Updating firmware on my E71

After ensuring that the new firmware is working properly with other users who were adventurous enough to install the update I have finally set out to update my firmware.

• One has to ensure that all the data is backed up using the backup facility of PC suite
• Ensure that you have the latest version of the Nokia updater. If not then you can download the latest version here.
  
• Make sure that your phone has enough charge (battery) so that it will last the whole update and
• your phone has the General Profile activated.

I started the update and at the start I got a phone call on my phone. I was confused. I took the call and the call went off well. However, when I finished the Nokia Updater returned an error saying that the update failed :-(

I have started the update again though in half an hour I have to pick my daughter from school. I will post an update on the firmware update once it is done.

Update
Finally managed to installed the firmware to my E71 after 3 failed firm updates! My phone appears to be working fine though I will fully test it later and post the update on that by tomorrow.

Reusable Screen Protector for Nokia E71 (keep LCD screen clean) with cleaning cloth

For $5.00 only now you can get a reusable screen protector for your Nokia E71. It has a self adhesive which allows you to easily install the screen. With it you also get a lint for cleaning the screen. It weighs only 3 pounds. For $5 it is worth the money for sure.


To buy one from Amazon go here.

Problem accessing Phone Book (contacts) on my E71

Recently for some reason for the past 2 days I could not access my contacts on my phone book on my E71. Whenever I tried accessing the phone book from the shortcuts on the screen of E71 or through the Menu --> Communication --> contacts the screen flickers for sometime and then nothing happened.

First I did not care but as the day progressed the trick I was using, accessing the recent calls section on my phone to call associates and friends, did not work for me for all calls I wanted to make. Some of the solutions I tried and which failed were

• Connecting my E71 with my laptop and access and edit contacts through PC suite.
• Uninstall the recent applications I had installed or which primarily used the contacts on my E71.
• Synchronizing my E71 with my laptop through PC Suite.

Solution
Luckily I went to the Nokia forums to see if there was anyone who had a similar problem. First I came across the problem which is highlighted by the user here. Unfortunately no one was able to give a solution to him. Then I came across a problem which highlighted the same problem. The thread had a solution as well which was given by a member named homenetuk.

The solution was to uninstall "Nokia Internet Services Support". To uninstall this you need to go to the Installations --> App. mgr. You would get a list of software installed on your E71. Amongst them you would find "Nokia Internet Services Support". Select it and press the left button for Options. Select "Remove" from the menu and uninstall "Nokia Internet Services Support".

You should be done now and your address book (contacts) should work now.

Some of the users suggested removing Live Messenger. If the above trick does not work for you try uninstalling Live Messenger as well.

Let me know if you have similar problems and whether the solution fixed the problem or not.

E71 Firmware update E71 (200.21.118)

Firmware update E71 (200.21.118) is available.

The following changes/additions have been made in the MCU SW version 200.21.118:

• Internet Radio application
• My Nokia application
• Power usage optimization when using 3G
• Device Lock improvement
• Improved 'Mute' option
• ‘Loudspeaker’ option in Right Soft Key functionality improved
• Enlarge characters in Chr-table (a-la Iphone)
• 2 new themes - New black and red themes
• Startup Settings updated
• Certificates updated
• Security updates
• Keyboard mapping corrections
• Browser stability and Flash Lite improvements
• Several stability and functionality improvements
• Mail for Exchange upgraded from version 2.5.5 to 2.7.22
• Improved functionality when sending email via SSL/TLS SMTP server
• Camera image improvements & slow capture correction with certain HW’s

For the full list of updates go to this Mobile Addict post.

The update is A MUST. Reports across the Internet indicate that there have been no issues with installing the updates on the phone. However, since I have had bad experience in the past, I would wait for another 4-5 days and then install the update.

Be careful and update at your own risk. Remember that all the data on phone will be lost during the update so ensure that you backup all your data and installations before updating.

If you are one of those who loves the dangers of pioneers in testing things and do manage to install the update please share your experience. I will post an update once I do the update.

WAP or mobile enabled sites for travellers

Reading Ewan Spence post on All About Symbian I was reminded of the fact that it is not just the applications but some websites which are very handy for mobile users. Ewan tries to find alternates to Worldmate Professional which are either available on S60 or on WAP sites.

The features of Worldmate Professional he discusses are

• Currency convertor for which he suggests changing the current currency to the currency of the country you want to check the exchange rate for.
  
• For finding flight status he suggests using mobile.flightview.com.
• For world clock he suggests using Google. For example for the time in Spain search for "what time is it in Spain now" in Google and voila! you will have the answer.
• For world weather Ewan suggests the BBC site for weather at www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world
• For making notes and inventory Tripit is suggested where email notifications of all bookings and confirmations are forwarded by you from your email.
• For social networking dopplr is suggested the mobile version of which can be accessed at m.dopplr.com
• For traveling guide Wikitravel is a resource which is optimized for mobile browsers.

So there you have it - a free alternative to Worldmate Professional. If you use some of the WAP sites then please share them and spread the knowledge.

Want to work on Symbian or in the Symbian industry

Are you a Symbian enthusiast and want to work in the environment in development, sales or marketing? Then this is the post for you.

The intent of Symbian foundation which was drawn on June 28, 2008 was to provide a royalty free Symbian platform to its members. The website is in beta and is availabe here. Memberships are available for $1500. The foundation would be operative in the first half of 2009 (subject to approvals).

The website also plans to be a job posting repository for the Symbian industry. Infact positions have been advertised already. The positions are available in the following areas

• Technology
• Marketing and
  
• Operations

The positions are available in the following countries

• USA
• UK and
  
• Finnland

When the website is live I'm sure the website would pull in Symbian enthusiasts.