How to make your Symbian phone smarter

By Jessica Dolcourt and Bonnie Cha (11/2/06)

Smart phones are ringing in a new era of handheld devices that celebrates the functionality of a feature-rich PDA, without the heavy pocket-load. Platform interoperability appears to be a long way off, but if you're the proud owner of a smart phone with a Symbian OS (like a Nokia or a Sony Ericsson), you're part of a flexible network that accepts a wide range of third-party software. If Symbian execs are to be believed, its platform will eclipse the PC in the next 10 years, so consider yourself ahead of the curve.

Step 1: Up the memory

If you want to boost your smart phone's IQ, you may need to build out its brain box. Most smart phones come with an average of 32MB free internal storage after the native programs are launched. For best performance, we recommend you upgrade to a secure disk (SD) memory card with 64MB or 128MB storage. If you plan to store a large quantity of multimedia files, such as on a Nokia N93 videophone, you'll want to consider pumping it up further. You can buy SD storage up to 2GB. Remember that saving most of your applications to the memory card rather than to the phone's memory will increase your phone's performance.

Step 2: Lock intruders out

Nothing makes your phone dumber than malware. With SMS-phishing, Trojan-horse, and worm attacks on the rise in Europe, Asia, and the U.S., it's especially important to stay on top of your security. Major antivirus and antispyware manufacturers such as Symantec, Trend Micro, and PepiMK Software (which offers the free Spybot - Search & Destroy for Symbian) also offer protection for your smart phone.

Step 3: Bring on the applications

The Net is teeming with third-party programs to power your phone and make your digital life run smoothly. Not all the kinks are worked out in the following installations, however, so don't be surprised if you're asked to enter your smart-phone model and carrier to ensure compatibility. If you're installing additional programs for the first time, you'll need to first download your manufacturer's syncing software, such as Nokia PC Suite.

One more caveat before you start adding new programs: because there's such a large variety of smart-phone manufacturers, models, and service providers even within a single country, you may find that some programs just don't work with your phone. Regardless, enough supercharged programs are available to make your smart phone downright gifted.

Utilities/Efficiency

Google Maps for Mobile works for any Java-enabled device, including most smart phones. You'll need to activate your wireless and point your mobile browser to www.google.com/gmm to sync the program on your phone, rather than executing a traditional PC-to-smart-phone installation. Google Maps for Mobile shrinks the map to your screen size, which saves you the headache of constant scrolling. It's nice that you can get step-by-step directions, but you'll need a trusty sidekick to call out your next turn--Google doesn't want you to navigate while driving.

Users praise the popular Oxygen Phone Manager for backing up your phone's data, from contacts and calendar appointments to text and IM messages. We found the connection process a bit aggravating, as you need to know your specific USB cable type. Clicking up the help link on the program's connection wizard helps solve that riddle, as does consulting the connection details in your phone's syncing software, such as Nokia PC Suite.

For frequent travelers to major cities, WorldMate S60/S80 is a handy, all-in-one program that accesses the Internet to provide up-to-date travel information. Features include a world clock, a global currency converter, a weather forecaster, and flight information for an impressive list of airlines.

Media

Videos are great, but watching them on your smart phone is truly 'luxe. Mobile phones support the 3GP format, so you'll first want to download conversion software. If you're uploading video from a digital camera, for example, you'll need a program that converts from AVI files, such as Acala 3GP Movies Free. If you capture online Flash video using one of CNET's three Insider Secret methods, you can use the A-one iPod PSP 3GP Converter to switch from the FLV format. You can also search our library for other 3GP converters that work with other video formats. Video conversion takes time and hogs your system resources, so you'll be happiest if you clear your processes before getting started, then step away from the computer.

Communication

Mobile instant messaging is taking off as an alternative to SMS. Most major chat clients now offer a mobile version of their IM services for free, although you'll be charged by your carrier for either text messaging or wireless use, so take a close look at your plan and choose wisely. MSN, Yahoo, and AOL mobile messengers are free, but they require online registration and installation via their Web sites. Expect to enter your carrier, phone model, and even phone number as a first step. You can avoid the fussy rigmarole by purchasing a cross-model program such as the multiprotocol IM+ for Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition, which lets you chat with friends on MSN, Yahoo, AOL, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber.