iSilo for Symbian S60. What about supporting S60 3rd edition? [Archive]

stpark

06-07-2006, 04:04 AM

Are there any plans to support S60 3.0 and higher? There are significant changes made to the platform, so the applications from earlier versions cannot even be installed on those devices anymore. Devices with S60 3.x that have been annouced already: Nokia 3250, 5500, E60, E50, E60, E61, E70, N71, N73, N80, N92, N93. Some of them are available on the market.

Personally I could help you with testing on those, if needed.

//stpark

iSilo

06-07-2006, 05:03 AM

There are no specific plans at this time in regards to S60 3rd edition. It is under consideration though.

smilryboy

06-08-2006, 04:23 AM

Is the support for iSIlo decreasing oe is S60 just too advanced for the iSilo platform?

iSilo

06-08-2006, 06:53 AM

smilryboy

06-08-2006, 07:03 AM

I would for sure use it. IT is too bad. Because the new E61 looks to break some new ground.

BTW, Does qreader work with isilo pdbs?

iSilo

06-08-2006, 08:14 AM

No, qreader would not be able to read iSilo pdbs.

smilryboy

06-08-2006, 08:49 AM

Over on my-symbian.com, phone scoop and clieuk.com, I fine people are in need of a app like this. since isilo opens everything. wouldn't it make sense to do more advertising? Seems like more people would use it if they knew it exsisted. JMHO.

Laapsaap

06-10-2006, 12:54 AM

Having been and still am a long time Palm user currently using Treo 650. I am trying the Nokia N80 (for the WiFi) among other things. I have been using isilo for a couple of years. What a shock to find it is not available with the S60 os. surely there must be a simple work around for this. If you fix it I will buy in a heartbeat. Now there must be many more like me out here!

ralph3

06-10-2006, 02:26 PM

yea, i've been using iSilo for symbian UI but since i bought an N80, i was shocked that the new symbian doesnt support the old installers. this is reely upsetting and im thinking of selling my N80.

are there any plans yet to make tweaks and release a symbian 3rd edition isilo??

Laapsaap

06-11-2006, 08:45 PM

:( seems like isilo don't wish to engage in a discussion about supporting S60 version 3?

ralph3

06-12-2006, 09:10 AM

yep, it does sure seems like it!!! I am kinda forced to check out other ebooks, but the ebooks i like mostly medical are isilo so, we kinda desparately need this s60 3rd edition thing.
S60 is new so i think from a business point of view this should be a good oppertunity to conquer over its new system, since its new and developers will soon be over it completely!!

i think all 3rd edition guyz should do something abt this.. heh lol!!

i hope they're listening.

Laapsaap

06-12-2006, 10:13 PM

Looks like I will have to switch back to the Treo. Maybe there should be a poll to see who would use S60 V 3 then these guys can see if it's worth the effort to tweak the program?

smilryboy

06-12-2006, 11:12 PM

Comon iSilo.

iSilo

06-13-2006, 05:08 AM

There was quite a stir before "iSilo for Symbian Series 60" was developed with many people asking for it to be developed, but after it was released, there seemed to be no interest in it. Would anyone like to comment on why supporting S60 3rd edition would be more worthwhile considering that there has been virtually no interest in the current "iSilo for Symbian Series 60"?

ralph3

06-13-2006, 07:06 AM

the points u've raised are valid, wish i had an answer to that. Oh well, maybe i'll switch back to the imate.
But it would be great if you can consider in da future and not totally abandoning the new S60 platform.

smilryboy

06-13-2006, 07:29 AM

I don't have a answer either. :confused:
I own my own business. So I understand. My want/need for iSilo is more selfish than anything.
But, I would really like if you could/would consider updating iSilo.Please. It is such a great app. Maybe if more people were aware of the app, it might help.

just out of curiousity, what are the purchase differences between POS/PPC and Symbian S60?
thx

Laapsaap

06-13-2006, 10:25 PM

I have no real answer other than the fact that earlier symbrian smartphones had insufficent storage, process speed, or features to tempt people to switch. That is changing with new models like the N80 able to support up to a 2GB mini SD and a reasonable onboard memory.

Does that help? so maybe you will give it some more thought and I will spread the word :)

ralph3

06-14-2006, 05:47 PM

aah maan!! most of the medical ebooks are of isilo format!! and i want only medical books!!! i gotta sacrifice my sweet N80. this is sad indeed!!

:(

zek

06-16-2006, 11:02 AM

In the medical field, a lot of reerence books are available in isilo forman. A lot of people is looking for a mobile phone with the caracteristics of Nokia S51 that could read medical books ans references.

I think if it were available, a lot of my collues would definitively leave palm for this new phone (and forget treo, which isn't wireless, bad display, bad connectivity,...). If people would now that this isolo will work on nokias's phone, the for you'll..probaly.....$$$... :) :) :)

stpark

06-16-2006, 11:10 AM

One of potential problems with S60 was PC<->device synchronization. In majority of cases the user had to drag and drop PDBs in WinExplorer, or send them as Bluetooth messages. For those guys who using iSilo for reading books, it is not so important. But for those who use iSilo for creating so-called "web channels", it was no way to go, because iSiloX could not synchronize PDBs automatically.

Another problem was S60 screen size. Third problem was some problems with non-English layout on S60 devices (sometimes there were weird characters).

However. Now S60 devices have better screens, more storage. Also programming the automated PDB synchronization does not seem to be a problem, since Nokia has published PC Suite Connectivity API on Nokia Forum.

Personally, the only reason why I am not using iSilo and use QReader was problems with displaying non-English PDBs.

aschechtman

06-16-2006, 10:56 PM

The market seems to have spoken. I imagine the effort required to develop and update iSilo for each platform if quite substantial. If not enough Symbian users purchased the first version, why would iSilo invest the time and money to create compatibility for newer versions of the OS. At $20 a pop, I bet iSilo needs to sell several thousand copies of its reader for each platform to make the development and update efforts pay off. If the customers aren't there to support it, the company will need to refocus its efforts elsewhere.

So the question was raised: What can you do to encourage iSilo's developers to create a version for Symbian 3.0? I can think of two possible solutions. First, demonstrate that there is a market for this product by encouraging more Symbian users to use and buy the current version of iSilo for Symbian. Spread the word on blogs, websites, and amongst Symbian communities that iSilo is a great product. Alternatively, but perhaps more challenging would be to develop a group that is willing to make a commitment for a certain number of purchases in advance (ie. pre-purchase) to prove that it will be worth iSilo's efforts for ongoing development.

Just my two cents worth.

Andrew Schechtman, M.D.
MeisterMed

ralph3

06-17-2006, 05:34 AM

your right, those of us who have a site should start advertising isilo ebooks!! and organising a support group would definitely help!

smilryboy

06-27-2006, 05:07 AM

So you guys with sites. Lets get it started. :D

margido

07-11-2006, 06:51 AM

I bought isilo for s60. Satisfied, until now. No upgrade? I as others am considering selling my s60 3rd gen. device because of this. When I paid for the lisence (I have paid for both s60 and ppc versions) I expected upgrades.

eduakira1

07-28-2006, 07:52 PM

I am a long time isilo registered user (previously on PalmOS now on S60). I registered isilo for S60 because I carry a small "intranet" in my Nokia 6681, with pages generated by my server/database. In fact, some of the pages have more than 2mb of data and only isilo can handle it.

So I am very upset about isilo not being ported to S60 3rd edition, as I really use it and need it!

Please, people from isilo, keep on developing it for S60!

Some issues I found about isilo for S60:

1. In handango I wasn't able to find isilo for S60 by browsing the common (in my opinion) categories (Document Management, Ebook and Reference). I just find isilo by search box. Well, if you want to sell registration codes your software shouldn't be hidden from customers. I think you should check with handango if isilo could appear in more categories. And why not symbiangear (from palmgear guys)?

2. PDB install in S60 is a pain. You shoud connect the smartphone by cable and copy it manually to the required folder. Or you shoud send it by bluetooth and find it in the smartphone using fexplorer or something similar and copying it to required folder. It's just too hard for the average smartphone user, something that doesn't happen with PalmOS version.

I developed a small batch file using isiloXC (command line converter) and makesis (a free utility to build your own .sis files). Makesis needs a small text file that describes the files to be installed (example: myfile.pdb, myfile2.pdb) and the destination folders (for isilo e:/Documents/iSilo).

So with this script I create a self-installable file (.sis) that can be installed on my smartphone by doubleclicking it or by sending it by bluetooth or email.

Why don't you create a small script/batch like this (I can send it for you) and bundle with isilo for S60?

eduakira1

07-28-2006, 07:54 PM

smilryboy

07-28-2006, 08:43 PM

That has been part of my thinking as well. I was looking at the isilo website and found this http://www.palmtop.co.uk/ who knew this mag was for isilo? Point is. ISILO GET OUT AND ADVERTISE :cool: . No one knows u exist.

goldeneagle

07-29-2006, 05:28 AM

As I said in my last post... Average S60 user can't find it on Handango and Symbiangear...

This is true. But experienced users (as we all in this forum are :) ) know how to find it.

I used to have a Tungsten T3 (and bought some years ago the PalmOS version of this great software) and now I switched to a Nokia N80 and I am desperately looking for this great software. I promise to buy the s60(3rd)-version as soon it is capable to be on my phone.

eduakira1

07-29-2006, 02:41 PM

This is true. But experienced users (as we all in this forum are :) ) know how to find it.

I used to have a Tungsten T3 (and bought some years ago the PalmOS version of this great software) and now I switched to a Nokia N80 and I am desperately looking for this great software. I promise to buy the s60(3rd)-version as soon it is capable to be on my phone.

But how many experienced users should register in order to make isilo for s60 profitable???

Isilo need the newbies, people who barely know that his smartphone can be used to read ebooks and websites offline. And these people should register, making isilo development team earn money!

Please!!! Edit isilo entry in Handango to make it more visible for the customers!!!

goldeneagle

07-30-2006, 08:28 PM

Please!!! Edit isilo entry in Handango to make it more visible for the customers!!!

It's already visible in Handango. The ISilo-Website even provides the necessary links. The only thing that is not visible (because it still doesn't exist) is the entry in the category S60 3rd edition.

insyte

08-23-2006, 04:10 PM

Actually it's the case that there has been very little support from customers for the S60 version of iSilo. It's been available for nearly a year now and the number of people who have purchased a license for it is miniscule compared to the ongoing development and maintenance costs for it, meaning that it has been a big resource and money loser.

I am a long-time PalmOS user who just switched from a Treo to a Nokia E61. I believe that will be a common migration in the months to come, as Symbian seems to be doing interesting things while Palm is still fighting with the same old technology.

When I was considering the switch, I didn't check closely enough to realize there wasn't support for S60 v3. Consider this another vote for a v3 release (and a guaranteed sale if it ever comes out).

goldeneagle

08-23-2006, 07:53 PM

Welcome to the club! :)

I just made the transition from Palm to a Nokia N80. Same story (thoughts) as yours. Palm seems to be dying :eek: , Symbian is growing :) .

I also didn't check closely enough. I thought S60 is S60. Didn't consider there was a version called 3rd edition, that is obviously not compatible with the other versions....

But hey, Symbian has a great future :cool:

sakya

08-24-2006, 09:23 AM

i am a treo 650 n isilo user. i am trying nokia e61. does isilo work with my new e61?

goldeneagle

08-24-2006, 11:00 AM

No, since the E61 is also a s60 3rd edition phone --> see this one (http://www.nokia.ch/pool/pdf/phones/E61_Technical_Specifications.pdf) . iSilo runs only on s60 1st and s60 2nd edition as far as I know.

Welcome to the club!

I'm also waiting for a s60 3rd edition version of the iSilo software. I have a N80.

Greetings

from

the Golden Eagle

kalelrojin

08-30-2006, 08:53 AM

I have a Nokia N80 as well. I used a N90 for a short time and was so glad that isilo was available for it but didn't purchase the license because I wasnt satisfied with the phone. I purchased the N80 with plans to purchase a license for isilo but now am completely broken hearted! I was planning for my N80 to completely replace my Palm Tungsten T5 PDA but now I will have to tote both of them until isilo for S60 3rd ed. is available. We need to make a vote post to show isilo how many peeps will definitely purchase a license if isilo for 3rd ed. is released!

eduakira1

08-31-2006, 04:43 PM

I've a registered user of isilo for PalmOS and Symbian S60 2nd Ed. I am waiting for Symbian S60 3rd Ed to make the move to a N80...

Come on! You don't have to make isilo Symbian Signed, as it doesn't need any communicatio capability. Just recompile it for us.

Dr. foo

09-04-2006, 12:52 PM

I'm a Norwegian doctor who recently bought myself a Nokia N93. Partly in order to access medical info in my daily work. As it turns out here in Norway, iSilo has a total monopoly on the software necessary to do so. This places a special responsability with the iSilo crew, so please start the work immediately! How about a request to Symbian to contribute, this should be important for them too, strengthening the position of the Symbian-run phones.

kalelrojin

09-04-2006, 03:05 PM

Can MobiPocket read isilo pdbs?

berdinkerdickle

09-06-2006, 11:25 AM

So you guys with sites. Lets get it started. :D

Hey Smilyboy :D

What no 3rd edition version? :eek:

Come on Isilo!

Another Vote for 3rd edition!!!

berdinkerdickle

09-12-2006, 10:41 AM

ahmedss

09-17-2006, 08:41 AM

stpark

09-23-2006, 03:42 PM

I started this thread some time ago. Now I think it is time for some short conclusions.

As far as I understood iSilo team is not going to make S60 3.x version because they didn't see that existing iSilo for S60 is very popular. They explicitly blamed people in this forum for a) actively asking iSilo to make S60 version in the past; b) not buying iSilo S60 as actively as they could. Taking into account that there is no single audience responsible for both a) and b) their statement sounds very stupid.

After all don't you think guys that S60 version you made just didn't justify user hopes? You could blame your users if iSilo would be a freeware, but you are getting money for it, so please try to look for the root of your S60 selling problems in yourself first.

FYI, S60 2.x devices are gradually flying away from the market while the whole S60 platform gets stronger positions and phone vendors constantly increase their share of S60 devices. You WILL get your money sooner or later.
iSilo is nearly the best mobile reader and it is really sad, that the iSilo team got such attitude towards this platform support.

Nowadays, with S60 3.x developer libraries, you also receive PC connectivity solution, which is a part of platform offering. Therefore you can create a powerful solution on both ends PC and mobile phone, which would be similar to what you did for Palm or Windows Mobile. That will definitely add some value to S60 version. In addition, in the standard S60 3.x BrowserNG the offline pages support was dropped and people are really missing a possibility to make and read offline internet pages.

Personally I think that iSilo team simply doesn't have a willing to add features and platforms to the product. Most likely markets that they got is enough for living, so why to bother?

aschechtman

09-24-2006, 10:49 AM

This conversation seems so emotion laden at times. While I don't have any inside insight into the mind of the makers of iSilo, as a small business owner myself I can offer some general insights.

I doubt the makers of iSilo have any grudge against S60 due to the failed promise for widespread adoption of the first S60 version. It is also not about releasing a new edition just to make people on this forum happy. Rather, it is all a calculated business decision. iSilo remains a small company with limited development resources. Putting in the time and resources to develop a new platform for iSilo is a huge investment that means that either other projects get deferred or additional staff are brought on to handle the increased load. In addition, with each new platform, customer support becomes more complex and every upgrade requires more work to ensure successful implementation.

The makers of iSilo are smart and have good business sense. They have created a market-leading product that has endured, adding platforms and functionality since I've been a user over the past 7 years. One of iSilo's best features is the cross-platform compatibility of iSilo documents. If iSilo sees the demand for versions compatible with newer devices like S60v3 and Blackberry, they will eventually need to support these platforms to remain competitive.

Just my two cents.

Andrew Schechtman, M.D.
MeisterMed

Voltage Spike

09-24-2006, 09:37 PM

Putting in the time and resources to develop a new platform for iSilo is a huge investment that means that either other projects get deferred or additional staff are brought on to handle the increased load.

Depending on who you believe, porting to S60 Series 3 is either a trivial recompile or complex re-examining of the code. Since the developers have yet to recompile iSiloX(C) for Mac OS X on Intel, I think the problem could lie with either excuse.

Series 3 also has mandatory code signing which isn't free and adds additional overhead to the product. I'm not exactly sure what the pricing is like, but it sure seems to me like a disincentive to develop for a "new" platform.

berdinkerdickle

09-28-2006, 04:03 PM

Actually it's the case that there has been very little support from customers for the S60 version of iSilo. It's been available for nearly a year now and the number of people who have purchased a license for it is miniscule compared to the ongoing development and maintenance costs for it, meaning that it has been a big resource and money loser. As such, continued development to support future versions of S60 is at a lower priority.

Can't you just say that you will no longer be supporting older S60 and other versions that received little interest?

And how about just releasing a non-supported version of 3rd Ed?

berdinkerdickle

10-02-2006, 11:19 AM

http://www.mobile-review.com/review/nokia-s60-future-en.shtml

kennekam

10-04-2006, 01:42 PM

I have just taken delivery of a new N80 and would love to have iSilo on it. I am prepared to pay upfront if it wil help!

smilryboy

10-04-2006, 05:41 PM

My question was in PDA essentials This last month. I guess from what they say. Isilo is too hard for the iSilo team to create for 3rd. :eek: Wow. That stinks. Maybe they need to train some new help.......

patrickwest

10-08-2006, 02:45 PM

From a review of the iSilo forum it does not seem likely that there will be a version for S60 3rd edition anytime soon. It would seem that they lost money on their S60 version so don't see how they can waste more money for a new version of the platform.

Likely all those asking for it needed it so went back an got rid of their S60 phones and obtained a device that would run iSilo.

So the folks making the Symbian Series 60 phones need to pay the iSilo folks to cover much of the base development costs or it won't happen.

<http://forum.isilo.com/showthread.php?t=1937>

06-07-2006, 04:03 AM
Isilo forum Administrator wrote:
>There are no specific plans at this time in
> regards to S60 3rd edition. It is under
> consideration though

And on 06-08-2006, 05:53 AM
iSilo forum Administrator wrote
> Actually it's the case that there has been
> very little support from customers for the S60
> version of iSilo. It's been available for nearly
> a year now and the number of people who
> have purchased a license for it is miniscule
> compared to the ongoing development and
> maintenance costs for it, meaning that it
> has been a big resource and money loser.
> As such, continued development to support
> future versions of S60 is at a lower priority.

And on 06-13-2006, 04:08 AM
iSilo forum Administrator wrote
> There was quite a stir before "iSilo
> for Symbian Series 60" was developed
> with many people asking for it to be
> developed, but after it was released,
> there seemed to be no interest in it.
> Would anyone like to comment on
> why supporting S60 3rd edition would
> be more worthwhile considering that
> there has been virtually no interest
> in the current "iSilo for Symbian Series 60"?

On 10/8/06, kennekam wrote:

> Does anyone have any suggestions on getting iSilo to run on Symbian 60
> 3? I have a N80 and would love to to able to use it for WtPubs.
>
> FAQ: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/t-tools/database> PRIOR to posting a question or request to the ENTIRE list please be certain it is not already covered.

--
F. Patrick West
Portland,Oregon, USA
<http://home.comcast.net/~patrickwest3/id.jpg>

smilryboy

10-10-2006, 09:32 PM

So, lets switch all of our stuff to mobipocket. :D

afripp

10-13-2006, 02:05 AM

Are iSilo in the business of supplying a reader for PDAs or not?

If so then why, when there are more and more Smartphones in use and users are only just beginning to realise what they can do with these devices, is iSilo pulling out of the S60 market?

Everyone who has seen the iSilo books I have on my Nokia 6630 has asked how to get it - it's just a matter of time until most SmartPhone users realise that they actually just bought a PDA too.

Part of the problem is that the iSilo web site looks clunky and geeky and makes no attempt to promote itself or the content that is available for iSilo (compare to mobipocket). iSilo, please get a grip and realise that you have a large, untapped market available to you for just a bit of marketing and web site improvement (AND support for the new S60 SmartPhones).

Please, port iSilo to S60 3rd generation - I'll guarantee that I'll buy it myself and I will certainly recommend it to all my colleagues.

Jlczl

10-15-2006, 08:06 AM

I'm here to add to the growing number of voices requesting Isilo for S60 ver 3.

I would like to know how much investment is needed to make it "worthwhile". I'm sure many of us here would be willing to pay a little more for this version plus maybe I could get a donation list going that could total your initial investment.

Isilo Administrators: Please PM or e-mail me if this is a possibility.

Skydoc

10-23-2006, 05:55 PM

Obviously iSilo need to see a critical mass before they develop for the likes of the E61.

Just thought I would add to the discussion. I'm a long term Treo 650 user and I have just completely switched to the Nokia E61 - its faster, 3G enabled in the UK, wireless and has an outstanding screen. Its quick and runs multiple concurrent apps without crashing.

Im still using my trusty 650 as a work phone but the news in our office is that we are dropping Blackberry's and going over to E61 across the Enterprise.

Can we please have an E61 version? :)

Regards

Geoff.

Laapsaap

10-23-2006, 07:47 PM

iSilo

10-23-2006, 08:34 PM

The Treo 750v runs Windows Mobile Pocket PC, so you would use the Pocket PC platform version of iSilo.

smilryboy

10-26-2006, 08:59 PM

The Treo 750v runs Windows Mobile Pocket PC, so you would use the Pocket PC platform version of iSilo.

:rolleyes: We all know that Palm and windows works. That is why the title is about Symbian.

WHATS THE LATEST ON SYMBIAN. ANYTHING?

iSilo

10-27-2006, 08:24 AM

There is no new news about Symbian at this time. When there is news, it will be posted.

berdinkerdickle

10-30-2006, 01:53 PM

There is no new news about Symbian at this time. When there is news, it will be posted.
:( :( :(

michaelnatal

11-08-2006, 06:45 AM

Being in the election spirit, I cast yet another vote in favor of iSilo for S60(3d). I was an early supporter of iSilo and used it incessantly on my Palm devices. Now that I've swapped Palm for Symbian, iSilo is hard to do without. iSilo really fills a niche that other products (AvantGo, MobiReader, etc.) can't.

Paul F

11-12-2006, 09:02 AM

Hi,

Me also, I passed from Palm to Symbian. I was very disappointed by the Isilo version for S60. I hope that the version 3rd edition will be better (like that for Palm).

I hope that it will be ready soon. I miss it.

Paul

jvog

11-13-2006, 03:19 AM

I have N73 (S60 3rd edition), I would also like to have iSilo.

It seems strange that developers can't just re-compile s60 2nd edition version with new compiler. Would it be so much money loss, since SDK from the Nokia is completely Free?

There is also version for Windows Mobile that was dead before it was born. How many Windows Mobile versions there are compared to s60? This sounds like Microsoft is behind this somehow...

xylem

11-20-2006, 01:02 AM

Hello to all,

another vote for s60 3rd.

tnhh

12-04-2006, 01:56 PM

another me too. Just bought an N73 to replace my Clie and would love to get iSilo running on it...

ichwong

12-21-2006, 10:22 PM

I'm also a registered user for iSilo for Symbian S60.
I'm using the software and would like to use it on S60 3rd edition as well.

Qvo

01-18-2007, 04:19 PM

Hey boys and girls.
Im also a vote here.
I just finished reading all of these post and decided to e-mail iSilo Support for an update and here is what they had to say:

It is under development. A beta may be available soon. Please check the
announcements at the forum <http://forum.iSilo.com> for updates. :D

Now I just hope this is true :(

callesto

01-20-2007, 02:15 PM

Another vote for s60 3rd edition. I broke my 6682 and replaced it with an e62. I've been using iSilo for years and would love to continue. I'm willing to purchase another license.

boogie

01-21-2007, 12:09 PM

...snipped
here is what they had to say:
It is under development. A beta may be available soon. Please check the
announcements at the forum <http://forum.iSilo.com> for updates. :D

Now I just hope this is true :(
Are you sure? ...This is a wonderful news... :eek:
I am a registered and licenced user for iSilo on Pocket PC (HP2410), Palm (Treo 650) and Symbian S60 2nd edition (Nokia N70). If there is beta version for Symbian S60 3rd ed. or later versions development, I shall get off and sell out all my old stuffs HP Pocket PC, my Treo and my old Nokia in minutes. There is huge change to my life as I can imagine... :rolleyes:

iSilo

01-24-2007, 10:54 AM

There is now a beta available of iSilo for S60 3rd Edition. Please see the Announcements (http://forum.isilo.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1) forum for details on downloading.

At the online store (http://www2.isilo.com/Store/store.php), the correct license to purchase for this platform is a license for "iSilo for Symbian Series 60".

You can show your support for iSilo on S60 3rd Edition and help bring it to the release stage by purchasing a license and urging others to do so.