The N95 8GB (US version) has arrived.

The whole issue with getting this phone was getting the money for it. So i had to decide: To sell drugs, become a Gigolo, rob a bank, or sell my iPhone. Seeing as how I do not know anything about drugs, prostitution, or robbing, I packed up my Apple iPhone, sold it, and made the switch. Being a enormous Apple fanboy, it was tough. So for anyone thinking about leaving the iPhone this review is for you.

Throughout this post I will not, nor do i intend to put the iPhone in a negative aspect. After all, i never imagined myself giving it up. I just felt so limited with the iPhone. It is 100% revolutionary. But in comparison to all other devices, the N95 8GB seemed to be the only phone up-to-par, even though it was the complete opposite of what the iPhone is. I will not go into the deep technical attributes or basic review of the N95 (you can see video on YouTube or something) but these are my initial expectations/thoughts of my new toy.

The all black, sliding keypad,3.5G capable, 5.0 MP camera having phone was quite impressive from first glance. It is amazingly light, much more so than the iPhone. The phone comes with 8GB standard with NO expandable memory. I don’t see why you would need so much anyway. but here are the key points and comparisons from the iPhone to the N95 8GB:

The Camera

The brilliant Carl Zeiss Optics 5 megapixel camera is one big point on the N95. Unlike most phones, this camera takes just as long as iPhone camera to get rolling and snap photos. On the N95 you have the choices after you snap the photo to send, delete, and upload. The upload feature rocks!! You just configure your Flickr account during set-up, and simply click after taking the photo to send to Flickr in real time. You can also add ANY picture service you want to upload captured Photos and Video.

Video is amazing, at 30fps i have been utilizing video on my phone more than i ever have. I have the full version of video recorder for the iPhone, but with only 2 megapixels and only a max of 15 fps, it was almost a joke.  Not to mention i am now on QIK! Qik will work on edge, 3g, or wifi to stream live video to your page.I understand the iPhone will support this soon, and that is exciting, but I’m sure yo will only be able to use this over Wi-fi or 3G, and wont look all that great.

The Design

All Black (easy housing exchange for any color) looks great. The screen takes up most of the space on the front, which makes the screen look big for the device. as compared to the old N95 which has a small recessed screen. There is 2 way sliding keyboard which is quite durable and works out to an advantage for locking the phone or switching to landscape when using GPS (I’ll get to that in a bit). Its a fat phone (especially compared to the iPhone), but this only bothered me for about an hour.

GPS

Im using Garmin XT software wth the Built-in GPS for FULLY functional navigation. There is a GPS service you can use with Nokia maps (built in) but you have to pay. Garmin XT is 3rd party that rocks the N95 internal GPS antenna for turn by turn directions. I know that the new iPhone 3G will support GPS so this may be up to par.

The Browser

The Nokia N95 shows full web pages unless you specify you want a mobile view. With full settings on Edge, It was WAAAYYYY faster than Mobile Safari. Mobile Safari is the best mobile browser hands down, with the rendering and all, but if I’m browsing from my phone, it doesn’t need to looks amazingly perfect. On the N95 i have full accessibility, fast downloading (especially if Wifi is around) … oh and embedded flash is supported.

Applications

Installing direct or 3rd party applications is simple. The Nokia Media Transfer application, for Macs, will easliy allow you to drop in applications or you can install from browser. Using the Browser i was able to download and configure QIK in about 5 minutes. A new feature Nokia has implemented on this version of the N95 is background apps. So you can run IM, the browser, media player, and GPS all at once, and never have to close anything. I felt most applications for iPhone were well done, but not really too useful. They were more toy and games than anything.

Plays amazingly well with my Macbook Pro thanks to an iSync Plug-in (found on Nokia site)

Messaging

SMS, MMS, video message, email (pop, IMAP)

need I say more.

The Verdict

Im just rambling now so here is the deal:

I do NOT regret the switch at all. The Nokia n95 8GB might be one of, if not, the BEST smartphone on the market.  I actually feel quite accomplished to be able to find a phone that is at the level my beloved iPhone was at. With things I miss on the iPhone make are made up to me on the N95. Also the potential of being able to run Google Android on it is quite exciting.

If you have any questions about the phone to help rear your decision on getting one feel free to ask.

-Jake

Below is a great review on the N95 8GB

As soon as the WWDC ended, eBay was flooded, and everyone I knew started planning on how to sell the “old” iPhone to earn money for the “newly priced” Jesus phone. Unfortunately, the 1st iPhone design is already viewed as futile. The fact is, anyone who has an unlocked/jailbroken iPhone should cherish their iPhone like a treasure.

The recent announcement for the July release was very expected, but also very exciting. Although, there is a ton of things to consider when it comes to the new 3G IPhone, Especially for people without AT&T service (which is most of us):

The Contract

- You CANNOT buy the iPhone without signing your life away for 2 years with AT&T. This has changed drastically since the first release. So to acquire that shiny new black or white iPhone get ready to have the crappiest service known to man.

- Signing the contract does not necessarily mean you will get it at the $199 price tag. You will have to qualify for the special price, so if you have crappy credit, get ready to spend a stupid amount of money for the upgrade.

- No go-Phone purchase… AT&T and Apple have surely done their homework on how to keep people from staying away from the AT&T chains.

The Phone

- Lets face it, the newest design has 0% change in the phones interface and workability. No upgraded camera, buttons….nothing except for the headphone jack.

- It might not even be worth the $200 price tag. Using the plastic backing makes it look fresh, new and Apple-like, but its merely a way to make phones on the CHEAP. It probably cost less than $100 to make each new iPhone.

Overall it is going to be an amazing device, with 3G and new color, but to me this does not kick out the prior iPhone model, but will actually make the PRICELESS! Think about it. There will not be unlocked 3G iPhones in the wild for quite a while (with new purchase procedures), and even with that, do you think these cats that acquire the phone and unlock it are going to sell it for $199?  The design is now out of production. This alone makes your matte aluminum backed iPhone that much better. Oh and you can use your “old” iPhone with ANY GSM service these days. The software, storage, and usability will be the same as the 3G iPhone minus the 3G of course. I Guarantee the iPhone 3G will be the new Moto Razr. Every dude-bro, half-wit and their moms will have the glossy plastic AT&T-only device…. Hang on to your old iPhone non AT&T people, you wont regret it. By the way, The price of the 1st gen iPhone will are and will continue to sky rocket in value, as oppose to drop dead.

-Jake

I have to admit, I was definitely a late bloomer when it came to mass, social network usage. I don’t need to explain why that was a mistake on my part. One thing i feel I do need to share is all of the native and web applications I missed out on my iPhone.. until now, of course.

Twitter- everyone told me that one i started i would become addicted… They were dumb.. and I am addicted, and if you do not know what Twitter is…. Well if you have to ask, you don’t wanna know. As far as Twit is concerned, the iPhone has been the BEST mobile solution for being on Twitter 100% of the Day.

-Obviously there is the mobile site (direct mobile Safari to http://twitter.com), and this works fine but there are much more efficient, ways to tweet.

-The best web app, to use twitter on the iPhone, is Hahlo (direct mobile Safari to http://hahlo.com). The great interface, iPhone web application works GREAT. The only thing is, I would say it works about 80% of the time, but there is absolutely no install needed for this.

-One of the two native applications I will mention (which you can download via Installer App) is Twinkle. Twinkle was the first Twitter application i downloaded for my iPhone, and it is awesome. within 1 tweet you will be able to geotag your location, send a picture, and update. It has a great interface with avatars and all, alowing you to do everything you can on the Twitter site. In my eyes the only flaw with this application is it is not all that reliable. Although very intuitive with great UI, 50% percent of the time that i open it, i get that message “we are having some technical difficulties”. I always want to blame it on Twitter, but when i check, Twitter is not down and it is just the poor API app. Great idea, and it is worth a try.

-The last application which I will stand by and say is the absolute best is Mobile Twitter. I actually stumbled upon in it in the list of Installer Apps and decided to try it out. I’m so glad i did. Its fast, has photo support, using camera or photos in your photo album, and lets you do EVERYTHING you need to Twitter-wise, straight on your iPhone. Works amazing with EDGE or Wi-Fi. Not to mention, it has a great UI.

For all other social network sites i would just use the direct site web applications. I have tested them all and they do the job, so for any of the following just go to the URL on mobile Safari (these will also make awesome home screen icons for you if you bookmark):

-Twitter

-Pownce

-SocialThing!

-BrightKite

-Myspace and Facebook (bleh)

-Jake

During my latest Twitter post I noticed the one and only Cali Lewis requesting an invitation to a beta site called Evernote. To tell you the truth I have never heard of this so decided to check it out. I had to wait about a day for an invitation, but since then my internet life has become more organized and interesting than ever.

Evernote is a superbly innovative site, which combined with a desktop client (for Mac or Windows), and mobile support, makes it a great way to keep all of your internet happenings readily available for use anytime. Here is how it works:

-Sign up at Evernote.com

-Install the desktop client for your Mac or PC (not necessary but very useful)

-Drag the web clipper to your bookmark toolbar for easy clipping

-Rock it.

I wont go into explaining much, but in a nutshell, Evernote will allow you to highlight, any section of any website for future reference, with all links in tact. You can view them offline (with the desktop client). You can upload photos (via email using a special Evernote email) that will save in your notes online, which again, you ca view online or with your desktop client. Evernote also has an amazing integration with the a search bar on the desktop client, which can detect words in pictures you so happen to be searching for. Just take my word for it, check out the video (Below) and get registered with Evernote.

-Jake

The day is nearing when the new iPhone will be announced! Most likely June 9th during the Apples WWDC. Although what do we have to look forward to? There had been a lot of talk and speculation ever since the SDK was released so, Lets explore that shall we?

First off, we can obviously check off 3G support because that has already been confirmed. Surprisingly enough not only is the public ready for it, but so is T-Mobile!! Kind of strange how they just so happen to roll out 3G when we are among word of the hi-speed iPhone. Coincidence? Probably, but after speaking with a T-Mobile rep (fixing up some internet issues) it seems the iPhone is an everyday set-up for them. T-Mobile knows a lot of their service is supporting the AT&T exclusive device so why not take it up a notch with 3G. To also clear up any speculation about T-Mobile’s 3G, it was stated by blogs that it will be voice support only, when in fact T-Mobile’s press release leaves open the possibility of voice and data service.

Everything from here on out people can only guess and use their sources to their capacity. Kevin Rose had made a prediction a while back saying there will be 3G, ichat, video support, and front mounted video for video chat. With the recent unveiling of Video Recorder, 3rd part app that gives your iphone video capability, it makes the possibility seem more likely. The reason i think it may NOT happen is because I feel there i not going to be a major change in hardware. It’s just like a Blackberry. They do not add all of those extras, and in doing so sales hardly suffer. Plus with confirmation of the new $199 price tag, i doubt you will get a whole bunch more than the 1st generation iPhone.

This leads to the re-design of the iPhone. There was a whole bunch of rumors that the Phone would turn out to be an all BLACK design, which was supported with photos. This turned out to e some 3rd party Japanese housing you can buy online. Then Gizmodo gives us a story, from iLounge, which details specs for the “new” iPhone from peripheral manufacturers. These new specs show a new sensor arrangement, which could bring us back to the possibility of a front mounted camera, and a whole new color scheme (White, Red, or Black). This is probably the most influential source of material i have received thus far.

The fact of the matter is, there is not any one person that knows more that 3G for sure. For all we know we may be seeing a completely revamped, better working iPhone that will make the first gen obsolete, or the “new and improved” iPhone will pretty much be the same, saving all of us early adopters the time of putting them on eBay to upgrade.

Photos via Gizmodo and Engadget.

-Jake

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….

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From day one i had not been a huge fan of big social networking sites. I could not get into Live Journal, I don’t really care for MySpace, and did not understand the use of Twitter. Now after tons of trial and error, to see what really keeps you in touch and what doesn’t I am now very much within the social networking..network. But with careful consideration, I feel there are only a few worthy of getting the job done.

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As a long time Starbucks employee,   I can now safetly say, “It’s bout F@##ing time!” A while ago there was some rumors, going around about AT&T taking over Starbucks Wi-Fi, which would not only kick T-Mobile to the curb (which is what they get for the bull crap price of $19.99 for hotspot service), but offer FREE wireless to frequenting starbucks customers. Even as an employee I still could’nt get a WiFi “hook-up.” Today a San Antonio Starbucks cafe was shown to have the AT&T service pop up when connecting to Wi-Fi and their favorite store. This is good…very very good. I hope this roll-out happens FAST! The way i understand it is: People with a Starbucks Card (gift or Duetto) will get 2 hours of free WiFi every day for as long as they have the card(s). I guess to show that you are at least a customer. This is a good deal. Finally Starbucks gets smart. Oh yeah if you still pay for T-Mobile HotSpots you can still access them at Starbucks. ::High Five::

-Jake