A Time Saver - Jbak TaskMan

A Fully Loaded Replacement for the S60 Task Manager

S60 is an operating system capable of running multiple applications at the same time, which is also known as multi tasking. As an example, while you're listening to some music on your music player, you can browse your gallery, send text messages or you can even transfer a file using Bluetooth or Infrared.

In Microsoft windows, the popular key combination [Alt+Tab] lets you quickly browse through the active task list, and gives you the ability to switch among active tasks.

By default, the S60 operating system has a Task Manager which simply allows you to switch between active applications and tasks. This task manager can be invoked by pressing and holding the menu key for a few seconds.

The task list will appear on the top left corner of your display as shown below.

Once it is visible, you can switch between tasks or you can quickly terminate an active application by pressing the "C" (Backspace / Clear Key).

The Jbak TaskMan developed by Juriy Bakunin is a perfect replacement for the S60 default task manager, which includes several features and tools which are not available in the default S60 task manager.

It does not require a huge amount of memory to run, compared to the other available Task Managers. A dev cert is not required to sign this application prior to installation, as it is symbian signed, which gives you the freedom to install this on any S60 based mobile phone.

After installation, this will replace the default taskmanager and this can be invoked by pressing and holding the Menu key for several seconds. Apart from switching among tasks, you can also use this as a launcher to open other installed applications or stored content.

The shorcuts can be launched by manually selecting it or, by pressing the corresponding number to it from the keypad.

Jbak Taskman can be also used to view or terminate running processes, threads and chunks on your mobile. It can also set program rules to installed application such as Auto Start, which is similar to the startup folder in Microsoft windows.

After certain installations, some applications require you to restart the mobile which usually has to be done by switching off the phone and switching on again using the power key. But with Jbak Taskman you can do this quickly by selecting the "Reboot" option on its options window.

You can download the latest version of Jbak Taskman from the JBak Homepage. Downloading and installation will not cost you anything, and will not require to fill up forms or register as it is a freeware, yet to encourage the development you can also donate to the developer of the application.

Home Page
Jbak TaskMan

A day at Deep Sea

Fishing was a fun sport ever since we adopted it as a hobby, and became a routine event in our weekly schedule. After sometime, the “fun” part started to fade as the hunger for a bigger fish began to raise its hand. So as a solution, a trip to the deep sea was made on a troller boat, with the ultimate objective of catching a bigger fish...

The victory trophies

(Edward Suranga, Amith Perera and Carllin with the two large fish)

Videos

Nokia vs. Samsung vs. Sony Ericsson vs. Motorola

In my experiences with mobile devices, I have come across a countless number of mobiles, and I have personally used 26 mobile phones since 2006. Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola are the best brands that I have personally used, and a few of them were a part of the above mentioned lot of 26. Overall, the best among the lot was the Nokia N73, which I have been using for almost 2 years now. But, still there were some unforgettable features which I liked. This review is about them.

Nokia

(Best ones I owned - 3310, 7610, N-Gage, 3650, 6822, 6600, N73)

Nokia was always the best for me when it comes to being more user friendly and stable. The features I would like to emphasize are the Microsoft Office compatibility (N series, Quickoffice), Hardy design (Doesn’t do a lot of damage if you accidently drop the phone), and its good performance as a Mass Storage Device.

The standby screen, (desktop) which shows your daily tasks and notes in the background since the launch of symbian S60 Release 3 (N-Series Devices) is a handy feature.No need to go through calendars and notes to check your days pending work.

N-Gage Classic was a great gaming device, which used to waste a lot of time, and this had the ability to record from FM radio. I didnt see that anywhere else !

7610 had a unique design which made it one of the sexiest phones I have used.

3310 was the most simple and user friendly phone I have used, and I still have the phone with me as a backup. I used to love the battery life, as I only used to charge this, once every 5 or 6 days.

6822 was the first phone I ever had with a QWERTY keyboard, It was a great device made for Text Messaging and Emails.

Samsung

(Best ones I owned – R220, D500, D900, Z370)

When it comes to security, Samsung was always the best. It had some awesome security features, including the Phone/SIM protection which sends a text message to a phone you mention, if the SIM card is changed. Display quality was absolutely perfect and bright, and it is one of the first phones I saw with such a crystal clear quality.

D500 had an awesome external speaker, which made it the loudest mobile at that time.

Z370 was an unforgettable device which made me completely fall in love with it. It was slimmest 3G phone at that time, and it always used to stand out in a crowd among hundreds of other phones. The design was simply amazing, and it fits in your palm and pocket perfectly. The “Phone number dialing screen” was customizable and it was great to see that, after using so many phones with the same old dialing screen which shows just black colored bold numbers (This is the one and only phone which had such a feature).

The only drawback with Samsungs I used was the Low sound, and inability to change the Text Message Tone. The battery didn’t last long in some devices either.

Sony Ericsson

(Best ones I owned – T100, K750, K800)

Design wise they were the best, and I liked the variation of colors on phone’s casing. Music playback quality was superb when a headset is used, and the Cybershot Camera’s (K800) were the only camera’s which had the ability to capture photos in nights and low light conditions.

Battery was a major failure, as none of the devices lasted longer than a day after a charge. At certain places (Mostly low coverage areas), Sony Ericsson’s failed to receive signal, as most other brands had a few bars at the same place.

I used to like the simple menu layout as well, but compared to nokia, the menus were slow in response.

Motorola

(Best ones I owned – A835, V3, V3x, E1000, RAZR2-V8)

A835 was my first phone, and the largest phone I have used. Nowadays it Is considered as a premium brick, yet it was one of the good ones. A835 had a large speaker behind it, and it was the only phone with a Bass boosted music playback. When a song with some Bass (Never leave you – Lumidee) is played, you can actually feel the thump of the Bass from its speaker.

RAZR series was a unique experience, I used to love the clamshell (flip) design and it was the slimmest range of phones I have used before the Z370. It always stands out in a crowd when you open the flip and answer a call. I used to have the “CTU 24” tone as my ringtone.

I used to mod the V3X and the camera of the phone was superb. The color details were sometimes far better and perfect than most phones, (even better than N73, K800 at certain times of the day) and even better than some digital camera’s. At the printing studio, when I went to get the photos developed, the guy over there never believed that the photos were taken from a Motorola V3x.

RAZR V8, the linux mobile was another unforgettable experience. Together with rasputin’s linuxmod, this phone was one of the best among my list. The clamshell design was even better than the previous RAZR series. The smooth rounded edges, shiny surface, and the metallic color used to draw the eyes of anyone around you. The crystal clear voice enhancer feature was amazing; you can actually hear the person speaking on the other side, even though you’re in the middle of a crowded bus station or a noisy playground.

BMW Mini Cooper

The BMW Mini Cooper, which belongs to amith was taken for a short spin after an intake cleanup. The ride was made in temple road, which is the longest stretch in negombo (Besides the Colombo - Negombo Main Road).

Unfortunately, it was a busy time of the day, so we didn't get to go as we expected.

However i managed to make a short video using my Nokia N73.

The Video

Honda CBR - Hurricane

This Honda CBR - Hurricane belongs to a friend of mine. After several months of fun, the CBR met with an accident due to a careless mistake made by the rider. Though the pictures look kinda serious and fatal, Nobody was severely hurt or injured during the accident. The rider survived with a few bruises and minor wounds. The incident took place in Periyamulla Junction, Negombo in 2008.

Before

The Accident

After

Bridgestone Crossfire C4000

My brand new two-wheels !

On the day i bought this bike, i made a google search and i didn't find anything about this, which made it look like this is the only one of its kind made. Well, if it wasn't, then nobody bothered to share some information about this. So here i post, some pictures and a few video clips, made using my Nokia N73.

Shimano CI Deck, which indicates the Gear and Speed.

Front View

Front wheel

Front Shock Absorber.

Videos

This is an innocent attempt at a few stunts. The stunt master is amith from Negombo, Sri Lanka.
The videos were captured using my Nokia N73.

The Water Rocket

Rockets that fly using water, instead of those burning stuff !

A water rocket is a type of a model rocket usually made using a soft drink bottle, which uses water as its reaction mass. The soft drink bottle acts as the engine of the rocket, or more in more simple terms "The pressure vessel". To make the launch, compressed air is used to force the water out of the bottle acting as a pressurized gas.

How it Works

The bottle is mostly filled with water and sealed. The bottle is then pressurized with a gas, usually air compressed from a bicycle pump, air compressor, or cylinder up to 125 psi, but sometimes CO2 or nitrogen from a cylinder.

Water and gas are used in combination, with the gas providing a means to store potential energy, as it is easily compressed, and the water increasing the mass fraction and providing greater momentum when ejected from the rocket's nozzle. Sometimes additives are combined with the water to enhance performance in different ways. For example: salt can be added to increase the density of the reacton mass resulting in a higher specific impulse. Soap is also sometimes used to create a dense foam in the rocket which lowers the density of the expelled reaction mass but increases the duration of thrust. It is speculated that foam acts as a compressible liquid and enhances the thrust when used with De Laval nozzles.

The seal on the nozzle of the rocket is then released and rapid expulsion of water occurs at high speeds until the propellant has been used up and the air pressure inside the rocket drops to atmospheric pressure. There is a net force created on the rocket in accordance with Newton's third law. The expulsion of the water thus can cause the rocket to leap a considerable distance into the air.

In addition to aerodynamic considerations, altitude and flight duration are dependent upon the volume of water, the initial pressure, the rocket nozzle's size, and the unloaded weight of the rocket. The relationship between these factors is complex and several simulators have been written by enthusiasts to explore these and other factors.

Often the pressure vessel is built from one or more used plastic soft drink bottles, but polycarbonate fluorescent tube covers, plastic pipes, and other light-weight pressure-resistant cylindrical vessels have also been used.
Typically launch pressures vary from 75 to 150 psi (500 to 1000 kPa). The higher the pressure, the larger the stored energy.

Source

You can read more about the water rocket in Wikipedia. The page also shows some more latest developments made to the project such as, hot water rockets, Multi bottle, Multi stage rockets, and Rockets fitted with fins and nozzles.

Wanna Try?

To try this experiment at home, all you need is a few pieces of wood, some wires and tubes, along with a cycle pump. Building instructions can be found over here and here.

As usual, my adventurous, braniac friend amith gave a try at this, and the whole operation was a success. The following video shows how the water rocket works. The video was captured using my Nokia N73.

How we did it

A Rainy Day

A rainy day i captured from my Nokia N73. The rain season started a week ago, and the lightning that came with it cost me 2 routers , including a USR wi-fi Router. The location in the video is Seeduwa, Sri Lanka.

N73 Headset - From HS-28 to HS-20

The Nokia N73 is a phone perfected for the music lovers. Being a frequent traveler, I always use my Nokia N73 along with its headset to listen to music on my way. The 2GB memory can hold up to more than 500 songs, and the Music player which has the “shuffle, Equalizer” options makes it the perfect solution for Music on the Move.

The Sales Package of my Nokia N73 came along with the HS-28 headset (Handsfree) and AD-40 (Remote) Controller unit. The music quality was perfect, and it was better than most average mobile phones, except for Sony Ericsson walkman series mobile devices and some Samsung mobiles.


Nokia HS-28 with Remote AD-40

After some experiments (And it was obvious), I realized that the secret behind Sony Ericsson Headset was its design that fits right into the year, blocking out all the other noise. It had an awesome Bass Boost with a sharp treble. For some time I was wondering why Nokia never tried such a solution with their average headsets to deliver a superb music experience.

Surprisingly, Nokia had such a headset, which I was never aware of. In fact it came along with some Nokia Express music devices. The Headset was Nokia (model) HS-20 Headset. It had a similar ear plug design like Sony Ericsson headsets.

I ordered one and bought it through a retailer in Negombo. As soon as I got home, I tried it with the existing Remote Control Unit (AD-40).

The Music quality was absolutely perfect. The best part about it is that it fits right inside the ear which prevents it from falling off if you’re riding or jogging, and also nobody notices you’re having a headset. The Bass Boost was better than the HS-28, But the loudness was a bit low than the HS-28. Still the quality was crystal clear since this one fits right in and blocks the outside noise.


Nokia HS-20 with Remote AD-40

The only disadvantage about Nokia HS-20 is, when you’re having it, you wil not hear anything else other than the music. For an example, something like a large truck tooting the Horn right behind you, before it runs over you. :-)

Nokia N73 - Introduction to the Device

Model – N73
Developer Code – Scarfe


Nokia N73 is one of the Nokia’s flagship devices released in 2006. Thought it has been over than 4 years since its announcement and release, N73 is still a popular device among many people around the world. N73’s features are more focused on multimedia and entertainment based functions such as 3D Stereo Speakers, 3.2 MP Camera with Carl Zeiss Optics, Stereo FM radio and support for Visual radio services.

Key Features

• 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics
• Large, bright 2.4-inch display
• Stereo FM and support for Visual Radio
• Advanced auto-focus and mechanical shutter
• Integrated 3-D stereo speakers

Operating Frequency

• Quadband EGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
• Dual mode WCDMA / GSM
• WCDMA 2100 MHz

Dimensions

• Weight: 116 g
• Length: 110 mm
• Width: 49 mm
• Thickness (max): 19 mm

Display

Up to 262,144 colors, 2.4 inch QVGA 240 x 320 pixels display with automatic brightness control


User Interface

• S60 user interface 3rd Edition
• Active standby screen
• Multimedia key provides direct access to predefined application

Imaging

• 3.2 megapixel camera (2048 x 1536 pixels) with up to 20x digital zoom
• Settings for night, brightness adjustment, image quality, self-timer, white balance settings, and color tones
• On device photo editor and video editors (manual and automatic)

Camera Specifications

• CMOS sensor, 3.2 megapixel (2048 x 1536 pixels) with autofocus and digital zoom up to 20x
• Carl Zeiss Optics, Tessar™ lens
• Focal length 5.6 mm
• Focus range 10 cm ~ infinity
• Macro mode with 10 cm focus distance
• Mechanical shutter with 1/1000~0.2s shutter speed
• Active slide cover for lens protection

Photography

• 2-stage capture key for autofocus control
• 2.4 inch camera viewfinder in landscape orientation and with active toolbar
• Slide for camera protection and activation
• Integrated flash (operating range up to 1m)
• Modes: auto, off, on, red-eye reduction
• Advanced camera modes: still, sequence, video
• Scenes: automatic, user defined, close-up, portrait, landscape, sport and night
• White balance: automatic, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent
• Color tone: normal, sepia, B&W, vivid, negative
• Light sensitivity: high, medium, low, automatic

Video

• Video: play, record, stream
• Audio recording AAC stereo
• Video stabilization
• Video clip up to 1.5h (limited by available memory)
• File format .mp4 (high), .3gp (normal, MMS)
• Video capture: 352x288 (CIF) at up to 15 fps MPEG-4
• Automatic white balance control
• Scenes: auto, night, close-up, snow/beach, cine, old film
• Digital zoom CIF up to 4x / QCIF up to 8x
• Two-way video call capability
• Second VGA camera (640 x 480 pixels) with up to 2x digital zoom
• Real time video sharing to another compatible mobile device

Multimedia

• Visual Radio (Not Available on all Operators)
• Listen to music and interact with your favorite radio stations
• Find out what song is playing, who sings it, and other artist information
• Enter contests and answer surveys, vote for your favorite songs
• Download the songs you buy direct to your phone

RealPlayer Media Player

• Download and play multimedia files (video and music)
• Stream media files from compatible media portals
• Full-screen video playback on the phone to view downloaded, streamed, or recorded video clips in larger size
• layed formats (decoding): MP3, AAC, Real Audio, WAV, Nokia Ring Tones, AMR, AMR-WB, AMR-NB, AU, MIDI, H.263, JPEG, JPEG2000, EXIF 2.2, GIF 87/89, PNG, BMP (W-BMP), MBM, MPEG-4 and eAAC+

• Digital music player for MP3/AAC/eAAC/eAAC+/WMA formats with playlist and equalizer
• OMA DRM 2.0 support for music files
• Stereo FM radio (87.5 - 108 MHz / 76 - 90 MHz)
• Integrated stereo speakers with 3D sound effect

(Stereo Features Require a Stereo Headser)


Memory Functions

Up to 40 MB internal dynamic memory for contacts, text messages, multimedia messages, ringing tones, images, video clips, calendar notes, to-do list and applications
Support for miniSD memory card (hot swappable)


Messaging

• Multimedia messaging: MMS for creating, receiving, editing, and sending videos and pictures with AMR voice clips
• Email: Supports SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, and APOP protocols. Support for attachments (view jpeg, 3gp, MP3, .ppt, .doc, excel, and .pdf files)
• Text messaging: Supports concatenated SMS, picture messaging, SMS distribution list

Java™ Applications

Java™ MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.1 (Connected Limited Device Configuration (J2ME))
C++ and Java SDKs


Connectivity

Pop-Port™ interface to USB 2.0
Infrared (IR)
Bluetooth 2.0


Browsing

WAP* 2.0 xHTML/HTML multimode browser




Data Transfer

• EGPRS, Class B, multislot class 11 (UL/DL = 118.4/236.8 kbps)
• WCDMA 2100 with simultaneous voice and packet data (PS max speed UL/DL= 128/384 kbps, CS max speed 64 kpbs)
• Dual transfer mode (DTM) support for simultaneous voice and packet data connection in GSM/EDGE networks
• WCDMA packet data rates: UL 384kbps, DL 384kbps
• Circuit data to 64kbits/s for video call
• Speech codecs supported: FR, EFR, WCDMA, and GSM AMR

Call Management

• Advanced contacts database with support for multiple phone and e-mail details per contact
• Support thumbnail pictures and groups
• Speed dialing
• Automatic redial
• Automatic answer (works with compatible headset or car kit only)
• Fixed Dialing Number, allows calls only to predefined numbers

Push to talk over Cellular (PoC)

Push to talk


Voice Features

• Voice dialing
• Voice commands

Personal Information Management (PIM)

Advanced Series 60 PIM features including calendar, contacts, to-do list, and PIM printing


Other Features

• QuickOffice: Powerpoint, Word and Excel and XP file formats (.ppt .doc .xls)
• Adobe PDF reader
• PC synchronization with Nokia PC Suite - Local/Remote (Windows 2000, XP)
• PC applications: Microsoft Outlook (2000, 2002, 2003), Outlook Express, Lotus Organizer (5.0, 6.0), Lotus Notes (5.0, 6.0)
• Anti-Virus
• Settings Wizard/Access Point Configurator

Standard Sales Package Contents

• Nokia N73 Phone
• Nokia Battery BP-6M
• Nokia Travel Charger AC-4
• Nokia Classic Stereo Headset HS-28
• Nokia Connectivity Cable CA-53
• CD-ROM: Nokia PC Suite & Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition
• User Documentation: User guide, Get Started guide, Get Connected guide & Additional Applications leaflet

N73 supports Memory Cards up to 2GB and Has an internal memory of 35 MB. However internal memory capacity changed based on Pre Installed applications. N73 has a Dual Arm 9 220 Mhz CPU, and runs on the Symbian OS 9.1 (S60v3) operating system.

N73 is powered with a Nokia BP-6M battery, Li-ion / Li-Po, 970 mAh / 1100 mAh.
Talk time, and standby time depends on the usage and the End user.

N73 shipped in 4 variations (Editions). Internal Hardware was same on all devices, but software contained competitive features and accessories against each other. Later on, it was discovered that, its possible to change the edition on each phone, by patching the Product Key and updating using the Nokia Software Updater.

• Nokia N73 Standard Edition
• Nokia N73 Multimeda/Music Edition (Known as ME)
• Nokia N73 Internet Edition
• Nokia N73 Special Ramadan Edition
• Nokia N73 Godfather Edition

The Standard edition contained basic features required by an ordinary end user, with pre installed basic themes, Quick Office viewer and a Dictionary based on the region. Package contents included a simple headset with a Call/Disconnect Key and a Memory Card was not included. The special Key (Known as the Media Key) opens a customizable 4-Way Menu. The Default colors of Standard Edition Devices were Silver Gray, and Deep Plum.

The Music Edition, also known as the ME contained a Special Music Player with Equalizers and Visualizations’, 3D tones feature, and two new themes. Some Reviews made by various people have expressed that the Music Edition is faster and stable compared to the Standard edition. The Special Key (Known as the Media Key) opens the Music Player, and Visual Radio Application opens when its pressed for a few seconds. Package Contents included a Headset with a Media Control Remote, which had the Play/Pause, Next/Forward, Stop, and Volume Functions. A 2GB Memory Card was also included. The default colors for the Music Edition were Black, Frost White and Metallic Red.

The Internet Edition included Yahoo, Google and IM applications pre installed with basic features same as the Standard Edition. The Special key (Known as the Internet Key) Opens the browser. Package contents were same as the Standard Edition.
Special Ramadan Edition was shipped to the Middle East Countries, which contained religious applications such as prayer time announcers. It was released during the Ramadan Season.

The Godfather Edition Contained the epic “Godfather” full length movie in the phone with a superb Video and Audio Quality.

The current price range of the Nokia N73 is Rs. 30,000. (Sri Lankan Currency), When introduced the Price tag was Rs. 60,000.

Technical Specifications Source (Nokia)

The Crystal Method - Get Busy Child

Title - Get Busy Child
Artist - The Crystal Method
Album - Vegas (1997)

A song i picked over the weekend after watching the movie, "Gone in 60 Seconds". Though it was a movie released in 2000's, felt like watching it again. This song is played in the scene where the cops raid younger Kip Raine's warehouse. After all, who can forget those 50 ladies that had to boost in 3 days. I like Bernadine (Jag XJ220), and Eleanor (Shelby Mustang GT - Everybody Likes!!!) of course !

The song featured in the Movie "Lost in Space" as well.

This song also featured in the Soundtrack of PC and PS versions of FIFA 98' Game (The Road to World Cup). This was played in between breaks and during Game Menus. I liked the track since then, but didn't know the name and artist of the song to go looking for it.

Download the song, it might end up being ur anthem for the week if you're an electronic and Techno Fan like myself.

Download the MP3 from Here.
(Right Click and Select "Save Target As")

Lyrics for Get Busy Child

I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child, get busy, get busy...
(I guess I did-...), get busy, get busy, get busy, get busy...
(I guess I did-...), get busy, get busy, get busy, get, get
(I guess I did-...), get, get, get, get, get, get, get busy.
Get, get, get, get, (I guess I did-...) get, get,
ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I did-
Get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I did-
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I did- I guess I did- I guess I did- I guess I didn't know.
Get busy child.
I guess I did- I guess I did- I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I did- I guess I did- I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
Get busy.
I guess I didn't know.
Get busy.
Get busy, get, (I guess I didn't know...) get, get busy.
Get, get, get, get, get, get, get, get, get, get, get, ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-
ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I did- I guess I didn't know.
I guess I did- I guess I did- I guess I did- I guess I did- I guess I did- I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
Get Busy Child.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.
I guess I didn't know.

Video of Get Busy Child