Maemo Wordpy has been updated to the .6 beta and while that’s a small release number, the enhancements are major. Daniel has now built in support for multiple accounts, blogger accounts and posting and pulling images to flickr. If you have been considering how to blog on the go, Maemo WordPy is the answer.

Technorati Tags: Maemo, blog, writing, n800, n810, os2008, wordpress, blogger, flickr

I just discovered a new application called MaemoPublishr, which will let you select images from your tablet and upload to Flickr or Picasa. What I like is that you can select all your option pre-upload - much like tools I’ve got on the desktop side of things, but this seems to be the first on the tablet.

The only requirement is python and the download is a straight .deb.

Technorati Tags:
Flickr, Internet Tablet, Maemo, Picasa

I have not had a chance to try this, but I am very excited at the prospect of what is offered within the Internet Communications Software Update 2. If you’ve been looking to enhance the presence and messaging options within the default system this looks to be just what the doctor ordered. After installation, you should be able to add any IM account through the main system account options (in Control Panel) which will then work from the presence control.

One caveat of note — you will need to activate “red pill” mode to install. This is not a deal breaker, but you should tread lightly once activated if you fall into the more novice end of things.

Added and updated features
Telepathy-haze

Now you can use nearly all of the great IM services supported by pidgin (formerly known as gaim) open-source application - all from the comfort for your native IM/Voip client in your N8×0 device.

To see the list of services/protocols supported by pidgin, visit: http://www.pidgin.im/. Please note that not all protocols are enabled for now, but they can be added later on.

To use it, simply create your IM account in the device normally and the wizard will let you select the type of service you want (you will see more services listed there).

Telepathy-salut

Be connected to your neighbourhood instantly. This is a link-local instant messaging that requires no external service or server. Your buddy list (roster) will automatically consist of everyone present in the local network. Extremely useful for on-the-spot social networking in parties or conferences .

Oh, and it is zero configuration IM. You only set your full name for others to see. To use it, simply create an account using the wizard in and select ‘link-local (xmpp)’ as the service.

Chat log viewer

If you have wished you could see your past chat messages for reference or simply to recall some important information, worry no more. With IMLogViewer application (installed in ‘Extra’ application menu), you will be able to see all your past chat messages exchanged with your friends.
SIP Profiles

There are now some pre-configured SIP profiles for some major providers. This would ease configuring SIP accounts in the device. They are:

• Ekiga.net
• FreeWorldDialup
• Sipphone.com (same as used by gizmo)

Note:You can also create profiles yourself by adding a profile description file (.profile) to the directory /usr/share/osso-rtcom/ (See existing profiles for an example).

I’ll get this installed tonight. If you install and have issues or positive reports to share, please do so in the comments.

Technorati Tags: IM, Presence, SIP, Profile, Nokia, N-Series, N800, N810, Telepathy-haze, Telepathy-salut, maemo

Canola2 was released yesterday and it’s really quite nice! While it’s a beta and there are a few rough spots (importing and dealing with podcasts and internet radio) I would recommend this to anyone looking to take advantage of media on their tablet.

I just did a quick video overview using a cool new service called Qik live from my N95 — Here’s a 5 min overview:

Technorati Tags: canola2, canola, photos, video, music, multimedia, mediacenter, maemo, n800, n95, topgear

This may be coming too late for many, based on the discussions on ITT and across Jaiku, but if you ran the beta OS2008, I would strongly suggest you skip restoring a complete backup when you update. Yesterday’s post about the missing stylus input, lack of thumbboard reliability and deactivated word complete are all functional with a fresh flash of 2008 and no restore.

I attempted a restore after seeing things work (not the restore during setup) and still found the bugs on restart. With a selective restore - Bookmarks and Application list only - I am back in action with OS2008. This is quite unfortunate as one of the key benefits I saw was the ability to have a better backup and restore process - and I believe something that took a fair bit of effort from the Maemo team.

My backup was originally done on the N810, restored on the N800, then backed up again on the N800 and restored once more with the release version of the OS. I never actually saw stylus input on the N800 with OS2008 until last night’s clean install (without restore) so it’s possible that this bug existed from the initial beta on the N810. I assumed actually that stylus input was just a bug during the beta release for the n800… clearly that was incorrect.

I’m hoping now that the N800 and N810 images are the same and on par with each other that no one else (who reads this anyway) will run into these problems.

Technorati Tags: maemo, os2008, nokia, n-series, N800, N810

I know a lot of people love blocking ads and now there’s an effective way to handle this on your Nokia Tablet. Adblock Plus has been developed from the full Firefox version to work on the tablet. I’ve yet to try this on my own system, but here are a few shots of what to expect…

Before:

After:

I’d recommend reading the installation and usage instructions as there are a few differences in what’s possible on the tablet from within Firefox.

Technorati Tags: maemo, microb, mozilla, extensions, adblockplus, n810, n800, OS2008

I’ve been using Modest for a few weeks now and it’s gotten progressively better and more stable with each incremental release. While it’s still in beta, anyone can give it a try now. The official site is live and I suggest you check it out if you’ve been seeking a more substantial email option on your OS2008 enabled tablet.

I’ve got my Gmail account setup with IMAP and my own personal identity rather than @gmail.com which works as you would expect any modern email client to work. The main issue which I believe will be resolved as it reaches release (non-beta) status is that Modest does not currently give you the option to replace the default email client for mail duty so unless it’s open when you click a mailto-link or choose to send via email, the other app will open. That said, I’ve had it working in the background on my N800 (and previously the N810 before I sent it back) with great success. Connections over Bluetooth DUN and wifi work quite well.

Some notes from the announcement on Maemo.org:

Some highlights:

• the basics: POP/IMAP/SMTP (normal/secure)
• MAP folders support, and IMAP-IDLE (”push-email”)
• easy setup of new accounts
• send and receive of rich text-emails
• managing mail with your fingers
• 100% open-source with a BSD-like license

Some important notes:

• modest will *not* replace the official e-mail program
• it does have the same name/icon in the menus, so don’t get confused!
• Modest uses English, regardless of your settings
• Modest works great with Gmail; don’t forget to use ‘user@gmail.com’ as your username, not just ‘user’.

Technorati Tags: modest, email, chinook, os2008, tinymail, maemo

Maemo Mapper 2.2 has been released and includes official support for the OS2008 platform!

It’s been a while since I’ve used Maemo Mapper to be honest and I really like what I see here. Setup is MUCH simpler and you can add additional mapping data services with a single click on start-up. POI can be downloaded very easily as well from the menu which is a very welcome addition.

I’m going to have to play more with route planning as this looks like a great and free option to the Wayfinder navigation subscription. Wayfinder still seems like a simpler (though slower and more expensive) option for point to point directions, but I love the idea of using Google Maps for my route planning…

Technorati Tags:
770, Google Maps, GPS, Internet Tablet, Maemo, N-Series, N800, N810, Nokia, OS2008, Travel, Maemo Mapper

I am so pumped for this … 10 more days!

Marcelo has also published a nice behind the scenes look at the design process for the photo viewer as well recently which looks like one of the most exciting changes.

Technorati Tags:
Canola, Internet Tablet, N-Series, 770, N800, N810, Nokia, open, podcast, Streaming, UPnP

While the new OS2008 is the most user friendly and simplified experience we’ve had to date, there are things I’d really like to see both Nokia and the developer community do to keep / make things consistent and easier to use. These are not in any particular order, but are all things I’ve been thinking about regularly since first getting the N810. Each one will add to the list of improvements we’ve already received. I look forward to hearing your comments and seeing what else you think should be added to the list.

• Every device does not have a keyboard, but every application should support basic shortcuts for Close (CTRL+W) and Quit (CTRL+Q). Enable additional keyboard shortcuts as well … this has not been how the tablet has worked to date, but the keyboard is a such a compelling way to control the N810, I am always looking for more ways to keep my thumbs driving.
• Scrolling in menus (system or application) should let me move all the way around whether I decide to go up or down.
• The menu button should work or not work in an application, rather than only work on the main screen. (i.e. Modest message view vs. Folder)
• Finger taps should be the preferred and optimized mode for things. I can still use the menus when they are smaller, but icons and general UI widgets should be designed for fingers.
• Use a repository for your application. I’ve installed plenty of .deb files but these do not restore today when you backup and update your device. Applications installed from repositories, however are able to re-install easily. Repository based applications can also provide an update notice within the Application Manager. Early stage Garage apps as debs is OK, but as things progress we really need a repo system. Perhaps the Maemo team can help create one the community can manage.
• There are system UI alerts as well as a programmable LED on the N810. Take advantage of these things to let the user see what’s happening with applications that provide notifications I would really like to see either an application based preference or a system level control panel that lets us define how we want to see notices for applications by type. (email, rss, im, voip, mauku, etc…) The N800 has an LED as well but I am not sure it’s programable in OS2008.
• Let us set default applications for things. I thought I read that the release of Modest will have a setting to replace the default email application in the same way we chose the browser engine when MicroB was released. I should be able to also choose a default voice app (I have three + a SIP account enabled now), IM and RSS reader for starters.