As we’re busily working away on the next iteration of PUSH, we wanted to take five minutes out to give our thoughts on the new Nokia device that was announced yesterday, the N8.

Firstly, it’s the tech inside the device that interests us the most and the N8 really doesn’t disappoint! For starters, it’s the first Nokia device that runs on the new Symbian^3 open-source platform and also ships with the latest v4.7 Qt application already embedded; making porting and tweaking apps and hacks even easier! Plus, the rest of the N8’s specifications are all nothing short of impressive.

The N8 is also packing some serious content creation tools! It features a 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss optical lens, Xenon flash and also has the ability to record awesome looking 720p HD video! Check the video below:

Nokia N8 first HD video sample from Nokia Conversations on Vimeo.

You can also hook the N8 directly up to your TV for instant playback! A few features which we think will definitely bring out the creative juices in all of us, just think of the possibilities… especially with it’s integrated video editing features which you can see in the video below:

Check out some of the shots taken below by the N8, they’re completely undoctored, untouched and just the raw files straight from the device itself. Click through for the full hi-res gallery.

Pretty impressive, eh? Especially when you think that we’ll be able to shoot HD video and take amazing high-quality images like those linked above, all from that one device in our pocket. Excited? We are!

Overall, we think the N8 is a great device that bridges the geek chic of the N900 and the creativity of photographers, video makers and content creators alike. We can’t wait to let you in on the next stages of PUSH… and please feel free to drop us a comment below letting us know your thoughts on the N8 or what you think the next stages of PUSH could be about…

There’s a specific N900 category that spreads across all areas of the contest, as well as a host of other categories for you to spread your creative and innovative ideas in and be in with a chance to win some of the awesome cash prizes!

Check out the video and rundown of the contest below from our friends at the NSeries blog:

What’s Calling All Innovators all about?
The Calling All Innovators contest is all about inspiring creativity and developing change. Inspiring creativity in the projects submitted by developers working on mobile applications and content for use on Nokia’s latest devices. Developing change in the ways we continue to think about how we use our mobile devices today, and how we might use them in the future.

What are we looking for?
Nokia is inviting individuals to share their mobile technology stories with us, too In other words, we want your story!
We’re looking for stories that show how mobile technology has changed your life for the better. Tell us how mobile technology has enriched your day-to-day experience. Remember: there are NO wrong answers here. We want to know what YOU think. In fact, we expect that your stories and ideas will inspire the creativity of developers around the world as they work to develop mobile applications that can change all of our lives for the better.

To participate in the contest visit Calling All Innovators and post your story! And for any N900 entries, the participants should just put their app under the ‘Entertainment’ category and put in the comments that their submission is for the N900 device.

Good luck!

I talked with people who studied haptics for their thesis in university, and people who currently develop haptic devices for people with disabilities.  I talked with people who have no sense of direction, and people who do but know someone with no sense of direction.  I talked with people from all over the world.  I think that in general, it was just one of the most unique experiences I have had.  So, i want to extend another big thanks to Nokia and all the people behind the scenes that made this event happen!

Going forward, we plan to develop the Haptic Guide much further.  In fact, we have already begun on new prototypes.  For any who are interested, we will be tracking future progress on our new website: http://www.hapticguide.com

We hope that one day, you will see this product in stores alongside cell phones and GPS units.

Did you miss the V&A event? Do you want to know how it was?

Check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaping_n900/

KAPing at the V&A

So like it’s me Dave…..NO….NO….. it’s me the one arm-fembot BNA-NAS…hahaha HACKED……It’s been a long time in between sunshine, but thank tha sweeet mother Mary, We r from tha West Side  n’ we are used 2 tha deep dark & heavy! cold boring’  miserable, don’t be doubting but just quietly we are trying to light up your life London! smile just once in a while, even if it is interactive C’MON….”light graffiti” it is AN artform! annnnd ….truth be known LIGHTHACK CLAN & we ain’t nuthin 2 mess with! So stay tuned…hardwired….locked loaded n ready….we will be plugging into all sockets as of TOMO…. at the V&A darlink schweetie

AIIIIGHT,,,,,,,xxxxxx

Whilst some of us have been busily working on the MOD IN THE USA competition, the rest of the PUSH N900 team have been busy arranging a rather special showcase for the five original concepts – they’ve been invited to exhibit their creations at the Decode exhibition at London’s prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum!

For those not familiar with Decode, it’s a collaborative exhibition between longtime PUSH friends, OneDotZero and the V&A, showcasing “the latest developments in digital and interactive design, from small, screen-based, graphics to large-scale interactive installations” focusing on three specific areas: code, interactivity and network.

The PUSH N900 exhibits will be debuting at Decode Weekend from Friday 26th February to Sunday 28th February.

We’re super excited about showcasing the PUSH N900 creations to the public and hope you’ll be able to make it down to check them out.

For info on how to find the V&A Museum and what time it’s open, check here.

It was a nice hacking weekend and now we are pretty much satisfied about the results of our project. All we needed was to find a good compensation constant and add it to our software. After several tries, voilá: no more knobs play. Our latest drawings:

Mind the Gap!

Poor bunny

N900

PUSH

Betty Boop

Also, now our Simulator sends the final drawing to our Flickr Stream. So if you are lucky to meet us in any showcase around the world come closer and ask us to “Sketch” you! <BR>

Also, now our Simulator sends the final drawing to our Flickr Stream. So if you are lucky to meet us in any showcase around the world come closer and ask us to “Sketch” you!

Picture on Simulator

It was really, really nice to work on this project. I have to thank Hyper Happen for their wonderful work, Nokia for this contest, the N900 to be as powerful as it is, all Push teams for the good time back in London and, above all, I have thank my team.

The Wouwlabs & Patifa team did an awesome job! If any day you catch yourself meeting with Ana Cecília Martins Barbosa (annie), Filipe Calegario (calega) or Patricia Montenegro (patifa) have a good look at them and remember: they rock! And they are _really_ good in what they do.

Loved this! Keep hacking!

jeez (a.k.a. Jesus Sanchez-Palencia)

We’ve put together this video from the Showcase showing all five of the PUSH teams in London, exhibiting their PUSH creations, and enjoying those pole-dancing robots.

Our friends over at Nokia UK also uploaded this gallery of images from the night to their Facebook. (Click image for gallery)

Alongside the videos and photos, there’s been some great coverage of the event, from bloggers Dawid Lorenz and Liam Green-Hughes who wrote awesome posts about the event, right across to the more mainstream side of things with the CNETUK video of the teams and Showcase.

The PUSH Team would like to thank everyone for all their hard work and support, most notably all the teams!

And remember, you can now follow a whole new round of teams PUSHing the N900 over on the MOD IN THE USA site.