Nokia N96 App Review – Ovi Maps 3.0

Name: Ovi Maps

Description: Satellite Navigation System

Summary: Ovi maps 3.0 or Nokia Maps 3.0 has been in a beta for a while now and even though its not out of beta yet it is in the final beta version. The update from nokia maps 2.0 to Ovi Maps 3.0 is a big one but it might not look like anythings changed except for some 3D models of some places of interest and a much better zoom ability. So why is it such a big update? what has really been updated is the map data and other things that helps your nokia N96 find its way either walk, driving or taking public transport. Ovi Maps has a few other tricks like being able to view the weather of the place you are viewing. All in all it seems nokia maps has be reborn as navigation application rather a world viewing application that was adapted.

Overview: I think that Ovi maps 3.0 is pretty good everything seems to work fine. Installation is a bit of a processes and any map or licence you buy now won’t be compatible with the final release so you mite want to wait till they release that but they say that both versions should work just the same. In any case I find Ovi Maps much better than before but it still has a few little problems. Read more

Nokia N96 App Review – Kill Me

Name: Kill Me

Description: Task Manager

Summary: Our Nokia N96 has loads of good points but a few of the many bad points are due to the lack of processor power making the phone sluggish, the latest firmware helped but it could always be faster. Kill Me is an application that helps increases processing power by letting you end hidden processes allowing more ram to be freed up. Kill Me lets you view processes being run from each memory device and it allows you to view more information about that task so you know what task you are terminating. You should really watch out because most tasks are running for a reason so terminating them mite cause problems but if you restart you phone everything will be back to normal, but if there is a process running that you never what it to run you can make it stop forever.

Overview: Kill Me is an application that makes your phone feel more like a computer giving you more control of your phones operation. If you do try out this application it would be good know know what tasks you can and can’t terminate and I will let you know what results I get at the forum. Kill Me is a free application I has potential to increase battery life and amount of available ram. Read more

Nokia N96 App Review – SecShield

Name: SecShield

Description: Security Application

Summary: Mobile security has a bit question mark on it anti-virus software is widely available but is it even needed, according to experts mobiles are venerable but there has been very few reports of hacks. However there is another way for people to scam you phone which is by setting up messaging and call protocols that reroute your message to charge you more. This from of security breach is much more common especially in the middle east, SecShield is a well trusted application created by TrustMobi which is a leading developer in that part of the world. SecShield is designed to stop any of these attacks and is trusted by millions of people and was used to prevent phone attacks during Beijing Olympic Games 2008. SecShield is free and is very small so you shouldn’t be able to notice it running.

Overview: I Don’t know if it works I suppose its a case of better safe than sorry but I you do have security worries then I would probably use an actual anti-virus, at least they have more actions which feels a whole lot more secure than a application doing nothing. I’m sure it does what ever its designed to do and as this type of scam is becoming more and more popular its probably a good idea to install this any way. This seems like an important application so I would suggest to install this application what have you go to lose. Read more

Nokia N96 App Review – Google Mobile

Name: Google Mobile

Description: Google/Internet tools

Summary: Google is a very innovative company and they always have good ideas on how to improve, Google so far have released a few applications for the nokia N96. Google Mobile is an application designed to unite google mail and google maps along with youtube, web albums, the latest news and a calendar as well a its own search engine. The two things that are good about this application is that you can start it from your menu by pressing “c”, also the search has suggestions just like your pc. Google Mobile will also find your location and provide you with search results that are location based which all works well and is a must have application if you don’t have any other web browser installed or if you use any .

Overall: I can guarantee that I will use this about half the time I use Internet on my phone because its so quick to start up and use, as well as most of the things is want from the Internet I go to google first anyway. Google Mobile use the phones built in web browser and I know that some people prefer a others but I thing this application works well with it making it seem smarter. In the end of the day its completely free and if you use google maps or google mail then you have to get it, if you just like the idea of all of this you can download everything you need form the application itself. Read more

Nokia N96 App Review – Microsoft Tag

Name: Microsoft Tag

Description: Barcode Reader

Summary: I’m sure by now most of you have found your barcode reader preinstalled on your nokia n96 and put it to the test, but the rest of the world didn’t really do anything with that technology. Finally Microsoft released a barcode reader that the rest of the would will do something about which promises that it will be “Linking real life to the digital world“. To go with this new reader Microsoft created a new type of code dubbed “Microsoft Tag” which use large bold colours to retain a web-link. Microsoft say that that these tags will be put on packaging, posters, magazines, business cards and even on restaurant advertising just to link up their ad to their website. Microsoft have lots of support for this barcode but is limited to only a few countries.

Overview: If Microsoft get enough interest in this then it will become very popular as it reads the code much easier than any before and the software is very easy to use. Their is one thing which is actually downloading the application which is impossible from your PC, you have to go to the website at the bottom and download it from there which I think is stupid because most people download application from their Pc. At least its free and give hope that our phones will become more useful. Read more

Nokia N96 App Review – RaceChrono

Name: RaceChrono

Description: Gps Track Location Log

Summary: First lets clear up what it is, RaceChrono is an application that uses your gps to find and track your location on race tracks. Just to be clear this is app is only for people who use local race tracks on these open days or even if your big into go-karts. RaceChrono has about 180 race tracks all around the world and you can even add a new one if you local is on the server. The many point of RaceChrono is to record you lap times and overall performance and will help you find the best possible time and how much Gforse is in each turn. RaceChrono isn’t only limited to cars and race tracks you can also use it for motorboat racing. With all the information you gather you should be able to work out the fastest way.

Overview: I don’t know what it is about this application that makes it so disireable (RaceChrono has been download 100,000 times) some places are saying its because its free but I’m not sure about that I think it has to do with the increase of open track days. As I said this application is free but if you think what it enables you to do and how much it would cost to do this in other ways, so if you use this application enough then you should probably donate a few quid. Read more

Nokia N96 App Review – LowCaller

Name: LowCaller

Description: Voip Utiliser

Summary: Voip or Voice Over Internet Protocol is quite self explanatory but it is basically the same as skype. Making cheap international calls isn’t the most uncommon thing but sometimes it can be a bit tricky to setup and make work. LowCaller is an application for the Nokia N96 that makes all of this easy, LowCaller will start automatically and run in the background and when you make a call it can either route your call through a local number in your country or use an voip account from many existing suppliers.

Overview: If you know anything about voip you will know you don’t actually need this application there’s just a few settings that you have to sort out. This is more to help people who are having problems using voip then this is a good application to try to see if it helps you work the system. LowCaller is a free application so if your thinking about using voip or just what a little help to get it working try this. Read more

Nokia N96 App Review – PowerMp3

Name: Powermp3

Description: Mp3 player

Summary: We all have music players on our N96 but are we all happy with it, it dose have a lacking amount of play-list and the play order is very basic. I reviewed another media player a month ago called “Alone MP3 Player” which is a good music player but it fell short when it came to finding music, this however is just as fluent as the on-board music player and can play just as many audio codecs. Each song can have a set mood then you get to chose what mood to play or just listen to one of its 5 default play-lists. As a n96 user I like to get the best out of my screen and powermp3 wont let you down there with its clever interface. To top it off it also has numerical shortcuts which are nice and responsive. Making your nokia n96 a much better music player than you thought possible.

Overview: I told you all of the good things now for a bit of the bad, powermp3 does not have an equalizer, yet. You can get a java version of it but its not as good and even thought it doesnt have an equalizer yet it still has a preamp.

Read more

Nokia N96 App Review – Light Control

Name: Light Control v1.30

Description: Controls device keypad, screen and LED lights

Summary: Light Control does exactly what it says on the tin, controls lights!   Designed for saving power and helping you find things in the dark!

I consider this a very handy application that allows you to control every aspect of your devices illuminations. The main functions include:

• Primary screen on & off
• Brightness
• Primary keyboard lights on & off
• Secondary keyboard lights on & off
• Light timeout
• Flashlight

I use this application frequently but mainly for the flashlight. The other functions are purely for power saving. The flashlight has 3 options:

• Use flash lamp (switches on the duel LED lights of the N96 to make a powerful torch)
• Switch on (turns the main screen into pure white light)
• SOS (gives an SOS signal using the main screen!)

Whilst this application comes highly recommended there are some improvements that could be made. Mainly, I would like to see a shortcut for accessing the flashlight. As it stands you have to launch the application, got to options, scroll to flashlight then select one of the 3 options.

The application must be running in the background for it to take effect and requires you to start it up when needed.  Light control is free but does require signing.

Rating: 8/10

Download Light Control v 1.33

Enjoy!