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Nokia N95 8GB becomes world's first DLNA certified phone
The Digital Living Network Alliance, long a territory of receivers, televisions, and other things that you don't put in your pocket, has taken the bold step of certifying Nokia's N95 8GB as a compliant Mobile Digital Media Server. What does that mean in practical terms? Well, Nokia clearly regards the N95 8GB as a multimedia powerhouse, and DLNA certification guarantees that the handset is going to be more than happy to serve up music, pics, and videos to other devices around the home. Nokia touts that it's an "active member" of the DLNA, so we'd be surprised if this was the last Nseries device to get blessed with the alliance's stamp of approval, too.
Nokia N95 blushes a bright red for us
It's not quite as technologically interesting as the N95 8GB for North America, but bright, pretty colors can certainly sell as many phones as a good chunk of internal ROM can. We spotted an in-your-face red N95 at the Nokia booth of Digital Experience this evening, and guess what? It's not custom painted, it's not some sort of funky special edition -- it's real, it's coming, and more importantly, it's coming here. Word on the street we'll see it before the first quarter's out for $599, implying that there's a little price drop for N95s of all colors in the cards for the near future.
Hands-on with the Nokia N95 8GB for North America!
All signs pointed to this sucker existing, and sure enough, here it is. The N95 8GB for North America is pretty much exactly what you'd expect it to be -- an exact replica of the European version with the 2100MHz WCDMA radio surgically removed and replaced with an 850 / 1900MHz counterpart for speedy data in these lands. The screen is up to 2.8 inches versus the original N95's 2.6, but the 8GB of internal storage comes at the cost of the microSD slot, so don't get all cocky on us about rocking 16GB of storage in your pocket, alright? Check it in stores this quarter for $749.
Nokia N95 8GB gets speedier thanks to firmware update
Not too far removed from its N95 and N95-3 brethren, the mighty N95 8GB has now been hooked up with a firmware update for all to enjoy. Like the N95-3's most recent (and so far, only) update, this one appears to be a minor patch that might leave users wanting more -- improvements seem to be focused on performance and quality, not new functionality -- but hey, any time a manufacturer feels like making its phones a little more stable, you won't hear much bellyaching on our end. Now that this business is all wrapped up, perhaps you can turn your attention to bringing the N95 update's joy to the N95-3, guys and gals?[Via All About Symbian]Update: We missed a couple key gems here in the new update that have been discovered by folks over the course of the day: full support for Flash Lite 3, video included -- meaning YouTube is a go -- and support for Nokia's widget platform. Not bad! Thanks, everyone!
Nokia N95 8GB listed on Nokia USA: $780
What's that we see? The Nokia N95 8GB listed on the Nokia US retail site? Okay, calm down, it's not the US-specific version (read: it uses 2100MHz WCDMA, i.e. European 3G), but you'll still have a 2.8-inch mammoth screen, A-GPS, a five megapixel camera, and the rest of the goodies that maybe, just maybe, you'll be willing to fork out $780 for, even knowing that a US version HAS to be right around the corner.[Thanks, Preston]
Nokia ad features funny looking N95 -- or N95 8GB?
There's something not quite right about this ad for Nokia's N95 spotted on Yahoo! today. For what it's worth, clicking it takes you to Nokia USA's page for the North American N95 -- but first of all, the phone here doesn't look exactly like an N95. Yeah, it obviously is, but what's up with the weird edges? Secondly, there is no such thing as a North American N95 8GB (yet), calling into question the "8gb expandable memory" touted here. Third, if this is an N95 8GB, why isn't it black, and why is the memory called expandable when it's not? We figure Nokia's just trying to advertise the plain old N95-3 here, but golly, let's try to execute a slightly cleaner ad campaign next time, okay, guys?
Evidence grows for US Nokia N95 8GB
A mention on Nokia's own interweb not enough to convince you that the North American rendition of the N95 8GB is real? Between the larger display, cool black case, and 8GB of integrated storage, Nokia could end up swiping another several hundred dollars from a decent chunk of original US N95 buyers which we figure is enough convincing for Espoo's bean counters, but it's not good enough for you, eh? How about a major retailer boldly taking orders, then? MobileCityOnline is so convinced that the N95 8GB will get redone with HSDPA 850 / 1900 that it has begun taking preorders with an estimated ship date of February 15, making it a lovely belated Valentine's Day gift -- if it actually exists, that is.[Thanks, Pdexter]
Nokia mentions N82 8GB, US N95 8GB: typo or totally inevitable?
If you recall, the North American version of the N95 was basically willed into existence by folks who boldly ignored the lack of support for their native 3G bands and bought the original anyway; Nokia was pleased with the unexpected cash flow, woke up, and cobbled together what we now know as the N95-3. So is history going to repeat itself with the N95 8GB? The Nokia Guide discovered a mention of an "N95 8GB NAM" in the compatible phones list for Nokia's Download! app, and while there's been no official announcement of such a device in the pipe, it makes total sense that they'd scheme to swap out the eight gigger's radio the same way they did before. Also mentioned is an "N82 8GB," another nonexistent handset that we'd be less than shocked to see happen since the N82 is undeniably one of Nokia's flagship handsets and is now flanked by 8GB versions of its N81 and N95 cousins. Only question left is, who's planning on holding on that N82 or N95-3 purchase now until this all plays out?[Via Boy Genius Report]
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.]
How would you change Nokia's N95?
We know, Nokia's hotly anticipated (and equally well received) N95 has been shipping to all corners of the globe for much of the year -- save for America, of course. Recently, however, those of us parked in the US of A were able to grab hold of a 3G iteration to call our very own, and while we're mighty confident many owners are just glad to (finally) have one, there's a heightened level of expectations that comes along with a price tag this large. Sure, it's hard to knock the 5-megapixel camera, blazing HSDPA support and integrated GPS, but even Achilles had his heel. For those of you fortunate enough to own this here mobile, why not release a little steam by venting to us those minor, yet inexplicably annoying quirks that are preventing the N95 from being the phone it could otherwise be? Not quite satisfied with the design? Slightly perturbed by the current storage capacity limits? Do you truly feel as if this thing should handle laundry and Quake in its spare time? C'mon, we're confident this heralded handset has a few niggles holding it down, and while a certain segment of you are already enjoying the niceties presented by the latest firmware release, we know this thing is a few features shy of unequivocal domination. Let's hear it! Oh, and don't spend too much time bragging about ownership -- let's get to the good stuff, k?
Nokia N95 sees major new firmware release
US N95 users need not apply -- yet, anyway -- but owners of the original should high-tail it over to Nokia's software update site and get crackin' on this here download. Firmware version 20.0.015 brings a wealth of new features to a phone that still rests near the top of Nokia's lineup, including significantly improved memory management (especially important to the N95-1 which rocks half the RAM of the N95-3), a couple N-Gage demos with a link to download the full app when it's available, search integration from the home screen, improved camera performance, and the list goes on; in other words, this is an upgrade you definitely want. Any love for us poor, underappreciated Americans, Nokia?[Via All About Symbian]
Nokia N95 gets iPhone-like screen rotation via rotateMe app
This looks to be a pretty handy app, rotateMe for Symbian OS 3rd edition devices -- a version for UIQ is also available -- lets you quickly switch between portrait and landscape modes on your handset. The neat bit is that by apparently making use of the N95's camera sensor, iPhone-like switching will become possible with the upcoming v2.0 software. Word has it that we can expect the auto switch feature in November but until then you can either run it manually or just watch the vid after the break again and again.[Via All About Symbian]
Nokia and Reuters develop an N95-based "Mobile Journalism Toolkit"
The rise of the cameraphone has certainly changed the face of journalism, and old-guard wire service Reuters isn't about to get passed by -- the company has entered into a long-term partnership with Nokia to develop new mobile reporting technologies, and the two companies have recently completed trials of an N95-based "Mobile Journalism Tookit" that takes moblogging to a whole new level. Reporters were given a hardware bundle that consisted of an N95, a Nokia SU-8W portable keyboard, a Sony condenser mic with special N95 adapter, a tripod, and two Power Monkey power stations, including the solar-capable Explorer, all of which linked into a custom mobile CMS that allows stories to be posted almost instantly. Reuters also partnered with Comvu for GPS-linked video streaming, and the N95 also provides a host of other metadata about each piece of content as it's filed. Although the trial is now over, both Reuters and Nokia plan on using the kits to teach journalism students and to promote the cause of citizen journalism. Let's hope that means they start teaching people how to take non-blurry cameraphone spy shots, eh?Read -- Mobile Journalism Toolkit press releaseRead -- Posts from the Reuters mobile journalism trialRead -- Toolkit contents
Google Maps gets cozy with N95's internal GPS
Google Maps is good -- some might say great, actually -- but one of the biggest beefs from the get-go was its inability to use GPS receivers, and when it finally "supported" them, many didn't work. Symbian-Guru had obviously been circling the Google Maps camp like a hawk (as have many N95 owners), waiting for the day that the Nokia superphone's integrated GPS would work. Don't get us wrong, Nokia Maps is a fine application, but Google Maps has a certain mystique about it (traffic and satellite imagery, perhaps?) that make it worthwhile, too. Anyhoo, there's a native version of Google Maps for the N95 available immediately, featuring the aforementioned GPS support plus a direct save-to-contacts feature that's sure to see some heavy use. Grab it now![Via Symbian-Guru]
Amosu's diamond-encrusted Nokia N95 tempts the affluent
Amosu's at it again, and while its £12,000 ($24,475) diamond-clad Nokia isn't the priciest handset we've ever seen, it's still more than most of our wallets can handle. This N95 is reportedly coated in 18-carat white gold and smothered with 325 diamonds totaling 3.3-carats. Furthermore, only ten of these beauties will ever be created, with each of them boasting its production number and having the ability to be customized to the customer's liking. If you're into this type of thing, and have absolutely nothing better to spend your cash on than a phone you'll never use, hit the read link and break the bank.
Wiimote used to control Nokia N95
Just in case you've somehow managed to control everything else in your world with Wiimotes, why not your lovely N95? Thanks to a team at the University of Applied Sciences in Hagenberg, Austria, users with an S60 handset can now control games with Nintendo's fun-lovin' controller. WiiConnect, which is a Bluetooth driver for S60 phones, "enables you to play party games directly on / through your mobile phone," all while taking advantage of the accelerometer and rumble functionality. As an added bonus, the team also crafted WiiRider, a motorcycle simulation that utilizes the Wiimote's features. We know, you're already eager to know how much this time waster is gonna cost ya, but we've got excellent news: it's being provided as freeware in the read link below.[Via MobileCloseup]
Hands-on (again) with the North American N95!
Our all-too-brief interlude with the North American N95 left us wanting more, and fortunately, Nokia delighted us (and everyone) by expediting the launch and getting supply into stores in just less than a month's time. We'd originally thought that the new model would be available only in black, but it turns out that the company churned out "bronze" as a second choice, which turns out to be the first shade Nokia's flagship stores are being stocked with. This is a critical point here: the materials used on the cases of the two colors are different, and the colors are close enough to one another that we think folks are better off choosing a version based on the material instead. The black is a soft-touch plastic with a rubbery, non-slip texture to it (anyone who's used a Q Black or a Wing will know what we mean here), whereas the bronze has a more traditional hard plastic feel. Anyhoo, yeah, the HSDPA is lightning fast, the additional RAM over the first version solved our out-of-memory errors with the browser, and the just-announced SlingPlayer Mobile for S60 (free for N95 owners) was a pleasure to use. So, sorry, existing owners -- at least the lot of you in North America -- we wish we could tell you that it's not worth the upgrade, we really do. But it is. Check out our full gallery of both colors below!%Gallery-7891%
Nokia N95-3 with North American 3G now available
With nary an AT&T agreement in sight, Nokia has gone out on a limb to launch the unlocked N95-3 today, bringing the all the original N95's goodness back for a second round with a few key changes. Most notably, of course, is the presence of HSDPA on the 850 and 1900MHz bands, but other modifications include a higher-capacity battery, recessed camera lens (sans protective shutter this time around), twice the RAM, and availability in black and "dark sand" (for the rear only -- the front's always silver). Grab it starting today in Nokia's flagship stores in New York and Chicago for $699.
iPhone trumps HTC Touch, N95 in usability study
We've given you your chance to choose a champion amongst the iPhone, HTC Touch and LG Prada, and while the latter wasn't included at LG's request, the other two were recently pit against Nokia's N95 in a study of usability. The test was reportedly conducted by Perceptive Sciences, a Texas-based usability consulting firm, and relied on data from just ten individuals who had "never used any of the three devices." The group was asked to "perform a series of tasks on each handset with quantifiable results, such as the time needed to find and use the on / off switch," and when all was said and done, the iPhone managed to snag the gold. Of course, we wouldn't take these results to be the bonafide truth, but if you're interested in seeing what all the mobiles (and guinea pigs) went through before a winner was chosen, head on over to the read link.[Via iLounge]
Nokia N95-3 available within 7 to 10 days?
Current intelligence (that is, us calling the store) indicates that Nokia's flagship locations expect to receive the North American version of the N95 -- the N95-3, glorious 850 / 1900MHz bands of HSDPA and all -- within the next week to week and a half. That would put it inside Nokia's intended September launch window, albeit by the slimmest of margins. If nothing else, we figure it's a good sign that Nokia's US website has finally acknowledged the phone's existence; the next step, of course, is to get a few in our hands for $699 a pop.