Michelle has been reading a PDF version of A Game of Thrones on her Nokia 5800. I had been reading the same PDF on my iPhone before I got an ePub version and knew was a chore reading. So I searched for an ePub reader for her phone. A quick search got led me to Wijnands’ blog and to the Dorian reader. It requires Qt which is pretty big but it works great!
Nokia N9
I read the GSMArena review of the upcoming Nokia N9 and I was quite impressed. The hardware, as with the Nokia N8, is quite good. The software, MeeGo, seems to be as good, if not at par, with iOS and Android. And with Alien Dalvik, it can actually run Android apps via emulation. Yet, the N9 will be coming out under planned obsolescence: it was confirmed to be the final MeeGo phone as Nokia’s dark union with Microsoft bears fruit to the N9’s lesser twin. Nokia already knew what MeeGo was and what MeeGo will be when they decided to go to bed with Microsoft. MeeGo was even then better than WP7. And yet they pushed on. What’s up with that?
Sena UltraSlim Leather Pouch
I’ve said that putting the gorgeous iPhone 4 inside a case generally fuglifies it. But such is not the case with the Sena UltraSlim Leather Pouch. It is a slip-in pouch made of luxurious textured soft leather. The inside is lined with soft velvety material to protect your phone from scratches. The bottom has unobtrusive holes for the speakers so that you can still hear your phone. Definitely well-thought-out. And the best thing about it is that it fits like a good high-quality leather glove. The fit is so perfect that it add negligible bulk to the phone. It is is a perfect match to the understated elegance of the iPhone.
Rating: 5/5
Nokia <3 Microsoft
“WTF!” was my immediate reaction when I read about Nokia CEO Stephen Elop’s announcement that Nokia is partnering with Microsoft and putting Windows Phone 7 in their phones.
A few days ago, Elop sent out a memo likening Nokia to a burning oil platform. There was anticipation that a big change is coming, perhaps Nokia joining the Android juggernaut or perhaps Nokia joining Elop’s former employer Microsoft.
Unfortunately, it was the latter. Apparently, Elop has decided that they Nokia must first and foremost beat Android. I guess this is a nod that Android will beat the iPhone. Unfortunately, his decision precludes choosing Android. Too bad since, choosing Microsoft is IMHO just dumb.
The iPhone is formidable because it is such a tightly-controlled well-directed “closed but powerful ecosystem”, to quote Elop himself. More importantly, behind that control and directions is a true visionary: Steve Jobs. It also enjoys with a considerable lead time in the market and in the number of developers and apps.
Android is formidable because, being open, a lot of players can (and did) join in: HTC, Motorola, SonyEricsson, Samsung, and LG. Even the KIRF makers in Shenzen are joining in. With the huge marketing effort by these players and the huge availability of phones, comes a lot of developers and apps. Who cares about fragmentation? The PC is fragmented. There is no doubt Android will beat iPhone. It’s the PC vs Apple II all over again.
But WP7? It is the descendant of Windows CE and Windows Mobile both of which were failures. The constant rebranding should be clue enough. Symbian is not any worse than WP7. Heck, Symbian has more apps and developers than WP7!
There could be some synergy in Microsoft and Nokia working together, combining their strengths in marketing and technology development. But such close cooperation might actually alienate HTC and others who also make WP7 phones, nudging them completely to the Android side.
Elop has just failed Nokia’s stockholders.
UPDATE: I guess investors feel the same way because Nokia’s stock took a dive a bit after the announcement.
Speck PixelSkin
Okay so putting the gorgeous iPhone 4 inside a case generally fuglifies it. Nor is it recommended to put it in a case with a covered back due to spontaneous cracking issues. However, there are times when you need a measure of protection. Depending on how rough your destination is you can choose between a bumper to a heavy-duty case like the Otterbox Defender.