What does the N95's wifi allow you to do?

[mariokarter]

Never had a wifi phone before, so what will it enable you to do? Does it mean that you will be able to browse/use the internet for free (not using your service providers towers) just like you would with a laptop on any open wifi network? And since you can get VOIP programs for the N95, does this mean that you will basically be able to make free calls to other woip users when using wifi? (or do they charge you for the program) And by any chance do these voip programs support "skype out" type serivces? So yea, what else can you do with the wifi?

[pseudofinn]

Yes, you can connect to any open wifi network with Internet acces and browse the net. You can also stream music or video from home or another location to your N95. You can use the wifi connection to do anything that you would normally use your data connection for. I have many utilities on my s60 phone that connect to the Internet for various reasons.

My hope is that you'll be able to set the N95 up as a hotspot. I know this would involve setting the N95 up as a router somehow, but perhaps there would be some sort of ad-hoc networking that would allow me to connect my PSP to the N95 via wifi and use the cellular data service to stream my digital satellite connection to my PSP, by using some location free player such as the one Sony makes, or a slingbox. You can slingbox to the N95, but the screen on the PSP is larger and it's mounted on the dashboard of my car :)

If the N95 would operate as a hotspot, we'd also be able to be out with friends/coworkers who have laptops/pdas/psps whatever and everyone could have Internet access. Instant hotspot.

I doubt the cellular operator providing me with unlimited data would be keen on the second scenario.

[mariokarter]

Isn't the data service from your service provider slow anyways though? Would it really be quick enough for online PSP games? That would for sure be a cool feature.

Now lets say I didn't want a data plan and only wanted to use it via wifi. Is it possible to set the settings so that you only connect to the internet via wifi. (because I wouldn't want to rack up some nice data charges if I switched from wifi to rogers without knowing it)

edit: So the n95 does function as a wireless modem then. Even if they don't make it a wireless hotspot, a laptop with bluetooth could still use your phone to connect to your service providers internet right?

[pseudofinn]

Originally Posted by mariokarter

Isn't the data service from your service provider slow anyways though? Would it really be quick enough for online PSP games? That would for sure be a cool feature.

It's for sure fast enough to play PSP games online. I'm hoping that with the N95, even though I can't use HSDPA in the US, it will sustain a reasonable video codec. We will see...

Now lets say I didn't want a data plan and only wanted to use it via wifi. Is it possible to set the settings so that you only connect to the internet via wifi. (because I wouldn't want to rack up some nice data charges if I switched from wifi to rogers without knowing it)

That might be a problem. I hear that on some of the previous Nseries devices if you lose wifi it will automatically pick up with data service. Not too good of a thing, and I can't really imagine it would be set up like that- but I have no experience with the matter to say either way.

edit: So the n95 does function as a wireless modem then. Even if they don't make it a wireless hotspot, a laptop with bluetooth could still use your phone to connect to your service providers internet right?

Oh yes, my little ol' 6682 will do that. In fact I just moved into a new home a few months back and didn't have Internet service for quite a few days before the DSL got setup- didn't even have a home line for dialup. I used the 6682 all day long for it. I was quite nervous when I got my first bill- I wasn't sure if that was a completely legitimate thing to do as far as my provider was concerned. It's pretty easy to judge the difference between Internet usage on a cellphone running Opera as opposed to a PC surfing the 'net. Everything turned out fine though. I have a lot of data usage as it is on a normal basis.

[mariokarter]

Originally Posted by pseudofinn

It's for sure fast enough to play PSP games online. I'm hoping that with the N95, even though I can't use HSDPA in the US, it will sustain a reasonable video codec. We will see...

Wait why wouldn't you be able to use HSDPA? wikipedia says that both cingular and tmobile have it, also I know that rogers launched hsdpa in toronto last fall.

Originally Posted by pseudofinn

That might be a problem. I hear that on some of the previous Nseries devices if you lose wifi it will automatically pick up with data service. Not too good of a thing, and I can't really imagine it would be set up like that- but I have no experience with the matter to say either way.

Well I really hope that they make this feature...then again an unlimited data plan would just make things a lot easier.

Originally Posted by pseudofinn

Oh yes, my little ol' 6682 will do that. In fact I just moved into a new home a few months back and didn't have Internet service for quite a few days before the DSL got setup- didn't even have a home line for dialup. I used the 6682 all day long for it. I was quite nervous when I got my first bill- I wasn't sure if that was a completely legitimate thing to do as far as my provider was concerned. It's pretty easy to judge the difference between Internet usage on a cellphone running Opera as opposed to a PC surfing the 'net. Everything turned out fine though. I have a lot of data usage as it is on a normal basis.

Ya my w810i works as a modem to. I only actually used it once. There was a blackout, and I wanted you use it but ofcourse my pc needed the online software, so after the blackout I did it just to see if I could...no blackouts since.

I was just thinking, aren't we reaching a point where your cell phone service could literally replace your internet connection if your not a heavy user if you get an unlimited data plan? how much slower is it than a typical internet connection? I am sure that the service providers would hate that though.

[Salman]

Althoug HSDPA (@ 3.6Mbit) is pretty fast in theory, in real life I find that its plauged with signal disruptions, meaning it'll work really well while downloading something off a torrent for expample and watching it directly on your N95, but to stream video, the signal just sometimes dies when you're moving or during bad weather (rains with lightning every other day in S'pore)...friend tried Slinging his TV to his DoPod but the tech isnt quite there yet...hope it catches up soon...

[pseudofinn]

Originally Posted by mariokarter

Wait why wouldn't you be able to use HSDPA? wikipedia says that both cingular and tmobile have it, also I know that rogers launched hsdpa in toronto last fall.

HSDPA is in a different frequency in US and EU. The N95 is a quadband phone, meaning it will cover all GSM frequencies (2 for US, 2 different freqs for europe/asia)- however the HSDPA is only on.... hmmmm, I'll probably get this wrong, 2700mhz? Cingular, in the US, is going to be 2100... maybe the other way aroud, maybe totally different numbers than I have stated. Either way you get the picture- HSDPA will not work on the N95 in the US. Unless they change that somehow before the release. I would love for that to happen.

Originally Posted by mariokarter

Well I really hope that they make this feature...then again an unlimited data plan would just make things a lot easier.

I do have an unlimited data plan... but I want to be able to use that on a PSP. Just greedy.

Originally Posted by mariokarter

Ya my w810i works as a modem to. I only actually used it once. There was a blackout, and I wanted you use it but ofcourse my pc needed the online software, so after the blackout I did it just to see if I could...no blackouts since.

I was just thinking, aren't we reaching a point where your cell phone service could literally replace your internet connection if your not a heavy user if you get an unlimited data plan? how much slower is it than a typical internet connection? I am sure that the service providers would hate that though.

Didn't your PC need power too? :?

When I was using my 6682 for Internet on my PC, it was painfully slow. Painfully.

[mariokarter]

^^^well its a laptop and had a full charge. So do those slingboxs really work well (when streaming to computers), are there internet communities where everyone posts there info so that you can get tons of people cable connections for free?

anyways, hopefully the n95 will just come out soon so all my questions can be put to rest.

[pseudofinn]

I doubt there are gonna be many slingboxers that like to share...?

[mariokarter]

but is that possible? Or did slingbox people make it really lame for copyright reasons and them wanting you to buy there stuff?