Channeling a few ancient Ninja powers, Ninja Devin performs with the help of his trusty N96 a feat that most Ninjas won???t even dare doing: the Levitation Act. For those wondering, the help of the Photoshop Gods has not been used; in fact no digital trickery has been used. Take a closer look at the images and behold the power the ancient power of the Ninjas.
Original post by Devin Balentina
During a recent Nokia webcast, different images where shown when all of the sudden what looks like a future Communicator-type device a la E90 was shown, this time with an updated design sporting a touch screen. With the announcement of devices like the Blackberry Storm set to be released by the end of the year, from manufacturer RIM, which traditionally has shied away from touch solutions, could start an all-round touch-phone craze, even in the traditional business type devices like the Eseries and Blackberry devices. Do you think business devices should stick to the traditional QWERTY keyboard or opt for both a keyboard/touch interface?
Original post by Devin Balentina
Sandisk has done it again! It wasn’t long ago we reached the amazing 8GB mark for storage in the tiny format called microSDHC. Now we have in fact doubled the capacity reaching an impressive 16GB of storage on a medium no bigger than your average finger nail. The idea behind this post is try to clear misunderstandings behind the microSDHC format and see how a typical Nseries device, in this case the N82 black performs with the new 16GB cards.
Will my device support the new XXGB microSDHC card?
Often when new devices in the Nseries line are released, Nokia states the maximum memory (card) capacity they will hold based on the biggest available card on the market at that moment. Take for example the soon to be released N85. One look at the N85’s specs page you might think that the device only supports a maximum of 8GB microSD cards: “microSD memory card slot, hot swappable, max. 8 GB”. This leads to confusion and the obvious question: does my device support this new card? The fact is that a microSDHC-compatible device,for example the N82, N85, N95, N95 8GB they should (theoretically at least) support microSD cards up to 32 GB. It is recommended however, for the best performance and to clear compatibility issues, to get the latest firmware for your device. The guys over MobyMemory for example reported problems on their classic N95 in the form of “O/S freezing and rebooting when you try to open the Gallery or Music Player.” A quick update solved the problem as they reported that: “phone performance was rock solid and we saw no more of the unpredictable behavior”
Should I buy class 2, 4 or 6 cards?
SDHC cards have SD Speed Class Ratings defined by the SD Association. “These new speeds are available in a new specification defining the minimum data transfer speeds for both SD/SDHC memory cards and SD/SDHC host products. This enhancement is easily recognized by three levels of Speed Class, class 2, 4 and 6. Speed Class 2 guarantees a minimum transfer speed of 2 mega bytes per second (MB/s), Speed Class 4 guarantees a minimum transfer speed of 4 MB/s and Speed Class 6 guarantees a minimum transfer speed of 6 MB/s.” I’ve been reading the forums where some users got a “class 2” 16 GB card and wanted to exchange it for the class 4 model, claiming that the class 2 card was “slower and that it would “slow things down.” Fact of the matter is that these class ratings don’t talk about the maximum, but rather the minimum speeds. Class 4 cards are indeed faster, but are these overkill for Nseries devices? Based on previous tests done HERE, this how various cards scored using the Nseries and Internet Tablet devices:
1a)Sandisk MicroSD 8GB via card reader over USB 2.0 (Quick bench): 19.7 MB/s
Random Access: 1.9ms
CPU Utilization: 0% (+/-2%)
Average Read: 19.3MB/s
Random Access: 1.1ms
CPU Utilization: 4% (+/-2%)
Average Read: 10.6MB/s
2a) Nokia N800+ Sandisk MicroSD 8GB over USB 2.0 (Quick bench): 4.9 MB/s
Random Access: 3.2ms
CPU Utilization: 0% (+/-2%)
Average Read: 4.8MB/s
Random Access: 2.3ms
CPU Utilization: 0% (+/-2%)
Average Read: 4.9MB/s
Nokia N81 8GB (Quick bench):0.8 MB/s
Nokia N76 + Sandisk MicroSD 4GB (Quick bench):0.8 MB/s
Nokia N82+ Sandisk microSD 16GB class 2 (Quick bench):
As you can see it doesn’t really matter if it’s a class 2,4 or even 6 card as your average Nseries device has a wrting speed below the 1MB/s, well below the minimum specified by class 2 card. Only the Internet Tablets and the N96 which reportedly has a high write speed to memory cards will get the most of the higher classed cards.
How did the 16GB class 2 perform on the N82?
As indicated above, the N82 write speed to the card is well below the 2MB/s minimum write speed of the class 2 cards, so even the lowest class cards should be enough. Using my N82 with firmware v.20 showed snappy performance that was able to quickly open up the Gallery and show preview images of all media. Much quicker when compared to my N95 8GB. Having transferred 4GB of music to the card, the phone didn’t even a single slow down.
Conclusion
1)No matter what maximum storage capacity a manufacturer states, the maximum amount supported is determined by the microSDHC support, which supports a theoretical maximum of 32GB. A firmware update might be necessary.
2)Only the Internet Tablets with their 4-5Mb/s read speeds are able to take advantage of faster cards. The N96 is said to have a write speed in 4-5MB/s, but I’ll test this once I get my hands on a unit.
3)All current Nseries devices write to memory card or internal memory in the case of the N95 8GB and N81 8GB at a speed of 0.8MB/s making even class 2 card with their MINIMUM 2MB/s write speed perfect.
4)My usage with the new class 2 16GB in the N82 shows snappy performance, clearly supporting conclusion number 3.
5)Always choose a device with a card slot. The benchmarks above indicate that stand-alone card readers are capable of some insane speeds. In such a case you can take out the memory card from your device and use a card reader to take advantage of the higher speeds.
Also remember to visti MobyMemory for the latest 16GB cards!
To give you idea how the N81 8GB, N76 and N82 performed here are the results:
2b) Nokia N800 + Sandisk MicroSD 4GB over USB 2.0 (Quick bench): 5.1 MB/s
1b) Sandisk MicroSD 4GB via card reader over USB 2.0 (Quick bench): 10.7 MB/s
Original post by Devin Balentina
After getting all my devices stolen, it was time to look for a new (main) device, sort of my everyday handset, the workhorse. I had plenty to choose from. Could it be the mighty N96? How about the N85 with the impressive OLED screen? Maybe the N82? Or just wait for the 5800 XpressMusic ? The N96 comes close to the N95 8GB I had, but adds an impressive 16GB of built-in memory and even a card slot for one of those capacious 16GB microSDHC cards, giving me a whopping 32 GB. Off course there’s also the DVB-H that I won’t be using for quite some time as you’d have to travel for thousands of miles to reach a country where it’s being used. The handset’s current price is well north of the $700 mark, making me rethink this decision. If it was going for around the $600+ range it would have stood a chance. The camera with its dual LED would be perfect for videos, but definitely worse than the N82, a device introduced back in 2007. The N85 isn’t quite available yet and while it has an impressive screen and improved battery life, microUSB charging and FP2, to me it seemed like too much of a wait for small upgrades. A solid device indeed, but I needed to buy ASAP. The same story goes for the 5800 XpressMusic, an impressive device, a breath of fresh air at an incredibly low price, but sadly it wasn’t available. My final decision, came down to an all-time favorite, in my opinion one of the best EVER from Nokia, the wolf in sheep’s clothing, the N82 Black.
Choosing the N82 was quite an easy decision: it’s available, prices are reasonable and has everything the N95 and N95 8GB have, in a compact, candy bar shaped design. No sliders to worry with, no moving parts to break. The screen is indeed smaller than what I’m used to and I do miss the media keys, but you gain what is essentially the best camera in the Nseries line. For a device that was introduced last, yet not even the lastest can match it when it comes to it’s camera and flash. I could always buy fancy point-and-shoot digital cameras or one of those pro DSLR’s, but this I could always have with me and with quality images at that. It’s also a decent music player with improved audio quality through it’s top-mounted 3.5mm audio jack (very important) instead of the side-placed one on the N95 8GB. But most importantly, like I said, it’s the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Unlike the N95 8GB and N96 that scream “look at me” and sometimes even “rob me”, the N82 is small and looks simple and you’d never guess all the things it does by looking at it. The ultimate wolf in (black) sheep’s clothing.
Original post by Devin Balentina
Feature wise, all of Nokia’s most advanced devices are in the Nseries/Eseries range, save for a few S60 non-Nseries/Eseries devices like 6220. The S40 line seem to be lacking in features when it comes to other devices like the Sony Ericsson C905 Cyber-Shot or soon-to be released models like the LG Renoir which is set to be released mid October according to phone4u. Why is it, that if I want a more features do I need to have get a smartphone. For many of us having a smartphone means flexibility to add the features that we want, but what about the consumer that wants a top-notch camera device without the need for the extra functionality and flexibility and in return gets simplicity? Devices like the LG Renoir sport impressive cameras (according to dialaphone, one of the best cameras for non-smartphone devices set to be released this year.) Is Nokia playing catch-up when it comes to S40 devices?
Original post by Devin Balentina
I often overlook some of the applications that you can find in under the N82’s “Tools” and “Utilities” folders. Buried there is an application called GPS Data which gives you all the details of your current location in the world. This isn’t a Maps or Tracking application - it’s just there to give you details about your current location.
Obviously this information isn’t handy for day use, but it’s nice to know it’s there. Pilots, hikers, navigators, explorers would find this useful. There is a handy Navigation part of the application which lets you specify a location and it lets you know how far away it is and which direction to go. Very simple, learn more below.
Screenshots and details…
GPS Location
Latitude & Longitude, Altitude, Speed, etc are shown.
Trip Distance
This allows you to keep track of a trip, walk, run, etc if you don’t need something like Sports Tracker. It keeps track of your distance, time, speed, etc.
Navigation
This feature shows you which direction you are heading and allows you to set a destination, which shows up as a dot on the compass. As you can see I’m heading in the wrong direction. Destinations can be selected from coordinates or landmarks in your Nokia Maps or Google Maps application.
Whether or not you find this application useful, it’s nice to know that it’s there.
What other hidden gems have you found on your Nokia device?
Original post by Mike Macias
T9 Nav, a great application that allows quick access to your applications, contacts, settings, media files and bookmarks, just got an update (v01.00.000_M13). Known issues and bugs were fixed. It now runs smoother and faster - no more lagging - now a more worthy contender of SkyQuikey. As most users requested, an option to disable indexing / searching within media files is now available, for an even snappier performance.
Download the new version and let them know if you have any comments or suggestions on the software.
Hmm, I wonder which one is really better between SkyQuikey and T9 Nav.
With this update, both almost deliver the same features and user experience. But T9 Nav is freeware for the win, unlike SkyQuikey ($21.55 from the N82 Blog Store).
T9 Nav is freeware? Not for long! Unfortunately, this free version of T9 Nav will only last until February 2, 2009 and is planned to be launched as a commercial application by the end of January (a “one time” fee of $19.99). The previous version(s) of T9 Nav were supposed to be expired by now.
Now the question is, which one is worth buying for? Is it T9 Nav or SkyQuikey?
Whichever is, I can’t buy any of these two anyway lol. The price is too much and will ruin my budget. If you are in the same situation but still wants a faster way round your phone, try rearranging your menu icons and get yourself familiar with keypad shortcuts to quickly access all your applications (works like charm). As for the contacts and bookmarks, well, I can live with the usual way if it means some cash will stay inside my wallet 
What do you think? Which one would you pick and why?
Original post by Aaron
Hi all! Last week I showed all of you a wonderful yet simple new application called Swim that allows you to sync your N82 device to your SyncML setup automacally in the background - without you having to do anything. This means if you have Ovi Calendar, GooSync, ScheduleWorld, Zyb, etc. working on your S60 phone you no longer have to manually sync.
The developer has just released an updated version of Swim, fixing a huge bug that caused the sync to happen every 30 minutes, no matter what intervals you chose. You can specify it to sync every 15 minutes, hour, 4 hours, 12 hours, and Daily.
Best of all - it’s free, although donations are encouraged.
Click here to visit the Swim download page where you can get further downloading instructions.
Original post by Mike Macias
Needless to say, Travis has become my favorite theme maker over the past few months. His designs are so clean, and his latest icon pack is just awesome and complete.
Check out his latest dark theme, entitled Darkside. I love it because I adore dark themes, and the contrast of this one is just great.
Preview…
Click here to download.
Also, I’d like to apologize for being away from the blog lately. I recently had a 3 day business trip and have been swamped with work. I’m back now and should be showing you guys (and gals) some great stuff for your N82.
Original post by Mike Macias
I just recently found a new application called Swim, and it’s really been saving my butt this week. It’s a very simple application and brings functionality that Nokia should’ve implemented already. Nokia S60 devices such as the N82 allow you to set up SyncML configurations to keep your notes, calendar, and contacts in sync with compatible services such as GooSync, ScheduleWorld, & my favorite Ovi Calendar. The only problem WAS that you had to manually sync your calendars every time you make changes, instead of the N82 automatically performing the sync in the background periodically. Not Anymore!
This is where Swim comes in. It’s a very simple application - but does it’s job very well. It lets you automatically sync to your Ovi Calendar or other SyncML setup periodically. You can specify it to sync every 15 minutes, hour, 4 hours, 12 hours, and Daily. I currently have mine set to sync every 4 hours which is perfect. Keep in mind with services such as Ovi Calendar you can also sync your notes and contacts, allowing you to be able to edit all of this from any computer with an internet connection. Really handy!
Apparently there is a small bug right now that makes the sync happen every 30 minutes, which really isn’t a big deal since it happens in the background and uses very little data. The developer has stated on his website that he is working on this bug and it will be fixed soon. Keep in mind this is the first release of the application.
Thanks to the S60 Developer Community the holes that Nokia leaves are resolved once again. If you think this application is as useful as I find it, leave a small donation with the developer so he can continue making it work better. Afterall, it’s FREE!
Click here to visit the website & download the application.
Original post by Mike Macias
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