Nokia Brings its 8 GB N95 to U.S.

Nokia is bring the 8 GB version of its N95 portable multimedia device to the United States...and selling it direct to consumers without a carrier partner.

Nokia has announced it is now selling the 8 GB version of its N95 mobile multimedia device in the United States, and offering it directly to consumers at Nokia’s flagship stores in Chicago and New York as well as through online retailers without benefit of a carrier partnership. The N95 represents the high-end of Nokia’s portable multimedia device line—and it’s over-$700 price tag may be hard for all but the most avid mobile users to swallow.

“We’re excited to now offer this all-in-one powerhouse of a multimedia computer in the United States,” said Nokia Americas’s VP Bill Plummer, in a statement. “With the added ultra-fast connectivity of HSDPA, the Nokia N95 8GB delivers on the promise of a multimedia computer in one sleek and compact package.”

Nokia introduced the original version of the N95 in the United States a year ago, and rolled out the 8 GB version in Europe and other markets in October of 2007. The current version offers a 2.8-inch 320 by 240 LCD display, an integrated GPS receiver, Wi-Fi wireless networking, HSDPA high-speed wireless data capability, and a video-capable five megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics. The 8 GB version of the N95 also comes with six months of Nokia Maps service, offering turn-by-turn voice guided directions and maps for more than 150 countries.

Nokia says the N95 will also support Nokia Share Online 3.0, available via Nokia’s download service, that will enable one-click uploading of photos and video straight to Flickr, Vox, or (of course!) Nokia’s own Ovi service.

The 8 GB version of the N95 is available now for an estimated price of $749.