Nokia Delivers Additional Tools to Speed Connected Java Gaming Development

Nokia today announced the availability of the latest Software Development Kit (SDK) for SNAP Mobile, its end-to end solution for connected mobile gaming in Java(TM) technology. The SNAP Mobile SDK 2.2 provides developers with a number of innovative tools to make it significantly easier to create connected mobile games. New features include a game template, skinable user interface framework, support for J2SE and Bot API. The SDK is available for download through Forum Nokia, the largest mobile development community worldwide, at http://www.forum.nokia.com/snapmobile

"Nokia is committed to enhancing the mobile gaming experience and by adding these new elements to the SNAP Mobile SDK, we're making it faster and easier for developers to add connected gaming elements to their games," said Jonathan Sharp, Director, Games Strategy, Nokia. "Consumers expect more and more from their mobile games and this SDK will help developers deliver great Java games with superior connected gaming elements. We are working in close collaboration with our gaming partners to evolve the mobile gaming industry at large and together we can ensure that consumers get even better games."

The new game template provides a complete implementation for all required community functionality such as friends list and chat, with an interface that allows developers to either plug in existing game code, or to use as a basis for entirely new connected games. This template enables developers to concentrate on developing their game, not on the platform requirements, since most SNAP Mobile requirements are already in the game template.

With the user interface framework, developers can quickly manipulate a game's look and feel with easy to change XML. The UI framework includes a clean separation of controller logic which makes it easy to use with developers' existing UI frameworks. For example, PopCap Games' Chuzzle(TM) powered by SNAP Mobile is now available with new connected elements that enable players to compete globally for high scores. PopCap took their existing Chuzzle game and used the SNAP Mobile SDK 2.2 to quickly add connected functionality with only minimal redesign to the game's user interface. This is PopCap's first connected mobile game developed on a Nokia platform, with development ongoing for additional games expected to be available in 2009.

The SNAP Mobile SDK 2.2 also adds support for J2SE, enabling developers to design games with cross platform support. This means that SNAP Mobile games can also be created as a desktop applications or applets to run on PCs and web pages with the possibility to play against the same game's mobile version. For example, the N-Gage title Reset Generation uses the SNAP Mobile support for J2SE to enable players to compete against each other from a webpage and from their Nokia device.

The new Bot API helps developers deliver a better connected game experience as it guarantees that mobile players can find opponents online. If an opponent isn't immediately found online, the system will match players with a server based AI so they can play without having to wait for an opponent.

For more information on SNAP Mobile, please visit http://www.forum.nokia.com/snapmobile.

SMS in Gmail gets two-week delay

The new send-to-SMS chat feature in Gmail Labs, you'll have to wait a little longer. On Friday, one of Gmail's product managers, Leo Dirac, posted on the official Gmail blog that a last-minute glitch has resulted in the feature being pulled back for further testing. The glitch, which Dirac says should take about two weeks to fix, would keep the two-way communication feature from turning on all the way, keeping replies from making it back to you.

When the process is working properly you're able to send SMS contacts a message just like you would if they were online. The system would also keep their responses in the same chat window, making it a simple resource for staying in touch even when you or your contacts are not online at the same time.

source : Cnet

Motorola released MOTOMING A1600 in India at Rs.15,850

The US-based mobile handset maker Motorola has launched its first GPS-enabled mobile phone MOTOMING A1600 in the Indian market. GPS-enabled MOTOMING A1600 navigational services and comes preloaded with landmarks of 30 cities. In addition, it also allows voice-guided navigation across major national and state highways.

"MOTOMING A1600, is the first GPS-enabled mobile phone. The navigation service is free with no activation charges, independent of mobile networks and can be used even without inserting the SIM card," said Motorola Mobile Devices India and South West Asia, Lloyd Mathias.

The model also has 1 GB MicroSD card and an expandable memory capacity of up to 4 GB and a 3.2 mega pixel camera. It comes preloaded with some features of MapmyIndia.

The phone is Motorola's first GPS-enabled mobile phone. The navigation service is free with no activation charges, independent of mobile networks and can be used even without inserting the SIM card.

MING A1600 also provides video capture and video playback at 30 fps (frames per second). MOTOMING A1600 supports Class 2 Bluetooth wireless technology, support a talk time of up to approximately 405 minutes and a standby time of approximately 176 hours.

The Linux-based phone has a 3.2 megapixel camera and 8X zoom for multiple capture modes. Among the key multimedia features, the phone comes with MP3 player and Music ID, and provides users direct access to MOTOMUSIC service.


GPS-enabled MOTOMING A 1600 handset in India priced at Rs 15,487

Nokia announced Nokia 2228 CDMA phone

Nokia announced mobile phone, Nokia 2228. The new high-finish Nokia model is likely to affect select CDMA markets.

The Nokia 2228 bundles up a 1.3 megapixel camera, built in media player, several modes of messaging and supports most of the common digital formats. It also features speaker dependent voice recognition, an integrated handsfree speaker and can be used as a modem that allows you to connect the phone to a PC. It comes with an LED that flashes in cycles at a user-defined interval or in off mode thus indicates messages waiting. It also flashes for incoming calls.

Nokia 2228 Specification

• 1.3 MP camera with landscape mode
• Supports a wide range of music files including MIDI, MP3, AAC and AAC+
• Stereo FM radio
• Speakerphone for making hands-free calls
• 20-25 MB end-user memory
• SMS / Long SMS / MMS
• Nokia Series 40 spec
• Video recorder
• WAP 2.0 /BREW 3.1.5, supports OMA download
• Download a wide range of content easily and reliably
• MicroUSB, 2.5 mm universal headset jack
• Voice recorder up to 180 seconds
• Network: CDMA 1x, 800 MHz
• Size: 110 x 40 x 12 mm
• Weight: 72 g
• Display: 128 x 160, 262K TFT, Transflective