It's funny how we often stash away our old phones, completely forgetting about them. But, hold on! There's a project called Reborn that's breathing new life into these classic Symbian devices. I'm talking about making them usable again!

Take, for instance, the Nokia N8 from 2010. Back then, it was all about the hardware. It had a touchscreen and a crazy-good 12MP Carl Zeiss camera with a Xenon flash. Honestly, it could give many modern camera phones a run for their money. The problem? It was running Symbian, an operating system that wasn't really designed for touchscreens. It felt clunky.

When iPhones and Androids started taking over the market, Nokia tried to catch up with Nokia Belle, a newer, shinier interface. However, it was too late. The update servers were practically shutting down as it was released. So, if you were to pick up an N8 today, you'd probably find it slow, outdated, and full of broken links.

But now, the developer community has stepped in. After more than a decade, they're fixing the main problems with the original phone. They're basing this new ROM on Nokia Belle, which was the last major version of Symbian that Nokia ever released. It's like giving the phone a second chance.

What I find particularly cool is that they've added a working, updated app store. This is what truly changes the game. It transforms the N8 from a collector's item into a phone you could actually use daily, finally allowing the hardware to shine. Imagine, actually using that camera!

In addition, the update brings updated HTTPS signing certificates, which are essential if you want to browse the web on an older device these days. It also removes Symbian's strict signing rules, which means you can install apps without all the usual headaches. For tinkerers like me, this is amazing!

Now, a word of caution: If you're thinking about trying this out, make sure you have a backup plan. There have been reports that Windows 10 drivers can sometimes cause problems with the old Nokia flashing tools, potentially leading to a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). So, patience and some tech skills are definitely required.

And let's not forget about the hardware itself. Many N8s out there might have cameras that are a bit worn out or SIM pins that are bent. However, these phones are built tough. Plus, you can often use parts from another N8 to get one fully working phone. It's like a restoration project!