N96 and Nokia Software
Once you get past the 5 mega-pixel camera, the out-of-the-box video capability, MMS support, removable microSD and battery capabilities, and super awesome text-to-voice for SMS messages features in the N96, you can really set this sexy device apart from the “other phones” with the desktop and S60 software available to extend the phone’s capabilities beyond simply consuming and communicating.
On the Desktop
Tip: Having Bluetooth on your home desktop or laptop makes a world of difference when using these apps, especially if you authorize your phone to be automatically connected to your N96 (or N95 which I use the heck out of on a regular basis)
Ovi Suite (PC Only, for now): This application’s capabilities are downright ridiculous. A quick run through the menus shows Nokia Music (a music store – non-US, grrr – and sync application), Nokia Music Manager (an alternate sync interface and media player), Nokia Photos (a sub-feature of Ovi that integrates and synchronizes to various social networks), Nokia Map Manager (download cities before you get there), and Download! (the Nokia application store). That’s not even covering what Ovi does in the default interface. Just awesome
PC Suite (PC and Mac supported): I’ve used iterations of Nokia PC Suite since before the dawn of colored screens on cell phones with the Nokia 5190 and 6190. With the introduction of photos, videos, media, and other awesome, PC Suite has become better than I could have imagined 8 years ago. Send SMS message from your PC via USB or Bluetooth connection, synchronize your stuff (calendar, contacts, music, images, videos, and maps), install apps, check for the latest software pack for your phone… and receive notifications when a call is coming through or your receive a text message… If you’re phone isn’t near you, this is really handy. Additionally, you can use your phone as a 3G modem, tethered to your desktop/laptop. When I was in San Francisco, I was getting 4Mb down and 1.2Mb up bandwidth speeds over USB, and just shy of those numbers of Bluetooth, constantly. In San Diego, I get about 1.2 up and down over USB and Bluetooth alike – rad.
Nokia Communication Center 2.0: This comes bundled with Ovi, I believe, but if it’s not – I’ve linked it below. In short, it’s epic. The SMS and MMS interaction is unrivaled in the mobile universe. Turning your phone’s messaging into a virtual short message email inbox on your desktop or laptop.
Home Media Server: I have a Buffalo LinkTheater that listens for media servers, wirelessly over my network, and connects them to my television; though I know there are other configurations that are great for Home Media Server, the one I happened to find I have is just incredible. When I get within Bluetooth distance of my home, my phone starts to sync up, and like magic, without doing anything, I can then check out videos, images and music from my phone on my television. This setup “happened” after I installed the software and has worked flawlessly since day one.
Here’s a link list to everything I’ve talked about:
- Ovi by Nokia – http://www.ovi.com/services/
- Nokia Music – http://music.nokia.co.uk/
- Nokia Maps (US) – http://www.nokiahowto.com/A4686841
- Nokia Maps (EU) – http://europe.nokia.com/A4509271
- Nokia Download Store – http://www.download.nokia.com/
- Nokia PC Suite (US) – http://nokia.us/A4986251
- Nokia PC Suite (EU) – http://europe.nokia.com/pcsuite
- Home Media Server – http://www.simplecenter.com/nokia/
Some other awesome toys to mess with from Nokia Beta Labs:
- SportsTracker – GPS, accelerometer powered sports diary and social network
- Mobile WebServer – Access your phone via a browser
- Conversations – (Not yet for the N96) Threaded conversations for SMS? iPhone isn’t the only one.
- MOSH – Yes, an apps (etc) sharing application/site
- Nokia Chat – Just as it reads. Phone to phone chatting, geolocation enabled, of course.
- Nokia Communication Center 2.0 – just as I said above, if you have a Nokia, get this. Now.
- Nokia Friend View – Microblogging + Geotracking (similar to Chat)
At the end of the day, Nokia’s strengths aren’t just in their features on the handsets, and these software items aren’t only for the Nokia N96, but my experience with the N96 over the past few days has been faster and even more seamless than with the N95, most notably with the speeds. My laptop will notify me of a text message at the exact same time that my phone alerts me, before with the N95 there was about a 4 to 5 second delay.
What I’d really like to see is more work within Ovi, to really get the “released” applications (maybe even some of the beta apps) rolled up under one roof, including Nokia Vine. I have have yet to check out Nokia Vine – but last I read, my account is on the way, and honestly? I can’t wait. Using a Nokia phone makes sharing, contributing, and consuming information a breeze. When compared to the competition on these levels, Nokia wins, hands down, and that’s not be just being a simple fanboy about the whole experience, it’s simply a superior experience from end-to-end, even without multi-touch or a full browser.
