WhatsApp for Nokia Symbian phones is now available
Yes, the always-on chat app �WhatsApp Messenger� has just been (beta) released for Nokia phones (14 July 2010). You can use it to chat (as in type messages, like Skype or GTalk) to other friends that have also installed it on their phones. The program has had a great uptake from iPhone and Blackberry phone users� and now Nokia users can do the same.
So, as long as you have the program installed on your phone you will be able to chat to others � just create a contact using their cell phone number. This means no more SMSs locally and internationally. All this for free � well, almost � WhatsApp costs $1.99 per year � BUT, this beta version is free for 90 days.
Nokia phone requirements: Nokia S60 3rd or 5th edition Smartphone (those are phones that run Symbian operating system; N73 or newer phones) � if you don�t know what Symbian is, then your phone probably isn�t compatible.
See here for a list of Nokia cell phones and their Symbian versions: http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/s60history.htm
Download the .sis file to your PC from here [796KB]: WhatsApp for Nokia phones then use Nokia�s PC Suite to install it onto your phone� else navigate to this URL using your phone�s browser: http://www.whatsapp.com/nokia/WhatsApp_2_0_0.sis. Here�s their download page for more info.
It takes a while when installing... since it checks all your contacts cell numbers and checks if your contacts are already using WhatsApp... then you can connect with them.
I must warn you though that it keeps the Internet connection on your phone open all the time... but it doesnt send/receive data all the time... only once every 3 or so minutes (unless you are busy in a chat �conversation�).
The beauty about this is that people can send you messages even when the program isn�t open � they appear like an SMS since the open Internet connection checks for messages every 3 or so minutes. I have tested it and my battery life isn�t adversely affected.
Once it�s installed, it will ask you for your cell number so that others can find you by using your cell number. No need to login or anything, it knows who you are.
Remember, it doesn�t connect to the Blackberry BB messenger service � BB users will also need to install the WhatsApp program and subscribe to the service, then use it to chat to their iPhone and Nokia friends.
Will it work on my wife�s phone? Well, to see if it�s compatible do a Google search with the phone�s model number eg: �Nokia E66� +specification
Pick one of the results and then search for �Symbian� in the page � if there�s a line like this: �Symbian OS 9.2, Series 60 v3.1 UI� then it IS compatible. You need to look for �Series 60� v3 or v5.
What does it cost to send messages: It�s cheap� charged at data rates. In South Africa, the unbundled data rates is about R2.00 per MB. That�s 200c per million characters, which is 1c per 500 characters! So, it�s as close to free as can be!
You gotta be dumb to continue using SMSs are say R1 per local SMS for only 180 characters! (and R2 for international SMSs)
Currently Nokia users can only send text - transfer of images is only available to iPhone and Blackberry users � iPhone can also transfer audio and location.
Remember to change your status (using the Options menu) to "Available" - it looks more tech savvy than "Hey there! Im using WhatsApp!"
�Always-on� means that there is always a �service� running on the phone � even when you�ve exited the messaging interface. This service periodically checks the WhatsApp server for any messages for you -if it finds one when the messaging interface is exited, then it pops up a notification on your phone like an incoming SMS. Open up the �SMS� and it will open the WhatsApp messaging interface � all ready to read and reply.
I�ve always wondered why MXit and NimBuzz never really took off compared to Blackberry messenger (and probably now WhatsApp) � I think it�s the �Always on� feature�
BTW: to all my loyal readers that have read the whole article: when I installed the beta version it said that it was licensed until July 2011 � whooppeeee 1 year free license for using the beta version. Let me know if you also got a year.
Update on 28July2010: WhatsApp has been updated: version 2.0.0 has been updated to 2.0.6. Download from here: http://www.whatsapp.com/nokia/
Update on 01Sept2010: WhatsApp for Android beta is now available - use your Android browser to download from here: http://www.whatsapp.com/android/
So, as long as you have the program installed on your phone you will be able to chat to others � just create a contact using their cell phone number. This means no more SMSs locally and internationally. All this for free � well, almost � WhatsApp costs $1.99 per year � BUT, this beta version is free for 90 days.
Nokia phone requirements: Nokia S60 3rd or 5th edition Smartphone (those are phones that run Symbian operating system; N73 or newer phones) � if you don�t know what Symbian is, then your phone probably isn�t compatible.
See here for a list of Nokia cell phones and their Symbian versions: http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/s60history.htm
Download the .sis file to your PC from here [796KB]: WhatsApp for Nokia phones then use Nokia�s PC Suite to install it onto your phone� else navigate to this URL using your phone�s browser: http://www.whatsapp.com/nokia/WhatsApp_2_0_0.sis. Here�s their download page for more info.
It takes a while when installing... since it checks all your contacts cell numbers and checks if your contacts are already using WhatsApp... then you can connect with them.
I must warn you though that it keeps the Internet connection on your phone open all the time... but it doesnt send/receive data all the time... only once every 3 or so minutes (unless you are busy in a chat �conversation�).
The beauty about this is that people can send you messages even when the program isn�t open � they appear like an SMS since the open Internet connection checks for messages every 3 or so minutes. I have tested it and my battery life isn�t adversely affected.
Once it�s installed, it will ask you for your cell number so that others can find you by using your cell number. No need to login or anything, it knows who you are.
Remember, it doesn�t connect to the Blackberry BB messenger service � BB users will also need to install the WhatsApp program and subscribe to the service, then use it to chat to their iPhone and Nokia friends.
Will it work on my wife�s phone? Well, to see if it�s compatible do a Google search with the phone�s model number eg: �Nokia E66� +specification
Pick one of the results and then search for �Symbian� in the page � if there�s a line like this: �Symbian OS 9.2, Series 60 v3.1 UI� then it IS compatible. You need to look for �Series 60� v3 or v5.
What does it cost to send messages: It�s cheap� charged at data rates. In South Africa, the unbundled data rates is about R2.00 per MB. That�s 200c per million characters, which is 1c per 500 characters! So, it�s as close to free as can be!
You gotta be dumb to continue using SMSs are say R1 per local SMS for only 180 characters! (and R2 for international SMSs)
Currently Nokia users can only send text - transfer of images is only available to iPhone and Blackberry users � iPhone can also transfer audio and location.
Remember to change your status (using the Options menu) to "Available" - it looks more tech savvy than "Hey there! Im using WhatsApp!"
�Always-on� means that there is always a �service� running on the phone � even when you�ve exited the messaging interface. This service periodically checks the WhatsApp server for any messages for you -if it finds one when the messaging interface is exited, then it pops up a notification on your phone like an incoming SMS. Open up the �SMS� and it will open the WhatsApp messaging interface � all ready to read and reply.
I�ve always wondered why MXit and NimBuzz never really took off compared to Blackberry messenger (and probably now WhatsApp) � I think it�s the �Always on� feature�
BTW: to all my loyal readers that have read the whole article: when I installed the beta version it said that it was licensed until July 2011 � whooppeeee 1 year free license for using the beta version. Let me know if you also got a year.
Update on 28July2010: WhatsApp has been updated: version 2.0.0 has been updated to 2.0.6. Download from here: http://www.whatsapp.com/nokia/
Update on 01Sept2010: WhatsApp for Android beta is now available - use your Android browser to download from here: http://www.whatsapp.com/android/
Minimum requirements: Android OS 2.2 or above, Unlimited internet data plan