During Nokia’s Open Studio 2006 event, several new smart phones (or as Nokia would prefer ‘multimedia computer’) were announced, including the flagship N95 and N75.
The N75 is the thinnest model in the Nseries range that was specifically designed for the US market. Staying true to their ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ philosophy used in the current flagship N93, Nokia’s new N95 model has a 2-way slide concept, integrated GPS functionality, a 5 megapixel camera and support for high-speed mobile networks. Nokia also showed that music is going to be a big part of their business by releasing music editions of three Nokia Nseries multimedia computers, the Nokia N70 Music Edition, Nokia N73 Music Edition and Nokia N91 8GB.
Backing these music-centric devices Nokia also introduced the Music Recommenders service, a unique and customizable music recommendation service. Nokia N95
The Nokia N95, an all-in-one multimedia computer with a 2-way slide concept, integrated GPS functionality, a 5 megapixel camera and support for high-speed mobile networks, making it easier to watch and record videos, listen to songs, take high-quality photos, browse the internet, or catch up on email while on the move.
The 2-way slide concept makes it easy to switch between different modes, going from reading maps to watching a video with a simple slide. A numeric keypad slides out from one end of the device while dedicated media keys slide out from the opposite direction, converting the display into full screen landscape mode. With powerful 3D graphics, the Nokia N95 has a user interface that makes it easy to find the features and services you want.
A first for the Nseries is the N95’s integrated GPS that includes a Maps application that includes maps for more than 100 countries, enabling users to explore the world, find specific routes or locate services such as restaurants and hotels and covering more than 15 million points of interest. You can also purchase additional features, such as city guides and voice guided navigation.
With the Carl Zeiss optics on the 5 megapixel camera, you can capture print quality photos and DVD-like quality video clips. Photos and video clips can be enjoyed on a compatible television thanks to the device’s TV out feature and support for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology.
Designed for High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) networks and with support for WLAN, EDGE and WCDMA networks, the Nokia N95 provides excellent coverage and speeds wherever you may be. In HSDPA networks, browsing the internet, reading email, streaming video and downloading large files can be carried out up to 10 times faster than with 3G.
Entertainment is a big part of the N95 with the combination of a large 2.6′ 16 million color display (too bad it’s only QVGA though), 3D graphics, built-in stereo speakers offering a 3D stereo effect, standard 3.5 mm audio jack, support for compatible microSD cards and mini USB for convenient data transfer. Browsing the internet on the Nokia N95 is a pleasure using the Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map, with new features such as a floating toolbar, password manager and auto complete, as well as web feeds with support for Atom and auto update.
The Nokia N95 is based on S60 software on Symbian OS, enabling you to personalize your device from a wide choice of compatible applications that can be downloaded to the Nokia N95, including games, navigation, entertainment, productivity and creativity. The Nokia N95 comes out of the box ready to create, connect, consume and interact with some of the internet’s most popular services. Use Yahoo! Search to search for and find most anything on the web, scroll though a book with Amazon’s MobiPocket Reader or snap a photo and send it directly to your Flickr site.
The Nokia N95 is expected to start shipping in volumes during the first quarter of 2007 at an estimated unsubsidized retail price of 550 euros.
Nokia N75
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The Nokia N75, its smallest multimedia computer, offers digital music playback, quality photography, telephony and rich internet communication. The Nokia N75 provides a complete multimedia experience in a thin and elegant clamshell, while utilizing Nokia’s renowned ease of use.
The Nokia N75 has controls on the cover of the device and a reflective 1.36′ color cover display. The N75 supports a multitude of different formats, including MP3, M4A, AAC, eAAC+ and WMA, the digital music player includes an equalizer, playlist, shuffle and repeat features for a direct connection to compatible online music services. When you connect the Nokia N75 to your compatible PC, a mere tap on the music key acts as an instant link to music stored. The PC-mobile synchronization redirects your favorite tunes straight to the Nokia N75, which can store up to 1,500 individual tracks on an optional 2GB microSD card. In addition to playing downloaded music and ripped cds, the Nokia N75 also includes a stereo FM radio, allowing you to listen to your favorite talk or music radio stations through your compatible headphones or through the integrated 3D stereo speakers.
A mere click of the dedicated camera key on the Nokia N75 results in a sharp, ready to print 2-megapixel (1600 x 1200 pixels) photos – select the best pictures by previewing them as a slideshow through the 2.4” screen with up to 16 million colors. With up to 16x digital zoom, an integrated flash LED, and the files in JPEG/EXIF format, you can expect excellent quality for the photos taken. This entertainment device doubles as a mini TV screen, for optimized viewing of streaming and downloaded video clips. Featuring MPEG-4 video capture and playback in landscape mode, the Nokia N75 delivers an instant video experience with audio recording. With internal memory of up to 40 MB, which can be further expanded with an optional microSD card of up to 2 GB, the N75 allows users to capture up to 500 minutes of high quality video or close to 2500 2-megapixel photos.
The highly intuitive Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map delivers desired Web pages with their original design directly to the high-resolution color display (320 x 240 pixels, up to 16 million colors). Furthermore, the browser enables RSS feeds, so users can subscribe to their favorite Web sites and receive regular updates. Keeping in touch with friends is just as easy as from your home computer, but the Nokia N75 is always with you – just follow simple set up prompts to access an existing compatible email account or standard SMS and MMS features. Part of the Nokia Nseries multimedia computers, the Nokia N75 offers great functionality in one beautifully shaped connected device. Designed to work on 3G (WCDMA 850/1900 MHz), EDGE and GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) networks, the Nokia N75 provides a fantastic Web browsing experience.
The Nokia N75 is expected to be available initially in the US during the fourth quarter of 2006.
Nokia N91 8GB
The iconic Nokia N91 8GB offers the best music experience for mobile. With an 8GB hard drive you get up to 6000* songs. Features such as dedicated music keys, premium inbox music-optimized headset with remote control, synchronization with Windows Media Player, and Bluetooth connectivity support combined with the other essential ingredients that make up the Nokia Nseries Music Range, the new Nokia N91 8GB is a true jukebox in your pocket.
Nokia N73 Music Edition
The Nokia N73 Music Edition is a multimedia computer with up to 2GB of memory, integrated stereo speakers for optimized audio pleasure, and easy synchronization with Windows Media Player. With support for MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+ and WMA, you can choose how you rip your tunes and play them. Complemented with photography features such as a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and autofocus.
Nokia N70 Music Edition
Up to 1GB memory, the Nokia N70 Music Edition gives you more music in your pocket. You can personalize your music with a choice of digital music tracks and press the music key for direct access to them. Also, use the music-optimized headset with remote control for easy access. With these enhanced music capabilities, this compact package has high-performance multimedia at its core.
The Nokia N70 Music Edition and Nokia N73 Music Edition are expected to become commercially available in October 2006 and the Nokia N91 8GB by end 2006, with estimated, unsubsidized sales prices of approximately 350, 450 and 550 euros respectively.
The Music Recommenders
Forty leading independent music stores from around the world are working with Nokia to create unique and customizable music recommendations. Music Recommenders brings together great new music across continents and genres, keeping music enthusiasts in touch with the latest tracks as well as helping them discover new artists.
Internationally influential independent record stores including Fat Beats (New York), Reckless (Chicago), Pure Groove (London), Hard Wax (Berlin) and Mona Records (Tokyo) will offer a personalised selection of new music across 12 genres – from Pop to Rock to Classical, Jazz and Electronic.
Every month, experts from each of the stores will bring together music from their specialist genre. No other music recommendation experience offers such an extensive combination of human insight, knowledge and expertise, coupled with global reach.
As a fanatical explorer and discoverer of music from around the world, David Bowie is taking the role of music ‘godfather’. He will be contributing to Music Recommenders every month through features and podcasts, sharing his most exciting discoveries as well as appearing in a short film, shot by Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club), which advocates new music and the culture of record stores around the world.
Users can freely browse the music, search for music according to recommender, genre or style, listen to music clips and read weekly updates, artist interviews, city music guides and even information on the stores and recommenders themselves. Once registered, subscribers can receive an instant playlist of 30 second samples tailored specifically to their tastes and purchase the tracks they like. Once a month, users will receive the latest recommendations and editorial features direct to their email inbox. Music Recommenders will be available in a beta version starting in November 2006. For a full list of participating stores, please visit http://www.musicrecommenders.com.
Written by Devin