Google Maps on S60 3rd Edition

Yes. S60 3rd Edition users will no longer have to use a Java client for Google Maps. A native Symbian client is available (go for it by pointing your Webkit or WAP mobile browser at http://www.google.com/gmm) and you'll be able to experience Google Maps thanks to a faster and less memory consuming software.

Yoigo should worry about support for certain applications and services

You already know that I am very happy with my mobile phone service provider, Yoigo. But as one starts trying to use his phone for more and more things, you realize that they still have a lot of work yet to do about the "small things". Sometimes, small things make the difference.

For example, Nokia PC Suite does not support Yoigo configuration to use your phone as a 3G modem when you need connection and no Ethernet or Wifi connectivity is available. You have to guess the configuration and set it yourself until you make it work. I think that the friends at Yoigo, knowing that Movistar, Orange and Vodafone are supported, should call Nokia quickly and ask them to support them (giving them the proper configuration settings).

It is not only a matter of better support to their clients, it is also a matter of good image for the company.

Another example: SMS messages relative to a Google Calendar event. Yoigo is not listed among supported companies. Yoigo should talk to Google and kindly ask them to be included (and prepare everything to support this service).

I could go on with the list, but it would take long to write. These two examples should clarify how Yoigo should make it to increase its commitment to allow their clients to access advanced data services at a low cost. Paying little is good, but being able to use these great services thanks to the agreement between your service provider and your web service/application provider is much much better.

Trutap (II)

OK. It works :-)

I read about trutap over a week ago. Some days ago, when I found the time to try it, I registered and tried to instal it. It seemed to be easy: right after receiving your download code (it takes some days), just access http://m.trutap.com via N80's Service (WAP 2.0) browser -not the S60 (HTML/XHTML) Safari based browser- and enter the code; their web detects your phone and serves the right JAD file for your phone (yeah, it is JavaME, so it might work in a wide range of devices and if yours is not supported now, I am sure it will soon be).

I had a problem because the JAR file seemed to be corrupted, but a quick interaction with the support team via email was enough for them to fix the problem and for me to be enjoying it right now.

I have set my ICQ, MSN and Yahoo accounts (AIM is available too), and I can blog here. Unluckily, the text field is pretty limited (I tried to write this text but I quitted trying as I lost it because I forgot to add @gmail.com to my login username in the settings).

You can set your trutap profile too (besides mentioned IM networks, trutap includes its own, as some other clients like Trillian Astra do) and some preferences about alerts, privacy, data usage (interesting if you do not have a flat rate connection like Yoigo's).

It is very promising that the "stuff" tab in "My contacts" button in "Home" screen says that it will soon support MySpace, Facebook and some more social network accounts.

Give it a try because, although it is their first beta, it has already become the best communication tool in a mobile platform for me and it has replaced Yahoo Go among the 5 icons in my N80's idle screen.

Trutap

First attempt to blog here via trutap.

New version for Fring

Fring has a new version available. I have already talked about it, so I will only mention the new features included in this version. I am really happy that ICQ is included, but the coolest thing I found is support for network roaming so it can commute between WiFi Access Points or even jump to GPRS/3G when no WiFi is available (see the screenshot below).



You can manage several other aspects of network connection as you can see below.



Symbian users have the new version available and Windows Mobile fans will be able to enjoy it soon. I really recommend this application (more if you have a WiFi-enabled phone and/or a flat-rate data service).

TeaShark

I have finally found the time to write a little bit about TeaShark. It is a web browser for mobile phones implemented in JavaME. It tries to allow the user to enjoy desktop webs in your mobile phone and it seems to do it by transcoding. Doesn't it sound familiar? Yes, it looks like Opera Mini has a new competitor.

Its makers say it is based on WebKit "as the back-end HTML transcoding engine".

I have tried it and it is working pretty well to be an alpha. It offers options and preferences similar to Opera Mini beta 4 (landscape mode, fit to screen vs minimap browsing, high/low quality when displaying images). Give it a try, as current (alpha) version is free.

Oh, by the way, I could not find any information about the company or people developing TeaShark, which seems to be pretty weird.

What a weekend!

After a week at MWeb'07, and a Friday afternoon and Saturday morning correcting exams at the University of Oviedo, one expects to have a one-day-and-a-half peaceful weekend.

But no. I had to watch Xerez-Sporting (0-2... hourrah!), the Grand Prix of Belgium at Spa Francorchamps (where F. Alonso stole another point of difference to Lewis Hamilton and is only 2 points behind) and the final of the EuroBasket (Spain lost the match against Russia in the last seconds).

I hope I can sleep properly, as tomorrow I have to head for a MyMobileWeb meeting in Boecillo (Valladolid). Too much adrenaline for a proper sleep :-)

1st Spanish Mobile Web Congress

This Wednesday and Thursday, 12th and 13th of September, I am attending MWeb'07. As part of the organization commitee, I hope it helps to increase the momentum of the mobile web (ubiquitous web, in general) in Spain. You can see the program here.