Nokia N95

There are many reasons why you would want to change your N95's current product code - the main one is to get the latest firmware updates.

To understand why we need to change the product code, we first need to understand how firmware versions work and how the networks handle them...

Firstly Nokia will release a new phone or a new software (firmware) release to the general public - this is known as "un-branded" or "generic", the networks (in the Uk Orange, T-Mobile, O2 etc) on the other hand like to "brand" their handsets to their liking - this usually means stripping out certain features they don't like, adding certain cosmetic changes (the web 'n walk logo instead of the internet logo on T-Mobile handsets for example) or adding custom software.... these phones are now "branded" and have their own unique product code - this tells your local Nokia service center what version firmware to install should the phone break or need repair.

Now... When a new update becomes available - Nokia will firstly release it in it's natural and un-tampered with state for un-branded phones - the networks will have to test this new software and then mess about with it like they did with the original software before it becomes available to it's customers...

So when you plug a branded phone into your PC and run the Nokia Software Updater (NSU) it cannot find a new software version even if you know that Nokia have released one... Because you have not got the correct product code in your phone to tell the NSU software to download the update

So how can we fix this? Well read on and I will tell all.....

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I've just had an email from Samir the author of RotateMe to let me know that v2.0 is finally out and available for FREE DOWNLOAD from his website http://www.bysamir.fr/rotateme/ - The application is currently UN-SIGNED and will require signing although Samir has applied to SymbianSigned to get the application signed for use on all S60 handsets.

You will need the accelerometer plug-in available here http://www.nokia-n95.net/download/applications/n95-accelerometer-plugin/download.html if you have not installed it already. (if you are currently using any accelerometer apps then you have this installed already).

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What is Python? Well it's an open source programming language and it is now available for Symbian devices (such as the N95). Python allows software developers to create applications that can "hook" into the N95's various systems to produce truely seemless integration with the device.

I believe (and I can be corrected on this) that you will need the latest N95 firmware to take advantage of Python.

Before you can install any Python applications onto your phone you need to install Python itself - this is 2 small .sisx files that you should install to your phone's memory. I have packaged the 2 files together into a single .zip file and added them to our downloads section here http://www.nokia-n95.net/download/python-for-s60/pyton-installation-kit-for-the-n95/download.html 

Once you have downloaded and installed the 2 files you will need to create a folder on your phone called /python - if you hook up your N95 to your PC you will only be able to create this folder on the memory card.

You are now ready to rock with Python!

I am shortly going to start adding freeware Python applications to our downloads section, the first one is "pyRybka" (which I will add shortly) - it's a useless but fun application that has a fish swimming around on your phone's screen - as you tilt the N95 the water stays level - using the built in accelerometer and if you shake the phone the fish dies and floats to the top of the screen - as I said... Useless but very funny.

To install pyRybka you just install the .sis file and then copy the 2 fish image files to your new /python folder.

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If there is a *TOP* question being asked all over the internet at the moment by N95 users - it's how do I get the excellent RotateMe application working on my phone?

The probem is that currently the application is "unsigned" and fails the N95's certificate checking and won't install... But it is possible to sign the file yourself if you are willing to give up 10 - 15 minutes of your time and follow some simple instructions.

I have added a "signing kit" to our downloads section - it includes all the files you need to self-sign any "unsigned" symbian application PLUS instructions on how to use them.

You will need to get a FREE account at www.symbiansigned.com but this is quick and painless and then you just need the software included in the zip file from our downloads section here http://www.nokia-n95.net/download/applications/signing-files/download.html 

I have also added the latest RotateMe file to our downloads section here http://www.nokia-n95.net/download/applications/roateme-for-the-n95/download.html - you will also need this file!

Full instructions are included in the zip file - follow them to the letter and you should have a fully working version of RotateMe in a few minutes!

The signing application will require your handsets IMEI number - to find this just type *#06# on your N95.

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If you're looking to play media on your phone, and need a codec then CorePlayer is where you should be looking. This piece of software can greatly enhance the usefulness of your phone's media option. All that is required is that you have Symbian S60 third edition. Here are a list of specs for the software:

• YouTube support, with built-in browse and search
• BlueTooth Stereo (A2DP) and Remote Control (AVRCP) support
• Programmable Hotkeys
• Supports over 22 Languages
• Media library (Manage your RSS Feeds, playlists, podcasts, bookmarks)
• Podcast Support (Standard and Enhanced)
• Streaming support (HTTP, UDP, RTP, RTSP, RTCP, SDP, Unicast, Multicast)
• IPTV Ready
• Audio: MP3, WMA, AAC, MKA, WAV, OGG, Speex, WAVPACK, FLAC, MPC, AMR, GSM, ADPCM, ALaw, MuLaw, MIDI
• Video: CoreAVC (H.264), AVCHD, MKV, MPEG-1, MPEG-4 part 2 (ASP), DivX, XviD, MJPEG, MSVIDEO1
• Images: JPG (420, 422, 440), BMP, PNG, GIF, TIFF
• Containers: FLV, Matroska, ASX, ASF, TS, PS, M2TS, 3GPP, MOV, AVI, MPEG-4, NSV
• CoreUI / Universal Skins (Custom interface)
  

and here is the different dimensions it displays in.

 160 x 240, 176 x 208, 208 x 208, 240 x 320, 320 x 240, 320x480, 352 x 416, 360x640, 800 x 320

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Symbian Freak.com have published an article detailing some hidden flash animated screensaver's on the N95 and detailed instructions on how to access them. You will need a 3rd party file browser (such as x-plore or y-browser) or you maybe able to access the hidden files with your N95 hooked up to your PC (I will test this later).

They have also extracted the needed files and made them available as a download - you can read the full story / read the how-to / grab the files here http://www.symbian-freak.com/quides/reveal_hidden_screensavers_on_the_nokia_n95.htm 

It makes me wonder WHY Nokia didn't make these available - unless they planned to at a later date?

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The Nokia N95 will come pre-installed with the Site5 navigation software and sport an INBUILT GPS reciever - meaning it is a complete GPS SatNav unit (no external equipment needed).

The Site5 navigation application is powered by smart2go which Nokia bought in late 2006. 100+ maps are available to download as standard and there are also "premium" services like voice navigation should you so wish. (prices uncomfirmed at present).

You can download a map via GPRS / 3G, WI-FI or via a download to your PC and then transfering to your phone.

Current list of supported countries:

Alp Region (Austria/Switzerl./Alpine parts of France/Germany/Italy)
Asia (incl. Middle East)
Australia
Benelux plus (Netherland/Belgium/Luxemburg/parts of Germany & France)
Canada
Eastern Europe (Czech Rep./Slovakia/Hungary/Poland/Greece/Baltics)
France-Benelux (France/Netherlands/Belgium/Luxemburg)
Germany/ Austria/Switzerland
Hong Kong/Macau
Iberia (Portugal/Spain/Gibraltar/Andorra)
Italy plus (Italy/South of Austria & Switzerland)
Middle East (Saudi Arabia/United Arab Emirates/Qatar/Bahrain/Oman/Kuwait)
Nordic countries (Denmark/Sweden/Norway/Finland)
Russia (Greater St. Petersburg/Moscow & major roads)
South Africa
Southeast Asia (Singapore/Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok)
Taiwan
Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau
Turkey (Istanbul/Ankara & major roads)
UK & Rep. Ireland
USA (without Alaska)
USA/Canada
Western Europe (A/B/CH/D/DK/ESP/F/FIN/I/IRL/L/N/NL/P/S/UK )

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The creator of RotateMe - Samir, has released the BETA version of his latest and some say greatest creation "NokMote".

If you are unaware what NokMote is - it's a way of controlling your N95 by tilting / twisting & flicking it rather than use the menu direction buttons, there has been a video of an early version of NokMote floating around for a while - watching someone literally "flicking" though the images in their gallery was amazing!

But now a BETA version has been officially relased and is availble to all donators at http://www.bysamir.fr/nokmote/ 

There are also some cool video's of NokMote in action... Check 'em out - it's really amazing!

PLEASE do not ask me to upload the BETA version of NokMote to this website - it's currently in early BETA (not finished) and Samir has released this BETA to anyone who wishes to "Donate" to the project... I WILL NOT be distributing NokMote (as per Samir's wishes) until it is released as a free app by Samir himself.

I have been testing the early BETA of NokMote - click the read more button to find out what I think!

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John over at http://www.telefon-treff.de/ has published pictures of the soon to be released SanDisk 16GB MicroSD cards working in various devices - including the N95.

What is really exciting here is that new Nokia N96 (the N95's replacement) already sports 16Gb of internal memory PLUS a MicroSD card slot... so that's a MASSIVE 32GB of storage in a mobile device!

The new 16GB cards are expected to be released later this year but if you are currently low on storage then you might want to consider the currently available 8GB cards from various places inluding http://www.mobymemory.com/micro-SD.asp 

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Dingoo Games www.dingoogames.cn have launched what is probably THE BEST 3D rendered adventure game for mobile devices I have ever seen, the game is written with the 3D software rendering engine Soft3D which means it is cross - platform.

I will get the file(s) as soon as possible and put them in the downloads section - it's only a TRIAL VERSION but it certainly is enough to get you going...

Click the read more for more info and screenshots.

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