Nokia have just released a major firmware update for their flagship mobile computer N900. The update PR1.1 adds a lengthy list of new features and host of fixes which were reported for the n900. The update has been due for quite some time now and is supposed the make the already awesome n900 even better.
Check out the Changelog here :
Thanks for the update Nokia, Way to go… 
I actually intended on uploading and posting a similar game related N900 video but I just saw Starcraft on the N900 and thought I’d post this first.
Look how well it seems to run on the N900 (we’ll have to see how it handles larger unit base/fighting off enemies), especially now being touch operated. I’m not sure if the keyboard has any additional functions in the gameplay (via N900)
I never got into the game myself. The word Zerg oddly comes to mind (ha, I know nothing else of Starcraft [1] ) but I know this still has a very loyal fanbase despite being 12 years old. (I remember my cousins back in the Philippines were absolute addicts to this). I wonder if this will work with multiplayer?
The game seems to use the full 800×480 resolution of the screen, looking mighty sharp. (You’ll definitely be needing a stylus for this).
Imagine playing this via TV out too
Installation instructions over at talk.maemo.org
I wonder if the N900 would be able to handle another classic PC RTS, say, Total Annihilation?
The Nokia N900 is a mobile Internet device and smartphone, from Nokia based on the Maemo platform, superseding the N810. It runs Maemo 5 Linux as its default operating system and is the first Nokia device based upon the TI OMAP3 microprocessor with the ARM Cortex-A8 core. Unlike the Internet Tablets preceding it, the Nokia N900 is the first Maemo device to include phone functionality (quad-band GSM and 3G UMTS). It functions as a 5 mega pixel camera, a portable media player, and a mobile Internet device with email and full web browsing. It was launched at Nokia World on 2 September 2009 and was released on 11 November 2009 in the United States and 9 European countries.
The N900 was launched alongside Maemo 5, giving the device an overall more touch-friendly interface than its predecessors and a customizable home screen which mixes application icons with shortcuts and widgets. Maemo 5 supports Adobe Flash Player 9.4, and includes many applications designed specifically for the mobile platform such as a new touch-friendly media player.
My plans is to get it next month most probably (Depending on financial status), and really looking forward to own it because had the chance to put my hands on it
Another round of the popular Calling All Innovators competition has been announced by Forum Nokia. Calling All Innovators 2010, an international application development contest designed to inspire creativity and change.The company is looking to developers to save the environment, lift spirits, improve productivity, educate and contribute to a healthy lifestyle: Nokia wants 2010 to be a year of good ideas that make a difference in peoples’ lives.
More details about all the categories for Calling All Innovators, special prizes and judges can be found on the contest web site at: www.callingallinnovators.com.
Submissions from developers for the 2010 Calling All Innovators contest will be accepted starting on 1 February 2010. The submission deadline will be 18 May 2010.
Christmas was a busy time for Nokia’s external counsel who filed i) a complaint against Apple at the ITC, and ii) another lawsuit claiming most if not all of Apple’s products infringe on Nokia’s patents. The new claims extend the scope of the earlier wireless patents to cover for example various aspects of Apple products’ user interfaces.
In other words, its all out war on the patent front and attorneys are getting excited. One cannot help to wonder, however, whether Nokia’s helping its image as a struggling mobile giant by attempting to use, often obscure, patent law to stop its competitor from taking more market share. Many already believe that patent law has outlived its welcome and is unsuited to the task of both encouraging and protecting innovation. In fact, on the face of it, the case looks like an example of _stifling_ innovation in that a struggling company is trying to stop an innovative competitor.
I cannot comment on the new complaints, as I have not seen them. However, I think the way Nokia is handling the case is hurting its image and makes it look like a grumpy bully resorting to all means possible to prevent it from losing. I think this is likely to be far from the truth, but unless Nokia comes out in the open to explain to the community at large what its intentions are and the reasoning behind its case (instead of giving PR department produced quotes to the media) the amount of money they receive from Apple in an eventual settlement might not be worth as much as the harm done to their image.
Come on Nokia. Don’t forget you are not only fighting in court, but you are also fighting for your customers. In the end, its what the latter group thinks that matters.
Nokia executive vice-president Rick Simonson, in an interview with The Economic Times:
By 2011, our efforts will start producing results, as we will be at par with Apple and RIM in smartphones. Not only we draw level with them, we will also win the war because, in addition to email, we will be adding content, chat, music, entertainment and several other features, which will soon become very critical for success of any company in this space.
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Frankly speaking, these guys must be really stupid. On what planet do they live?
Nokia has submitted a patent infringement complaint against apple the second time. The latest complaint covers the alleged infringes in Nokia patents in its whole mobile portfolio. The Finnish giant sued Apple over alleged infringement on its GSM, UMTS, and WLAN earlier last year.
Here is Nokia’s press release regarding the issue:
Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced it has today filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that Apple infringes Nokia patents in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers.
The seven Nokia patents in this complaint relate to Nokia’s pioneering innovations that are now being used by Apple to create key features in its products in the area of user interface, as well as camera, antenna and power management technologies. These patented technologies are important to Nokia’s success as they allow better user experience, lower manufacturing costs, smaller size and longer battery life for Nokia products.
“Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in small electronic devices” said Paul Melin, General Manager, Patent Licensing at Nokia. “This action is about protecting the results of such pioneering development. While our litigation in Delaware is about Apple’s attempt to free-ride on the back of Nokia investment in wireless standards, the ITC case filed today is about Apple’s practice of building its business on Nokia’s proprietary innovation.”
via Nokia Press Releases
