Nokia's N95-3 sees first firmware update

Version 11.2.009 firmware is out and ready to dance on the North American flavor of the N95. This marks the first update for Nokia's N95-3. So far, we've found a browser update with font size and history list. We're not expecting the type of overhaul seen for Europe's classic model but we're still digging for more. Anyone else finding fixes for their favorite nits? If so, let us know in the comments.

[Thanks, Alon T.]

[sr @ Dec 11th 2007 4:12AM]

Updating it right now!

[dzhiurgis @ Dec 11th 2007 4:12AM]

iPhone rules anyway xD

[Carbonize @ Dec 11th 2007 4:30AM]

Yes the iPhone rules. So send me an MMS message from yours or just forward a text message to me from your iPhone.




Oh wait you can't. The iPhone doesn't support these basic features that nearly every other phone, even the cheapo $10 ones, support.

[Larsen @ Dec 11th 2007 4:35AM]

maybe iphone is too advanced to support rip-off services like SMS an MMS and gives you the full power auf the WWW and email...

but I guess your right... that's lame ;)

[Bobs @ Dec 11th 2007 4:37AM]

Please, do us all a favor, and glue your lips shut, with staples.

[bachviet @ Dec 11th 2007 4:58AM]

Can it browse the web (on the go with EDGE) and take a call at the same time?

Can it download a picture from a website?

[Carbonize @ Dec 11th 2007 5:20AM]

Actually it cannot MMS. I have looked at the ones here in the UK and all you can do with images is email them.

As to forwarding SMS messages I have been informed by the people in the O2 store that it cannot do this.

[john @ Dec 11th 2007 5:50AM]

Hm. Can the iPhone do bluetooth DUN or PAN to tether my macbook while traveling? no. But the N95 can.

Can the iPhone do bluetooth HID or SPP so I can use a bluetooth keyboard on it, when I need to type more than just what the virtual keyboard gives me? No. But the N95 can. And my N800 can.

Can the iPhone do Bluetooth FTP to transfer file storage between devices? (I honestly don't know that one) But I do know the N95 can. And my N800 can.

Can the iPhone, without having risk bricking and other draconian measures, run an ssh client, in full screen (using said bluetooth keyboard for input instead of wasting some of the screen area for the virutal keyboard)? No. And, while I'm sure the N95 can, I don't know for sure... but my N800 can.

Does the iPhone have an active and open SDK for 3rd party developers to expand its capabilities, without risking having their phone bricked? No. But the N95 and the N800 do.

Are unlocked iPhones available in the US that you can use with either AT&T or T-Mobile (or both if I just swap SIM cards)? No. But I can get an unlocked N95 for that.

Is the iPhone 3G? No, but the N95 is.


Remind me again why I would pick an iPhone over a Nokia N series device? Oh, right, I wouldn't. And I didn't. This loyal Mac and Apple customer, for over 25 years, bought an N800 instead. And I haven't regretted it once. And when I get around to buying a phone that will let me make 3G data calls with it (once T-Mobile has 3G), it wont be an iPhone. It might just be an N95 though (unless Nokia releases a GSM enabled tablet; in which case I'll upgrade my N800 to that).

[DirtyC @ Dec 11th 2007 5:54AM]

The simple fact that the iPhone doesnt have these most basic of features is very very poor indeed, and only a 2mp camera, that just compounds its poor standing as a mobile phone.
Once again it is an over hyped over priced crap phone.
It does nothing my SE P900 of nearly 3 years ago does.
WWW & Email support WOW that is nothing new or boast-worthy, and if it doesnt suppor 3G then the WWW & Email will be slowwwwww as hell.

[dzhiurgis @ Dec 11th 2007 6:22AM]

For WEB and EMAIL "support". In all Nokia's there is only a "support". In iPhone it's actually USABLE.

[roole @ Dec 11th 2007 10:38AM]

Sending an SMS from any email address is easy as pie in the US. Just send an email to the phone number: [e-mail].

[j.d.ripper @ Dec 11th 2007 4:44PM]

Well, I could add a few more things that I really don't like about the iPhone

The ring tone isn't loud enough, neither is the SMS tone (yes, I actually go outside sometimes where there is traffic and noise.

No delivery receipts for SMS messages.
(maybe in the States SMS/texting isn't huge, but in Europe it's more so)

No REALLY audible low battery warning.
I wake up in the morning, put the phone in my pocket without thinking about it, a few hours later look at it to find that the battery is dead.
(never had this happen with my SE K750i)
In fact, the only low battery warnings I've seen are when I've been actually using the phone.

Now here's something to think about :

For how long has Nokia been making mobile/cell phones? How many phones have they made before ?
And Apple ?

IMHO, for the first generation of their first phone ever, Apple didn't do too badly.
Let's wait and see what iPhone v2 will be like.

Do you remember the gen 1 iPod and what came after it?

[Alexandru Bauer @ Dec 11th 2007 4:47AM]

actually.. it can mms, and it can forward txts.

[dzhiurgis @ Dec 11th 2007 4:35AM]

It is (was) just a matter of time. I can do all the things you mentioned, plus - faster, better, in style!

[Carbonize @ Dec 11th 2007 4:45AM]

1 - Learn to use the reply function.
2 - It shouldn't be a matter of time it should of supported these basic features from the start.

[dzhiurgis @ Dec 11th 2007 4:52AM]

There is no shoulds and shouldn'ts. Market decides is it worth it or not.

[Kei @ Dec 11th 2007 4:56AM]

we've reached version 20 here in Qatar.

[bachviet @ Dec 11th 2007 4:57AM]

The 20.xx firmware is for the N95-1 not N95-3.

[Kei @ Dec 11th 2007 6:49AM]

I know, that's why I said 'in Qatar'.

I was pointing out that Nokia was acting a step behind.

[Wolfticket @ Dec 11th 2007 7:46AM]

Oh no! A firmware update. I hope it doesn't brick my nok... er... nevermind.

[peternj @ Dec 11th 2007 8:19AM]

Why are Apple freaks so weird? A Nokia thread or any phone thread has some idiot posting the "iPhone rules anyway". It's one the many reasons I've stopped buying Apple products as this hype does not match the reality. I returned my iphone.

Anyway I'm kind of interested in how the update solves some of the known issues for the Nokia.

[Richard @ Dec 11th 2007 9:45AM]

- why do you need an mss to send things to people ? why cant you just send things by using mail ?
- is n95 as fast and smooth as iPhone in every process ? nope it isnt.
- does iPhone hang and lag often and even auto reboot like n95 does? nope it doesnt
- does n95 have a full feature browser ? nope it doesnt.
- why 3G ? iPhone has WiFi, and it detects better then n95's WiFi does. well n95 has HSDPA, but how much do you have to surf net by using it?
- does n95 have high tech photo feature and coverflow ? nope it doesnt, and it it wont in the future.
- does n95 ......... like iPhone does ? nononononono. etc etc ~

hey dont you know that iPhone is running macosx, the most advance os in the world ? no you dont.
many things can be updated through a firmware release -- doublespace to insert a period, double click on the home button, itunes store, international keyboards, & bla bla bla. n95 where are your updates? Oh yeah ... just a small history feature today =)

who knows. maybe iphone can transfer files via bluetooth after sdk? it HAS a bluetooth but it just havent get completely activated.
yup n95 has many native apps, but for what? it slows down its processor, which is already very slow, because its only a 330Mhz ARM Processor ><

the only thing n95 is better than iPhone is its camera, a 5mp camera. Oh yeah, a vga quality video camera ... !! thats all
it lags, it soo slow, it auto reboots, it hangs and it .... it .....

im just soo curious,
iPhone is a ferrari, and mms feature is a bicycle handle.
would you want a bicycle handle when you have a ferrari?

nonsense ~

[Fernando @ Dec 11th 2007 8:47AM]

Yeah, but where's your flash support on that "full feature browser" of your iPhone? Oh, it doesn't have.

New features by updating? excuse-me, but look at this changelog: http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/6308_The_N95_classic_hits_v20_firmw.php

Don't be a hater

[Carbonize @ Dec 11th 2007 9:38AM]

1 - Because not all phones support email nor do people want to waste bandwidth constantly checking their emails.
2 - Actually yes it is. Mine certainly is.
3 - Mine has never hung and rebooted nor has anone elses that I am aware of.
4 - Neither does the iPhone. Does it have Flash? Shockwave? Full Java support? Ajax support?
5 - The N95 also has WiFi support. Try doing your research next time.
6 - It has a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus and flash. All you have is a fixed focus 2 mega pixel with no flash.

Mac OS is the most advanced OS in the world? What world is that? The one inside your head?

Updates to add things? Yes because only the iPhone has firmware updates.

[enemes @ Dec 11th 2007 12:16PM]

Actually having used both iPhone and N95, I can say that neither is perfect. N95 is a godbox that is kinda awkward to use, but it does A LOT! Feature-wise N95 is unbeatable. iPhone wins hands down on interface alone. But is iPhone stable? No!!! Browser crashes on me several times per day. Maps app does the same but less frequently. Maybe I don't use maps as frequently. That's like 40% of iPhone's functionality. It really pis*es me off. For a minimal feature set Apple didn't do nearly as good a job on stability of the platform. But why did I stick with iPhone you may ask? N95 interface and cheap feel completely turned me off.

[Al @ Dec 11th 2007 1:03PM]

The last firmware update for the iPhone only overclocked the processor to a tiny bit over 400.
A 400mhz processor vs a 333mhz DUAL processor with a dedicated GPU. It might be faster, but it doesnt really do much. :rolleyes:

[Richard @ Dec 11th 2007 9:56AM]

yup there isnt, but who knows in the future?
how great is your n95's browser then? ==
yup there are some features through the firmware update, but do you expect me to paste everything here?
you are really weird.

hater? oh am i ? i dont think so.
maybe you dont like people saying about your baby n95
its okay... sorry then
continue using it until it lags and hangs and even breaks XD
then change another n95-3 and use it until it breaks again XD-3

[Richard @ Dec 11th 2007 9:57AM]

- of course yours is when compared to a 6610, you'll know what is fast after playing with an iPhone
- never ? i doubt it. dont make people laugh by telling nonsense
- oh .. no flash ? well try repeating this question when it supports flash oneday
- did i say n95 doesnt have a WiFi ? i just mentioned that it doesn detects as well as iPhone does, which many reviews said so as well. you are the one who should do a research.
- yup, simply a 2.0mp camera. thats the only con for iPhone if compared to n95. you won

oh sorry. mac os isnt ... it really isnt ==
go ahead using your symbian os then
what a " great " user interface, quality and performance.

[Tiik @ Dec 11th 2007 10:16AM]

You sound worried to make your statment over and over agen. Get over with it we belive you already.
Phones have always been what you need from it. I need features from N95(n95 8GB) that iphone cant deliver and i cant by it because it "might" support it in 1/2 a year. That's why i have N95.

[Marc @ Dec 11th 2007 10:12AM]

Your iphone's so fat, she could eat the Internet.

I can't believe how much brainpower is being wasted here by confusing personal preference with actual superiority (most notably, mine)

[El Cartel @ Dec 11th 2007 10:17AM]

Holy Crap. the post was about a firmware upgrade and it ended up being about MMS and the iphone. What the hell is wrong with you fan boys. Get alife or get laid.

[Carbonize @ Dec 11th 2007 10:27AM]

They are fanbois precisely because they have no life and don't get laid.

I personally use a Sony Ericsson phone (my partner has the N95) because I have no need for 90% of the stuff the N95 does. I use my phone for taking pictures, making calls and sending text/photo messages. I occasionally check my Gmail with it using the app Google made for doing just that.

[T-Bone @ Dec 11th 2007 10:22AM]

All I'll say is, my iPhone has always had a history list. So did my HP PDA.

[namtastic @ Dec 11th 2007 10:56AM]

Um, yeah. I don't know why the post pointed those out, because my un-updated N95-3 has font size settings, as well as history (both in the form of the phone's "auto-bookmarks" and the visual back navigation).

It sounds like this update is just a pure bugfix release, unless the author cares to get more specific about how these features were revised.

[namtastic @ Dec 14th 2007 2:01PM]

Yup, just did the update and can't find any changes from before -- this looks like a bugfix release only.

[Pentium @ Dec 11th 2007 10:34AM]

I have the original Nokia N95 (N95-1) and the last update was tottaly great..

and I have the iPhone also..lacks some features but it's really a good experience!

so stop arguing...!

who wants a Great iPod, Better Internet, Nice Navigation Touch screen take the iPhone....

and If u are looking for Camera, GPS, great phone features and High speed 3G...take the N95!

it's simple!

[Carbonize @ Dec 11th 2007 10:39AM]

Just to flame the fire is there such a thing as a great iPod?

>:)

[James @ Dec 12th 2007 3:16AM]

i want it all though.

[Richard @ Dec 11th 2007 10:47AM]

Sorry for double posting =)

Yeap both of the devices are actually different. There is no absolute between these two

Maybe I ask for phones which has a normal camera but with high techs features and advanced performance thus i get an iPhone.

But i recommended my friend to buy n95 as he wants gps and high resolution cameras as well, and he's fine with it =)

Okay they shouldnt get compared in this way. Each of them have their own good

Nokia's still strong. So does Apple

Both of them rules XD

[Pentium @ Dec 11th 2007 11:20AM]

Carbonize...I mean a Great Zune XD

[Doug @ Dec 11th 2007 11:39AM]

My ex-coworkers from Nokia (R&D here was shuttered last year) have tried many of the newer phones on the market. Many have moved to the iPhone and some have even vowed never to go to anything else again. It's highly regarded, relative to Nokia & Series whatever.

And all of you espousing MMS are showing your age. Very few here over 20 use it and only a little more are using SMS. I only send a couple per year. So it matters little that iPhone is not as good for texting.

[roole @ Dec 11th 2007 12:23PM]

I have to agree. SMS and MMS are so 20th century -- i.e., things that were the product of an era when we used to worry about dial-up bandwidth. They will go the way of dial-up......

[roole @ Dec 11th 2007 12:25PM]

Oops.... I meant to say ".... i.e., similar to things that were......"

[Tiik @ Dec 11th 2007 1:20PM]

This threat was about N95 getting new firmware(btw i have understandt that this new fw is pretty pointless anybody got comments?)so lets take this iphone crap some where else. It's really iritating to read these kind of threats that dont have slightest thing to releate with iphone.
Iritating to sound like broken record, but phones are personal and we all look different feature/looks from those. I got ipod touch and it's absolutely brilliant unlocked and the screen i think is THE thing about that nothing else i can find to be the best in the world(just wanna point that it's best TS device by far i have tested, but i'm not that keen about TS phones/devices).

I do use MMS not every day, but weekly. In Europe MMS seem to be more used than in US. Might be that it's more popular here just because Nokia dunno?

[john @ Dec 11th 2007 3:50PM]

Heh. I'm 39, and until recently I would have agreed about SMS. But my gf has gotten me to txt'ing a lot more, so I went out and bought a phone with a side-slide keyboard (Samsung R410). For the last week and a half I've been sending 30-50 messages per day.

So, yeah, over 39, and txt'ing a ton.

[roole @ Dec 11th 2007 6:06PM]

Week-and-a-half? Perfectly understandable at this stage in the relationship. Lots of sweet-nothings, I'll bet?

;-)

[john @ Dec 12th 2007 12:17AM]

roole, the relationship has been going on for a year :-)

But, yes, lots of flirting and sweet nothings ... and jokes, etc.

[KPO'M @ Dec 12th 2007 12:51AM]

To take this thread back to its intended purpose, I'll add some word about my experience. I installed the firmware upgrade and think most users can skip it for now. V10 of the N95-3's firmware was already pretty stable (far more stable than the v12 firmware in the original N95-1). I don't think the supposed "new features" are anything new, as they were on my N95-3 before. I think this is a standard fare bug fix upgrade before the (hopefully) much more substantial upgrade that will come soon to add N-Gage support and the features that were added to the N95-1 in v20 (which, incidentally has not yet been released in the US).

That said, I did notice that one rather silly bug has been fixed. The help screen for the WLAN wizard was originally written in Spanish in the original N95-3 firmware. It's now in English. :-)

I also think a few submenus might be a tad faster, but it could just be the placebo effect. I'll see what impact the upgrade has on battery life over the coming days.

[Shaun @ Dec 12th 2007 9:23PM]

Warning!!! I just updated to the 11.2.009 firmware and my downloaded songs from napster will not play anymore.. it gives me an error saying the songs have expired. a Yes I've tried to sync the phone with napster all over again but with no success.
Anyway possible to go back the the original firmware?

[kmitch @ Dec 13th 2007 7:27PM]

I have both the N95-3 and an Iphone. I pull my iphone sim and put it in my N95-3 and have an unlimited data plan for $20.00 a month just cant beat that! LOL
not to mention using a slingbox this way.

I like both phones but i have to say the N95 has the edge over the Iphone in everyday use. BTW the Iphone can now send MMS's there is a mod out. but it can not receive MMS as of yet. I too like to send MMS and receive them and the truth is I think we all want every feature available to us and thats the bottom line!