Was surfing the N-gage site just now to find out that 2 of my favourite games are coming to the N-gage platform!

Go head-to-head with Spielberg’s BOOM BLOX! Slide on ice blocks, blast blocks with bombs, and bounce off springs to solve brain-twisting puzzles and level the playing field. Enjoy non-stop fun as you advance through forty levels and reach your target score. Master the in-game puzzles then design your own custom creations with the level editor. Blast ‘em with BOOM BLOX!

This is how it looks like on N-gage.

Check out the trailer for BoomBlox (Wii version) to get a rough idea how the game will be like.

The 2nd game is Metal Gear Solid, which I think does not need anymore introduction.

METAL GEAR SOLID MOBILE features dramatic 3D art displays and camera work that greatly surpasses the quality standard of today’s mobile games. Players will face the extreme tension of solitary infiltration in this version of the tactical espionage action game.

Here’s a screenshot.

Check out the trailer for MGS Mobile on N-gage.

Yes Nokia recently revealed how they destroy their phones at the test center as a routine to quality check on its products.

They even showed a video of the testing facility and the processes! Fyi, Nokia has about 11 test centers and over 200 mechanical tests were documented.

Here are some footages of those tests.

Dripping water test

Dropping test

Bending test

Dripping water test

Humidity test

Keypad durability test

Check out this video.

Nokia beta labs recently published the new Share Online app on their website as sneak preview of what the final product will be like.

With this application you can share your pictures and videos on Ovi directly from your phone. You can also keep track of the latest comments and pictures sent by your friends. Share Online also works with several other image sharing services like Flickr and Vox.

Left: Transfers and comments alert can be seen from the active standby screen.
Right: Composing an upload.

Here are some of the new things that you will notice in Share Online 4.0 beta:

• Improved upload/download experience. You don’t need to wait for your photos to be uploaded before uploading the next one. You can refresh your feeds, add comments, or even exit the application while the uploading is still in progress.
• Outbox. You can see a list of pending uploads, as well as review, cancel or retry specific uploads. You can also use the Outbox to keep track of which photos and videos you have already uploaded.
• Economic sharing. If you don’t have an affordable data plan, you can disable the use of cellular data in the Share Online settings, and queue your photos and videos to be uploaded as soon as a free WLAN connection is available. In addition, there are data counters available, in case you want to keep track of your cellular data usage.
• Active standby indicators. Your outbox info is visible and accessible in your active standby screen. If you prefer, you can also remove these indicators.

Left: Upload/download transfer indicator.
Right: After uploading our media, we can view them in this menu that links to our OVI gallery online.

Currently this version of Share Online is only available for N96, 6220 Classic, 6210 Navigator and 5320 XpressMusic.

Download Share Online 4.0 here

The event was held last night at Damansara around 730pm. The purpose of the Ovi Insider Night was to expose and inform bloggers and media on Nokia’s development in Ovi, a fleet of services to ease our lives.

I arrived 15 minutes earlier and got the chance to talk to Vlasta Berka, General Manager Nokia Malaysia about current Nseries issues and Ovi of course.

He gave a short speech welcoming the guests and invited Mr. Nelson Wee, Head of Portfolio Management & Ovi, from Singapore to introduce us to OVI and its offerings.

We were introduced to services like Share on Ovi, Files on Ovi and Ovi Sync. I will blog about these services in my upcoming posts.

This is Mr. Stanley Gan, Software and Services Manager Nokia Malaysia, demonstrating to us how to sync our contacts, calendar, notes, email and multimedia contents between our phones and the Ovi.com website.

The services offered were very impressive and got us talking and discussing about it the whole night. We got the hands on experience on the services too.

Here’s an intro video to OVI. Check it out.

Nokia Beta Labs has recently released the beta version of Friend View. A location and micro-blogging service that helps you stay in touch with your friends and family so you can update one another with what you are doing and where you are doing it.

Here’s a video to show you how it works.

You can actually update your status… what you are doing… how you feel.. who you are meeting.. or simply just post a note and let your friends know where you are using the Friend View app on your phone or the web version of the service.

This is how it looks like on the my phone. Just installed it a few minutes ago.

You can view your friends’ updates via map view or list view under the “What’s Up” List.

If you feel like updating it via web, you can too!

See how accurate it is showing my location on the map… Lebuhraya Bukit Jalil.. thats where I am now. ahaha

Quick! Download the app and start updating your status on Friend View!
Remember to add me as a friend! My username is.. obviously… “smashpop” ahah

FriendView is currently compatible with Nokia 5320 XpressMusic, 6110 Navigator, 6210 Navigator, N95, N95 8GB, N82, N96, E71, E90, N80 and E61. Should work on all Nokia devices based on S60 3rd Edition.

Friend View on Nokia Beta Labs

Friend View via web

If you do own these one of these 3 phones than you are in for something nice.. ahah

Nokia just released some audio themes that you can install and it totally modifies your ringtones, sms tones, alarm tones, slide up and slide down tones etc…

“Audio themes feature allows you to personalize the user interface sounds of your phone. Audio themes are offered in packages which contain several sound files of a common theme. The packages contain usually the normal profile sounds (e.g. ringing tones, message alerts, clock alert, calendar alarm) but also sounds for phone handling (e.g. fold open, fold close) and menu events (enter menu, leave menu).

Your phone supports audio themes if you can find this icon in the menu (personalization/themes). If your phone supports audio themes you can download additional theme packages from this page.”

Download 5 of the audio themes here. (Right click and select “Save link as”)

Nokia_Audio_theme_Electricity.SIS
726.40 KB

Nokia_Audio_theme_Hardrock.SIS
768.60 KB

Nokia_Audio_theme_Jazz.SIS
646.10 KB

Nokia_Audio_theme_Safari.SIS
715.30 KB

Nokia_Audio_theme_Videogame.SIS
296.10 KB

To Install:
Download a theme by clicking a corresponding package. If you are using your mobile phone for downloading, the browser will automatically start to install SIS-packages after the download is completed. You may also download themes to your PC and then transfer them to your phone or install them using PC Suite.

To Uninstall:
Installed themes may be removed using Application manager on your mobile phone. ‘Remove’ option in Audio themes application removes only themes saved by the user, not the ones installed as SIS-packages.

Source

Photo above is not real ok… ahah just did it to support this post.

Anyway… Jaakko Kaidesoja, head of Nokia’s gaming operations told Reuters in an interview that Nokia is working on a touchscreen support for N-gage and will roll out the optimized N-gage client early next year.

Other than that, he also said that the firm will take 1 month to consider whether or not to expand N-gage to the Nokia N73 since it has limited computing power… but if it works out, N-gage will be able to cover more of the user base since Nokia has sold 20 million of it, making it the world’s most sold smartphone.

Source

Now that we are done with that…. let me ask you a question.

“Are you an N-gage player yet?

If not, go and create a player name, install the N-gage client and get yourselves some games to play!

While you are at it, add me too.. my player name is “smashpop”…. currently playing Reset Generation and ONE.

Been asking a few of my friends and most of them:
- doesn’t know that the phone firmware is upgradable
- doesn’t know how to upgrade the firmware

So here’s a step by step guide to do it.

1. Download the latest version of Nokia PC Suite and then the Nokia Software Updater. In the websites, select your phone model and click on “Download”. Then install both softwares.

2. Plug in your phone and select “PC Suite Connection” on the phone when prompted.

3. Open the Nokia PC Suite. By right, it should be able to detect that phone that you have just plugged in. Click on “Backup”(the top left icon) to backup all your phone data and settings first.

4. This is the backup screen.

5. Once done, open Nokia Software Updater via the PC Suite or from your PC’s Start menu.

6. You will see a welcome message and a reminder saying something like “make sure you update your phone data and content!” or something like that.

7. Click thru a few Next and OK buttons and you will see this screen. At the bottom left you will see your current phone firmware version and the availability of a new one. Click “Install” and wait for the whole process to complete. Then you’re done.

It’s a very easy step by step process that I would recommend everyone to do. Check on the NSU frequently to see if there are any new updates.

Good luck!

*Update*

yo
there’s an RSS feed for checking updates
http://europe.nokia.com/EUROPE_NOKIA_COM_3/Get_Support/RSS/nsu_news.xml

Thanks DavidLian for the info.

Yes… few more days and it will be my 1 month anniversary with the Nokia flagship device, N96.

I guess it’s time I write about the 3 things I love and hate about it.

Let’s start with the things I like on the N96.

- The big screen… I think all phones should have screen as big as this(touchscreens not included).. 2.8″ is what I think should be the standard for all mobile phone screens from now on.. and it better be… or else many of us will have to squint our eyes in order to read SMS or to surf the web.

- The SUPER LOUDSPEAKER… I have never thought a phone can be as loud as this. Once I showed my friend a video on the N96 and he had to give it back to me after like 10 seconds cos he couldn’t stand the ear piercing loudness on the N96 at 100% volume… hahah but it was good though… cos he commented that the sound was damn loud but it doesn’t break… and the bass was good too.

- The new vertical bar shortcuts on main screen… Yes it has been around since the N78 but not my N82. ahha so yea its new to me. With the shortcuts aligned to the side of the screen, I can now put up my nice wallpaper while having the shortcuts on. Very handy. It links to more apps and options in the phone too. Imagine accessing some settings in the “tools > settings > phone > general” with just 2 clicks.

I hate:

- The build quality of the N96… I admit it is now a lot more solid looking then my old N95 but seriously.. it makes no difference. The top part of the phone (the part with the screen) moves about 1mm up and down when its not slided out.  Very disturbing. Other than that, the backplate/cover of the phone is very flimsy and thin that it feels very plasticky

- Super slow… I have upgraded the firmware twice within 1 month of usage. Nokia knew how slow it was thats why they rolled out 2 updates to fix it… but somehow opening new SMS, replying SMS and switching from a running app to the main menu takes about 10 seconds respectively. Sometimes it only takes about 5 seconds which makes me go “WOW, why suddenly so fast?”. haha

- The camera… Somehow I feel that my old N95 took better pictures. At times, when you take photos at dark places, the photo will turn to black and white.. literally… yea I don’t know why this happens but every time I point my phone to a dark place the photo will lose its colour.. and I had to change the white balance in order to bring out the colours again. .. but anyway, the N96 can really take good photos provided if the lighting and ambience is good especially close up shots.  I can say that it surpasses my old N95 and N82.

I have 2 news for you. Good news and Bad news.
Which one do you wanna know first?

According to Reuter’s Paul Bolding, the most talked about Nokia phone, the latest XpressMusic model, will be released for 7 countries by year end.

Good news:

The 5800 XpressMusic will be release in India, Indonesia, The United Arab Emirates, HongKong, Taiwan, Russia and Spain by year end.

Bad news:

You will have to wait til 2009 if you are not from the 7 countries mentioned. HAHA

Source

I was not aware of this but now I am. The N96, like the N78… is powered by Symbian OS 9.3, Nokia S60 3rd edition, feature pack 2.

This also means there are A LOT of apps out there which were compatible with the N95 and N82, cannot work on the N96 & N78 now.

… but somehow I have managed to try out a few that works.

- fring

fring is a free mobile VoIP app for you to chat and talk to your friends via the popular messengers like MSN, Skype, Gtalk and Yahoo. fring enables free calls via Wifi, 3G, EDGE or GPRS.

Get fring

- iSync

This one basically works for all Nseries. It helps to synchronise your data eg: calendar, photos, videos from your phone to your Mac.

Get iSync

- Calcium

This is also for most Symbian phones. Calcium is a new calculator app that eases everybody’s life. Haha.. as we all know, the Symbian version that comes with our Nseries is a bit… er… troublesome to use. So try this one and you will get your math solved in no time.

Get Calcium

- Mini Friday

I just installed this yesterday. Seems to be quite fun. It’s actually simple mobile virtual world with many types of spaces like bars, clubs. Customise your own 3D character and chat with everyone now! Watch out, this app does not support Wifi.. so make sure you are on a data plan in order to use this on 3G or Gprs.

Get MiniFriday

Woot! I’ve got my N96 today, courtesy of Nokia.

Been waiting for it to be mine for so long since February and finally got it.

It’s still charging so I havent got to play with it yet… but you can read the N96 reviews I did before this.

For now, let’s watch the unboxing video I did just now.

Hi all, I have been filling up my free time with a lot of light saber action these few days and I have finally completed the new Star Wars game on the N-gage. Woot!

Ok let me tell you about the interface and graphics in today’s post.

The menu has a few layers… starting off with Play, Journal, Ranking, Help, Options, N-gage, About and Exit. Each option branches to sublayers and that again, branch to another sub sub layer.

Moving from one option to another is super fast and doesnt lag at all.(A lot of games do… probably cos this is specially made for N-gage)

Oh one thing I like about this game is that one can set the volume by pressing the volume buttons on the side of the phone.. (again.. 90% of the games out there dont allow tihs)

The graphics is superb… seriously, I have never played a game on a mobile phone with such good quality graphics.. can you see how real it is? the last photo looks just like a scene from Star Wars movie…

The sound effect is superb… every action is matched with a sound with totally no lag at all… the swoosh created by the light saber, the background music, and the explosion sounds… made it feel more like a movie than a game…

Graphics & audio wise, I rate it 9.5/10.

Next post: Gameplay!

Have you got N-gage installed in your symbian phones?

If not, then I think you better download and install the N-gage app now… Cos a new game has just been released and it’s one game you should not miss.

It’s Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

I am currenly in the midst of playing/reviewing this game and will be posting up my thoughts along with some photos very very soon (after i’ve saved Princess Leia… haha)

For now, watch the trailer… and see what kinda graphics you’ll get if you play the game on your N-gage enabled phones.

Check out the official site too. http://www.ngagetheforce.com

I think this is the best Nseries photo I have ever taken. hhahah

Anyways, seems like we are very much informed about the new Nseries models inside out by now. Which one suits you best? This is my thought on which models suits who.

Nokia N96: For people who loves everything big. Big screen, big memory and big size. Haha… well i think it attracts the male users more. I wont say it’s for video lovers cos apparently all Nseries are capable of playing videos. I’d suggest you get the N96 if you are a guy, loves everything big and fancies edgy designs.

Nokia N85: For those who loves design, likes everything that looks artsy and at the same time loves the latest smartphone features, The N85 is more appealing to females cos of the smaller size and the curvy edges. Buy it if you are:
- a male who loves sleek and slim smartphones…
- a female who loves sleek and slim smartphones… haha

Nokia N79: I think it’s made for people who loves quick meals, quick dates and everything else which is fast. A youngster would actually buy it cos of the Xpress-on covers. Hm… well, it’s basically made for everyone. It’s a general phone that has the same great features as the 2 mentioned above. Buy it if you don’t want to spend too much on smartphones… or you love simplicity and flexibility.

Somehow I sound like a fortune teller…

Oh well.. let’s view a video of N96 playing video. lol.

The N96 plays video very well. Now that Nokia introduced the kickstand… I felt weird viewing video on the other Nseries models because I cannot watch the videos on the table.. I had to hold it.. cos no kickstand! hahah I think it really makes a big difference.

This is a video showing how the XpressOn covers affect the theme change on the N79.

Performances by Nokia IAC artists.

Cute N79

Asphalt 3D on N-gage on N96

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8404/ac4vi6.jpg

N96 doing its thing.

Thanks all!

That’s the content of the black parcel that I got from Nokia last week. It’s the invite to the N96 launch dinner tonight! I heard someone will get the chance to walk away with an N96 too.

According to Devinder Kishore, Nokia India’s Marketing Director, they have been working on a S60 platform for touch screen user interface and a mobile device is expected to be launched by the year end.

Source: Here

Seems like something interesting is happening soon.

Been receiving emails from Nokia regarding this “Nokia Made by Hand” thingymajig that features a few videos of animated humans using their phones to shop online, share music, photos and videos.

What exactly is this “Made by Hand” thing?

Sometime ago, a website appeared in the Interwebs and made many tech/symbian/mobile bloggers curious…. curious about what Nokia was up to.

The story behind the website was long long ago a bunch of royal families got together to create a clip. This clip was supposed to be the weirdest thing ever created, and it actually ended up too weird to show anyone, so it was locked up and hidden.

It was at OpenAtYourOwnRisk but soon after that, the website was closed down.

Now it’s back but in a different form.

Check your Downloads! section in your Nseries and you might see a new icon there called “Secret”

In there you can download the “secret” appplication, ringtone and wallpaper.

The app seems to be a lock, to a video that is not meant to be watched.

Download it, solve it and let me know if you can ok? Cos I still cant unlock it.