Getting Started With Python For Series 60

J1Ever since I posted about the Dubai Traffic Cam program, which was written in Python, I've received many e-mails about how to install and run it. The first thing you'll need if you want to run programs written in Python (called 'scripts') on your series 60 device is to download the Python For Series 60 .sis install file from Nokia.

The file can be found here on the Forum Nokia pages. You will have to sign up to Forum Nokia, if you aren't already a member, to be able to download the appropriate .sis install file. There are two .sis files available, one for Series 60 1st Edition and one for Series 60 2nd Edition. You can check the version your particular mobile runs on this check-list.

J0Once you have downloaded the file, copy it across to your phone and install Python For Series 60 (Use this guide to copying files to your phone if you haven't done this before). The install process is the same as when installing any other program on your phone (look here for a guide to installing file on your mobile). Once Python For Series 60 has been installed on your phone it will be able to recognise all Python Scripts and Library Modules.

Now to install the Python Script. First copy the script (it should be a .py file) to your computer. Most of the time Python Scripts will just appear as text (as my Dubai Traffic Cam Script looks like here) and you'll have to make the .py file yourself. To make a .py file simply copy the text (code) into notepad (or a similar text-editor) and save the file as "FileName.py". If the .py extension isn't added to the file, the phone will not recognise it as a Python File.

J4_2Now that you have your Python Script, with the .py extension, you can copy it across to you phone as you would do with any other file. When the file has been copied, open it and the install process will start up. When the file has been recognised as a Python script, the install process will ask you whether to install it as a "Python script" or "Python lib module". Click "Python script" and the install process should continue as normal.

J3_3Once installed, the script is ready to be run. Open up the Python For Series 60 UI (whose icon appears as a green snake as seen in the first picture at the top of this post). You should see a screen similar to the one on the left. Click on "Options" and then click on "Run script". This should bring up a list of Python Scripts that have been installed on your phone (see picture below). A number of scripts come pre-installed with the Python For Series 60 install file so there should be a few scripts to choose from. Find the script you want to run and click on it. This will start up that particular Python Program.

J5If you are interested in learning more about Python For Series 60 i would recommend starting with the Python For Series 60 Wiki over at postneo.com. For those of you looking to develop Python Scripts there are great Developer Discussion Boards at Nokia.com and you can find a list of some Python Tutorials here.

If you have any problems that were not covered in this tutorial feel free to e-mail me.

March 16, 2005 by Tarek Abu-Esber | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack

Changing Fonts For Series60

Modern16ukDarla has pointed out that Zedge have a great tutorial on how to change the Font on the Nokia 6600 as well as some other Series 60 phones. The instructions in the Zedge Forum also include a download of a set of the most popular fonts to put onto your mobile. If those aren't enough you can download some more individual Fonts from DaFont.

So far the method is reported to definitely work on the Nokia 6600 and the Nokia 7610 but it should also work on most of the newer Series60 mobiles. You will need a file explorer as well so pick up the latest version of F-Explorer for free if you don't already have one. You should also note that you will lose your original font when you change to a new one so you might want to make a back-up before you try this out.

December 25, 2004 by Tarek Abu-Esber | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack

Gmail On Your Mobile

Ever since i joined Gmail I've been waiting impatiently for POP3 support so i could access my mail on my phone. Earlier this month Google finally came up with the goods and his week POP3 support was finally turned on for my account (Gmail were giving it to people periodically). So how easy is it to get Gmail on your phone? 

NOTE: You have to enable POP3 Access in your Gmail settings. There are instructions here if you are unsure how to do this

UPDATE1: See Native E-Mail Client and  Gmail Atom Feed
UPDATE2: Consync have a good guide to getting Gmail on mobiles running Windows Mobile
UPDATE3: LonelyCat have solved the problem with Port 465 in release 1.31 of ProfiMail. If you are using Version 1.31 or later, then use Port 465 instead of Port 587

The Settings
The setting for Gmail are as follows:

  • Incoming Mail Server (POP3): pop.gmail.com on Port 995
  • Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP): smtp.gmail.com on Port 587 (Note: Port 465 didn't seem to work)
    UPDATE: LonelyCat have solved the problem with Port 465 in release 1.31 of ProfiMail. If you are using Version 1.31 or later, then use Port 465 instead of Port 587
  • SMTP requires Authorisation
  • Both of these require SSL to be activated

Native E-mail Client
It immediately became apparent after trying various setting, that i couldn't use the native e-mail client that came with the 6600 (in MESSAGES) as it didn't support SMTP authentication (as required by Gmail). A quick search of the better Nokia forums found that this indeed was the case. So the answer was to find a third-party application that would support SMTP authentication.
UPDATE: This problem seems to only effect the 6600 and the N-Gage. The Native E-mail Clients for both the 7610 and the 6630 work as long as you put "SECURITY" to "ON" which enables the SSL

ProfiMail
Supports Nokia 7650/3650/N-Gage/6600, Siemens SX1, SendoX, Sony Ericsson Pxxx, Motorola A92x,A1000
For me the obvious choice was ProfiMail which i had heard good things about. The latest version (V1.23) had fixed all the minor issues the initial releases had and is perhaps one of the best e-mail client around. Once i had paid for the program and registered, i started to set up the phone.
Pm1Setting the account up on ProfiMail couldn't be easier. Open up the application and it will automatically as you if you want to set up a new account. If this doesn't come up click MENU-ACCOUNT-NEW. This should being up the account set-up screen (left). Under "Account Name" enter what you would like the account to be called (e.g. Gmail) followed by your e-mail address and "Display Name" (which could be the same as the Account Name). Under "Mail Server Type" make sure "POP3" is chosen. Then "Incoming Mail Server" is "pop.gmail.com" and "Outgoing Mail Server" is "smtp.gmail.com". Under user name fill in your full Gmail address (i.e. [email protected]) followed by the password. If you don't click "Get Entire Message" ProfiMail will only download the message headers not the whole e-mail, the choice is yours.

Pm2

Now click on "Advanced Settings" which will bring up a new set-up menu (right). Leave "Secure Pop Login" unchecked and check "SMTP Authentication" (as seen on the right). Leave the SMTP username and password blank. Under "POP3 Port" put "995" and under "SMTP Port" put "587" (UPDATE: LonelyCat have solved the problem with Port 465 in release 1.31 of ProfiMail. If you are using Version 1.31 or later, then use Port 465 instead of Port 587). Finally check both "Use SSL for POP3" and "Use SSL for SMTP". Then click "Done" twice and you're finished, ProfiMail can connect to your account and you can send e-mail as well.

E-Mail Sender
If for some reason you only want to send e-mails from your phones or want a cheaper alternative, E-Mail Sender could be an option. This e-mail client does support SMTP Authentication but can only send e-mails not receive them. This is ideal for people who only want to use their e-mail to Moblog or only need one way communication.

WAP Access
Supports any WAP enabled phone
G2Now for those of you who don't have a phone that can install ProfiMail and/or don't have native e-mail clients (or perhaps people who don't want to pay $20 for ProfiMail even though its worth every cent!), don't despair! G1there is also a way of checking your Gmail account via WAP thanks to GmailWireless.com. The people at GmailWireless have used code from the Gmail-Mobile Project to set up a page which you can visit via WAP on your mobile and log directly into your Gmail account. I've tried this out personally (left and right) and it works like a charm. All you have to do is go to their main page and register, it's as easy as that!

Gmail Atom Feed
A while back Gmail added an Atom Feed as a new feature which lead to the creation of Gmail Checker. It's a great little Midlet that runs on the 7610 and the 6600 (UPDATE: Also supports Sony Ericsson P900/P910 (when the Equifax certificate is installed), Orange C500 and the Treo 600). However, Gmail seem to have removed the Atom Feeds for some reason! This is a good option to keep in mind however as they might include Atom Feeds in the final release of Gmail if indeed they don't reintroduce it sooner. (UPDATE: It seems Gmail haven't removed their Atom Feed feature, but it is only working for a limited number of people. Check your own Gmail Features to see if it's available to you)

November 23, 2004 by Tarek Abu-Esber | Permalink | Comments (104) | TrackBack

Tutorial: Uninstalling Files

I got an e-mail the other day from a Wessel Rauch concerning uninstalling programs on the 6600 and it made me realise that i (stupidly) hadn't added it to the Install Files Tutorial I did a while back. So here is a quick explanantion of how you can delete those pesky programs:

  • Go into the Menu on your phone (press the blue 'menu' key on the left hand side of the phone)
  • Cycle through the menu till you come to an option that says "Manager" and open it (either by pressing the joystick in or using Options - Open)
  • The Manger (or the App. Manger) is a list of all programs that are installed on the phone be it on the MMC card or the phones memory
  • The Manager sometimes takes a few seconds to load all the information. You'll hear a beep upon opening the Manager and then a beep once the list is loaded (or you can just wait till it allows you to scroll down)
  • Once the list is loaded, cycle through it till you come to the name of the program you want to uninstall
  • Once the target program is highlighted, press the "clear" button (The button with the 'c' on it which is on the right hand side of the phone
  • A warning will come up asking you if you really want to remove the application Yes or No
  • Click 'Yes' to completeley remove the program from your phone or click 'No' to keep it or if you have made a mistake.

There are a couple of notes i would also like to add about unistalling programs:

  • Once a program is removed it can only be re-installed if you have the orgional install file you used to install it in the first place
  • Sometimes the name of the program you want to uninstall isn't given a recognisable name in the App. Manger List. If this is the case you should use your own common sense to try and decide which one is reffering to the program you want to remove. If you are unsure you risk deleting a program you didn't want to lose
  • On rare occasions, the program won;t be listed in the App. Manager List at all. If this is the case you will have to use a file manger like F-Explorer or File Man to find and delete the files you want removed
  • Sorry if some parts of the tutorial seemed a bit over-simplistic but some readers really are beginners at this

Well i hope that helps some of you out there...

November 15, 2004 by Tarek Abu-Esber | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack

TUTORIAL: Installing Files

The Install Process is very basic once it is initiated. Files that are to be installed are usually located in your messages. Make sure your phone isn't about to run out of battery as well!

  • Goto the file you want to install (usually located in your messages) and open it to start the installation procedure.
  • The install procedure should start up automatically and ask you if you would like to install the program contained in the file.
  • Choose yes and the process will continue. It will then ask you where to copy the file to, phone memory or Memory Card. I recommend using the memory card as programs can usually take up alot of space and the phone memory is not very large. Chose the prefered option and the process will continue.
  • Some times the process will stop and tell you that a certificate has not been recognised and do you want to continue. It is usally safe to continue with installation if you are confidant that the source you got the file from is trustworthy. If however you have obtained the files from an unknow source (Kaza for instance) there might be a small (Very Small) risk that the file is not trustworthy. I have never had any problems with any of the hundreds of files i have used
  • Once the installation process is finished, you can start using the program. Most programs turn up as an icon at the bottom of you MENU screen. (You can now delete the origional install file to save space).

NOTE: All the files i hvae put up on this site have been tested by me and, as far as i know, are working 100% . However the user downloads and installs these files at their own risk. I am not responsible for anything that goes wrong with connection to these files

Download Installing Files Tutorial

September 30, 2004 by Tarek Abu-Esber | Permalink | TrackBack

TUTORIAL: Copying Files From PC To Phone

While some files are sent to your phone by a provider through MMS, others have been copied to your computer and have to be sent to your phone for installation. There are a number of ways of transferring files between your computer and your phone. The 6600 has Bluetooth and Infrared (I/R) connections available to it. The best way of copying files is by using these connections. If your computer doesn't have bluetooth or I/R capabilities, there are many bits of hardware on the market that plug into a USB drive and enable Bluetooth or Infrared connections (check links for example products).

Bluetooth is usually a preffered method as it is alot faster than an I/R connection and doesn't need a clear sight to maintain a connection as I/R does and has a larger range (usually around 10m).

  • If you are using a plug-in device, install it using the software and instructions provided. Also turn on either the Bluetooth or I/R connection on your phone, whichever you are using. Goto MENU--CONNECTIONS for this and select either Bluetooth or Infrared
  • If you are using Bluetooth, it is a good idea to change the name of your phone so that it can be easily recognised. Goto MENU--CONNECTIONS--BLUETOOTH and go down to "My Phone's Name" and change it to something you would recognise.
  • Once all the connection devices are ready, use your PC to search for the phone. If you are using infra-red, make sure the phone's infrared port and the I/R port on your PC are pointing towards each other and that nothing is between them.
  • Once a connection has been established, send the install file thats is on your PC to your phone. This will be received as a message on your phone once it has been sent.
  • Open this message, and if te file is a working install file, the install process will start automatically.

NOTE: I recommend that you change your message setting to use the MMC memory as opposed to you phone memory some files are quite large and can eat up all your phones memory

Another way to copy files to your phone is by using a card reader to copy the file to your MMC (The removeable memory card). A Memeory card reader can easily be bought in most computer stores and once installed, the MMC from your phone can be place in its contents can be navigated from MY COMPUTER. I have never used this method myself.

NOTE: Only .SIS and .JAR files can be used on the 6600. Old .jad files used for othe phone models DO NOT WORK on the 6600. Some .JAR files have also been known to cause problems for the 6600.

Download Tutorial

September 30, 2004 by Tarek Abu-Esber | Permalink | TrackBack