News and views on Symbian phones (smartphones - S60 and UIQ) from the AAS Team.
In AAWP Insight #201, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we continue the Steve Litchfield 'origins' story (following Rafe's own Origins tale on the 361 Degrees podcast). This time we (mainly) cover the post-millennium years. This includes the All About era, Steve's database efforts (from Trivopaedia to a UK Pocket Directory), early device reviews and content, and the switch from Symbian to Windows Phone.This podcast was recorded on December 12th 2016 with Steve Litchfield and Rafe Blandford. The All About years Steve Litchfield and 3-Lib (part 2) ...and much much more. Links: http://stevelitchfield.com/ http://twitter.com/stevelitchfield/ http://youtube.com/stevelitchfield/ Mentions: David Wood: Smartphone and Beyond You can see more of our podcasts in the Media section of the site.
In AAWP Insight #200, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we celebrate our 200th podcast by tackling (the much teased) Steve Litchfield 'origins' story (following Rafe's own Origins tale on the 361 Degrees podcast). We cover the early years (adventures in aerospace), the rise of Psion and the 3-Lib shareware library, Steve's app development efforts (from golf to GIS), the dawn of connected PDAs, and the beginning of the Symbian era.There's so much to cover that we'll have to continue in a follow-up podcast, part 2 if you like - watch this space for a follow up episode. This will look at not only Steve's efforts in the Symbian era and beyond but also Rafe's, and those of the other characters involved in the 'origins' and deveopment of the 'All About' sites. We have plenty of anecdotes left to share - and this time Rafe can't use the excuse that he was still in school (etc!) so he'll be joining in with the reminiscences more! This podcast was recorded on December 6th 2016 with Steve Litchfield and Rafe Blandford. The early years Steve Litchfield and 3-Lib ...and much much more. Links: http://stevelitchfield.com/ http://twitter.com/stevelitchfield/ http://youtube.com/stevelitchfield/ You can see more of our podcasts in the Media section of the site.
Apologies for the break in your normal run of podcasts with Rafe, but the chance arose to sit down with Damian Dinning, ex-Nokia and its head of imaging for years, the guy (with his team, of course) behind classics like the Nokia N73, N90, N93, N95, N82, N86, N8, 808 PureView and, of course, the Lumia 1020. The chat was in a quietish pub and is hopefully very listenable - the content is about 60% Windows Phone-related, 30% Symbian-related and 10% generic, but there's plenty here of interest to all readers/listeners, I think.Subjects covered include: The Samsung G810 (yes, really) Lens covers and coatings Durability Refocus and Cinemagraph Rich Capture and Dynamic Flash Oversampling Camera humps LED versus Xenon Multi-frame capture possibilities Noise reduction algorithms Processing requirements in modern camera phones Lumia Camera and the 1020 Windows Phone stability Damian's thoughts on Android and iOS Musings on the N9 Musings looking back on Symbian Listeners might like to note that I recorded the chat on a Nokia 808 PureView - there are a couple of points where Damian picks the device up to illustrate something, so apologies for a few rustles and taps here and there!! You can follow Damian on Twitter here, by the way.
The end of an era? Rafe and I record the last ever All About Symbian Insight podcast. No, the site's not going away, but after an absence of over six months, we felt it appropriate to at least draw a line under the Symbian-centric podcasts. And we go out with an hour-long bang, with a heady mix of news, retrospective and our picks of our favourite Symbian devices.... ever.Covered are: Recent news in the Symbian world. The State of Symbian and a look back at the last decade or two. Our favourite five Symbian devices EVER. Each. Plus a few extras! You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight 247, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we start by talking about the return of Nokia's Public Transport app, updates to the cuteTube and F1uptodate apps, an alternative curated Symbian apps and games directory, and Skype on Symbian officially being "removed". However, the highlight of the podcast is a discussion around AppList, an alternative app store for Symbian devices, which became available as an open beta a few days ago.This podcast was recorded on Thrsday 13th March 2014. Topics covered in this podcast include: Nokia Public Transport installer works again for Symbian cuteTube updates now more frequent, ex-Store F1uptodate updated and ready for F1 in 2014! Now officially ex-Store, cuteTube fixes Twitter authentication Another curated Symbian apps and games directory Skype for Symbian officially 'removed' Introducing AppList (beta) - and a Symbian Store for 2014 and the future You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight 246, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we start by reviewing the state of Symbian with regard to signing, which leads to news of the forthcoming curated on-device app store AppList. Other topics covered in the podcast include Delight custom firmware releases for the Nokia E7 and X7, and a discussion around the three year anniversary of the February 11th announcement.This podcast was recorded on Wednesday 12th February 2014. Topics covered in this podcast include: A few last updates break through the iced-up Nokia Store (updated) Volunteers needed to help with (post-Nokia) Symbian app store and client Delight custom firmware for the Nokia E7 now available Nokia N8 Delight v6.4 custom firmware (CFW) released Symbian application updates in 2014 Revamped Nokia Developer website drops Symbian SDKs and documentation You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight 245, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we start by talking about the state of Symbian app updates in the context of the freezing of Symbian content in the Nokia Store. Other topics covered in the podcast include a Nokia 808 versus Lumia 1020 (with Lumia Black) comparison, weather widgets on the Symbian homescreen, Delight custom firmware, Swype, and more.This podcast was recorded on Tuesday 7th January 2014. Topics covered in this podcast include: Symbian application updates in 2014 In the white corner: Nokia 808. In the yellow corner: Lumia Black Podcatcher and CoverUp both now free forever Nokia Weather officially discontinued One last hurrah - Situations v2 available - and free! The very last CuteTube update.... in the Nokia Store Podcatcher and CoverUp both now free forever qooWeather final Store update, now premier homescreen weather option? The end of the road for Swype on Symbian? Delight CFW v1.3 now out for the Nokia 808 Delight custom firmware for the Nokia E7 and X7 is... planned! Delight custom firmware hits the Nokia 700 too How to: Back up your offline country maps for Nokia Maps Google HD update delivers UI tweaks, split screen keyboard and fixes Review: Google HD Browser You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight 244, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we start by apologising for the longer than expected gap between podcasts, before moving on to chat about the status of the Symbian app ecosystem and Symbian devices in general. We also discuss the practicalities of using a Symbian device as a backup smartphone (watch out for SIM card sizes) and Steve offers some details on the Delight custom firmwares.This podcast was recorded on Thursday 6th December 2013. Topics covered in this podcast include: Review: Google HD Browser CuteTube 1.9.0 released with in-app updating Huellif utilities update batch NewAlarm is tiny, quick and convenient The last two and a half years of Symbian charted Transition: the multi-tasking track from Symbian to Android (Nexus 5) Transition: the camera-centric track from N8 and 808 to Lumia 1020 Delight Firmware Delight Exclusive Mods & Delight App - How to's Delight custom firmware hits the Nokia 500 too Jolla smartphone with Sailfish OS finally available You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight 243, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we talk about the news that from January 1st 2014 no new Symbian content will be accepted in the Nokia Store. We consider the timing, implications, and possible solutions, with particular reference to application updates. In the back half of the podcast we offer some further comparison of Nokia two imaging heavyweights, the Nokia 808 PureView and the Nokia Lumia 1020.This podcast was recorded on Saturday 5th October 2013. Topics covered in this podcast include: New Symbian (and Meego) applications not allowed in the Nokia Store from Jan 1st The legendary 2010 N8 versus... the 2013 Lumia 1020 PureView copied? Lumia 1020 vs Xperia Z1 You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight 242, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we talk about the future of Symbian support, especially in the light of the proposed acquisition of Nokia's Devices & Services business by Microsoft. We touch upon software updates, app updates, service availability, component supply (for repair), and more. In the second half of the podcast, we round up various news items including the removal of App Wizard apps from Nokia Store, the EasyStreetView app, the MusicKloud app, ThemeBox, and the Nokia DC-19 accessory.This podcast was recorded on Thursday 19th September 2013. Topics covered in this podcast include: Now is the time... to double up and stock up? 'Support until 2016' confirmed by Nokia's Weber Data point: only one year of repair parts left for Symbian smartphones?= ThemeBox - "Saving Symbian's legacy"? Smartphone camera sensor sizes visualised, light gathering ability calculated All About 'Oversampling', the Lumia 1020 compared to the original Nokia 808... New Lumia 1020 camera revelation gets it closer to Nokia 808 purity Dinning on choosing between the 808 and 1020 EasyStreetView brings the world to your Symbian phone MusiKloud is a full SoundHound client App Wizard 'apps' disappear from the Nokia Store AAS app link You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight 241, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we round up the latest app news in the Symbian world, with mentions for ThOR, NewsBlurQt, qooSaver, Whatsapp, PhotProc, FilesPlus, and more. This is followed up by a discussion of the relative merits of the cameras in the Nokia 808 PureView and Nokia Lumia 1020, which leads to some more general discussion about what current Symbian device owners might consider doing when they want a new device. This podcast was recorded on Tuesday 20th July 2013. Topics covered in this podcast include: ThOR debuts, brings The (new!) Old Reader to Symbian qooWeather 4.3.3 improves qooSaver integration newsBlurQt debuts, early access to NewsBlur InoReader yet another post-Google Reader RSS option? Whatsapp for Symbian updated with voice messaging PhotProc gets interface change and new filters FilesPlus gains Box.com compatibility, goes free PureView in real life (Nokia 808 and 1020) Nokia Lumia 1020 vs Nokia 808: PureView video comparison How to: Set the Nokia 808 up to satisfy '2013' photo preferences You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In a bumper All About Symbian Insight, number 240, hosted by Steve and Rafe, we start with a PureView-themed discussion, comparing the Symbian powered Nokia 808 PureView to the recently announced Windows Phone powered Nokia Lumia 1020. This is followed up by a number of shorter items including details of the Gallery Image Share update for Belle FP2, an app highlight in the form of qooSaver, news of app updates for CuteTube and Notekeeper, and a few tips for the power user. This podcast was recorded on Wednesday 17th July 2013. Topics covered in this podcast include: PureView discussion Gallery Image Share update rolling out for Belle FP2 qooSaver brings weather and battery status to your Symbian always on lockscreen CuteTube gets massive overhaul for keyboarded devices Notekeeper update (certs etc) The social image browser you didn't know you already had How to: "There's a shortcut for that!" (Symbian's ecosystem mid-2013) S4Zoom vs 808 vs 1020? You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight, number 239, Steve and Rafe start by talking about some exclusive news around the cuteTube app, before moving on to talk about the latest Symbian software updates (Nokia Music for Belle Refresh devices). We follow this with a discussion on whether the BlackBerry Q10 is a potential upgrade option for Nokia E6 users, and some thoughts on familiar features in iOS7. We finish by contemplating the possibility of a Windows Phone powered version of the Nokia 808 PureView.This podcast was recorded on Tuesday 18th June 2013. Topics covered in this podcast include: Nokia Music update starting to roll out to Belle Refresh smartphones Major update to cuteTube, adds Vimeo and cross-service searching More on the Q10 - a natural Nokia E6 upgrade? iOS 7 looks to catch up to Symbian circa 2010 10 Reasons why I'm still on the Nokia 808 and Symbian in June 2013 The Nokia 808 to get a PureView cousin on July 11th? You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In a longer than usual All About Symbian Insight, number 238, Steve and Rafe start by talking about mobile solutions and form factors, before transitioning into the recent over the air updates for Symbian Belle devices (Email, Calendar and Music), which sparks a more general discussion of updates and how long a phone's software remains "current". The second half of the podcast is devoted to a discussion of camera phone shootout tests and how their outcome is very much dependent on how the nature of the test shots.This podcast was recorded on Monday 27th May 2013. Topics covered in this podcast include: Inspiration: Homescreen galleries across the AAS community! Nokia E6 homescreens, across the community Symbian Belle platform variants all get Email, Calendar and Music updates Nokia announces entry level Asha 501 "smartphone" Smartphone camera super-test: Nokia 808 vs Samsung GS4 vs Lumia 920 Making jaws drop with the Nokia 808: Anatomy of a smartphone photo (take 3) EOS, the mysterious Nokia camera flagship that's yet to come? AAWP Insight #64: Eurovision, Xbox, and more Facebook client extraordinaire fMobi fixes login issues, available again You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.
In All About Symbian Insight number 237, Steve and Rafe start by talking about the recent 3G network fix for Belle FP2 devices, the rolling out of another homescreen widget update for Belle FP1 and 2 devices, and the end of new Symbian theme uploads to the Nokia Store. In the second half of the podcast we turn our attention to apps with mentions for the Erudite ebook reader (Amazon Kindle), Swype (keyboard input), CoverUp (album art), and X-plore (file manager).This podcast was recorded on Friday 3rd May 2013. In this podcast we cover: New homescreen widgets roll out to Belle FP1/FP2 smartphones Wi-fi and YouTube updates rolling out to Symbian Belle FP1/FP2 One year on and the 808, the 'ultimate' Symbian smartphone is... even better No more new Symbian themes in the Nokia Store after July 1st Swype for Symbian (beta) gets reissued, with new certs, still a bit broken Erudite Book Reader brings Amazon Kindle ebooks to Symbian CoverUp is back and working, all your music covers restored! X-plore for Symbian goes freeware Symbian platform breakdown and new 'active installed base' chart You can listen to earlier episodes of the AAS Insight Podcast in our media section.