Beta Labs Archive created (and Device Status moved there)
As you might have noticed, we have set up a new section called Nokia Beta Labs Archive:
This is the archive of past Nokia Beta Labs initiatives that are not under active beta testing anymore. While some of the items have been removed, some are left available “as is”. You are free to use them as you see fit, but don’t expect bug fixes or new releases under this website.
As the first archived items, you can find Ad-powered Download Client (removed) and Device Status (left available “as is”).
In most cases, we are not allowed to comment the exact reasoning behind the archival. Anyway, the rule of thumb is that when the beta pilot has served its purpose, and the development team doesn’t really need the Beta Labs feedback anymore, we move the project from the active beta list to the archive. We don’t want to abuse your precious time by having inactive beta projects and dead feedback channels out there (some companies do that).
My guess is that about 50% of all Beta Labs applications will eventually graduate (= get productized), and 50% will be archived.
Any guesses about which app goes which route?
Nseries PCSuite beta and Nokia Maps 2.0 beta have to get graduated.i think there are only few bugs but mostly the programs work really nice.my opinion…
heiko
Comment by Heiko — March 7, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
Aw… I liked Device Status, pity to see it’s development stopped, back to handy taskman I guess…
Comment by Fernando — March 7, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
I noticed the 2 new links yesterday. Think it’s good to move the finished (either due to graduating or the test has run its course) products out of the way.
The Device Status is a great wee app, I can see what it’s archived, not a lot that they can do with it.
I still use it from time to time.
Comment by Solitaire — March 7, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
I think Device Status is a very usefull application. Instead of using mobile codes to check IMEI/Firmware and such things.
Also the possibility to see battary status in %!
Comment by Joel — March 8, 2008 @ 12:30 am
Any chance to open source some of the future archived ones? I appreciate it won’t be possible or appropriate for all, but seems a shame to just EOL 50% of the stuff if some people are still interested in it. Would be nice to at least have a decision point there when going to archive: “does nokia open source this archived beta application?”
Comment by Ian — March 8, 2008 @ 4:45 am
[…] then, there’s a couple apps that just screw up everything, for example Device Status (rip ), didn’t recognize any key press, besides the review/gallery key, so I couldn’t take a […]
Pingback by S60 inverse landscape at fernando’s blag — March 9, 2008 @ 5:27 am
A couple of weeks ago, I sent my feedback about how useless Device Status app is and I guess I was right. It was the first one to be sent to the archive.
For graduates, I would bet on Maps 2.0 and Wellness Diary.
Comment by Burak — March 10, 2008 @ 10:58 am
The only clearly graduating apps are Channels, Maps, Sports Tracker, and Wellness Diary. They serve some clear purpose and can be useful to many users.
A few more apps might graduate through merging to PC Suite or phone firmware, or just die and be archived; Download! for PC, Internet Tablet Video Converter, Location Tagger, and Nseries PC Suite.
Some apps are pure experiments and will be archived; Conversation, PC Phone, Text Messenger.
The rest are simply useless or niche products attracting only a handful of users, and will thus be abandoned and archived; Audiobooks, Gizmo, Mobile Codes, Mobile Web Server, MOSH Client, and MUPE.
Comment by kanta — March 10, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
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