Pimp your mobile phone

Recently I upgraded my mobile phone (or cell phone or handy, if you prefer) and discovered a world of fun previously unknown to me due to the limitations of my 3 year old phone. My new SonyEricsson K550i is a so-called smart phone with Java® pre-installed to allow numerous applications to run on the phone. So far I had lots of fun downloading, installing a few applications which I thought I would share with you:

Google Mail: this application lets you access you google mail account and, once it is set-up correctly, receive and send mails without any tedious log-ins and long download times. The time it takes to access the server and show you your mails is a fraction of the time the email application of the phone itself takes. This is because you don't actually download any emails to your phone, you simply view them on the server. You pay for the whole time you are connected (which is good if you just want to check and read quickly, not good of you spend ages typing replies) and possibly for data transfer, though I need to check this with my provider. To install this application, go to gmail.com/app on your phone's browser. There is also an application for Google calendar but I don't use that and I don't know many people that do.

Google Maps: ever been lost in a new city? forgot to bring a map? Well google now offer a mobile version of Google maps, which look very similar to the normal online version. You can view maps as normal but you pay for the time you are connected to the web and possibly data transfer. To install this appplication go to www.google.com/gmm on your phone's browser

MVV Eletronic timetable (offline): this neat little application allows you to check S-bahn and U-bahn connections (unfortunately no bus or trams, though) for the Munich transport network. You can chose your start or finish stations via a complete list of all stations or via a list per line. There is also a map of the network. Once downloaded and installed this application does not need to connect to the internet (except for timetable up-dates) so does not have any further costs associated. I wonder if similar applications are available for other city transport networks? To install the application just send an SMS an 22022 or go to mnavi.de/ghfp5mvv.jad on your phone's browser. If you would like to check times for routes including busses and trams you have to use the online mobile version of the electronic timetable. Just go to www.efa.mobi on your phone's browser and you get the standard MVV EFA that I am sure many Muncih TTers are familiar with. This will incur connection costs.

To use these and many other applications your phone needs to have Java® installed. If you are not sure if yours does, check the manual and look for this:



your phone must also be able to make a GPRS (for 2G phones) connection or be 3G (UMTS). You might need to pay extra per month, depending on your contract to enable GPRS. The applications can also be installed on PDAs.

Does anyone else have cool and usefull applications which you can download for free that they'd like to share?

cool post! Will try out right now during me lunch break.

btw, I think Sony Ericsson will fit the description of your phone better or were you trying to remind me of the Siemens glory days

lol, i will go back and edit.

Another useful Java app that I use is Opera Mini - a mobile version of the Opera web browser.


Google Maps is also available for Windows Mobile, Palm OS and Blackberry.

I just tried the mail thingy but it says its not enabled for Palm phones!! And now me official email push aint working either (boss cant reach me on email this weekend at least!)

I just put the gmail app on a Motorola V3i. Works a treat. Cheers for the info.

You can also go to mobile.msn.com to check your hotmail via your phone...

do you have to log in each time or does it remember you? The great thing about the gmail application is that you don't need to log in each time, it goes straight to your inbox.

edit: i just had a look at the link but got stuck where you have to enter your mobile network. They only list US networks. Are you sure this is available outside the US?

Crosslinks to previous TT topics:

GMail on your mobile phone
Google Maps on your mobile
MVV map and timetables for your mobile phone
Opera Mini

Try this for your SE phone

Sony Ericsson Theme creator

Just enter it directly into your phone's web browser, not your PC. And yes it does remember your log in details. On my phone I just go to that bookmark, choose option 1 for hotmail, then my inbox appears.

Not software on your Sony Ericsson but for your SE phone...

MyPhoneExplorer is PC software that links your phone and your PC and it's absolutely superb- So much better than the standard clunky PC software you get with the phones. It manages to achieve that nirvana of being both easy to use and truly useful. Unfortunately it's only available for Sony Ericssons.

Best features:

1. I've got mine set up over bluetooth so when I get a text a little window pops up on my Laptop screen even though the phone is in another room. I can then reply using the PC keyboard.
2. It seamlessly links with MS Outlook syncing the just the contacts I want on my phone as well as all my appointments. It even turns off the alarm so I don't get beeped every reminder.
3. Full backup/archive of texts and files
4. Its free- although I happily paid the EUR10 after I used it for a bit

It's so good that it may actually make up for the limitations SEs have relative to Nokias.

one more thing. I heard Salling Clicker is good as well although I haven't got round to trying it myself.

Does anyone know good sites for FREE Java games for Sony Ericsson phones? I downloaded Zelda http://zeldamobile.gorthwogh.net/

and a free pacman-ish game and a russian monopoly...but I guess I'm looking for maybe a sports or racing game or two for my phone. I have a k750i if that makes a difference.

Also any software out there for using your SE phone as a Universal television remote control over its infrared? I have seen this on Nokias and the XDA. Not seen any for the SE yet.