Mini Review

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

How would you like to escape from a boring conversation group or from some who just can’t stop talking incessantly without realizing the emergency you may have? While such situations should be handled by a firm response without the aid of an external agent, sometimes, ByeByeCaller from ThinkChange does come in handy.

When ByByeCaller is started, you get the message “There will be a fake incoming call in 10 second(s), Activate?”. When you press “Yes”, 10 seconds later you get an incoming call that rings long enough for you to disentangle yourself from the situation you are in. The Activation Delay can be configured – so that the fake call comes in a few seconds later or sooner.

The Fake Name can be changed too, to something you want – like “the boss” or “the wife” or something that shows how important the call is. The funny thing is you could even configure the Network from which the fake call originates.

But I couldn’t stop the ringing after I activated the fake call. I had to wait for it to die out, which about a few seconds but I would have liked to stop it with the Red button if I wanted to.

Download

ByeByeCaller can be downloaded here for a trial or purchased at $9.95.

Conclusion

ByeByeCaller is worth a look. It might be highly useful for some people and not useful at all for others. The need is very subjective. The application has a simple implementation and good usability. I’ll give it 3 of 5.

Apologies to all our subscribers and viewers. For a brief period, our website was down because we were cleaning up and creating new space for more posts, images and videos.

We are back now. Look forward to great reviews and informative articles, as always.

Thank You.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Review Conditions

AdvancedSMS from Killer Mobile was installed on a Nokia 5800 Xpress Music, a Symbian S60 5th edition device.

Installation

The .sis file has to be installed using the Nokia Installer, like all native Symbian applications. AdvancedSMS is compatible with all S60 3rd and 5th edition devices, right from the Nokia N95, E71 to the 500 XpressMusic and the N97.

First View

AdvancedSMS is an SMS utility that provides powerful messaging features to Symbian smart phones.

Main Review

AdvancedSMS is built over the native Symbian messaging application and it uses the native app for sending and receiving messages. It provides many powerful features over it.

Schedule SMS

Text messages can be scheduled for a later date and a specific time to one or more numbers. The best part is you can select multiple numbers from the address book. Advanced SMS automatically changes the Contacts list to a checkbox list from which many contacts can be selected!

The scheduler throws a warning if you don’t enter a message or pick a time in the past. You can also send the message to an email id!! But an email id has to be setup in the messaging application for this to function. AdvancedSMS does not connect to any external email app like Nokia Messaging Service or Profilmail to send emails out.

Manage SMS

The much touted SMS scheduling is all very good but I liked the Manage SMS feature the most. You often receive many spam texts from special numbers or short codes that advertise services. Phone beeps for these messages are very distracting. AdvancedSMS’s Manage SMS feature lets you handle such spam texts quite easily. These short codes are usually not in your Contacts, so you can enable an SMS filter for messages from “All Non Contacts“. For this filter, you can set various actions, like not play any SMS tone, Auto Reply and Auto Forward.

You can add numbers or group from Contacts, from the Phone Log or enter them manually. I like the ‘All Non-Contacts’ option the most because these are the texts that I want to ignore.

But remember that these ‘unwanted’ messages don’t appear in your message inbox but in the SMS Logs of AdvancedSMS. This is not really a problem because if you want to move it back to the inbox, just select Restore and this message is removed from the SMS Logs and moved to the inbox. You also get a new message notification!

Full Screen Message Display

AdvancedSMS also presents a full screen display of all incoming messages. This is a cool feature. AdvancedSMS lets you configure the number of seconds the full screen display remains on the screen.

Export SMS

AdvancedSMS lets you export messages in the Inbox or Sent items in the Symbian messaging application. Messages are stored in the CSV format. You can also send the exported csv file as a text file to another number or email it.

SMS Log

The SMS Log displays all the messages that were filtered. You can view or delete the messages here or restore them to the native Symbian Messaging application.

Configuration

AdvancedSMS can be configured to Auto Start at boot time. It alerts the user about unread texts among various other aspects of managing messages.

Handling

AdvancedSMS has no issues in user interface and I had no trouble finding my way around it. Its well designed and easy to use.

Weaknesses

I didn’t find any weaknesses in AdvancedSMS.

Conclusion

AdvancedSMS is a worthy enhancement to the native Symbian SMS application. There are very many practical features that it provides, which you don’t realize are valuable until you actually get to use them. AdvancedSMS can be purchased at the Ovi Store for 7 Euro. The 14-day trial can be downloaded at Killer Mobile or purchased for $10.

AdvancedSMS is Good Stuff and I’ll give it 4 of 5.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Mini Review

SBSH Whitelist, as the name suggests lets you create a golden whitelist of contacts from whom you want to receive calls and messages for your S60 5th edition devices.

The application state can be turned On/Off so you have the flexibility to set a very strict whitelist and turn it on only when absolutely necessary. On the other hand, if you have a very select Contact list (which is unlikely ) you can turn on SBSH Whitelist to allow only calls and messages from Contacts in your address book.

SBSH Whitelist gives you the option to choose from 4 options – Reject all incoming events, Reject calls only and allow SMS, Mute calls/reject sms or Silent calls only.

It worked efficiently, occupying less than 1 megabyte of RAM when its running in the background.

Download

SBSH Whitelist can be downloaded here for trial or or can be purchased at $9.95.

Conclusion

SBSH Whitelist is able to fend of worthy competitors for Symbian devices like Best Blacklist and Handy Blacklist, though its a little late to the party.  It does adequately with the limited feature set.

An automatic scheduler that switches on the rules for incoming calls and messages based on calendar events and profile settings would have made a killer app.  But it still has some novel features like blocking skype aliases or messages from specific SMS servers that make it a compelling competitor to the many other similar applications.

SBSH Whitelist is worth a look and I’ll give it 3 of 5.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Review Conditions

Top2Move Lite, V1.63 was installed on a Nokia 5800 XPressMusic, a Symbian S60 5th edition device with Symbian OS 9.4.

Installation

Top2Move comes with a Nokia installer .sis file. Each map comes separately in a set of 2 files, a .map file and a .ogf2 file.

First Look

Top2Move is a Symbian S60 5th edition based user friendly mobile route-navigation system for hikers, bikers, marine environments and other outdoor activities.

Main Review

Top2Move is a navigational cartographic application developed specifically for outdoor activities like biking, hiking, sailing and skiing. You can plan your own routes and share them using SMS or online.

Top2Move comes with high definition proprietary maps for each location that has to be installed separately. The maps come with 1:10,000  scale and you can switch to different locations in a map quite easily.

You can use Top2Move as a simple cartographic application or use the Top2Move functions with the help of the GPS module to create Waypoints and Tracks.

Installing Maps

Maps for each region comes as two files – .map and .ogf2. These files must be placed in the <memory card>/data/SmartComGPS/maps folder.

Loading a Map

In the main menu, click on Map Options to select one of the installed maps and you are ready to go. I picked up the Kitzbuhel Ski maps and Phuket’s maps for this review.

Navigation

Once you have loaded a map, you can Navigate To a point on the map by selecting Tap Screen or by selecting To Waypoint or By Track that already exist in the database. More about Waypoints and Tracks later. As you can see, the Tracks are proprietary files created by Top2Move at the request of the user.

Map operations on top the screen, like Zoom in, Zoom out, Zoom 100%, Where Am I and Mini Map are available. I particularly like the Mini Map feature that lets you browse around a large region at a 30,000 feet level before picking the region you want to zoom into.

Tracks and Waypoints

On existing maps, in the Navigate To panel, custom tracks can be created by selecting Create Track and picking a route that you want to take.

On a track, interesting or vital points of interest for the traveler can be marked as Waypoints and used for navigation. The Waypoint’s GPS coordinates are recorded by Top2Move.

You can create custom tracks in the place you are currently visiting. When a new track is created, the distance of the track is also calculated.

When you select Navigate To and pick the custom track, the distance from your current location to the track is shown and the direction you have to take to reach the track is also given.

Remember to name your Waypoints and Tracks with meaningful names relevant to the specific map because when you are viewing a different map and try to load a track that’s not built on that map, you will be surprised!

When you have Top2Move open, the digital map will move along with you. During movement, your track is being recorded by plotting a trail on your screen so you will never get lost again.

Drive

The Drive function is somewhat like building a Track-on-the-go. Select Drive on the menu and start driving. The GPS follows you and you can create Waypoints on your trip and finally save the track for later use.

Send Position

You can send your current position to a friend by SMS.

There are lots of general settings that lets you control the user experience. Top2Move lets you use the internal GPS built into the S60 device or you can use external GPS devices via bluetooth.

Add-on Packs

Every city or ski resort’s map is available as a separate add-on pack that must be downloaded and installed.

Handling

Finding your way around Top2Move could be a little overwhelming at first because of the large number of operations and options. Over time you will get used to its features and put them to good use. To get the best experience, go to the actual location and start the application, with the right maps.

Weaknesses

A couple of times, Top2Move didn’t start. I had to reboot the  device to get it started again. But I didn’t find any weaknesses in Top2Move.

Conclusion

Top2Move Lite V1.63, the .sis application can be downloaded here for Euro 29.50.  Hundreds of add-on packs for various regions are available for purchase. Add-on ski packs are available for FREE here. A demo add-on pack for Phuket is available that can be downloaded here for a trial. All other add-on packs are priced at Euro 4.50 but are now available at a 50% discount at Euro 2.25. Top2Move Lite must be purchased before using the maps and it is not available for trial.

With a unique type of service and versatile features like creation of Tracks and Waypoints, Top2Move aims to provide a special experience for bikers, hikers, ski lovers and similar outdoor sportspersons. Its highlight is the availability of hundreds of add-on packs for various regions which make it worthwhile. Unfortunately, I could not try it out in a real location Top2Move is good stuff and I’ll give it 4 of 5.

Introduction

While there are hundreds of web sites and blogs for mobile devices and applications targeted at the consumer, there aren’t any “serious” websites that serve as a community for the mobile application developer for all platforms and hobbyists.

When I talked to Rafi Ton, the founder of Mobiledevworld.com, he felt the mobile industry lacked an open community for mobile developers, professionals and enthusiasts to exchange ideas, discuss technologies and explore this exciting field of mobile technology.
Rafi Ton also heads Vufone, which provides a service of back up in the cloud. We have also reviewed Vufone at BestofSymbian.

Rafi Ton further says, “During the years I’ve been involved in mobile development the issue of organized resources, code examples, deal flow leads etc was a major problem especially for small and starting companies – I would like to create a service (again, free) to help all these small developers and companies who are trying to get in to mobile technology, development and marketing.”

For the mobile enthusiast who wants more than just un-boxing videos, device specifications and reviews, I find mobiledevworld.com to be the definitive place where one can find in-depth Opinions and Articles,  Code Examples, News, Presentations, Press Releases, Resources, Sales and BD, Tutorials and many more.

There is also a phone database that contains information that’s highly focused at developers. Mobiledevworld.com is not limited to a single mobile platform. That would defeat the purpose of an open community which facilitates the meeting of various professionals. It is growing into a vibrant mobile social community. Read on for a detailed interview with Rafi Ton.

Interview

BestofSymbian: Tell us about Mobiledevworld?
Rafi Ton: MobileDevWorld is our attempt (as professionals within the mobile industry) to create a social network where professionals within the mobile industry can find answer, discuss with other professionals any issues relating to the mobile industry. There are many sites and blogs about mobile technology, but most of them are not targeted to mobile professionals. MobileDevWorld is actually not a “site” or a “blog”, but rather a community or a social network of mobile professionals who can share, discuss and create opportunities to promote the mobile industry. Our users can create blogs and post their thoughts and ideas, they can participate in forums and groups, look for projects or jobs, get the latest specs of more than 2300 mobile phones or read the latest industry news – all from a professional point of view.

BestofSymbian: What’s the motivation behind creating MobileDevworld.com?
Rafi Ton: I’ve been involved in the mobile industry for more than a decade – worked for and founded companies in this industry. In every company (small or large) there was always one issue that bothered us all the time – information. Information about mobile phone specs, leads about deals, information about finding the best agent for a country we wanted to expand to. MobileDevWorld tries to create this community where information about the industry will be available freely and openly to all members.  We are not trying to make a commercial service, but to create a service where we can exchange information freely and openly.

BestofSymbian: What are the kinds of visitors who frequent Mobiledevworld? How is the traffic like?
Rafi Ton: We currently can see two major groups of users that visit our community regularly: developers of software for mobile phones and sales/marketing people who look for the latest news and updates relevant to their worlds and seek to exchange information about deals, leads etc. With respect to the traffic – it exceeded my wildest expectations. We just launched the service, only friend-brings-friend and the traffic grows exponentially on a daily basis. And most importantly, these are users who visit mobiledevworld almost daily.

BestofSymbian: What are the highlights of Mobiledevworld?
Rafi Ton: I can summarize it in one line. “A free social network made by mobile professionals for mobile professionals”.

BestofSymbian: How many members do you have now? Can you give a break up of members for specific mobile OS technologies?
Rafi Ton: As I noted, we are very young and didn’t even start to actively promote the service. As of today we have about 120 active daily users but these numbers are growing very rapidly. We plan to start marketing the service next month and our target is to get 1000 active mobile professionals in the first month.

BestofSymbian: What’s in it for the smartphone consumer?
Rafi Ton: Every smartphone user who would like to dive into the world of mobile technology will find a lot of interesting content in our service. Moreover, one of the items I’m promoting is writing simple tutorials to convert web developers to mobile developers. Today we have the right technologies such as Nokia WRT for Symbian, PhoneGap for the iPhone and the Palm WebOS which allow web developers to write mobile applications using html, css and javascript. This can really turn mobile apps to become the next Web.

BestofSymbian: Are there any other websites similar to Mobiledevworld.com?
Rafi Ton: To the best of my knowledge there is no single site/service that is doing what we are. There are many sites about mobile news, many sites for developers but they are all fragmented. mobiledevworld is building a community and a network of mobile professionals to help each other.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Mini Review

Privus Mobile is a mobile caller id service. Its the world’s first cross-carrier caller id application that shows the caller id of a caller who is not in your contact list on your mobile. I installed Privus Mobile on my Nokia E71, an S60 3rd edition, FP 1 device.

Privus Mobile uses a collection of caller information databases around the world and displays the information of a caller (not in your contact list) on your mobile. Additionally, when Privus retrieves the caller id information, the application will provide you with the option to instantly save the information to your contacts list so you have it permanently.

Using the application, you create an account and register your mobile number and name with Privus Mobile’s servers. If you choose not to register, Privus will not use the account information for anything other than billing/registering the device. If you do select that box and opt for Privus to include your submitted information in its database, Privus will compare your submitted information with their databases to ensure its accuracy and if everything checks out it will incorporate it into its database. It’s also not required for the people calling you to have Privus Mobile installed for you to receive the caller’s information.

Its useful to auto-start Privus Mobile when the mobile boots up so its always available. Privus Mobile uses the internet connection on the phone for communicating with the servers, so you need to have GPRS/3G always on.

Here is a video of how Privus Mobile works.

Download

Privus Mobile can be installed on your mobile by downloading the link to the desktop and using the Application Installer or by sending the link to your mobile. On the Privus Mobile download page you have to pick the Country, Carrier and Manufacturer and download the specific application that’s compatible with the device.

And when you select your phone, make sure to select the device that supports your carrier or the phone that doesn’t have a carrier labeled next to it as some of the downloads with carriers next to them will have that carrier’s country code already in the registration fields.

Conclusion

Privus Mobile is a handy application to use and its worth a look. I couldn’t try it out to the best possible extent because I am India and Privus Mobile is not supported here.

Privus Mobile’s giveaway

To celebrate the launch of Privus Mobile on S60, Privus Mobile is giving away an E71 for free on its site. Of course, no purchase is necessary. People just have to go on the site and sign up for their chance to win. The contest entry page is at http://www.privusmobile.info/idugiveaway/ and the entries are accepted until August 28 2009. The full details are listed on their page.

Review Conditions

VoiceQ from SBSH Mobile Software Ltd was installed on a Nokia E71, an S60 3rd edition, FP 1 device.

Installation

Installation can be done via the PC using the Nokia application installer or by downloading the file OTA and installing it on the go. You need to register with SBSH by giving your email address to begin the download.

First View

Why do we need another voice recorder for a Symbian phone? What is VoiceQ going to provide over and above the default application that will make you buy it? Read on.

Main Review

VoiceQ is a solution for users who wish to take notes on the go and don’t have the time or inclination to write it down. But when there are dedicated Voice Recorders available in the market and by default all Symbian mobiles come with a very good voice recorder, why does one need another one?

What makes VoiceQ stand apart is its simplicity in use and email of the voice memo to a desired email id almost instantly. Furthermore, it can do it in just 2 clicks.

VoiceQ expects the messaging application to have one email mailbox setup already to function. Unless the email is setup, VoiceQ cannot email to voice memo to an email address. VoiceQ works only with the built in messaging application and does not work with other email clients like Nokia Messaging, Profimail, etc.

When the application is opened, you get the “Ready” screen where you can click “Record” to begin recording the voice memo. While recording, the screen shows that the “Recording” is in progress. Once voice memo is complete, you can stop recording and you get the option to Email the memo.

All this can be accomplished in two clicks. To facilitate even faster operation, there are 2 options that can be setup. These two options are to start recording the moment VoiceQ is opened and to email immediately after the memo is recorded. With these two option set, you only have to start the application and start talking. VoiceQ will do the rest.

You can insert multiple email addresses by separating them with the ‘;’ character (i.e.: a@aaa.com; b@bbb.com)

VoiceQ uses the same sound file for all of your recordings. Once you start recording, the previous recording is overwritten (but the attachments stay in the e-mail). This will save space on your device while keeping your attached voice notes intact. The idea is that the voice memo does not have to be present in the mobile’s memory card after it has been emailed out.

Each recording is saved to a WAV sound file which can be played in every standard sound player. The encoding is done as PCM audio format, 128 kbps Bit Rate, 16bit Audio sample size, mono (1channel), 8kHz Audio sample rate. This means that the file is pretty small for an audio file (about 1MB = 1 minute). The recording is limited by 10 minutes. This was done as a design decision, because there is not a real point in sending an email with a huge attachment.

Handling

VoiceQ is extremely easy to use. There were no issues in using it.

Weaknesses

The same sound file is overwritten for each voice memo with the assumption that it will always be emailed out immediately. It may so happen that there is no WiFi or GPRS/3G connection at certain regions. In these cases, if the user wants to record multiple voice memos, only the latest will remain and all others will be lost. There should be an option to enable email. If email is not enabled, the sound files should not be overwritten.

Conclusion

At 160 Kilobytes, VoiceQ is a tiny application that delivers what it promises with great simplicity. For the ever traveling businessman, who has to take notes on the go, VoiceQ is a very useful application. Its good stuff and I’ll give it 4 of 5. You can try a full-featured version of VoiceQ for 12 days or purchase it at $5.95 here.

Review Conditions

Snaptu was installed on a Nokia E71, an S60 3rd edition FP1 device.

Installation

Installation is via the web link http://m.snaptu.com, which guides you through the download and install process or you could give your mobile number at http://snaptu.com/download and you get an SMS link to download the application on to your mobile via the Internet. More and more applications are distributed this way. It totally avoids the need to keep track of updated versions, having a local copy of the .sisx file and so on. The application also has an “upgrade” option that checks for updates on the Internet and automatically updates the new version if available.

First View

I really expected a lot a lot from Nokia’s widisets. It was a great opportunity to bring the web to the mobile in a novel way. But I believe they squandered it because the application was slow and not very user friendly. How does Snaptu measure up? Read on.

Main Review

Snaptu is a directory or mobile applications, all accessible through this installed s60 client. The mobile applications appear as cute iPhone-like icons and each is a mobile-customized version of popular websites designed for easy navigation, single-click access and with mobile-friendly fonts.

Snaptu carries applications for various interests – news sites like Reuters, BBC & The Guardian, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, Sudoku, a fine Dictionary, Cricinfo, Football scores, AccuWeather, a UK box office chart site and a few more!

What I liked about Snaptu was the easy navigation in each application – be it reading articles, following live scores or updating your status in Facebook and Twitter. For e.g., cricinfo.com, the famous cricket website, which has hundreds of articles, live scores and statistics never had a good mobile application for following scores. Navigating cricinfo on the mobile was a big hassle. But Snaptu has captured it all with just 4 categories – Live Scores, Fixtures, Results and News and each like leads to further information. Or take The Guardian, all the news and op-ed categories are listed in the screen and you can navigate further to the category you want.

You can add or remove applications, upgrade Snaptu, change languages. Currently only English and Italian are supported.

Handling

With every piece of information accessible in just one click, the ease of use that Snaptu provides is quite impressive. 

Weaknesses

I can’t find any weaknesses. I only need to see more applications in Snaptu.

Conclusion

Snaptu is mobile web done right. Its all about serving up the right web content in small capsules instead of one having to to navigate numerous links and data hungry web pages.  I’ll give it 5 of 5. Its a must have. Get it now!

This is a review of a Java based lite version of Skype, a VoIP and IM application that has been recently made available for mobile phones.

Review Conditions

Skype lite (beta) was installed on a Nokia E71, an S60 3rd edition FP1 device.

Installation

The installation files ARE a MIDlet suite, containing a Java Application Descriptor (JAD) file and a Java Archive (JAR) file. The application is based on the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME), which is different from .sis(x) files that is the native Symbian installation format. The installation is exactly the same as you would install a .sis file, using the Nokia Application Installer in the Nokia PC Suite.

First View

Skype lite (still in beta) is a mobile IM and VoIP application for Skype subscribers. You can call landlines (SkypeOut), make local rate Skype-to-Skype calls, receive calls from Skype users and landlines (SkypeIn) and IM with your Skype contacts. But there is a catch. Read on.

Main Review

What’s the USP of Skype lite when compared to the various other VoIP applications for mobiles? Other VoIP applications require you to have a WiFi connection that will be used to connect the call via an IP network. But if you are not near a WiFi access point but still want to make a low cost international call using Skype, get Skype lite.

Skype lite on the mobile handsets require local airtime for making voice calls. While you don’t need WiFi or 3G to make calls, you need GSM coverage to make a local call, which will be switched to an IP network on one of Skype’s servers. To sign into the application and update it, you’ll need mobile internet (WiFi or GPRS/Edge or 3G). So a calling plan and a data plan becomes pre-requisites for using Skype lite.

Therefore, if you are roaming, the all important local call to get you to be recognized by Skype’s servers could turn out to be very expensive. That’s why, Skype recommends users to avoid using Skype lite while traveling abroad.

Calls to phones, mobiles or any of the Skype contacts via Skype lite are currently available only in selected countries – United Kingdom, Poland, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo), Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. I guess Skype must have clinched a deal with the GSM service providers in these countries to allow the use of Skype on mobiles in exchange for charging the users the cost of a local call.  Otherwise, there is no incentive for GSM operators to allow VoIP calls on the mobile.

You can create a new Skype account or sign on from the application. There are several configuration options for the user, which are very similar to the desktop version of Skype. A common user interface is maintained between the desktop and the mobile version.

Even if calling is not possible in your location, IM is still possible via GPRS/3G or WiFi.

Handling

The application has a very neat and pleasing user interface. I didn’t have any trouble navigating around it.

Weaknesses

Entering text during chat takes you to a different text editor. This could have been avoided. Text entry should have been allowed on the native screen itself. The first character you type opens up the editor. The first character of the first word was always lost

With the restriction of having the make local calls to setup a VoIP connection, Skype lite really runs the risk of losing users to other VoIP applications. 

Conclusion

Skype lite provides a unique service that’s not available in other popular applications like fring, Nimbuzz, Trutap and Truphone. Though its a little late to the mobile IM & VoIP scene, the service will be useful for mobile users who make international calls often (who are away from WiFi access points but have GSM coverage), as Skype’s prices are often less than what a wireless carrier charges. The cost will be deducted from a user’s Skype Credit account, but Skype-to-Skype calls won’t cost anything besides the local airtime minutes. Skype does not have the advantage of IM, VoIP aggregators which allow you to use multiple IM, VoIP service using a single application, like fring. Its worth a look and is available here for a free download.