Upcode - the 1D barcode reader (and 2D barcodes as well)

If you use your barcode reader a lot, you’d like to know the best reader available. Well, I don’t search around much but I just found out this new app and went ahead to test it. It’s known as UPCODE, you can try it out from here.

As a benchmark, I used same method as previously, which is through the kaywa web generator and also quickmark code generator; the results:-

UPCODE managed to read only as much as 85 characters of Kaywa’s code and upto 120 characters of quickmark’s code.

So it seems quickmark’s apps are still the best for my E71, so far. And Nokia's native code reader is also better, i guess.

1 thing to note though, this upcode app allows code reading of 1D barcode! This should be a big plus point as the other readers do not offer this. So if you find this feature useful, then you might want to keep it.

iON BatteryTimer and its stand-by plugin display problem

i just came across this iON BatteryTimer symbian application which is said can show accurate battery status for symbian phones. Interesting, really. Check out their website for more details.

I have just used it and so far the "accuracy" is still poor but i am just at my second re-charge and the software claims to show accurate results after 4-5 cycles of charging, so i won't comment on that just yet. I do like this software because of it's neat interface and what it is supposed to do, you just can't miss having this app.

PROBLEM
I had one problem though; the stand-by plugin which shows the battery status at the homescreen had some display problem with weird squares and doesn't look very nice.

SOLUTION
A good lad from a forum highlighted the possible cause which was rather obvious - the fonts of the stand-by plugin weren't recognized by my E71 unit.

So the simple solution was to change the native fonts in order to have it work. Well, there are many ways to change the native fonts in E71, a simple internet search will help you with it, but just a suggestion - i used fontrouter LT and it helped solve the problem. Careful with the font changing process as it is risky and be sure to read enough before attempting any. Good luck!

P/S: Checkout the powersaver mode (screensaver), really neat!

Nokia E71 Tip: Transfer Bluetooth Files from Messaging's Inbox to other folders

How ignorant of me. Har har.. I have been using this E71 for more than 6months and still cursing about how difficult it is to transfer files via bluetooth using this symbian phone. This is because bluetooth files transfer shall direct the file into the messaging inbox as a new message and only supported files such as jpeg, mp3 and words/excel files can be opened and saved when transfered using this bluetooth way. Other files with unknown extensions (such as rar files) cannot be opened nor saved to other folders.

This message will pop up:

I normally will have to use my data cable to transfer these type of files directly into the folder needed and its always a hassle. I seldom share files with friends via bluetooth due to this matter as well. Now only i know of the simplest workaround for this issue and in fact using a simple software that i had been using all along - activefile.

If you need more info about activefile, please refer my previous post. Basically other file explorer software may also do the trick, i guess.

Using activefile, just simply browse to the "inbox" folder, and voila! there they are, the files are in there...Har har..


Well once you find the needed file using activefile, copying and transferring the files to other folder won't be that hard with the app's dual pane..just copy and paste!

Do you have other better ways? Let me know please.. :)

NOKIA BARCODE READER NOT AS GOOD? (AS QUICKMARK)

If you have no idea of barcode reader, please refer my previous post HERE.

I tried this other software as suggested by a reader (yuc3697), Quickmark barcode reader and code generator and i can simply say i am impressed and it is by far better than nokia barcode reader. Simply put, the below are my findings:-

Quickmark barcode reader
As a comparison, i've used nokia barcode reader a lot and one limitation is the number of characters it can read. By using the same kaywa code generator, i find that the nokia barcode reader cannot read anything above 170 characters.

Using quickmark barcode reader, i was able to read up to 190 characters.

Quickmark code generator
As to earlier suggested kaywa code generator, i must say that this quickmark code generator is better simply because it does not require an internet connection - it is a software that can be installed on my PC! i find this most convenient.

Whats better is that by using this quickmark code generator along with the quickmark code reader, it can read up to 280 characters. :) superb!

i have been using these ever since. I use this barcode quite a lot since i need to sms addresses and details to colleagues and i cannot think of any other way more convenient than using this.

Let me know if you have different experience.

If you need to check it out further, please check their website HERE.

If you're using Nokia E71, you can download both the quickmark reader and generator HERE.

Malaysia Income Tax Refund

Have you received your income tax refund? I know of some who haven't.

Anyway i made this template for request of refund from the LHDN, consider it a kind reminder to them. :) Made it in Bahasa since i thought it is the official standard for Malaysia government agencies.

DOWNLOAD HERE

EDIT: 10 days after sending the letter to LHDN, they responded that the request is being processed. Very efficient. Hope they keep up the good work :p

E71 Free Symbian Applications I Use (Top 5)

Here's a list of some FREE apps which i have installed in my E71. I even included a download link for a compilation of all the apps at the bottom of this page, just in case you'd like to download it all in one go (i even added some extras).

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1. JBAK Taskman v1.00 by JBak



This would be the very first software i have to install on my E71. Reason? As symbian does not have an application shortcut list, this is one software which provides such feature. So it gives faster access to the apps installed on your device.

Not only does it gives access, it also gives control of the apps on your device. JBAK Taskman is actually a task manager and process viewer that easily beats the current nokia task list (accessible by long press of home button) so as that needs no further explanation, try it to explore its capabilities!

Link: Author's website

Oh and some useful features are battery status (not very accurate) and soft reboot.

2. Activefile v1.40(186) v1.42(1) by Alie Tan



Activefile is a file manager software, so what's the big deal you might ask?

Well not only does it show the total size and current usage of your main drives (very important don't you think), it also allows browsing of files and folders in two (2) separate window panes. So this enables easy moving and copying of files from one to another.

EDIT: You can also access files transferred via bluetooth inside the message inbox using this app, superb!

Hint: If you can sign unsigned apps, the unsigned with extended version allows soft reboot and also screen capture.

Link: Author's website

3. Opera Mini v4.02(0) by Opera Software



Simply another alternative to the existing nokia web browser, and preferred by most users. Faster and better loading of web pages and the 'back' option really does browse back to the previous page and this is a big plus point for me against the existing browser.

I don't have a .sis file for this, you'll have to download it directly to your mobile (better use wifi if you're not on flat data plan) by going to this link http://mini.opera.com (use my tip HERE if you're lazy to type)

Link: Software website

4. Worldmate v7.00(43) by Worldmate Inc



I consider this very important to me as i go around places sometimes and communicate with overseas client/colleagues, this software gives world clocks, exchange currencies, weather conditions as well as day/night map.

If you go gold (paid version), other services are offered such as flight schedules, alerts and flight status.

Link: Software website

5. Wefi v1.04(10) v1.07(21) by Wefi Ltd



I've stopped using Nokia WLan search software ever since i found Wefi. Wefi scans the place for wifi connections and lets you see open, require sign in and locked spots from its scan. Wefi will also automatically connect to the best wifi connection, saves a lot of time rather than you testing each connection one by one.

EDIT: This new version seems slightly faster in searching and connecting to network.

Link: Software Website

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And then there are others like Nimbuzz, Fring, Google email client, Google maps, cCalc, Calcium and others but i thought i'll limit it to five (5) apps which i use the most first for this round.

What applications must you have on your device?

If anyone would like to download the above apps, they can be found HERE

NOTE: Post edited and apps updated as of 23rd Oct 09.

NOKIA Barcode Reader: 2D Barcode

Often when i need to copy a web link to my mobile browser to download apps, or to send a home address to friends and colleagues, i find it inconvenient to type the long link with all the special characters and all...so i found this easy and most simple way to do it, which is to use a website to generate a 2D barcode (on my PC) and later use my 'barcode reader' to scan and copy the link (in my phone).

Check this website: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ it can basically generate any web links, text, phone numbers and even sms.

Once you click generate, you'll be given something like this:



Use your barcode reader to scan and translate it! good luck trying..

If you don't have the barcode reader, you can try this java version of the reader at http://reader.kaywa.com/ but it may have some limitations so you'll have to try it to see if it works..

and by the way, i tried the barcode reader on my groceries stuffs as well and surely it wouldn't read anything, that's because those are known as '1D barcode' and not readable by the nokia barcode reader.. har har..