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View Full Version : Politely asking Nokia if they'd port their PC Suite to linux



Footissimo
July 14th, 2007, 11:53 AM
Possibly the most short-lived and pointless thread ever, but it's worth a try.

Basically, I want Nokia to port over their 'PC Suite' to linux so that we can get their phones to sync properly and firmware updates are possible (without finding XP or a shop). It is possible to get them to sync through opensync and a load of fiddling, but it's a messy procedure and it seems a little unfair as Mac users get the basic sync through iSync (http://europe.nokia.com/A4405892). =(

Anyway, so time to contact Nokia and see what they're doing about it!

I went through their customer service email page (http://www.nokia.co.uk/email):


Hi

Are there any plans to support linux (or the opensync project) in the future. I'm a big fan of the N-series (3 and counting), but getting them to sync with linux is a MAJOR pain and firmware updates require me to use a friend's computer!

Many Thanks

..and woke up to this:



Dear ,

Thank you for emailing Nokia Care.

In response to your enquiry, you can install the Nokia PC Suite software on a compatible Windows XP with supported service pack but not on a Linux operating system.

However, I will definitely forward your feedback to the relevant department for future consideration.

You may like to visit our website at www.nokia.co.uk for more information and support for your Nokia device. If you have further enquiries, please write to us again or contact Nokia Care at 0845 0455555. We operate between the hours of 9.00am and 9.00pm, Monday to Friday (except bank & public holidays).

Kind regards,


Nokia Care

Very nice but missing the question somewhat =(...so another email:


Hiya!

Thanks for replying so quickly! Of course I realise that PC Suite is
only meant for Windows XP, but that wasn't really my query - basically I
wondered if there was any plans to port the PC Suite software over to
linux...or at least to make it so that there is 'official' support for
synchronising like their is for the Apple Macs (e.g.
http://europe.nokia.com/A4299040 ).

Many Thanks

wersdaluv
July 14th, 2007, 11:59 AM
As for my case, I want my Windows Mobile Device (02 XDA mini) to be synced properly with Linux. It's just that, I don't think emailing my PDA's manufacturer will help. LOL

Arwen
July 14th, 2007, 12:05 PM
With opensync can I open my nokia n70 files with usb connection or via bluetooth?

mangar
July 14th, 2007, 12:09 PM
openSync is trying to provide a solution similar to iSync
http://www.opensync.org/

Footissimo
July 14th, 2007, 12:11 PM
I had a T-Mobile Vario which is based on the same HTC model (Wizard I think) and it's a mare to sync - though if you look at the opensync wiki and a recent 'Linux Smartphones' thread on here, you'll find some information =)

Obviously I'm not deluded enough to think that Nokia will take a blind bit of notice, but I do think it's important to do these things rather than just saying how annoying it is that our OS is not supported (especially as Nokia get a lot out of FOSS with the N800 and their browser) to nobody in particular. =)

edit: sorry that was a reply to wersdaluv.

Mangar - I know about opensync - I use it already, but its a fiddle to get working..not terribly reliable and doesn't address the firmware update issue!

mangar
July 14th, 2007, 12:17 PM
I poked the mailing lists a little - they don't intend having an end user usable solution until jan-feb 2008.

Does pc-suit works with wine/ vmware? I'm stuck with my n73 as well..

Footissimo
July 14th, 2007, 12:35 PM
I poked the mailing lists a little - they don't intend having an end user usable solution until jan-feb 2008.

Does pc-suit works with wine/ vmware? I'm stuck with my n73 as well..

Hi, I've used this excellent thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=260676&page=4) to get the contacts and calendar to sync with multisync..obviously you can use mass storage mode / bluetooth to transfer files and the phone can be seen as a 'generic audio device' for amarok and whatnot.

I haven't tried Wine with PC Suite as the Wine AppDB suggests that it would be rather fruitless - I believe that the cable connection may be beyond Wine (not sure about bluetooth though). I did try WMware, but it seemed to have problems with the USB connection (for both the phone cable and the bluetooth dongle)..and to be honest, I don't really want XP on my computer at all if I can avoid it..especially if it's only to do the very occasional firmware update!

Arathorn
July 14th, 2007, 11:52 PM
I'd like to see a Linux port of their PC Suite as well. Right now my bluetooth dongle doesn't work with Windows and my Nokia phone doesn't work with Kubuntu.

Ozeuss
August 1st, 2007, 12:50 PM
I am also looking for that functionality. I think the 'ask the vendor' approach is better in the long run than trying a hack. I've emailed my local nokia also.

jeremy
June 27th, 2009, 07:20 AM
I have also emailed nokia...

jeremy
June 28th, 2009, 06:53 AM
Nokia's reply:


Dear Jeremy,

Thank you for contacting Nokia Care.

We do understand where you are coming from. Just to let you know Nokia is in the midst of discussions with Linux. Nothing has be confirmed, but we do feel that the market is going this way.

Your ongoing support and patience is much appriciated by us here in Nokia. However as for the current time there is no solid updates to resolve this issue.

Help Nokia improve the service we offer you! To take part in our short confidential survey, please click on the link below:

http://digiumenterprise.com/answer/?inv=13763078&chk=WF4NDXZ9&anslang=0

------

If anyone else feels like taking the survey, please do.

FYI, here is my reply to them..


Dear Alexander,

Thank you for your reply.

I am glad that you are "in the midst of discussions with Linux", let us hope that these discussions are fruitful. I would be interested to know specifically with whom you are in discussions.

In the meantime, I would be grateful if you could provide me with instructions, or a link thereto, on how to upgrade the firmware for a Nokia N82 using Linux, or not using a PC at all.

Many thanks, and best regards,
Jeremy

Their email is: ContactCentre.Europe@nokia.com

HappyFeet
June 28th, 2009, 07:29 AM
I just did the survey and emailed them. I guess every little bit helps. People, please contact the manufacturers and let it be known you want support for linux. Thinking that they won't listen is not an excuse.

Arathorn
June 28th, 2009, 09:33 AM
See here (http://betalabs.nokia.com/blog/2009/06/23/nokia-ovi-suite-20-the-one-and-only-nokia-desktop-application-in-the-future#comment-14861):

Linux: As we use Qt in Nokia Ovi Suite UI, we have the basic tecnology enablers for Linux version available, but building Nokia Ovi Suite for Linux is not in the scope currently. Of course, we are constantly following how the desktop operating system market evolves.
Could you write your comments about Linux support under following discussion topic:
http://betalabs.nokia.com/forum/topic/3210
Somewhere else on that site I read that while with QT it's easy to port the UI to Linux, the underlying syncing software is very hard to port, so that's the bottleneck.

markosp
December 2nd, 2010, 09:51 AM
I opened a poll for voting for Linux Ovi Suite. Please vote (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1635629)!

Also you could give some feedback to nokia on the Betalabs OviSuite (http://betalabs.nokia.com/apps/nokia-ovi-suite-3-0-beta/suggestion/16105/provide-ubuntu-or-at-least-linuxgnu-version#comment-48155) site. you have to log in there to comment.

Thanks!

markosp
December 2nd, 2010, 09:56 AM
See here (http://betalabs.nokia.com/blog/2009/06/23/nokia-ovi-suite-20-the-one-and-only-nokia-desktop-application-in-the-future#comment-14861):

Somewhere else on that site I read that while with QT it's easy to port the UI to Linux, the underlying syncing software is very hard to port, so that's the bottleneck.

I have read that the default sync solution on the upcoming MeeGo will be syncevolution. That is Nokia and Intels own OS! Maybe that will make the situation better for Nokia users...