Nokia’s current 3rd edition Series 60 devices have by now loads of software made for them. Some really good stuff already comes with the phones – especially the latest models. For example, the #1 application on the phone is still the browser (it’s great), but a bunch of useful stuff will still need to be installed by the user. The only problem is that lots of the other stuff is crap and finding the good applications is a pretty lengthy process, especially when people often don’t know what’s out there and what are the possibilities.
To perhaps aid in this search for these valuable applications, below is a list of my favorites along with screenshots. Most applications are free, which I prefer, but there are a couple which are so good that I consider them worth the money. If you get these, please buy them from clicking the links on this page to support this site!
For older applications that run on the older S60 platform, refer to my older post for these devices.
Recent updates to the list
Update April 2008: Related to the Location Tagger-application; the new firmware versions for N95 and N82 support automatic geotagging from the camera application itself, thus obsoleting any additional SW. Highly recommended if you can upgrade the FW; go to Nokia Software Update at nokia.com/softwareupdate
Update February 2008: Redid most of the screenshots as to reflect the latest versions of the applications. Added more screenshots as well as displaying all in “real life size” now. Updated descriptions. Added Location Tagger and Sports Tracker.
Update January 2008: Added EmTube, an application for playing YouTube videos. Changed Smart2Go Maps to Nokia Maps. Removed Raccoon as I really didn’t find good, lasting use cases for it. OggPlay works again with an updated certificate, but has an annoying bug causing the phone volume buttons not to work – I’ll add it back here once those work as it’s a vastly superior music player to the included one.
Update November 2007: Google Maps now has GPS and cell-id based location support
Calcium
The calculator that comes with Nokia phones sucks. Its user interface is quite inconvenient and I’m pretty sure you’ll agree after trying Calcium. It’s a basic calculator with a wonderfully usable UI.
Download from: http://www.mtvoid.com/calcium/index.html
Price: free
Handy Weather
Handy Weather is an excellent application for everyone interested in the weather. It automatically updates the weather forecast and current conditions for cities of your choice. Beautiful graphics make taking a quick peek at the forecast a pleasure. The latest version also includes a screen saver, displaying the immediate weather forecast when your phone idles.
Price: €19.95 for one year subscription – click here to buy!
(Note that unlike many applications, this is NOT bound to a single device or IMEI code – when you upgrade your phone, you don’t need to re-purchase it)
More screenshots: [Screenshot 2]
Handy Clock
Handy Clock supplies some of the “missing” essential applications; in addition to the nice day/night map pictured here, it has a set of alarms, countdown timers and stopwatch functions that are extremely convenient e.g. in the kitchen. There’s also an elementary time log for logging project durations.
Price: €24.95 – click here to buy! (Note that unlike many applications, this is NOT bound to a single device or IMEI code – when you upgrade your phone, you don’t need to re-purchase it)
More screenshots: [Screenshot 2]
Nokia Podcasting
Nokia has made a nice podcasting application that supports most N- and E-series devices. It was only after this application that I really “got” podcasts; you can set it to download your favorite podcasts at set times and using a specified network. For example, evenings using the home WLAN is a good choice, especially for those without a flat-rate data plan – video podcasts or vodcasts can easily take few tens of MB each. Then listen or watch to your favorite podcasts on the move the next day.
Price: free
Pre-installed in many new handsets. Also available for download from http://www.nokia.com/podcasting
Nokia Search
Nokia Search now comes pre-installed in at least the new N-series devices, but if you don’t have it yet, get it here. This is basically a search application for both Internet and your own device. The on-device search may not sound very useful, but once you accumulate gigabytes of stuff on your phone it suddenly becomes clear why such an application is needed. It’s most useful thanks to its ability to connect to local yellow pages-style directories so searching for services and businesses is easy. Plus there’s a convenient map that shows you where everything is.
Price: free
Now comes pre-installed in new handsets. Also available for download from: http://mobilesearch.nokia.com/
Internet Radio
Internet Radio is another Nokia-project. It consists of a Shoutcast engine and a front-end – you can listen to streaming radio stations available on the Internet. The quality is not always flawless, but most of the time it works nicely. This is another easy way to rack up your mobile data usage, so a flat-rate plan might be a good idea.
Price: free
Now comes pre-installed in many new handsets. Also available for download from: http://www.nokia.com/internetradio
Screenshot
Screenshot is, as the name would imply, a simple application that allows you to take screenshots of applications running on the phone – something that has been extensively used in making of this post, for example.
Price: free
Available from: http://antonypranata.com/screenshot/screenshot-symbian-os
Google Maps Mobile
Google’s own version of their Google Maps for mobile phones. An excellent map application that now comes with GPS support. What’s more, since late November 2007, Google Maps now uses cell-id based location which means that even handsets without GPS (or outside GPS coverage) can get a rough location estimation based on the cell ID. Very convenient with a nice UI.
Price: free
Available from: http://www.google.com/gmm (visit the URL with your phone)
Nokia Maps 2.0
After Nokia’s acquisitions and movements to mapping space, the Nokia Maps application has become one of the best mapping applications out there, at least in terms of usability and price/quality ratio. The software and maps itself are free but the navigation support is a chargeable add-on feature (GPS support is free, only the navigation feature costs). Still, a very useful and well-functioning piece of software that’s quite useful when one is abroad. The new 2.0 version adds some nice features and more local information.
Price: free / charge for GPS navigation.
Old version pre-installed in many new handsets, 2.0 coming later. 2.0 Beta available for download from: http://www.nokia.com/betalabs/maps
More screenshots: [Screenshot 2],
[Screenshot 3]
GMail Mobile
Google Mail or GMail is one of the most usable webmails out there, so it’s no surprise they came up with a really good mobile client also. This definitely trumps the built-in mail client. I have two minor annoyances: the ok/cancel-button order is reversed as compared to most other S60 apps which takes some getting used to. Also, it doesn’t handle very long mails well but rather truncates them. Still, it’s very usable for reading your GMail on the move.
Download with your phone’s browser from gmail.com/app
Price: free
DivX Player
One of the worst deficiencies with the 3rd edition terminals are their terrible media players; the RealPlayer is really not up to snuff especially for playing local media and thus needs to be replaced with something better. There are several options out there, but some are rather expensive and not so great – luckily DivX player will save the day. After appropriate conversion if necessary, this players makes it possible to really enjoy videos, movies and TV shows on your phone.
Download from http://mobile.divx.com/.
Price: free
More screenshots: [Video being played full-screen],
[Another full-screen video]
EmTube
One annoying thing about S60 terminals has been their inability to play YouTube clips. The Flash Lite included is not good enough for FLV videos (support coming in Flash Lite 3.0 but that’s not installed in any new phone as of yet) and the available applications have only shown a small part of the YouTube contents. That all changes with EmTube, a great little application that nicely displays all of YouTube contents. On N95 and N82 it even auto-rotates the video when you turn the phone. The best part is that it’s free!
Download from http://www.emtube.yoyo.pl/emTube_S60_3_0_v_1_0_10.zip (the site seems to be down at the moment, though this direct link to the file still works)
Price: free
Location Tagger
Many recent phones are equipped with a GPS receiver and a camera, so it’s quite amazing that these two haven’t yet been fully combined – that is, the phones don’t automatically embed location information to the image metadata (EXIF). Location Tagger from Nokia Beta Labs corrects this omission; keep it running on the background, take pictures as usual and your photos will be geotagged. Very useful. Includes a timeout counter so it doesn’t drain your battery by keeping the GPS always on.
Update (April 2008): The new firmware versions for N95 and N82 support automatic geotagging from the camera application itself. Highly recommended if you can upgrade.
Download from Nokia Beta Labs at http://www.nokia.com/betalabs/locationtagger
Price: free
Sports Tracker
Sports Tracker has a really nice idea – it maintains a comprehensive log of your exercise; speed, route with GPS, distance, elevation changes and everything you can think of. Later you can look at the routes you traveled on a map or whatever. Perfect for walking or biking trips and a good sparring partner if you’re after an improved time in a certain route.
Of course, the one downside is that it’s not useful for all kinds of sports – I for one prefer to leave my phone home when going swimming or running 
Download from Nokia Beta Labs at http://www.nokia.com/betalabs/sportstracker
Price: free
Bonus applications: P2P stuff
A couple of great P2P apps have made their way onto the Symbian platform also. Check out Symtorrent and Symella.
Other stuff
If you’re looking for free themes for your S60 device, check out http://symbian.mobilethemes.com/ – plenty of good quality themes are available from there and all free of charge!
Good work. I personally use Opera Mini for web browsing, especially when not connected to Wi-Fi, because it uses a fraction of the data. Agile Messenger and MobiReader are 2 other good apps that work.
Loving the phone…. except for the damn battery. Ordered a spare, but this shouldn’t be the answer.
Now I really have to get myself a N80 as my 7610 is slowly starting to deteriorate in my use… I love these apps already
Chris: thanks for the additional tips. I agree the battery life should be improved, it\’s a shame something so basic is awry.
Antti: (un)fortunately most, if not all, of the apps can be run on a 7610 also.. but sure, that shouldn\’t prevent you from getting an N80
Many thanks. I have been looking for a S60 3rd Edition stopwatch for some time. I’ll take a look at the podcast and internet radio too, though the “home media” software the my N80 links to downloads podcasts to it.
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I would propose Google Calendar for the “Top Ten” as well
What theme are you using?
James; I’m using the Stormwater 2.0 theme. You can download it from http://iponsel.com/mobile/uploads/nseries/StormWater_v20.zip
Update: The above no longer applies, that was for old screenshots. The above screenshots were taken while using the Leopard (by Niimai) theme.
We just got our first application Symbian signed, it’s called PulsePaper… try it out (www.pulsepaper.com) and see if it breaks into your top 10 applications
Thanks a lot – handy post
The link for google mail is wrong. It brings you to google maps. The same link is given for both:
http://gmail.google.com/gmm/
Ken, thanks for pointing that out. The link’s fixed now, it should’ve been gmail.com/app for GMail.
pls get more cool apps man yo!!!
Thanks for that!
Useful !
Cheers!
hello
i have a nokia E-70 and i want a gps program for it, what kinda gps program is compatible and the best and easiest to use?? and free to download??
anyone knows??
Hope anyone can help me:)
Kindly tell me if I can get a free call recorder anywhere. It’s such a useful software but I didn’t find it free of cost. Thanks
very useful!
I have a question regarding GPS and Google maps, does my phone operator have to enable my GPS or need me to be paying a fee for it or can I use it straight out the box?
Got a free call recorder? Please let me know. Thanks.
Great list…
Here’s a new Top 10 Symbian list for 2008:
http://smashgods.com/2008/08/15/top-10-symbian-apps-breathe-new-life-into-your-nokia-smartphone/
We’ve come a long way…
some of em are good but u cant call em the top 10 softwares.
Heres my Top 10
1.Darkkarious (Software to hack ur own fone to remove certificate errors for cracked files)
2. Xplorer
3. Advance Device Locks Pro. (Personnal password for any program!)
3. Advance Call Manager. (Divert/Reject Calls without letting the other person know!)
4. Smart Movie (for runnig Avi Files)
5. Core CodecPlayer (runs everything .. even Youtube files!)
6. Quran with voice ( available form nokia.com)
7. Total Recall ( Call recorder without BEEP!)
8.Smart Guard (another locking software)
9.ebuddy/Messenger ( login yahoo + msn at the same time )
10. Mirrgi ( for mirc users)
Thanks for the list, Ali.
Luckily I can call anything I want “Top 10″ as all lists are subjective. As you’ve shown, YMMV.
1. Skyrefire (web browser that can display websites that other browsers fail to display)
2. Profimail (best mail application)
3. Fring (Skype,MSN client..)
4. MobiReader (eBook reader)
5. Mobbler (last.fm client, must have !)
6. Google Maps
7. Google Mail
8. Snaptu (cool way to access the Internet on your phone)
9. Steel Black (best theme I’ve ever seen on http://axthemes.extra.hu/)
10. TBD
I tried to install EmTube to my N80 but received a Certificate Expired message.
Just set your clock back!
Top 10 list for Symbian 60 5.2
1) IM+: Yes I have used this since the first Symbian 60. It’s still an awesome app. Once you have bought it, it’s yours for life, and each upgrade brings more. Instant messaging for all the services.
2) Nokia’s Handwriting Calculator (free). You have to see it to understand. I so wish I could give a screen shot, but I can’t find a screen shot program, not even to pay for.
3) qic (free): Stream video from your mobile.
4) Handy Safe Pro: Yes the same one as for 3rd edition Symbian. But keep all your important details locked away and synched to your PC too. Lose your wallet; you have the number of the credit card company to call and your card number. On your PC just copy and paste your details into web forms.
5) AccuWeather (free): Nice summary or detail, 10 locations remembered, plus your current location via GPS.
6) Did I say it needs a screen shot program?
7) Also needed, a FTP server, like there is for the Ifone. The 5800 has a mini USB lead to connect it to your computer. So round at a friend’s house and want to copy some music, it should be simple. Wrong, the Nokia mini USB lead looks like all the others, but it is a subtly different shape. So you can’t just borrow one of your friend’s leads.
Thanks for this collection!
I can see a lot of my favorite applications in your collection and among the others offered in comments.
Today I would suggest to add one more software – SymSync – the silent wireless automatic file synchronization between phone and computer.
Cheers.
Nokia Maps 2.0 if free, but if you want to “drive” in your car, you have to pay for it.
people i have Nokia N96, can someone send me link which from I can download free application plzz people, not application like new calculator but something better
Hi! Dear Sir, Madam and Friends.
I have Nokia 6220 classic. I have some special problems that, when I installing some software ‘means’ (mobile application in nokia 3rd edition). There is a problem accrue that “certificate error. contact the service supplier”.
I am sure that some mobile programs are available for(about) these problems, so plz send me this programs OR send me the link of this program…everyone…
Please Please and Please
I shell be very thankful to U and Your’s for ever.(Thanks)
special waiting……………………
chodVchand@yahoo.com
i want softwear for s60 3rd edition and applicaition plz help me know.