Mobile Tech News -- NetFront Browser Concept Version, N95 Firmware Update, HAVA Player for S60

North American N95 Receives Long-Awaited Firmware Update

Compared to the other N95 models, the N95 NAM (or N95-3) has not seen the amount of firmware updates that the others have had. Following an announcement a few weeks ago on Nokia's European Support website that an update will come in early June, the long awaited version 20 firmware update has come for the N95 NAM.

This update includes the following features:

• Flash Lite 3
• Increased system performance though the use of Demand Paging
• Faster camera load time
• Updated integrated Search widget
• N-Gage kiosk and game demos

What has not appeared in this update is the automatic screen rotation that is possible on all N95 models because of the built in accelerometer.

To download this firmware update, connect the N95 via USB to a Windows XP computer and run the Nokia Software Updater program. At this time, the Nokia Software Updater program does not work with Windows Vista and Mac OS X.

NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile Concept Version Released

Access has released a concept version of its NetFront web browser for Windows Mobile devices. Version 3.5 features a new browser core, stylus and gesture actions, and considerable speed improvements.

Despite the release of this concept version, there are some restrictions. These include:

• The trial period for this software expires on August 31, 2008
• Plug-ins are not supported
• No technical support is available for this concept version
• If NetFront Browser is installed on external storage, the application's behavior becomes unstable when the device is turned on or off
• Integrated Windows Authentication for IIS is not supported

This concept version has been tested on the Dell Axim X51v and Wilcom W-ZERO3 Windows Mobile devices. Additional feedback is being asked for across other devices.

For more information on the new features in NetFront version 3.5 and to download the Windows Mobile Concept Version of the NetFront Browser, visit the NetFront website.

HAVA Mobile Player for S60 Coming Soon

Monsoon Multimedia has announced HAVA Mobile Player for S60, a TV place-shifting video-streaming solution. This will give HAVA owners the ability to watch and control all of their home television channels and services from anywhere in the world on an S60 3rd edition smartphone -- whether it be cable or satellite, receiver or DVR, standard or high definition.

The HAVA Mobile Player for S60 beta will be available by the end of June. Those interested in participating in the beta can email Monsoon Multimedia at hava-s60@monsoonmultimedia.com. The HAVA Mobile Player for S60 official release will come next quarter as a free direct download.