This is such a simple tip I can’t believe I did not discover it sooner, but thanks to reader Mobiledivide, I’ve learned how you can very easily enable graphics in the Modest mail client. This should work for Diablo as well as pre-Diablo installs of Modest.
Via the Maemo Extras repository, download an application called gconf-editor, which will let you control all kinds of interest settings for various apps. I imagine you might be able to do some damage if you are not too careful, but for this purpose, all should be fine.
Once installed, fire it up and navigate to Apps / Modest. You should see something that looks like this:
I’ve already checked the fetch external images option which is what you need to check in order to get HTML mail fully enabled. That’s it. Enjoy!
After a day of use I am feeling that my N810 has received a serious tune up! System performance is a bit faster but the browser, has received a big boost. Scrolling and flash performance have been great for me as I moved through wifi and DUN connections alike. Given the amount of time I tend to spend in the browser, I am very pleased.
The email client has been updated quite substantially as well. While I’ve been using Modest since it was initially released, having it as the default system preference is great. IMAP performance is stellar on my gmail account and the settings wizard certainly makes it easy to get going very quickly. My only nit is that there is still no support for graphics in HTML mail which renders very well otherwise.
I noticed some excellent updates to the Applications Manager also which now not only proactively reports that updates are available, but can also update multiple things at once. I look forward to putting this to a more serious test when the next OS update hits and I don?t have to reflash my device.
As to be expected with any update there are a few bits worth watching for like repositories that are now seeking Diablo when Chinook might still work. I’ve just tweaked the Mauku repository setting and have that back running without issue.
All told this seems like a great step forward for our Nokia Tablets. With non-destructible firmware installed we can finally start moving more mass. Though I’ll still probably have to help my dad update things on his N800 …
While many still question the need for a device like the Nokia Tablet the converted, like myself, see no way but up for this platform.
While it’s been floating around for a while “behind the scenes” Diablo has finally arrived officially for the tablet:
Nokia has published the OS2008 Feature Upgrade for the N810 and N800 Internet Tablets. This release is based on Maemo 4.1 (codename Diablo) and provides the Seamless Software Update feature.
Users still need to reflash the device in order to install this release. Further OS updates will be made available over-the-air, without needing to reflash. Now users will get automatic notifications in the home screen about the availability of OS updates or single applications, including those installed from third parties. This works only over WLAN connections. It is still possible to check for updates manually from the Application manager.
This release brings a new open source email application based on Modest and the tinymail framework. Users will find a simplified account setup and presets for various service providers. Another major improvement is the introduction to Chinese character rendering support in Email, Browser and RSS feed reader. There are numerous issues fixed all over the operating system including updated openssl. Smaller improvements have also been introduced to several areas such improved browser panning performance. [Maemo.org]
I was just about to mess with screen rotation hacks, but this seems like a slightly more substantial change. I’ll try to report back after flashing today if possible.
I just caught this video which highlights some UX ideas around the potential for Firefox Mobile and I really like what I’m seeing! It’s a near-future version of Fennec which you can run today on the tablet. While I’m not sure how this would work on a non-touch device, that’s not really something we tableteer’s have to worry about. Note there’s no Chrome and how optimized the experience is around enabling actions on the page and in the key interaction areas like the location bar.
