Nokia N95 finally launched on 3UK
After rumours, hints and the odd shocked-and-saddened-from-Surrey style rants from yours truly, finally, the Nokia N95 arrives on 3UK.
I found the link burried deep within the 3UK site — I thought, for some reason, that they’d be trumpeting the handset’s arrival from the frontpage — but after a few clicks, I found it.
Many others have already found the link and with a ordered their handsets, the excitement pouring off them. The N95 launch on 3UK is the tech world equivalent of the last Harry Potter book hitting the stores.
T-Mobile certainly got there first and scooped up quite a few willing potential 3UK customers who just couldn’t wait the extra few months — the handset was such a draw. T-Mobile’s open access policy (”Here is your pipe to the internet, enjoy”) is exactly what you want when you’re brandishing one of the most modern handsets. However, add in X-Series and the various prepackaged X-Series applications, together with an unmetered, unrestricted internet connection — and you’re moving into 7th Heaven.
I haven’t set eyes on an Nokia N95 on 3UK with X-Series as yet, but I’m pretty confident in asserting that it could possibly be the best joint implementation of handset and network, ever.
I talked to various people at 3UK about the N95 delay. Time and time again they gave me an answer that I didn’t like, but accepted. I paraphrase:
Because we value the mobile Internet experience very highly we wanted to make sure that we had the most stable handset possible – we believe this new version of the N95 provides this.
That’s right, it’s not just some bog standard N95 you’re getting with 3UK. No. Here are the key points:
The new N95 version PR1.2 offers greater stability and improved user experience
This latest version of the N95 can access 3’s ever growing high speed HSDPA mobile internet network
The latest version of the N95 has an improved battery life and a fix to enable faster GPS performance
3 is launching the updated version of the Nokia N95 with full X-Series support
A little bit more from 3UK on the Nokia N95:
The N95 is an influential handset with a variety of rich media and location-based features which will allow X-Series users to make the most of their unlimited data tariff. As well as this it is an excellent device for using exclusive X-Series applications such as Skype and Slingbox
This ensures the N95 now works perfectly as a mobile Internet device, allowing users to surf the web, use mobile applications and view and interact with mobile media in the best way possible.
It will cost £49.99 on a £28 monthly X-Series tariff
It will be free on our £45 or above tarriffs
Have you got yourself one from 3UK?
How is it performing?
You can’t order it online with X-Series (it’s got the X-Series compatible banner but you can’t add any X-Series packages). Presumably this is an oversight.
I’ve ordered one over the phone on X-Series Gold but if you do it via the website you can get a free Slingbox… am currently lost in the depths of customer service hell trying to get mine.
Of course, the slingbox deal is supposed to be valid in stores as well but the guy answering the phone in my local Three store was adamant to the point of being condescending that Three weren’t carrying the N95.
I’ve also seen rumours that Three have disabled VoIP on the N95… but we’ll wait and see!
Posted by Dan Lane on August 6th, 2007 at 11:22 am.Just realised that I could have had a free slingbox at time of order if it had allowed me to order X-series at the time. The free slingbox would persuade me to buy the Gold package for 12 months as a pose to the silver. I hope I can find a solution to this that isn’t to much hassle.
Posted by Mark on August 6th, 2007 at 2:44 pm.Looks like the only way to do it is to cancel under the 14 day returns guarantee (as long as you haven’t used your handset or SIM card… hmm) and re-order it via the website when someone fixes the it.
That is assuming that Three’s limited supply of N95 handsets isn’t exhausted by then.
Posted by Dan Lane on August 6th, 2007 at 5:50 pm.Dan if that is the case I will likely keep hold of the phone and buy the silver X-series instead. I will likely still have a long series of conversations with 3 in an attempt to get the package I originally tried to order though
. I talked to them today and they were unsure what the situation would be but I eventually spoke to someone who said I should be able to get the slingbox offer if I sign up to the 12 month Gold package but perhaps not online. She said that the website may not have the option but to give it a try when I get the phone. Time will tell.
Posted by Mark on August 7th, 2007 at 12:21 am.Mark, my handset should be delivered today and I’m expecting a call back from their Direct Sales team (who are unable to provide Slingboxes). I’ll be asking the direct sales people to remove X-Series gold from my account and will be going into the store to sign up to a 12 month X-Series Gold contract and claim my free Slingbox.
I’m not even sure why I want a slingbox as I don’t really watch much TV but finding out I could have a free >£100 toy for ordering the same thing I’d already ordered but via a different sales channel was a bit of a kick.
I suppose it’ll let the missus watch Big Brother at her desk
Posted by Dan Lane on August 7th, 2007 at 9:20 am.Ha-ha … have to laugh. I am exactly the same and tend not to watch the TV much but just think this technology looks fun (and I can’t resist playing with technology). The one thing that has swayed me is taking a look at the slingbox website and looking at the videos of the CEO using it … if when I change jobs and hit the road more I too will once again be stuck in Japanese hotel rooms marveling at the joy of the local TV. The ability to hook up my laptop to my slingbox may well have a valid use after all
.
Posted by Mark on August 7th, 2007 at 5:04 pm.Mark, I noticed you’re on X-Series Silver… you might be able to go into a Three store and get them to upgrade you to Gold for 12 months and do the slingbox deal that way.
I’m still waiting for someone to remove the mis-sold X-Series Gold from my account (it’s apparently not a trivial thing… who knew!) so I can go and sign up.
Annoyingly the website has the proper Slingbox deal with the N95 now so if I’d have ordered today instead of Saturday I’d have gotten it with the minimum of hassle!
Bugger
Posted by Dan Lane on August 7th, 2007 at 6:44 pm.Dan, I am currently not on any x-series package as I could not order it on-line. I just took a look at the site and they now have all the x-series options available for order with the N95 (maybe I was a few days too quick off the mark … but I can’t help myself). I will try the 3 store and if no luck will be having a few words with customer service. Anyway, good news for anyone now ordering the N95 from 3 …
Posted by Mark on August 7th, 2007 at 7:29 pm.Finally got everything sorted by having the direct sales dept that sold me the contract remove X-Series Gold from my account. Popped into the local Three store today to add it again and claim my free Slingbox.
Am very impressed with Three so far… was a bit of a pain having to deal with customer services but once I ended up with a manager he took ownership of my issue and sorted everything out for me!
Posted by Dan Lane on August 9th, 2007 at 1:06 pm.Dan, good to hear you have sorted everything out. I am currently having my own fun with customer services but hopefully will have everything the way I want it soon. Very pleased with the phone and 3 so far.
Posted by Mark on August 10th, 2007 at 11:58 am.P.S. If anyone has any influence with 3 at all, get them to adjust the volume level of the music for people on hold on their call centres to within a multiple of 10 times the ideal call level for conversation … I think my ear drum may be bleeding :).
Posted by Mark on August 10th, 2007 at 12:31 pm.Had a Slingbox for about a year now. We don’t have a telly as a result. We watch real-time TV on the coffee table via either a 12″ Powerbook or my 15″ Dell work crapper (both work flawlessly). For big-screen we plug our Powerbook into a BenQ projector using the DVI-D adapter, and watch Slingbox TV at 92″ wide :-). No, it’s not HD, but it’s more than good enough to make Coast look much better than on a 12″ or 15″ screen. Free Wireless TV anywhere in the house or garden….or anywhere in 3G coverage too.
And for time-shifting the BBC iPlayer is just brilliant.
Posted by Mike on August 10th, 2007 at 4:34 pm.