After reading a very interesting article by GSMArena about the leaked documents of Windows Mobile 7, I decided to write up my own thoughts about the new operating system. For those who are not aware of Windows Mobile, it is an operating system that resides on mobile devices like Symbian or Linux for example. Recently announced Google will be releasing their own open source system called Android too, to combat such systems used in mobile devices and the thwart ideas of the “GPhone” (however that can still happen).

Apple has created quite the stir with the iPhone and it has made everyone else shut up and listen. Its not the complete device still as it has missing features, is overpriced and is not the holy grail that people think it is. However no-one can deny that is does pretty much carry the Apple seal of pure quality when it comes to the user interface.

No mobile phone or device before it has had a user friendly interface as it, with beautifully crafted icons, clever use of gestures and touch control making the use of a complex device seem like childs play. It pretty much has made the same mark on the industry as Nintendo has with the Nintendo Wii and DS, using touch screen and gestures (via motion sensors) as the main control scheme. Now that the dust has settled, Microsoft will be replying back with their answer.

Windows mobile 7 will rely heavily on gestures be it via touch or motion it seems from the leaked documents, much like the iPhone. It also seems to borrow a lot from Sony Ericsson with their “Shake” technology for changing tracks. The interesting bit here is that Microsoft seems to have planned to use the camera to detect movement rather than accelerometers. This means that a camera would have to be constantly on which could easily drain the battery and possible use of such gestures when you want to take a photo - Not to mention how it will detect movement in the dark.

Lets break things down to see what Microsoft would like our mobiles to be powered with in the future though. (Read more…)

What Google Maps looks like on a Nokia N95

Google has released their superb Google Maps for the mobile phone and the great thing is, any Java capable phone can run it! However for Symbian powered mobiles we get a few more extras too, especially with integrated GPS support now added. I will be giving the NokiaN95 version a spin for the purposes of this review.

To obtain the mobile version (for nearly any handset) simply point your mobile to http://www.google.com/gmm. Be aware though that you will incur Data Service charges and it is not advised to use this service without an unlimited data plan or WiFi enabled nearby. While the Map View is pretty basic and detailed enough to get by, Satellite View (which I will discuss later) will consume bandwidth as will searches. Once installed simply run it and agree to the terms laid out.

If you have GPS integrated or indeed paired via Bluetooth then you can press the “0” key right away to be taken to “My Location”. Once there is a Satellite Lock, Google Maps will instantly scroll to your current location, which is pretty handy.

(Read more…)

Thanks to the recent promotion by Handango called “Free App Friday” I got my hands on a very nice alternative to the built in calendar program on the Nokia N95 called Handy Calendar. I’ve been looking for a replacement for the default one on the mobile as while it was functional, I couldn’t help but wanting a bit more from it.
Employing several views such as Month, Week, Day, and Tasks it allows you to easily view your schedule at a glance with varying levels of detail.

For example on Month and Week all your event and birthday icons are on display to help remind you of your busy lifestyle. A neat touch is the “Busy Bar” which estimates how busy your workload is for the day as a visual reminder to stick to your tasks.

In the Day View a detailed report of your tasks are shown along with a time scale at the top to again help you with your timekeeping. Task View is just that, listing all the tasks created thus far with filters, so you can sort them out by Due Date, Subject or Priority.

(Read more…)

There has been many Nintendo Wii Remote hacks from controlling Google Earth, using it as a lightsaber, playing PC FPS, and even use it like drums. This one though looks like to have some potential for people who just love to air guitar.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYHGvEfANy8[/youtube]

Check it out and tell me what you think. If you want to try this out yourself then pop over to his website listed in the video to grab the required files. You do need a bluetooth adapter and Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 to make the magic happen.

If he could incorporate the notes to be played automatically but keep the timing and strumming to the user, then it would be the killer Air Guitar app that some might be looking for…

Massive update for you Nokia N95 owners! The last firmware version was 12.0.0.14 (only available to Asian continents oddly enough) however there is now a European firmware update which slaps it up to 20.0.0.15! To find out what version you are currently on just press these keys on the standby screen - *#0000#

Changes added to the new firmware
* New Welcome application
* New camera software and tweaks from the 8GB model - FAR faster shot to shot time, with ‘Processing image message’ during any delays. I suspect the image processing algorithms have changed too, to remove some of the remaining artificial edge enhancement in the v12 firmware.
* Long press on camera button launches camera if shutter is open
* New My Nokia SMS tips and mobile web portal system
* Demand paging (for ROM applications) with 30 plus MB free RAM after booting.
* Search 4.0 integration on standby screen.
* Old multimedia menu still there, i.e. it’s not the new style
* N-Gage game previews (FIFA, Asphalt) and portal/shortcut to upcoming N-Gage client, as in N81 and N95 8GB
* Nokia Music Store client, although the store server hasn’t been updated to handle the N95 yet - maybe this’ll happen later today
* Keypress bug gone(!), I think
* No auto-screen rotation
* Assorted other minor tweaks, along the same lines as the N95 8GB, with video ringtones, theme animations and a Circles Music Player visualisation.

Just to note your provider (Vodafone, O2 etc) might not have their branded firmware updated to this latest version just yet. I will post a guide on how to change that though soon… I’ll try and write more mobile phone news as it hits to keep up to date!

I have decided last week that it was time to move one from Windows XP + SP2 to the new Windows Vista Ultimate build now that I knew the programs I often used don’t have as many issues. Originally when trying out Vista Ultimate, there were many programs that I used that were not 100% compatible - MSN refused to connect, FireFox crashed and would never load up (even more so when set to the default browser), Sound drivers were damaged and I couldn’t find compatible local server software.

Now though all that has changed. Firefox has been updated rapidly, MSN is now behaving, the sound Driver in Vista is actually pretty sweet and all the other smaller programs I need to work just do. The time to make the jump much like from Windows 2000 to XP needs to be made. Will things go smoothly and will Vista perform?
(Read more…)

I wrote previously on eMagi about how to use your Playstation 2 Eyetoy camera under WindowsXP. Well the same process is required under Windows Vista. There has been some requests and since I’m now on Vista full time here is a walk through!

EDIT: It is NOT x64 compatible and I very much doubt such a driver will be created…
EDIT2: For faster support for any issues please post here and I will get back to you!

First up grab the drivers that I linked to here…

Old EyeToy - SLEH-000-30

Silver EyeToy -SLEH-00031

Once downloaded extract the files somewhere on your computer. Remember where you put it!

Now, plug in your EyeToy, Vista should ask you what to do.

Click on “Don’t show this message again for this device”

Now, right click on My Computer then click on Properties. Click on Device Manager.

Under the “Other Devices” header, you should see the “Eyetoy USB Camera Namtai” device. Right Click on this and click on Properties.

Click on “Re-install Driver” and then “Browse for my driver software“.

Remember where you extracted the downloaded files earlier on? Well its time to click on Browse and point it to the folder! Once done, click on “Next“.

Vista will ask a question to verify the driver. Click on “Install this driver software anyway“. It will then start installing. Just be patient!

Once done you should see this screen, click on Close.

A “sel3110″ window will pop up, just click on OK.

Another window will pop up. If you are in Europe then click Yes for the 50Hz option. If you are in Japan/USA then click on No.

Job done! You have now installed the Sony Eyetoy under Windows Vista to use as a webcam! To test it, open the folder that you downloaded here on eMagi and look for a file called “VIDCAP32“. Double click on it and you should see your Eyetoy working ^_^

Enjoy!

McDonald’s has announced that from today they will be offering free Wireless to everyone! Fantastic news for those with WiFi enabled devices like the Nokia N95 mobile phone and portable hand-helds like the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. It is unclear how it will all work and if you would have to register with an email address and login just to keep track of usage and abuse, however it is nice to see things moving forward much like it has in the USA. With the free WiFi available it should make users of capable devices much more appreciative to check out the latest news, train times and much more free of charge.

This in turn could put pressure on mobile networks as if there are many WiFi hotspots and more devices become WiFi aware then things like emails, IMs and media can be sent for no extra cost. Even VoIP services like Skype, Truphone and Fring will benefit from such moves in the marketplace. I’m sure Google will be keeping a close eye on procedures as well as it have been rumoured that the outfit are looking into becoming an Internet Service Provider and possibly a Telecoms player to join the ranks of Vodafone, O2 and others. Certainly interesting days ahead…

Finally! After months of speculations whether or not the Apple iPhone will be release this year in Europe, the highly desirable mobile device will be available on different networks on November 9.

For the UK, mobile network O2 has the exclusive rights for the iPhone, with the unit retailing at £269 including VAT. There will be three tariffs available offering 200, 600 and 1200 minutes talk time (£35, £45 and £55 respectively) as well as unlimited data downloads.

Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse will be one of the main outlets that will stock Apple’s new mobile phone, as well as selected O2 centres and Apple’s store (both on the high street and online).

As for the rest of Europe, Apple has also announced that Orange will be the network provider for France with T-Mobile for Germany. Both these networks provide it own voice plans different from the UK with O2.

So is there a difference between the American and European version of the iPhone? Well, apart from a new firmware (version 1.1.1) the functions are exactly the same but there is a limited EDGE coverage supplied by O2 (around 30%) meaning parts of the UK won’t be able to go online… As for the much-rumoured 3G iPhone, this remains a pipedream, as Apple states it will use the same EDGE system that is used in the United States - though you can’t discount a newer and faster model will be out sometime next year.

The good news is that O2 will allow iPhone users to access the Internet for free with 7,500 Wi-Fi hotspots powered by Cloud.

So if you want the iPhone, best to sign up on Apple’s website for the latest news and you can do so here.

The next generation of music players from Apple have been unveiled to the public today with the most striking addition being the new iPod Touch. This device is basically like its iPhone brethren but without the voice calling features and comes in 8gig or 16gig flavours.

The whole range has been given video and photo capabilities as well thanks to having a screen added, even on the small iPod Nano. Prices for the iPod Nano start at £99 for 4gig and £129 for the 8gig version. It features a vibrant 320×240 screen which is ample to view images on the go and small video clips.

The iPod Classic is up next and is the one I’ll be purchasing very soon. It has been redesigned to be thinner and of course sports video and photo playback. The 80gig version will retail for £159 and the higher capacity 160gig weighing in at £229.

Last but not least is the iPod Touch, one that our writer Walking Leaf almost bought today! It comes in both 8gig and 16gig flavours costing £199 and £269 respectively. Featuring a 3.5″ touchscreen (same as iPhone), WiFi, internet browser and built-in accelerometer, it has many of the features the iPhone has. While it certainly looks the business and is great for moving about, I think many would still opt for the iPhone myself.