Nokia announces N96 - wow! Nearly perfect!

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heavenlywild

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#19304 12-Feb-2008 17:13

Hey Nokia fans,

Nokia today announced the N96, yes, it is a "6" at the end! Planned for Q3 of this year. Definitely worth the wait:)

Highlights:
- 16GB internal memory!!!
- expandable memory!!!
- kick-stand to watch movies!!!!
- dual LED flash (although not the best, an improvement over the N95 models)
- 2.8 inch display (16 million colours)
- WMV playable
- watch live TV

Low-lights:
- same old battery
- from the images I can see, NO LENS COVER:(:(:(

Details (Symbian-freak.com)

Technical Profile
•System:WCDMA900/2100 (HSDPA), EGSM900, GSM850/1800/1900 MHz (EGPRS)
•User Interface:S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2Multimedia Menu
•Dimensions:103 x 55 x 18* mm (L x W x H)(* local depth up to 20 mm)
•Weight:125 g
•Display:2.8 inch QVGA (240 x 320 pixels) with up to 16 million colors
•Battery: Nokia Battery BL-5F, 950 mAh

Video and TV
•Watch high-quality video on the 2.8 inch display
•Store up to 40 hrs of video on the 16 gigabytes of memory, and expand storage further with the microSD card slot
•Video playback at 30 fps, for a wide array of formats
•Access internet video feeds through Nokia Video Center
•Transfer videos from compatible PC, using Hi-Speed USB 2.0
•Watch Live TV (operator service using DVB-H or streaming over 3G, where available)

Music
•Enjoy great audio through standard 3.5 mm jack headphones, built-in 3D stereo speakers or Bluetooth technology
•Easily control playback with the dedicated media keys
•Digital music player with support for playlist editing, equalizer and categorized access to your music collection
•Podcasts, stereo FM Radio with RDS and Internet Radio
•Search, browse and purchase songs online in Nokia Music Store (for availability, please visit www.music.nokia.com)

Maps and Navigation
•A-GPS receiver, downloadable maps and satellite images*
•Multimedia city guides and navigation services available* for purchase. Drive: voice guided car navigation, or Walk: pedestrian-optimized turn-by-turn guidance.* Availability varies by country –see www.maps.nokia.com

Photos
•Location tagging of pictures captured, and online sharing
•Organize photos by albums and tags, and synchronize with PC
Easy playback of videos and photos on compatible TV using TV-out cable or WLAN/UPnP

Explore
•True internet experience with Nokia web browser, featuring visual history, mini-map, Flash video and progressive download
•Get the latest headlines with RSS web feeds
•Nokia Search (local & internet search)
•Ready for N-Gage (when compatible version is available for download)
•Email (SMTP, IMAP4, POP3), MMS, SMS

Media
•Memory:16GB on-board memory,expandable via microSD memory card slot
•Video playback:MPEG-4 / SP and MPEG-4 AVC/H.264,up to 30 fps, up to VGA resolution (scaled max QVGA on device, SDTV on TV-out)RealVideo up to QCIF @ 30 fpsWindows Media (WMV9) up to CIF @ 30 fpsFlash Lite 3.0 / Flash Video in browser
•Music playback:MP3, AAC, eAAC, eAAC+, WMA

Main Camera
•Lens:Carl Zeiss Tessar™
•Image capture:Up to 5 megapixels (2592 x 1944) JPEG/EXIF (16.7 million/24-bit color)
•Video capture:MPEG-4 VGA (640 x 480) at up to 30 fps
•Aperture:F2.8
•Focal length:5.2 mm
•Flash:Dual LED camera flash and video light

lightOperating Times
•Talk time:Up to 150 min (3G), 220 min (GSM)
•Standby time:Up to 200 hrs (3G), 220 hrs (GSM)
•Video playback:Up to 5 hours (offline mode)
•Music playback:Up to 14 hours (offline mode)
•TV playback:Up to 4 hours

Connectivity & Data Services
•WLAN IEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP support
•Micro-USB connector, Hi-Speed USB 2.0
•DVB-H class C, 470-750MHz
•3.5mm stereo headphone plug and TV-out support (PAL/NTSC)
•Bluetooth wireless technology 2.0 with A2DP stereo audio, enhanced data rates (EDR)•GPS receiver with support for assisted GPS (A-GPS)

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#110144 12-Feb-2008 19:09

hmmm sounds nice but i still dunno if it warrants an ugrade from my n95. it'll likely be hugely expensive and i am a very strong advocate of the lens cover on cellphones. also the 16gb microSDHC cards are supposed to be out near the end of the year so if i really wanted that much space i could get one of them for my n95, tho i suppose that leaves the possibility for 32gbs in the n96 with its expandable memory. i'm gona keep my eye on it and see how it progresses but i'm skeptical.

edit: i've just been looking at photos and is it just me or does it look like they're kinda going for an iphone look? obviously the iphone doesn't slide but the n96 is completely flattened, curved edges and definately glossier. to me it looks like nokias version of the iphone (way better obviously as they're not apple)

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amanzi

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#110156 12-Feb-2008 19:49

The real missing feature from the N96 - is a high resolution screen. 320x240 just doesn't cut it anymore. Especially on a 2.8 inch screen.

dnb4life

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#110199 12-Feb-2008 21:15

anyone seen Nvidias new UI? looks l33t and so much nicer than the iphones.

heavenlywild

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#110416 13-Feb-2008 16:04

What do you guys think about the lack of a lens cover? It is very annoying that Nokia is now giving up on it.

ninjabear

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#110425 13-Feb-2008 16:29

Not really perfect.Over exaggereated.Its more like a N95 with more memory

I rather choose a n82 over a n96.

N96 its like backwards

Not worth the wait.Rubbish n96.I will stick with my n82

heavenlywild

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#110442 13-Feb-2008 17:15

ninjabear: Not really perfect.Over exaggereated.Its more like a N95 with more memory

I rather choose a n82 over a n96.

N96 its like backwards

Not worth the wait.Rubbish n96.I will stick with my n82

]

I tend to agree with you there. N82 is a great phone. I currently have N95 classic but reluctant to use N82 because of the smaller screen. I do browse the internet a fair bit.

dnb4life

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#110447 13-Feb-2008 17:45

the lens cover was one of the best innovations nokia had made with their phone, i can't believe they've passed it by for the n96. at the moment there is no way i would trade in my n95 for a n96. as for the n82 theres a few features i prefer on the n95, other than that tho the n82 is awesome. also higher on my list than the n96. i'm thinking the next model after the n96 will be the one to look for, the n96 seems to be aimed at iphone fanboys and in my view does not boast enough new features to be worth the upgrade.

ninjabear

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#110648 14-Feb-2008 17:47

Maybe the N96 is the next model up from n96

kinsten

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#110651 14-Feb-2008 18:21

The N96 will be Nokias' 1st step towards the next generation all in one units. Cannot wait to see all the goodies to come out earlier next year. I know its a whole year away, but still. It is starting to look like 2008 is the transition year from, this and that gadget, to all-in-one.

Off topic, has anyone seen what microsoft is doing/showcasing? Surface!

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dnb4life

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#110920 16-Feb-2008 05:27

ninjabear: Maybe the N96 is the next model up from n96

are you on crack?!

kinsten: Off topic, has anyone seen what microsoft is doing/showcasing? Surface!

that looks pretty cool aye, been waiting for this ever since i saw movies like minority report and the more believable design in the island.
what i want to know is exactly how much intergration with the user will there be? will it mean absolutely no need for a mouse and keyboard? will it have its own, unique operating system (surely it will) and i wana know more about design as well, as a coffee table would be awesome for a media centre type computer but what about desktop users and gamers? i'm hoping they come up with something you can just place ontop of your desk (in the form of a plasma or lcdtv lying down) rather than a box disguised as a coffee table. anyway this is all far too exciting for me.

paradoxsm

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#110959 16-Feb-2008 13:51

It's a toy. The kick stand will just add bulk and the keypad is very "cheap camera phone" and still too small. Nokia Nseries have usually been a good from a style aspect but this thing looks cheapy like "mp4 player trademe best model available" :-P
The lack on lens cover is also a killing feature, I never thought about it much until I got home last night and all my vids were totally ruined by a greasy lens window!

It offers nothing above the N95 and pales against the N82 though maybe they fix the camera UI to allow "usemode" to be the default. They also state "great audio" so I wonder if they fixed the horrid compressed sound through headphones?

BrentR

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#110978 16-Feb-2008 16:04

paradoxsm: It's a toy. The kick stand will just add bulk and the keypad is very "cheap camera phone" and still too small. Nokia Nseries have usually been a good from a style aspect but this thing looks cheapy like "mp4 player trademe best model available" :-P
The lack on lens cover is also a killing feature, I never thought about it much until I got home last night and all my vids were totally ruined by a greasy lens window!

It offers nothing above the N95 and pales against the N82 though maybe they fix the camera UI to allow "usemode" to be the default. They also state "great audio" so I wonder if they fixed the horrid compressed sound through headphones?

Well having used one for a few days I can tell you now it is far from a toy!

The kickstand adds NO bulk at all (it is very well integrated into the camera surround) The plastics used are such a step above the previous N Series that its a wonder they didn't feel "cheap" in the first place.

I personally detest the lens cover on the N95 as it was constantly catching in my pockets unlocking and taking pictures.

Maybe you should stick to your lowrent reviews until AFTER you've used a device.

dnb4life

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#110979 16-Feb-2008 16:15

Jeffthechef:
paradoxsm: It's a toy. The kick stand will just add bulk and the keypad is very "cheap camera phone" and still too small. Nokia Nseries have usually been a good from a style aspect but this thing looks cheapy like "mp4 player trademe best model available" :-P
The lack on lens cover is also a killing feature, I never thought about it much until I got home last night and all my vids were totally ruined by a greasy lens window!

It offers nothing above the N95 and pales against the N82 though maybe they fix the camera UI to allow "usemode" to be the default. They also state "great audio" so I wonder if they fixed the horrid compressed sound through headphones?

Well having used one for a few days I can tell you now it is far from a toy!

The kickstand adds NO bulk at all (it is very well integrated into the camera surround) The plastics used are such a step above the previous N Series that its a wonder they didn't feel "cheap" in the first place.

I personally detest the lens cover on the N95 as it was constantly catching in my pockets unlocking and taking pictures.

Maybe you should stick to your lowrent reviews until AFTER you've used a device.

ok well frankly a kickstand is pointless in my mind on something with such a small screen, even if you want to watch a movie on it you're not gona be watching it at more than arms length so therefore you can just hold it.

also i have never come across your problem with the lens cover before and i've kept my N95 in my pocket ever since i bought it last year. never once accidently opened the camera lens. honestly, i would think it would still be better having the lens cover than not having one as if you can open the camera lens that easily in your pocket its gona be even easier to scratch up the lens without a cover.

also how the hell did u get hold of a N96 already?!

paradoxsm

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#110997 16-Feb-2008 18:00

Jeffthechef:
Maybe you should stick to your lowrent reviews until AFTER you've used a device.

It's not a review, it's my thoughts on it compared to my N95. Maybe the N95 was too well designed? The N95 is a solid business tool with some fun thrown in. I think it looks like a device to cash in on "iPhone hype"

Here we go, more personal attacks. Yawn.

NZtechfreak

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#111414 18-Feb-2008 16:53

Far from perfect to my way of thinking I'm afraid. Nokia doesn't really seem to have a huge interest in advancing the feature-set this year, all I can say is they better have something special lined up for 2009 or I'll be using a Samsung or Sony Ericson at this rate.

The N-Series seems to be lacking a cohesive direction forwards at this point in time, and the various project managers don't seem to be communicating particularly effectively in terms of the bigger picture. When I spoke with the N82 Project Manager he really seemed to "get it" in terms of consumer feedback and what the market wants - hence the inclusion of a beautiful lens-cover mechanism. Its a shame that he isn't representative of the others. Xenon Flash and a Lens-cover should now be staples for all high-end N-Series phones, to which further features (DVD-quality recording, Optic Zoom etc) are added over time, but that isn't the case here. Apparently the Project Manager for the N96 has said that its too difficult to get a Xenon flash in a slider-design, but that is so much bull its not even funny - the Samsung symbian phone recently announced (G810) is a slider with a 5mp camera with Xenon flash AND 3x Optic Zoom AND a 1200mA battery (once their video catches up to Nokia we'll see some serious competition in the Symbian segment of the market).

Now we get a phone that is to all intents and purposes a re-jigged N95, in a body that looks like a re-jigged N81. A few little steps forward, and some back...

Kudos to them for one design decision though - 16GB onboard + a card slot is perfect. Your guess is as good as mine as to whether this will be a staple in the high-end devices from now (it should be).

Twitter: @nztechfreak
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