How to: Nokia N95 and Apple Mac Users

If you own a Nokia smartphone (ie. the N95, N82, N96, etc.) and an Apple computer of some sort, you may find the lack of a complete sync'ing software for the OS X rather irritating. For Windows users, Nokia's PC Suite software pretty much takes care of all the sync'ing business (contacts, calendar, music, etc...). As matter a fact, when I bootcamped my MacBook Pro, part of the reason is because of non-Apple smartphones lacking OS X supported software.

While you can't go completely without a Windows setup for Nokia Phones (ie. GPS/Map application still requires a Windows machine for map installation), you can do about 90% of what you need on a Mac; and relatively painless, here is how:

Apple iSync, which is part of Leopard or can be downloaded here is an amazing native syncing software. For some Nokia phones, you'll need to download a quick Plugin. Once the plugin is installed. All you have to do is to pair up your Nokia smartphone via Bluetooth and click sync. This method allows me quickly and WIRELESS sync my N95-3 with my Mac Address Book, iCal, etc... Imagine this, wireless sync'ing your mobile device effortlessly!

For sync'ing multimedia material with iTunes, Nokia makes a cool little application called "Nokia Multimedia Transfer" which allows you to sync up with iTunes (audio, video, podcast, playlist) as well as iPhoto. The process does require a USB cable but it practically enables full synchronization with your Nokia smartphone.

I hope Nokia will release a Maps tool for Mac so we can also complete the map pre-installation on the OS X environment.

Smartphones, grass is greener on the other one?

Few days ago, I switched back from the HTC G1 to the iPhone. As I was doing so, my wife made a comment about my action, that "with so many phones I've gone through, I can't seem to be satisfied with any of them". I chuckled and proceeded with the SIM card transfer and update the iPhone w/ iTunes.

Just today, I am planning a potential road trip for this coming weekend. I was thinking to myself, lets switch to the Nokia N95 and update its GPS map from Nokia so we can reliably pin-point our exact location w/o relying on 3G data. That is when it dawned on me that the reason why I am perpetually changing smartphones is because there is yet to be one "it" phone. While the iPhone is a very strong device, it lacks the flexibility and independent functionality as a Symiban or WM device. Meaning iPhone can be rendered useless outside of what is tolerated (3G data area, iTunes, etc...). Whereas WM and Symbian OS tends to allow you, as a user to customize and run various programs on the fly.

On the other hand, iPhone's total market domainance with applications and mobile websites optimized for Safari makes it the most entertaining and web friendly device. I suppose a user really has to decide what his or her lifestyle is about and choose a smartphone wisely. I am fortunate enough to have a few phones to switch around and will likely to do so until the "perfect" smartphone arrives.

Get more battery life out of your Nokia N95-3

Ever since I turned off my 3G data network setting on the Nokia N95-3 which seems to have provided a temporary fix for the bug in firmware 20.2.011 from shutting itself off randomly, I noticed a significant boost in battery run time per charge cycle. I am going on three days with the battery meter showing as full. Is the 3G chip really that draining on the battery?

Google Android running on Nokia N95 on Video

This makes owning my N95-3 exciting all over again. Can't wait! See clip below:

MicroSDHC 2GB, 4GB and 8GB Becoming Cheap!

For anyone with a decent, releatively new smartphone, the best way to increase your media storage is by adding more MicroSD memory. Most new phones should even support greater than 2GB aka MicroSDHC memory. Sometimes, buying a smartphone w/ MicroSDHC support proves to be a better economical solution with the flexibility to upgrades than phones with embedded memory (ie. N95-4, iPhone, etc...). For example, I paid $500 for my N95-3 and started with a 1GB microSD I owned. I paid $35 for a 4GB microSDHC a while ago. If I have waited, the 8GB microSDHC would cost the same today. In the future I could even expand to 16GB. In the mean time, a N95-4 would have set me back at least $650, while it has 8GB internal memory, this is it for the phone, no future upgrades and when it comes time for firmware restoration, it has proven to be less convenient.

The price for MicroSD or MicroSDHC memory cards are dropping fast, take a look at the pricing points below for example. Its a great time for you to load up your phone with pictures, videos and MP3s.

Kingston MicroSD 1GB - as low as $7
SanDisk MicroSDHC 2GB - as low as $11
SanDisk MicroSDHC 4GB - as low as $15
Kingston MicroSDHC 4GB - as low as $21
SanDisk MicroSDHC 8GB - as low as $38

Nokia N95 Symbian S60 Application Force Quit

Recently, I was browsing a mobile friendly website but all of a sudden Nokia Browser just refused to work further. I would still have no problem using the phone (for example, holding down the menu button will still pull up the switch applications bar) but when I am in the Nokia Browser, nothing will react, hence, I can't even exit the program.

I had to force quit on the Nokia browser. To do so, press and hold the menu button until the application switch bar appears, select the application you want to force quit, then press "c" or delete button. It will ask if you want to exit that program. Choose "yes" and you are done.

Nokia N95 vs iPhone GPS Shoot-out

Ever wonder how accurate your iPhone's faux GPS function (from firmware 1.4 update) in Google Maps "My Location" would hold up against a real GPS receiver? Better yet, how does it stack up against another smartphone with integrated GPS like the Nokia N95? I wanted to find out for myself so I took both devices out for a shoot out.

iPhone - in its typical fashion, performed quickly via AT&T EDGE network to provide my location. Regardless of where I stood nearby my NYC apartment (in the courtyard, by both sides of 23rd street), it would locate me at the corner of 24th and 10th Avenue.

Nokia N95 - I had the internet connection defaulted to turn off, relying purely on the integrated GPS. In an open space, I can normally get a good fix on the satellites within 2 minutes. This afternoon, however, I cannot even get connected; its possible that the buildings are too tall on my street which blocked partial satellite signals. I sampled it in the same three locations as mentioned above (courtyard, both sides of 23rd Street) and I can't rely on the integrated GPS alone to pick up my location. So I activated Nokia Maps to go online via AT&T 3G network which engaged the Assisted-GPS function (ie. using data network to help getting a location fix assisting integrated GPS receiver). Within 30 seconds, I got a fix. It showed me as if I were on the other side of 23rd Street. See the 3rd image for exact location test results.

There you have it. iPhone's simulated GPS works faster with lesser accuracy. Nokia N95's integrated GPS is slow (which is a known fact, and I've seen better GPS phones) but offers a bit more accuracy and obviously helps you track your location no matter where you move around once you have a fix.

Nokia N95, N82, Symbian Sound Profile Demystified

Nokia's profile in its NSeries and ESeries smartphones can be a little confusing for non-Symbian S60 3rd Edition users. Instead of choosing simpler terminologies, they use profiles appropriate for a given environment. Typically, these type of design is what I label as "over-zealous"; by putting so much effort in a seemingly simple task, they end up losing touch and becomes less intuitive. To access your profile, click on the power button once or go to Menu>Tools>Profile.

Please find the guide below to demystify each profile:
*Normal - This is the regular mode. By default, ringing volume is set to medium, vibrate off, and beeps for Text and Emails
*Silent - This one doesn't need too much translation, its silences everything (use this for movies, lectures, etc.)
*Meeting - turns all alerts into different beeping sounds. It alerts you without drawing too much attention. I suppose thats why its good for non-formal meetings.
*Pager - Vibrate-only
*Outdoor - Basically, outdoor mode is making the phone as loud as possible to overcompensate outside noise. Vibration on
*Offline - is like the airplane mode. It turns your phone function off while leaving everything else on (for music, media, pictures, etc...)

You can customize a specific profile to your liking by choosing your own sound, alerts and vibration preference. Or you can tweak the existing profiles to your liking as well, for example, I turned volume of Medium a couple notches lower and turned vibrate on. It even has an option to say caller name.

Benefit of N95-3 over N95-4 8GB

Because of all recent the hard/soft reset and firmware re-flash I had to go through, I actually saw one huge benefit out of owning a N95-3 over the much desired N95-4 (8GB). With N95-3, a large portion of my media (MP3, Photo and Nokia Maps) are stored on a 4GB MicroSD. They are not impacted from all the resets. Once I got my phone back to work, they were safely retrieved from the storage card. Had I owned the 8GB built-in memory, this recovery process would take much longer. Scored an extra point for the N95-3. :)

Nokia goes for 1% market share in the US

Okay, I'll admit in advance that this is going to be a pretty snarky post, but it never ceases to amaze me how badly Nokia handles itself in the US market. In Europe and most of the rest of the world, Nokia operates like a fighter jet, incredibly nimble and powerful. But in the US, it's more like a biplane. An old biplane. With holes in the wings. Nokia's market share in the US has dropped from 20% to 7% in the last two years (link), and sometimes I wonder if it's trying for 1%.

Case in point: Nokia's "Open to Anything" ad campaign featuring people who have created software for Nokia N95 smartphones (link).

It features, swear to God, a guy who created a self-hypnosis application for the N95, someone who created a bad breath detector, a man in the Witness Protection Program who created a location-aware app to track the hit men chasing him, a ditzy woman who uses the phone to track fertilizer schedules for her plants, a jealous wife who created a lie detector, and a flake Jewish photographer who glued together two n95s to create a 3D camera.

"You've never really seen a bris until you've seen a bris in 3D." --Nokia's website

They're all fantasy applications from obviously fake people, but beautifully animated in an elaborate Flash-driven site.

From time to time, I've talked with Nokia employees who were confused about why people don't buy more application software for their Nokia S60 smartphones. There are a lot of reasons -- lack of awareness that they can do it, lack of a built-in software store on the device, incompatibility between various versions of S60, etc. But one huge reason is because no one has ever made a compelling case to most users on why they should care about smartphone software.


The triumph of creativity over business sense

The Open to Anything campaign is a great example of how Nokia's hurting itself in the applications business, and in the US market in general. I'm sure Nokia's intent was to do something light-hearted to draw attention to the N95, and if you view the ads as standalone short films they are moderately witty. You see this a lot in online marketing lately -- a creative agency will create humorous websites (often with video) designed to draw traffic from bored web surfers. But unless the ads also align with your strategy, they don't drive sales. In Nokia's case, they actually do harm:

--Once again, Nokia is communicating that its users are freaks and morons, which in the US is not the way to build a loyal following. Nokia has a long habit in the US of positioning itself as the preferred phone of people who lack social skills. At least this time there aren't any sluts in the ad (link).

--The benefit of an open phone is not that you can write your own apps, it's that you can buy applications created by others. Almost no one wants to create their own apps. So we're being told that N95 users are not only freaks and morons, but they are freaks and morons who have programming skills -- an even narrower demographic.

--Since the argument for why users should care about applications has not been made, showing a bunch of nonsensical applications actually makes people less likely to take an interest in mobile apps at all. It trivializes the whole idea of mobile software, at a time when Nokia claims it is trying to make itself into a computing company that can compete with Apple and Google.

Meanwhile, Apple's ads depict its users as smart and hip, it puts its CEO on stage with real developers showing lustworthy iPhone applications, and it plans a built-in software store for the iPhone. Care to guess which platform is going to get more user and developer loyalty?

I'm tempted to start taking bets on when the iPhone application base will be larger than S60's. Unless Nokia wises up quickly, it won't take long.

Nokia Firmware and Software Update: Bad Mobile Experience

I went through a lot of work to document a really bad mobile experience I had with my Nokia N95-3's firmware update tonight. This is the very same reason why Apple is just kicking arse in iPhone's seemless integration via iTunes... (never such headache!). I wanted to document this experience hoping that the mobile industry can try to improve and simplify customer's mobile experience:

As I mentioned from my last entry, I was excited to have learned that there may have been an update to the N95 firmware as of April 2008 (Go here and look under Location Tagger reference) and I planned on making some updates tonight. Nokia in general doesn't do a good job letting you know if your firmware is up to date. This site doesn't help much as no matter what code I type in for my phone behind the battery department, it would prompt me that I've put in the wrong code.

As soon as I got home, I booted my MacBook Pro into Windows Vista Ultimate mode to take care of of this update and this is where the nightmare started. At first, I updated the PC Suite software just to be sure I am on top of everything. I originally wanted to remove the older PC Suite that was already installed, but within Vista program removal, the software isn't labeled as PC Suite and there were about 7 Nokia related applications previously installed so I decided to take different route. I went ahead to install the latest PC Suite version 6.86.9.3 since the installation screen prompted that it would remove all previous versions. Not true, after installation, I see two versions of PC Suite running on the my computer background. Somehow I managed to remove the older version and off I go to check for Nokia Software Update. Right away, I get an error message from PC Suite prompting me that Vista is not currently supported (see screen shot). As suggested by the prompt, I visited Nokia's website to download the software update directly from Nokia website. Frustration continues to build up as this time, I keep on getting an fetal ERROR 1731 message, saying the file I downloaded is corrputed. I tried this twice and finally gave up. (see screen shot below)

Wanting to go through this entire process the right way, I pulled my old HP laptop running XP from the closet and once again, downloaded and installed the Nokia PC Suite software to this machine. Again, I followed the on screen instructions to sync up the phone, I am finally connected and ready to go. By the way, this process have triggered atleast 10+ actions in which I had to approve from my firewall; it seems that Nokia's software is launching different services to access the internet and acting as a server. Keep in mind that at this point, none of Nokia's software have not actually confirmed with me if my firmware is outdated our not. You'd think as soon as I click on download handset software button, this would be the first step right? Not. This time around, it just automatically redirected me back to the same Nokia website as mentioned above where I am prompted to download the software update directly. I finally finished the download and was ready for a firmware update and guess what: the software now tells me that my N95-3 (RM-160) is up to date w/ 11.2.009 ver.

After all this work, I can't believe that there are no firmware update available. I don't understand why Nokia Maps Beta 2.0 page would suggest that I download the latest firmware version 22.0.015 (see screenshot on left). This whole process is just way too complicated for even a power user. I can't imagine the mass public to be able to understand the relationship between all the software that is required to maximize this phone's potential. Nokia has basically setup a bunch of modular applications such as: Map Loader, Music Manager, Installer, etc. to manage every aspect of the phone's functionality. From the top, it looked as if PC Suite can help manage all of this process, but in reality, its just a glorified menu screen which is not responsible for anything. By updating PC Suite, you are not updating the individual applications. This is just too much work for non-technical people, especially considering they have so many different hardware versions (N95-1, N95-2, N95-3, N95-4) as well as firmware product codes for different regions (ie. Asian, Europe, Middle East, etc...). The iPhone's firmware update experience is a million times easier... besides, I am always clear if iPhone has an firmware update.

Knowing my firmware is up to date, I continued on with my plan to install Nokia Maps 2.0 Beta and Location Tagging. The installation for those .sis file was smooth using PC Suite's installation program. I will provide more updates and reviews for both at a later time.

Fring VOIP IM Application on Nokia N95 Symbian

I have wanted an IM application on my N95-3 for quite a while and I should have done my research before leaving for my visit to Asia (would have come in handy). Regardless, a little research on Google landed me to a product called "fring." fring is a VOIP and Chat program which enables you to log into a variety of existing IMs (Google Talk, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, SKYPE etc). The most amazing thing is not only does it support VOIP on top of regular IM/Chat, it does it over WiFi and Data (3G or EDGE). This program is currently available for Symbian S60, Windows Mobile 5 & 6 and UIQ handsets.

Installing fring is simple. You can go to their website and fill out your phone number to receive an SMS text link or simply point a supported smartphone to their website where it will prompt for a download. I installed the 700+KB application to my phone's memory after installation. Its amazing how advance mobile applications have become; I love the fact that most applications can be installed stand-alone over the handset today. This application does require you to register an account name and password over the handset; with four required fields filled out and submited, I was on my way to connect to my IM of choice.

So far, I've only signed into Google Talk and used it at its bare minimum (instant message). I've yet to test its VOIP function via Data network or WiFi. The operation thus far has been flawless and simple to use. I am thrilled to see that most of the popular IM applications are supported in a one stop shop. Stayed tuned for more updates once I get a chance to test its VOIP using Google Talk and Skype.

Noka N95-4 8GB US Edition Price Drop $579

Ran across a deal this morning on Amazon.com, the Nokia N95 8GB US edition (Black, HSDPA 850/1900, aka N95-4) is now dropped to $579. This phone is listed for $799 at Nokia store. Why are you tempting me Amazon!!! This phone has a slightly bigger LCD and black finish compared to the N95-3 I currently own.

Mobile Experience Asia: GPS via Nokia N95

Prior to my Asia trip, I downloaded Nokia Maps of Taiwan and Indonesia (including Bali) to test out the GPS functionality on my Nokia N95-3. With the maps installed onto a 4GB MicroSDHC card, I can rely on the GPS without having to connect to a foreign network and avoid costly data fees.

At the balcony of my in-law's apartment in Jakarta, I successfully got a fix on the satellites. Nokia N95 does require you to keep the slider open and be exposed in a static, open space for about 1-2 minutes to get a read, but once you have a fix, it does a great job tracking in moving vehicles.

Overall, I am very pleased with N95-3's GPS functionality and want to give Nokia mad-props for making all of their maps available to customers free of charge (although the maps are a little out dated, I found a few small streets missing in Jakarta). Streets in foreign metropolitans can be intimidating, with the N95-3 GPS leading the way, it helped me understand my whereabouts like no other trip I've taken in the past.

Nokia N95-4 8GB 3G US NAM $511Shipped?

I can't verify if this is a legitimate US Version (UMTS 850/1900?) of the Black Nokia N95 8GB, but Dell's website says it is. According to TechBargains.com, the price of this phone dropped by $140, plus you can cash in a coupon for $128 off. This is a pretty insane deal for a brand new released 8GB N95-4.

Important Update: I just verified that THIS IS NOT US 3G supported, unlike what Dell claims to be. According to Dell, the manufacturer number is 002D2Q8, and according to Buy.com, its WCDMA 2100. This is European and Asian 3G spec (aka. N95-2)

Important Update 2: According to the folks at Howard Forum, some have called Dell and confirmed this is indeed a US 3.5G N95-4 8GB NAM... somehow they didn't update the Part ID number. I am confused and a little tempted...

Update: While this $511 is no longer available, Amazon.com is now carrying this phone US-version for $579 shipped. See my update here.

Nokia S60 Browser vs. Opera Mini 4

Ever since I got my Nokia N95-3, I have been relying pretty heavily on the default Nokia browser for most of my internet usage. Largely because for mobile applications, I tend to rely on default applications thinking its probably better in the sense that it being more reliable, and “the way” manufacturer intended. In addition, I also knew that Nokia’s broswer was based on the popular Opera Mini technology, therefore, I didn’t think it was necessary for me to make any switch.

A while ago, I blogged about OperaMini 4 being available and I installed it back then. I haven’t actually played with it in full extent until recently. I was fine with what the Nokia Browser can do (although I admit the shortcuts on keypad is still abit confusing and hard to remember), what drove me to OperaMini was the inability of displaying higher-resolution graphics within the default Nokia Browser. (See 1st sample below)

The more I tried to use web services like the PicasaWeb or just browsing blogs like Engadget on my handset, the more I noticed Nokia Brwoser’s inability to render the images. So I decided to test out Opera Mini in full which had no problem what-so-ever. I also found the following advantages over default Nokia Browser:

• Opera Mini makes Zoom in and out easier by using the right button beneath the LCD (whereas in Nokia Browser, you have to press keypad 8, should you remember)
• Opera Mini’s transition to go “BACK” is much faster. It just goes back to the last page without having to reload. (whereas in Nokia Browser, while it gives you a preview window for the previous screens, it takes more time to reload them)
• Opera Mini’s basic layout and usage for the numeric keypad makes more sense: 2 is up, 8 is down, 4 is left, 6 is right.
• Opera Mini gives you the short-key command on the bottom of the screen when you go through the default menu.
• Opera Mini has a smoother, web2.0 like transition going forward or backwards in between screens

Overall, I like Opera Mini compared to the Nokia Browser. Chances are, I will still rely on the Nokia Browser most of the times just because it’s the default program and will launch more frequently by default (from email or SMS links). However, to truly enjoy my mobile internet experience, I will choose Opera Mini any day.

PS – I do have one little problem with Opera Mini. For whatever reason, when I try to go to Google.com, it defaults to Google Norway (Google.no). I can’t figure out how to change the default back to the US. So it kind of renders a big portion of my user experience useless…

Recently Reviewed: TeaShark Mobile Browser on Nokia N95-3

Screenshot for Nokia Smartphone

I've been looking around for a solid screen-capturing software for my Nokia N95-3. I came across a free, GREAT tool, simply named "Screenshot" for Nokia Symbian S60 3rd Edition phones. This is a free, open-source software by Antony Pranata. Simply point your S60 (3rd ed.) Nokia smart phone browser here to download and install the free app (for S40 or UIQ based handsets, go here). The picture used for this blog entry was captured using Screenshot on my N95-3 (with my baby girl Sofia as the wallpaper, silly hat, I know). The quality is pretty good!

No more breaking out the old Canon digital camera to cover mobile application/website stories from now on. Cheers!

Symbian Tip: Install .sis File

If you have a Symbian S60 3rd Edition phone (ie. Nokia N95, N75 or N82) and ran across an application file extension .sis, don't fret. You can easily install this file by downloading it with your phone and install right from the file itself (no need for PC connection via Nokia Installer). I learn something new everyday.

Guitar Hero Mobile Madness

First, AT&T announced to bring Guitar Hero to about 30 handsets today. Then Verizon Wireless decided to join the garage band party. I was sure I would find someone playing it on a Nokia N95 (here).

Yahoo! Tech's Top Cellphone: Nokia N95

Yahoo! Tech's users ranked Nokia N95 as the top cell phone amongst all other entries based on 1,688 ratings. Ranking second is the Apple iPhone and third is the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl.