September 28, 2007

Speed Up Your Phone Camera

One of the more common problems associated with newer multi-megapixel phones from Nokia is the frustrating time delay that's always encountered while turning the camera on. A slight comparison with modern digital cameras immediately puts the coveted Nseries to shame. For instance, it takes the Nokia N73 a good 3-4 seconds to get to the Viewfinder to snap a picture...enough to get your subject distracted with something else. Performance takes an even bigger hit if you're starting from Sleep mode and delays of upto 10 seconds are fairly common.

Relatively newer Nokia phones, especially ones with a mechanical shutter and an autofocus lens (N73, N95 etc), are the most affected in this regard. You must've observed how the screen orientation lazily changes from Portrait to Landscape as soon as you slide open the lens cover to get the camera ready.

However, here's an amazing tip that'll really help speed things up while using your phone camera, making it much snappier than ever before.

The trick is to get the phone in Landscape mode before you're about to use your camera.

Apart from being less taxing for the processor, there also won't be any significant delay between switching screen orientations and the camera will be ready for action in no time! The results speak for themselves. Notice how fast the phone response is when you start the camera from standby/sleep in Landscape mode.

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Changing screen orientations isn't much of an issue too, especially with freeware apps like the excellent RotateMe v1.21, available here for the N73 and N80. Once you start RotateMe, simply tap 'Rotate' from Options to switch to Landscape mode (and vice versa).

Another advantage is the fact that Landscape mode isn't a hassle and is quite useable, although initially you'll feel otherwise due to the awkward position you'll be holding your phone in. Furthermore, it's compatible with a plethora of apps and you could, for instance, use it with the excellent free Sega Genesis Emulator, Picodrive, to play a quick game or two of Street Fighter II Turbo or get a much better view of the www while browsing the internet...the possibilities are endless :)

So, next time you're at a party, be sure to have your phone in Landscape mode before you start snapping away!

Screenshots:

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UPDATE: If you wish to download RotateMe v1.21, you may do so here. Please note that you must get this app signed prior to using it.

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September 21, 2007

Wikipedia: Version 1.0 Released!

Waiting period's *officially* over everyone! Yes, you guessed it...the Symbian Wikipedia project has yet again scaled to a new height. As promised, this latest release of the Wikipedia, available as a free download for your S60 phone, now incorporates over 8,500 full-color images! And since it's based on the previous release, that works out to about 3.5 unique images per article!

For those with space constraints on their phones, there's also a text-only version of the Wikipedia that you should definitely try out.

Requirements:

  • WinRAR (to uncompress the files). The trial version is available here.
  • iSilo (installed on smartphone). The trial version is available here for all S60 devices.
Key features:
  • Approximately 2050 full-length articles, more than 8,500 full-colour images and over 3.5 million words (equivalent to a 4,000+ page book in text alone)
  • Storage Card & Phone Memory Compatibility
  • Keyword Search
  • Adjustable font sizes and styles
  • Cross Reference Links - tap on a link to easily go to the related article
  • An easy-to-use alphabetical index for all articles
  • Compatibility with ALL UIQ devices
  • Compatibility with ALL S60 devices, from the Nokia 7650 to the N95 :)
Special Notes:

You can either download this as a single file or for convenience, download multiple "dial-up-friendly" parts.

If you're downloading the dial-up version, please note that you need all 15 parts to extract the file. Once you've downloaded all the parts, simply double-click the first part and specify "series-sixty.blogspot.com" (without the quotes) as the password.

Then just click "Extract to" to extract it on your hard drive. You can later send it to your phone via the Nokia PC Suite or beam it via Bluetooth.

Screenshots:

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Download Links:

- As a single file

Parts 01-15

- As multiple files

Part 01
Part 02
Part 03
Part 04
Part 05
Part 06
Part 07
Part 08
Part 09
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15

Password: series-sixty.blogspot.com

As an afterthought, I think it's the images that can make all the difference, for not only do you get something that's visually more appealing and easier on the eyes, but it also takes us a step closer to finding that perfect replacement for an actual encyclopedia. Anyway, comments/suggestions are much appreciated! :)

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September 15, 2007

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

So its already been a week without a new post and things seem quite slow here on the S60 Weblog. My humble apologies for not posting any earlier. Anyway, I'm sure many of you must've heard the proverb that is listed in the title before. What am I trying to get at, you ask? The thing is, after releasing the first version of the Wikipedia some weeks ago, I promised to include images in a future version.

Well, the good news is that a newer, updated version of the Wikipedia is almost ready and will be available shortly.

I'm really looking forward to it as this will undoubtedly be BIG...in the sense that in an attempt to make the encyclopedia more visually appealing (and interesting) for everyone young as well as old, I've decided to include several thousand images.

Yup, if you fancy numbers, there will be over 8,500 full-colour images! Stay tuned guys! As always, comments are welcome :)

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September 7, 2007

Update: The All-In-One Torch!

The latest version of the AiO Torch - the only multi-function torch available absolutely free-of-cost for ALL S60 3rd Edition devices - is finally out guys!

Although I never expected to roll out another release so soon, it's just that the response to the first release was quite encouraging (not to mention the presence of some extra time at hand) that made me do otherwise. Anyway, you'll find that there are a lot of changes in this update.

I, for one, find it to be a very convenient utility as many a times you find yourself groping for the light switch while in a dark room, searching for your keys on the bedside table or even trying to read the menu in a dark restaurant. The possibilities are endless!

If you haven't checked out the initial release yet, I'd recommend you do. You can find it right over here. The most notable changes are highlighted below:

Changes / Improvements:

  • An All-In-One Torch / StrobeLight
  • Completely re-developed User Interface
  • About 30% Brighter Light Output via LED
  • Introduction of a Novel ScreenTorch utility
  • Compatibility with ALL S60 3rd Edition Devices (N73, N80, N95 and more)
- For a quick startup, I'd recommend you to keep Python in the list of Active Standby apps available on your device for quick retrieval. In order to do that, go to Tools > Settings > Phone > Standby Mode > Active Standby Apps from the Menu and make the necessary changes!

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- The ScreenTorch utility works by displaying a white background in fullscreen mode whilst leaving the backlight on. You can use it as a torch or simply to keep the screen bright and well-lit even if you are not pressing any buttons. It can easily be turned off anytime by pressing the right softkey

- StrobeLight Pro, as previously described here, utilizes the camera hardware to produce regular (albeit not permanent) flashes of light (using the LED) every 5-6 seconds

- Please use this script entirely at your own risk. While LEDs have a remarkable service life, they do tend to get hot and adequate heat-sinking is essential. So remember not to close the camera lens cover immediately after extended use

Special Notes:

Note that you need to have Python installed on your phone first. In case you're not familiar with that, follow the steps given below in the order listed:
  • Install the Python for S60 interpreter application (PythonForS60_1_4_0_3rdEd.sis) on your phone
  • Install the script shell (PythonScriptShell_1_4_0_3rdEd.sis)
  • Install the Miso Module for Python (miso-1.92-s60_3rd_self.sisx)
  • Send any of the included python scripts (*.py) to e:\Python
  • Next, run Python from the Menu and select the script you want to run.
Screenshots:

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Download Links:

P.S All the required files are provided below. Note that you need to install the Miso module for Python (included in the package) before running the script.

- For the N73, N75, N81, N82, N93, N95, 6120c etc

DOWNLOAD NOW

DOWNLOAD NOW (MIRROR)

- For the N80

DOWNLOAD NOW

DOWNLOAD NOW (MIRROR)

- For the E90 Communicator

DOWNLOAD NOW



UPDATE: New download links added!

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September 2, 2007

Is That A Torch Or A Phone?

One of the most sought after features in modern cameraphones is the ability to use your phone as a flashlight. I'm sure many of you must've been looking for a way to use your phone as a torch, using the camera flash, ofcourse. While this was possible on phones like the N70 and N72, it really hasn't been well-implemented on S60 3rd edition phones like the N73, N80 or the N95. Fortunately, there is a workaround that I recently discovered.

Although there are apps like OTStudio's commercial NTorch Lite and Outbank's freeware S60SpotOn that claim to make your phone into a real torch, they have very little practical use since the torchlight is very dim.

Also, S60SpotOn behaves very erratically once you slide open the camera lens cover on the N73 and crashes almost immediately after that. NTorch Lite is better in that regard and quite stable too.

But the fact remains: the light from both these so-called 'torches' is totally unusable in the dark.

While OTStudio's subsequently released versions with 'full brightness' support for the Nokia 5700, unfortunately they haven't come up with a solution thus far for the NSeries lineup, including the N73 and N80. I've even emailed them asking about a version for these handsets, but haven't received a response as yet.

Anyway, onto the good stuff. Recently, while using Python yet again, I discovered a nifty way of making a 'strobe light' that utilizes the camera hardware.

By definition, a strobe light functions by producing regular flashes of light. You'll find that the one provided below flashes once every 5-6 seconds. While it isn't like your regular LED flashlight, it still is, in my opinion, quite a useful feature to have on your phone, plus the lighting effects are very interesting too. As always, do let me know your thoughts on this one :)

And finally, a word of caution. Please use this script entirely at your own risk. While LEDs have a remarkable service life, they do tend to get hot and adequate heat-sinking is essential. So remember not to close the camera lens cover immediately after extended use.

Key features:

  • An Actual First-of-its-kind Strobe Light
  • Higher Intensity LED Illumination
  • Current Status Notification (via pop-up interface)
  • Instantaneous Launch
  • One-Tap Exit (via right softkey)
  • Compatibility with MOST S60 3rd Edition Devices (N73, N80, N95 and more)
Special Notes:

Note that you need to have Python installed on your phone first. In case you're not familiar with that, follow the steps given below:
  • Install the Python for S60 interpreter application (PythonForS60_1_4_0_3rdEd.sis) on your phone
  • Install the script shell (PythonScriptShell_1_4_0_3rdEd.sis)
  • Send any of the included python scripts (*.py) to e:\Python
  • Next, run Python from the Menu and select the script you want to run.

Download Links:

P.S All the required files are provided below. The password for the file is "series-sixty.blogspot.com" (without the quotes).

DOWNLOAD NOW

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