With news that Google's Android-push will take just a bit longer than we would prefer, it's fitting that Nokia has just announced that it will be working to bring together the fragmented Symbian environment under a single, open-source umbrella. Nokia has been working closely with Symbian for years with S60 development, and it seems that the [...]

The Samsung SGH-L870 was unveiled, and then announced, as Samsung's first smartphone in their Soul lineup. The super-thin slider is powered by S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 running on top of Symbian v9.3. And, at just 13.5mm thick, the Samsung L870 once again proves that Samsung knows how to pack some serious power in [...]

Just as expected, Sling Media has released updates to its SlingPlayer Mobile for all Windows Mobile (that includes both touchscreen and non-touchscreen; Professional and Standard) version as well as S60. Following on the announcement that SlingPlayer Mobile will be coming to UIQ, SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile gets upped to version 1.6, while S60 users [...]

Maps are great if you know exactly where you’re currently located, but what good are they when you’re completely lost? Navizon is a great solution to help locate your approximate position based on cell-tower signal triangulation (we’ve been using on our iPhones with great results for some time now), and now Google is treading all over their turf. With Google’s announcement of their new “My Location” service on compatible phones with Google Maps for Mobile marks the launch of a public test of the new faux-GPS position location feature. Google says they’ve compiled a database of cell-tower locations through previous Google Maps users, and has employed some “algorithms” (we call them “triangulation equations”) to quickly give Google Maps for Mobile users a fairly accurate lock of their current position. By simply pressing ‘0′ on your keypad, the service can pinpoint locations to within several meters in optimal condition - presumably with at least three cell-towers in range. The “My Location” service is available for free to anyone with Google Maps for Mobile and a compatible cellphone - its in open beta testing, but is available to most BlackBerry, S60, and Windows Mobile users. Users with integrated GPS receivers can use the new “My Location” service for Google Maps Mobile to complement their satellite position-fix when buildings or mountains obscure the line-of-sight required for a GPS signal-lock. Head on over to Google’s download page to find out if your phone is compatible with the upgrade. [Via: Reuters ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Google Maps mobile goes UK; Adds GPS supportTI announces new GPS chipGoogle Maps now native on Windows MobileGoogle Phone = MVNO using O2's network in the UK + Nokia + Google's secret sauceGPS location data on your iPhone - kinda, sorta

So we all know that Nokia is working on an S60 Touch lineup. Touchscreens are the future and all the rage, so it makes sense that Apple’s starting to feel the pressure to keep ahead of the curve. Now, an analyst for London-based Nomura, Richard Windsor, is predicting that Apple may be unleash their legal hounds on Nokia over the 200+ iPhone-related patent filings. Windsor said, “I think Apple will likely view Nokia as infringing on its user interface patents,” and may choose to affect “delays or holdups” in Nokia’s push to release their touch-based interface. Right, it’s one thing to sue a competitor to actually get a valid injunction or court-order levied against them. But, it’s a completely different story if Apple decides to pursue legal options in order to simply delay and cause grief for Nokia. Windsor predicts that any court-case would end in a settlement by 2009. Neither company would want another Qualcomm-style legal battle on their hands - especially Nokia. We’re fairly confident that, should Apple decide to take Nokia to court, the end-game would be simply to make life harder on Nokia. The Finns have been making touchscreen devices for quite some time now, and Apple’s patent filings within the past several months will most likely not be sufficient grounds for any court-ordered injunction. Of course, there’s always the possibility that Apple could argue that Nokia is infringing on their iPhone’s user interface - but we know how well Apple was able to defend their Mac OS X user interface. [Via: MacDailyNews ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Patents behind the iPhoneNokia pays to get access and use Wi-LAN's patentsNokia lawsuit against InterDigital set to start trial todayNokia gets sued by Interdigital, again, over 3G patent violationsZune phone patents

Touchscreens. We’ve been touting them as the future of mobile tech , and Nokia is backing it full-on. The Finns have basically perfected the pressure-sensitive side of touchscreen technology in their “Haptikos” (which means “to touch”) touchscreen. Nokia’s haptic feedback touchscreen doesn’t just give you pseudo-feedback vibrations and clicks (Samsung F700, we’re looking at you ), the Haptikos system actually provides a physical “clunk” and audible “click” directly under the depressed key. Combined with 0.1mm of screen-travel, the Haptikos system delivers a real-keyboard touchscreen experience. Roope Takala, Senior Program Manager at Nokia’s research labs explains the tech: “We inserted two small piezo sensor pads under the screen and engineered in a 0.1mm movement in the screen itself. What’s taken the time has been fine tuning the movement and response to mimic exactly the sensation of pressing a real key.” We’re looking for the upcoming S60 Touch handset to rock this new Haptikos system, and we can’t wait to get our hands (and fingers) on it - literally. Haptikos a definite step in the right direction. But, don’t be fooled into thinking that Haptikos, or any haptic feedback system that doesn’t provide static tactile feedback , will help with no-look touch-typing. While Haptikos is about as advanced as haptic touchscreens get (so far) and gives you definite feedback of a key-press, touch-typing requires an actual “feel” for the keys. Regardless, Nokia’s Haptikos is going to be the cat’s meow when it hits the market. [Via: Red Ferret ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Chinese phone with WQVGA screen AND haptic feedbackThe first Chinese phone with haptic touchscreen feedbackApple patent filed for tactile touchscreen - raised, indented keysSamsung F700 Croix is pretty slick, slightly disappointingNokia files for patent application for "no-look" touchscreen controls