Can't find too many options for these type of apps...

[JNGold]

Hey all. For the past couple of months I have been contemplating replacing my WM device with something else. Obviously, since I am posting here, the s60 platform, more specifically the N95 is one of the devices I am considering.

However, before I consider the move away from WM, I need to do some investigation of the applications that a given platform offers. In this respect, some of the apps that I have come to rely on I am finding in very short number on the S60 platform.

1. The only real decent weather app I have been able to find is Handy Weather. Looks like a nice app but come on, 13 bucks every year for a subscription? Give me a break. Shouldn't have to pay 13 bucks each year you want to use the application, especially for weather.

WorldMate is ok, but not what I would consider a robust mobile weather application.

Isn't there any app out there that displays weather info on the standby screen? I have been spoiled by a plethora of Today screen weather apps available for WM. Sure, I can make a Browser shortcut to a home page with weather on it, but that is extra steps. I see that Fizz Weather is "coming soon" to the S60 platform but I am surprised not too many options out there right now.

2. Personal Finance - Can't really find anything that will allow syncing with Quicken on the desktop. I know very few apps allow for direct sync (ie. Pocket Quicken), but I haven't even been able to find something for the N95 that will allow QIF import/export.

3. Diabetes Glucose Management - Yeah, I know this is very specialized. But the only thing I have been able to find is a J2ME version of SiDiary. I am very surprised there are no native s60 apps that allow for Daily Glucose and insulin entry to be sync'ed with the PC.

I have done most of my searching via Google and on Handango, SymbianGear, and even on the Nokia web site.

Of the three above, the weather and personal finance options are pretty darn common and surprised at the lack of quality options available. As for the Diabetes software, that's pretty important to me for managing my Diabetes.

Can anyone suggest anything for the above categories? I am a little disappointed in the amount of options provided for S60 for the above, especially when compared to WM, POS, and heck even RIM.

[symbian60.mobi]

In short:
1.) There are quite some weather apps that might seem interesting. But NONE of them displays anything in the standby-screen. but that´s a feature you´ll be searching your *** off anyway for nearly ANY application on the symbian s60 platform. dont feel the need to explain the why´s etc - just take it as i said or do some research on your own.
Worldmate could be first choice though as it can inform you automatically at certain times with spoken weather-forecasts at morn and night. and: it´s free. (at least the services of it yo specified in your posting)

2.) dunno. never bothered about quicken. you´re on your own with that.. i just use "OutBank" for my mobile banking needs. that´s it.

3.) also being a diabetic i know what you´re talking about. dunno what your problem with java-software is though - it does the job, doesnt it?

personally i didnt like their Sidiary app for various reasons, been in contact with the developers some time ago and they promised to come up with a totally webbased application "soon". didn´t follow it any longer. check on your own.

but medical apps are in general missing out on symbian s60 3rd up to now.

what is WM, POS and RIM? aaahhhhhhhhh these are those little ****ty devices known to freeze and/or reboot anytime you just don´t need it, aint they? might be the reason why the symbian platform is far more restricted, dontcha think??? well, i consider STABILITY, AVAILABILITY and SECURITY the main kickout-criteria for selecting a platform. "Feature richness" is another but not if it is in contradiction to the afore mentioned.. just a hint. as a REAL power (i run the blogs with the same name as my nick..) i only have been _forced_ to reboot my device twice in bout 1,5yrs now!

THATS what i call STABLE and that´s not what i can see from my collegues (non-symbian) devices which keep crashing at least once a day or so.. but that´s your choice.

[JNGold]

Thanks for the input.

Now that I know that Java apps can be launched via it's own app icon (as opposed to running within a Java Midlet app), I guess I could live with the Java version of SiDiary. I would have to make sure that their PC client app (which I have been using with my WM device) will be able to sync data from an s60 device to my PC.

I understand about the weather apps and although it would be nice to see the weather on the standby screen, an app like mWeather would probably suffice.

The one missing app left (an important one too) is the financial application that can sync with Quicken on the desktop. The personal finance category seems to be pretty weak on s60 3rd edition. I have found several applications that look like good matches (ie. Mastersoft Money) but they seem to be incompatible with S60 third edition. I am surprised that these vendors never bothered to update these apps to the more current 3rd edition.

[symbian60.mobi]

Originally Posted by JNGold

The one missing app left (an important one too) is the financial application that can sync with Quicken on the desktop. The personal finance category seems to be pretty weak on s60 3rd edition. I have found several applications that look like good matches (ie. Mastersoft Money) but they seem to be incompatible with S60 third edition. I am surprised that these vendors never bothered to update these apps to the more current 3rd edition.

there are quite some. but i do not recall too many, don´t use em and i´m honestly just too lazy to search. just do a search on handango, mobile2day or any other software shop and you should be able to dig out some more.

as far as i know, sidiary had some problems synching. too long ago, wasn´t satisfied with it at all. so i just use an excel sheet on my 3rd edition device which can be synched easily and edited/converted on you pc. just a suggestion that might also save you some bucks..