Mukti's Blog

Nokia blesses all its smartphones with free voice-guided navigation

2010-01-22T21:48:00.001Z

Nope, there is no mistake in the title. Today, in a swift game-changing maneuvre, Nokia announced that all their smartphones will get lifetime voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation through Ovi Maps for free. All you need is download the free new 3.3 version of Ovi Maps and you are good to go.

According to the company this new version includes high-end walk and drive turn-by-turn voice navigation at no cost at all. Ovi Maps navigation is currently available in 74 countries and 46 languages, with even traffic information for more than 10 of those.

Ovi Maps 3.3

In any case this is a huge leap forward for Nokia and the value of their handsets. The Ovi Maps is even better than the Google's free Google Maps navigation as it doesn't necessarily need internet connection on-the-go to work - you can preload maps from a computer to escape data charges.

In addition Nokia have also substantially upgraded the Ovi Maps application itself, so it now packs a cooler looking interface, the Lonely planet city guide and Michelin restaurant guide with lots and lots of points of interest. There's also an events guide that lists all events happening within a 3km radius of your position and provides you with details on each one.

So what are you waiting for? Follow the link and get your free Ovi Maps update and you can use the voice guidance on your way back from work. You can also download it straight from your Nokia handset through the SW update utility.

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Samsung Apps store extends to new countries, still Omnia-centric

2010-01-18T22:08:00.001Z

Samsung is extending its application store - Samsung Apps - to new, unconquered territories. Samsung Apps offers a selection of over 500 apps, both paid and free, for Omnia phones - both for ones with Windows Mobile and for ones with Symbian OS.

Samsung Apps was until now available in just the UK, France and Italy. The service has just become available in Germany and Singapore with support for Brazil and China just around the corner. Support for those is expected by late January.

Samsung Apps currently offers applications for just four Omnia phones - the original Samsung i900 Omnia, the Samsung I8000 Omnia II, the Samsung B7300 OmniaLITE and the Samsung i8910 OmniaHD. But Germany, Singapore, Brazil and China will only get support for Omnia II and OmniaLITE. For France and Italy, it's Omnia, Omnia II and OmniaHD.

They've got some big names lined up for the game titles - Guitar Hero from Mobile Bus, Need for Speed from Electronic Arts, Spiderman from Gameloft and so on. Localized versions of applications will be provided for each country.

From mid-February, the Samsung Store will come preinstalled on devices sold in Germany and Singapore, but if you already have a compatible Omnia head to samsungmobile.com and download the Samsung Apps client from there.

There's another way to get apps on your phone - using Samsung Kies. Samsung Kies is a PC suite - it can do the usual data synchronization, editing of contacts and calendar entries and so on. But it can also download applications from Samsung Apps, which will be transferred the next time you sync your phone. This also provides a backup for your downloaded apps. Kies can be downloaded for free fromhere.

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Updated Google Mobile App searches for contacts and emails

2010-01-15T10:37:00.001Z

Google is not all about web-based applications, occasionally they also produce an application that is useful locally. Like the updated Google Mobile App for BlackBerry - it searches contacts and emails on your device and you can even search by voice.

Think of this as an uber smart dialing - Google Mobile App will search both through the contacts list and through the content of the emails you've received. After you've found the person or email you've been looking for, you're a step away from calling that person or send them an SMS or email, even forward one of the emails from the search.

This being a Google-made app, the search algorithms are a bit more advanced than those in the typical smart dialing. The app will put the more frequently contacted people closer to the top of the suggestion list. Google say that all this happens locally and no information about your contacts or emails is sent back to them. You can turn off the on-device searching if you're still not comfortable with it.

To search for both email and contacts, your BlackBerry needs to have an OS version 4.5 or higher, contact only search works on OS versions as low as 4.2. The updated Google Mobile App can use your Berry's Wi-Fi connection to avoid data charges.

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Samsung Shark series introduced: S5550, S5350, S3550

2010-01-15T10:07:00.004Z

Lately Samsung like to release things in series. After the wave of Corby clones swept the touchscreen market, it's now the Sharks turn to try and conquer the entry-level market. The first three members of the new Shark lineup (Samsung S5550, Samsung S5350 and Samsung S3550) are supposed to help the company in its continuing quest for entry to lower midrange market domination.
Samsung S5350 Shark comes in the bar form factor and sports a 2.2" QVGA screen capable of displaying up to 262K colors. Dual-band 3G with 3.6Mbps HSDPA, quad-band GSM and a 3.2MP camera are its other key features.

Samsung S5350 Shark
Local connectivity on the Samsung S5350 Shark is enabled through Bluetooth, USB and a microSD card slot. The final key selling point of the Samsung S5350 Shark is its slim 11.9mm waistline.
The Samsung S5550 Shark 2 is the most functional of the predatory fish bunch. The stylish slider, which leaked last week, comes with a 2.2" AMOLED display of QVGA resolution and packs a 5 megapixel autofocus camera. Dual-band 3G with 3.6Mbps is also onboard as well as quad-band GSM which allows worldwide roaming.

Samsung S5550 Shark 2
The Bluetooth version is 2.1 and the USB is 2.0 on the Samsung S5550 Shark 2. The internal memory of 110 MB can be expanded through the built-in microSD memory card slot.
The final offering for today is the Samsung S3550 Shark 3 - a compact slider, which as the name suggests, has the shortest specs sheet of the lot. A 2" QVGA screen and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE is as good as it gets for the Shark 3.

Samsung S3550 Shark 3
There is also a fixed focus camera on board with a maximum resolution of 2 megapixels. The final noteworthy features of the Samsung S3550 Shark 3 are Bluetooth 2.1, USB 2.0 and a microSD card slot.
There is no information about the availability or the pricing of any of the Samsung Shark handsets but those shouldn't take too long to appear or cost too much to purchase.
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BlackBerry Storm2 9520

2010-01-12T18:48:00.004Z

RIM are a company with style and simply hopping on the touchscreen bandwagon with another iPhone wannabe just wouldn't suit them. They certainly realized the importance of having a full-touch device in their portfolio but wanted a clear and legible BlackBerry imprint on it.

BlackBerry Storm2 official photo
The BlackBerry Storm 9500 was a truly intriguing device but never really managed to find its place in the new market it was built for. Too bold and unusual for the BlackBerry-loyals and yet too conservative for the rest of the world, it didn't quite get the results it was hoping for. But the successor might use the publicity the first Storm generated for its own good.
Key features
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and 2100 MHz 3G with HSPA support
3.25" 65K-color capacitive touchscreen of 360 x 480 pixel resolution
Improved touchscreen experience with piezo-electric touch feedback system
3.15 MP autofocus camera, LED flash
BlackBerry OS 5
Wi-Fi and built-in GPS with BlackBerry maps preloaded
2 GB internal storage and a hot-swappable microSD card slot
Landscape on-screen keyboard is as close to hardware keys as we have seen on a touch phone
Nice looks and great build quality
3.5mm standard audio jack
Accelerometer sensor for screen auto-rotate
Bluetooth v2.1 and USB v2.0
Document editor
Good audio quality
Main disadvantages:
No email support without BlackBerry Internet Service account
Interface not as quick as competitors'
Chubbier than most touchscreen phones with similarly-sized displays
Mediocre camera
No FM radio
No web browser Flash support
No dedicated video-call camera
The good news is RIM decided to honor the Storm2 with a few upgrades over the original. However, none of them seems to be absolutely crucial so the greatest responsibility falls on the brand new piezo-electric touchscreen. The missing link between touchscreen and a hardware keypad is what many keen texters must have been waiting for. Or at least that's what RIM believe.

The BlackBerry Storm2 9520 views
Now, the SurePress screen didn't work out particularly well on the first Storm and a second failure might herald the demise of the entire series. So the BlackBerry Storm2 knows it needs to impress the audience or it might take a spot in history for all the wrong reasons.
But first thing first, let's check out what you get when you buy a shiny new Storm2. Unboxing follows after the break.
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Motorola MILESTONE

2010-01-07T18:10:00.005Z

Motorola MILESTONE
We haven't seen an Android phone generate so much hype since... the first one, the T-Mobile G1. The Motorola MILESTONE seems to be the powerhouse that the Android family needed and obviously many customers were looking forward to.
Here's what we mean.
Motorola MILESTONE at a glance:
General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 900/2100 MHz, HSDPA 10.2Mbps; HSUPA 5.76 Mbps
Form factor: Full QWERTY side-slider
Dimensions: 115.8 x 60 x 13.7 mm, 165g
Display: 3.7" 16M color capacitive TFT LCD touchscreen of WVGA resolution (854 x 480 pixels)
OS: Android 2.0
Memory: 133 MB internal memory, 256 MB RAM, microSD card slot (up to 16GB) , 8GB microSD card included in the retail package
CPU: ARM Cortex A8 550 MHz processor with dedicated graphics accelerator
Camera: 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual LED flash and D1 video recording at 30 fps
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS, 3.5mm standard audio jack
Misc: Accelerometer for screen auto rotate, Motonav navigation software, digital compass, Proximity sensor for auto turn-off, Multi-touch input and pinch-zooming gestures
Battery: 1400mAh Li-Ion battery
The first Android 2.0 handset oozes with power. It's a milestone for Motorola, but perhaps for Android too: we're certainly looking at the most complete all-round device to ever do the droid walk. Given the huge potential of the platform, it's no wonder Motorola and the MILESTONE are enjoying this kind of interest.

Motorola MILESTONE at ours
Yet, there are quite a few new droids waiting around the corner so being the best is one thing but staying the best takes quite a push. There is little evidence to suggest that Motorola will come up with a successor any time soon, so the MILESTONE better open a gap on competitors or it won't be in the same league as the handsets to come in the first half of next year. The company's future is more or less hinging on the MILESTONE and it's as simple a case of make or break as it gets. And the handset's first weeks of sales bode well.
We are already working on a detailed review of the Motorola MILESTONE, but until it is ready we will give you a short preview to keep you warm through the holidays. It might be useful if you are considering getting one any moment now.
Prepare to meet the Motorola MILESTONE in its full might right after the break.
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Don't Think Twice

2009-12-30T21:38:00.000Z

It ain't no use sit and wonder why, babe
even u dont know by now
An' it ain't no use sit and wonder why, babe
it ll never do somehow
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I'll be gone
You're the reason I'ma trav'lin' on
but Don't think twice, it's all right

It ain't no use in turnin' on your light, babe
The light I never knowed
An' it ain't no use in turnin' on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road
but I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talkin' anyway
don't think twice, it's all right

It ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
Like you never done before
It ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
I can't hear you any more
I'm a-thinkin' and a-wond'rin' walkin down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I'm told
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don't think twice, it's all right

so long honey babe,
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
goodbye's too good a word, babe
So I'll just say fare thee well
I ain't sayin' you treated me unkind
You could've done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right

It's been a hard day's night - The beatles

2009-10-29T14:07:00.001Z

It's been a hard day's night, and I been working like a dog
It's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log
But when I get home to you I'll find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright

You know I work all day to get you money to buy you things
And it's worth it just to hear you say you're going to give me everything
So why on earth should I moan, 'cause when I get you alone
You know I feel ok

When I'm home everything seems to be right
When I'm home feeling you holding me tight, tight

It's been a hard day's night, and I been working like a dog
It's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log
But when I get home to you I'll find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright

Owww!

So why on earth should I moan, 'cause when I get you alone
You know I feel ok

When I'm home everything seems to be right
When I'm home feeling you holding me tight, tight

It's been a hard day's night, and I been working like a dog
It's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log
But when I get home to you I'll find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright

You know I feel alright
You know I feel alright

Everything i do.......................

2009-10-25T14:01:00.000Z

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

Hole in my soul by Aerosmith

2009-10-23T14:00:00.000+01:00

I'm down a one way street
With a one night stand
With a one track mind
Out in no man's land
(The punishment sometimes don't seem to fit the crime)

Yeah there's a hole in my soul
But one thing I've learned
For every love letter written
There's another one burned
(So you tell me how it's gonna be this time)

Is it over
Is it over
‘Cause I'm blowin' out the flame

Take a walk outside your mind
Tell me how it feels to be
The one who turns the knife inside of me

Take a look and you will find
There’s nothing there girl yeah I swear
I’m telling you girl, yeah, 'cause

There’s a hole in my soul that’s been killing me forever
It’s a place where a garden never grows
There’s a hole in my soul yeah, I should have known better
‘Cause your love’s like a thorn without a rose

I'm as dry as a seven year drought
I got dust for tears and I'm all tapped out
(Sometimes I feel broke and can't get fixed)

I know there's been all kinds of shoes underneath your bed
Now I sleep with my boots on but you're still in my head
(And something tells me this time I'm down to my last licks)

Cause if it's over
Then it's over
And it's driving me insane

Take a walk outside your mind
Tell me how it feels to be
The one who turns the knife inside of me

Take a look and you will find
There’s nothing there girl yeah I swear
I’m telling you girl, yeah, 'cause

There’s a hole in my soul that’s been killing me forever
It’s a place where a garden never grows
There’s a hole in my soul yeah, I should have known better
‘Cause your love’s like a thorn without a rose

Is it over
Yeah it’s over
And I’m blowin’ out the flame

Take a walk outside your mind
Tell me how it feels to be
The one who turns the knife inside of me

Take a look and you will find
There’s nothing there girl yeah I swear
I’m telling you girl, yeah, 'cause

There’s a hole in my soul that’s been killing me forever
It’s a place where a garden never grows
There’s a hole in my soul yeah, I should have known better
‘Cause your love’s like a thorn without a rose,

Crazy

2009-10-15T14:23:00.000+01:00

Come 'ere baby
You know you drive me up the wall
the way you make good on all the nasty tricks you pull
Seems like we're makin' up more than we're makin' love
And it always seems you got somthin' on your mind other than me
Girl, you got to change your crazy ways
You hear me

Say you're leavin on a seven thirty train
and that you're headin' out to Hollywood
Girl you been givin me the line so many times
it kinda gets like feelin bad looks good

That kinda lovin'
Turns a man to a slave
That kinda lovin'
Sends a man right to his grave
chorus
I go crazy, crazy, baby, I go crazy
You turn it on
Then you're gone
Yeah you drive me
Crazy, crazy, crazy for you baby
What can I do, honey
I feel like the color blue. . .

You're packin up your stuff and talkin like it's tough
and tryin to tell me that it's time to go
But I know you ain't wearin' nothin' underneath that overcoat
And it's all a show

That kinda lovin'
Makes me wanna pull
Down the shade, yeah
That kinda lovin'
Yeah, now I'm never gonna be the same

chorus

I'm losin my mind, girl
'Cause I'm goin' crazy

I need your love, honey
I need your love

Crazy, crazy, crazy for you baby
I'm losin my mind, girl
'Cause I'm goin' crazy
Crazy, crazy, crazy for you baby
You turn it on, then you're gone
Yeah you drive me

COME TOGETHER

2009-09-24T15:15:00.001+01:00

Here come old flattop, he come grooving up slowly
He got Joo Joo Eyeball, he one Holy Roller
He got hair down to his knees
Got to be a joker he just do what he please

He wear no Shoeshine, he got Toe Jam football
He got Monkey Finger, he shoot Coca Cola
He say I know you, you know me
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together, right now, over me

He bag production, he got Walrus Gumboot
He got o no sideboard, he one Spinal Cracker
He got feet down below his knees
Hold you in his armchair you can feel his disease

Come Together, right now, over me

He Roller coaster, he got Early warning
He got Muddy Water, he one Mojo Filter
He say, one and one and one is three
Got to be good-looking cause he's so hard to see

Come Together, right know, over me

Come Together, yeah..