"It’s been making its way around the various territories in the last few days, and now we’re happy to say that we have the updated firmware running on the Nokia X6 here at AAS (link to our review). The update to v12.0.091 can be installed (once available) either Over the Air or via the Nokia Software Updater on your PC. Even though your data should be preserved during the update, we would always recommend backing up any phone before an update is started. The X6 is a phone that we've heavily reviewed since its release, and while it had a lot of promise, not least as the first Nokia touch-screen device with a capacitive screen, it had a number of bugs, especially in the Music Player application. I’m now off to listen to as much Eurovision and Iron Maiden as I can to see if I can still break it. One thing to note, at the end of the update, I was offered a chance to take a short web-based survey on my experiences. First time I’ve seen this. I wonder if they’ll take note of me asking for a change-log to be supplied?" More here:

"It looks like HTC is launching its HTC Touch HD2 similarly in Android world, comes with Android 2.1, Sense UI and 1GHz Snapdragon cpu. The leaked photos on pocketnow are also revealing a dual LED flash camera module at its back. According to pocketnow, the display screen could be AMOLED for better battery performance and has a size of around 3.5 – 3.7-inch. The HTC Incredible name is heard since end of last year, it is said to be developed for Verizon Wireless in US, which will be a CDMA phone." via slashphone.com

"Before January 27, much talk in the tech world centered on eReaders, with offerings by Amazon, Sony, Barnes & Noble and others emerging from niche-gadget status to an exclusive product category. After January 27, it's clear that Apple is hoping the iPad does to eReaders that the iPod did for digital music players almost ten years ago, based on comments by Steve Jobs at the iPad unveiling. "Now Amazon's done a great job of pioneering this [eReading] functionality with their Kindle," Jobs claimed. "And we're going to stand on their shoulders and go a bit further."So would bookworms in the market for an eReader be wise to hold out for Jobs describes as a "magical and revolutionary device"? Do the potential offerings above Amazon's shoulders actually surpass what is already available?" Read more here:

"SIRIUS XM Radio today announced the availability of a free application for BlackBerry smartphones, giving consumers access to over 120 channels of sports, talk, entertainment, news, comedy and commercial-free music on compatible models of the popular BlackBerry devices — the BlackBerry Storm, Bold, Tour and Curve. The free SIRIUS XM App for BlackBerry gives mobile consumers the freedom to listen to SIRIUS XM’s Premium Online content on the go on their BlackBerry smartphones over cellular and WiFi networks. SIRIUS and XM Premium Online subscribers can listen to commercial-free music featuring exclusive programming from SIRIUS XM’s satellite radio service, such as Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour and Tom Petty’s Buried Treasure. Also available to Premium Online subscribers are exclusive showcase channels that feature multiple plays of exclusive programming from SIRIUS XM’s satellite radio service, including such acclaimed shows as Rosie Radio, The Jamie Foxx Show, specials from Blue Collar Comedy and Raw Dog Comedy, selections from the Artist Confidential series, and selections from exclusive live SIRIUS XM music performances, including pop, rock, hip-hop, country, jazz, and more, available for the first time on compatible BlackBerry models. SIRIUS XM App for BlackBerry is available as a free download by visiting www.siriusxm.com/blackberry on your computer or BlackBerry browser. After downloading the free App, users of compatible BlackBerry devices can register for a 7-day free trial to SIRIUS XM Premium Online on their smartphone. At launch, the free App will be available on the following BlackBerry models: Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Bold 9000, Bold 9700, Tour 9630, Curve 8900, Curve 8520, Curve 8530" via slashphone.com

"Version 200.12.87 is available for the Nokia 5730 XpressMusic. V.200.12.87 is available over the air and through the Nokia Software Updater. In case this update isn’t available for your product code please wait as it will be come available sooner or later.
Changes noticed from V101.48.128 to V200.12.87

• web browser is faster, new toolbar and more improvement
• photo gallery is faster
• Ngage application is not installed " via symbianworld.org
  

"Nokia said price changes were part of its normal, ongoing business. The world's top cellphone maker usually cuts prices across its portfolio a few times each year.Several industry sources told Reuters Nokia had cut prices by up to 10 percent.After the price cut Nokia's cheapest smartphone model, the 5230, retails for around 170 euros ($239) in Finland. The model's wholesale price is now below 120 euros.Demand for cheaper smartphones has helped the segment grow despite the recession, defying the broader, weaker industry trend. Sales jumped 30 percent in the October-December quarter according to research firm Strategy Analytics.Nokia said last week that revenue from smartphones jumped 26 percent in the quarter from the previous quarter to 3.9 billion euros, helping power its overall result. The average wholesale price of its smartphones dipped to 186 euros from 190 euros in the third quarter.The falling prices have hurt handset vendors like Sony Ericsson, who have focused on mid-range or feature phones, which often boast good cameras or music players but lack computer-like open operating systems.These have been cheaper than smartphones, but the price difference is declining fast."This latest round of price adjustments sees Nokia taking its low-cost Symbian devices into new territory," said Ben Wood, research director at CCS Insight, a British firm that tracks the wholesale prices of mobile phones in Europe.Nokia's price cuts come as the industry returns to growth following a grim 2009 marked by recession-hit consumer demand. Nokia says it expects the cellphone market to grow 10 percent this year." via reuters.com

"Android is an operating system that failed to bring about the eagerly anticipated revolution in the cell phone world, but has managed to become overwhelmingly popular. At this time, probably the only cell phone manufacturers that are not heavily preoccupied working on Android-based devices are Apple, Nokia and Palm. Many studies prove the platform is getting more widespread and influential by the day and most of them also indicate that Android will rank second to Symbian in just a few years. Android and LG. These are words that we don’t typically use in one and the same sentence. So far, the Korean manufacturer has introduced two Android-based handsets to be sold globally – the LG GW620 (also known as the Eve) and the GT540. What the company seems to be trying to accomplish with them is get a proper feel of the market and showcase its personalized S-CLASS interface on a brand new platform. Neither of these two comes with powerful hardware or contemporary software. LG GW620 hit the shelves equipped with somewhat obsolete software, because is runs Android version 1.5, while the current OS edition as the time of this review is 2.1." Read more here:

"A new firmware update, version 31.012, is now available for the Nokia E52. The update is currently only available via Nokia Software Updater (PC). We've not noticed any major changes, but a number of bug fixes and small version updates to built in applications (Web, Email, Music Store, Maps) are included. The phone's noise cancellation parameters have also been updated, which should improve audio quality of calls. Please let us know about your experiences in the comment thread." via allaboutsymbian.com

"Nokia has today announced that since the 21 January 2010 launch of the new version of Ovi Maps with free walk and drive navigation, there have been over 1.4 million downloads. The one million mark was reached just one week after the launch. “We’re averaging a download a second, 24 hours a day,” said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia. “When we announced free walk & drive navigation we knew it would be a game-changer. The number of people now using their Nokia for navigation, and as a result looking for more location-aware software, is growing faster than even we predicted.” As of 31 January 2010 the top five countries downloading the new version of Ovi Maps were: China, Italy, UK, Germany and Spain. The top five most popular Nokia devices installing the download were: Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia N97, Nokia 5230 and Nokia E72. From next month, all new Nokia GPS-enabled smartphones will include the new version of Ovi Maps, pre-loaded with local country map data, with high-end walk and drive navigation and access to Lonely Planet and Michelin travel guides at no extra cost. Ovi Maps covers more than 180 countries with car and pedestrian navigation for 74 countries, in 46 languages, and traffic information for more than 10 countries. There are more than 6000 3D landmarks for 200 cities around the world. Lonely Planet and Michelin guides have information on more than 1,000 destinations globally." via slashphone.com

"Ovi Maps Racing is now available in the Ovi Store and, for a limited time, it is available for free. The game, which is available for Nokia's S60 5th Edition (Symbian^1) phones, is a top down style racer. The aim is to set the fastest possible lap times. There's a number of built in tracks with global leader boards, but the standout feature of the game is the ability to create your own tracks based on your current location. Using Ovi Maps (Navteq) mapping data you can create, and then race on, a track based on the map of your home town.Ovi Maps Racing has been developed by RedLynx, a well known mobile games developer (responsible for N-Gage's Pathway to Glory). We'll have a full review of Ovi Maps Racing on the site shortly. "We had a chance to create a completely new type of mobile game with Nokia, which utilizes real life maps" says Tero Virtala, CEO of RedLynx. "As with previous titles developed for Nokia, Ovi Maps Racing has really allowed us to augment our knowledge pool."
From Ovi Store:

Access your location, create a track and put the pedal to the metal. Ovi Maps Racing gives racing game enthusiasts a totally unique gaming experience combining map navigation and racing. Why not race on your home street? In addition to creating your own tracks in European cities, you can also choose from pre-defined tracks and check global rankings. Ladies and gentlemen, download and start your engines!

You can download Ovi Racing from the Ovi Store, follow this link, or search for 'ovi racing'." via allaboutsymbian.com

"There’s nothing like a minor point-update to the iPhone OS to play with our emotions, and Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) really knows how to play that game. The iPhone maker has rolled out iPhone OS 3.1.3 as what we’re hoping is the last minor update before we see iPhone OS 3.2, or even iPhone OS 4.0, rolling out of Cupertino. This new iPhone update is reportedly more accurate when it comes to battery level reporting, fixes issues with the Japanese keyboard, and helps certain third-party apps launch in some situations.It’s not version 3.2, but there’s a little stopgap out now for iPhone and iPod touch owners in the form of OS 3.1.3. According to the changelog, we can expect better battery level reporting and fixes for problems with the Japanese Kana keyboard and some mysterious issues where third-party apps would fail to launch. Sounds good to us! It’s not exactly what we wanted, but Apple knows it’ll keep us satisfied for now. Apple released a software update for the iPhone and iPod touch—not 3.2, but the OS 3.1.3 update which supposedly patches up a couple of security flaws. Apple has upgraded the iPhone and iPod Touch software to version 3.1.3 which includes the following changes:

• Improved accuracy of reported battery level on the iPhone 3GS
• Resolves issue where third-party apps would not launch in some cases
• Fixes a bug which may cause an app to crash when using the Japanese Kana keyboard.

The software update is compatible with all versions of the iPhone and iPod Touch and is available now through iTunes" via dailyworldbuzz.com

"Microsoft has officially announced a new version of  Windows Mobile that adds support for capacitive touchscreens and multi-touch, as well as a number of other tweaks. It is not the more significant revamp of this OS expected to be unveiled later this month.Windows Mobile 6.5.3Capacitive touchscreens -- which are operating with a fingertip instead of a stylus -- have become nearly standard on smartphones. Microsoft created its OS to be used with resistive touchscreens and a stylus, but Windows Mobile 6.5.3 changes that.This new version has an updated user interface with larger buttons and controls that make it easier to use with a fingertip. In addition, it includes a new magnifier, which lets users enlarge the small buttons on third-party apps that haven't been redesigned for capacitive displays.Microsoft says that multi-touch support has also been added, but doesn't say what gestures have been included.
Enhanced Start Menu, Faster Browser, Etc.
Windows Mobile 6.5.3 also brings improvements to Internet Explorer Mobile. Microsoft is promising quicker page loads, and that this browser offers better performance when zooming and rotating pages, as well as when scrolling pages. In addition, the Start menu now allows users to re-arrange the icons with drag-and-drop (shown here). Previously this menu -- the main application launcher for this OS -- had very limited tools for re-arranging icons.Microsoft has also simplified the set-up process for phones running this new version.
Coming Next Quarter?
The first smartphone running Windows Mobile 6.5.3 has been announced, the Sony Ericsson Aspen. This model is expected to reach the market in the second quarter of this year. It's not yet known when updates to this new version will be released for current models. The timing for this will be up to the manufacturer of each device." via brighthand.com

"A day after posting about a gameboy emulator, today brings word of a new Nintendo NES emulator for webOS. Kalemsoft, has ported over its NesEm emulator, first developed for Palm OS.
NesEm is said to currently run over 300 original NES games. It supports four channel sound, game saving, automatic speed adjustment, key config control and anti-aliased image smoothing.
NesEm is currently available in demo form via PreWare or the developers site. It is closed source and costs $9.99 for a license. The demo is restricted to rooms under 40k and has a time limit." Check it here:  via palminfocenter.com

"Not to be left out, the Nokia N97 mini also got a firmware update today, with very similar content to its bigger brother. Version 11.0.045 is only (so far) available via NSU as a 160MB download. Comments welcome if you can add to the changelog/overview below. (Hat-tip to CJ for persevering with that update button long after I'd given up). Note that there's full User Data Preservation (though a backup is still recommended for your data) and, because the N97 mini isn't 'challenged' for space on disk C:, you won't need to jump through hoops to hard reset first and rebuild, just to conserve free space....
What's new for v11.0.045
The software contains many fixes and improvements over v10 firmware including:

•  More free RAM after booting (around 6MB more)
  
•  Improved call reliability
  
•  Browser improvements
  
•  Music player improvements
  
•  Improved image and video stability 

Notes 

• After removing the Facebook and AccuWeather homescreen widgets, the N97 mini now boots up with around 55MB of RAM free
  
• Curiously, Ovi Maps 3.3 (free) isn't in the firmware, though of course, it's an easy add-on from 'Software update' on the device, from maps.nokia.com or from the Ovi Store." via allaboutsymbian.com
  

Today sees the announcement of Sony Ericsson Aspen™, the business mobile phone with green credentials at its core. The newest edition to the successful Sony Ericsson GreenHeart™ portfolio, Sony Ericsson Aspen™, allows easy multi-tasking combining the touch experience and a real QWERTY keyboard. Organise and adapt panels to change during the day and use Slide View for quick access to common features. With Sony Ericsson Aspen™, view and edit office files easily and comfortably with one touch operation, or just access the internet in one click. The QWERTY keyboard is made for fast and easy typing. Simple email set up allows for a maximized messaging experience on the go. Secure the phone’s contents through the Microsoft MyPhone service, which remotely erases phone data when the handset is lost or stolen. “Sony Ericsson Aspen™ is the business phone with a conscience, perfect for any consumer or company who want to make a green choice in their daily work life.” Said Quentin Cordier, Global Marketing Manager, Sony Ericsson. “An affordable GreenHeart™ phone with the latest version of Windows Phone, the Sony Ericsson Aspen™ has a rich user interface and powerful productivity tools. But it’s not all about work, stay in touch with the fun parts of life with Media Browser and PlayNow ™, with simple access to social networks and quick and easy access to media files. Find the fun with a-GPS, Google Maps™ and snap pictures with the 3.2megapixel camera.” Read more inside..

"Talk about procrastination. My final Nokia review for the Smartphone Round Robin should have been up last Friday, but here it is a week late. Everytime I sat down to start writing it, I always managed to find a distraction compelling enough to pull me away. This one is definitely tough for me to write. For every other platform I've looked at over the past 6+ weeks that the Round Robin has been on, it has never been difficult for me to find something to say; in fact, I have had the problem of always having too much to say (apologies for some of those lonnnng articles). But writing is easy when you have strong opinions and I definitely had my viewpoints on the Droid, iPhone, Palm's WebOS and even Windows Phones - both for specific devices looked at and the platforms and where they fit into the Smartphone Hierarchy of Needs and the greater smartphone market." Read more here:

"Well, it missed the original rumoured deadline (last Thursday), but it's here now - v21.0.045 firmware for the Nokia N97 (classic), available via NSU as a 143MB download, featuring 'better call reliability and smoother touchscreen scrolling'. Comments welcome if you can add to the changelog/overview below. In view of the limited free space on disk C:, see below for my installation recommendations. (The previous firmware version was v20, the first to bring in Symbian^2-like full kinetic scrolling in all screens.)
The software contains many fixes and improvements on the earlier releases including:

•  More free RAM after booting 
•  Improved call reliability
  
•  Smooth touchscreen scrolling
  
•  Browser improvements (among other changes, the toolbar stays out of the way more)
  
•  Music player improvements
  
•  Cleaner default (black) theme
  
•  Improved image and video stability 

• After a hard reset, there's now 53MB free on disk C:
  
• After removing the Facebook and AccuWeather homescreen widgets, the N97 now boots up with around 59MB of RAM free
  
• Disappointingly, Ovi Maps 3.3 (free) isn't in the firmware, though of course, it's an easy add-on from 'Software update' on the device, from maps.nokia.com or from the Ovi Store." via allaboutsymbian.com