NOKIA N95 sexy new semi-gloss black color with 8GB Video unlock

Much to the chagrin of current owners, Nokia announced an update to the N95 multimedia computer last night, adding 8GB of on board memory and a few other tweaks to an already great package. I had a little time to experience the device at the launch event, called Go Play.

Nokia has given the N95 8GB a sexy new semi-gloss black color scheme that adds a touch of class to the look. Cosmetic changes extend to other places as well, with the menu and multimedia keys being significantly thinner than on the original, though not so much as to make them hard to press. The upside of this is that the two softkeys are a little fatter, and thankfully the d-pad itself is no smaller. The multimedia keys on the top of the device are now more pronounced as well. To make way for the larger 2.8" display, the lip between the two halves of the slide is gone, giving the phone a slightly sleeker look, and Nokia has made the questionable decision of removing the camera lens cover - though this allows the manufacturer to include a 250mAh larger capacity battery, something it sorely needed. The handset also includes 128MB of RAM for running applications, almost twice that of the original N95. That change alone made a noticeable difference in the responsiveness of the user interface.

The N95 8GB has received updates on the software side of things, too. The updated device features the new multimedia menu seen in the N81, a new device also announced at Go Play. This menu is both functional and attractive, showing rotating pages for all multimedia facets of the handset. It includes easy access to recently taken photos, stored music, and the Maps application. You can see photos of this menu on the following page. Also added is a new search application, which is accessed from a widget on the N95 8GB's home screen. This search application quickly searches for terms in most applications on the device, including the PIM and messaging applications, and also integrates results from the internet on the same screen, with all results appearing as you type. Unfortunately, to make way for the 8GB of internal memory, the N95 8GB no longer features a memory card slot.

Overall, the N95 8GB is a sexy, smart, and solid device that is what the N95 always should have been. With the exception of the removal of the lens cover and memory card slot, I love every update seen in the new N95 8GB. Owners of the original N95 will have to question whether there is enough new in the 8GB version to warrant an upgrade, but for new buyers at least, the N95 8GB deserves the title of Nokia's flagship device.