I have purchased three phones this year already a Nokia 5800, an E63 and recently upgraded to an E75. All of them have three different from factors, features but all run symbian s60. O2 my provider had already contacted me to advise me that I could upgrade but as I was in no rush I wanted to wait.
I was toying with the idea of either the E71 or N97 and bought the E63 as a halfway gap to help me decide if I would like the form factor of the E71. When I originally saw the E61 I just laughed at the size of it which was probably hypocritical of me considering I had a Nokia 9500 and E90 before. However I braved my hypocrisy and got the E63.
First impressions where good where I loved the thumboard and found I can use it either one or two handed for typing. The only real let down for me was the Nokia Maps software which didn't make use of the screen real estate. Therefore I was really close on getting an E71. When NokiaExperts on Twitter got hold of an E71x with S60v3.2 So I then wanted to hold off again and get this. However being a NAM only device I didn't know if there would ever be a EURO model.
So the E71 was looking to be my E90 replacement for the next 18 months.
The thing that surprised me about the E63 was it handled everything I threw at it and just worked. Bearing in mind it is a low priced device it performed better than my 5800 which would either run out of memory or slow down.
I was going to wait for the N97 but after listening to a recent All About Symbian podcast it sounded as if the processor speed and memory issues that plagued the 5800 are present in this device. However this will be confirmed over the coming months.
Because I just want something that works I decided to skip this device and settle for an E series phone because of my experience on the E63, the build quality and the longevity of my E90.
So E71 is still looking good until I looked investigated it further. In a nutshell I dropped this device for the E75 due to its weak camera in terms of quality and lack of 30 fps video recording.
I phoned O2 who could only do the E71 and then I received a phonecall from carphonewarehouse who could do the E75. So I bit the bullet and ordered one.
The build quality is excellent but I am still getting used to the keyboard. As an E90 replacement I am not too sure as I do hope Nokia do release a communicator replacement. However I will persevere with the phone blogging and twittering about it.
I have purchased and loaded all of my sms, call filtering, call recording and other apps such as profimail, officesuite, wavelog and gsync. This weekend I will test the gamin sat nav software instead of the nokia maps. So whilst there is still a lot to do I will hang onto the 5800 to see if the touch improves or the E63 if I just want something that is robust.
The phones do get a good workout from me as I twitter, email, blood browse and occasionally call on them instead of using a Pc. Also I have just started to download all of my podcasts direct to the handset where last month I clocked up 1gb of data.
People ask me how many phones do I have and need. My answer is one at a time as I do like to change and the set I have at the moment allow me to do this comfortably.
In conclusion, it will be interesting to see now long the E75 lasts me and if I do change again soon. Should there be another communicator then that is where my money will be.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Nokia 5800 v21.0.25 and web
I have recently dusted off my 5800 and updated to the latest firmware over the air (ota). The download was a suprising 4 mb where when I have uswd pc suite it has downloaded over 100mb. Why the latter cannot use the small files, 4mb is better than 100mb over 3g when considering costs!
The download was quick and within ten minutes the phone had rebooted, installed and retained my data.
The touch seems more responsive and web works better but it still has some way to go. When browsing on some sites it takes ages to render them sometimes just as long without pictures being displayed. As I use a phone for internet this is still not acceptable so the phone will be switched off again until the next update.
My e63 which cost less than the 5800 has more storage and ram and works better for web. Whilst I keep going back to the 5800 as I love the touch interface I will not get rid of the phone just yet. There are other browser such as opera mini, ucweb or bolt but these don't use the touch interface too well. That just leaves nokia to pull their socks up and get on and fix it or opera to come up with a better solution.
The 5800 like the n95 in its infancy will require several more updates to fix the storage and memory issues. But for now I will wait and see.....
The download was quick and within ten minutes the phone had rebooted, installed and retained my data.
The touch seems more responsive and web works better but it still has some way to go. When browsing on some sites it takes ages to render them sometimes just as long without pictures being displayed. As I use a phone for internet this is still not acceptable so the phone will be switched off again until the next update.
My e63 which cost less than the 5800 has more storage and ram and works better for web. Whilst I keep going back to the 5800 as I love the touch interface I will not get rid of the phone just yet. There are other browser such as opera mini, ucweb or bolt but these don't use the touch interface too well. That just leaves nokia to pull their socks up and get on and fix it or opera to come up with a better solution.
The 5800 like the n95 in its infancy will require several more updates to fix the storage and memory issues. But for now I will wait and see.....
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Jaunty Woes....
Since putting Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)on my dell laptop there are already issues with a cpu core running at 100% due to Xorg.
I followed a guide to revert back to a previous display driver from Intrepid Ibex but it did not work.
To resolve the issue I found that by switching off remote desktop (vino-server) as suggested here has actually sorted it. Although I did not use 'sudo apt-get remove vino-server', I just went to 'System->Preferences-Remote Desktop' and switched off remote desktop here.
Also the desktop effects would not enable so I could not use Compiz so I fixed it using this where whilst it may cause further issues, for the moment it is working and better than what it was.
The issues are related to the Intel chipset where there is a more in depth explanation here.
However, I will be patient and wait for the issues to be fixed now my laptop is running cooler and not peaking on a CPU core for no reason.
I followed a guide to revert back to a previous display driver from Intrepid Ibex but it did not work.
To resolve the issue I found that by switching off remote desktop (vino-server) as suggested here has actually sorted it. Although I did not use 'sudo apt-get remove vino-server', I just went to 'System->Preferences-Remote Desktop' and switched off remote desktop here.
Also the desktop effects would not enable so I could not use Compiz so I fixed it using this where whilst it may cause further issues, for the moment it is working and better than what it was.
The issues are related to the Intel chipset where there is a more in depth explanation here.
However, I will be patient and wait for the issues to be fixed now my laptop is running cooler and not peaking on a CPU core for no reason.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Bring it back!
I have been an MS Office user since 1991 but over the past 2 years I have been using Open Office. Whilst saw Office 2007 in beta I thought whoever re-designed the interface has been on something especially to come up with the big Fisher Price Buttons. Why change it if it is not broke?
After having to use Office 2007 along with Vista (I am of the same opinion here as Office 2007) for my new job I just cannot get used to the big buttons and illogical layout. It is taking ages to find things especially when I have to roll out documents quickly.
I had heard of a way of bringing the old menus back so did some investigation and found this where you can download a tool to do just this.
Whilst it does not completely replace the Office 2007 menus it adds another menu option called menu. On clicking on this you get the standard office 2003 menu bar and toolbars. I like this idea as it allows me to learn Office 2007 (as I need to) but have the backup of being able to use the old options.
However once I have got used to prepping the said documents in Office 2007 I will be going back to Open Office to see how it copes as I have found the Word/Open Office translation to be fiddly at times.
After having to use Office 2007 along with Vista (I am of the same opinion here as Office 2007) for my new job I just cannot get used to the big buttons and illogical layout. It is taking ages to find things especially when I have to roll out documents quickly.
I had heard of a way of bringing the old menus back so did some investigation and found this where you can download a tool to do just this.
Whilst it does not completely replace the Office 2007 menus it adds another menu option called menu. On clicking on this you get the standard office 2003 menu bar and toolbars. I like this idea as it allows me to learn Office 2007 (as I need to) but have the backup of being able to use the old options.
However once I have got used to prepping the said documents in Office 2007 I will be going back to Open Office to see how it copes as I have found the Word/Open Office translation to be fiddly at times.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Hardware Restriction - E220
I hate it when I buy a new piece of hardware that has intentionally been restricted by the manufacturer or provider to control how it should be used.
Nokia will only allow signed software to be installed onto their phones where a developer has to go through a convoluted process to obtain certification to allow their software to be installed. I have come across freeware that I wish to install but it needs me to get it signed beforehand. Apple lock their phones down so no background applications can run which could potentially hog the CPU and disrupt the experience when using the phone. Then you get mobile network providers that intentionally lock their phones/USB Modems to the network and charge an extortionate fee to unlock them.
Thankfully both the Nokia and Apple phones can both be jailbroken to get around these restrictions although it might be deemed as illegal by each Manufacturer (just google for information).
I have recently switched from a 3 mobile contract to PAYG but the modem was still locked to Three. Seeing as I was out of contract, now owned the modem and didn't want to part with any money to buy the unlock code, I decided to Google for any potential solutions of permanently unlocking my Huawei E220 modem so I can use any sim card.
I came across the following site http://www.unlocke220.blogspot.com/ which has simple instructions for windows (I ran this on Windows XP under vmware on linux). I had an issue trying to complete the flash.bin dump to a file so switched to a windows 2000 machine under vmware, however it should work okay under windows on a dedicated PC.
Now the restriction has been removed I have tried an O2 and Virgin Mobile SIM in the modem and they both work.
It is nice to be free again!
Nokia will only allow signed software to be installed onto their phones where a developer has to go through a convoluted process to obtain certification to allow their software to be installed. I have come across freeware that I wish to install but it needs me to get it signed beforehand. Apple lock their phones down so no background applications can run which could potentially hog the CPU and disrupt the experience when using the phone. Then you get mobile network providers that intentionally lock their phones/USB Modems to the network and charge an extortionate fee to unlock them.
Thankfully both the Nokia and Apple phones can both be jailbroken to get around these restrictions although it might be deemed as illegal by each Manufacturer (just google for information).
I have recently switched from a 3 mobile contract to PAYG but the modem was still locked to Three. Seeing as I was out of contract, now owned the modem and didn't want to part with any money to buy the unlock code, I decided to Google for any potential solutions of permanently unlocking my Huawei E220 modem so I can use any sim card.
I came across the following site http://www.unlocke220.blogspot.com/ which has simple instructions for windows (I ran this on Windows XP under vmware on linux). I had an issue trying to complete the flash.bin dump to a file so switched to a windows 2000 machine under vmware, however it should work okay under windows on a dedicated PC.
Now the restriction has been removed I have tried an O2 and Virgin Mobile SIM in the modem and they both work.
It is nice to be free again!
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Lets twitter the night away with senoritas who do sway!
Recently I have set up a twitter account which I have integrated into this blog and to update my facebook. In essence it simplifies things by only having to update in one place.
I was originally using fring to do this but it was consuming too much ram on my 5800. I tried several java clients but did not like them so stuck with Fring.
Then two new clients came on the block a bit like two buses turning up. Gravity and Twittix are both cheap under $10 where I ended up purchasing Gravity first, then trying a trial of Twittix.
Gravity from Mobileways looks very professional, allows multiple twitter accounts to be added and also allows direct posting of images to twitpic or mobypicture.
Twittix cannot send images but again allows multiple accounts but allows you to look at user profiles and follow people direct from searched tweets, two things gravity does not do.
You can do the usual twitter actions of direct messages, reply, follow, retweet or add favourites with both applications. Twittix interface is clean and simple, you get it to auto connect/disconnect, alter the refresh interval and get it notify you on updates. Whilst Gravity has a nice responsive interface it lacks the connect, refresh and notification features of Twittix. Gravity periodically checks for updates, but sadly you have to remember to look at the app for these rather than telling you.
The winner for me is Gravity as I can save searches for topics of interest. Whilst Twittix can search, any searches are not persistent if you close the application down.
Searches in Gravity are persistent and it means in addition to rss I can use twitter as an alternative to give me notifications of news. Also like Twittix it allows me to go direct to the web page if it has been tagged.
I am also using Gravity on my E90, read my previous post about the issue with my 5800 and web browsing.
In conclusion it would be good to see the features missing from both applications in each other, which over time may happen. Whilst both apps are great for twittering, if you are really into twitter for searching then Gravity is the winner. If you want to send pics to twitpic then Gravity is the winner. If you want to use twitter more for messaging then Twittix is best due to notification, connection and update controls.
I was originally using fring to do this but it was consuming too much ram on my 5800. I tried several java clients but did not like them so stuck with Fring.
Then two new clients came on the block a bit like two buses turning up. Gravity and Twittix are both cheap under $10 where I ended up purchasing Gravity first, then trying a trial of Twittix.
Gravity from Mobileways looks very professional, allows multiple twitter accounts to be added and also allows direct posting of images to twitpic or mobypicture.
Twittix cannot send images but again allows multiple accounts but allows you to look at user profiles and follow people direct from searched tweets, two things gravity does not do.
You can do the usual twitter actions of direct messages, reply, follow, retweet or add favourites with both applications. Twittix interface is clean and simple, you get it to auto connect/disconnect, alter the refresh interval and get it notify you on updates. Whilst Gravity has a nice responsive interface it lacks the connect, refresh and notification features of Twittix. Gravity periodically checks for updates, but sadly you have to remember to look at the app for these rather than telling you.
The winner for me is Gravity as I can save searches for topics of interest. Whilst Twittix can search, any searches are not persistent if you close the application down.
Searches in Gravity are persistent and it means in addition to rss I can use twitter as an alternative to give me notifications of news. Also like Twittix it allows me to go direct to the web page if it has been tagged.
I am also using Gravity on my E90, read my previous post about the issue with my 5800 and web browsing.
In conclusion it would be good to see the features missing from both applications in each other, which over time may happen. Whilst both apps are great for twittering, if you are really into twitter for searching then Gravity is the winner. If you want to send pics to twitpic then Gravity is the winner. If you want to use twitter more for messaging then Twittix is best due to notification, connection and update controls.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
E90
Well after some deliberation and the recent issues with the 5800XM I have blown the dust off my Nokia E90 (over 18 months old), reflashed it and then spent three days reinstalling it after two bundled attempts.
The previous atempts failed due to the memory card where I had similar issues to my 16gb card. I had previously used the 16gb in the 5800 but it would not work and became corrupt. A similar issue happened in the E90 the first time. I then tried a 8gb card and the same issue here happened.
Looking at both card they were both class 2, so I tried a class 4, 8gb card on the third attempt and everything now works. When I had the class 2, 8gb card in a N95 it slowed the response of the phone right down. So the moral is, class 2 for devices like ebook readers, cameras or mp3 machines. Class 4 for pdas or mobiles. The 16gb has gone in my camera and the 8gb in my N810 for extra storage.
The E90 is like holding a shoe to your ear when making calls. However it has lots of memory, quite fast processor, can multitask, has a keyboard, large screen, gps, 3.2 megapixel camera, stereo, ad2p, wifi, bluetooth and ip telephony, Whilst the 5800 has all of this minus the hardware keyboard, the 5800 really slows down when doing too much.
You may ask what have I got running on the phone:
Push email
Ip telephony
Gravity for twitter
Push sync to exchange
Sms filter
Call filter
Call recorder
Sms gmail sync
Even with this running it still leaves enough ram for web browsing, blogging and the odd phone call.
The iphone can only do one thing at a time according to apple, however when I jailbroke my 2g iphone I was running ssh, php, web server, call notification software in the background and other apps in the foreground.
I have heard that apple will be be allowing push notifications to the phone where by rather than the phone periodically checking for updates or having a constant connection to the server, apple will notify the phone when something has updated so the phone can connect and make the updates. If this works, it will be a new way of doing push notification and will reduce on data being transferred from having to keep open a constant connection.
So whilst I have been looking for a phone that does everything I want I have had it for the past 18 months stuck in a drawer!
However, looking at new handsets at the moment the contenders are now E90, E71 , N97 or the palm pre. Matt Miller reports the keyboard on the N97 is poor in comparison to the E75 the device he is now favoring. You cannot use a virtual keyboard to input on the N97 as there is no software keyboard unlike the 5800, so you have to flip open the device. Whilst like my E90 I have to do this in order to type it would be good to see both options available like on the N810.
So whilst I am waiting and reading the reviews, I am typing this blog using wavelogger on the E90 as I know I have the yardstick in my hands. Should there be another communicator announcement from Nokia then the N97 will be ball parked until the communicator comes out for comparison.
As the phones cost a lot it will be worth the wait as they do stand the test of time - or at least me!
The previous atempts failed due to the memory card where I had similar issues to my 16gb card. I had previously used the 16gb in the 5800 but it would not work and became corrupt. A similar issue happened in the E90 the first time. I then tried a 8gb card and the same issue here happened.
Looking at both card they were both class 2, so I tried a class 4, 8gb card on the third attempt and everything now works. When I had the class 2, 8gb card in a N95 it slowed the response of the phone right down. So the moral is, class 2 for devices like ebook readers, cameras or mp3 machines. Class 4 for pdas or mobiles. The 16gb has gone in my camera and the 8gb in my N810 for extra storage.
The E90 is like holding a shoe to your ear when making calls. However it has lots of memory, quite fast processor, can multitask, has a keyboard, large screen, gps, 3.2 megapixel camera, stereo, ad2p, wifi, bluetooth and ip telephony, Whilst the 5800 has all of this minus the hardware keyboard, the 5800 really slows down when doing too much.
You may ask what have I got running on the phone:
Push email
Ip telephony
Gravity for twitter
Push sync to exchange
Sms filter
Call filter
Call recorder
Sms gmail sync
Even with this running it still leaves enough ram for web browsing, blogging and the odd phone call.
The iphone can only do one thing at a time according to apple, however when I jailbroke my 2g iphone I was running ssh, php, web server, call notification software in the background and other apps in the foreground.
I have heard that apple will be be allowing push notifications to the phone where by rather than the phone periodically checking for updates or having a constant connection to the server, apple will notify the phone when something has updated so the phone can connect and make the updates. If this works, it will be a new way of doing push notification and will reduce on data being transferred from having to keep open a constant connection.
So whilst I have been looking for a phone that does everything I want I have had it for the past 18 months stuck in a drawer!
However, looking at new handsets at the moment the contenders are now E90, E71 , N97 or the palm pre. Matt Miller reports the keyboard on the N97 is poor in comparison to the E75 the device he is now favoring. You cannot use a virtual keyboard to input on the N97 as there is no software keyboard unlike the 5800, so you have to flip open the device. Whilst like my E90 I have to do this in order to type it would be good to see both options available like on the N810.
So whilst I am waiting and reading the reviews, I am typing this blog using wavelogger on the E90 as I know I have the yardstick in my hands. Should there be another communicator announcement from Nokia then the N97 will be ball parked until the communicator comes out for comparison.
As the phones cost a lot it will be worth the wait as they do stand the test of time - or at least me!
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