Today’s crazy rumor regarding a partnership (no sources of course) with Apple and Nokia essentially enabling Apple to license the N95 months after Nokia’s own release is silly, but does get one thinking.
The lustworthy N95 will be an absolutely killer device. It’s the uber-smartphone and will be the one to beat in the high end device market. My guess is that Apple is shooting more in the mass market (ala iMac and iPod) with their iPhone, Going after the super high end and high cost will make it more difficult to be attainable in the same way the iPod is and I believe that the is what Steve Jobs is really shooting for. Apple needs another big time hit to follow the iPod. iTV will likely serve to extend the iPod marketplace – an ecosystem play if you will … The iPhone will be uniquely Apple – not someone else’s tech – as it needs to be in order to remain true to the controlled user experience we all know and respect.
I’ve debated whether I’d even want one for quite a while given the amount of time I’ve spent considering the N95 and for me, the thing is going to have to really have some VERY compelling features – beyond sync – that make it worth my while. I’m sure it will be great – but insanely great is another level.