Following several posts on Sudoku the guys at ZingMagic were so nice to give me a trial version of their Zingles (=Sudoku) application. Making inquiry why they do not make a trial version available to a broader audience (as you can only buy their applications), gave me more insight in the harsh world of Symbian software development.
All 3rd edition applications need to be Symbian Signed if they use the phones IMEI for any kind of dynamic registration. Any Symbian signature goes at a cost of some EUR200 per application. Each trial version over a different distribution channel (read website) implies a new signature. Thus if you develop several Symbian applications like these guys which you like to distribute to multiple sites let’s say 20 different ones, then you can imagine the cost that comes with making trials available. Clearly something the guys at Symbian can improve to speed up the rate% of new applications being made available. Because, and as I guess, many users like me want to try certain applications before making the dollars$ available for it.
Ok, back to the application itself. Let me first highlight what I personally think is important in a Sudoku application:
- user interface – application should be intuitive and should make best use of resources being available
- data input / handling the application – as there is quite some interaction required the data entry should be intuitive and fast (not too many steps)
- choice in levels – obviously Sudoku for different users requires different levels – as I consider myself as an ace, hard should be really hard
When opening the application you will first have to select if you want to play a new game or continue with an old one. Actually this is quite a good feature as you are enabled to store multiple games at the same time. In fact, even if you are playing you do not have to worry about saving the game as each move is automatically stored when made. The way I use this feature is that if I am not able to quickly solve the Sudoku I save it up for later.
 
Continue reading [Review: Sudoku continued: Zingles for the Nokia e61 and Nokia e62]
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The purpose of the game is actually quite simple. The idea is that you manage to create as many “Xmas figures in a row of miminal three” as possible. The longer the row the higher the score will be you collect. Rows can be created both in horizontal and vertical direction. You create rows by “exchanging” Xmas figures from its square with adjacent squares. This can be done again in horizontal, vetical, as well as diagonal direction. TIP: to move in the diagonal direction use the number keys on your e61 / e62 (eg 1 for NW and 9 for SE). The game is offering two game modes: easy and time mode.
As we are all aware the progress of new game development for the Symbian s60 3rd edition platform is dreadfully slow. Would it not be a good thing if we can play all the classic games on the road on our Nokia e61? The LCD display is perfect for it. Now is our chance …
