Top 5 free applications for N95 - updated list

I first made the list of top 5 free applications for N95 in July. A lot has happened since then and I think it's time to update the list.

TOP 5 FREE APPLICATIONS FOR N95

1. RotateMe v2.0 - This is a beta version but the final version should be released soon. RotateMe jumps straight to first place on my list. It's a great tool that allows you to switch from landscape to portrait mode automatically by tilting the phone.
   
2. Google Mobile Maps - The latest version of Google Maps supports the internal GPS receiver. It also shows your an estimation of your location even if you don't have a GPS signal.
3. SportsTracker - New version of Sports Tracker was launched in November and Nokia also launched Nokia Sports Tracker Beta Web Service.
4. Widsets - Widsets is not really a single application but a platform for mini-applications called widgets. Widgets bring you content from your favorite websites to your phone.
5. Opera Mini - Great web browser if you don't have an unlimited data plan - Opera Mini helps you save money by reducing the amount of data transferred

Finally - Google Maps with GPS for N95

This is great news for all of us N95 users. The latest version of Google Mobile Maps now supports the internal GPS of N95. To see your location on the map, go to menu and select "Show my location".

To install point your phone's browser to www.google.com/gmm and follow the instructions.

Top 5 free applications for N95

There's no lack of choice when it comes to applications for N95 and other Series 60 phones. And many of them are completely free. After downloading and testing a lot of these free applications, I came up with this list of TOP 5 free applications for N95.

TOP 5 FREE APPLICATIONS FOR N95

1. MobiGenie - a great call management utility fully packed with features such as answering machine, SMS auto reply, caller blocking, automatic activation with selected profiles and much more
   
2. Sports Tracker - nice tool for tracking all your sports activites (well, it's not always possible to carry a phone while exercising), it uses GPS to log your speed and route, logged activities can be exported to Google Earth
   
3. Mobile GMaps - almost like Google Mobile Maps but with GPS support, you can view maps and satellite images
4. Opera Mini - nice web browser if you don't have an unlimited data plan - Opera Mini helps you save money by reducing the amount of data transferred (you can also download the latest beta)
   
5. Google Mobile Maps - use this application to view Google Maps and satellite images, Google Mobile Maps would have been even higher on my list if it had GPS support; hopefully Google will add GPS support in the future versions
   

There are many applications that almost made it to my list. For example Fring almost made it to the list but the sound quality is not yet acceptable. Applications that have a price tag, even ones with free trial, were not considered when making this list.

Google Mobile Maps

Most of you have probably used Google Maps or Google Earth on your home computer. They are both great and I could spend hours and hours just exploring the satellite imagery. Using Google Mobile Maps you can view maps as well as satellite images using your cell phone. I've used Google Mobile Maps before with my Nokia 6230i but it didn't show satellite images (no support for the image format). Using N95 now, I decided to give it another try.
Typing http://www.google.com/gmm on the N95 browser allowed me to download and install the application. No problems whatsoever. The application appeared in "Applications"-menu and has a nice sized "Google Maps" icon. You can move around, zoom in and out and most importantly switch between map and satellite view. The satellite view was what I had been waiting for. A fast WLAN connection would be optimal for heavy use but even with 3G connection the maps and images loaded fast enough. Below are two screenshots (map and satellite image) from the same location in London, UK.