Completely speculative guess regarding the next firmware

[munkimatt]

Just thinking to myself, the Nokia Music store launches on Wednesday (there's a bit of speculation for you there...), every Nseries handset is supposed to have the Music Sotre software built in, so do you think we may see the next firmware update before Wednesday?

[Rusty!]

It's possible, I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that it would be out by 3rd Nov at the latest.

That was probably wrong though lol

[munkimatt]

Yeah, I'm probably wrong, that's why I mention 'speculative' in the thread to cover my own behind...

[timbo_baggins]

And the iPhone launches in the UK on the 9th too. Clever timing by Nokia, or just coincidental?

[ratkat]

it could be clever, or it could make Nokia look silly if the iPhone is a huge hit and everyone ignores the Nokia devices.

[bhwarrior]

The on demand paging, if they include it in the new firmware update will certainly have heads turning back to Nokia. Come on nokia, ODP.. ;)

[MARTINSANDS]

I am due to upgrade and was interested in the iphone but after seeing the comparison between the iphone and the nokia n95 on the gadget show last night i have decided to buy the n95. Can someone tell me what the difference is, if any, between a firmware update and a new version. An article in The Guardian a few weeks ago said there would probably be a new version before Xmas.
The forthcoming Which report doesn't rate the N95 very highly as a phone saying 'First there's its size – it's not the most portable device. Then there's the below-standard sound quality of phone calls, and if you plan on storing more than a handful of music tracks, you'll need to supply your own memory card.

However, the N95's main failing is its durability. When we subjected it to a water resistance assessment in our 'rain test', both samples failed completely. This is a real concern for such an expensive device.'

I would appreciate comments from existing users.

[timbo_baggins]

I was playing with an iPhone last week and while it's has dollops of the "cor" factor and I was rather tempted to go for one, it doesn't have enough features to make a standalone device.

8GB of non-expandable memory for one thing, regardless of the ease of use, CoverFlow, pinch, and a really rather excellent browser.

However, £269 up front and £55/month is taking the mickey too.

I'm being sent an HTC Kaiser to have a play with - be an interesting comparison with the N95 I think.

Tim

[nutter426]

A firmware update is a software upgrade (kinda like windows XP to vista) and a new model is completely(ish) new hardware.
EG, the N95 8GB model has 8GB of fixed storage instead of micro SD slot, and more ram.

[MARTINSANDS]

Thanks Nutter426.

I'm finding it a nightmare deciding which phone to get. Can anyone suggest a good comparison site where you can input your requirements from a selection?

Martin

[Mithent]

I was playing with an iPhone last week and while it's has dollops of the "cor" factor and I was rather tempted to go for one, it doesn't have enough features to make a standalone device.

Yeah, that's it really - the iPhone is very swish at what it does, but people have overhyped it into being everything for everyone. It's not a smartphone, for one (although Apple claim they're going to be releasing an SDK).

I'm finding it a nightmare deciding which phone to get. Can anyone suggest a good comparison site where you can input your requirements from a selection?

It hardly covers every phone on the market, but if you're looking for a pretty high-end smartphone, Steve Litchfield had such a thing here (his opinion as to scores, of course, which may differ from others):
http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/grid.htm

[MARTINSANDS]

Thanks. I tried the comparison chart. The Nokia E90 came out tops for my requirements. The N95 runner up. Takes me a bit closer to a decision.

[munkimatt]

E90 is a lovely phone but quite sizable. The N95 8GB is a great option.

That comparisson is rather cool.

[bhwarrior]

Also try gsmarena.com for your requirements too. Might be worth a look there. They also have great 5-10 page reviews that in sections so you can flick to the parts you want to read about. I.e camera, music player, wifi, etc.

[MARTINSANDS]

Thanks bhwarrior, I found a brilliant review for the N95 on there.

[bhwarrior]

No probs. ;)

I always use GSMarena when I have to decide on my next phone :D.