Next stop, Koh Samui

January 28, 2008 at 7:29 pm | In Event, Urbanista | No Comments

Posted by ShoZu

Off to the airport again in a few hours, this time to Koh Samui (via Bangkok)

So earlier today, I found my way to the Menara tower, the 4th tallest tower in the world, so it was easy enough without any bearing or knowledge of the area to find it. Just keep heading in the direction off the massive tower. I did though manage to find myself in places where it somehow just disappeared, but I eventually did find it.

Posted by ShoZu

With some confidence in getting to the Menara by foot, I thought I could do the same with getting to China town. This time though, I did use Nokia maps, which downloaded the Kuala Lumpur area over the air and allowed me to sort of find my way around (mainly used it to check I was going South East). Thankfully, even with ShoZu, Sports Tracker, Maps, Camera all on simultaneously, the N82 managed to handle them without me having to worry about too much multi tasking. Came across a film crew on the way. . . I tried to think of positive thoughts in NOT succumbing to getting a taxi driver to just bring me to China town, like “I probably would have missed that weren’t I on foot.”

SO..I kept on looking for China town, getting frustrated that the Maps app wasn’t correlating with the printed map I got from reception the longer I didn’t see the buzzing China Town scene. A girl waiting for a bus was kind enough to tell me where I was on the printed map, so I could make my way to China Town (It was on the printed one only). I showed her a picture I had taken of my last known location and Amazingly she said that was China Town. Haha, I had been there and never knew it. I just assumed it was the streets leading up to a big Chinese Town that I had seen in movies.

Followed the monorail track for most of the way back, eventually getting on it so I could get to the hotel quicker. The last station was still about 40 minutes away from the hotel and I just happened to be on the longest stretch of road where Taxis couldn’t stop.

It’s been an amazing two days here in KL. I just couldn’t get over the breathtaking architecture they have here. Not just because they’re tall like the Menara and Petronas Towers, but their shape and form is exquisitely captivating, you just can’t help but stare in amazement of their design.

As I’ve said, next on the list is Koh Samui. I’ll finish off packing my things now and get this posted.

Btw Apologies for certain random pictures being uploaded with no next. ShoZu’s being a bit annoying there.

Setting off tomorrow!

January 24, 2008 at 10:28 pm | In Accessories, Event, Nseries, Urbanista | 4 Comments

I haven’t even got half way through looking at my notes for my final exam yet, so I’m rushing this post out.

Everything’s all set, devices all charged and packed into one of the N82 boxes:

It may look a mess, but they’re all resting at their designated positions (keyboards top left, proporta charger top right, along with BH 701 etc etc.)

Received another package today, the LD-3W Wireless GPS module if I’m ever in too remote a location for the N82’s internal GPS module.

Package contents includes:

1 x in car charger

1 x BL-5C battery

1 x double sided sticky foam

1 x Nokia Bluetooth LD-3W GPS module.

Thanks for the comments and tips on previous posts, especially the warning about the upload limit on ShoZu for YouTube. I’ll try to keep the video length/file size minimum (about 30 seconds/3mb) and try to post them often. In order to do that, I’ll reduce the recording quality.

This wordpress blog may be the last to get updated as the journey progresses, so keep an eye on:
http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=MyNokiaBlog

for the YouTube vlogs and
http://www.nseries.com/index.html?l=campaigns,n82,urbanistadiaries#l=campaigns,n82,urbanistadiaries,home
for the live tracking.

3 days to go. . . .Shozu Rocks….WOM pack received!

January 22, 2008 at 6:54 pm | In 3rd edition, Applications, Event, S60, Symbian | 9 Comments
Tags:

Taking a break from even more revision, just a little update.

Yesterday’s update made me aware of a fun little application called Shozu, after recommendations from both Vlad and Ryan (Thanks Guys!).

Man, did I feel like I’ve been out of a loop! Like, if the earth’s orbit was the loop, I was out of it!

I’ve heard friends mention the word Shozu in conversation but I never actually looked it up to see what it was.

For someone like me, who was planning on making frequent video blog updates via YouTube (for the Urbanista Diaries), Shozu seemed to be utterly perfect for the job. You all most definitely know what it does, here’s me preaching to the converted, but for the few who haven’t like myself: I’ve only just found out about it and I love it!

There’s an MMS version that I didn’t care for, and the application that can be installed onto your phone. (I’m concentrating on youtube videos for now) Once installed and signed in, when I took a video, the phone asks if you want to upload to YouTube. Click yes and a few minutes later ..it’s there.

Apart from the multiple fire alarms going off early in the morning, the searching for information/samples of Shozu in action kept me awake. There’s thousands of users using Shozu, even top most subscribed/celebrities like Ashley Tisdale and Funeral For a Friend . And rather embarrassingly, some have been there since December 06!

Shame aside, I’m really pleased to have finally come across this application a, fingers crossed, it will allow me to keep constant vlog updates during my part of the Urbanista Diaries. Applications like this make me seriously want to invest in getting unlimited data (which still as of this moment, data rates are a giant rip off in the UK).

This leaves my N800 simply now for just Blog updates (and photobucket upload. Is there one for PB? I couldn’t find it)

Here’s my first YT upload via Shozu…haha. It’s boring, and I uploaded it twice even though it said it had already been uploaded because I didn’t see a “uploading” bar that I assumed would come up)

Awesome communal bin action going on there.

Lastly, this morning I received a big package from WOM as delivered by the DHL man, who somehow managed to get into the building, into my flat and promptly standing outside my bedroom door.
wompack

In the box there were:

3 x Nokia N82 (European variety, no shutter sound - Yay!)

3 x BP-6MT batteries

2 x O2 simplicity SIM

1x Proporta charger

1 x Nokia SU-W8 Bluetooth Keyboard

1 x Pirate Earring a.k.a. Nokia BH-701 headset. Haha (Yeah, I know it’s not meant to be worn like that. Actually, it looks a little more odd worn the right way)

4 days to go!

January 21, 2008 at 3:28 pm | In Event, Nokia, Nseries, S60 | 6 Comments

Four more days to go; both for my exams and of course, continuing the Nseries Urbanista Journey after Devin.

These are the dates of my travels:

25th January:

  • Leave london 21:00 to Singapore.

26th January

  • Arrive in Singapore: 18:00

27th January

  • Leave Singapore 10:00,
  • Arrive Kuala Lumpur 11:00

29th January

  • Leave Kuala Lumpur: 08:00 via Bangkok (09:00)
  • Arrive Koh Samui: 12:00

4th February

  • Leave Koh Samui: 17:00
  • Arrive Bangkok: 18:00

8th February

  • Leave Bangkok: 11:00
  • Arrive Chenai: 13:00

10th February

  • Leave Chenai: 04:00
  • Arrive London: 09:00

I’d love to meet anyone who’ll be in the area when I’m visiting. One of my mates will actually be flying out to Thailand soon and I might get to meet him up at Koh Samui.
Everything is pretty much all set. On the advice of Devin I am packing light. Just one small Rucksack, hand carry size.

I will NOT be bringing my laptop. It’s 17″ behemoth of a Dell (1710) - a desktop replacement. Plus, it’s my main work station so I’d rather not risk loosing it.

Instead, I will be bringing the N800 upgraded to OS2008 plus a BT keyboard. With the N82 to record and the N800 to upload, I’ll hopefully be doing frequent short video blogs as my journey progresses. I’ll also be posting a selection of the full size pictures off to photobucket and then linking to them here on this blog. In addition to what you’ll see on the Nseries site, here’s the album to which my pictures will be uploaded: Photobucket link - click me. Fingers crossed that I can get some upload speeds.

Vaccinations have already been taken of a couple of weeks ago, just need to buy the last few essentials of insect repellent and plug adapters. All I got to do (and should be doing) now is revise and finish the Jan Exams!

BTW: If any one knows how to upload to youtube straight from the N82 without doing it the compressed MMS way please pop me a message on how to do that? :)

P.S. Check this Competition Link out to win the N82 for yourself. Just work out where the photo was taken.

Nseries Urbanista Widget

January 14, 2008 at 8:00 pm | In 3rd edition, Event, Nokia, Nseries, Urbanista | No Comments
Tags:

Devin Balentina’s already begun his Urbanista journey, and using Sports Tracker’s quite spy-like features , you can track his travels along with the Nseries Widget, available here for your facebook/iGoogle home page/blogger blog etc. as well as viewing photos he’s been taking.

If you want to see more of the journey, you can visit the full Nseries Urbanista site which expands on the features of the widget: CLICK ME:

On the Nseries Urbanista website, there’s a 30 second campaign video introduction. I didn’t realize at the time, the quickest way was to just record my laptop screen just using the N82. I ended up using audio recording from the N82 and video recorded by hypercam (oh, my lack of common sense).

Well, with direct video footage you can also see in this video what else is available on the Nseries Urbanista site (although it would be quicker if you just visit that instead of the youtube video :) ) This is really more  of an intro for the YouTube-only viewing audience.

(Yes, I should be revising right now :P)

Urbanista Update!

January 3, 2008 at 2:17 pm | In Event, Nokia, Nseries | 2 Comments


Belated Happy New Year folks - like the weather I’ve been snowed in but with piles upon piles of work. Rest assured that blogging will still continue in 2008.

This morning I was greeted with a text to confirm the destinations of my part of the Nseries Urbanista Diaries project.

In order of appearance at this “Global Relay” Nseries have set up are:

1. Devin Balentina of thenokiaguide.com

2. Me,

3. Ms Jen of blackphoebe.com and finally

4. Ryan Gallagher of cameratoss.blogspot.com.

    Literally straight after my January exams, I will be heading for London heathrow, leaving the UK on the 25th January and jetting off to Singapore to meet Devin and receive the N82 from him. He’ll have already begun the first leg of the Nseries Urbanista Diaries on the 12th January (9 Days from now!!) across the US. I’ll be travelling through:

    • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Ko Samui /Ko Pha Ngan / Gulf of Thailand islands
    • Bangkok and then finally
    • Madras, India to pass the “baton/N82″ over to Ms Jen.

    I’ll then be returning to Britain on the 10th February, to recoup and catch up on my studies. (There may be a hitch since my departure date is literally on the day of my last January Exam…I’ll update on the situation, but now I return to my revision)

    Edit: All’s go! Apparently I was meant to fly out on the 24th - before one of my exams. Thankfully, Siobhán of WOMWorld managed to sort that all out. :~)

    Special edition podcast from Nokia World: Uncut and behind the scenes!

    December 8, 2007 at 3:53 pm | In 3rd edition, Event, Nseries, Photos, Video | 6 Comments

    You’ve listened to the podcast, now check how it came about behind the scenes.

    See the faces behind those voices/blogs and all the bits that got removed from the podcast and more.

    The video was too big for YouTube so check it out on Stage6 (You will need to install the dedicated player)

    CLICK FOR THE VIDEO: http://www.stage6.com/user/MyNokiaBlog/video/1928022/All-About-Nokia-World-Podcast-Uncut

    This was filmed in Amsterdam at our Hotel (above) on the final night using the N82 and at times DT-22 tripod (second picture).

    Instead of the Tripod being used only to stand firm on a table and steady the video, it was also used as a boom to extend the reach and angle of the video being captured.

    Back from Amsterdam: N82 slightly confused.

    December 7, 2007 at 6:42 am | In Event, Nokia, Nseries | No Comments

    Yes, we’re back from Amsterdam. I’ll be filling you in tonight, after I finish my exams which I have not done as much revision for as I would like, and over the weekend of the events and the highlights at Nokia World 2007.

    As you can see from the picture above, (taken yesterday, 6th December 2007 at Cardiff Airport) the N82 was slightly confused and thought I was still in Amsterdam. Rest assured, I am back in gloomy Wales (Maps quickly resolved itself after zooming in and out)

    I do however love how quickly the N82 locks onto the satellite. I know I’ve said it multiple times, but the N82 has been performing extremely well making its GPS feature (at least the locating where you are bit) very useful and reliable. As soon as you make the first initial lock (aided by giving some network usage such as a WLAN network) subsequent locks are much faster, ranging from almost immediate 4 seconds to about 30 seconds. No more waiting in frustration, wasting battery to use GPS.

    - ok, back to revision.

    Nseries Urbanista Diaries

    November 30, 2007 at 7:52 pm | In Event, Nokia, Nseries | 2 Comments
    Tags:

    So, last Saturday afternoon, in the midst some “intense revision” a.k.a. DVD watching, I got interrupted whilst I answered a call from an unknown number.

    I don’t normally answer those calls as they’re usually silly phone companies trying to make me “update” to the K850/Viewty. As it turns out, it’s Siobhan from WOMWorld. Hey Siobhan! We had a little chat about the N82 and how much I was pleased with this phone’s imaging capabilities.

    Then the topic moved on to an email that Siobhan had sent, which had gone unnoticed being swamped by the rest of my mail, so reiterating the content of the mail, Siobhan told me details of this new Nseries Event where they would send some bloggers some place around the world, for two weeks, all expenses paid where they would use the N82 to document the whole event whilst navigating from A-B using, again, the N82. That call was an invite to this event. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAH!

    It’s happening quite soon, January/February 2008. Big January exam times! I’m not so much fussed about the exams because I’ll have revised for them over the Christmas holidays only the mandatory assessed practicals which I will be missing. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! 2 weeks out of action from studies to use the N82 to its limits, scouring unfamiliar lands, haha, would make a good tech-reality TV show.

    I’m hoping it’s not going to be too similar to the Duke of Edinburgh expeditions I went on. (I used the 7610 to capture memories of those feet killing times) Rain, mud, cows, cliff, full 80litre back-packs and the biggest yet most unhelpful map and compass ever. That would have been so different had I had had a GPS device then….no getting lost several times in a row. Haha!

    Anyway, the point of the four bloggers will be that once dropped of at their particular world region, they’re going to be exploring that for the next two weeks and at the end of it, passing the baton so to speak to the next person. As to which initial destination each person will be going to is at this moment unknown, but every location seems to be open to the Nseries urbanista Diaries. Apparently our daily routes can be tracked with a sized down version of sports tracker for each person’s blog (I’m not sure it will work on this wordpress account though). You’ve most likely heard about the Nokia Sports tracker as it’s been available quite a while, if not you can read about and download the actual app here <click<<. Quite simple and easy to use.

    Two other confirmed attendants are Devin Balentina from ‘the Nokia guide’, and Ms Jen from ‘Black Pheobe’. I wonder who the fourth person will be?!

    Nokia World 2007

    November 30, 2007 at 7:02 pm | In Event, Nokia, Nseries | No Comments

    So next week, I will be going to Nokia World Amsterdam.

    Everyone will be flying out on the Monday except for me since Monday is one of my busiest days this semester with lectures, tutorials, 3 hour assessed practicals and a big exam meaning I wouldn’t get back till about 8 pm. So I’ll be flying out Tuesday morning instead.

    I’m not sure exactly what it entails but I hear from the grapevine that there’s going to be around 80 demonstration areas, Q & A sessions presumably with Nokia product manager and of course a chance to meet some new and old friends from the mobile world.

    This week is sandwiched in with the biggest Pub Crawl of my UNI followed by the onslought of an identical schedule of the Monday (with  an even bigger weighting exam!). It would have been much better if my exams were the week after.

    Stay tuned as I bring back news of Nokia World, hopefully, entirely using the N82. (Hmm, reminds me, I must download the Amsterdam Maps!)

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