It’s been awhile since I mentioned the Google Maps application that I use so often on my E71. Since that time it’s received some huge updates that I’ve been meaning to share with you E71 Fanatics! Almost on a daily basis I open it up to search for a gas station, local pub, bank, or a place to buy flowers. I get details I need such as the phone number, directions, reviews, etc. It’s really astonishing. I even save my favorite places for later viewing and fast access for directions.

I don’t only use Google Maps on my smartphone. I also use the powerful webpage on my computer to find what I'm looking for. What if you can sync those places, directions, maps, etc. between computer and E71? Well if you haven’t updated to the latest version in awhile, then you’re really missing out.

From the Google Mobile Blog:

Google Maps for mobile has long allowed you to add stars on a map to mark your
favorite places. You may have noticed a few months ago that Google Maps for
desktop browsers introduced the ability to star places as well. Unfortunately,
there was no way to keep these starred places in sync with Google Maps on your
phone. With today’s release of Google Maps for mobile 3.3 on Windows Mobile and
Symbian phones, you’ll now be able to keep the starred places on your phone and
on your computer completely synchronized. It’s like magic, but magic that you
can use.

Awesome right? That’s not it. Check out the new “layers” feature that I mentioned in the title.

Quote from blog post:

Just as the world itself can be viewed through many lenses, the latest version
of Google Maps for mobile allows you to view many layers of information on your
map at the same time. Layers make it easier and more useful to find and interact
with geographic content, like public transit, traffic (with incidents!), local
search results, Latitude friend locations, Wikipedia and more. You can also see
your own My Maps content as a layer on Google Maps for mobile. And finally,
multiple layers can be combined at the same time to give you a content-rich view
of what’s around you.

If you haven’t already tried out Google Maps you need to! I hardly ever fire up Ovi Maps anymore.

Visit this link for more information.

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Perhaps the most advanced and useful application for the Nokia E71 & Symbian platform has just be updated to Beta 2. Of course I' am talking about the new Opera Mobile 10 which Nokia fanatics across the world have come to love.

One of the most highly demanded features of Opera Mobile has been bookmark sync – and now it’s here. This sync is not just for bookmarks. It also goes for certain settings and the popular speed dial feature that Opera users have come to love. Not to mention there is a very slick download manager to check out as well. The folks at Opera have really done themselves in with this latest release.

Note: If you've been using Opera Mini 5 - this is different & better.

Quote from today’s press release:

Opera today launched the second beta versions of Opera Mini 5 and Opera Mobile 10, available as free downloads. In this second beta release, Opera Mini and Opera Mobile users can now enjoy popular desktop features, such as Opera Link and the Download Manager, from their mobile phones.

With Opera Link, users can synchronize personal browser settings with their Opera desktop browser, as well as all their connected devices, ensuring that their bookmarks, Speed Dial and search engines are always accessible. The Download Manager gives users a better way to control and speed up downloads to mobile phones.

I love that Opera is seeing the value in syncing bookmarks and settings across the board. Now I just need to find a way to synchronize Opera Mobile with my Firefox/Chrome bookmarks. A 3 way sync might be necessary. I’m sure one of you readers can help me out there.

Check out a few screenshots (from S60v5 touch)…

Be sure to turn off “in-line editing” for this application to work properly with the E71’s secondary character buttons.

Download

Click here for more information on Opera Mobile 10 Beta 2 or click here from the E71’s default browser.

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Do you love your E71 so much that not even the mighty Nokia N900 tempts you to upgrade? You're not the only one. Many other E71 Fanatics don't see a need to dish out more money for a smartphone. But there is still that part of you that wants to keep up with the latest technology. It's the current trend & a standard for newer smartphones to include a large touchscreen display with great multimedia functionality. The iPhone (and iPod Touch) is very tempting with all of the cool apps that you can download and the eye candy, but for most E71 users the iPhone is majorly lacking and can't be used as a main device. The N97 is another option but not at $500. What is an E71 user to do who needs more options?

This may be the solution...

Tether Your E71's Interenet Connection To The Apple iPod Touch

That's right. You can turn your E71 & data connection into a walking WiFi hotspot, sharing the web with an iPod Touch or other multimedia device (like your laptop). Think of it like your internet router at home. The E71 can be the same thing. This can be done thanks to a Symbian application called JoikuSpot.

Description:

JoikuSpot is a mobile software solution that turns Nokia Smartphones to WLAN HotSpots. JoikuSpot software is installed directly to the phone. When switched on, laptops and iPods can establish instant and fast wireless internet connection via smartphone's JoikuSpot access point using phone's own 3G internet connection.

There are two versions of JoikuSpot. One is free and the Premium is $12.99. I recommend the commercial version if you plan on using it everyday and need something reliable.

Added benefits of commercial version:

- Securing the connection and setting authentication
- Secured access to corporate intrawebs (VPN)
- Email protocol support (e.g. Outlook & Gmail)
- Full support for all network access protocols such as Outlook, Skype, Gmail, YouTube, Messengers...
- No forced default landing page
- Adjustable settings (e.g. access point naming)
- 3G Auto-reconnect
- 100% customizable for operator and corporate whitelabeling and licencing

I've tested JoikuSpot Premium with my brothers Apple iTouch and it works perfectly. I have full access to all the iPhone applications that need a data connection and the web browser. Of course it would be smart to have an unlimited data connection on your E71 to avoid high charges.

Apple iPod Touch

Most of you already have an iPod Touch. If you don't I came across this 1-day only deal at Amazon for the Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation). It's on sale for $158.99 - down from $199.99. If you miss this deal Amazon always has decent prices on their entire iPod touch lineup.

Do any of you have this combination and use it on a daily basis? With the E71's great battery life and a spare charger this can really be a powerful duo. Best of both worlds.

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Over the Thankgiving Day holiday weekend Nokia decided to release the new E71 firmware, version 400.21.013. The timing makes perfect sense because Thanksgiving is a North American holiday and the firmware wasn't released for the E71-2 which is the North American version. At least it's not showing up on my Nokia Software Updater screen. Maybe some of you are having better luck. Congrats to the rest of the E71 Fanatics around the world who are able to update.

Here is the E71 firmware changelog sent to me by reader Marcos. (Thumbs up buddy!)

NEW FUNTIONALITIES:
• Nokia Messaging IM2.0
• Gimlet v9.5 (v9.5.3.72)
• Quick Office 5.3
• Ovi Store 1.5 (v1.5.2)
• Ovi Contacts - Preinstalled
• Mail for Exchange 2.9.176

CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS:
• Email Setup Wizard update
• WLAN Corrections
• Internet Radio v1.16 – Increased functionality
• Camera functionality improvement
• Incoming call hang issue fixed
• Turkish SMS character input improvement
• Many functionality and Stability improvements in MfE
• Support for Russian and Ukranian keymats
• Phone activation Baseline updated
• Yahoo account hack fixed


GENERAL
• Stability and functionality improvements
• Email and WLAN functionality improvements
• Increased robustness in handling SMS and incoming calls
• Memory leak fixes and crashes
• Email and WLAN functionality improvements

CALL HANDLING
• Fix for Incoming call hang issue and fast call crash
• Fix for making emergency call when the phone is locked

CALENDAR/CLOCK
• Minor Functionality improvements
• Time display correction when the phone is locked

CONNECTIVITY
• WLAN functionality Improvements and fixes for crashes
• Improvement in WLAN authentication
• mVPN authentication improvements and general functionality improvement

CONTACTS/PHONEBOOK
• Functionality improvements for search functionality

EMAIL
• Email setup wizard updated
• Fix for Yahoo account hack while setting up Gmail account through Nokia Email
• Fix for mails getting duplicated after restoring backup
• Mail for Exchange upgraded from 2.9.158 to 2.9.176
• Gimlet updated to v9.5
• Many functionality and stability improvements in MfE
• Robustness and functionality improvements in email items.

INTERNET RADIO
• Improved functionality
• Increased application stability

QWERTY KEYBOARD
• Usability improvements
• Keyboard mapping corrections for Russian and Ukranian keymat

MESSAGING
• Improvement in Turkish SMS characters input
• Fix for delivery report for SMS with more than 22 characters
• Increased robustness in handling SMS

As you can see it's mostly fixes and improvements. It's nice to see that the latest version of Nokia Messaging was included in this firmware. Is this still a seperate application or is it now embedded into the Messaging app?

Before You Ask...
NO! This update does not add Feature Pack 2 as found on the Nokia E72.

Backup Your Data
As always - be sure to backup your data before the update. You will lose all of your applications and settings so keep that in mind and give yourself some time to re-install all of your favorite applications & themes.

Have you updated your E71 with the latest firmware? Let us know how it goes and what differences you see.

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Well it's finally here - the official Facebook application for the Nokia E71 (and E72). I'm assuming this app will work on all S60v3 devices including the N86. For some reason Nokia decided NOT to announce this news, even though their loyal E71 users have been waiting for this since it was preinstalled on the N97 months ago.

Description:

Facebook ® for Nokia E71/E72 lets you keep up with your friends right at your
fingertips. Update your status, see what your friends are up to, upload photos,
check messages and lookup phone numbers when you need them anytime and anywhere.
Facebook allows you to comment on your friend’s statuses, RSVP to e vent invites
and confirm or deny friend requests. The Facebook for Nokia E71/E72 brings
Facebook directly to your phone. If Facebook is not available for your device,
please check Ovi Store.

I haven't got a chance to test out the application yet because my SIM card is currently in the N97. I'm assuming it works just like the version I'm using right now. Thanks to CJ and one of his readers for the great find! Be sure to check out the ZOMG its CJ blog for tons of Nokia news and tips.

Download The Facebook App For Nokia E71 and E72

Find it in the Ovi Store or click here for the direct link.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this app since I'm not able to test it out right now.

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Just a heads up for those looking to upgrade from the Nokia E71. After many delays Nokia is finally saying the N900 & E72 is on sale now and shipping soon.



The Nokia E72 is the natural successor of the popular E71, adding a 5mp camera, better audio quality & a 3.5mm headphone jack, Feature Pack 2, and a handful of other upgrades.



The Nokia N900 is the latest flagship device featuring the Maemo 5 operating system, a beautiful 3.5 inch screen, 5mp camera & 32gb built in memory. This is the ultimate phone for true power users.

Nokia E72 Product Page

Nokia N900 Product Page

Nokia has already put out press releases that both of these phones are shipping, however some retailers are still waiting to get their inventory in.

I know many of you are going to stick with your Nokia E71 - this is just for those looking for more options.
Enjoy!

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It’s been quite some time since I posted up some new themes, probably because I haven’t seen many that have really caught my eye. However, in the past few weeks there have been a handful of Nokia E71 themes posted up over at TehkSeven.net and some of them are beautiful. The simple & lightweight theme called “Just Black” is my current favorite and a few others look great as well.

Check em out!…

Just Black

Download

 

E72 Theme For E71

Download

 

Maemo 5 N900 Theme For E71

Download

That Maemo 5 N900 theme is also a personal favorite. I was extremely impressed by the theme that Nokia created for the N900 and was hoping somebody would recreate it. Thanks tehk!

If you haven't already heard about the new Nokia N900 be sure to check out this epic video.

Maemo is what's powering Nokia's newest flagship instead of Symbian S60 like the N97 and E71. Nokia announced the N900 is now shipping to retailers this week and should be hitting the shelves anytime. You can check out the N900 product page at Amazon if you’re interested

Hope you enjoy these themes for your E71!

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