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Prizefight: Apple iPhone vs. Nokia N95


Round 2: Navigation



Sexiness is one thing, but are the devices easy to use? In Round 2, we examine the design and usability of the devices' navigation controls and keypad buttons.


Kent
3

The iPhone's touch-screen-only interface has a definite learning curve, but it was easier to use than I expected. The menus were also pretty and user-friendly. Yet, tapping out long emails isn't superfast and we'd prefer dedicated talk and end buttons.
4

Since the Nokia N95 has a full slate of navigations controls and a keypad, it's tough to compare it to the iPhone. But by themselves, they're large, tactile, and easy to use, even if they are a bit slick. I like the dedicated music controls, too.
     

Donald
3

Again, Apple's attention to detail makes the menu system feel very friendly and intuitive. Unfortunately, the touch interface makes common tasks feel like a delicate procedure.
3

There are 21 buttons on the Nokia, not including the keypad. It's mind-boggling that some of these buttons couldn't be consolidated. The main directional pad does just as good a job of controlling music playback as the dedicated music player.
     

Nicole
4

Contrary to popular belief, I actually find the navigation to be pretty decent on the iPhone. The touch interface is highly intuitive, and navigating through the menus and applications feels user-friendly.
3

It took me a considerable amount of time to learn how to navigate the N95's multiple menu interfaces, though I do like having the music player controls on the top.
     

Total

10

10

 

 

    Talkback
riclim76 says...
I actually agree with the judges call on this, having owned N95 8GB before having the iphone now for a month. Both are good handsets but iphone just is a little better even its not 3G. It just works well enough. A N95 is like having a alienware gaming laptop but all you do is to use word on it all the time. How much of its functions you actually use. So not having 3G loses nothing on the experience. The maps works, the stocks works the safari works. I also suspect that some people who does not like iphone do not have the full experience of it, may it be they have a hacked model or on a expensive network that does not fully support all its functions because its not officially launched in that country??? Alas it has an ipod in it.

 
 
wildy says...
Actually there's a very comprehensive Viewty and Secret blog, at viewty-resource.blogspot.com

There are several tips on optimizing the screen resolution for the viewty screen, as well as some other application downloads and game downloads as well. In fact, when I first received my viewty, I wasn't able to connect to Google Maps. A visit to the blog got it up and running.
For the phone manual download, try www.lostmymanual.org which is another free site that lists all the user guides and manuals of all phone models you can possibly conceive. Impressive, I must say.

 
 
MatrixMaxx says...
I would prefer N95, cuz of the amazing camera vs the mediocre one and lots more features and 3G support

 
 
ninjaboy says...
I'm no fanboy of Apple or nokia. N95 is quite a different phone from the touchscreen iPhone. iPhone should be pitted against those from HTC or Omnia. And to some of the responses, I'm pretty sure for those 'non-iPhones', their "maps, stocks and browser" work too. And there's no need to hack those phones. To some people, the phone is their essential PDA, PIM, workhorse, whatever, and yes they need their alienware.

 
 
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