Nokia Announces FP2 for S60 3rd Edition

Nokia has announced the release of the new S60 v3 FP2.

Feature Pack 2 comes with improvements in usability and software architecture focusing primarily on the mid-range device category. Usability enhancements support the ease of use in for example messaging, multitasking and downloading. Feature Pack 2 also enables instant media playback during downloading and animated notification of inbound calls. Architectural improvements focus on ensuring excellent performance and flexibility of S60 in various hardware configurations, and include for example support for demand paging virtual memory technique.

"Feature Pack 2 is a major element of our strategy to support handset vendors in creating devices for the mid-range market," says Matti Vänskä, Vice President, Mobile Software Sales and Marketing, Nokia. "There are already five S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1 devices launched worldwide by three handset vendors. The emphasis with Feature Pack 2 is on improved user experience, usability and ever richer development environment".

Jouni Juntunen of the S60 Marketing Blog, has announced and discussed the changes in the UI of FP2 , including some really interesting screenshots as shown above.

Some really interesting changes include the revamping of the active idle screen and the inclusion of  a middle softkey option.

Another change or improvement is the return of timed profiles.  I remember this feature being available in the Nokia 6600 because I used it religiously during school.

One question that I know is on the minds of S60 users.... "can we upgrade to PF2"?  Unfortunately, as in the past with the release of FP1 we will have to await the future devices on the horizon.

For more information of FP2, please visit S60.com.

Comments

[Alexandre Silva]

Are you sure about the 6600? don't you mean 6620 since you're in the US? I had the 6600 and I'm positive it didn't had timed profiles as none of the phones so far had without 3rd party apps...

[jonas]

Does n95 come with fp2 or is it just fp1 in that one??

[Darla]

Alexandre,

The Nokia 6600 was available in the US with T-Mobile. Now I could be wrong as far as devices go, but while I was in school the only devices that I used was the 6600 and the 6630, so it had to be one of the two. Cingular carried the 6620.