Nokia N95

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Features
The N95 is one of the trickiest reviews we've ever written, simply because there are so many features on this slider phone that we're not sure where to begin. Aside from the built-in GPS, a 5-megapixel camera and HSDPA connectivity, attention has also been given to minor styling details--we now have the option of enabling animated icons in the menu and the navigation is also slightly more user-friendly.

If you are, or have been, a Series 60 user, you'll probably find the platform somewhat handicapped when it comes to search capabilities. What Nokia has included in the N95 is a new one-stop search application (also available for free download from the Nokia Web site for other S60 devices) that not only ploughs through the handheld for all entries relevant to the search keyword, but is also capable of giving online results via the Yahoo or Windows Live search engines.

	Nokia's Asia Maps appears far more responsive compared with the MapKing software which HP's iPaq uses.

One of the main draws of the N95 is the onboard GPS receiver. Compared with the MapKing software which HP's iPaq uses, Nokia's Asia Maps (NAVFone Pro) appears far more responsive. There's a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's quite usable. The female voice guide, aided by a pair of onboard stereo speakers, is concise and audible. It would have been nice if Nokia had bundled in a car kit instead of offering this as an optional accessory. Lacking the gear, the N95 had to be bluetacked to the dashboard and we had to rely on the audio as there was no way to view the screen. A nice surprise: The GPS was able to indicate if a fixed-position speed camera was ahead (test was done in Singapore along the CTE expressway).

As expected of a GPS cellular device, the battery was able to sustain only half a day of GPS tracking before it konked out. So the best investment would be a holder with a charging cradle. We didn't get to see what happened if someone had called in while the GPS was in operation. In our tests, the GPS signal dropped a few times but picked up quickly again. Nokia's Asia Maps give alternative routes if you don't like the one it's picked, but typically it sticks to main roads which can be a hassle since these are the most traveled and not always the best way to avoid traffic.

At times, the navigator would prepare you for a corner by indicating "prepare to turn right". At other times, it wasn't able to react as quickly to a turn. This could be due to the density of buildings and trees around. The GPS will recompute the route if you go offtrack, though not if you are on a minor street. And it wasn't 100 percent on track all the time. So as long as the user is very clear that the GPS feature is to assist navigation, not replace it, the tracking capability of the N95 is pretty nifty to tote along and impress your passengers with.

	The Nokia N95 is bundled with the Asia Maps program.

Overall, it took about 5 to 8 minutes for the onboard GPS to get a successful triangulation, but that's also heavily dependant on the line of sight to the satellites. There are actually two applications on the N95 for your GPS fix. First is Asia Maps, which we've just talked about and is available only in Asia-Pacific countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand and India. The other is Maps--the default Nokia application that can be downloaded online.

You can use Asia Maps (with turn-by-turn navigation) free for 60 days, after which you'll have to pay for an upgrade that will cost US$29.90 for a lifetime subscription. Maps, on the other hand, comes with free downloadable maps via the Maploader software. Catch is, if you want to use it for real-time GPS tracking, you'll need to pay a fee. Prices may vary depending on where you purchase the maps, but a seven-day license for the Singapore map (which also comes with the Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur cities) will cost S$12 (US$8.63). Pay an additional S$3 (US$2.16) and you can extend the license coverage to 30 days. A one-year and three-year fee cost S$119.49 (US$85.92) and S$139.41 (US$100.24), respectively. All local prices mentioned here are inclusive of GST. There's another catch to Nokia Maps (and also Asia Maps). According to the Finnish company, the license fee is linked to your phone's IMEI, so you won't be able to enjoy the maps you bought should you decide to switch to another GPS-enabled mobile.

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