[munkimatt]

Hi guys, new here.

I'm getting a N95 8gb from the beta program next week. If anyone has any questions about the phone they want answered I'll be more than willing to answer them,

[chagle]

I'm def interested in one of these babies...! I'd be interested in your thoughts when you have it.

[Hands0n]

Hello munkimatt, welcome to Talk3G. I'm sure you will have a very interested audience here :) The N95 8GB is an enticing device - what is it taking on? The Apple iPhone? How does it compare then - ignoring the HCI (Human Computer Interface), does it stack up against the iPhone otherwise? I think we all know the answer to that one.

But most importantly, from my point of critical view, has Nokia solved the Symbian S60 shortcomings that have plagued any handset that it has been bestowed upon? It works the best it ever has on the "old" N95 - but memory is an issue, yet again. Only today the N95 was protesting loudly that I was out of memory and that I should shut down other applications. The only problem was that I was only running the browser, nothing else, and had gone down no more than 8 or 9 web pages deep (the Sky.com website)! Any OS that buckles under such a light load is severely flawed in my opinion. So, does the N95 8GB do S60 any better?

The N95 8GB is too late for me as I have only this last half of 2007 renewed a pair of 18-month contracts on standard N95s. By the time I am eligible for an upgrade/renewal the N95 8GB will be old hat (N95 16GB perhaps?). But seriously, if Nokia cannot get S60 to do [a lot] better than it has so far I believe that the OS will be the ruination of their flagship handsets. These things are stacked to the brim with all manner of functionality. It is completely and utterly wasted on the current cream of Nokia's N series.

So yes please, we'd love to hear you findings on my comments above. :)

[Ben]

I sincerely hope the doubling of the RAM and bigger battery will be a big boost. I like the cosmetic changes also. Looking forward to your thoughts!

Hopefully I can hold off the W910i to see what the N95 8GB has up its sleeve...

[miffed]

My E90 supposedly has a similar amount of free ram as the N95 8GB (80mb) ...and TBH it does seem to make one hell of a difference ! I can actually have more than one app open now without the device protesting and asking me to shut things down ! I got a bit carried away the other day - then checked the task manager to find I had about 6 apps running !!
This is a major breakthrough for people like myself (from the Windows Mobile crowd ) as this has been the main reason for me shunning Symbian in the past
I could be tempted by an N95 8GB now in light of this , the only thing that puts me off , is when I got the original n95 , I noticed all the local chavs had them too - which really brought out the snob in me :D ... hopefully they'll have blown their pocket money on their original n95's and won't be in the market for the new ones
Wonder if Nokia are going to call the old one the N95 Classic now ?

[Ben]

When's the N95 8GB actually being released? Surely it's way too late to be beta testing it now? I'm not sure I can wait much longer, especially now the W910i is out.

[munkimatt]

When's the N95 8GB actually being released? Surely it's way too late to be beta testing it now? I'm not sure I can wait much longer, especially now the W910i is out.

I was talking to the other beta testers about this. Surely we should have been testing before if the handsets now shipping?

Unless it's less 'beta' and more 'free marketing.'

[Ben]

Companies are increasingly getting products 'out there' so that they're talked about. They specifically want bloggers and other active web users to talk about the handsets. Perhaps this is what they're trying to do?

Indeed, shipping started today I believe, which I was very relieved to hear. It has been a long time since I have needed a new phone. Shockingly, I've had the N73 for just shy of a year, though for the last month it has been broken. According to my own update schedule I'm totally overdue an upgrade!

[munkimatt]

I don't really NEED a new phone, but damn I want this one. I'm practically lusting after it, which can't be healthy. As soon as I played with one at the Go: Play event in Lond, I knew I had to have it.

Have you seen the videos with the new S60 touch screen interface yet? Very cool.

[Ben]

I have now! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3uPxep2OIk) Very impressed :) It's no iPhone interface, but it's about time. To make light of Apple's favourite slogan, it's mobile OS X for the rest of us ;)

But yes, I'm also 'lusting' after the N95 8GB. It's vastly more appealing to me than the N95. I just hope I'm not setting myself up to be disappointed.

[munkimatt]

Well I was expecting it today, but nothing's come. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

[Hands0n]

Have you seen the videos with the new S60 touch screen interface yet? Very cool.

Interesting but ...... what is with the stylus towards the end of the promotional clip?

Having used he Apple touchscreen technology in the iPod Touch I do think that any competing manufacturer has some way to go to get even close to the Apple UI. But then again, maybe close is good enough :)

[miffed]

I thought we everyone was trying to move away from styluses (stylii ? )

Ah well

Unless it's less 'beta' and more 'free marketing.'

Nail / head / hit squarely on :)

[Ben]

The stylus was optional, in theory anyway.

I've got the N95 8GB bug bad. Side-by-side comparisons of the N95 vs N95 8GB really are mouthwatering. I've not wanted a phone this badly for quite some time! I mean, damn, I'm reading the reviews and everything, falling deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole.

[whatleydude]

Getting mine in two weeks!

w00t!

[Ben]

If I don't get a hold of one by then I'm going to go loopy. Where's yours coming from, work?

[whatleydude]

If I don't get a hold of one by then I'm going to go loopy. Where's yours coming from, work?

Vodafone!

Woot

[Ben]

Is that when it comes out? I've been reading mid-Nov for Vodafone, but from no particularly credible sources.

I was hoping to get it SIM Free before it even makes it to the networks. Damn, the 6680 was available online a good month before the networks picked it up.

Edit: It's on the Vodafone site now... looks like you can buy it. I called up and they said 26th October. Just as well, I was actually contemplating an upgrade to a BRANDED handset! That would have been a first in quite some time!

[munkimatt]

Looks like I'm going onto Voda doesn't it!

[Hands0n]

Just as well, I was actually contemplating an upgrade to a BRANDED handset! That would have been a first in quite some time!

Load up NSS. Change product code. Load up Nokia Software Updater. Update handset. No longer a BRANDED handset :cool:

Why are we shouting :p

[Ben]

Lol, SIM locks and fascia branding though... :( We'll see.

[munkimatt]

Lol, SIM locks and fascia branding though.

It's dirty and wrong.

[munkimatt]

It's here, and damn it's gorgeous. I'm one happy man.

[Ben]

Excellent! Can't wait to hear more about it, I hope you'll be nice and share! ;)

[munkimatt]

If you guys want to know anything, or want any specific pictures or videos, just say and I'll get them done for you.

[miffed]

I'd be interested to know if Nokia has addressed the "loose slider" problem - although I am not sure whether you'll be able to tell for certain , as my second N95 started off fine , then loosened up over the weeks I had it
If you are unaware the way to test is to open the slider and tap bottom right corner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr-ntVZ_kk8

(You only need to do it once - unlike the guy in the Video :D )

[Hands0n]

(You only need to do it once - unlike the guy in the Video :D )

That guy has got a serious case of OCD :D

I have two N95s (T-Mobile and Vodafone) that are in daily use. Neither of them have had or developed that fault.

[getti]

on i related note i am getting my very own Nokia N81 to own next thursday :-)

[munkimatt]

I'd be interested to know if Nokia has addressed the "loose slider" problem - although I am not sure whether you'll be able to tell for certain , as my second N95 started off fine , then loosened up over the weeks I had it
If you are unaware the way to test is to open the slider and tap bottom right corner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr-ntVZ_kk8

(You only need to do it once - unlike the guy in the Video :D )

The slider is as tight as a ducks arse :D

[Ben]

Lol that YouTube video, still as annoying I see! That said, the fault would be equally annoying, that's the sort of thing that would drive me to insanity and probably a Sony Ericsson ;)

How's the interface speed, munkimatt? Are you able to compare the speed of, say, navigating the menu's and using text messaging to other Series 60 handsets? I've seen YouTube videos of the N95 8GB that make the OS responsiveness look instant, or 'teh snappy' as us Mac users call it, but I'm not sure I believe that. My N73 is slooow.

[munkimatt]

Lol that YouTube video, still as annoying I see! That said, the fault would be equally annoying, that's the sort of thing that would drive me to insanity and probably a Sony Ericsson ;)

How's the interface speed, munkimatt? Are you able to compare the speed of, say, navigating the menu's and using text messaging to other Series 60 handsets? I've seen YouTube videos of the N95 8GB that make the OS responsiveness look instant, or 'teh snappy' as us Mac users call it, but I'm not sure I believe that. My N73 is slooow.

Yeah, much snappier in the menus. The multimedia menu loads up in about 1 second. Texts load up much quicker. In general, the whole thing is smoother.

When I get chance, I'll do a comparison video between the standard N95 and the 8gb. Put them side by side, load up various things and you can see the difference.

[miffed]

That guy has got a serious case of OCD :D

I have two N95s (T-Mobile and Vodafone) that are in daily use. Neither of them have had or developed that fault.


Really ? My Orange (CPW Generic) one did it right out of the box , and the T-mobile one developed it after a couple of weeks - all of my mates N95's have also either had it from new or developed it over a few weeks (about 5 of 'em) - I assumed it was across the board ! easily solvable , but thats not the point !

...Are you sure you are prodding vigorously enough ? :p

[Hands0n]

Are you sure you are prodding vigorously enough ? :p

Probably not :o

I tend to handle my mobiles quite carefully. They live most of their life in my leather fanny bag (as the Americans are wont to call it) when I am out and about. They use one of the outer pockets and don't get mixed up with the usual paraphenalia that occupies pockets and handbags. At the place of work they tend to reside on the desk. At home, well the usual stuff of settees, sideboards, kitchen worktops, tables and suchlike.

They don't quite get the "kid gloves" treatment but I do take care to handle them as sensitive electronic instruments. What makes me do that is that I do not think that the modern day handset is particularly robust. Not like the 3310 and its like of a few [?!] years back. I mistrust their robustness completely.

That said - the slider on the N95 does feel to be quite strong to me. I think that the first N95s that came out were probably poorly assembled. But as they manufacture such a huge quantity it was inevitable that the early production issues would be repeated on a large scale.

To be honest, I do not think that Nokia's quality control is what it could or should be. These days they seem to let far too much through the gates - look at the near-disaster that the Nokia 6280 was. But later models and firmware were absolutely fine - I'm still delighted with mine, sitting in my spares as a fallback 3G handset.

And so with the N95 Nokia seem to have made some errors with the slider - but these are very easily fixed without voiding warranties (see the lead post in this section of Talk3G).

As to whether or not you should have to do this with a £400+ handset in 2007 AD, well yes, quite, I think we all know the answer to that one. :mad:

[Ben]

Really, you and your damn fanny packs. We've got to find you something a little more hip to wear!

I hadn't realised, until I started playing with my N80 again, just how bad the N73 is in terms of having that 'quality' feel. Despite hating the N80, it's weighty and solid, with a reassuring slide. The N73 is creaky, with buttons that feel a) too small and b) like they're about to fall off ;) The joystick is nice, but that falls off for a lot of people!

[munkimatt]

Initial Impressions video

http://nokiageek.blogspot.com/2007/10/n95-8gb-initial-impressions.html

[Hands0n]

Very nice - they should be around £50 by the time I'm eligible for renewal :D Looks very solid. Is the new screen cover the regular Nokia scratchable plastic or is it something a bit more resistant?

[Ben]

Initial Impressions video

http://nokiageek.blogspot.com/2007/10/n95-8gb-initial-impressions.html
Fantastic, thank you! I was mesmerised throughout, that phone has some serious presence. I know that it's easy to view any and every new phone through rose tinted spec's, but I didn't have a problem believing anything you said - particularly about the dazzling screen or sturdy slide.

I think it's almost a shame Nokia didn't give it an entirely new name - N95 8GB is a little clumsy. I'd never said it out loud before until I was checking with Vodafone when they'd have stock... it didn't sound good!

[munkimatt]

The screen really is a thing of beauty, especially when the light is turned up. Also it makes a difference to the way you use the phone. More shortcut icons, mor readable text on screen, standard menu icons bigger and seem more defined.

I'll do a video of the search function and multimedia menu tonight. Will post up a link when I'm done.

On a side note, the N81 has started shipping today.

[Ben]

Yes, I wonder how the N81 will fare. I know it has been largely snubbed by the networks. Surely it's no match for the N95 8GB, though.

Talking of which, I still can't see it anywhere SIM Free. Expansys finally have a pre-order page but no date. All the sites selling it are selling on Vodafone contracts or referring to the Vodafone website. I wonder if it'll be in Vodafone retail stores on Friday...

[munkimatt]

Yes, I wonder how the N81 will fare. I know it has been largely snubbed by the networks. Surely it's no match for the N95 8GB, though.

Talking of which, I still can't see it anywhere SIM Free. Expansys finally have a pre-order page but no date. All the sites selling it are selling on Vodafone contracts or referring to the Vodafone website. I wonder if it'll be in Vodafone retail stores on Friday...

Stefan from Into Mobile is REALLY unhappy with the N81.

[getti]

why whats wrong with it

[munkimatt]

best check this link

http://www.intomobile.com/2007/10/22/nokia-n81-8-gb-starts-shipping-dont-buy-it.html

[Ben]

"buttons so evil that you would think a midget version of Satan designed this thing"

Absolute literary perfection! :D

[munkimatt]

The guys got a gift.

[getti]

problem i have found is people have been wound up by that guy in the past. Ever since the site he setup begging for money to buy an imac and once he did, he more or less said stuff you to people and moved on. However he does know his mobiles and i met up briefly im london last week

[munkimatt]

He's one of those people that's so incredibly passionate about what he does, he's going to wind people up. I've got all the time in the world for him, but I think that's because we're very similar in that respect.

[whatleydude]

He's young. That's all I got to say on it.

[The Mullet of G]

Don't believe everything you read on the internet, one mans opinion doesn't make it a bad phone. He whines on about a few issues but doesn't elaborate on how major they are, as a rule of thumb I disregard reviews that fail to offer positive and negative points, I'd rather draw my own conclusions than simply be told not to buy it by some random geezer on the internet. :)

[getti]

I have a HTC TyTn2 and a Nokia N95 8GB coming tomorrow to test :)