] As you see, the device never scored below 7/10 marks and this proves how a wonderful piece of electronic gadget it is. So, if you are looking for a portable device to surf web (including a desk stand, QWERTY keyboard and a mobile holder), still having a wide variety of connectivity options, you have found it. All in all, the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet scores a 8/10 rating from Mobile Royale which should be well enough for any mobile fan, added it's impressive battery life!

After much anticipation, Nokia N95 (N95-1) has finally got an firmware update to v21.0.016. This new version comes with Flash Lite 3 support, which enables you to watch flash videos (from sites like YouTube) right on your N95 while browsing the web from it. The new firmware also supports widgets. Upgrade your N95 to the latest firmware at Nokia Software Updater.

Notice the blue colour light at the top.

Java J2ME based mobile web browser TeaShark has got an update to v0.9. Now it is more faster and smaller. Their server is now powered by WebKit3 and the browser supports downloading of files and tabbed browsing. The new version shows TeaShark as the vendor, which showed vendor as Vendor in the previous builds. However it is still unclear who is behind this project. TeaShark is one of Opera Mini's prime competitors. However, TeaShark's user interface is not that eye candy anymore. It is one of the main (and only facts) that I still stick to Opera Mini. TeaShark guys, if you are listening, give a face lift to the UI ! It looks really boring, at least on my Nokia device.

I'll be posting more when possible. Currently, my little 6233 is all I've got for uploading tasks.

More screenshots of Nokia N810

As you remember, I first hated the N810. But now, I've fell in love with it. It's touch screen is a pleasure to use. It only lacks two things that I need. An ability to work with a network (ie- a SIM bed in short) and a good cam. However, the User Interface is superior and I believe that S60 touch will be a winner for Nokia. However, N810's UI is much friendly and faster than any mobile phone I've ever used. More screenshots to follow, I still have limited upload capabilities as I'm still using my Nokia 6233. And I'm disturbing my studies because the N810!

I received the package from TNT yesterday, at 10pm. But there wasn't an N95 in it, it was an N810 Internet Tablet. WOM had made a mistake. I was so disappointed because I was waiting for it even forgetting my studies. But now I'm not that sad. Because it came out to be a great device. But right now, I'm busy with my studies and can't take much time. So I'll post a review later. However, there were two things that I didn't know (you might know),
1. it is not a phone
2. It doesn't have a cam

Another forum on Mobile Royale, GoMobile, was launched today. This is a more advanced IPB forum which has a brand new shiny user interface which you'll fall in love with at the first look. With more languages and more features the forum is set to become active. Register online or just take a look at the forum, access anytime on www.gomobileforum.tk . If you are not into the typing thing, just click here. So, what should be our default forum? The decision is up to you, and the poll is open!

Mobile Royale Forum has been launched. With loads of new features and options. Talk anything mobile and more! Post more and join the ranks! Access anytime at http://MRforum.tk. Just visit and you'll love it! It's your forum!

Mobile Royale Forum has been launched. With loads of new features and options. Talk anything mobile and more! Post more and join the ranks! Access anytime at http://MRforum.tk. Just visit and you'll love it! It's your forum!

To make a long story short, I'll write it in point form.
- I was to get an Nokia N95-1 (my nickname for it - Terabyte XL) for testing from N Series WOM World. The device was to be sent to me via TNT and was picked up on 3rd Mar 2008 from UK.
- TNT provided me with an estimated delivery date of 7th Mar in my beautiful, poor, Asian home country.
-The device first travelled to Belgium, then came back to UK again, shipped back to it's final destination and arrived with a delay of one day, on 8th Mar. Status were,
"Held in Customs" at 09:32
"Waiting for clearance instructions from receiver" at 10:40
[At 10:40, they marked as Delivered in the tracker form, but the package is still in transit]
"Returned to Origin" at 10:41
-The device travelled back to UK. As I later found out, TNT had some problems with UK Customs.
-It arrived back in my country. Hopefully released from customs and marked as
"Import Received" and "Consignment in Warehouse" on 11th Mar.
- I've been waiting impatiently. WOM World has already paid TNT for return delivery too, and advised them to charge from WOM's account if there'd be any taxes upon receiving.
- After 8 days of waiting, (yesterday) I called local TNT office and got a sigh of relief, because the customer agent responded as
"The package will be handed over to a third party for delivery this evening and will be with you by tomorrow morning". Note that my home is only a thirty minute drive from their warehouse. The agent also told that the delivery delayed because they were provided with my contact number only yesterday.
-Later during the day (yesterday) , a TNT agent called me. Saying that he had been trying to contact me since a week (remember what the other agent told) and that the package has been stopped by customs (then how come it is shown in the tracker as in warehouse) and that I need to pay them the tax duty fees and a special fee to them for dealing with customs if I want the package to be released. I told him that I've to negotiate with the sender and the agent agreed to call back in a few hours.
-Since then I've been impatiently writing to WOM and TNT and phone calling them, but nothing has changed so far. WOM advised TNT to take action soon to release it from customs and charge them for it, but TNT has NOT done it so far. I've written to TNT numerous times, but no response, when I wrote to the email address of one of their main officers, I was to get the response "Out of office". I called their hotline this morning too this is what happened,
"Welcome to TNT, how may I help you today?"
"I want to track a package sent to me"
"Please hold on"
BLA BLA BLA -Music-
"Hello! How may I help you ..."
"I want to track a package .."
"What!?! This is Singapore Airlines !!!"
-The good old N95 is still sitting at TNT's warehouse, for the 10th day. I'm totally sick of TNT's customer service now, I will never choose them or never recommed them to anyone. That is for sure. But one condition, if they are able to deliver the package, without any harm to it, to me within 24 hours (ie- before 3.30p.m tomorrow), I might consider about taking this post down. Let's see what'll happen.

I feel that Terabyte XL will arrive today! Expect - a surprise!

One of the greatest scientists to ever live in this earth, Sir Arthur C Clarke, passed away this morning at a private hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the country which he considered as his second motherland. Born in the Summerset province in UK, in 1917, Sir Arthur was 91 years old when he died. Sir Arthur made hundreds of new inventions, from which, his invaluable discoveries and inventions on space travel can never be forgotten. He has written more than a hundred science fictions and always loved to be known as a scientific writer than a scientist. He once visited Sri Lanka and fell in love with the small island and made it his home until death. He had a dream of sending a DNA sample of his hair to the space and always wished there will be peace in Sri Lanka. Dear Sir Arthur, you are a pride to our country, may you attain Nibbana (nirvana) !

A new firmware update for the N95 Classic is on it's way. The new version, v21.0.016 will feature Flash Lite 3 support, S60 Widgets and general bug fixes. This will once again make the N95 Classic one of the most powerful mobile devices on earth. Read over at Symbian Freak for the changelog.

Morange v3.4.0 has been released with a built in web browser. Expect more details.

Real photos of the Chinese fake N95 Classic. Captured from my good old Nokia 6233. I wish if WOM World did send me a N95 (a long story, which they actually sent, but didn't get to my hands), where I'd have been able to take pics of the both devices together.

Many bloggers think that the new BLACK coloured N95 version featured on the Amazon.de website is a new variant. But I don't think so. Actually, the above picture, extracted from the same article at Amazon.de, features a N95 8GB. Thanks to AltaVista Babel Fish online translator, I figured out these things
* It says UMTS N95 with 2GB Navi luggage
* But the attached pics are of a N95 8GB
* In technical specs, it shows that the device supports HSDPA, it is quadband and
"innovative two way postponing method" - Babel Fish translating error? It should say "two way sliding method" I think.
* The device is only available in Germany and Austria.
* I didn't notice anything about a microSD
They say that the device is out of stock, but will provide as soon as possible when you order. So my say is that, this is a either a N95 8GB or a NEW N95 with 2GB internal memory, but why would they downgrade to a 2GB without microSD when there's a 16GB + microSD device (N96) already? Let time solve this.

Dialog Telekom has announced a Value Added Service, Background Music. Which lets you play your favourite song or a short tone during an ongoing call conversation. All Dialog users can enjoy this service and all you've to do is dial 388 (Rs.2 per min) and follow the instructions. A Background Music call to any network will be charged at Rs.7 per min. However, I think this will add nuisance to phone conversations and as my phone already has the capability of playing music files while on a call, I'm not gonna buy it!

Last 24 hours time was one of the most action packed days for the smartphone industry in recent times. Main facts for this include the iPhone SDK and the N95 8GB NAM. First, iPhone SDK. The iPhone SDK was launched by Steve Jobs and as you will be able to read more on his comments by a simple Googling session, I don't intend to emphasize on his sayings. But I feel that what he said mig prove WRONG in the future. According to him, iPhone is the very best in mobile applications and none of the other manufacturers/platforms are up to match them. I personally don't like when people tell they are the very best and noone else, but also, personally I don't like the iPhone. Yes, it might have one of the best UIs ever, but it has nothing else that I want. No 3G, no good camera, and most importantly, till yesterday, no good applications support. iPhone applications might be successful in the future, but we can't expect that Nokia will stay silent. So, so far, the best applications platform for me is Symbian (but I'm no Symbian user so far :-D). Secondly, the North American version of Nokia N95 8GB was launched. With all the good bits, except a microSD and a lens cover, the device should still make users happy at $799. There were many nice small things. Look at a brighter Symbian future. Here's the link to Space Impact - Kappa Base review, the latest review by All About N-Gage.

Nokia has released the v1.2 of Mobile Web Server. Which has lots of bug fixes and support for widgets. It also has a Badge service - allowing you to promote your service, a search and improved control settings.

Details of the North American version of Nokia N78, including external and internal photos plus the user manual, have been posted at the FCC website. The device product code is RM-236, which differes from the N78-1's product code of RM-235 for the LACK OF 3G AND WI-FI ! Read for yourself and see the photos at at TheNokiaBlog.com.

The details of a new Nokia 3G device for the US appeared on the FCC website recently. There are no pics available, but the web site says that they will be available in 45 days. The device seems to be a flip phone with a 1500 mAh battery. Read for yourself at the official FCC websiteon this link. My money is on an Nokia 6650 NAM from AT&T.

Guys over at Engadget Mobile have posted some pics of the all new Nokia 6650 for T-Mobile. The device sports a 1500 mAh BP-4L battery and is only 16.2mm thick. Read the coverage here at Engadget. Note that the model is Nokia 6650 and being stated as 6550 is a mistake made by the Engadget writer.

A WOM World get together will be held today (5th) at Old Crown in Holborn, London. More info at www.womworld.com .

*Mobitel M Best Friend was launched.
*Nokia 6650 - an S60 device for T-Mobile was announced.
*Nokia 6124 Classic - an S60 device for Vodafone was announced.
*CorePlayer 1.2.0 beta was announced
*NS Basic, the cross-platform Symbian programming language project is said to be coming soon at their newly put up website.

Nokia has announced that it will make available Microsoft Silverlight on Nokia S60 devices, S40 devices and Internet Tablets for a cross platform, rich media experience. Read the press release here.

It seems that Google has now started to redirect you to mobile version of some of their pages when surfing through Opera Mini. Eg: Main Google search engine, iGoogle etc. Clicking on the Classic link at iGoogle only redirects you to the main page. So far this is less bothering, but if Google continues this into GMail etc. too (like Yahoo! did), of course this will distract many Opera Mini users. Of course, Google might be in favor to redirect Opera Mini users to their mobilized version too, because this will make their Java applications for mobiles more popular. Despite you use Mobile View or Desktop View, you are always sent to mobilized pages sometimes.

The new Opera Mini v4 build 4.0.10406 is live now. This version features Google as the main search engine on the start page. But unfortunately, this version directs you to the Google Mobile site, but you can anytime create a search engine to the Google WEBsite using Opera Mini's Create Search option. The older builds featured Yahoo! . However it is a known fact that most Opera Mini users liked Google to be the main search engine. Point your phone's browser http://mini.opera.com to download.