Free Skype to Skype calls – now on your Nokia handset

Nokia & Skype have announced that Skype’s VOIP software is now available for the Symbian operating system.

“What can it do?”

Now you can make Skype to Skype calls, send and receive messages, share images and video files (via data connection). Users will also be able to receive calls (to an existing Skype number), import your contacts directly from your phone address book into the Skype app and see when other Skype users are online.

Symbian for Skype will work over a 3G data connection as well as a Wi-Fi connection, providing your handset supports Wi-Fi.

“Which handsets are compatible?”

A bunch of Nokia handsets are compatible, including (but not limited to):

• Nokia E-Series – E63, E71, E72, E90
• Nokia N-Series – N79, N78, N81, N95, N96, N97
• Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
• 6210 Navigator

Further down the track Skype plans on extending the Skype client to other Symbian platforms (Sony Ericsson) as well as for Blackberry and Android platforms.

“Where Do I Get it?”

You can download the Skype app through the Nokia Ovi Store.

Nokia’s SVP for smartphones, Jo Harlow said

“Symbian is enabling us to bring smartphones to more and more people and ensures scale for our solutions and compelling services, such as Skype. We’re seeing around 1.5 million downloads a day through Ovi Store now and believe that the Skype client for Nokia smartphones increases the amount of downloads further.”

If you’d like more information, check out the Nokia or Skype sites.

Eye-catching and sexy!

This TPU iPod touch cover case is smooth yet slightly grippy to touch.

The eye-catching back features a diamond design which reflects light, accentuating the chrome on your iPod touch.

Good ‘lay on the table’ design

The chrome bevel is covered and protected, but still able to be seen through the translucent cover.

Easy installation and structural flexibility allows great fit and protection for your iPod touch.

Access to your controls

The volume rocker and sleep buttons are covered (thinner TPU) for touch-through access. The dock and earphone jack has one combined cutout, to ensure even larger earphone jacks fit.

What is TPU?

TPU – Thermoplastic Polyurethene. It’s like the protection of a hard case, but the flexibility of silicone. It is durable, more cut and tear resistant than silicone rubber and has a high resistance to abrasion, oil and grease. Shock absorbent and anti-scratch.

Where to Buy

Available shortly.

TPU Case for 3rd generation (& 2nd) Apple iPod touch, with bonus clear screen protective film.

Mobile World Congress: Microsoft introduces new mobile phone platform

Live from the 2010 MWC, Microsoft’s CEO and Senior Executives keynote launched the new series of Windows mobile phones – 7 Series.

Completely starting from scratch with the Microsoft Windows Mobile software… and the look.

A stylish streamlined design, with just three buttons on the front (start, search, back) and the rest for the capacitive touchscreen. With an interface similar to the new Windows 7, with features such as pinch to zoom, and an advanced browser also based on the current desktop IE version, with Bing and Bing maps as the default search and maps.

Graphic tiles arrange pieces of information on each page, but not in small icons. Instead in large colourful tiles.

Your personal data is organised into “hubs”, with real-time data intergrated and updated, for eg:

• People – with combined details of all your special peeps at your fingertips – their contact details, facebook and other social networking pages etc. Constantly updating. Contacts etc also sync over the air.
• Pictures – categorised into existing library, recently synced and what’s new (again, from social networking arenas). Also has a Facebook picture upload built-in.
• Office – integrating One Note, SharePoint, Recent Docs etc, plus a new look easy to read Outlook.
• Music and Video – all 7 Series will have a Zune onboard, partnership with Pandora Radio and easy syncing for your music and videos.
• Games – wait for it… Xbox LIVE as a built in part of the 7 Series, but not much mention of games as yet (see more info below)
• Marketplace – similar to iTunes? Inforamtion sketchy at this stage but guess more will be know far before the launch.

“What else is coming for the 7 Series?”

Microsoft apparently recognises the need for more hardware consistency and plans to work closely with hardware manufacturers to make sure there is commonality in devices.

“There are more than a billion phones sold every year, and a massive shift over to smartphones. Partners can meet the diverse needs of customers. One size does not fit all. People want different phones, different form factors.” “We want to strive for synergy where the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts.”  Andy Lees, Senior Vice President, Mobile Communications Business.

Hardware partners? Deals struck with Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, HP, LG, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Toshiba.

Next a review of the Service Provider partners.  Among others, Telstra is listed.

“Available when and where?”

Windows Phone 7 Series will be available the 2010 ‘holiday season’. Where though, as usual, is anyone’s guess.

… The PC, now mobile. We hope 7 is our lucky number!” Steve Ballmer, CEO

Get More Information

• CNET: How Xbox Live will work
• Gizmodo: Windows Phone 7 Series

“The iPad has no multi-tasking? No Flash?”

Yet another parody with scenes from the movie Downfall, where Hitler finds out about the iPad and its ‘features’.

Just for fun… (Strong language warning. Don’t watch if you’ll be offended)

It’s almost as bad as when he missed out on his iPhone 3GS