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Mobile Devices

Mobile phones can do far more than making calls. Thanks to new technology, most new mobile phones have the capabilities of a mini-computer. Today's mobile phones can now do much of what on we’d normally use a desktop PC for. From games to encyclopedias, language software and route planners up to MP3 and video players as well as mobile office applications, the range of applications on offer is huge.

Softonic is dedicated to bringing you the very best software available on this mini-computing plaform. We test the best tools, applications and programs for your mobile phone and offer them for download.

Before you download and install a mobile phone program, you should make sure that you know about the characteristics of your mobile telephone. This is the best way to ensure that whichever software you download from us is suitable for your phone model.

We recommend that you read the following information carefully:

• What is J2ME, Symbian OS, Windows mobile and BlackBerry?
• Which software is compatible with my phone?
• How do I install software on my mobile phone?
• Transferring a file to your mobile phone

What is J2ME, Symbian OS, Windows mobile and BlackBerry?

Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) is a version of the programming language Java developed specially for mobile phones. Because it’s a development language, programs created using Java can be run on many different mobile phone models. Programs for Java for mobile phones - or MIDlets – are easily identified by their JAD or JAR file extensions. New Java programs are identified on the mobile phone homepage by this symbol:

Conversely, Symbian, Windows Mobile and Blackberry are completely independent operating systems.

Mobile phones with the Symbian operating system are capable of running special Symbian applications, as well as the more basic J2ME programs. You can recognize software for Symbian mobile phones by the file extension SIS. Just like with different Windows variants of an operating system (for example Windows XP, Windows 2000 etc..) there are different Symbian OS variants such as Series 60, Series 80, Series 90 and UIQ series. Since not all Symbian OS versions are 100% compatible with one another, you should pay special attention to the list of the compatible devices before you download an SIS file. These mobile phone models are specified at the end of the respective program description. New Symbian programs are identified on the Phones homepage by these symbols:

Windows Mobile is the mobile counterpart of the PC operating system Microsoft Windows. Exactly as with the PC there are several versions of the Windows system. Beside Smartphones with Windows Mobile 5, Softonic provides software downloads for devices with Windows Mobile 2002, 2003 and 2003 Second Edition. Software for Windows Smartphones comes either with special installation programs (EXE files) or without an installer (CAB files). To transfer Windows Mobile programs to your device, Microsoft has developed the tool ActiveSync. New Windows Mobile programs are marked on the Phones homepage with this symbol:

BlackBerrys run a special operating system created by their manufacturer, Research In Motion (RIM). BlackBerry devices are typically used by business and government workers who can take advantage of the devices’ remote email communication capabilities. Programs for BlackBerrys use the special ‘container format’ COD file extension. The Windows software provided with new BlackBerry mobile telephones, the BlackBerry Desktop Manager handles all data transfer between your BlackBerry and your PC. New BlackBerry programs on the Phones homepage are marked with this symbol:

We mark software on the Phones homepage which supports more than two operating systems with this symbol:

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Which software is compatible with my phone?

So that you can faster identify which software works with your mobile phone, you can filter all programs tested by Softonic with the mobile phone filter by mobile phone model or by operating system.

Step one: In the drop-down menu you can choose which mobile phone handset you own. First, pick the manufacturer of your handset (Alcatel, Nokia, Sony Ericsson etc).

Step two: In the next page, you’ll see all the models from your chosen manufacturer – with an image to help you spot your phone. Simply find your phone, click on the image and you’ve made your selection!

If the mobile phone filter is successfully set, you should see your phone’s name appear above the search box on the Phones homepage.

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How do I install software on my mobile phone?

Since Windows Smartphones and BlackBerrys have their own special installer files, already mentioned here, we won’t go into any further details for these operating systems.

The installation of Java and Symbian software runs similarly to other operating systems. You need copy only JAR or SIS formatted file to your mobile phone. You may then run that file directly on your phone. There are two main ways to get the file onto your phone: direct over-the-air download and via your home PC.

Download to your hard disk

Once you’re satisfied that the file is compatible with your mobile handset, you can download it to your PC. At this point, you may choose either Free Download or Softonic Download according to your needs (see download help).

Once the file is on your computer, have a look at its file extension. JAD, JAR and SIS files can be immediately transferred to your mobile phone using the software provided by its manufacturer.

Sometimes, programs are packed in ‘ZIP’ or ‘RAR’ files. In these cases you must decompress the file with the help of a decompression program first. After completing this procedure, transfer the resulting JAD, JAR or SIS file to your phone.

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Transferring a file to your mobile phone:

Wirelessly via infrared or Bluetooth interface: If both the computer and mobile phone possess an infrared or a Bluetooth interface, you can transfer this program file over it to your mobile phone.

Via a data cable: most mobile phones have a data cable, either available for separate purchase or bundled with your new phone. Simply install this cable, attach your phone to your computer and follow the manufacturer’s steps for transferring the program file.

Direct Download on mobile phone

Alternatively, you may download the program file directly to your mobile phone from Softonic using the ‘Install’ feature. This service is available for the majority of programs in the Phones section of Softonic.

Using our Mobile Direct Download service, you can easily avoid the middle step of downloading files to your PC. Direct Download is a great way of avoiding hassle and speeding up the process of installing mobile programs.

For more information about this service see Mobile Direct Download help.

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