Linux Applications for the NOKIA Communicator

Connectivity

p3nfs

If you have been using Psion devices alongside with UNIXish operating systems for a long time, you will probably remember (or even still use ;) the p3nfs software by Rudolf König, which makes basic NFS functionality available on the Psion. The p3nfs has been ressurected by him and has been extended to work on EPOC R6 and specifically on the NOKIA Communicator. While at some point the PLP-Tools should integrate this functionality, you may use this solution in the meantime.

LinPoch

LinPoch is a connectivity software suite which makes it possible to communicate with an Epoc 6 device, under Linux. The main goal of LinPoch is to provide connectivity between Epoc 6 devices and Linux / UNIX, but mainly the Nokia 9210 cell phone.

Linux IrDA Project

The Linux IrDA Project provides software for IrDA connections to cellular phones. You may read the Linux-InfraRed-HOWTO for more information.

A report from Tamas Tevesz <ice_at_extreme.hu>: I have successfully made file transfers between my nokia 9210 communicator and a Linux PC via infrared.

Steps to be followed in brief:

• have a working IrDA setup on your Linux box.
• get and compile openobex and openobex-apps . I tried with 0.9.8 (that's what is available now).
• you should now have an irobex_palm3 executable somewhere. Don't let the name misguide you, that's what you need.

As an example, start irobex_palm3 without any args, then on the Communicator in file manager, select any file, then File->Send->Via infrared. Watch dots passing by, then voila.

silence:/usr/local/openobex/bin# ./irobex_palm3
Send and receive files to Palm3
Waiting for files

......HEADER_LENGTH = 5371
put_done() Skipped header 42
put_done() Skipped header 44
Filename = Link.sis
Wrote /tmp/Link.sis (5371 bytes)

It goes seamlessly in the other direction as well. Tools->Receive via infrared on the Communicator, then irobex_palm3 <filename> on the Linux box, shortly after you'll get a popup on the Communicator stating it has received stuff, what to do with it.

That's pretty much it. I'm very glad I could achieve this, this (together with for example zipmanager on the communicator) makes it possible to back the communicator up without the Nokia Microsoft-Windows program, or the cable, or ...

SMS

sms9119

mdsms sends a SmartMessaging SMS through a Nokia 9110 device. It sends NOL or NGG files as operator logo or group graphics through a Nokia Communicator 9110 (9000/9000i is definitively not compatible). Usually, you need to have either an infrared port in your computer or a special FBUS cable to be able to use conventional logo-uploading tools (GNokii or one from KESSLER Wireless Design). This program uses only a standard modem cable and the integrated faxmodem capability of the 9110. It can also send ringtones.

Development

EPOC R5 SDK for LINUX

Normally development for EPOC devices is done under Windows, since the SDK distributed by SYMBIAN is targeted for this platform. Still you might belong to those who prefer to use UNIXish operating systems for program development. If this is the case, this page by KI-AG will tell you how to set up a development environment under Linux.

epocemx

epocemx is a collection of tools (including a port of GCC) and libraries which enable building EPOC R5 (ER5) applications under Unix. EPOC R6 (ER6, Symbian OS) is not supported.

GnuPoc - SymbianOS SDK for GNU/Linux

GnuPoc makes it possible to develop EPOC applications on your GNU/Linux machine. It is using GNU make, Wine and GCC crosscompiler for ARM. Because of the EPOC SDK license we are not allowed to redistribute it, but you can apply the diff if you already have the SDK. The aim of this project is to make a complete EPOC SDK for Linux, any architecture, with full debugging and which is released under GPL.

Resources

GAMMU (formerly MyGnokii2)

GAMMU (GNU All Mobile Management Utilities) (formerly known as MyGnokii2) is manager for various cellular phones and modems. It supports Nokia 3210, 33xx, 3410, 3510, 51xx, 5210, 5510, 61xx, 62xx, 63xx, 6510, 7110, 82xx, 8310, 9110, and 9210, and AT devices (such as Siemens, Alcatel, WaveCom, IPAQ, Sagem and other). For an up-to-date list of supported mobile phones see Gammu phone database. GAMMu has a command line version with many functions for ringtones, phonebook, SMS, logos, WAP, date/time, alarm, calls, etc. It can also make full backups and restore them. It works on various Unix systems (like Linux) and Win32.

Gammu+

Gammu+ is a cellular manager for various mobile phones/modems. It supports some functions in many Nokia models (e.g. the 6230 and 6310i) over cables/infrared/BlueTooth. It contains libraries with functions for a phone book and more, as well as a command line version (e.g. to backup/restore).

Wammu

Wammu is a mobile phone manager that uses Gammu as its backend. It works with any phone that Gammu supports, including many models from Nokia, Siemens, and Alcatel. It has complete support (read, edit, delete, copy) for contacts, todo, and calendar. It can read, save, and send SMS. It includes an SMS composer for multi-part SMS messages, and it can display SMS messages that include pictures. Currently, only text and predefined bitmaps or sounds can be edited in the SMS composer.

python-gammu

python-gammu is a set of Python bindings for Gammu, the GSM mobile manager for various cellular phones. It can work with any phone that Gammu supports, including many models by Nokia, Siemens, and Alcatel.

fxvibra

fxvibra is a midlet that controls the vibrator in Nokia phones. It comes with a visual fire effect that reacts to the intensity of the vibrator.

GNOKII

gnokii is a Linux/Unix tool suite and soon to be modem/fax driver for Nokia (GSM) mobile phones. Phones supported include 3110, 3810, 8110, 5110, 6110 and their derivatives.

KnokiiSync

KnokiiSync is a KDE 3.1.x program that transfers entries from a Gnokii-compatible phone to KDE's Address Book and vice-versa. It can transfer all the entries as well as the entry types (home, work, mobile, URL, email, etc).

sersniff

The sersniff program was written to aid me with the decoding of the protocol used by the Nokia 9000i Communicator to talk to the NServer software Nokia provides, which only runs under MS-Windows.

HOWTOs

You may read this recipe on how to get the modem connected to a Linux box via IrDA or via cable.

Other Resources

• survey of NOKIA tools for different operating systems (in Russian)
• Mirroring e-mail to your NOKIA phone (with procmail).
• More information about miscellaneous apps for different cell phones you may find here.

Credits

• Tamas Tevesz <ice_at_extreme.hu>