Nokia N95 - The Navigator (Smart2Go)
Published by Rafe Blandford at 14:57 UTC, March 28th 2007
In the first in a series of reviews, in which we will be looking at different aspects of the N95, Steve assesses the GPS navigation features. This also forms a review of Nokia's Smart2Go navigation and route finding software which is available for all S60 3rd Edition smartphones.
The main difference between a standard S60 or WinMob smartphone running Smart2go and Nokia Maps on the N95 is of course that the latter version is tightly integrated with the N95's built-in GPS receiver. Yup - you read that right - it's built-in, so no messing around with (or charging) a separate Bluetooth GPS. I'm not entirely sure exactly where the GPS antenna is, but Nokia do say to open the keypad for best performance and this is borne out in practice.
Read on for the full review.
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Categories: Software, Hardware
Platforms: S60 3rd Edition
News Discussion
Orophin Anwarunya
Quote:
Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /cms/The main difference between a standard S60 or WinMob smartphone running Smart2go and Nokia Maps on the N95 is of course that the latter version is tightly integrated with the N95's built-in GPS receiver. Yup - you read that right - it's built-in, so no messing around with (or charging) a separate Bluetooth GPS. I'm not entirely sure exactly where the GPS antenna is, but Nokia do say to open the keypad for best performance and this is borne out in practice. on this server.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
Apache/1.3.37 Server at www.allaboutsymbian.com Port 80
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i just got that error. anything wrong, or is it just me?
chrsfrwll
Nope, I couldn't get it either, with the same error.
Rafe
Now fixed. I hope. Sorry about that. Looks like some image URLs got bunged up.
Rchetcuti
Hello Rafe. Very good review of the N95 GPS. I would like to know what happens if you try to zoom on Malta (Europe). Is there a map for Malta? Is it possible to insert custom maps in the smart2go application?
Thank you.
Rafe
You can't insert / install your own maps (that is non-Nokia ones).
As for Malta - checking - yes it looks like it is covered. Seems to be showing all of the streets in Valetta, but they dont appeared to be named. I'm afraid I dont know Malta well enough to really comments. I don't think navigation is supported though. Will try and find a complete list.
BTW Steve did the review (though we did compare notes, I've been doing the music focus, should be up tomorrow).
Rchetcuti
Thank you for answering so quickly. Many people in Malta would like the N95 (including me) and allaboutsymbian is a great site. Navigation is not the most important for us but since the country is totally dependent on tourism its a shame that our country is never included in GPS navigation software. Hope that an average detailed map is available on the N95 (at least that shows the main roads).
Thanks again and on request ofmany other Maltese people can you post some screenshots of malta as shown on the Maps application?
desertrat
Quote:
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and Nokia, if you're reading this, please use some of your Smart2go navigation revenue to upgrade your servers. Pretty please.
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If they changed it so that you download one file per country/map instead of the thousands of files that you currently have to download they wouldn't need to upgrade their servers. Setting up an http connection is relatively expensive (bandwidth and time) in comparison to the tiny size of file being downloaded.
Rafe
Rchetcuti
Wow... you were very helpful. Map looks OK, maybe they upgrade the maps in a not so distant future. I will stay in touch for more news of the N95. Thanks again.
Rchetcuti
What about the gps accuracy? I heard it is less than or equal to SIRF II gps recievers. Leaving out the satellites position, is the accuracy around 20m, 30m or 50m?
Also, is it able to use Glonass, Geo and IGSO satellite systems?
adrideo
hi
thank you for the very helpful informations. I have only one question: is the N95 works with other (e.g. iGO) navigation softwares?
N/A
If other navigation software developers release new versions that use the built-in GPS, instead of assuming they can only talk to an external Bluetooth GPS receiver.
mapperz
Great Post, good details and a winning combo.
Released Tomorrow (2nd April 2007) at last.
mapperz
mapperz.blogspot.com
Unregistered
Hi,
I see that you mounted the N95 in a Renault. I was wondering where the best place to get a air vent holder like in the picture would be? Last time I tried one of those it didn't fit the Renault vents at all!
Thanks.
natanlevine
Unfortunately "virtually" any place in the world isn't quite good enough for everyone. I know that smart2go is completely useless for all of us living in Israel and I'm pretty sure the rest of the middle east as well. So until Nokia adds maps for really everyone, I won't be able to take part in all the excitement.
Stuff.tv
We've got some video footage of the N95 and reactions to its sat-nav functionality on Stuff.tv – check it out.
Unregistered
Dear Forum,
I have a N95 but unfortunately can not receive the GPS signal... no signal. I have tried some of the common suggestions - like slide out the top part and than move to an open area, switch off and turn, etc. but so far no luck. Please could you suggest some alternatives.
Regards,
Soumen
Unregistered
Same problem here
i have tried all usual tricks, open area, holding phone by 45 degrees to catch any signal, no luck.
Helppppp
[/i]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Dear Forum,
I have a N95 but unfortunately can not receive the GPS signal... no signal. I have tried some of the common suggestions - like slide out the top part and than move to an open area, switch off and turn, etc. but so far no luck. Please could you suggest some alternatives.
Regards,
Soumen
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Unregistered
Try out this. Look for View -> Satellite Info. Do you see the satellite status bars (hollow or filled in)? (If they are filled-in, then you are all good.) If not, go back. Move with the cursor. Press GPS pos. Leave it on for one minute or two. If you don't get a fix, restart Maps. You should get it just abouts straight away the second time.
Unregistered
Hi,
I have been attempting to install the software and it's coming up with "update error" can anyone shed some light on this please.
Thanks in advance...
mp1
Hi I have downloaded the Nordic Maps and am trying to zoom in to a street... but I do not see any street names or street details.
Do i need a licenses to zoom? I thought i just needed the licenses to Navigate?
Unregistered
Does any gps bluetooth transmiter works ok to reforce the internal gps? I have a problem, my car is blinded, so the cellular does not recieve the signals, I will have to put some transmiter in a place where it can get the signal and transmit it to the phone. Do you recomend any in special? Thanks for your help.
Unregistered
Hello Nokia community.
Say, is Manila Phillipines supported by the GPS on N95? Thanks for any response & thanks to Rafe for the hard work & comprehensive reviews. Cheers.
Unregistered
First of all, thanks for your review, interesting reading.
My display turns dark when using GPS, and I guess that's because I've turned battery save options on. Do I have to go in and turn those options off in order to always have the map backlit when using GPS, or is there some smart configuration to set when using GPS with car battery charger (and no need to save batteries)
BR
Erik
Unregistered
All information posted here has been quite informative. Please, is there any GPS satellite that my phone can connect to from West Africa. I have a very strong signal strenght of GPRS on my phone (provided by my 2.5G network
www.gloworld.com). Being a J2ME developer, can any one post some satellite beaming details on this page, so that people in West Africa like me can make use of the navigator. I have already designed somethng like smartgo, but needs satellite information.
Maps are also need.
Best regards.
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