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All I was left with was an outdated version of my Gravity Twitter Client and Opera Mobile 10.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