S60Tips.com

In the next couple of hours (it may take longer), I will be doing some maintenance works on S60Tips.com blog server, i.e.:

• Upgrading the server software to WordPress 2.0.4.
• Optimizing and changing the layout of Google AdSense in all postings.
• Updating some postings so that they are fully compliance with XHTML 1.0 Transitional.
• The last thing may take a little bit longer, i.e. supported adding phones list to some postings. The idea came to my mind because some tips or tricks applies to certain S60 phone models only.

During the updating process, you may notice that some “old” postings marked as “new” by your feed reader.

Sorry for the incovenience.

A couple of weeks ago, I have discussed how to synchronized music files from Windows Media Player to some latest N-Series phones, such as Nokia N91 and N80. Today, I will show you how to synchronize from Apple’s iTunes in Windows operating system to your S60 phones.

Before we continue, I have to give pre-warning that you cannot synchronize protected files downloaded from iTunes Music Store. Why? This is because all S60 phones does not support Apple’s FairPlay DRM system. What can we synchronize then? You can still synchronized non-protected files, such as MP3 files, and your PodCasts subscription.

What do we need to synchronize music files and podcasts from iTunes to S60 phones?

• First we need S60 phones that can be connected to the PC as USB mass storage. Most of the newer S60 phones, such as Nokia N71, N80 and N91, can be connected as USB mass storage. You can check whether you phone support mass storage or not very easily. Plug-in your phone to the PC. If you see a dialog that has “Mass Storage” option (or “Data Transfer” in some other phones), then your phone is on the list…

• You need also a large memory card, such as 1 GB or 2 GB. Of course, nothing prevents you to use small memory card.
• Next you need Apple’s iTunes. I assume that you must have iTunes installed on your PC now because you are reading this blog….
• The last thing is the most important one, i.e. iTunes Agent. It is an open source project that enables us to synchronize any USB mass storage device with iTunes.

Click here to download iTunes Agent

Now let’s start:

• Connect your S60 phone to the PC as USB mass storage.
• Run iTunes Agent. You should be able to see iTunes icon in Windows task bar (near clock).
• Open Windows Explorer and create a new file in the root folder of your memory card. Choose a unique name, for example “iTunes_N73″. This file will be used by iTunes Agent to recognize your S60 phone. You can choose any name.
• Now we have to configure iTunes Agent so that it recognizes your S60 phone. Right click iTunes Agent in the Windows task bar and select Preferences menu.

• Click New button to create a new device.

  • In the Name box, enter any name that you want.

  • In the Synchronize pattern box, choose the directory structure you want to have, i.e. iTunes, Artist Folder or Flat.

  • In the Music folder box, choose the directory you want to store your files. Note that the previous contents of your folder will be deleted during synchronization. So, make sure that you don’t have important files in that folder.

  • In the Recognize by folder/file box, enter the unique file name that you have created in the previous step. In my example, it is “iTunes_N73″.

  • In the Associate with playlist box, enter the playlist that you want to synchronize with your S60 phone. In the example here, I use the same name as my device name, which is “Nokia N73″. You can, of course, create your own playlist from iTunes and change it again later from this dialog.

• Now you are ready to synchronize. Copy your music files or podcasts to your playlist. As I said earlier, you can copy your files to any playlist you want. Just remember to change the preference in the iTunes Agent.

• To start synchronization, right click iTunes Agent and then select Synchronize devices menu.

Learn More: Music Download DRM free MP3 songs for instant downloading - no registration!

I have been using Nokia Music Player for quite a while but I never need rewind and fast forward features until recently. A couple of days ago, I was looking for rewind and fast forward menu in the Nokia Music Player, but I couldn’t find them. After reading the help, finally I found how to rewind and fast forward.

There are two ways which you can use:

• Press and hold previous or next button in the main screen. They are the buttons that you use to go to the previous or next track. If you press and hold the previous button, you will rewind the song. Similarly, if you press and hold the next button, you will fast forward the song.
• Press and hold 4 or 6 key to rewind or fast forward the song.