Bye Bye N97 Mini: The Story

Last February 2010, I upgraded my mobile phone to N97 mini.  Back then, my 5800 XM was fully functional, had the latest firmware (kinetic scrolling, automatic qwerty in landscape, etc.), no defects. In other words I loved that phone and had no ramblings about it whatsoever.

However, I just felt the urge to upgrade to a N97 as the specs of the phone fits my version of “ultimate” mobile phone – same specs with 5800 plus the physical qwerty keypad and customizable homescreen.  It was the phone that at that time, I think worthy of replacing my 5800 XM.

Since I didn’t plan to maintain two mobile phones at the same time, I posted my 5800 XM in eBay and sold it for PhP 11,000 (about $255) in 2 weeks.  I guess it was that popular at that time.  I had not anticipated that it would be sold that quickly so I end up borrowing a spare 3210 from my office-mate – haha, major downgrade, I know, but I survived.

The following week, I purchased through eBay, again, an N97 mini with high hopes for it.  Two days later I got the package and I was so excited while unwrapping it.  Who wouldn’t be, right?

To my frustration and disappointment, the build quality of the N97 mini was not what I expected.  I felt that it was a cheap phone despite of the fact that I purchased it for PhP 20,000 (about $465).  The backlighting was a little uneven, the screen was not smooth (is this because it has resistive touch screen?), had this creaky noise when pressed in few parts, seeping LED backlighting in the keyboard, etc. Call me meticulous but after having to pay with my hard-earned money, I have the right to be. 

It came with Nokia Warranty but it would be difficult to justify a replacement because the phone was fully functional, software- and hardware-wise.  I also could not return it to the seller because I received the unit brand new and sealed.

Then and there, I was ready to sell it and buy a new 5800 XM (kinda foolish, huh?).  I later found out that new 5800 XM releases have poor build quality, at least in my own opinion.  So, I decided to give the N97 Mini a chance.  I could not find anything else to replace it with, anyway.

Then in August (it was announced in April but I just found out in August) came the good news that I’ve been waiting for – the Nokia N8.  The specs are through the roof! Imagine this – HDMI port, 720p recording, upgraded processor to 680MHz (finally!), built-in graphics processor, USB 3.0, Wifi b/g/n, 12 Megapixel Camera with Xenon Flash, Symbian^3, Capacitive Touch Screen with Multi-touch and last but definitely not the least USB on-the-go. Wow!

Still, I held back assuming that with that specs come a hefty price tag.  It was still due for release so no price yet.

Then in October, it was launched and to my suprise it only costs PhP 23,600 (about $548)!

But then, Nokia E7 was also launched which comes with a physical qwerty and a 4-inch screen with same specs as N8.  I had a short dilemma there, but N8 still wins for me and a 4-inch screen with a resolution of 640 x 320? Not good.

Anyway, at the time of writing, N8 costs PhP 22,000 at eBay (about $511) which is definitely within my budget.  Of course, I would have to sell my N97 Mini.  Bye bye N97 Mini!

After publishing this, I will transact with the seller.  Good luck for me.  I sure hope I will not be disappointed or else I will ramble here on my blog again.

If you could do away with n97 mini’s build quality as I mentioned above, I’m selling mine for Php 14,000 (plus shipping cost).  If you’re interested, just post a comment below.

Well, that’s it for now.  I will post a review on the Nokia N8 when I receive the unit.

‘Til then.  Thanks for reading!

Swype for Nokia S60v5 Phones – 5800, N97, X6, 5230

Good news! Nokia beta labs released a beta version of Swype compatible with the following Nokia S60 v5 phones:

1. 5800
2. N97
3. N97 Mini
4. X6
5. 5230
6. 5530

For those of you who don’t know what it is, Swype is an alternative way to input text on handheld devices. It also also utilizes a virtual keyboard but the big difference is tapping or touching the keys, you make a continuous stroke or a swipe across the virtual keyboard and the words will be typed in by the application. It sounds difficult but actually it isn’t. It’s similar to typing but you just don’t lift your finger.

This patented technology has already been used by phones using Android OS – Samsung Galaxy S, for example. Nokia seems to be planning on integrating this technology on their phones in the future.

How fast can you type with it? Well, that depends on how responsive your cellphone is and how fast you can swipe. I’ve installed it on my N97 Mini and all I can say is that my cellphone struggles in coping up when swiping long words. Well, it’s still a beta version so I am still having my hopes up that Nokia will improve this later on.

The debate on which text input is faster still goes on but it all comes down to the user’s preference. Here is how I rank the speed of the different text input methods:

1. QWERTY Keypad
2. T9
3. Swype
4. Virtual Keyboard
5. Multi-Tap (no predictive text)

On accuracy, at first I was very skeptic about Swype. I was thinking that it would be so difficult and meticulous to hit all those letters as you type but to my surprise it was really easy to swipe!

As it turned out, you do not need to be that accurate when you swipe. The application can predict accurately the word you intend to type similar to T9 but not quite.

If the application predicts multiple words based on your swipe, it displays eight of those words and lets you choose among the results. If the word you intend to type is not in the list, just press backspace and swipe again.

Based on my experience, I only got errors when I “mis-swipe” words. Most of the time, words that the application types are accurate. I even tested long hard words (i.e., indistinguishable, superposition, presidency, etc.) and it gets them accurately but it takes longer for it to display the result.

I observed that the longer your words are, the more accurate Swype is but it still depends on whether your swipe is done correctly.

Unfortunately it inly supports English language but now worries there because the application is also intelligent enough to learn words. You only need to type it in letter-by-letter and it will store it in its database. What’s more, it even includes your contacts’ names which is cool and convenient.

The virtual keyboard of Swype can be in mini-qwerty (portrait) or full-qwerty (landscape) mode and it responds to the phone’s accelerometer although there were times when it doesn’t.

Please be reminded that the application is still under development and bugs are expected. There were times when it even crashed and my phone went back to the Home Screen.

Although very usable and accurate, Swype has few disadvantages. First, you will need two hands when swiping to maximize speed and accuracy. Second, you will also find it difficult to swipe when you are in a moving vehicle or while walking – hardware QWERTY, T9 and multi-tap will be preferable in these situations.

Here are the Key Features of Swype by Nokia Beta Labs:

• Standard QWERTY keyboard layout makes Swype easy to learn
• Use a stylus or finger – Swype’s amazing input path analyzer allows you to go fast and sloppy. Just make a reasonable effort to trace through the word and Swype will do the rest
• Double Tap Editing – Make a mistake? Double tap on a word to bring up a list of other possible matches.
• Auto-Spacing
• Auto-Capitalization
• Auto Spelling Correction
• Automatic Help – Swype detects when you may be having trouble or might benefit from a particular feature and prompts you with helpful tips and instructions
• Instant access to Symbols, Numbers and Editing functions
• 65,000-word Learning Dictionary – Chances are the word you are typing is already in the Swype dictionary. If it isn’t, just tap it out once followed by a space and Swype will remember it for future use.

To install Swype on your phone, you need to download the sisx file here and install the application through Ovi Suite.

Be sure to restart your phone after installation.

Happy Swyping!

Source: http://forum.dailymobile.se/index.php?topic=29147.0

PhP 50 Unlimited Internet Surfing through SMART (Philippines Only) – Hack… Sort of

Good news!!! Smart Communications (Philippines) offers UNLIMITED mobile surfing for PhP 50.00 (about $1 for 1 day) and PhP 300.00 (about $7 for 7 days).  Their regular rate for mobile surfing is PhP 10.00/30-minute block which is a little bit expensive when compared to those offered by internet cafes which can go for as low as PhP 8.00/hr.

It has been a clamor of mobile surfers to have unlimited internet access since with most network providers, you have to be aware of your time or the data you sent/received or else you will drain your prepaid funds or blow your monthly bill sky high.

Just be informed that in order for you to get the best deal out of your bucks, you need to be in an area with 3G or 3.5G (HSDPA). Otherwise, you will have to bear with the slow dial-up like internet connection (GPRS/EDGE).  Also your mobile should be 3G/3.5G-capable (duh..).

To register, you just need to open your phone browser to the home page of Smart Communications and the link is located under promos.  Just click the link of your preferred promo and accept the terms and conditions and you’re good to go.

For prepaid SMART Bro subscribers,  sorry to inform you that registration can only be made through a mobile phone and I don’t think the SIM of SMART Bro is supported on mobile phones.

For prepaid SMART Bro subscribers, just insert your SMART Bro SIM  card to your mobile phone and register via http://wap.smart.com.ph.

To register, just text “unli 50” and send to 211.

What’s more? If you prefer to surf using your desktop or laptop, you may do so by using the PC Suite that came with your mobile (i.e., Nokia/Ovi PC Suite, SE PC Suite, etc.).  The unlimited surfing still applies.  I have tested and proven this and in fact, I am using it right now.

For those living in other countries, I posted this news so you may have some idea that unlimited mobile surfing is offered in other parts of the world so you can demand that your respective network providers provide the same service/promo to you.

Happy surfing!

Nokia 5800 v40.0.005 Now Available via FOTA with Kinetic Scrolling!

Yes, it’s finally here!!! Nokia 5800 v40.0.005 with Kinetic Scrolling!!! Wow!  Finally Nokia heard the petitions of  Nokia 5800 users to include kinetic scrolling in their latest firmware update.

It’s true that Nokia 5800 XM, although the flagship unit for the series of touch screen phones, was always left behind when compared to the features inherent to newer phones like the 5530… but not anymore!

Personally, I was thinking of upgrading my phone to N97 Mini but after upgrading, now I’m not so sure whether it’s worth it since FW v40 already included neat features.  Here is an unofficial changelog courtesy of ww w.tube5800.com (with annonations by me):

Changelog for Firmware V40.0.005:

Kinetic Scrolling (except: main menu, application menu, browser)
– the most awaited feature; definitely an a**-kicker!

New Home-Screen (like 5530)
– only when you set your home screen theme to Contacts Bar, otherwise you’ll get the same old standby screen
– it can support up to 20 contacts.
– the contacts bar also features kinetic scrolling but was laggy, erratic and sometimes unresponsive so I ended reverting to the shortcuts bar. I’m not fond of the contacts bar anyway. It looks a lot better, though.

Auto rotation on text input
– very convenient feature, too!  I had been hoping this would be implemented.  This is what made me think twice of upgrading to N97 mini.  This feature automatically switched to full qwerty keyboard when you tilt your phone in horizontal mode and switches back to alphanumeric keypad when in vertical position.  In v40, however, you anymore cannot force 5800 to switch to full qwerty keyboard since it was removed from the selection.  But who needs it now that the phone does it for you.

Fixes minor bugs
– it was not elaborated in the web site.  I guess, we’ll have to see this for ourselves.

Performance improvements
– haven’t noticed any difference, really… Maybe I need to reformat or something… or NOT 

New screen alarm, but only when the screen is locked
– cool feature, I hope they will implement this even when the screen is unlocked.  v40 just added new animated buttons for snooze and stop.  Unfortunately during trials, the buttons won’t respond and I had to tilt my phone face down to snooze it.  I sure hope they will fix this one.

New screen incoming call, only when the screen is locked
– UI similar to the screen alarm.

NOT HACKABLE!!
– just when thing are getting better, this major disadvantage comes through
– this will be something that may make some 5800 users think twice about upgrading to v40.  I personally tried HelloOx2 and it doesn’t work anymore but I’m sure our genius hackers can definitely find a way to hack this one although we might have to wait for a while…  So as of now, you have to decide Kinetic Scrolling or Hacked Phone…
– but fear not because all of the software (signed or unsigned) that you  have installed prior to upgrading will still be functional unless of course you performed a phone reset.

Other changes/improvements:
Ovi Contacts installed
Removed Download! (Ovi Store still available)
Replaced “Update Application” with “SW Update” as on the Nokia N97
The application “Data transfer” was also implemented in “Settings”
Real Player Updated to 12 October 2009
Touch more responsive
Improved stability
Slide to Unlock during call

If you want screenshots and videos, just click here for the direct link to www.tube5800.com post. 

All credits go to the one who posted this information on www.tube5800.com.

6 Bundled 100% Compatible Themes for Nokia 5800 XM

I do not understand why it is so hard to find 100% compatible themes for Nokia 5800 XpressMusic.  There are  lot of free themes out there but when you apply them, some buttons don’t  work. 

Anyway, for your convenience, I am posting 6 themes that I personally tested on Nokia 5800 XpressMusic.  I bundled them so that you can download it in one go.

If you have problems installing them, you need to hack your phone.  Just try googling HelloOX2 and you find forums with instructions on how to to it. 

Here is the link:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OT606SEL