OK, wanted to give an update to the FAQ that I wrote before, since enough has changed to warrant it. It'll look similar, since I'm plagiarizing myself, but I'm going to make a bunch of edit's to it. Read on!
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Ok, because there are a lot of questions out there, both from non-symbian users, and those new to the OS, I thought I would try to compile some FAQ’s, at the suggestion of Moderator HF4, to answer some frequently posted questions. If my list is a bit Series 60 oriented, this is simply because this is where my experience lies. I will address Series 80 and 90 a bit, and of course UIQ, but anyone with more experience with these interfaces, please PM me stuff you would like added, of course with recognition going to you for your contributions:
What is Symbian?
The short answer: Symbian is a C++ based Operating system designed for mobile phones with support for Java MIDP 1.0 and 2.0 as well.
The Nitty Gritty: because it is an actual operating system... with file types, all that sort of thing, you can add third party apps, of which there are quite a few... in addition, unlike most other phones, Symbian phones support external memory.
There are different 'flavors' of symbian as well:
Series 60, which includes phones like the 3650, 6600, 6620, 6630, 668x, N-Series, N-gage, Siemens SX1, etc., is a user interface for Symbian designed by Nokia, and is by far the most prevalent version of Symbian out there. It is one handed in use, using soft-key's and the phone's keypad to navigate through the menu systems.
Next is UIQ, another interface, most commonly found in the Sony Ericsson P800/P900/P910, and the motorola A1000/M1000. UIQ is a more PDA oriented UI for symbian, using a touchscreen currently. Future versions of UIQ are being designed to compete with Series 60, and are going to be non-touchscreen, more 'smartphone' style rather than 'pda-phone' style. UIQ 3.0 will see the first support for these soft-key based devices, though no devices have been announced.
Series 80: Series 80 includes the line of Nokia Communicators, and no other devices as of yet. Examples would be the Nokia 9300/9500. They use the Nokia series 40 interface for phone functionality on the external screen, but can be folded open along a hinge, similar to a laptop, to reveal a full qwerty keyboard. While not touchscreen based, they have navigation keys designed to get around in addition to the keyboard.
Series 90: Series 90 is a pen based, PDA style interface from Nokia. Originally found in just one device, the NOkia 7700 that was never publicly released, it is now found in the 7710 as well, which is now available in production models. It is used in landscape mode, and is a much larger device then even the communicator series.
Some informative sites:
www.series60.com -- lots of info regarding the most commonly used Symbian interface.
www.symbian.com -- this is the official site for the Symbian OS, very informative and has a pretty up to date list of symbian phones, their availability, and their specifications.
www.sonyericsson.com -- take a look at the p910 for the idea behind a UIQ device.
www.allaboutsymbian.com -- These two sites are VERY in depth on just about any kind of Symbian phone out there, regardless of interface. Also good sources of software.
Speaking of Software, where can I get it?
As mentioned above, www.my-symbian.com , www.allaboutsymbian.com , www.handango.com , and any number of personal sites on the web. While there are lots of programs you have to pay for, there are a few gems out there that are free, and a must have for Symbian phones.
What are some must haves?
Really, the best thing you can do for software is to decide what you want to do with your phone, and then find something that will do it. The applications are so widely varied that it must be a personal choice. That being said, there are is one basic thing I will recommend for every Symbian phone: a file manager. This allows you to manipulate files in your phone's file system similar to how Windows Explorer works on your Windows PC.
For Series 60 this would be FExplorer
For UIQ this would be SMan
I'm really not sure what file explorer's to recommend for Series 80 and 90, but i'm sure that they exist.
What are some Symbian phones?
Ok, this list grows all the time, and is by no means complete, but probably these are the most common ones you will see in use around the forums:
Series 60:
Nokia 3650
Nokia 3620
Nokia 3660
Nokia N-Gage
Nokia N-Gage QD
Nokia 6260
Nokia 6600
Nokia 6620
Nokia 7610
Nokia 6630
Nokia 3230
Nokia 6670
Nokia 6680/81/82
Nokia N70
Nokia N90
Nokia N91
Panasonic x700
Panasonic x800
Siemens SX1
Sendo X
UIQ:
SE P800
SE P900
SE P910
Motorola A1000
Motorola M1000
Benq P30
Series 80:
Nokia 9210
Nokia 9300
Nokia 9500
Series 90:
Nokia 7700 (VERY limited availablity)
Nokia 7710
There are MANY others, but as I said these are the most common. The prices can range between 100 – 150 USD for the QD and the 3650, to up to the 550 range for the p910. Also, there are many models of FOMA Symbian phones for the Japanese market, but as I have no experience with them, since they won't work outside of Japan, I'm going to pass over those.
Removable Media?
All Symbian phones to date use removeable memory. The one exception upcoming is the N91 from Nokia, which has 4GB of flash memory built in. What does your phone use? (if it's not listed, check www.symbian.com)
MMC - used by Nokia 36x0, N-Gage, N-Gage QD, 6600, 6620; Siemens SX1
RS-MMC (Reduced Size MMC) - used by Nokia 7610, 6670
DV RS-MMC (Dual Voltage RS-MMC) - used by Nokia 6630, 668x, N-Series *NOTE* these phones are not compatible with the RS-MMC, but MUST USE the DV version.
SD - used by Motorola A1000, M1000; Sendo X
miniSD - used by Panasonic x700, x800
Memory Stick Pro - used by Sony Ericsson p800, p900, p910
*NOTE* the p910 uses Pro Duo, but is backwards compatible with the Pro. P800, p900 are limited to 128mb of external memory because of the limits of the Memory Stick Pro card, while the Pro Duo has a theoretical maximum of 32GB, with up to 2GB available at the time of writing this.
**Note** Not all memory brands are compatible. What I mean is that just because something says MMC on it doesn't mean it will work in every phone. As a rule of thumb, ATP Memory cards work in every phone, as they are a big forum presence and HEAVILY test all of their cards for phone compatibility. It is usually the no-name, no-brand cards that don't work well. Ask around the forums for recomendations for your specific phone.
References:
All information was compiled from the forums, and from the following websites:
I hope that this has been helpful… these aren’t just phones, they are the ultimate cross between a PDA and a phone… and if you change your paradigm to think of them as computers in your pocket, complete with removable media and OS, then you will see the potential they possess.
Thanks,
-Matt Crandall a.k.a. ollywompus
Last edited by ollywompus; 08-10-2005 at 12:00 PM.
maybe i should FINALLY upload my Gage FAQ2...i finished writing it a long time ago but never posted it since...well ppl dont go to the gagae forum no more
maybe i should FINALLY upload my Gage FAQ2...i finished writing it a long time ago but never posted it since...well ppl dont go to the gagae forum no more
put it into this section Angel... it's still relevant to Series 60... might as well get it in here!
maybe i should FINALLY upload my Gage FAQ2...i finished writing it a long time ago but never posted it since...well ppl dont go to the gagae forum no more
I still stop by even though I don't use my N-Gage too much at the moment. There is no phone on the market at the moment which has the gaming advantage like the N-Gage. Some might argue that the Gizmondo is better but I still prefer having Symbian OS.
Born/Raised: Redwood City, CA, USA
Live in: Cologne, Germany (May 2004)
German (Fluent) and English (Fluent)
Originally Posted by angel_wing0
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