Software supports Nokia N95 handset for mobile VoIP.

Mobile VOIP Fully Supported on Feature Rich Nokia N95 for all Mobile Networks

Mobile VOIP provider WiFiMobile have announced the release oftheir latest software Version 751 which provides complete support for the Nokia flagship handset, the Nokia N95.

With the much awaited Nokia N95 device now widely available on the market, users will be able to make VOIP calls either over Wi-Fi or through a 3G network. WiFiMobile's OneFone software is fully supported on any Nokia N95, whether it be unlocked or network branded due to the inclusion of a full SIP stack in the application. In addition the software provides presence information in the form of a buddy list.

The Nokia N95 and indeed other select Nokia S60 devices can also be used as an extension to a corporate IP PBX system. This allows IT/Telecom Managers to carefully control their company's continuously escalating mobile phone costs. IT Managers can re-program VOIP parameters for all of their employee's mobiles at the touch of a button.

CEO and Telecoms expert Gerry O'Prey says "This is good news for customers of all mobile network operators. Mobile VOIP is rapidly becoming a must have feature in top end cellular phones."

About WiFiMobile
WiFiMobile was formed in 2002 in Santa Monica, California and has recently opened a European office in the UK. Founder and CEO Gerry O'Prey was instrumental in the nineties by helping to liberalise the European land line telecoms market. Since then his main focus has been developing software for Nokia S60 smartphones to facilitate calls over a WLAN network and over 3G networks. The company is poised to achieve phenomenal growth in the next year as a pioneer in the rapidly evolving mobile VOIP market.For further information visit www.wifimobile.com

WiFiMobile is a member of Forum Nokia PRO, a premium development program from Nokia that provides advanced technical, business development and marketing support to select mobile software companies.
For more information visit www.forum.nokia.com/pro.

Specs War! Motorola RAZR 2 vs Nokia N95 vs Apple iPhone

So, you’ve heard about Motorola’s announcement of the RAZR 2 handset, and you’ve hopefully read our initial take on the device. But how does it compare to its major rivals? Read on to see how Moto’s slimline new phone stacks up against two of the most-hyped competing handsets: Nokia’s N95 and Apple’s iPhone.

Design
As I wrote earlier, Motorola has kept faith with the original RAZR design for the new edition, albeit making it 2mm thinner (and it was already mighty slim). The clamshell design feels a bit old hat now, mind.

Meanwhile, Nokia’s N95 boasts a more startling two-way sliding design, with music buttons popping out of the top, and a regular mobile keypad sliding out from the bottom. It’s sleek, although will still make a bulge in your pocket.

Lastly, the iPhone... well, it’ll have Apple fans in raptures over its slinky feel and tactile touch-screen interface, although the unconverted will point out that it’s still a hefty size.

Screen(s)
The RAZR 2’s screen is the smallest of the three at 2.2 inches, compared to the N95’s 2.6-inch display, and the iPhone’s whopping 3.5-incher. All three offer QVGA resolution.

Motorola might argue that its trump card is the large 2-inch external screen, although how much of an advantage this is will depend on how much you actually use it – features include the ability to read your texts without opening the phone up, and even to reply with pre-programmed messages.

Of course, the iPhone is the only one of the three to have a proper touch-screen, which is key to the user interface.

Music
It’s tempting to say the iPhone will win hands-down for music, given its tight integration with Apple’s iTunes Store. Analysts have been predicting that mobile phones could eventually kill off the iPod for a while now, and the iPhone’s performance should tell us if they’re right. However, it remains doubtful whether it’ll be able to download songs over the air.

The RAZR 2 has some impressive music credentials of its own, with stereo Bluetooth built-in for use with wireless headphones or speakers, and Windows Media Player 11 support.

Lastly, the N95 might not be a dedicated music phone, but it still packs a sonic punch, playing a good variety of file-types, including DRM-protected songs. The built-in FM radio is apparently one of the most-used features on Nokia’s Nseries handsets, and for the future there’s Nokia’s Visual Radio tech too. In short, the iPhone is the most musical of the three handsets, but the N95 and RAZR 2 certainly aren’t also-rans.

Video
The RAZR 2’s screen looks to be more than equipped to display the current generation of mobile video services, and you can store up to two hours of footage on the phone if you’ve got a top-spec memory card. The N95 is also a decent device for watching video or streaming TV on, although in both cases, it’s still a case of squinting at a mobile phone.

The iPhone has the potential to be an awesome video-playing device by dint of its large screen alone, especially if Apple manages to launch downloadable TV shows and films on the European iTunes Store by the time the handset comes out here. I’m dribbling over the prospect of wide-screen viewing on the device (although also fearful over the implications for battery life).

Camera
Both the iPhone and RAZR 2 have two-megapixel cameras built in, which is fine for printable snaps. The RAZR also has a neat multi-shot feature to boot.

However, the N95 beats them hands down with its five-megapixel camera, which makes a strong case for ditching your proper digital camera for good. N95 features like posting your photos directly to Flickr are also welcome, although it remains to be seen how tightly the iPhone will integrate with Apple’s iPhoto application.

Connectivity
The iPhone’s big Achilles heel at the moment, as it’s a 2.5G phone, compared to the HSDPA offered in both the N95 and RAZR 2. For over-the-air music and video downloads, they’ll beat Apple’s phone hands down if this stays the case. However, the RAZR 2 doesn’t have built-in Wi-Fi, which the N95 and iPhone both do.

Whizzy Features
Nokia has been making great play of the N95’s GPS functionality, and has cleverly ensured there are applications and mapping services preloaded on the device to get users started, along with location-based search. It’s still early days for mobile GPS, but it’s certainly a big selling point for the N95.

The RAZR 2’s special features veer more towards the novelty, although mobile veterans will relish its CrystalTalk tech if it really does make your voice calls sound clearer. The RAZR 2 V8 model can also read menus, contacts and messages aloud, which is a nice touch, while an intriguing ‘See What I See’ feature lets you stream video to the person you’re talking to (presumably only if they have a RAZR 2 as well).

And the iPhone? Well, it’s a mobile phone made by Apple, which is all many consumers will need to flash their cash. The interface will also be a powerful draw, with expectations that the iPhone could spur a revolution in the way we interact with our phones.

The Downside
The N95 has already been criticised for the performance of its battery life, requiring regular recharging, especially if you’re using the GPS and camera heavily.

As for the iPhone, apart from its 2.5G sluggishness, its high price tag will undoubtedly put off many people initially, while there are rumblings about Apple strictly controlling which developers are allowed to make games and applications for it, which could stifle innovation.

And the RAZR 2? Well, it’s an evolution, not a revolution – as I wrote earlier. The original RAZR was iconic, but there’s a danger the RAZR 2 could look like a slightly paler retread of past glories – which considering the original attracted mobile users who want to grab attention by having a cutting-edge handset, could impede sales (i.e. they all own the Prada phone now).

The Verdict
Well, it’s too early to reach a definitive decision on which handset is best, seeing as the RAZR 2 was only announced yesterday, and the iPhone isn’t available to buy yet. Both the iPhone and N95 have very clear selling points – music for the iPhone, and the GPS for the N95.

By contrast, the RAZR 2 is more of a base-covering handset, trying to appeal to existing RAZR fans by squeezing up-to-date features into the classic design. Particularly with some tempting operator deals, it’ll be a phone to reckon with when it comes out in June.

Nokia N95 and Nokia smart2go Sat-Nav

The N95 takes an approach to navigation that I’ve not come across in a mobile device before. It is worth recapping what is available before considering how Nokia is breaking the mould.

Currently there are several options available. You could go for astandalone navigation device whose sole, or main job is turn-by-turn navigation. Yes, it might add in MP3 playing, acting as Bluetooth handsfree kit, or some other extras, but it is primarily for navigation purposes.

Alternatively you can add navigation software to your mobile phone or PDA. You may need to add a GPS antenna too, if this is not built in. What you are doing in this instance is augmenting an often strong set of smartphone features with another capability.

Finally, you can take a solution with a range of off-board components. These rely on data networks to deliver information, which offers the plus points of more up to date information about Points of Interest and maps, but rely on the data networks being accessible when you need them.

Nokia has broken the mould by giving away basic map data and route planning capability, only asking you to pay if you want turn-by-turn navigation, and then offering payment plans based on how long you need the facility for right down to a single week. Moreover, maps are available not just for a limited number of countries, but for plenty of them, across the world. Yes, for free.

During turn-by-turn navigation you can download maps over the air as you travel if you are rich enough and/or confident enough in network coverage. I chose to download the maps I needed to a PC before travelling and drop them onto a microSD card instead. That way I could also use the entire maps for pre-planning at any time.