Nokia N8 users across the globe will be getting their Symbian Anna update within a few weeks, bringing a host of interface and performance enhancements, new native apps and more.
In the meanwhile, the Nokia N8 Pink version that had been announced earlier this year has now hit Nokia Priority stores in India. Presumably, as per the earlier announcement, the Pink N8 should already feature Symbian Anna onboard. Pink apps for the Pink Nokia N8 are also available. Rejoice!Nokia’s announcement of the Anna update for the N8 is not exactly official, but instead accompanied a tweet by Nokia camera guru, Damien Dinning, saying the update will also hold new features for the famous N8 camera – continuous autofocus and 30 fps video recording (it was earlier 25 fps).
With the announcement of the Nokia E6 and X7 phones, Nokia also introduced the world to the refreshed Symbian^3 operating system – Symbian Anna. Previously referred to as PR2 by the company, the update brings up to 50 enhancements to the OS, and, in Nokia’s
own words – its purpose is “renewing Symbian smartphones.”
The Symbian Anna update will be available in “coming months” for owners of current Symbian^3 phones, i.e., the Nokia N8, C7, C6-01 and E7. New features of the OS include:
New icons: Giving Symbian a new look does go a long way- Improved text input: Portrait QWERTY mode, split-screen typing
- Improved browser: Version 7.3 of the native Symbian browser has much better performance, and, also brings numerous touch and interface improvements, from the URL entry bar, integrated search/address field, to the always visible toolbar buttons.
- Email and IM enhancements: Microsoft Communicator Mobile support, as well as email enhancements like full meeting request support and hardware-accelerated device encryption
- Improved Photo Gallery interface: Landscape and portrait interfaces have been improved for usability
- Enhanced Ovi Maps: Version 3.06 of Ovi Maps brings smart search, Facebook/Foursquare/Twitter check-ins, location-sharing via email and SMS (including with non-Nokia users), updatable/downloadable maps via Wi-Fi, and public transport networks
- Enhanced Ovi Store: Version v2.06xx brings improved search, including auto-complete, spell-checking and Internet search engine optimization and error fixes; increased file size limits for downloading over WLAN
- Enhanced Social: Version 1.3 brings status updates in contact card, ability to retweet and view follower list in Twitter, higher resolution image uploads, ability to add caption to images
- Enhanced Ovi Suite: Version 3.x brings improved device software update features, as well as the ability to download free street maps, new music and mobile apps. Device backup has also been improved, as has Ovi Sync.
 New icons on homescreen | .jpg) Portrait homescreen |
 Photo Gallery landscape |  Web browser |
 Browser options |  Split-screen typing |