Jacek Wojciechowski's Forum Nokia Blog

Thoughts on local connectivity, Nokia Internet Tablets and S60

jack44 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:20:29 +0300

Have you ever needed to copy some files between Nokia Internet Tablet and S60 smartphone but there was no wifi network signal nearby and you didn't want to search for a running PC? I have, so I decided to take a look at possible solutions that don't involve internet connection (we can't use ftp, e-mail, SMB, etc.) and can be applied to N810 and N95-8Gb. The simplest way would be to use a microSD memory card, but not in this case, so let's focus on local connectivity.

The test setup: N95-2 (a.k.a. N95-8GB) v15.0.015, N810 OS2008 v5.2008.43-7, test file size: 10.045.112 bytes

1. Bluetooth for the beginning
N810's file manager has a great feature - you can simply manage files and folders available in paired devices using Bluetooth technology and supporting file transfer as you normally do with local files (don't ask me, why it's not a 'standard feature' also on S60). This simplifies the task (I don't have to search for 'send via bluetooth' option). Transferring ~10MB test file took 1m42s (N810 -> N95-8Gb and almost the same in the other direction). As you may guess... the more you test, the more different results you get, so I present only the best times. Simplicity is a big advantage here, but I'd expect more from Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR.

2. Wifi in Ad-hoc mode
N810's file manager can also display the shared content of available UPnP media servers (such server is available out ouf the box on S60 smartphones; you may also install UPnP media server on Maemo device, e.g. BRisa). Setting up the wifi ad-hoc for the first time is a little bit tricky (you need to remember to set the same SSID, channel number and you may use only WEP in this mode), but it's easy (and it's done only once). Please note that such network will operate in 802.11b mode, and get up to 11Mb of total bandwidth (according to specs, this is a normal behaviour in ad-hoc networks). Of course, you may use other software to copy data over wifi. The drawbacks of described solution are as follows: you need to spend time to set everything up (but you do this only once); when you want to copy not multimedia file with UPnP server, you have to rename the file extension first (to simulate multimedia file). Transferring the test file took 22s (N95-8Gb with UPnP server -> N810 UPnP client). Turn Bluetooth off, to get best times!

3. USB host mode
This is a very funny and easy way. First of all, you have to have a F-F USB adaptor and install "USB Control" application on your tablet (like Kate's usb-otg-plugin). How does it work? The USB uses a host/peripheral architecture. N810 acts as the host - like PC (USB Master role), and S60 smartphone acts as the peripheral - FAT-formatted flash memory card (USB Slave role). Such "memory card" works smoothly in N810's file manager. Transferring the test file took 20s for the first time, but 4s (!?) for the second time (from N95-8Gb to N810's internal memory; 26s and 16s respectively when transferred in the other direction). If you're curious, you may try 'time cp fileX fileY' or 'time gnomevfs-copy fileX fileY' commands and get... far better 'visual' results (well, it's linux!), but I'll stop at 20s achieved by N810's file manager - the software used for all tests.

I ended up with the following results: 98.48kB/s for bluetooth, 456.5kB/s for wifi and 502.3kB/s for USB. The results may vary depending on test method, testing environment and firmware versions. Bluetooth is currently the slowest, but it will change in the future because of new bluetooth standards - Bluetooth 3.0 HS. Fingers crossed, we'll get it on Nokia platforms soon (theoretically, it's a matter of some business decisions and proper firmware update; practically, we'll have to wait for new hardware-based implementation of chips, like this one)...

Of course, there's still room for improvements e.g. in pairing stage - just imagine holding two devices in one hand and shaking them twice in the same direction (all this goods thanks to accelerometer) or just touching them each other (NFC) to be paired. I would expect to see wireless USB or technologies like TransferJet to complete local connectivitiy options in future devices. Some of mentioned technologies are implemented on a limited number of phone models, but... what is your choice for a new local connectivity highspeed standard?

DOS and Windows on S60... the true story!

jack44 — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:57:01 +0200

Some time ago I wrote about a way to run MS Windows and MAC on Nokia Internet Tablets. The trick was to use DOSBox utility - x86 PC emulator. It's very interesting to see DOSBox running on S60 (and it's not a demo). What's the use of this? Well, mostly fun & prove of concept (it may not be usable in many cases, but isn't it cool?). Someone may use it to run old DOS apps or games, others will try to install Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 (rather to prove that these systems do work on Symbian devices / ARM hardware).

Have fun!

The port was possible thanks to some libraries published by FN/Symbian (like OpenC/C++ or SDL). BTW, have you heard about any examples of the successful use of OpenC, OpenC++ and RGA plugins in open-source applications ported to S60? I'm waiting for your entries!

Forum Nokia provides some success stories on Open C/C++ technology landing page and Quick Start section, you may also find some examples of using these libraries here (like Open C IRC Example, Open C FTP Client Example, Open C SMS Crypto Example and some games).

MS Windows and MAC (unofficially) on N810

jack44 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:11:57 +0300

The number of OSes that can be run on N810 Internet Tablets just grows and grows. Now it's time for MS Windows family. I hope you still remeber Windows 3.1. The trick to run it on NIT is to use DOSBOX utility - x86 PC emulator (the instructions may be found e.g. here or on Internet Tablet Talk forums). What's more interesting, there's a proof that you may also run Windows 95 this way, but don't expect that it will start and work smoothly (you really need to be patient). Thanks to very active Internet Tablet community, you can also have MAC on MIT by using the Basilisk II Macintosh emulator (list of Macintosh Software that can be run on a NIT and instructions).

Purists would extend the list of working OSes by adding Android, Ubuntu and numerous emulators (all ported to maemo) like Amiga 68k - UAE, Apple II - Winapple, Commodore 64 - Frodo, Palm OS - Access GarnetVM, TI-89 Calculator - TiEmu 2 (just to mention the most interesting ones). Can you do this all on iPhone?

So now, the "open platform" slogan gets completely new dimension...

Android, LiMo demos working on Nokia smartphones...

jack44 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:32:51 +0300

It's interesting how marketing works these days. We don't have devices yet, but we have a chance to see new mobile OSes in action working on other devices. Mentioned Android and LiMo demos are only Java ME based apps, but this forced me to ask the question: will we have a chance in the future to buy a smartphone with the mobile operating system of our choice - just like in PC world? In case of Nokia Internet Tablets it's possible to run Android (not officially, of course) - I wrote about it here. It looks that the platform is even more flexible - Nokia is actively sponsoring an Ubuntu ARM port.

I'm wondering how many people would be interested in experimenting with other mobile operating systems (let's assume that we'll have a possibility to easy (re)install mobile OSes on the same device)... What's your opinion on this topic?

Bonus links:
Android API demo
Android UI demo
LiMo R1 UI demo

Android on Nokia N810

jack44 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:53:34 +0300

Nokia Internet Tablets are really versatile devices - it's now also possible to successfully install Google Android on them (and it works, of course). The following links describe how to do it well: check here and here. Have fun with comparing maemo platform with Android on real device...

Floating cell towers...

jack44 — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:25:54 +0300

Lately, I was busy reviewing chapters of an upcoming Symbian book - I hope I did a great job and I'll have more time for blogging now, so...

I was inspired to write this post by the idea presented in WSJ's article. Floating cells may be an excellent way to increase coverage in specific geographic areas (e.g. Africa), during some events where there're a large number of cellphone users gathering (e.g. Olympic Games, Mobile World Congress, ...) - after the event, floating cells may be used somewhere else. The risk is worth the gamble, but maybe not with balloons (OK, it's an inexpensive solution, but has some drawbacks - works only 24 hours, needs 'launch crew', probably won't work in bad weather conditions - strong wind, hail, etc.). I'd rather use some kind of small robo-planes (which may use solar energy) that will return to home station for refuel and maintenance. Such solution could be fully controlled by the software and work more than a day. On the other hand, I think it's worth considering mixing some solutions on the ground with described idea to make it more reliable, like cell repeaters or peer-to-peer mobile phone network.

I'm curious about other solutions that improve floating cells concept... (and I don't work at Google!)

ZXing (another open source barcode reader) + barcodes in ads = success story?

jack44 — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:34:32 +0200

We have got some proprietary barcode readers for our mobiles, some closely related open source projects, and now Google has announced yet another. ZXing (pronounced "zebra crossing") is an open-source, multi-format 1D/2D barcode reader library implemented in Java. The goal of the project is to support decoding of QR Codes, Data Matrix, and the UPC family of 1D barcodes, so it will set the 'minimum standard' for open source barcode readers. It will provide clients for J2ME, J2SE and... Android (this client will be released later). Currently working version has support for UPC an QR Code, some key features like Data Matrix decoding and support for advanced JSRs will be added soon. This is an open source project, so you can actively contribute to it.

What's also interesting, Google is going to trial QR codes with print advertisers (read more). That way, barcodes can revolutionize traditional print advertising and make it even more useful for readers, because they allow readers to "click" on interesting print ads with their cellphones and seamlessly connect to relevant online content (first example from US newspaper, found on Flickr).

Let's hope that the idea will be accepted by the newspapers' readers and the barcodes will reproduce the success story of SMS in marketing area.

Barcodes in action - global standard approved for flight check-ins via cellphone

jack44 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:49:20 +0300

Some time ago, I wrote about a list of 20 Japanese smartphone features and 'mobile check-in at airports' was 3rd on this list. Nowadays, such service is starting to be available worldwide.

According to the IHT, the trade association representing international airlines announced a global standard that could speed the adoption of cellphone check-in services using bar codes, and eliminate paper tickets.

"Airlines have been slow to adopt a system based on mobile technology because of competing regional formats. The formats permit a passenger to register a phone during booking to receive a text message containing a bar code that becomes a boarding pass. The bar code can then be read directly from the phone's screen."

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) standard will enable new scanning equipment to read several regional code formats, including Aztec and Datamatrix, which are available now in Europe and North America, and QR in Japan. The group aims to shift entirely to bar code boarding passes by 2010. Among the few airlines that now offer mobile check-in services are Air Canada, Air Berlin and Spanair. The association, which represents more than 240 airlines, estimates that it can realize annual savings of more than $500 million from the change.

I'm really looking forward to trying this service, but one of the things that concerns me is the security - cellphone can be stolen, barcode can be copied/changed etc. I'm very pleased with barcodes, they'll be accepted globally and will be used everyday in many parts of the world.

microUSB in mobiles for charging, data and other tasks

jack44 — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:45:39 +0300

Not so long ago, Chinese government made a statement (source: People's Daily Online) about single national standard on mobile phone chargers sold in the country. They wanted to avoid waste and to lower costs: "Under the new standard, all mobile phones, regardless of the brand, will be able to share one charger with a USB access, allowing users to charge handsets through laptops. (...) China has almost 450 million cell phone subscribers, with up to 100 million replacing their phones every year. The chargers are often disposed of with the phones.".

Although no deadline had been set to allow charger makers to adjust their production, they responded quickly - Nokia did it as well (it's worth to note that China is the first largest market for Nokia in terms of sales, India being the second).
At the time of writing, five S40 devices have microUSB port (models: 8600 luna, 6500 classic/slide, 7900 prism, 6555). Some of these devices use microUSB for all connection types (one port for charging, data connection and audio), some have 2.0mm charger connector, 2.5mm audio and microUSB for data. It seems that Pop Port is not needed anymore. One big question is when microUSB with charging capability will come to S60 - will it be S60 3rd FP2 or later? The answer will come soon. Till then owners of devices with 2.0mm connector can use a special charger via USB (Nokia USB Charger CA-100).

I also have an idea - it would be interesting to use (micro)USB port in smartphones like we use in PC's. Just imagine connecting 'normal' PC's keyboard, mouse or additional flash memory to your smartphone through USB (is it a matter of proper device driver written for Symbian?)... one step in this direction is audio (which works directly through microUSB + headset HS-82 or AD-55 adapter).

Everyone wants its own mobile OS...

jack44 — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:57:55 +0300

Competition in mobile operating systems area is getting stronger. Apart from Symbian OS, MS Windows Mobile family, there are plenty of Linux based mobile platforms: Maemo (Nokia), Open Moko (e.g. Neo1973 phone), LiMo (Vodafone, NTT Docomo, Motorola, Samsung, Nec and Panasonic partnership), ACCESS Linux Platform to mention a few. According to CNN Money ("Motorola Unveils MOTOMAGX Mobile Linux Platform" article), Motorola announced its next generation mobile Linux platform - MOTOMAGX. New platform is supposed to "lay the foundation to deliver new levels of openness, flexibility, and support for third-party applications on Motorola mobile devices". In the next few years, up to 60% of Motorola's handset portfolio is expected to be based on Linux, with the MOTOMAGX platform playing a key role in supporting this strategy.
"Motorola's MOTOMAGX platform is designed to support a broad array of content created by third-party developers. Today, MOTOMAGX supports applications developed in Java ME(TM), with plans to introduce new WebUI (featuring web technology to enable widgets and Web 2.0 experiences) and native Linux application environments in upcoming releases. These three application environments, combined with the relevant tools available through Motorola's MOTODEV Studio integrated development environment, will help enable MOTODEV developers to innovate and accelerate time to market for their applications."

I see that Linux will soon be a major competitor to Symbian and Windows Mobile. If Linux based platforms don't have a program similar to Symbian Signed and complicated Platform Security, they may become better platform for mobile developers (Linux is widely accepted by opensource)... It's also worth noting that widgets have become accepted in mobile world and now are spreading around many mobile platforms.