Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Resurrection


My beloved E63 decided some time in December to conk out. It was basically a software issue, all of a sudden I had no access to my contacts outside of searching for them by typing callers names, no scrolling through the list, no editing.

All my Java apps stopped working, I was unable to install new apps (read antivirus) and the native e-mail client just disappeared.

All I was left with was an outdated version of my Gravity Twitter Client and Opera Mobile 10.

Now the fix was simple, re-install the firmware, it was basically a software issue, right?

Fantastic!!

A quick trip to Nokia’s website revealed that in fact, I was overdue for an upgrade to new firmware.

Heres the catch:

  • I was in Lamu,
  • A couple of months earlier, I'd dropped my phone while it was connected to a USB cable. I picked up the phone and the phones USB port was kaput, it was actually hanging out of the slot. Being a cheap bastard, I bought a card reader (actually, a Safaricom Modem) and a bluetooth dongle and moved on.

Now, a firmware upgrade can only be done via USB cable, so when I got back (and the January salary came in) I asked around and was referred to a guy called Oscar, my new best friend, he quickly at a good price sorted me out just yesterday.

So now, since I don’t know what happened to my phone, I’ve decided to chronicle all the apps I install.

Heres the list.

1. Opera Mini 5 (Beta 2)

http://m.opera.com/next (mobile site)

Very quickly, I installed Opera Mini. This new version is amazingly fast, allows for multiple tabs and has a download manager built in.

It was what I used to search for and download the rest of the apps I’d be installing.

2. Gravity (v1.30 Build 6305, later upgraded to Build 6316 below)

http://bit.ly/6316ALL (direct download)

Since the phones IMEI didn’t change, Gravity was next on the list. I was rather excited at how well it went.

Perhaps because of either the new firmware, all the RAM being available, or a combination of both, the installations went by pretty fast.

3. Mail for Exchange

http://is.gd/7xnGa (Nokias MfE Website)

Our IT guy doesn’t like me, so I don’t have our e-mail settings. I use Mail for Exchange to automatically backup my contacts and calendar info to my Google Account.

Symbian’s sync application doesn’t sync automatically. You must manually initiate every synchronization. Google’s workaround works pretty well for automatically backing up your info.

4. Google Maps

http://m.google.com/maps (Mobile site)

As part of their plans for world domination, Google has mapped the world. Street level maps with directions for Nairobi mean that I must join the bandwagon, although this press release on Moses Kemibaro’s blog has rekindled my interest in Ovi Maps, I’ll check it out at a later date.

5. Joiku Spot LIGHT

http://is.gd/7xsA1 (JoikuSpots website)

This handly little Java app connects your laptop or any other WiFi enabled device (e.g. an iPod Touch) to the internet via Wifi using your mobile phone's 3G connection. Its effectively a Hotspot in your pocket.

The Light version is free but protocols such as Gmail, Outlook, IMAP, Skype, MSN or FTP are not supported. Download it here - http://www.get.co.ke/files/get/73

The Premium version costs €15

That’s it for now, everything under the hood is fixed. When I grab some time I’ll work on the themes.

Any suggestions for apps I should install? Use the comments section below.

10 comments:

Obie said...

Awesome. What Anti-Virus you talking about?

Bobby said...

I couldn't install anything when it was down, including an anti-virus. I still don't have one. Any suggestions?

RookieKE said...

Thank God the pretty black one is back.

Unfortunately I can't help identify the app that led to the crash.

Nice blog you got here!

Bobby said...

@PinkM, Thanks!! I've been hiding it

jke said...

Congratulations!

Other apps I've installed on my E72:

DivX Player
Qik
Mobbler !!! :-)
Spb TV (bought, req. broadband)
Internet Radio
YouTube
Fring
Skyfire (alternative browser, you'll love it)
Barcode Scanner + Firefox plugin to instantly open websites - open on my desktop pc - on the phone
NorthPole (new compass app by the dev of the screenshot app)
M!Weather
Sailing Clicker
barcoo
SportsTracker
KaywaReader (Kawaida... :-)
Escarpod (because there's no Podcast client on E72)
gReader (new Google Reader)
The Musicians' Swiss Knife (Java app - see bitforfree.eu)

Unknown said...

I need to try that Hotspot app one day, but meanwhile I need to do a firmware update, not my favourite thing to do especially having to reinstall apps but it may help free up some more memory, I get the feeling that some of the memory is lost whenever you install some apps and even when you delet them you never get it back.

Nahashon said...

You are a very interesting fellow Bob. Maybe you should start a Tech Blog. Good read though...

Mwirigi said...

I'd have to get my hands on it first!! I'm doing a review of the C3 in case you're interested, go to http://e63club.wordpress.com

mmnjug said...

Snaptu for facebook, twitter and a host of other RSS Services. It now carries ads from Kenya. Nimbuzz is also a cool app for twitter and chatting across the IMs available from Yahoo Msgr, Hotmail, AoL, GoogleChat, the whole lot of them....... Trill a twitter client that functions more or less than Gravity, Ovi-Store app and Google for Mobile. Quite handy I must say.

Mwirigi said...

I improved on this list on the E63 club website http://e63club.wordpress.com

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