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Archive for July, 2007
N95 firmware 12.0.013 details
Symbian Freak has a rather exhaustive list of what the new Nokia N95 firmware update 12.0.013 corrects. If you have an N95, it is probably a good idea to review the list. Then upgrade at the earliest possible time! I’m hoping to get some time to do it tonight.
The list is long and details improvements and bug fixes in all areas, from camera to messaging and VOIP to navigation.
Before starting the update, remember to back up all your data, charge the phone to the max and set the profile to General.
via 
Symbian Freak
Panasonic projector gets it wrong
4 years ago
The Panasonic projector we’ve been using for the past two days has a nice feature: the OSD indicates available connections and even provides key combinations that may be used to switch a notebook to activate the external screen.
One small problem though: on all HP notebooks I’ve seen, the key combination is Alt-F4… So much for trying to help the technically challenged.
N95 spontaneous reboots
Somewhat annoyingly, the N95 has exhibited a rather frustrating penchant for rebooting itself at the most interesting times. Generally, the reboot occurs prior to a Mail for Exchange synchronization or when placing a call. Thankfully, the latter has happened only once… There is no way of determining why the reboot occurs, and it’s a soft restart that does not require a PIN number to be entered. I’m assuming it’s a glitch in the S60 OS. Hopefully the latest firmware update will sort it out.
My phone is presently running version 10.0.018 dated 15 March 2007. See your firmware version by keying in *#0000#. The latest available version is 12.0.013.
Better get that one installed sooner than later…
Public AIX beta
4 years ago
by manfred
in Linux/Unix
IBM is another in a long line of companies leveraging the current hype around *nix operating systems. Though not as bold as Sun, who are busily preparing an open source equivalent of Solaris (Open Solaris), IBM is making a beta version of the latest AIX release available for download. There will be no support for end users. But that’s why we enjoy the art of the hack, no?
And certainly no hope of this incarnation going open source. Definitely worth a look, if you’re into that kind of thing. Get IBM’s AIX 6.1 open beta here.
PSP 2001 details emerging
The Sony PSP model 1000 has been around for some time. A week ago at E3, Sony announced that the updated PlayStation Portable should be available by November of this year. Overall, the new model isn’t all that exciting, with some rather low-key enhancements, in my opinion. From what has been mentioned, the following are the main features the PSP 2001 brings:
- 64mb of RAM instead of 32MB to increase start-up and load performance
- charging via the USB port
- a promised 6 hour runtime off a 1200mAh battery. The current PSP has a 1800mAh battery and has roughly the same uptime
- WLAN switch on top of the unit
It doesn’t seem like much of a change to me. Since the UMD format will remain and there are few modifications to the actual hardware, there’s little reason for an upgrade.
There are some exciting titles coming soon, though. The public availability of God of War: Chains of Olympus in September should provide enough hype and eagerness for the actual release of the title.
Instead of a barely exciting PSP model, why not finally give us that PSP edition of Gran Turismo!
First week with the N95
The title of this post is somewhat incorrect – by the time I’ve been able to commit these words, the week in question has turned into a week-and-a-half. No matter.
Continuing the tales of my transition to the dark side… The Nokia N95 has become an indispensable companion. Most amazing is the fact that I’ve transitioned completely and seamlessly to a device that doesn’t require me to use a stylus. Initially, I imagined that to be a huge stumbling block. Instead, I’ve found the S60 operating system to be a friendly place, and text entry using a traditional keypad has come naturally. There are some criticisms: ordinarily I’d copy and paste itinerary information from a mail message to a calendar entry. On the N95, copying and pasting is a challenge at times. Not all applications provide such functionality and it’s often impossible to gain access to a copy function. So, I resort to entering those details manually. Not that big a deal, but a bit of a time waster.
The N95 is slowly starting to be filled with replacements for the applications I couldn’t live without on the JAMin. HandySafe was one of the first to be installed. The desktop companion to the mobile HandySafe features a very useful import facility that is able to read eWallet files without batting an eyelid. The transfer of all my vital data was done before I realised it. Then there’s Jaiku, MobiReader, GMail and WidSets. Projekt is a great outliner and note taker.
The GPS acquires satellites quicker than I initially expected – the longest wait so far has been around the half minute mark. No detailed maps for Namibia, and I wasn’t intent on trying out the download whilst roaming. I’m assuming the fact that the Nokia Maps Download application didn’t list any Namibian maps means there aren’t any. Pity for those in the land of sand…
There’s a new firmware update that’s supposed to improve the acquisition times of the GPS. I’ll consider upgrading once I start having issues.
Once again, I have to cut this short. Some more information will be provided over the next few days. I hope…
Neo 1973 available to developers
The OpenMoko shop is listing both a basic and advanced developer preview package consisting of the OpenMoko Neo 1973. The idea is for developers to get cracking and churn out some useful applications that will be included or available for the first public release of the Linux-based phone in October. Currently, the basic model is priced at USD 300. That’s also the expected retail price for the consumer version
I’m excited about this one – having another platform available will be good for the market. It will take a fair bit of time to mature, and early adopters will feel some pain and may have to sacrifice some usability and functionality. Over time, that will change – Linux has grown up to be a single-click installable operating system, for example. It’s no longer necessary to know all ins-and-outs of that platform to be productive. OpenMoko will provide something similar to the mobile market.
By the way, OpenMoko is an abbreviation for Open Mobile Communications. The product name Neo 1973 refers to the very first mobile phone call made in 1973.
Maybe soon, we’ll all be having openmoko’s 
PS3 price cuts
Good news for those, like myself, who haven’t sprung for a new-age console yet. According to both Engadget and News 24, the price of the Sony PS3 will be reduced to bolster sales. Price cuts are expected to be in the region of USD 100, which is about ZAR 700. Not too bad. For a lower price, the Blue-Ray player alone is worth the price of entry, and there are guides on how to get Ubuntu to run on the PS3.
It’s all starting to become a better value proposition…
Second day with the Nokia N95
Yesterday left me really disappointed. The battery life of my N95 didn’t even come close to some of the worst estimates and experiences I read about. In any case, I had tried out virtually every aspect and spent a significant time online using HSDPA.
Thankfully, day 2 proved to be a far better experience with regard to the battery’s uptime. Lifting the phone off the charger at 5:30, only one bar (believe it or not) had disappeared by 17:00. That’s 12 hours of runtime with a significant amount of battery life left. I was relieved, to say the least.
My usage for the day consisted of numerous calls, synchronization of mail and even a couple of uses of the GPS. And then, I managed to solve the mysterious issue concerning the inability of my N95 to connect to Nokia PC Suite. Not as mysterious as I initially thought…quite obviously, a running ActiveSync will grab the USB port expecting a Windows Mobile device to be connected. The newly installed Nokia PC Suite has little chance of even gaining access to a USB connection, never mind connecting a device to it. Even a download of the very latest version, released earlier this week, didn’t help.
So: problem solved after a bit of head scratching and cursing – nuke ActiveSync and connect…
The N95 is an incredible device. I still have the feeling that I should use a stylus every now and then, though.
First day with the Nokia N95
N95 charged overnight and ready for action! It’s 05:00 – let’s see how long that battery really lasts…
There’s a fair bit of time in traffic, so I get going with the installation of some applications. First off, the most important issue is getting data, namely contacts and calendar from the Exchange server. One answer in the S60 world is the Mail for Exchange application, provided as a free download from Nokia. The 1.8MB application downloads in a flash over the HSDPA connection, installs and I spend some moments entering Exchange server details. In another minute, all current calendar items and contacts have been synchronized with the device. Seamless! Get Gmail Mobile,Fring, Gizmo and Jaiku down too.
A couple of phone calls and check for mail. Test the GPS and the camera. The GPS acquires satellites in less than 30 seconds from a cold start. Track my progress on the road. No problems!
I’m unable to get the phone to connect to PC Suite on Windows XP. No amount of cajoling helps. Plug and unplug the USB cable, try Bluetooth. All to no avail.
At 14:00, the battery is depleted. No phone. No communication possible. Dead in the water and I’m disappointed. That’s just shy of 9 hours – maybe a day in normal speak, but I was hoping to get through an entire day. Without a charger nearby, there’s little else I can do but stick the SIM into the JAMin and fall back to my old device. Another night to charge the battery. Maybe today’s use was just too heavy…
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