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Jay did a sketch, MS Jen did it too. Judging by this Flickr group, it seems that many of you tried to sketch using the N900, with some impressive results to show. I simply had to try it, but could this beat  my trusty pencil and paper? My experience so far has proven that it’s pretty difficult to even come close when it comes to accuracy.

All I can say now, is that I’m hooked. The combination of the N900 and the Sketch app proved to have impressive pixel sharp accuracy. Even better is the ability to get every possible shade and tint, allowing me to mix and match the colors to create depth, shading, etc. Since I always have my N900 with me, it can now double as a handy way to create quick sketches or even take photographs as inspiration for future art projects. I could also upload them to various Flickr or Facebook groups to share my ideas and inspiration with others. Above you can see my first attempt with the Sketch app.

The app lacks any fancy picture editing feature, but Nokia could develop this into a fully featured and make it one of the star apps for the Maemo OS. Even if they don’t, the Sketch is a very powerful little tool that I will be using in the next couple of weeks to see what it’s really capable of!

Do you…Sketch?

If so, join the Sketches from the N900 Flickr group and share you creations.

Update: Eventhough the N900 can handle a lot, I would highly recommend using a screen protector, to avoid screen getting scratched. Sketching sometimes takes some heavy use of the stylus which could result in in fine scratches. Sketch safe and use a screen protector

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Recently we told you that Joikuspot for the N900 was on its way, but now we have an even better news: it should be here within three weeks, according to Lasse Maki, CTO and Founder of Joikusoft.

Another interesting details, especially if your thinking of transfering your Symbian license to your N900, is that it won’t be possible, well at least not initially. Apparently this has to do with the fact that the Maemo OS has totally new environment and their existing DRM solution will not be supported from the start. This means that you’ll probably have to shell out another 7 Euros for that Premium license.

Along with the extra details, they also released several new screen shots, showing more of the simple but pretty UI, should look right at home on the N900.

Are you getting Joikuspot Premium for your N900?

Via: The Nokia Blog

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Nokia has announced that a new version of Ovi Maps for its smartphones that includes walk and drive navigation is now completely Free! Supported devices include the Nokia N97 mini, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition, Nokia E52, Nokia E55, Nokia E72, Nokia 5230, Nokia 6710 Navigator, Nokia 6730 classic and Nokia X6.

Strangely missing is the N97. But we’ve been assured that “that compatibility for the N97 will be coming very soon!” The part that has not been confirmed, but what’s likely causing the delay is that a new firmware for the N97 is coming next week and that Nokia is waiting for the firmware to release the Maps update. So when they soon, this probably means next week!

What about the N900? Apparently the N900 could get it eventually, but that’s not a priority right now. According to Engadget in call with Michael Halbherr, Nokia’s VP of Social Location, they were told that: “N900 owners shouldn’t hold their breath, though, as Nokia is focusing on bringing its free navigation service to the next generation of Maemo devices. That’s not to say that the N900 won’t get it eventually, only that it’s not currently on the roadmap.”

The N900 just recently became available, yet they are focusing on “next generation of Maemo devices.” But why does a device such as the E72 get the support? This is simply unacceptable from our stand point. (Update: The N900 will get this update, but not soon)

There’s no denying that that this announcement is simply awesome, making the entire suite of OVI services a strong argument in favor of Nokia devices, but I also have to wonder how much of this was influenced by the fact that Google made walk and drive navigation free on it’s Android devices. This is also begs the question how this will affect the sales of dedicated GPS devices, mannufacturers like TomTom and other navigation apps on the market. It’s very convenient though to be able to just simply pick up your device and use it as a GPS unit, without ever worrying about fees or buying individual city maps.

The latest version of OVI Maps can be found here.

What do you think of today’s announcements?

Notice the little countdown on the right? Apparently it’s a countdown for some big Nokia related event this Thursday. We’re not sure what it is, but judging by the invitations going around, there’s a big chance this could be OVI related. Perhaps the rumored OVI store 2.0, including a new OVI store app? How about the announcement of a new device, like the rumored N87? Or that the Nokia will be opening a new manufacturing plant orbiting around the earth? Ok, the chances of that last one are slim, but it could be anything.

In Nokia’s terms, a countdown means something. We’ll see what it is on Thursday.

What do you think it could be?

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Helping to feed people’s unstoppable appetite for  Weather and let’s not forget the productivity apps, there’s the excellent Documents To Go for Maemo and now KOffice. There’s now an Alpha version available through the Extras-developer repositories.

As the a result, the usual word of caution applies here. This version supports text files, spreadsheets and presentations in OpenDocument format (ODF) and Microsoft Office formats. The viewer requires the latest update (PR1.1) to the N900 software.

If you don’t have the Extras-developer repositories, you should create a new catalog in the App. manager:

After you’ve updated,  a new 9 megabyte app should appear with the “’freoffice” name. Even considering it’s as an Extras-developer app, it seems to be a less refined solution, when compared to Documents To Go for Maemo. On the other hand, there’s no denying that it cost the incredible price of $0.

The question now is, which of these solutions will get document editing first. I’m betting on Documents To Go for Maemo, especially with the Mobile World Congress, just around the corner?

This seems a like a battle between Microsoft Office and Openoffice, but on the mobile front. Which do you prefer? Documents To Go for Maemo or KOffice?

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Joikusoft has posted information regarding the upcoming JoikuSpot for the Maemo OS. It seems that the solution for the N900 will be published soon, sporting a new UI showing  the actual throughput speed. They also said that we could expect “much more.” We aren’t sure what the extras will be or whether they will offer a Premium and Light version, but what we do know is that interface looks beautiful with its analog meters. With Maemo’s flexibility and power, we’ve known for a while now that it would offer some pretty slick UI options and Joikuspot seems to be a prime example of what’s possible.

We’ve all been there: dropping your brand new Nokia smartphone, spilling a cup of coffee on it, serving as your pet’s latest electronic toy or even bricking your device during a software update. As result the data stored on your Smartphone is thought to be lost forever.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with our friends at RecoverMySmartphone to bring you our “Save My Data” contest. The guys at RecoverMySmartphone are experts at recovering data from broken or bricked smartphones. They can have the data recovered or even copied to another device.

Up for grabs is their recovery service of a bricked or damaged Smartphone, each valued at a cool $249.97 (3 of them to be exact.)

How to enter? Simply leave a comment telling us and RecoverMySmartphone your smartphone horror stories. Dropped your smartphone it in the toilet, forgot it just after buying it? Exploding battery? Anything from damage to your device, getting lost or stolen, just share your stories with us! The top 3 stories will be able to take advantage of their recovery service if and when disaster strikes.

The contest ends at Midnight  on the 28th of January and the winners will be announced on the 29th. Good luck!

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Currently there isn’t  an easy way to do a hard reset on the  N900. Nokia should include this in a future firmware as there is an urgent need for this feature: for performance reasons, a “clean start” and when selling your devices.

A Care Specialist for Nokia has shown how to do a hard reset for the N900, this is the only way to do this until we get an easier method. Haven’t tried this myself, but according to him it should work.

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A minor firmware version 1.2009.44-1 has been released for the N900, that should set thing up and make way for the upcoming major update build 51 (PR-1.1).

The software is will be available as an over-the-air update (18.5Mb) or via the Nokia Software Update on the PC (160Mb+). N900 users connected to the Internet should receive a notification in the device’s Status Area that a software update of Maemo 5 is available. Alternatively you can go straight to the App. manager and go to “Update”, there you should see an update called ‘Maemo 5.”

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The Nokia N900’s BL-5J 1320 mAh battery might not be enough for some, for this reason Mugen Power is creating a 2300-2400mAh extended battery. Good news is that the battery should be available some time in February. The bad news? The battery is reportedly going to be a bit larger than the original one, requiring a custom cover, which will be included in the package.

These custom batteries  most often don’t do justice to the original design, but considering that this battery is a lot smaller than the N97’s 3600mAh version, there’s a good chance that it the N900’s version won’t be that big in size.

Is the BL-5J enough for the N900 or are you looking for a larger battery?