iPhone vs. Nokia N95 a month later

July 25, 2007 By

CNBC is going to be here in a few minutes to interview Patrick about his iPhone, a month later, to see if he still likes it.

Dave Winer writes about his iPhone. You might be surprised by his review because he is pretty brutal about the iPhone.

Me?

I agree with Dave Winer. if you are a hard-core email or even cell phone user the iPhone will probably leave you wanting (I find it frustrating to dig through my thousands of contacts, for instance, but then I’m weird — most people don’t have thousands of people they need to have on their phone so they can call them). I’ve been talking with a bunch of people who switched from Blackberries to iPhones and most, while happy, do wish the iPhone had some better things for email users. One guy, though, told me he’ll never go back to Blackberry, no matter how good the keyboard is. Why? HTML email. He loves getting his newsletters in their full glory.

Me? I’m getting rid of my Nokia N95. I need a couple of weeks more income before I can afford to get an iPhone (believe it or not I don’t have an unlimited “gadget” budget). But the Nokia just continues to piss me off. I realized it the other day when Google Maps wouldn’t come up due to an out-of-memory error and I asked Patrick to hand me his iPhone.

Oh, and I counted the clicks to open up Google Maps on my Nokia N95: 11. How many on the iPhone? One.

I disagree with Dave Winer about the Web. I TOTALLY enjoy reading the Web much more on the iPhone than the Nokia. The Nokia does not thrill, the iPhone does. Am I a simpleton for liking a product that thrills (has nice user interactions?) Yes. Shoot me.

One other thing: I can’t use a device with a QWERTY keyboard. Why? Because I’m an addict. When I had a Blackberry I used it so often my hands started hurting. I lost that device in a cab in New Orleans and my hands stopped hurting. So, I don’t use my mobile device for answering email anymore. I can’t. That’s me.

One guy told me he missed his Blackberry because he couldn’t use the iPhone while he drives. That’s an addict’s behavior. Personally it’s GOOD that the iPhone can’t be used while you drive (although Google Maps are easier to use on the iPhone while driving than on the Nokia N95 because you can get to a map with one click on the iPhone, where the Nokia takes 11, or more).

Which brings us to reviewer bias. Every reviewer sees the world through their own eyes. I sure do and that’s why some of my readers get mad at me “will you shut up about Facebook and iPhone already?”

I’ve been talking to a LOT of normal people and notice that they are far more likely to really enjoy the iPhone. Except for one thing: the price. Most people have never used the Web on their cell phone. Most people have never listened to music on their cell phone. Most people have never used Google Maps on their cell phone. Most people have never answered an email on their cell phone.

It’s the “most people” that Dave Winer (and me) usually forget.

But when I talked with a Google executive he told me that they are seeing FAR HIGHER usage on the iPhone than any other device that Google’s apps and services are on.

Why does a pretty UI and thrilling interactions matter? Because it affords using it. That’s why the iPhone wins and the Nokia doesn’t. And, yes, I realize that I’ll get bagged on by all the Nokia fans who will remind me once more about the GPS, the better camera, the replaceable battery, yadda yadda yadda. You can save your evangelism for another day (I know Nokia is working on making its software much better, so you’ll probably soon get to come back here and tell me all about it then).

One last thing. Dave is right. The biggest hole that Apple has left for its competitors is a really really really lame software developer platform (IE, non-existent, iPhone developers can’t even get data from the accelerometers on the iPhone, which really is lame). Did I say “really” enough times to drive home the point?

Anyway, I’ll let you know when I get my iPhone. It’s going to be soon then. I’ll have to decide what to do with the N95. I’m thinking of giving it away in a contest or selling it and donating the fees from it to charity since it was given to me by PureMobile.

If you have an iPhone: what do you think?

Filed Under: 1
← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  • Harlan

    Like my iPhone a lot. Used a Blackberry for years prior, in a three different incarnations.

    One thing I wanted to mention about Edge: sure 3G is cool, but a wireless network isn’t much good if it isn’t available. I was on Edge grabbing email and checking DIgg in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of Shawnee, OK the other day. Nice.

    I imagine a version will come that overs 3G+Edge support soon enough. Perhaps the network will catch up enough to make it useful by then. For now, I think Apple’s decision about Edge was the correct one.

  • http://thesmallwave.com/ Tom

    Three cheers to misinformation,

    “The iPhone is wonderful if you’re coming from a razr, if you’re confused by gadgets that will perform more than three functions, or if you’re just easily impressed by a pretty bright screen.”

    Don’t you Apple-bashers ever get tired of the same old “arguments” 20 years after the fact? Being easy to use is an ADVANTAGE, not a negative. A bright screen is an ADVANTAGE, not a negative. The fact that most people can actually use all the features the iPhone offers is an ADVANTAGE, not a negative.

    You can pat yourself on the back all you want for apparently knowing how to work your phone, but the N95 is nothing more than a great camera at the core of a very unspectacular smartphone. It’s a one-trick pony. Period.

    Since you (and Nokia) haven’t figured it out, let me explain it to you: Building simplicity into a complex device is hard. Apple excels at it.

    The fact is your 1987-type Macintosh arguments making fun of the device’s simplicity won’t wash for most people 20 years later in 2007. Please come back when you have something better.

  • http://thesmallwave.com Tom

    Three cheers to misinformation,

    “The iPhone is wonderful if you’re coming from a razr, if you’re confused by gadgets that will perform more than three functions, or if you’re just easily impressed by a pretty bright screen.”

    Don’t you Apple-bashers ever get tired of the same old “arguments” 20 years after the fact? Being easy to use is an ADVANTAGE, not a negative. A bright screen is an ADVANTAGE, not a negative. The fact that most people can actually use all the features the iPhone offers is an ADVANTAGE, not a negative.

    You can pat yourself on the back all you want for apparently knowing how to work your phone, but the N95 is nothing more than a great camera at the core of a very unspectacular smartphone. It’s a one-trick pony. Period.

    Since you (and Nokia) haven’t figured it out, let me explain it to you: Building simplicity into a complex device is hard. Apple excels at it.

    The fact is your 1987-type Macintosh arguments making fun of the device’s simplicity won’t wash for most people 20 years later in 2007. Please come back when you have something better.

  • Pingback: Why the iPhone will be successful (just like the PS3). « Leaving my “logs” on the web.

  • http://ineedmypost.com/ ツ NiceFace

    Hello friend of scobleizer!

    My name is Kenji Nakamura, when reading you blog I see you are interested in the new apple phone,
    the iphone.

    I am admin of the challenge iNeedmyPost, in which the prizes are iphones. The rules are simple create a post in our blog and get many views.

    It will be an honor if you entered. Find us in http://ineedmypost.com

    Bye! Kenji Nakamura. (Sorry if this seems spam XP)

  • http://ineedmypost.com ツ NiceFace

    Hello friend of scobleizer!

    My name is Kenji Nakamura, when reading you blog I see you are interested in the new apple phone,
    the iphone.

    I am admin of the challenge iNeedmyPost, in which the prizes are iphones. The rules are simple create a post in our blog and get many views.

    It will be an honor if you entered. Find us in http://ineedmypost.com

    Bye! Kenji Nakamura. (Sorry if this seems spam XP)

  • Mark Anderson

    “Seems the Nokia zealots are back. They’re like parents trying to convince themselves their ugly child is strikingly handsome.”

    No, not really. I’m just asking what the fact that it takes more clicks to access Google Maps on the N95 than the iPhone has to do with anything when GM is a minor application on the N95 which, as we know, has GPS and Sat Nav. It’s an apples and oranges comparison.

    Personally, I respect Robert’s opinion. I don’t agree with it but clearly the iPhone suits him better than the N95. What I do find slightly unfair though is the focus on the bits he likes without acknowledging what the N95 does better.

    As for your comment, we could also argue that owners of the iPhone are akin to parents trying to convince themselves that their child is smarter than he or she actually is.

    But hey ho, fanboyism is kind of a pointless exercise, isn’t it?

    Like this, for example:

    “You can pat yourself on the back all you want for apparently knowing how to work your phone, but the N95 is nothing more than a great camera at the core of a very unspectacular smartphone. It’s a one-trick pony. Period.”

    Well, no. No it isn’t actually. The N95 does a number of things better than the iPhone – or indeed other smartphones – just as the iPhone does some things better than the N95. Those of us who aren’t blindly – and, frankly, illogically – attached to any particular company realise this.

    At the moment I prefer the N95 for what it does, Robert prefers the iPhone. It’s all good.

  • Mark Anderson

    “Seems the Nokia zealots are back. They’re like parents trying to convince themselves their ugly child is strikingly handsome.”

    No, not really. I’m just asking what the fact that it takes more clicks to access Google Maps on the N95 than the iPhone has to do with anything when GM is a minor application on the N95 which, as we know, has GPS and Sat Nav. It’s an apples and oranges comparison.

    Personally, I respect Robert’s opinion. I don’t agree with it but clearly the iPhone suits him better than the N95. What I do find slightly unfair though is the focus on the bits he likes without acknowledging what the N95 does better.

    As for your comment, we could also argue that owners of the iPhone are akin to parents trying to convince themselves that their child is smarter than he or she actually is.

    But hey ho, fanboyism is kind of a pointless exercise, isn’t it?

    Like this, for example:

    “You can pat yourself on the back all you want for apparently knowing how to work your phone, but the N95 is nothing more than a great camera at the core of a very unspectacular smartphone. It’s a one-trick pony. Period.”

    Well, no. No it isn’t actually. The N95 does a number of things better than the iPhone – or indeed other smartphones – just as the iPhone does some things better than the N95. Those of us who aren’t blindly – and, frankly, illogically – attached to any particular company realise this.

    At the moment I prefer the N95 for what it does, Robert prefers the iPhone. It’s all good.

  • Pingback: elsua: The Knowledge Management Blog

  • Iain Perkin

    The number disparity between ATT and Apple are very simple. ATT year end was Saturday. Apple Year End was Sunday. 30 hours vs 54 hours. Someone had to look closely to figure it out but that is why they are called analysts.

    Waiting for the iPhone in Canada.

  • Iain Perkin

    The number disparity between ATT and Apple are very simple. ATT year end was Saturday. Apple Year End was Sunday. 30 hours vs 54 hours. Someone had to look closely to figure it out but that is why they are called analysts.

    Waiting for the iPhone in Canada.

  • Pingback: In The News: iPhone, BlackBerry, and N95 Tidbits — Keener Living

  • Geoffrey

    I agree with Mark. I’m a n95 user, and I agree the iphone is cool… but it does annoy me when Scoble makes ridiculous (and intellectually dishonest) comparisons.

    I don’t need google maps on the n95; I have a far superior gps based product that shows me where I am in real time. I don’t need to look at it when I’m driving; I have a voice direction system that tells me when to turn left or right – better, and safer, than using Google maps for directions.

    It’s clearly better… but Scoble here is pretending it doesn’t even exist (maybe he doesnt know how to use it, yet?) – and running down the n95 because it takes so many clicks (actually not 11, untrue again, it can be set up as a 1-click app on the desktop just like the iphone) to access Google maps.

    Like most n95 users, I don’t use Google maps. I have something much, much better.

    Doesnt mean the iphone isn’t cooler. Doesnt mean the n95 has problems (it does).

    But Robert here is being deliberately misleading, IMHO.

    Scoble, you are free to choose the iphone over the n95 for many reasons. But at least be honest.

    I used to respect Scoble’s opinion. That’s changing, right now.

  • Geoffrey

    I agree with Mark. I’m a n95 user, and I agree the iphone is cool… but it does annoy me when Scoble makes ridiculous (and intellectually dishonest) comparisons.

    I don’t need google maps on the n95; I have a far superior gps based product that shows me where I am in real time. I don’t need to look at it when I’m driving; I have a voice direction system that tells me when to turn left or right – better, and safer, than using Google maps for directions.

    It’s clearly better… but Scoble here is pretending it doesn’t even exist (maybe he doesnt know how to use it, yet?) – and running down the n95 because it takes so many clicks (actually not 11, untrue again, it can be set up as a 1-click app on the desktop just like the iphone) to access Google maps.

    Like most n95 users, I don’t use Google maps. I have something much, much better.

    Doesnt mean the iphone isn’t cooler. Doesnt mean the n95 has problems (it does).

    But Robert here is being deliberately misleading, IMHO.

    Scoble, you are free to choose the iphone over the n95 for many reasons. But at least be honest.

    I used to respect Scoble’s opinion. That’s changing, right now.

  • Pingback: Comparing n95 to iPhone - Page 11 - Nokia N95Users Forum

  • http://desdeguate.com/ Oscar

    Please, please!!! I want a Nokia N95 :D

  • http://desdeguate.com Oscar

    Please, please!!! I want a Nokia N95 :D

  • Podesta

    Geoffrey, Google Maps accomplish the same goal on the iPhone as GPS on the iPhone — directing the driver to his destination. To claim that GPS puts the N95 over the iPhone is disingenuous. The sole excellent feature the N95 has is its camera and that is not enough to convince most consumers to buy a $750 phone — that they would then have to pay to add memory and programs to.

  • Podesta

    Geoffrey, Google Maps accomplish the same goal on the iPhone as GPS on the iPhone — directing the driver to his destination. To claim that GPS puts the N95 over the iPhone is disingenuous. The sole excellent feature the N95 has is its camera and that is not enough to convince most consumers to buy a $750 phone — that they would then have to pay to add memory and programs to.

  • https://paydotcom.com/r/10050/702professional/1448847/ dennis

    Yeah – i really wanted the iphone but i am a serious pda guy and here its more for the “other” gadgets! Its great for all the ipod and apple stuff but PDA peeps will want more – though its hard to ignore the use of a full web browser!

  • https://paydotcom.com/r/10050/702professional/1448847/ dennis

    Yeah – i really wanted the iphone but i am a serious pda guy and here its more for the “other” gadgets! Its great for all the ipod and apple stuff but PDA peeps will want more – though its hard to ignore the use of a full web browser!

  • Shawn Reed

    I loved my iPhone for the most part… the things that it did, it did really well… and of course the UI was gorgeous and fun to play with. Sadly, though, I did miss some of the features of my Treo 755p (such as sending/receiving multimedia messages, recording video, etc.)… not to mention that Sprint’s network was FAR faster, and feature-for-feature my plan with Sprint is much cheaper and more powerful.

    So today, with 2 days left in my 30 day trial period, I called up Sprint and ported my number back over to them. A bittersweet moment, to be sure, but I think I made the right choice.

    I’m confident that Apple will someday realize that tying itself to one carrier was a REALLY bad idea, and make it available with more carriers. That, combined with some much-needed feature updates (even simple things like the ability to filter and search e-mail), could definitely bring me back.

  • Shawn Reed

    I loved my iPhone for the most part… the things that it did, it did really well… and of course the UI was gorgeous and fun to play with. Sadly, though, I did miss some of the features of my Treo 755p (such as sending/receiving multimedia messages, recording video, etc.)… not to mention that Sprint’s network was FAR faster, and feature-for-feature my plan with Sprint is much cheaper and more powerful.

    So today, with 2 days left in my 30 day trial period, I called up Sprint and ported my number back over to them. A bittersweet moment, to be sure, but I think I made the right choice.

    I’m confident that Apple will someday realize that tying itself to one carrier was a REALLY bad idea, and make it available with more carriers. That, combined with some much-needed feature updates (even simple things like the ability to filter and search e-mail), could definitely bring me back.

  • http://N95users.com/forum PseudoFinn

    87- You obviously know dick about the N95.

    Your comments are the absolute pinnacle of ignorance.

    I especially like the comment about adding memory and programs to the N95. How does the iPhone handle these feats?

  • http://N95users.com/forum PseudoFinn

    87- You obviously know dick about the N95.

    Your comments are the absolute pinnacle of ignorance.

    I especially like the comment about adding memory and programs to the N95. How does the iPhone handle these feats?

  • http://www.accc.uic.edu/itl Ed Garay

    People usually stick with what they already use.

    Hi Robert, Ed Garay, here.

    Let’s just say that I only browse, read/write emails, Twitter and other text messages while I am driving when I find myself idle, waiting for the green light and at railroad crossings and traffic jams ;-) but that aside, I still make use of one-hand smartphone operation throughout my daily mobile life… but my aging eyes truly appreciate the extra screen real estate vacated by a physical thumb keyboard on the iPhone.

    Those double buts, above, are hints to my dilemma: I like the iPhone an awful lot and I love its big bright beautiful screen, but I have been and would like to continue been a Windows Mobile smartphone user, not just for those one-handed mobile Internet moments at traffic red lights, but because I am used to having my contacts, calendar, voice notes, files and all in sync with all my Tablet PCs, notebooks and my good old iPaq.

    That iPhone screen and UI are very appealing but I am holding back until the Motorola Q 9h hits the streets of Chicago, not just for the full QWERTY keyboard but for a plethora of reasons: HSDPA high-speed Internet, stereo Bluetooth, MP3, AAC audio *and* WMA, MPEG-4 and H.264 video *plus* WMV and H.263, replaceable microSD storage and battery.

    The Web is beautiful on the iPhone, but it is not too bad either on the Windows Mobile smartphones. People usually stick with what they like and what they already use, so if I get an iPhone instead of the Moto Q 9h (or some other WM6 smartphone) I will miss Windows Outlook Mobile (not just for Exchange but for IMAP and POP), and I will miss Voice Notes for recording lectures, interviews, voice reminders, ad nauseum; I will miss Windows Media Player Mobile as well as seamlessly opening attachments in Word, PowerPoint or Excel. (I don’t currently use Windows Mobile VPN, but I might), and if I have HSDPA, I don’t need Wi-Fi.

    So, I continue to ponder this inherent question: do I spend $200 and get that new super-fast Windows Mobile 6 smartphone that I already know I like, or do I spend $600 and get that Apple phone, not so fast, not so open, but with that nice big screen and lots of other new candy. Afterall, stereo Bluetooth, voice recording, WMA audio, MS-office attachments and some such could just be a firmware upgrade or two away, right?

    So it boils down to physical stuff, like HSDPA electronics, replaceable batteries and memory cards, and an (optional) keyboard with real button for those idle moments during my daily commute.

    Stay tuned. I shall make my mind by the end of August at the latest. In the mean time, Robert, give me a call next time you are in Chicago. I will drive you around Chicago, safety first, of course. ;-)
    — Ed

  • http://www.accc.uic.edu/itl Ed Garay

    People usually stick with what they already use.

    Hi Robert, Ed Garay, here.

    Let’s just say that I only browse, read/write emails, Twitter and other text messages while I am driving when I find myself idle, waiting for the green light and at railroad crossings and traffic jams ;-) but that aside, I still make use of one-hand smartphone operation throughout my daily mobile life… but my aging eyes truly appreciate the extra screen real estate vacated by a physical thumb keyboard on the iPhone.

    Those double buts, above, are hints to my dilemma: I like the iPhone an awful lot and I love its big bright beautiful screen, but I have been and would like to continue been a Windows Mobile smartphone user, not just for those one-handed mobile Internet moments at traffic red lights, but because I am used to having my contacts, calendar, voice notes, files and all in sync with all my Tablet PCs, notebooks and my good old iPaq.

    That iPhone screen and UI are very appealing but I am holding back until the Motorola Q 9h hits the streets of Chicago, not just for the full QWERTY keyboard but for a plethora of reasons: HSDPA high-speed Internet, stereo Bluetooth, MP3, AAC audio *and* WMA, MPEG-4 and H.264 video *plus* WMV and H.263, replaceable microSD storage and battery.

    The Web is beautiful on the iPhone, but it is not too bad either on the Windows Mobile smartphones. People usually stick with what they like and what they already use, so if I get an iPhone instead of the Moto Q 9h (or some other WM6 smartphone) I will miss Windows Outlook Mobile (not just for Exchange but for IMAP and POP), and I will miss Voice Notes for recording lectures, interviews, voice reminders, ad nauseum; I will miss Windows Media Player Mobile as well as seamlessly opening attachments in Word, PowerPoint or Excel. (I don’t currently use Windows Mobile VPN, but I might), and if I have HSDPA, I don’t need Wi-Fi.

    So, I continue to ponder this inherent question: do I spend $200 and get that new super-fast Windows Mobile 6 smartphone that I already know I like, or do I spend $600 and get that Apple phone, not so fast, not so open, but with that nice big screen and lots of other new candy. Afterall, stereo Bluetooth, voice recording, WMA audio, MS-office attachments and some such could just be a firmware upgrade or two away, right?

    So it boils down to physical stuff, like HSDPA electronics, replaceable batteries and memory cards, and an (optional) keyboard with real button for those idle moments during my daily commute.

    Stay tuned. I shall make my mind by the end of August at the latest. In the mean time, Robert, give me a call next time you are in Chicago. I will drive you around Chicago, safety first, of course. ;-)
    — Ed

  • Eric Hammett

    I agree with Scoble everyone is going to be biased towards their personal favorite device. Why? Because “Smartphones” are still in their infancies and can’t please everyone. Yet.

    Personally I can’t stand Windows Mobile 5 or 6 but love Blackberry because of the simplicity of use and ease of email functionality. However multimedia sucks on it. This doesn’t mean I hate Microsoft or talk bad about users who use their Mobile products. They WILL mature.

    Although my major complaint about my new iPhone is lack of support for Exchange is how it still handles internet email. (I haven’t heard anyone else mention this) But my problem is how it doesn’t cache or download the emails. For instance if someone sends me an email with several pictures and I want to show someone later I have to wait again for it to load all over again. Annoying!

    These sort of quirks I am confident will be worked out with software updates from Apple.

    I think people should lighten up about all the negativity because NO smartphone suits everyone. Personally I think they ALL have their limitations.

  • Eric Hammett

    I agree with Scoble everyone is going to be biased towards their personal favorite device. Why? Because “Smartphones” are still in their infancies and can’t please everyone. Yet.

    Personally I can’t stand Windows Mobile 5 or 6 but love Blackberry because of the simplicity of use and ease of email functionality. However multimedia sucks on it. This doesn’t mean I hate Microsoft or talk bad about users who use their Mobile products. They WILL mature.

    Although my major complaint about my new iPhone is lack of support for Exchange is how it still handles internet email. (I haven’t heard anyone else mention this) But my problem is how it doesn’t cache or download the emails. For instance if someone sends me an email with several pictures and I want to show someone later I have to wait again for it to load all over again. Annoying!

    These sort of quirks I am confident will be worked out with software updates from Apple.

    I think people should lighten up about all the negativity because NO smartphone suits everyone. Personally I think they ALL have their limitations.

  • Geoffrey

    Podesta …

    >>> “Geoffrey, Google Maps accomplish the same goal on the iPhone as GPS on the iPhone — directing the driver to his destination. To claim that GPS puts the N95 over the iPhone is disingenuous. ”
    Comment by Podesta — July 27, 2007 @ 5:59 pm

    You are perfectly right in your first statement. Google Maps (sans GPS) vs NokiaMaps (based on GPS) are obviously, ways of accomplishing the same goal – finding your way around – on two different machines.

    One, – Nokia Maps – simply happens to be light years ahead of the other – Google Maps on the iphone. Realtime directions are better than guesswork, period. Knowing where you are is much better to hoping you’ve read the map right, period. Being told by voice, to turn, 200 yards ahead of the turn, all without having to take your eyes off the road, is obviously far better than desperately trying to read the road sign at 40mph while reading your iphone at the same time. Period.

    It isn’t disingenuous to say that gps based mapping is better than non-gps-based mapping. It’s just the truth.

    I never said – ever! – that gps alone make the n95 better than the iphone. In fact, I never – ever! -said the n95 is better than the iphone. They are two very different machines.

    So at no point was I being ‘disingenuous’ at all. On the other hand, I did point out that Scoble was being *extraordinarily* disingenuous to compare the n95 to the iphone over the issue of Google maps – and never mentioned the superior n95 gps system at all. That’s a little more than disingenuous, that’s outright misleading.

  • Geoffrey

    Podesta …

    >>> “Geoffrey, Google Maps accomplish the same goal on the iPhone as GPS on the iPhone — directing the driver to his destination. To claim that GPS puts the N95 over the iPhone is disingenuous. ”
    Comment by Podesta — July 27, 2007 @ 5:59 pm

    You are perfectly right in your first statement. Google Maps (sans GPS) vs NokiaMaps (based on GPS) are obviously, ways of accomplishing the same goal – finding your way around – on two different machines.

    One, – Nokia Maps – simply happens to be light years ahead of the other – Google Maps on the iphone. Realtime directions are better than guesswork, period. Knowing where you are is much better to hoping you’ve read the map right, period. Being told by voice, to turn, 200 yards ahead of the turn, all without having to take your eyes off the road, is obviously far better than desperately trying to read the road sign at 40mph while reading your iphone at the same time. Period.

    It isn’t disingenuous to say that gps based mapping is better than non-gps-based mapping. It’s just the truth.

    I never said – ever! – that gps alone make the n95 better than the iphone. In fact, I never – ever! -said the n95 is better than the iphone. They are two very different machines.

    So at no point was I being ‘disingenuous’ at all. On the other hand, I did point out that Scoble was being *extraordinarily* disingenuous to compare the n95 to the iphone over the issue of Google maps – and never mentioned the superior n95 gps system at all. That’s a little more than disingenuous, that’s outright misleading.

  • http://www.thebluenile.vox.com/ Henrikki

    First time I started doubt Robert’s professionalism is this article and his comments made here.

    He doesn’t have to like his Nokia N95, but just plain trashing it without any justification (11 clicks??) and not understanding why others would prefer it makes him just an ordinary fan boy all forums are full of.

    Such a shame.

  • http://www.thebluenile.vox.com Henrikki

    First time I started doubt Robert’s professionalism is this article and his comments made here.

    He doesn’t have to like his Nokia N95, but just plain trashing it without any justification (11 clicks??) and not understanding why others would prefer it makes him just an ordinary fan boy all forums are full of.

    Such a shame.

  • http://alfredo.octavio.net/ Alfredo Octavio

    I don’t know why some people take cell phone preferences so personally. There are more variety of reasons to chose a phone than to chose a computer system. Me? I think the iPhone is highway robbery. Is it nice? yes, great UI? yes. But it doesn’t do very basic stuff and I have install Java apps in my phones since 2001. Luckily for me I travel enough to be able to get an N95 for 380$ (subsidized by a foreign operator I do business with). It will be locked, but I can unlocked it. I think the iPhone is just a fad.

  • http://alfredo.octavio.net/ Alfredo Octavio

    I don’t know why some people take cell phone preferences so personally. There are more variety of reasons to chose a phone than to chose a computer system. Me? I think the iPhone is highway robbery. Is it nice? yes, great UI? yes. But it doesn’t do very basic stuff and I have install Java apps in my phones since 2001. Luckily for me I travel enough to be able to get an N95 for 380$ (subsidized by a foreign operator I do business with). It will be locked, but I can unlocked it. I think the iPhone is just a fad.

  • Pingback: Phil801 - Geek Blog » Hey Scoble! Use your Facebook Badge man!

  • Pingback: Nseries WOM World » Blog Archive » Scobleizer’s ditching the N95

  • Pingback: Tasty bits - 24

  • http://www.facebook.com/ Bacon

    My two-penn’orth: I got an N95 when they came out. Was wowed and overjoyed until my first out of memory error. Now, the joy of showing people a super high res picture I just took is ruined by having to reboot before I show them…

    Same for the GPS. Nice to know where I am… but waiting 5 minutes to pick up a satellite and then having the battery die is not cool.

    Never managed to get streaming media working.
    It inexplicably misses text to speech on its feature list despite having the capability (as it reads out who is calling me).
    And what the hell is the barcode reader for? Anyone got that working?

    On the other hand, I got a Newton Messagepad 100, a 110 and then a 120. I still use the MP120… if it had a phone built in and wi-fi I probably wouldn’t use my N95 at all.

    So I’m getting an iPhone.

  • http://www.facebook.com Bacon

    My two-penn’orth: I got an N95 when they came out. Was wowed and overjoyed until my first out of memory error. Now, the joy of showing people a super high res picture I just took is ruined by having to reboot before I show them…

    Same for the GPS. Nice to know where I am… but waiting 5 minutes to pick up a satellite and then having the battery die is not cool.

    Never managed to get streaming media working.
    It inexplicably misses text to speech on its feature list despite having the capability (as it reads out who is calling me).
    And what the hell is the barcode reader for? Anyone got that working?

    On the other hand, I got a Newton Messagepad 100, a 110 and then a 120. I still use the MP120… if it had a phone built in and wi-fi I probably wouldn’t use my N95 at all.

    So I’m getting an iPhone.

  • Teo

    I noticed something here, like the last sam( number 99), most people who bought an n95 find it “complicated”? Like that “out of memory” error and long GPS lock – those are already solved and eliminated by the latest firmware upgrade. (So this means that noone here takes the time to upgrade?)

    I like the iPhone – but having a wonderful UI (touchscreen and menu) just doesnt do it for me. I mean, you cant even customize the menu, make an mp3 into a ringtone, change icons, or take a video. The iPhone is great – when you’re playing around with it, but aside from email and browsing, what else can you do with it? It has no 3G or HSDPA, it has no MMS, no way to share stuff with another phone or connect to a TV or multimedia speakers – it’s just too limited, it lacks substance.

    I’ve always been fond of simple things, and this simplicity of the iPhone’s menu, endears it to most users – as they say, even a 10 year old can operate it. I agree wholeheartedly on that. But will I pay 599 dollars to use such a menu? 599 for an iPod with a screen? It doesn’t even have A2DP (stereo bluetooth) – so how great would it be on wireless music?

    Granted that the n95 or any other smartphone will never be as easy to use as the iPhone…. those other phones gives you substance (features) that’s really useful in real life. Other smartphones are NOT just a good menu, a large touchscreen, and storage of songs – they are so much more.

  • Teo

    I noticed something here, like the last sam( number 99), most people who bought an n95 find it “complicated”? Like that “out of memory” error and long GPS lock – those are already solved and eliminated by the latest firmware upgrade. (So this means that noone here takes the time to upgrade?)

    I like the iPhone – but having a wonderful UI (touchscreen and menu) just doesnt do it for me. I mean, you cant even customize the menu, make an mp3 into a ringtone, change icons, or take a video. The iPhone is great – when you’re playing around with it, but aside from email and browsing, what else can you do with it? It has no 3G or HSDPA, it has no MMS, no way to share stuff with another phone or connect to a TV or multimedia speakers – it’s just too limited, it lacks substance.

    I’ve always been fond of simple things, and this simplicity of the iPhone’s menu, endears it to most users – as they say, even a 10 year old can operate it. I agree wholeheartedly on that. But will I pay 599 dollars to use such a menu? 599 for an iPod with a screen? It doesn’t even have A2DP (stereo bluetooth) – so how great would it be on wireless music?

    Granted that the n95 or any other smartphone will never be as easy to use as the iPhone…. those other phones gives you substance (features) that’s really useful in real life. Other smartphones are NOT just a good menu, a large touchscreen, and storage of songs – they are so much more.

  • K W

    I am one of the users that have refused to switch from a cell phone only. Wifi on my computer. I hated the limited features of the phones. I miss much by not doing this, but I work for a company that is primitive when it comes to communications….or until the management has one first (even though they normally have no idea how to use them). I am eager to try the iphone and will, even though the equipment price will be high, the service will not drive my bill up unreasonably. Comparisons of the alternatives seem to make me think this is a time for me to move forward. I WILL be back up with technology shortly. Good reviews, feedback and info.

  • K W

    I am one of the users that have refused to switch from a cell phone only. Wifi on my computer. I hated the limited features of the phones. I miss much by not doing this, but I work for a company that is primitive when it comes to communications….or until the management has one first (even though they normally have no idea how to use them). I am eager to try the iphone and will, even though the equipment price will be high, the service will not drive my bill up unreasonably. Comparisons of the alternatives seem to make me think this is a time for me to move forward. I WILL be back up with technology shortly. Good reviews, feedback and info.

  • http://symbiansmartphone.blogspot.com/ Andre
  • http://symbiansmartphone.blogspot.com/ Andre
  • Adam

    Robert Scoble said “the Nokia still takes more clicks than the iPhone. One click for the icon. Another click when it asks “Allow application Google Maps to use network and send or receive data?” Another for “Select access point.” That’s three more than the iPhone does.”

    Sure. Now how long do you have to wait to download over that slooooooow data connection on your iPhone while the N95 shows me the result it got via 3G? I could barely believe it when I saw the spec for the iPhone. Shame on you, Apple.

  • Adam

    Robert Scoble said “the Nokia still takes more clicks than the iPhone. One click for the icon. Another click when it asks “Allow application Google Maps to use network and send or receive data?” Another for “Select access point.” That’s three more than the iPhone does.”

    Sure. Now how long do you have to wait to download over that slooooooow data connection on your iPhone while the N95 shows me the result it got via 3G? I could barely believe it when I saw the spec for the iPhone. Shame on you, Apple.

  • Kendall

    Actually EDGE use of Google Maps on the iPhone is great, and pretty much instant – no waiting required.

    3G vs. EDGE is meaningless in terms of map data, because the amount of data sent is actually pretty small so the faster speed of 3G doesn’t really help.

    For web browsing 3G is better, but mostly I’m browsing where there’s WiFi of some sort which is faster than 3G anyway.

  • Kendall

    Actually EDGE use of Google Maps on the iPhone is great, and pretty much instant – no waiting required.

    3G vs. EDGE is meaningless in terms of map data, because the amount of data sent is actually pretty small so the faster speed of 3G doesn’t really help.

    For web browsing 3G is better, but mostly I’m browsing where there’s WiFi of some sort which is faster than 3G anyway.

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →