I've had my N95 for almost 2 months now, and I think I've decked it out fairly nicely. I very much have benefitted from this forum for choosing add-ons, software, solving problems and finding accessories, and now it's time I post some of my learnings to "give back" for others to benefit.
Here is a list of some of the things (excluding programs and software) I've gotten for my
N95 that I think are pretty cool:
(note: I am not trying to advertise for any particular manufacturer or merchants- This list and reviews are strictly based on my personal experience as an independant consumer. Where appropriate, I've placed links for google's shopping engine)
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1.
Wireless Keyboard - Nokia SU-8W . I use SMS messaging a lot so the folding keyboard is quite handy for me. I admit that when I first attempted to "install" this, I was really really stupid. This keyboard does not list the
N95 as one of the phones it is an accessory to. Don't believe it. I followed the instructions that came with the keyboard and went through ridiculous attempts to copy the install program from the included SD to a micro SD. Don't do that. The instructions are for older phones (the ones listed as "supported"). On the
N95, simply go to the Office Menu and turn on "Wlss keyboard". Then pair and that's it. I wish I had known that when I started.
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2.
Screen Overlays - Martin Fields Screen protectors are awesome- inexpensive easy to install, easy to clean, invisible and virtually indestructable.
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3.
Roku Soundbridge - This nifty gadget is stereo component that is part of my home sound system that leverages the UPnP functionality of the
N95 on a WLAN. It plugs into the back of my tuner and obtains a wireless IP address from my wireless router. I set up the home network settings on my
N95, and activated sharing.
The
Roku then automatically detects the
N95 and finds music and playlists on the phone, wherever it may be in the house. I just use the remote control to browse and pick what I want to listen to and play it through my home stereo. It also picks up media that you may be serving up from other devices on the network.
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4.
Charger Adapters - Before I got my
N95, I was wearing my Nokia 6600 out. I have at least a half dozen travel chargers, car adapters, etc. for the 6600, but the plug size is different. Instead of throwing away all my old chargers, I picked up a bunch of these
inexpensive adapters and saved the cost of replacing them.
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5.
Bluetooth FM Modulator - This clever device lets me stream mp3's, internet radio, winamp remote, Sling Player, GPS Navigation commands, and telephone calls through my FM car stereo. No wires, no hassle, no fuss. For me, this is better than a built-in car kit because I travel often and am often in rental cars using the Nav function of Nokia Maps. I spent a lot of time researching the few competing products that do this. I ruled out the Parrot version because of the tons of negative postings about the usability of it and poor sound quality. I bought a Satechi and a Venturi to compare. The
Satechi is, by far, the best device in this category so far, it delivers decent FM quality sound. The venturi (which supposedly sounds better than the Parrot) delivers mediocre 8-track quality sound.
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6.
Extender - This thing looks like some kind of pipe you might find in a college dorm room. But actually it lets me
plug in the FM Modulator and the 12v charger at the same time, while also extending and allowing me to move the Satechi's built in microphone slightly closer for better speaking sound quality on phone calls.
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7.
Bluetooth Stereo Headset -
Nokia BH-501 Mostly for workout tunes at the gym and watching Tivo via Slingplayer on the treadmill- these look a bit silly when wearing them but the sound quality is great and they are comfortable to wear. Battery life is great- I have yet to kill the battery. It charges using the same kind charger as the
N95 (interchangeable). There's a built-in good quality microphone for taking phone calls on this as well. I've found that using this as a binaural (sound in both ears) bluetooth headset is handy when talking on long calls which require my undivided attention- like job phone screening, or important conference calls, and troubleshooting / tech support type of calls. The controls are intuitive and easy to use.
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8.
Regular bluetooth headset - The tried and true lightweight
Plantronics Voyager is my favorite for everyday telephone calls and for extended calls while driving (the bluetooth-FM speakerphone car thing can become obnoxious for long duration calls).
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9.
Windshield Mount - This sturdy and simple windshield mount
from Hong Kong has now been stuck to my windshield without ever falling for 4 weeks now despite extreme cold, defroster heat and NYC city streets and potholes. There isn't much to it, the phone snaps in snugly and rotates 90 degrees for landscape/portrait viewing. My 12V charging plug fits fine and all of the buttons are accessible. Note: The camera lens is blocked by the back of the unit so this can not be used for making driving videos. For ten bucks, I think it's a good deal.
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10.
Slingbox - Ok this may or may not qualify as an accessory, but I'm putting it here because it holds true to my definition of an accessory: it's something I bought to go with my phone that is a tangible item, not just software. The
Slingbox connects to my home network router and my Tivo. I loaded the software on my
N95 and viola! I can watch
live or
pre-recorded TV anywhere. Using the
N95's included video and audio out cables, I can easily plug it into most televisions with front-facing Aux jacks and "place shift" my home Tivo anywhere.
Video quality on a TV size screen varies based on upstream and down stream data speed- and the device does a nice job of arriving a the best compromise between speed and quality. Video quality on the phone's screen is always excellent. With this thing, if I wanted to, I could sit in my car, with my phone in the Hong Kong windshield mount, and watch Judge Judy :-), playing the sound through my car's audio system. I honestly don't see a practical reason to watch TV in the car, and not a good idea while driving- but it is kind of impressive to know I can. Perhaps on road trips it will serve as a good TV for passengers.
Full Screen:
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This is the only accessory I purchased but don't use:
Nokia Phone Case CP-191 - It looked nice in the store. But the
N95 is already about the thickness of a deck of cards. I found that even the few millimeters of additional thickness this case added made the phone uncomfortably bulky in my pocket. Opening and closing the cover each time to use it was also something I found annoying, especially since the cover wants to close all the time- I was frustrated by having to hold it open- and manipulate the slide and try to text at the same time. No thanks. If anyone finds a decent case, please let me know.
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