Symbian news - Page 2

**nauriceprivat** · #11 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 04:35 PM

Certainly the single most-popular mobile office solution for Symbian S60 based smartphones has been recently upgraded. Beside improving the overall speed and stability of the package, the new version of [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] adds native support for Microsoft’s Office 2007 XML-based files. This translates into ability to open, view, edit and create Word and Excel 2007 in their native XML formats, all while on the go.
There’s also the new Quickmanager 1.5 included in the Quickoffice Premier 5.0 suite, allowing users to be immediately informed when the new upgrade of Quickoffice is available for over-the-air purchase… Full release follows after the jump.
[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]

**nauriceprivat** · #12 (**permalink**) 12-25-2007, 08:52 PM

Those among you considering themselves that efficient that even manage database files while on-the-go will be delighted to learn that the popular HanDBase application has been updated. Available on all major platforms — including Palm OS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Symbian S60 — the HanDBase 4.0 brings a host of new synchronization features, a deeper level of security, and a myriad of user interface and database design enhancements.

One neat and an efficiency-boosting feature we’ve spotted from the press release — which follows after the jump — is what they call the “Smart Date” filter that enables users to view data in ranges such as “This Week,” and “Next x Days”…
HanDBase is retailing from $24.99 to $99.99 depending on the program version. More information is available from the [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]… And now on with the mentioned release.
[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]

**nauriceprivat** · #13 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 02:39 PM

Python for s60 got the final release
you can download it from here:
[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]

**nauriceprivat** · #14 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 09:22 PM

Vice-President for Symbian’s Strategy John Forsyth said on Wednesday that the company is aiming to supply 10 percent of the world-wide mobile phone market within the next three years.
Good luck with that sir, but I think Android is going to seriously stunt slow you down.

**nauriceprivat** · #15 (**permalink**) 01-28-2008, 09:25 PM

Skyfire is a new
proxy-based
browsing solution
that uses the
Firefox 'Gecko'
engine on the
handset and
which can
apparently cope
with Flash video
and other advanced
page objects.
According to PhoneBoy, [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...][Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] and should give both the Webkit-based S60 Web and Opera Mini 4 a run for their money.

Skyfire: Mobile Browsing On Steroids

If you’ve ever used a browser on a mobile device, you know what kinds of issues you can run into. Pages are either a watered-down “mobile” version of the full page, or if the device can render the desktop version of the page, the device frequently runs out of memory and can’t do things like play flash videos and the like.

On Friday, I got to watch a demo of [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] over Skype Video given by Skyfire CEO Nitin Bhandari. Skyfire is a mobile browser that aims to bring the full PC browsing experience to your mobile handset. Obviously, they can’t do much about the difference in screen size, but they can make the user interface non-intrusive–the elements “go away” when they aren’t in use–and they are minimal, but elegant.

The browser is kind of like Opera Mini in that it requires a special backend proxy to do a fair amount of preprocessing on the content. The rendering engine on the device itself, though, is Gecko, i.e. the same thing used in Firefox on the desktop. This combination, though, is able to deliver a very compelling browser experience on a mobile handset.

In the live demo, I saw a Skyfire-rendered version of ESPN. I compared it to the version rendered on my Mac, and it was identical. Skyfire even played the embedded flash video fairly well. I tried the same site on my Nokia N95 and it ran out of memory trying to render the site.

I specifically asked about how SSL (encrypted) web pages were dealt with. Because it’s a “man in the middle” and by it’s very nature, has to see and repurpose the web pages for your device, it will see all of your encrypted, private data that passes through the service. That being said, I was assured they understand this issue, have taken steps to minimize the likelihood your private data will leak outside their servers, and will spell it out in the privacy policy.

Skyfire is entering a private beta period for Windows Mobile devices in the U.S.. I was told to expect an Nokia S60 version of this browser sometime this quarter and expect other platforms and geographies later on.

I can’t wait until I see this in person. The demo I saw looked really promising.

**nauriceprivat** · #16 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 09:56 PM

A wealth of updated

resources on

Forum Nokia will
help S60 developers

jumpstart
development on
the latest
state-of-the-art
smartphone devices.
They can also find detailed information on how the platform is evolving through function and feature enhancements.

The updated "[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]" is aimed at new S60 developers. It introduces the main aspects of the S60 platform from the developer's point of view, covering all platform editions, tools, and guides to finding further information. This document covers the platform's features through S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2.

Another updated document, "[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]," introduces S60 3rd Edition up to and including Feature Pack 2. This document describes changes to the kernel, binary, security, and API — and the impact these changes will have on developers.

A third document, "[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]," provides an overview of the S60 application-development process. Including everything from pre-study to maintenance, the document shows how quality aspects can be integrated into the various phases of the development process. Information in this document can be used either to create a process or to complement and fine-tune an existing process.

Finally, the updated "[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]" answers the most frequently asked questions posed by developers and business managers regarding the S60 platform. The answers cover all S60 platform editions, development options, tools, and market information. This document covers the platform's features through S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2.

Download the documents:

[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]
[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]
[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]
[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]

**nauriceprivat** · #17 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 09:59 PM

Forum Nokia PRO

member [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]
[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] of Pune,

India, is extending
enterprise resource

planning (ERP)

applications to
S60 mobile devices.

The company's
iNotify Platform is a
smart-module application framework that puts S60 devices in direct, secure, two-way communication with back-end enterprise applications, such as Oracle, SAP, MySQL, and MS SQL. While these sorts of ERP systems can help manage a company's business in real time, if they cannot reach the mobile sales force, their value is lessened. Web-based interfaces for these applications can help, but only in areas of high-speed Internet availability. The iNotify Mobility server helps by connecting to back-end ERP systems on one end and the operator's GSM network on the other. Customers of Mobien's iNotify Platform include Zuari Industries, a Goa, India maker of chemical fertilizers, which says the implementation has helped reduce order-processing lead times from as long as three days to less than 10 minutes.

Learn more about [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] (PDF).

**nauriceprivat** · #18 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 10:00 PM

Forum Nokia has

launched [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]
[Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...], a

competition for

S60 developers.

This month's problem:
Design and implement
a framework that

unifies S60 runtimes.
The goal is the

intercommunication
of runtimes, such

as Symbian C++, Java, Flash, Python, and Web Runtimes. With this kind of runtime interaction, it is possible to access new features and reuse existing solutions in new and exciting ways.

To enter, provide your framework implementation and at least one working example of the runtime's internetworking. If you don't have time to implement all the necessary parts, at least present your ideas and planned design to score more points in the contest.

Solve the [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]; the deadline is February 15.

**nauriceprivat** · #19 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 10:29 PM

In case you’re owning one of the older Symbian S60 based devices, we sincerely hope you haven’t seen you’re phone bill going through the roof. If that’s the case, you may’ve been affected by Beselo, a malicious Symbian OS worm currently spreading on mobile phone networks worldwide.
The virus is being disseminated as a multimedia file (MMS) with such monikers as Beauty.jpg, Sex.mp3 or Love.rm. When installed on the handsets, the malware gathers all the phone numbers located in the phone’s contact lists and targets them with a viral MMS carrying a SIS-packed version of the worm. In addition to harvesting these numbers, the malware also sends itself to generated numbers. To date the worm only affects older Symbian S60 powered smartphones including such models as the Nokia 6630, 7610, 6680, and N70. However, according to [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...], with modifications, this current attack could spread to many additional smartphone models.
Naturally, SMobile’s [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] ends with praise of the company’s Security Shield product which will protect you against all mobile malware. In case you own a Symbian S60 3rd edition based device, you’re safe without it…

**nauriceprivat** · #20 (**permalink**) 01-31-2008, 12:02 PM

The best (also just about the only) database system for S60, HanDBase has had a big update. v4.0 was announced in December and has been going through test builds. v4.00.55 is now online and working well. See below for a changelog, links and some screenshots. Also of note is that the desktop client has also had a big update and looks a lot more modern.

Here's the new, facelifted HanDBase Desktop:
As with previous versions, there are Plus and Enterprise editions, letting you get more ambitious with database design and to liase with enterprise data sources. But for 99% of readers, the basic HanDBase 4 will be just fine. There are still masses of things to customise and construct without needing to go 'Plus'.
Some screens from v4.00.55, released on January 24th:

Including the new 4.00.55 update, here's the HanDBase 4 changelog:

Encryption Password Caching - When you open a database, the password you entered is optionally remembered and then used for subsequent saves/closes of the database. This reduces chance of user entering a wrong password when re-encrypting and is also far more convenient to use.
Auto Close Feature - Optionally set program to auto close all open databases when there is no activity for some time. When used with the Encryption Password Caching option, this means any encrypted databases would also be reencrypted and then closed.
128 bit encryption - Now encrypts with 128 bit Safer-SK encryption for increased security and tamper proofing.
Second prompt when setting password - Now when you have the password prompt set to hide the password, it will confirm your password before accepting.
Create and Edit Databases - You can now create and edit database properties right on the S60 device!
Filter floating dates - When filtering on dates, you can now filter on a date that is based off the current date, like 'This Month', 'Next X days', or 'Today' and hence see only the records that match based on the current date.

Windows Desktop:

Updated UI - the user interface was updated to look fresh and be more intuitive to use.
Opening Welcome screen - quick select choice to open existing dbs, new ones, recent ones, etc.
Database Explorer - window bar for showing quick list of dbs for users with button for 'More' that jumps to the more
Right click options - for records in list view (copy, move, delete, encrypt, etc) like Pocket PC tap and hold
Conduit Options integration - jump to conduit and sync exchange settings right from HanDBase Desktop
Newsletter integration - stay up to date on HanDBase related updates/releases/news directly from within the HanDBase Desktop.
Check for Updates - automatically and manually check for newer versions available for your HanDBase related products from the HanDBase Desktop.
Mapping of fields - for CSV import of data in different format than database
Copy Record(s) to clipboard - ability to copy a record or records' printable values to the clipboard to paste into other documents or programs.
Report Printing on Windows Desktop - Ability to print custom HTML style reports (similar to those used by the HanDBase Reporter Add-on) from the desktop.
Filter floating dates - When filtering on dates, you can now filter on a date that is based off the current date, like 'This Month', 'Next X days', or 'Today' and hence see only the records that match based on the current date.

You'll find [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...].
Purchase allows for free updates for a year, and there's a customer support system where you can re-download anything you've purchase for installation onto a new device.
(See also Krisse's [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] )