Nokia Launches N95, N75 Multimedia Phones

Nokia's new all-in-one N95 multimedia phone and a slimmer music-capable N75 designed to appeal to the North American market.

The world’s largest mobile handset maker, Nokia, has announced two new additions to its N series of its do-it-all “multimedia computers,” the all-i-one N95 and the slimmer, more stylish N75.

The Nokia N95 introduces a two-way slider design to Nokia’s line, with a numeric keypad sliding out from one side of the device, while dedicated media keys slide out from the other side, freeing up the built-in 2.6-inch QVGA (320 by 240 pixel) display to be used in landscape mode. The N95 also marks Nokia’s first foray into high-resolution cameras, sporting a video-capable 5 megapixel shooter with Carl Zeiss optics. Not enough? Not for Nokia either: the N95 also sports an integrated GPS receiver and a Maps applications with maps for more than 1000 countries and 15 million points of interest. (Add-on features like voice navigation and city guides are also available.) The N95 also sports a TV output (for playing videos and showing pictures on large displays), touts built-in stero speakers, 3D graphics, a 3.5mm audio output, support for microSD storage, and mini-USB data transfer. On the software side, the Symbian S60-based N95 includes the Nokia Web Browser, a floating toolbar, password manager, and autocomplete.

“The Nokia N95 brings a range of multimedia ingredients together, such as a fantastic display, outstanding photo and video capability and high-speed connectivity, making it the ultimate multimedia computer,” said Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia’s executive VP of Multimedia. “This single device—which fits easily in your pocket—can replace stand-alone devices that you no longer need, whether it’s your music player, your digital camera, PDA or navigation device.”

The N95 is designed for use with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) networks, with support for WLAN, EDGE, and CDMA networks. Estimated ship date: first quarter of 2007; estimated price: €550 (about $700 USD).

What? You don’t live in Europe? Then Nokia wants you to take note of the new N75, a music-capable multimedia phone the company is specifically aiming at the North American market. Like Nokia’s other N-series phones, the N75 aims to be the one digital device which meets all your mobile needs, from basic telephony to wireless Internet access, photography, music, and more. the N75 is a flip-phone design with media controls on the cover, along with a 1.36-inch color cover display. The N75 sports a 2 megapixel video-capable camera with a 16× digital zoom, a 2.4-inch interior 320 by 240 LCD screen which (in a move sure to make mobile operators happy) doubles as a miniature television screeen for streamed movies and video content.

The N75 offers up to 40 MB of internal memory as well as a microSD slot which adds as much as another 2 GB. Nokia wants you to use that storage for music as well as video: the N75 supports MP3, M4A, AAC, eAAC+ and WMA audio formats, and the media player offers playlist support, a built-in equalizer, shuffle and repeat functionality. Also on board: one-button music synchronization with PCs, “3D stereo” speakers, and an integrated FM tuner.

“By combining people’s entertainment and leisure needs into the Nokia N75, Nokia is affecting the lifestyles of mobile device users in a positive way,” said Nigel Rundstrom, Nokia’s VP Multimedia Sales in North America. “With all its features and beautiful design, the Nokia N75 keeps your life connected and it’s far easier and more enjoyable to just have one device to carry around, and still keep ahead of the game!”

Expect the N75 to land in U.S. markets during the last quarter of 2006; no pricing information has been released.

Hoping to prove it’s all hip to the -isms, Nokia also announced it is working with 40 music industry figures (like David Bowie) to create Music Recommenders, to help music fans keep up with the latest trends and releases. And, of course, buy more music for use on Nokia devices. Expect Music Recommenders to go live (in beta form) in November 2006.