Swype - OK fine! it's an awesome app

Before I got my Nokia N8, I read some reviews of different applications to download once I got the phone. Swype had only just been released and people were saying that it was not a good application because you could either type or swype. I wasn't sure whether that criticism was about the Android version only but that kept me from downloading the application for a good three weeks until now.

The other day I read some top 5 applications for N8 posts and kept seeing Swype. It really surprised me. The application is very intuitive and accurate, even detecting where two consecutive letters are needed for example typing "needed" only just required swyping "n-e-d-ed". Also where there are different options for words, four suggestions can be shown.

Most importantly, there is no requirement that you choose between SWYPING and TYPING when you are using the N8 in landscape mode (portrait mode does not support swype obviously). You can alternate between swyping and typing when you use difficult words like names. Have fun and leave your comments about swype below.

New Firmware coming soon???

Here's a little internet gossip I've heard. Nokia N8 should be getting a new firmware some time in the next few weeks which will improve various things about the phone. Do you know more? let us know!

Opera Mobile 10.1 out now

If you are a big Opera Mobile fan, you should take note that an update is now available for your Nokia N8. They have just recently updated to 10.1 which addresses some of the problems below: 

* Predictive text can be activated while writing password 
* Fixed crashing when typing in password dialog using Sougou keyboard 
* Fixed crashing when using predictive text and system keyboard 
* Fixed issues with spelling keyboard not disappearing 
* Fixed issues with backspace deleting all text in edit field when text isn't selected 
* Fixed bug where previous virtual key searches do not highlight correctly.

To download the Opera Mobile 10.1 for Symbian/S60 update check out http://m.opera.com on your phone or go to http://www.opera.com/mobile/download/pc/ on your PC.

Can't Delete that N8 MMS?

Well I can't believe something so simple is missing in the Nokia N8 but it eventually took a search of google to resolve this mystery as to how you can delete an MMS from the Outbox. I tried the options as well as pressing and holding down the MMS but there were no options to delete! Amazing! Eventually found out the work around for this one. 

You need to to into Messaging -> Conversations -> Select the conversation -> options -> Delete -> Yes. Currently there is no other way to do this. 

Fring on N8 = FREE local calls

I've always been one for making the most of whatever technology or telecommunications plans that you sign up for. One of the things we organised for is VOIP with our iiNET plan which gives us unlimited free local and national calls.

I found that we under-utilised our iinet talk pack so for many years I've been trying to get VOIP working on my mobile phone. Now, the N8 is serving as my voip handset when I am out. This will allow me to call local numbers for free rather than pay through a bleeding nose with my mobile plan. VOIP is one tricky beast to tame and I've settled for using FRING to make my iiNET voip plan work. FRING allows you to use your mobile for gmail talk, msn etc but I use it mainly for signing into my iinet voip plan. I've found Fring crashes much less on the N8 than on my nokia E72. What VOIP set up have you got with your N8?

HD Video of Sydney Fireworks on Nokia N8

So you've read plenty of reviews and seen macro pictures of flowers and bees on the Nokia N8. Yeah very impressive isn't it? Although I have to say the camera is quite impressive but what I like most about the Nokia N8 is the HD video recording that it is capable of. I was very impressed with how the N8 handled a fireworks display in low light during my recent visit to Darling Harbour Sydney. The following video is recorded in HD, tell me a mobile phone that can do this! If you like this video, I might upload the other parts to this fireworks display but because of the resolution, it takes a while :) Not sure if this works but if it doesn't look like HD, follow this link here

Youtube on N8

Finally! Today we receive news that the Nokia N8 is finally going to get a fix to the Youtube application. Youtube 2.4.10 has apparently been released into the wild however we have been unable to access the mobile google website getting a "Not Found Error 404"  when going to http://m.google.com. Have you had any success?

Ovi Maps now even easier

For those that have enjoyed using their Ovi Maps on the Nokia N8, you have to check out the new beta release from BetaLabs today. It allows you to connect to your WIFI using your phone to download DIRECTLY (ie without the PC) all the maps that you need. It seems to disallow you from downloading via your 3G connection, only allowing WIFI probably for speed reasons.

Compared to the previous 3.04 version of Ovi Maps, this 3.06 10wk48 b01 has the following features:

• New! Download street maps directly to your device!  A new feature called “Update” on the main menu which allows you download Street Maps directly (via WiFi) to your phone without a PC!
• New! My Position and Search are now integrated (now called Map). When accessed, it will show your last map view
• New! Back button in Favourites
• New! Long tap functionality to delete & rename collections & routes
• New! Pop up for first time use – to inform user to download new map data (when upgrading 3.04 > 3.06 for the first time)
• New! Improved behaviours of transit lines settings in map toolbox (no more grey out)
• New! Compass calibration hint
• New! Refreshed place details information view
• Pinch to zoom interaction (Only available on Symbian^3 devices)
• Visually refreshed main menu and icons,
• New maps with public transport lines (as a new map layer) for subways, trams and trains in 80+ cities around the world. Just click the map toolbox icon and select Transit lines,
• Improved search experience - find places and addresses around you - or anywhere in the world - fast and easily. Browse places or enter a keyword in the search box. Now with suggestions and "did you mean?" functionality,
• New place pages with description, reviews, pictures and places nearby. Interact with places in a whole new way - you can check in, contact, navigate, save, rate, share, report or see place on the map,
• Share a place - send a place to your friends via SMS or Email. The SMS contains the address and a link to the place page with description, ratings, contact, URL and a mini map. The link opens up on the mobile browser (also on non-Nokia devices),
• Check in - keep your friends up-to-date with where you are and what you're up to. Check in to places and share it with your friends on Facebook and many more social networks. See places you’ve been to in your check in history,
• New Drive assistance mode with live traffic flow - after clicking Drive, you're instantly in drive assistance mode with live traffic flow and more. Once you start moving, get safety camera alerts and speed limit warnings,
• More folder with many rich content services relevant to your location. Personalise your Ovi Maps by selecting the services you'd like to keep on your main menu for instant access.
•  Traffic flow: In Drive mode, a number of improvements to the traffic flow colour scheme and layout.

Social for N8 update available

Today if you open up your phone software updates, you will notice the new version of Social which is available for download. Social 1.2.163 does not seem to add too much to the older version except some have said that the scrolling is faster, images are bigger but the loss of the scroll bar has some people wishing they did not update. What did you think of the new update?