Google Maps Mobile – My location

If you want this function on K800i and found that it’s not supported after installing GMM, you will need to flash your phone with the latest firmware.

Google Mobile Maps (GMM) 2 recently introduce a new feature called “My location”, a function to find your current location using Mobile towers around for mobile without GPS. I’m surprise that my K800i from 2 years ago can run GMM, however to support this function the mobile need the latest firmware (at least not the one I have)!

I’ve version 2.2.0 installed and tried this function in Bracknell, I would say it’s not too bad. Most of the time it says it’s accurate to within 1.7km (probably better than it claims, I would say within 1km most of the time). However in places more urban the accuracy will be higher. I read somewhere that GMM uses data collected from mobiles with GPS, with increasing number of people using this function, it should get more accurate over time. The reason for finding out about this is mainly for travelling. GMM would be very useful in finding hostels, food and point of interests nearby…

Skype Mobile

Download the latest version from skype directly and it works fine on the K800i too but it’s not true VOIP. What it does is that it loaded up all the contacts and everything as expected, but when you make a call, it will dial a number (charged at local rate or deducted from inclusive minutes) to make that call. A bit like using a calling card I guess, but without entering the pins… So becasue of that I went on to searching for a true VOIP (SIP) client for K800i but couldn’t find one at this moment of time. However did found PennyTel which is slightly cheaper than skype and the good thing is, you can use any SIP phone or softphone like x-lite or ekiga in linux. Also the Skype that comes with 3′s X-series is actually a iSkoot, not Skype!

Three Roaming

Something that I only just found out, Three roaming is actually “free” with you are travelling in a country with a 3 sister network, ie. Austria, Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland and Sweden. “Free” means you can use your inclusive allowance to call or text standard UK number + data allowance! However if you call a local number aboard, it will be charged as a oversea calls just like how it would be if you make the call from the UK!

Useful Appications

Software mentioned here are data intensive, unlimited internet access is recommended on your mobile!

If you are also on Three UK, you will find that 3 includes many download links in the 3 Planet page, but they are usually not the latest version!

• Google Maps Mobile – http://m.google.com/map/
• Google Mail Mobile – http://m.google.com/mail/
• Skype Mobile – http://www.skype.com/m/
• Opera Mini – http://operamini.com/

Tags:gnome, Google, Internet, k800i, mobile, software, Technology, Weblog
Categories: Internet, Technology, Weblog
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