Nokia's Symbian 4 plans

Nokia has begun to flesh out its plans for Symbian 4 as it readies to do battle with Android and the iPhone

Nokia has outlined plans for Symbian 4, its forthcoming release of the mobile operating system, and one that is designed to go head-to-head with the iPhone and Google's Android OS.

According to a proposal filed with the Symbian Foundation [http://tiny.symbian.org/S4UI PDF] Symbian's overriding focus will be on simplifying the user experience.

Although Symbian doesn't generally receive as much attention as the likes of Android and Apple's iPhone, Symbian is still the dominant player in the smartphone market, commanding around 50% of the market. Which makes the open source mobile OS an important player and one worthy of watching.

Although the most obvious changes planned for Symbian 4 are the interface ones, there are a number of changes planned under the surface which will improve usability. Among these will be an attempt to minimize the number of user prompts, a common look and feel for applications and autosaving features. Reducing the need for user feedback is a key part of improving usability on mobile platforms and will make Symbian 4 easier to use.

The major, and most obvious, changes in Symbian 4 will be the interface ones. Users of Symbian 4 will be greeted with four main views: contacts, music, photos and applications. This will make major features of the phone quickly accessible to users. In addition to the four main views, users will be able to create shortcuts to specific items which can be placed on the home screen.

Going head-to-head with the likes of Android and the iPhone, the Nokia proposal specifically remarks on certain features of those and how Symbian 4 will differ from them. For example, while Android has a multi-paned home screen, which can be dragged from left to right, Symbian 4 will have individual and distinct pages for each grouping of features. The iPhone, on the other hand, has a "manually organised grid" for displaying available applications. Symbian 4 will instead have the capability of viewing the application library with "multiple filtered views".

But, before the release of Symbian 4 users can look forward to Symbian 2 and 3. Symbian 2 is the first open source release of the OS and will appear on phones early this year. Symbian 3 will appear later this year and will include multi-touch support.

Symbian 4 is expected to start appearing on smartphones early 2011.

Source: http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Cellular/11180.html

Latest in Technology - E-Toilet

Perhaps, for geeks like us, this is something that you really don’t wanna miss. The e-Toilet, which was unveiled by Bill Gates, if you really can’t let go of surfing the net, even just to spend few minutes in the toilet, this is a must-have. The eToilet lets you surf the net, play music from Zune and it also monitors your personal hygiene by shutting down the lid automatically if left open.

The eToilet includes a 21-inch flat-screen monitor built into the toilet lid itself that swings out on a swivel arm when you are….. in position. Many of its functions are activated by touch, and the eToilet contains a proximity sensor that will protect the screen from spray during use or flushing.

Additionally, the eToilet’s composition gauge will offer web-based dietary recommendations and guidelines based on the physical makeup of the material that is input into the device, and it has a delay mechanism to prevent flushing while someone is in the shower. However, arguably the most intriguing feature of the eToilet is the integration of Microsoft’s patented eLoo technology that allows for the activation of remote call features.

It’ll be out in the market next month, which will retail between $499 to $599. I’m just simply very thankful to Microsoft for taking its best effort to get geeks like us glued to the computer and Internet.

Free Games for You

A list of free games to keep you occupied until Christmas

The month of December always lightens the bank account, and many PC gamers may feel withdrawal symptoms as they wait for the month-end present harvest. In an effort to stave away the gaming blues, we’ve rounded up a list of free games.

Synaesthete (https://typo3.digipen.edu/index.php?id=986)

Synaesthete puts you in control of Zaikman, who has to navigate the game world – the collective unconscious – and zap monsters using his affinity with the musical soundtrack and a number of power-ups. The game features original compositions of music ranging from ambient trance to regular trance. The entire game world is a visualisation which pulses and animates to the beat of the music.

FreeCiv (http://freeciv.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page)

One for the strategy buffs, FreeCiv is pretty much a recreation of the original Sid Meier classics, Civilization 1 and 2. The game is open source, and is constantly being tweaked, refined, and updated. There are numerous player created rule sets that can be used, and up to 30 players are supported over TCP/IP.

UFO: Alien Invasion (http://ufoai.sourceforge.net/?page=Home)

The year is 2084 and of course, the human race must defend itself against a terrifying alien enemy. Inspired by the X-COM, UFO: AI is a squad based tactical strategy game. The game has two main modes of gameplay, a base management and research mode, and a tactical combat mode. The game was developed on the Quake 2 engine and has some snazzy 3D graphics. The game supports up to 6 players over TCP/IP.

Scorched 3D (http://www.scorched3d.co.uk/)

This is the modernisation of a classic DOS game - Scorched Earth. That game was so classic, it was yelling at those darn Worms to get off its scorched lawn. Scorched 3D is a turn-based artillery combat game in which players must manage their ammunition, weaponry and economy during a battle of wits and skill in which there can only be one victor. The game supports multiplayer over TCP/IP, with a number of Internet servers up and running.

Nifflas' Games (http://nifflas.ni2.se/index.php?main=02Knytt)

Not a game, but a game developer, with three really cool 2D side-scrolling platform games available to play - Knytt, Knytt Stories, and Within a Deep Forest. All the games feature colourful and detailed pixelart, clever animations and intriguing storylines. Definitely worth checking out.

Alien Arena  (http://icculus.org/alienarena/rpa/)

One for the FPS fans, this is a retro Sci-Fi deathmatch arena game that feels like the lovechild of Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament. The game also boasts some pretty impressive visuals considering it is an open source project. There is a single player campaign, but the multiplayer is the real attraction. Unfortunately there are no dedicated South African servers, but it could make for a refreshing change at LANs.

Secret Maryo Chronicles (http://www.secretmaryo.org/)

A platform game that runs and jumps, barely avoids some sort of copyright infringement, and defeats an assortment of enemies . Developed in the spirit of another popular platform game, Secret Maryo should satiate a craving for retro platform action, with a modern flavour. The game comes with a full featured level editor for those who feel the need to fiddle.

Planeshift (http://www.planeshift.it/)

This is a truly free MMORPG. This means that there will never be any surprise premium content, or gameplay limitations. All the servers and bandwidth needs are sponsored. The developers are going for a strong emphasis on the role playing element of the game, encouraging players to really 'act out' their decided character traits. The game is currently in the open public testing phase, so it will undoubtedly be a bit buggy. But it is still worth checking out for the MMORPG lovers on a budget.

Source: MyBroadband.co.za

MARIO

Mario has been all time favorite game for many people. We have seen this game in number of forms and avatars. Checkout free Mega Mario computer game in which you help Mario free his brother Luigi. It has usual color splash with exciting background music.

This version has little more blood red splash while you kill crawling creatures or get killed (this option can be turned OFF). It has number of levels to keep you hooked for long time while you find your way and collect coins. Download Mega Mario game (Windows & Linux), it is a portable game, just download and start playing (no install!)

Source: ToThePC