7/11/08 UPDATE: see http://applechannel.net/2008/07/08/n95-8gb/

For the past couple of weeks I have been trying to decide on what my phone of choice will be. Right now i own the one and only iPhone 8GB version, which I LOVE. After seeing native apps like GPS, and services like QIK, to name a couple, I cant help but feel somewhat inferior to N95 owners. After much consideration, time, and inquiries, there is only one way I can go with the decision….

When I first stated this adventure, I was already an avid iPhone owner and user. I made sure i turned as many people on as i could to it, and performed many many “upgrades”, to ensure they could use it for their carrier. I felt like i HAD to spread the word. Although the word was very much already spread. With first ever touch screen interface, design and Apple logo on the back i did not think you could lose, but as time passed the flaws of the “Jesus Phone” started to arise:

-NO MMS
-NO Forwarding in SMS
-No multiple SMS
-NO Email attachment saving
-NO GPS
-NO 3G capability
-NO 3rd part support
-No Video
-No expandable memory

Now when you first get your iPhone you do not care at all about these things until you want to use em. Since the iPhones release there have been quite some developments in the device, most notably, Installer App. This native application would let us Jailbroken iPhone users to download 3rd party programs via Wi-Fi. This made me a believer once again. Although with time and development, came development for the other big named phones, bringing into my life, the Nokia N95.

The Nokia N95 is probably the epitome of mobile devices. Imagine a phone that could do everything an iPhone could PLUS everything I listed above! You would be dumb not to get it, right? I read and read, and played with an N95, and asked people to get to a decision on whether i would keep my cherished iPhone or sell it to get the powerhouse that is the N95 (because not all of us can afford to have both).
I was very very open minded to the switch and completely ready for it, but in the end I decided to stay with my iPhone, and here is why:

When i started following Kevin Roses QIK posts, I thought, “Well thats pretty cool”. As more and more posts came up I stated to tell myself i needed it! I have been very much into staying connected (as we all are) whether it be Pownce, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, etc. And to be able to add QIK to the mix would have been amazing! As the need to stay connected grew, i noticed a lot happening with native apps and web apps on my iPhone! Before you know it, I had everything I needed right on it. Other than QIK, which is unfortunate, everything is now on my phone, that would be on my Nokia N95 up to and including:

-Summerboard: for easy themes (now with Theme builder support to make your own)
-WeTool: extension of SMS application that will allow forwarding and everything the app is missing at the moment
-MxTube: native app that allows you to view and download youtube videos straight to your phone (mp4)
-Twinkle: Twitter client that has great twit interface using your account (also supports location)
-Facebook, Pownce, SocialThing web apps: will launch iPhone version of the site that makes using and updating from your iPhone a breeze (even on edge)
-Fring: native app that logs me into all of my chat networks, with twitter support, and VoiP capability.
-iFlickr: NO INTERNET NEEDED take photos and upload to my flickr account in a couple of seconds.
-VideoRecorder: adds video capability.
-Swirly MMS: adds MMS capability till apple decides to.

All of these applications are downloaded, installed, and used straight on iPhone

With all of this installed I am more happy with my phone than ever. I tried to imagine what apps i would have on an N95..and it would pretty much be that! Best decision i have ever made in my life. Although if you are going into the mobile phone market fresh, I would take both into high consideration. Both the Nokia N95 and Apple iPhone are well worth the money. With Apples upcoming iChat application, MMS, and GPS, you may not need to think twice.

-Jake