Topic: Symbian

The discussion turns to why people keep computers longer than they did in the 1980s, leading to more frequent hardware failures. John C. Dvorak praises the indestructible nature of the Nokia E71 and argues that abandoned operating systems like Symbian should be released into the public domain.

A return to the Nokia E71 is discussed as a solution to the poor battery life and tracking issues of modern smartphones. The E71's Symbian operating system is noted for being less intrusive than modern alternatives. Despite being older technology, the phone's physical keyboard and Opera browser are praised for efficiency and reliability.

The hosts conclude the show by discussing the possibility of creating an "Off The Grid" (OTG) phone using the open-sourced Symbian operating system and a Nokia E71 clone. They emphasize the show's mission of providing "life-saving tips" for the digital era. The episode ends with a series of sound bites and the standard sign-off.

The Nokia E71 is identified as the premier "feature phone" for users seeking a digital detox while maintaining basic functionality like SMS and email. Unlike modern smartphones, the E71 lacks pervasive spyware and has a battery life that lasts a full week. The discussion covers the technical hurdles of using legacy hardware, including the shutdown of WhatsApp on the Symbian operating system.

The attempt to live a "pager lifestyle" is declared a failure due to slow SMS transmission and duplicate messages. As an alternative for privacy, the hosts discuss returning to "dumb" feature phones like the Nokia Asha 210 or E71, which lack modern tracking sensors and run the legacy Symbian operating system.

The hosts describe technical difficulties configuring a D-Star ID51 dual-band handheld radio, comparing the process to landing a plane with a wooden leg. They critique the proprietary nature of ICOM's repeater network and the outdated menu structures reminiscent of early Symbian mobile interfaces. Listeners are encouraged to obtain a technician's license to participate in the amateur radio community.

The hosts investigate David Potter, the founder of Scion and a primary funder of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. They speculate that Potter's history in the tech industry, including the creation of Symbian, suggests deep ties to British intelligence. They propose that the Bureau's reporting on US drone strikes may be part of an MI6 operation against the CIA.

A visit to the Empress of China restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown is recounted, highlighting the "tourist trap" nature of the classic establishment. The planning of the dinner was complicated by the Nokia T9 predictive text system on a Symbian phone, which erroneously changed "Empress" to "Express" and "funky" to "funky" in text messages.

The new Nokia N97 smartphone is evaluated for its hardware design, featuring a tilt-up touchscreen and physical keyboard. However, the hosts express a preference for the Android operating system due to its seamless integration with Google services like Mail, Calendar, and voice-activated Maps.

Following the launch of the iPhone 3G, a host describes opting for a Nokia E71 instead of the Apple device. The decision was influenced by long lines at the O2 store in Guilford and technical limitations of the iPhone, such as battery life and lack of voice-guided GPS. The Nokia E71 is praised for its processor speed, form factor, and physical keyboard.

The JoikuSpot application is highlighted for its ability to turn a Symbian-based Nokia phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot. This software allows a laptop to connect to the internet via the phone's high-speed mobile data connection. Additional features of the Nokia E71 are discussed, including its 3.2-megapixel camera, front-facing VGA camera for video calls, and turn-by-turn GPS capabilities.