maemo.org members have been long interested in the open Linux device project Pandora, both seriously and in lovingly jesting fashion.
Now some are asking if MeeGo might look good sitting on a Pandora device, and I have to admit the thought is intriguing. There shouldn’t be any insurmountable technical hurdles, and each open project could reinforce the legitimacy of the other.
But why not take that a step further?
Since MeeGo will be an open source solution freely available to any device or class of device, what would keep the Linux Foundation from broadening the scope of sponsorship? Why not partner very closely with the Pandora project in every aspect? The Foundation could bring Pandora under its wing as the hardware sibling to MeeGo.
Of course that gets into a sticky area. Hardware sponsors like Nokia, which will be of course producing its own devices to run MeeGo, might balk at providing partial funding to the Linux Foundation if it got too deeply into open source hardware. Then again, think of such a venture more as open source research and development rather than simple competition, and even Nokia may see a benefit. Just as MeeGo drives down its software overhead, so could a sponsored Pandora do the same for hardware.
The value for Nokia and other corporate interests in such a scenario is that the attention on the mundane is diminished and differentiation becomes an even larger, more visible part of revenue contributions– and that is where companies need to focus their bottom line to improve margins anyway.
Naturally, such a scenario relies on all parties seeing a win-win, and Pandora’s leadership may not. In addition, the Linux Foundation could not be faulted for focuing exclusively on the softer side of this equation and avoid meddling with hardware. Perhaps Pandora could instead evolve into the same sort of organization, ultimately gaining sponsorship from Nokia and others. In that alternative, the Pandora organization and the Linux Foundation could form a partnership of mutual interest without any sort of actual merger.
Personally I find this potentially exciting and believe that sooner or later it’s inevitable… but as always, I’m highly interested in the opinions of readers. Well?
The telecom regulator is set to slash mobile short message service (SMS) charges by at least 50 percent, a move that is expected to encourage users to air more texts.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) decided in a meeting to cut SMS charges for all mobile operators. Under the move, the commission is likely to cap the maximum rate for each SMS, so that operators can charge as low as they like.
“The commission will disclose a new tariff plan for SMS services for the six mobile operators soon,” said Zia Ahmed, chairman of BTRC, yesterday. “We are planning to cut the rate by at least 50 percent from the existing tariff.”
BTRC formed a committee to recommend the tariff plan by this month, he said. “The existing charge for a SMS is a bit expensive, in comparison to voice service, although transmitting a SMS does not cost extra.”
Mobile operators welcomed the move. However, the exiting Tk 0.20 interconnection tariff for a SMS remains a hurdle to making a huge charge cut.
Bangladesh’s telecom market is yet to have a tariff plan for SMS.
Mobile customers have to pay a minimum of Tk 0.40 to a maximum of Tk 2 for each SMS in the six-operator market.
Presently, 53.83 million customers are using mobile phones in a population of 150 million in Bangladesh. The telecom penetration rate is around 34 percent.
SMS has become popular even though the tariff is greater for a SMS than a minute of a voice call. The cost of a voice call in the market today ranges between Tk 0.25 and Tk 1.25.
Market insiders said the ability to communicate confidentially with others without talking has popularised the SMS service.
Texting has been in practice since 1997 in Bangladesh, when Grameenphone launched the service for the first time. Subsequently, teens made the thumbing practice even more popular, as they could send greetings at once to a vast social circle during festivals.
Industry insiders estimated that the 53 million mobile users generate more than 20 million SMS a day, with the volume doubling during festivals like Eid, Valentine’s Day, Friendship Day and New Year’s Eve.
The market’s top operator Grameenphone charges between Tk 0.50 and Tk 1 per SMS, while the second largest operator Banglalink chares Tk 0.75 – Tk 1.
Aktel charges Tk 0.40 for an SMS to other Aktel users, while to charges Tk 1 for SMS sent to other operators.
Warid’s SMS charge ranges between Tk 0.29 and Tk 0.49.
Citycell offers the lowest tariff for SMS in the market — each to the same operator costs between Tk 0.40 and Tk 0.25 and between Tk 0.90 and Tk 0.85 to other operators.
State-run TeleTalk offers each on net SMS Tk 0.66 and Tk 1 for SMS to off net customers.
The SMS charge should be reduced, as technically it is a hassle free service, said Zakiul Islam, president of the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators Bangladesh (AMTOB).
When mobile networks are fully saturated with voice service, networks for data service like SMS remains free. “So, we should encourage people to communicate more via SMS at affordable costs,” Islam said.
Chris Tobit, chief executive officer and managing director of Airtel Bangladesh operations, said, “We are yet to know the BTRC decision. If the regulator decides to lower SMS tariff, it should be viewed in connection with the high taxation in the sector, which impacts profitability of our sector.”
In India, Reliance Mobile recently took an aggressive move and cut SMS tariff to only one paisa for non-commercial use. The company now charges one rupee (Rs) for unlimited SMS in a day and Rs 11 for unlimited SMS a month.
Rifat Islam, a student of American International University Bangladesh, said, “Sometimes talking for a prolonged period of time over the mobile annoys me. At those times, I prefer SMS.”
Bloove is a Web-based mobile phone management system which lets you edit your contacts and work with your SMS or bookmarks using your web browser. You can backup, restore and copy SMS and contacts between different phones. Bloove works on over 300+ Windows Mobile, Nokia, Sony Ericsson or Samsung smartphones. And of course there basic features are free for as long as you want to use it, below i will list some of the features available.
They offers both free and paid usage plans, so you can chose to use what is best for you until you feel you need some of the more advanced features. With the Free version you can connect one mobile phone to you account, The contact Archive is up to 15 items and the Message Archive can hold up to 100 items.
With the paid plan you will also have access to SMS via POP3 (Gmail, Outlook or other mail programs) and auto synchronization.
All other features are unrestricted: you can manage an unlimited number of contacts and messages on the phone, and there is no time limit – as for the basic functions, they will be free for as long as you keep the application.
Below is the price plan and features:
Contact and SMS backup
+
+
+
Contact and SMS restore
-
+
+
1
2
Unlimited
Sending SMS to groups
-
+
+
Scheduled SMS
-
+
+
Auto sync enabled
-
+
+
Max. archived contacts
15
3000
Unlimited
Max. archived SMS
100
3000
Unlimited
SMS via POP3
-
+
+
Google Contacts sync
-
+
+
Price
$ 0
$ 5 monthly
$ 36 annually(only $3 per month, you save $24)
$ 95 annually
Bloove provides read-only access to your SMS.
To setup POP3 access to your SMS you have to enable it on SMS via POP3 tab in your Profile menu. In your mail client use mail.bloove.com as POP (Incoming) Server, provide username and password you entered on previous step, be sure to uncheck “Leave messages on server” option (messages will not be actually deleted in Bloove, required only to track if it is downloaded or not). If your mail client asks for email address, use any fictitious one like username@bloove.com – it will not be used actually, if it asks to verify address – please skip this step. If you mail client asks for SMTP (Outgoing) server – please provide any, for example smtp.googlemail.com, it will never be used.
Bloove communicates with a mobile phone via wireless data connection: GPRS, EDGE, 3G, Wi-Fi etc. So, no cable, infrared or Bluetooth hardware are needed. You will of course need to install Bloove Agent application on your phone, and there is no installation required on your desktop. You can manage your phone from anywhere, as long as you are close to a pc with internet connection!
Now how this application works is that the server will an send command to your agent, the agent on your mobile phone then initiates and send the message on your behalf. Most J2ME phones require user confirmation to send SMS. Symbian phones will store the message in Sent folder, This cant be done for J2ME due to lack of API support.
You can download the Bloove Agent from bloove.com/m and install it on your mobile device, click here to register for the service. You can even use your OpenId to signup for the service.
One of the best things about being committed was getting presents. I know the kind of sentiments I felt the first time my dear wife gave me my first present. Unreal, fantastic and of course; indescribable. The feeling is always mutual, and I know for a fact that she loves presents like anything. Especially anything that’s gift wrapped.
So one time, she was pretty excited about a newly launched music phone back in 2008. The ads for it were viral enough to get her attention and she was gaga crazy over it. So me, as the doted fiancé, would make every effort and eventually learn the value of the rupee. Not that I was a cash waster, I would never waste a lot of money (read: a LOT) but I have always been lectured on managing money. So this time, I finally saved up enough cash to buy the cell phone brand new (seal packed and everything.)
Best part was that it was just in time for her birthday; coincidentally it being her first birthday we celebrate together. Gotta tell ya, the look on her face was just precious. Maybe it was the carefully selected gift wrapping, the size of the box… I dunno. Could be anything.
And there it was: her brand new Nokia 5610 Xpress Music with Red Trim.
Of course, happiness has that time when it just turns off every now and then. In this case, it was about 6-months later when an unfortunate accident caused a lot of damage to the phone, requiring immediate repair. Luckily, the warranty had hardly been used, so off I went to Karachi’s Nokia Care. They were pretty thorough; took in the phone, scanned the warranty the phone had with the other warranty provider, identified the problems, told me the wait time, no repair costs involved etc. As smooth as pie, I was about to get my cell phone a week later.
I guess it was destined to be this way. Its not everyday that I buy a new cellphone for my fiance that ends up damaged 6-months later that compels me to visit the brand’s service center and have it repaired free of cost, or else I wouldnt have witnessed this incident, now would I?
While I was collecting my phone from one of their Customer Service Staff and going over a few details, another staff member sitting next to him wanted to ask him something. She said the customer she was dealing with has a very unique concern.
The Concern:
How to remove the Camera feature from his Cell Phone.
Just so you thought I was kidding up there, here it is again…
The Concern:
How to remove the Camera feature from his Cell Phone.
Now everyone, let’s admit it: The notion of the above concern is outrageous as it is funny indeed. Considering I’m in customer services for a living and a pretty tech-savvy guy, I myself couldn’t help but smirk a little when I heard it. But that smirk was nothing compared to the service staff’s response who found the situation to be very funny. I also admit that this was purely a case of a customer not knowing the plain logics of why the above concern couldn’t be resolved, but being laughed at by someone who owes you their time and commitment is not a funny matter whatsoever. Imaging the embarrassment the customer had to suffer due to this. The service person could have politely explained the situation to him, no laughs included, but instead, well, you get the idea.
To add even more insult to injury, the CSR also asked if this was the same customer who called earlier today. When he got the affirmative answer, he went on even more with “Oh yeah, we were discussing this back in the lab today, really funny stuff dude, had a hearty laugh” etc.
If any customer services are reading this, then my Brothers & Sisters, this has to teach all of us something. While it’s a norm that we relate all of our funnier experiences amongst each other during lunch breaks or post it on notalwaysright.com (btw: DEFINITELY a must visit site), it does not have to happen when the customer’s sitting right in front of you. Just so you know customers do have their rights. They have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter how naïve/irate/stuck-up/@$$holistic they might be. It shows the level of professionalism and commitment to your field. The fact that this was a worldwide recognized brand’s CSR makes it even more disappointing at their attitudes.
Customers also have the right to speak to the supervisor or manager if they feel the little bit of hurt coming from the staff too. Of course, anyone in Pakistan will admit that the slightest nudge here can lead to a verbal spat or a fistfight in a matter of seconds. Yeah we watch a lot of action movies and turn “Sanjay Bobby Dutt Deol” a lot every now and then. It’s almost how anyone in New York would argue just because they accidentally shoved past you while walking. The customer here might have been naïve and didn’t really know what to do, except probably feel sorry for himself, as if he had asked something stupid. Well, he didn’t, and if he knows that then he would never have accepted such an attitude.
So folks, if it sounds funny, it is funny; most of the times anyway. But don’t let the customer, or anyone for that matter, know that, at least not to this extreme.
Till Later…
P.S. To those wondering, just don’t use the camera.
This time I really wanted to go for a review with sleeves off, so thought to take my time (though reasons for delay were office related, personal etc as well). But here I am back again. This time, I have decided to take the things one by one rather than summarizing things in one or two posts.
Here is my take on Hardware first.
Dimension and build:
width x height x depth: 52.5 x 113 x 16.4 millimetres (2.1 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches) (0.9 mm more in depth from Nokia 5800, not noticeable, more width and height sure appreciable) Bounding-Volume: 97.3 cubecentimetres Mass: 138 grams (battery included) (29 grams higher than Nokia 5800 but considering metal body, its nothing)
Build is kind of perfect except the sliding mechanism as I mentioned in earlier post. Device seems solid from every side and even no components out under the battery. This time, I was not scared from opening the battery cover as just a side uplift for the same (its steel). Keypad layout is the same as was of N900, so I am happy about it, but one complaint was there and so is here about dedicated numeric keys. After all, its a phone first, touch way is nice, but somehow if dedicated numeric keys were there, then it was more of a phone. The 1200 mAh battery is so thin suiting to slim dimensions of cell. Sim slot mechanism is so cool, but I fear about loosing the metal plate (like I have lost hook of my BH-212 bluetooth headset). I really loved the way it has been built coz it didn’t make you feel that it has a full hardware qwerty keypad with it waiting to slide out.
Check the pics given beow.
Processor and Chipset:
CPU+Clock: 434 MHz (N900 has 600 MHz) CPU: ARM 1136JF-S Width of Machine Word: 32 bit CPU Core: ARM11 Level 1 cache: 16KiB data cache / 16 KiB instruction cache (Double of it N900 has) Instruction Set: ARMv6 (N900 has v7)
Part of RISC family, ARM processors are part of most of embedded electronics now days. ARM architecture was suitable for smart-phones for their higher clocking capabilities and low power consumption. Nokia took ARM architecture ahead and other players followed. Though now, we find Snapdragon processors clocking at 1GHz from same ARM family, but who might have seen power of even 600 MHz ARM Cortex A8 clubbed with PowerVR SGX graphics, would sure like to wait more. Yes!! the widely used 434 MHz one seems a bit outdated now, but still it stands better than the average if not the best ones out there. For students or curious ones, the architecture is like as given below:
Earlier released with 369 MHz, same Nokia 5800 shows 434 MHz now, I wasn’t really sure that both have the same processor or different ones. Little deeper dig told me that Nokia 5800 had different one named Nokia Rapido YII3E (kind of over clocked now) and iARM 1136JF-S sure has better capabilities. Not everything shows on specs. Check ARM official website.
Where N97 Mini lacks with other leading smart-phones of now days is dedicated graphics. it still without something like PowerVR SGX graphics that’s a let down for sure.
Memory:
RAM type: SDRAM RAM capacity: 128 MiB ROM type: Flash EEPROM ROM capacity: 512 MiB, including 280.6MiB user-accessible non-volatile storage Secondary ROM type: Flash EEPROM Secondary ROM capacity: 7630 MiB
This is the area of enhancement in N97 Mini over Nokia 5800. Nokia 5800 had only 73 MB out of 128 MB RAM accessible, while it has all. There was 256 MB ROM with only 81 MB available for users and now with N97 Mini it has 512 MB ROM with 280 MB accessible for users. Nokia N97 has a secondary ROM of 8GB in addition for all kind of usages, while still supports microSD, microSDHC, TransFlash, High Capacity (SD 2.0/HC) memory cards with capacity of up to 32GB. Yes!! I know greedy like us still cry loud for 256 MB RAM, but greed never ends.
At cost and performance side, then having an internal storage in GBs is sure the best for performance but ask for cost as well. So, the same justifies the cost of N97 Mini in a way.
Display:
Display Type: color transflective resistive touch screen TFT display Display Color Depth: 24 bit/pixel (16777216 scales) Display Diagonal: 3.2 " (81 millimetres) Display Resolution: 360 x 640 (230400 pixels) Viewable Display Size: 1.56 " x 2.78 " (39.71 x 70.6 millimetres) Dot Pitch: 230.3 pixel/inch (0.11031 millimetre/pixel) Video out: NTSC/PAL resolution, Proprietary connector
I am really not sure that whether both the display unit is the same as was used in Nokia 5800. Considering the price, they should have increased the resolution at least. It seems a bit more responsive than Nokia 5800, but that should be due to better OS and processor I guess. Moreover, I noticed that N97 Mini has something wider about display. Don’t know what it is, but its there for sure. May be some OS enhancements made that way or something else.
As far as discussion about Capacitive Vs Resistive goes, then sure capacitive ones have the wow!! factor, but still considering the price and convenience of stylus with resistive screen, I don’t mind being with a resistive one. I might be Nokia Fan-Boy, but checked capacitive one on iPod 3G Touch and didn’t found it so ground breaking that one can’t bear being with resistive one
I always been in love with my Nokia N82 5 MP Camera with Xeon flash and even after using N900 for a while, my faith didn’t broken that Xeon flash was something out of world. I was kind of totally disappointed with Nokia 5800 and sure Nokia N97 Mini seems brighter on this time. I am really surprised that even with Led Flash, it manages really good snaps otherwise I was so much in love with Xeon that never thought anything else could give something like this.
With this camera performance, it really justifies its price as Nokia N82 must be around 17.5k now days, I guess.
As about the technology, then I know that CCD one that is used in the main stream digital cameras will never make it to smart phones as they consumes a lot of power, though produce high quality of pictures, while CMOS ones will be susceptible to Noise even at the best. But practically, you can see that its totally acceptable for a non-professional to completely live and love his smart phone CMOS Censor based camera.
Though I am not sure which chipset it usages but I assume that it must be SIRF III like most of the devices. GPS really been a blessing and addition of Voice guidance by Nokia makes it something like part of life. I am still disappointed that why not free navigation made the way to my beloved Nokia N82 yet or will it ever? I know prices are slashed for navigation, but still …. Addition of Compass makes it so cool and accurate; something on another level. Sure faster than Nokia 5800 and Nokia N82 when it comes to locking and I still feel better than Nokia N900 due to so naive Ovi Map software there. Moreover, better performing Ovi Maps due to improved memory and prosessor I guess otherwise N82 has started troubling with new version of Ovi Maps. Adding a video from boybandreject00 for overview
Limitations of GPS technologies aside, its like integrating all your travelling needs like Camera, Music, Internet and GPS at the same place. Limitations are like .. I think it doesn’t sense that we are over some flyover or below that or obviously doesn’t get updated about if route are changed or temporarily blocked by authority for weeks. May be in other countries situation might be some different, but in India, it is fact.
Connectivity:
Cellular Networks: GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS900, UMTS1900, UMTS2100 Cellular Data Links: CSD, HSCSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA,GPRS Class B Multi-slot Class 32,, EDGE Class B Multi-slot Class 32, HSDPA 3.6 (Cat. 6) USB: USB 2.0 client, Hi-Speed (480Mbit/s), USB Series Micro-B (Micro-USB) connector Bluetooth (802.15): Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate, Internal antenna Wireless LAN/Wi-Fi-(802.11): IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, 54 Mbit/s
I come to read somewhere that when it comes to specifications, then Nokia likes to tick all of them, so is the case with Nokia N97. It drops Infrared and HSUPA support, but still have plenty of super fast connectivity options for utilizing its connected widgets.
I really feel that connectivity on the go is an era where Smart Phones beats Laptops, Netbooks and computers. Though N900 is a revolution of its kind, but still many coulod manage their works with a Full qwerty keypad and nice screen with all time connected fast web. Only issue was with switching so many available options, then Nokia is improving in this area with each device. While I find Nokia N900 the smoothest, N97 Mini also seems to have avoided most of the connectivity glitches.
Music Unit:
Audio Channel(s): 3D stereo sound Analog/Digital Converter (Recording): 16 bit nominal quantization, 48000 Hz sampling frequency Digital/Analog Converter (Playing): 16 bit resolution, 48000 Hz holding frequency Microphone(s): mono sound Loudspeaker(s): stereo sound Audio Output: 3.5mm plug Analog Radio: FM radio (87.5-108MHz) with RDS radio reciever, Proprietary headset as antenna
When it comes to Multimedia, then Nokia always been a champion of all and my expectation are much high after having N900. Still my demands will be the same. Find some way to play all kind of media files. Not a rocket science and could be done via any firmware update. I guess what needs to be done is negotiation with various format providers. Next annoyance is to use Wired Headphone for FM Radio. Why? What about Bluetooth Headset? Please drop this requirement …
I wish if FM Transmitter was part of the deal.. I was having no issue in buying this right now.
So, here I am finishing my first round of review for Nokia N97 Mini. Will be back soon about other things. Join the conversation and suggest me more.
I received similar sms and here it says : CONGRATULATIONS! your mobile no. has won the sum 125, 000.00 pound GBP on this year NOKIA promo. For Claims Call +2348032416714 & email : nokiapay.dept@live.com
I replied the email given asking for the credibility of the promotion and have yet to hear from them.
I have a feeling this is all a scam. After reading so many similar complaints over the same incident, I am certain this is not for REAL!! How much can they afford to give out to so many people????
With Airtel’s imminent launch in Bangladesh, Grameenphone has heated up the competition with three new packages and cheaper rates.
The announcement of new rates for pre-paid GP customers came on Sunday. Chief executive of Grameenphone Oddvar Hesjedal said that price plans had been changed ‘extensively’.
GP, country’s largest mobile-phone operator, slashed rates within 10 days of its chief executive apprehending that a price war, almost inevitable with Indian giant Airtel’s entry, would adversely affect the sector.
In an interview with the Economic Times, Hesjedal said that he feared Bharti (Airtel), which recently bought Warid Telecom’s Bangladeshi chapter, would “attack the market on price front and send tariffs plunging.”
“That is good for subscribers, but not for the sector,” he said in the interview published on March 3, adding that call rates in Bangladesh were already the lowest in the world.
But contradicting his conviction, Hesjedal announced cheaper rates saying that the change came in line with the need of its subscribers, found in a research by the company.
When asked if this was a pre-emptive bid to be ahead in a price war, the GP head said, “It has nothing to do with that. That was not the intention.”
The new packages are essentially simplified versions of the existing plans, said GP’s marketing chief Arild Kaale, admitting that the earlier pre-paid packages were complicated to choose from.
“A research by GP found that customers are forced to use our competitors’ connection as we now have only one price option,” he said.
Pre-paid GP subscribers have to spend Tk 1.50 per minute on average.
But the new packages — Shohoj, Aapon and Bondhu — have introduced cheaper rates and a wider range of options.
Shohoj package offers Tk 0.79 per minute call rate to all operators and Tk 1 per SMS.
The second option, Aapon has a relatively higher call rate of Tk 1.49 to other operators, but offers a special day time and night time tariff (12 pm-4 pm and 12 am -8 am respectively) of Tk 0.49 per minute for calls to GP numbers.
It also allows Tk 0.49 per minute call anytime to three Friends and Family (FnF) numbers.
The Bhondhu package offers seven FnF numbers at Tk 0.49 per minute anytime with a Tk 0.99 per minute call rate to all operators.
GP also made some changes in its Djuice connections, which is focused towards the youth and had managed to gain response due to its reduced call rates within Djuice users and special night time call rates.
Under the new arrangement, any GP pre-paid subscriber can switch to Djuice or vice versa.
Existing pre-paid subscribers can change to any of the packages free of charge until April 13, afterwards a migration fee of Tk 10 would be charged, the company said in a statement.
“Subscribers can migrate from package to package every 30 days to find the one that fits them best,” marketing chief Kaale told the press briefing.
The company, however, would charge an extra Tk 0.09 for the first minute of calls made by Apon and Djuice connections and an extra Tk 0.30 for the first minute of calls made by Shohoj and Bondhu connections.
GP puts an end to its previous pre-paid package titled Smile by the announcement of the new packages, which would be available at selling points from Monday, GP’s chief commercial officer Kazi Monirul Kabir told bdnews24.com.
“Every new pre-paid connection would be under the Shohoj package by default,” he added.
Bloove is a Web-based mobile phone management system which lets you edit your contacts and work with your SMS or bookmarks using your web browser. You can backup, restore and copy SMS and contacts between different phones. Bloove works on over 300+ Windows Mobile, Nokia, Sony Ericsson or Samsung smartphones. And of course there basic features are free for as long as you want to use it, below i will list some of the features available.
With this camera performance, it really justifies its price as Nokia N82 must be around 17.5k now days, I guess.
Nitish Kumar
http://nitishkumar.wordpress.com
http://scifireviews.wordpress.com
http://nitishkumarsays.blogspot.com
