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UPDATE: here’s a short video of the N97 in action last night at dinner.
I have a second video that shows the photo viewing, which looks a lot like how the iPhone does it.
Nokia just announced the N97. I got a chance to play with it last night and realized they have built the ultimate Facebook device. Now, I’m sure, lots of you will wonder how it compares to the iPhone. Well, for a Facebook user it isn’t even close: the new Nokia device wins hands down. Why? Let’s compare:
1. It does 16:9 video. The iPhone doesn’t even do video. So, how can you go to a Daft Punk concert and record it to taunt your friends?
2. It has a 5 megapixel camera. The iPhone only has 2, and the quality isn’t even close. The camera also has a dual LED flash, so you can take pictures in the dark where the iPhone can’t.
3. I can type three Facebook status messages on the N97’s nice QWERTY keybord in the time that I can type two on the iPhone.
4. It does copy and paste, so you can copy URLs to send to your friends. The iPhone can’t do that.
5. It has replaceable batteries so you can charge up three batteries and Facebook for days, while the iPhone needs to be hooked back up to the wall for recharging after a few hours.
6. The GPS device does turn-by-turn and has a built in compass, so you’ll get to your parties faster than with the iPhone, which doesn’t have a compass and doesn’t do turn-by-turn.
OK, so how else does it compare to the iPhone? It has a touch screen, with a cool customizeable home screen. You can add a Facebook component and can drag and drop different components with your finger. You can also use gestures so you can “flick” through your photos. That part is very similar to the iPhone, so you can see that Steve Jobs had a big influence on the user experience.
The device itself has only one button and you can see Jonathan Ives’ challenge taken up all over the device. Close your eyes and touch the device and you don’t feel buttons or other things protuding. Smooth.
Photos and videos will come soon. The wifi isn’t good here.
Other details?
Price? $550 before subsidy, so price should be about $350 in stores.
Availabilty? Second quarter of 2009.
UPDATE: I’ve uploaded some photos to my Flickr stream. I’ll upload videos shortly.
Scobleizer 
I will be eager to take a look at these. I had and liked the N95 but since moved to the iPhone. The Facebook app on the iPhone is great and it will be hard to beat, even for the N97.
The good thing is that the iPhone has made everybody else raise their bar, thanks Apple!
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I will be eager to take a look at these. I had and liked the N95 but since moved to the iPhone. The Facebook app on the iPhone is great and it will be hard to beat, even for the N97.
The good thing is that the iPhone has made everybody else raise their bar, thanks Apple!
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Sounds amazing! Thanks for the updates
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Sounds amazing! Thanks for the updates
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Nice man!
So when you say the buttons are “protruding” do you mean on the touchscreen?
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Nice man!
So when you say the buttons are “protruding” do you mean on the touchscreen?
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Ah… could it actually be better than the iPhone? Most likely. Then again some would call me an Apple hater, but I just hate the way Apple lock all their devices into their own software. Anyhow…
The QWERTY keyboard is always a winner. The ability to change batteries is also key.
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How big is it?
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How big is it?
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Ah… could it actually be better than the iPhone? Most likely. Then again some would call me an Apple hater, but I just hate the way Apple lock all their devices into their own software. Anyhow…
The QWERTY keyboard is always a winner. The ability to change batteries is also key.
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Hello Robert,
The N97 sounds like a useful device – I’m still using a 12-month old N95 and LOVE it.
Thanks for the heads-up and for persevering with their crap wi-fi 🙂
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Second quarter 2009? The iPhone 3G will be a year old by then.
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Hello Robert,
The N97 sounds like a useful device – I’m still using a 12-month old N95 and LOVE it.
Thanks for the heads-up and for persevering with their crap wi-fi 🙂
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Second quarter 2009? The iPhone 3G will be a year old by then.
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Sounds interesting. Anxious to see more details!
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The BIG question is: has Nokia adopted Apple’s strategy of taking central control over updates to the OS? The point is: every mobile phone, especially high-end phones, is riddled both with bugs and isn’t feature-complete when new. Everyone knows this. So, if Nokia is keeping on with its same old business model of letting the network operators control the device (aka forget about getting any updates to fix bugs/add new features), then no matter what the the phone itself is like, it simply won’t compete with iPhone effectively.
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Sounds interesting. Anxious to see more details!
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The BIG question is: has Nokia adopted Apple’s strategy of taking central control over updates to the OS? The point is: every mobile phone, especially high-end phones, is riddled both with bugs and isn’t feature-complete when new. Everyone knows this. So, if Nokia is keeping on with its same old business model of letting the network operators control the device (aka forget about getting any updates to fix bugs/add new features), then no matter what the the phone itself is like, it simply won’t compete with iPhone effectively.
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Picture: http://conversations.nokia.com/.a/6a00d834574c6e69e201053630d120970c-800wi
Press release: http://conversations.nokia.com/home/2008/12/nokia-n97-marks-evolutionary-milestone-for-nseries-and-mobilekind.html
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Picture: http://conversations.nokia.com/.a/6a00d834574c6e69e201053630d120970c-800wi
Press release: http://conversations.nokia.com/home/2008/12/nokia-n97-marks-evolutionary-milestone-for-nseries-and-mobilekind.html
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This looks great but I’m going to stick to my iPhone. I see more long term development on the iPhone and most of the ways you suggest the N97 to be better are things that can be solved by software updates. Turn by turn directions, video and copy paste are examples. Now it’s just time for Apple to realize the gardens wall must open and certain applications should make the app store (QIK) and that certain features should be developed if all other
competitors have it such as copy paste which Blackberries, G1 and now Nokia all have
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This looks great but I’m going to stick to my iPhone. I see more long term development on the iPhone and most of the ways you suggest the N97 to be better are things that can be solved by software updates. Turn by turn directions, video and copy paste are examples. Now it’s just time for Apple to realize the gardens wall must open and certain applications should make the app store (QIK) and that certain features should be developed if all other
competitors have it such as copy paste which Blackberries, G1 and now Nokia all have
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The device is one thing, but what I found most interesting in this post was Scoble’s focus on the phone as a Facebook tool. I see this firsthand, as well, from my vantage point as a college student– the importance of Facebook for the under-25 generation cannot be overstated.
Another clear paradigm shift has taken place- building phones to suit specific applications (or, more basically, the general functionality of social applications), as opposed to building your web services based on the specs of phones.
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The device is one thing, but what I found most interesting in this post was Scoble’s focus on the phone as a Facebook tool. I see this firsthand, as well, from my vantage point as a college student– the importance of Facebook for the under-25 generation cannot be overstated.
Another clear paradigm shift has taken place- building phones to suit specific applications (or, more basically, the general functionality of social applications), as opposed to building your web services based on the specs of phones.
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Correction: 550 EUR not $550
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Correction: 550 EUR not $550
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I love my N95 and plan on grabbing the N96. Now I hunger for the N97. A keyboard is key.
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I love my N95 and plan on grabbing the N96. Now I hunger for the N97. A keyboard is key.
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550 euro (+ VAT) Robert 🙂
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550 euro (+ VAT) Robert 🙂
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Thanks for your insights on the Nokia N97 Scobez. Makes me wonder who’ll even pick up the Nokia N96 that hasn’t even hit the shelves in Australia yet?!
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Thanks for your insights on the Nokia N97 Scobez. Makes me wonder who’ll even pick up the Nokia N96 that hasn’t even hit the shelves in Australia yet?!
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Speaking of which… blogging about the N97 and tagging the post with N97..? 😉
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Speaking of which… blogging about the N97 and tagging the post with N97..? 😉
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heheh, that’s for being smart ass: N95 I meant. =D
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I’m not an apple fanboy, far from it, but this Nokia sounds more expensive (with contract) than the iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3G may have been replaced by Apple to something more comparable by then too.
Still, it’s good to have some competion. Keeps Apple on it’s toes.
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heheh, that’s for being smart ass: N95 I meant. =D
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I’m not an apple fanboy, far from it, but this Nokia sounds more expensive (with contract) than the iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3G may have been replaced by Apple to something more comparable by then too.
Still, it’s good to have some competion. Keeps Apple on it’s toes.
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Just had a look at the Nokia press info, can I say formfactor and other features remind me very much of the Xperia X1 from Sony I got just last week?
QWERTY keyboard, wide-screen, touchscreen, A-GPS, it’s all there.
On the other hand, Windows Mobile might be a downside for some. I’m still having to get used to it after using Nokia Communicators (9100, 9210, 9500) with Symbian for years. But for me personally, this N97 comes too late…
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Just had a look at the Nokia press info, can I say formfactor and other features remind me very much of the Xperia X1 from Sony I got just last week?
QWERTY keyboard, wide-screen, touchscreen, A-GPS, it’s all there.
On the other hand, Windows Mobile might be a downside for some. I’m still having to get used to it after using Nokia Communicators (9100, 9210, 9500) with Symbian for years. But for me personally, this N97 comes too late…
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Looks like a very nice device. The iPhone UI and app platform still blow it away and I suspect iPhone hardware specs will close the gap in 3Q09. The iPhone’s keyboard is surely inferior but why are you typing so much?
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Looks like a very nice device. The iPhone UI and app platform still blow it away and I suspect iPhone hardware specs will close the gap in 3Q09. The iPhone’s keyboard is surely inferior but why are you typing so much?
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Good points Robert. But Apple could fix some of your points with a software upgrade.
Video, turn-by-turn and copy and paste, could be done via firmware update.
did you notice in 2.2 how much they add to Google Maps?
Overall I think iPhone is still superior.
The FB native application rocks in iPhone.
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Good points Robert. But Apple could fix some of your points with a software upgrade.
Video, turn-by-turn and copy and paste, could be done via firmware update.
did you notice in 2.2 how much they add to Google Maps?
Overall I think iPhone is still superior.
The FB native application rocks in iPhone.
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Man this sounds awesome! Just when I thought the battle was down to the Bold & iPhone 3G. I doubt I could wait till ’09 Summer though.
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Man this sounds awesome! Just when I thought the battle was down to the Bold & iPhone 3G. I doubt I could wait till ’09 Summer though.
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Okay, seriously – the only advantages that count are the video recording capability and maybe the turn-by-turn navigation.
All other stuff will be available shortly with an other software update. That the iPhone is a whole platform with 1000s of games and applications seems to be forgotten by the author.
But sure, most propably it is a good device but there is a LOT mission in order to be really comparable to an iPhone. It’s not the features that make a device good, because features are all too often just software. And the rest? Who needs more than a 2MPX Camera in the phone? And even if you want one, it won’t be the dealbreaker.
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Okay, seriously – the only advantages that count are the video recording capability and maybe the turn-by-turn navigation.
All other stuff will be available shortly with an other software update. That the iPhone is a whole platform with 1000s of games and applications seems to be forgotten by the author.
But sure, most propably it is a good device but there is a LOT mission in order to be really comparable to an iPhone. It’s not the features that make a device good, because features are all too often just software. And the rest? Who needs more than a 2MPX Camera in the phone? And even if you want one, it won’t be the dealbreaker.
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G-Rock: I didn’t realize that you can upgrade your camera with a software upgrade. I really need to show you the difference in picture quality between Nokia devices and the iPhone again. It’s pretty extreme. But, you should read my post from Monday. I made exactly your point.
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G-Rock: I didn’t realize that you can upgrade your camera with a software upgrade. I really need to show you the difference in picture quality between Nokia devices and the iPhone again. It’s pretty extreme. But, you should read my post from Monday. I made exactly your point.
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Nokia has worldwide distribution in every consumer electronics retail shop.
Apple not exactly.
That will make a difference.
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Nokia has worldwide distribution in every consumer electronics retail shop.
Apple not exactly.
That will make a difference.
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Robert, of course you can’t increase the camera’s quality by a software update (“[…] all too often just software. And the rest?”). And yes, point taken, the quality of the photos of the iPhone’s camera is the bare minimum you can accept.
Oh, and it was supposed to mean “[…] a LOT missing […]” not mission. Where’s the coffee? 🙂
Thanks for the tip, I’ll read your Monday article!
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Robert, of course you can’t increase the camera’s quality by a software update (“[…] all too often just software. And the rest?”). And yes, point taken, the quality of the photos of the iPhone’s camera is the bare minimum you can accept.
Oh, and it was supposed to mean “[…] a LOT missing […]” not mission. Where’s the coffee? 🙂
Thanks for the tip, I’ll read your Monday article!
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You missed the most important issue … are you locked into AT&T? that is the biggest hang-up with i-phones for many, especially when that service isn’t all that swell in many places. So answer the real question: who have they partnered with or who will engage this N97 phone?
Sprint does some Nokia, cingular, t-mobile? The real next advance will be a cell phone that works with every carrier — in fact one that works with two carriers so that your personal and work phones go on one device. Does this already exist … probably, I just haven’t looked for or seen it yet.
I don’t get facebook still … I know I’m in the minority (or old). But the “kids” do get it … it gets more traffic than google I read the other day.
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You missed the most important issue … are you locked into AT&T? that is the biggest hang-up with i-phones for many, especially when that service isn’t all that swell in many places. So answer the real question: who have they partnered with or who will engage this N97 phone?
Sprint does some Nokia, cingular, t-mobile? The real next advance will be a cell phone that works with every carrier — in fact one that works with two carriers so that your personal and work phones go on one device. Does this already exist … probably, I just haven’t looked for or seen it yet.
I don’t get facebook still … I know I’m in the minority (or old). But the “kids” do get it … it gets more traffic than google I read the other day.
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Thanks Robert, great overview of the device. Like the well done comparison to iPhone.
These devices are finally incorporating primary device requirements like decent video, interface with social-networking enablers in a user friendly-efficient manner.
In that they are now maturing, I see about 2 to 4 years down the road and these devices will become pervasive among the mass market. A handful of device makers be it Nokia, Samsung, Apple, etc. will likely be the device leaders, but one or two breakouts may occur.
A big chink to pervasiveness of mobile technology in my book remains the mind numbing attempt at lock-in by providers, attempting to deep-six alternative delivery methods using ‘white-space,’ and so called ‘bandwidth hog’ caps put in place by ISP’s. This remains the real bottleneck going forward, not the technology for these device types. In the U.S., I predict heated ‘conversations’ at the political and regulatory level will take place, beginning in 2009.
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Thanks Robert, great overview of the device. Like the well done comparison to iPhone.
These devices are finally incorporating primary device requirements like decent video, interface with social-networking enablers in a user friendly-efficient manner.
In that they are now maturing, I see about 2 to 4 years down the road and these devices will become pervasive among the mass market. A handful of device makers be it Nokia, Samsung, Apple, etc. will likely be the device leaders, but one or two breakouts may occur.
A big chink to pervasiveness of mobile technology in my book remains the mind numbing attempt at lock-in by providers, attempting to deep-six alternative delivery methods using ‘white-space,’ and so called ‘bandwidth hog’ caps put in place by ISP’s. This remains the real bottleneck going forward, not the technology for these device types. In the U.S., I predict heated ‘conversations’ at the political and regulatory level will take place, beginning in 2009.
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I replaced my lifelong Blackberry use and my Blackberry 8800 with a Nokia N95 8GB.
7 months later I’m back to a Blackberry Bold because I can’t go without a full QWERTY keyboard.
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I replaced my lifelong Blackberry use and my Blackberry 8800 with a Nokia N95 8GB.
7 months later I’m back to a Blackberry Bold because I can’t go without a full QWERTY keyboard.
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Robert, did you check how the Flash player works on N97 – are there any performance issues?
[yeah yeah, I should ask these questions on FriendFeed or Twitter…]
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Robert, did you check how the Flash player works on N97 – are there any performance issues?
[yeah yeah, I should ask these questions on FriendFeed or Twitter…]
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Does this mean that Nokia has recovered (at least some) of its mojo?
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Does this mean that Nokia has recovered (at least some) of its mojo?
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@ William you can not compare the iPhone with this device. To completely different things. This is in the league of a computer and uses a different processor: It can range anywhere between: 600MHz to greater than 1GHz http://www.arm.com/products/CPUs/ARM_Cortex-A8.html Personally I believe Nokia will make it run in the 1GHz range..
The iPhone is using a much earlier processor from ARM. Also 5mp, full video support. Anyone who sees the specs and thinks the iPhone is superior does this based on look and feel but no hard facts.. Also where is the VOIP client in the iPhone?
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@ William you can not compare the iPhone with this device. To completely different things. This is in the league of a computer and uses a different processor: It can range anywhere between: 600MHz to greater than 1GHz http://www.arm.com/products/CPUs/ARM_Cortex-A8.html Personally I believe Nokia will make it run in the 1GHz range..
The iPhone is using a much earlier processor from ARM. Also 5mp, full video support. Anyone who sees the specs and thinks the iPhone is superior does this based on look and feel but no hard facts.. Also where is the VOIP client in the iPhone?
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Sure it looks nice on paper, although quite expensive and big. When N97 hits the market iPhone has been already 2 years on the market, iPhone 3G one.
We’ll see how the third party software development for the wide screen S60 devices takes off and how the Nokia App Store works, those are the things that make iPhone the iPhone.
Thank good Nokia finally got it’s act together, it was last of the big manufacturers to have a touchscreen phone in the lineup (5800 XpressMusic, out nowish). To tell the truth, Nokia is two years late, I hope they do well, but only the specs do not make the phone. It is the experience.
Any news on multitouch?
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Sure it looks nice on paper, although quite expensive and big. When N97 hits the market iPhone has been already 2 years on the market, iPhone 3G one.
We’ll see how the third party software development for the wide screen S60 devices takes off and how the Nokia App Store works, those are the things that make iPhone the iPhone.
Thank good Nokia finally got it’s act together, it was last of the big manufacturers to have a touchscreen phone in the lineup (5800 XpressMusic, out nowish). To tell the truth, Nokia is two years late, I hope they do well, but only the specs do not make the phone. It is the experience.
Any news on multitouch?
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does it also come with a phone? 🙂
Personally for me a quality camera is one reason I love my N95 8GB.
Someone mentioned windows mobile platform in the comments, but surely it must be Symbian?
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does it also come with a phone? 🙂
Personally for me a quality camera is one reason I love my N95 8GB.
Someone mentioned windows mobile platform in the comments, but surely it must be Symbian?
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First off, Scobez, GOOD FIRST LOOK! I had thought the N97 would be a slider with a rotating camera like the N90, similar to the Chinese clone seen on Symbian-Freak. Nokia surely kept a lid on this one.
@ Andrew Mason,
I assume you had an N95-1. I say this because it lacked enough memory to make the browser useful. The N95 8gb fixed all that, and Facebook is exactly like on a desktop. No need for any silly app. I can’t believe you went iPhone just for Facebook. Do Facebook videos play, etc? They do in the latest N95 firmware and browser. Even the new S40 dumbphones. Let this be a lesson. You gave up the best content creation device of its time for the simpleton iPhone?? I guess… Hope you’re back soon.
Robert seems to be the only real geek phone/tech reviewer besides me. No self respecting techie would use an iPhone as a main device over any Nokia smartphone. Its mainly Americans that don’t have access or experience to know just what these phones can do. S60 is the closest thing to a desktop PC OS for your mobile! Robert speaks for us geeks. The iPhone is for our mothers and the less tech savvy. Why would a geek need a simple device? Who wants simple at the expense of features. All those iFools, that’s who.
@ Tinus,
You say the iPhone 3G will be a year old when this comes out. The N80 is even older and outspecs the iPhone! The problem is unless they can sell in America, all most know is the iPhone. Nokia has had the best, most powerful, best selling media smartphones for nearly 3 years straight. The Nseries is and has been the pinnacle of mobile computing. They always have done more than an iPhone. The iPhone never sold more, did more, or anything else compared to Nokia smartphones.
@ Simon Brockelhurst,
Nokia smartphones have always had the ability for users to update or debrand the phones firmware at will from the PC. Just use the Nokia Software Updater. You can even switch from branded to unbranded at will.
The networks never upgraded your firmware unless it was a branded firmware, and I highly suggest using the more powerful generic unlocked firmware instead. Branded means its missing features most times. And its not like the iPhone. Updates are more frequent and add actual feature updates. I remember when we got Flash in the browser in an update. This is the level of improvement to expect from Nokia. Apple is still lacking MMS, video capture, and multitasking YEARS LATER! If you sit and think, there really is no iPhone advantage, and never was.
@ Rahul kumar,
You see more long term development?? How old is the iPhone platform? Symbian is over 10 years old! How many developers and what languages are available for the iPhone? Symbian developers use more languages to code than anything close, with Flashlite, Ruby, c++, Python, Qt, Mscript, Java, .net, and other languages. So applications will be more diverse and useful. It sounds like you’ve never used an S60 device full of apps. Its like comparing a Dell PC to a Fischer Price toy.
Development on the iPhone hasn’t been very agile. Look at the development and progression from the N95 to this device. Now look from the iPhone I to the iPhone 3G. What developments?? I think the leader is clear…
By the way, most of the ways this device eats the iPhone were existent on previous Nokia smartphones since 2006. We’ve always had full turn by turn navigation, with offline maps for using them even with no phone service or web connection. We had high quality video capture since the N90, which came out in 2006 with a dedicated button for copy and paste (so its not “and now Nokia has copy and paste”. They’ve had it all along!), professional optics, and a better camera than the current iPhone! If the N90 had WiFi, it’d be an iPhone killer too. (I think it is anyway…)
@ William,
The iPhone 3G is $675 contract free, and has an extra data fee on contract. The N97 is about $649 contract free, and since its available unlocked like all Nokias, the carrier can’t know what device you have to add a higher data charge, so it’ll be $19 a month data on at&t, $25 a month on T-MobileUSA. Subsidized pricing should be similar between the iPhone and this, although the iPhone has some pretty heavy subsidies. Its ok to pay more for the best device on the market, which this is by far.
@ pwb,
The iPhone has had two versions, yet Nokia smartphones have been the best sellers the entire time. How can a simplistic iPhone blow away the best devices on the market? It hasn’t happened yet, even without Nokia doing comparative marketing to expose the iPhones weakness. Try downloading something while checking your Facebook page, editing music, and making a movie. I can do all these things at once…even on my 2 year old N90! Try again, Apple. And we type so much because its a content consumption AND creation device, the big difference between Nokia and Apple. Apple eats dinner, but Nokia hunts, catches, cooks, and eats that same meal, and even serves up a nice plate for your iPhone. Too bad you can’t receive via bluetooth, like 2 year old Nokias, and even a 4 year old Motorola Razr.
@ G-Rock,
Unless you’ve used a Nokia Nseries, you can’t realize the myriads of advantages over an iPhone. Multitasking is number one. I can run 20 or 30 apps at once on my N95 8gb, so its the equivalent of 25 iPhones! Also, image capture, web browsing with Flash in the browser just like on a desktop, offline maps, open APIs, true TV-out that shows everything on the phone screen, actual keys, more useful apps, better freeware, open multimedia format support, online gaming, faster more powerful TI OMAP hardware, larger developer community, open source OS, copy and paste, etc…
These advantages have been around since before there was an iPhone. You just let Engadget and Boy Genius Report decide what you buy, instead of trying it yourself. How has Apple been about adding features so far? Besides Street View on Google Maps, which is a free download on most phones anyway (just like the iPhone-like simplistic static image browser, Opera Mini), what improvements have been realized from iPhone I to 3G? I can mention the improvements my N95 saw and blow your mind.
Robert is very aware of the thousands of iPhone apps and games. He’s also aware of the more apps, and more powerful games available for S60. The N95 8gb and other devices have such powerful graphics chips, we can run ports of Quake I, II, III, AND Doom right on the device as smoothly as on a PC. And we had motion games first. The iPhone is a toy in comparison.
The fact is many people want a real camera with DVD quality video capture. Really, if you can get one for the same price as an iPhone (they both are ~$650 unsubsidized) with all the features missing from the iPhone since day one, why wouldn’t you? That’s called loyalty to a fault, my friend. And if its not the features that make the phone, what does? The look? Lol! Its thin. Ok, I get it. But what can it do? If it does little and just looks good, its useless for productivity, and is just an overpriced PMP.
@ Don,
Carrier considerations are still an issue. Even unlocked Nokia smartphones meant for America only get 3G on at&t, a tragedy. I’ve written various articles about this on Symbian-Freak in the “Free American 3G” series of articles. Nokia needs to better support the American carriers. That’s why the iPhone sells so well here, because you can barely find Nokia’s high end stuff here. Outside America, everyone knows Nokia is king. Half of the iPhone’s sales are domestic. Put Nokia in the mix and fewer iPhones get sold.
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First off, Scobez, GOOD FIRST LOOK! I had thought the N97 would be a slider with a rotating camera like the N90, similar to the Chinese clone seen on Symbian-Freak. Nokia surely kept a lid on this one.
@ Andrew Mason,
I assume you had an N95-1. I say this because it lacked enough memory to make the browser useful. The N95 8gb fixed all that, and Facebook is exactly like on a desktop. No need for any silly app. I can’t believe you went iPhone just for Facebook. Do Facebook videos play, etc? They do in the latest N95 firmware and browser. Even the new S40 dumbphones. Let this be a lesson. You gave up the best content creation device of its time for the simpleton iPhone?? I guess… Hope you’re back soon.
Robert seems to be the only real geek phone/tech reviewer besides me. No self respecting techie would use an iPhone as a main device over any Nokia smartphone. Its mainly Americans that don’t have access or experience to know just what these phones can do. S60 is the closest thing to a desktop PC OS for your mobile! Robert speaks for us geeks. The iPhone is for our mothers and the less tech savvy. Why would a geek need a simple device? Who wants simple at the expense of features. All those iFools, that’s who.
@ Tinus,
You say the iPhone 3G will be a year old when this comes out. The N80 is even older and outspecs the iPhone! The problem is unless they can sell in America, all most know is the iPhone. Nokia has had the best, most powerful, best selling media smartphones for nearly 3 years straight. The Nseries is and has been the pinnacle of mobile computing. They always have done more than an iPhone. The iPhone never sold more, did more, or anything else compared to Nokia smartphones.
@ Simon Brockelhurst,
Nokia smartphones have always had the ability for users to update or debrand the phones firmware at will from the PC. Just use the Nokia Software Updater. You can even switch from branded to unbranded at will.
The networks never upgraded your firmware unless it was a branded firmware, and I highly suggest using the more powerful generic unlocked firmware instead. Branded means its missing features most times. And its not like the iPhone. Updates are more frequent and add actual feature updates. I remember when we got Flash in the browser in an update. This is the level of improvement to expect from Nokia. Apple is still lacking MMS, video capture, and multitasking YEARS LATER! If you sit and think, there really is no iPhone advantage, and never was.
@ Rahul kumar,
You see more long term development?? How old is the iPhone platform? Symbian is over 10 years old! How many developers and what languages are available for the iPhone? Symbian developers use more languages to code than anything close, with Flashlite, Ruby, c++, Python, Qt, Mscript, Java, .net, and other languages. So applications will be more diverse and useful. It sounds like you’ve never used an S60 device full of apps. Its like comparing a Dell PC to a Fischer Price toy.
Development on the iPhone hasn’t been very agile. Look at the development and progression from the N95 to this device. Now look from the iPhone I to the iPhone 3G. What developments?? I think the leader is clear…
By the way, most of the ways this device eats the iPhone were existent on previous Nokia smartphones since 2006. We’ve always had full turn by turn navigation, with offline maps for using them even with no phone service or web connection. We had high quality video capture since the N90, which came out in 2006 with a dedicated button for copy and paste (so its not “and now Nokia has copy and paste”. They’ve had it all along!), professional optics, and a better camera than the current iPhone! If the N90 had WiFi, it’d be an iPhone killer too. (I think it is anyway…)
@ William,
The iPhone 3G is $675 contract free, and has an extra data fee on contract. The N97 is about $649 contract free, and since its available unlocked like all Nokias, the carrier can’t know what device you have to add a higher data charge, so it’ll be $19 a month data on at&t, $25 a month on T-MobileUSA. Subsidized pricing should be similar between the iPhone and this, although the iPhone has some pretty heavy subsidies. Its ok to pay more for the best device on the market, which this is by far.
@ pwb,
The iPhone has had two versions, yet Nokia smartphones have been the best sellers the entire time. How can a simplistic iPhone blow away the best devices on the market? It hasn’t happened yet, even without Nokia doing comparative marketing to expose the iPhones weakness. Try downloading something while checking your Facebook page, editing music, and making a movie. I can do all these things at once…even on my 2 year old N90! Try again, Apple. And we type so much because its a content consumption AND creation device, the big difference between Nokia and Apple. Apple eats dinner, but Nokia hunts, catches, cooks, and eats that same meal, and even serves up a nice plate for your iPhone. Too bad you can’t receive via bluetooth, like 2 year old Nokias, and even a 4 year old Motorola Razr.
@ G-Rock,
Unless you’ve used a Nokia Nseries, you can’t realize the myriads of advantages over an iPhone. Multitasking is number one. I can run 20 or 30 apps at once on my N95 8gb, so its the equivalent of 25 iPhones! Also, image capture, web browsing with Flash in the browser just like on a desktop, offline maps, open APIs, true TV-out that shows everything on the phone screen, actual keys, more useful apps, better freeware, open multimedia format support, online gaming, faster more powerful TI OMAP hardware, larger developer community, open source OS, copy and paste, etc…
These advantages have been around since before there was an iPhone. You just let Engadget and Boy Genius Report decide what you buy, instead of trying it yourself. How has Apple been about adding features so far? Besides Street View on Google Maps, which is a free download on most phones anyway (just like the iPhone-like simplistic static image browser, Opera Mini), what improvements have been realized from iPhone I to 3G? I can mention the improvements my N95 saw and blow your mind.
Robert is very aware of the thousands of iPhone apps and games. He’s also aware of the more apps, and more powerful games available for S60. The N95 8gb and other devices have such powerful graphics chips, we can run ports of Quake I, II, III, AND Doom right on the device as smoothly as on a PC. And we had motion games first. The iPhone is a toy in comparison.
The fact is many people want a real camera with DVD quality video capture. Really, if you can get one for the same price as an iPhone (they both are ~$650 unsubsidized) with all the features missing from the iPhone since day one, why wouldn’t you? That’s called loyalty to a fault, my friend. And if its not the features that make the phone, what does? The look? Lol! Its thin. Ok, I get it. But what can it do? If it does little and just looks good, its useless for productivity, and is just an overpriced PMP.
@ Don,
Carrier considerations are still an issue. Even unlocked Nokia smartphones meant for America only get 3G on at&t, a tragedy. I’ve written various articles about this on Symbian-Freak in the “Free American 3G” series of articles. Nokia needs to better support the American carriers. That’s why the iPhone sells so well here, because you can barely find Nokia’s high end stuff here. Outside America, everyone knows Nokia is king. Half of the iPhone’s sales are domestic. Put Nokia in the mix and fewer iPhones get sold.
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As nice as the N97 is, it is still made by Nokia.
Do not forget that Nokia removed the GPS tracking feature that shipped with the first N95’s with their firmware update. They stole a paid for feature from their customers.
NEVER EVER BUY FROM A COMPANY THAT STEALS FEATURES BACK THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HAD PAID FOR!
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As nice as the N97 is, it is still made by Nokia.
Do not forget that Nokia removed the GPS tracking feature that shipped with the first N95’s with their firmware update. They stole a paid for feature from their customers.
NEVER EVER BUY FROM A COMPANY THAT STEALS FEATURES BACK THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HAD PAID FOR!
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N95 had all that, video, camera, keyboard… N97 is trying to copy iPhone with touch screen and finger flicks… Not innovative, just one more product coming from a company that has been out-innovated and can’t pull itself together. They have a great marketing machine but they will be reduced to selling to China and India until people over there discover iPhone and Android. Bad phone as all other Nokia phones. Crammed with features with no usability and plenty of confusion. Ovi, Mash, whatever…
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N95 had all that, video, camera, keyboard… N97 is trying to copy iPhone with touch screen and finger flicks… Not innovative, just one more product coming from a company that has been out-innovated and can’t pull itself together. They have a great marketing machine but they will be reduced to selling to China and India until people over there discover iPhone and Android. Bad phone as all other Nokia phones. Crammed with features with no usability and plenty of confusion. Ovi, Mash, whatever…
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how big is the hard drive? thats a biggie for me…..
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how big is the hard drive? thats a biggie for me…..
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Quite good informative post
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Quite good informative post
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@Christexaport,
Sorry I have to say this – I wonder how can anyone be so wrong.
First, running x apps in the background doesn’t make a phone better by the factor x.
Next, I seriously doubt it that there is any mobile browser on the planet that does a better job than the one on the iPhone. By “better job” I mean the speed of rendering the website, the accuracy of rendering it and of course the network speed. Of course I haven’t seen what the N97’s browser is capable of, but there has never been a browser, especially not from Nokia, that did rendering any good. Yes, it may be able to display Flash content (FlashLite?) but, seriously, I missed that feature exactly one time in over a year I use my iPhone.
“More useful apps” – did you have a clown for breakfast? You’ve got to be kidding me.
“better freeware” – did you have a clown for breakfast? You’ve got to be kidding me.
“open multimedia format support” – what’s not open at mp3, mpeg4, h.264, …?
“larger developer community” – did you have a clown for breakfast? You’ve got to be kidding me. I happen to work in the mobile gaming industry and I’m afraid to say you don’t seem to have a clue what you are talking about. Developers for S60 are really rare. Why is that? Because noone buys apps/games for S60. Why is that? Because in general they don’t increase productivity or deliver any fun.
“online gaming” – this is a concept that has failed for years now. No matter which (mobile!) platform. Here’s why: Latency of the networks at live games, boredom with turn-based games. Besides, you could create (and I’m sure there are already such games) online games with the iPhone. And why wouldn’t you be able to in the first place?
The improvements between 1st iPhone and 3G are indeed not too big. There’s GPS, another (yes, cheaper) case and 3G support. Still, after a few hours with the iPhone I couldn’t believe I was satisfied with a Nokia or a SonyEricsson just a short time before. I won’t trade it in for anything in the next year(s). Just a stunning device that doesn’t make you angry but does its job.
By the way the biggest improvements were simply put into the iPhone by firmware update, which is why I won’t let copy/paste count as a good argument against. This is about to come and noone doubts it. Yes, it’s annoying not having this feature right now.
There are neither more nor more powerful games for S60. And games don’t perform like on a PC. This is so not true, I can’t even say how not true that is. Sorry dude.
Then, DVD quality is studio quality which a phone’s camera won’t be able to perform in this century. Not having a video recording app is still sad and annoying, yes.
Show me a Nokia with accelerometer sensor that was on the market before the iPhone was. I can just recall a Samsung which fantastically failed in the market.
So, why would I buy an iPhone instead of an S60 device? Well, basically because I won’t get a heart attack while using it. Sadly enough I still have to deal with all these rubbish devices in the office. Cruel world.
Oh, and I can sync all my music directly from iTunes, just by pressing a button. And it syncs my adress book and my calendar without having to install this unutterable software called Nokia PC Suite (which basically noone gets ever to work) and even the apps and games that I bought. If I delete an app on the phone, I can just re-get it by checking a box and synching the phone. Which is not as rip-offish as in the normal market.
Of course, features make a product great. But this discussion is not about features, it’s about the platform a device is based on and about what developers are able to do with this platforms in order to supply features (such as the facebook app for the iPhone or Super Monkey Ball or one of the other 10k apps and games).
Is a blogging application a feature of a phone? I don’t think so. It’s software that some people want and some don’t. Nokia has a device in the market which is advertised with something like “integrated blogging features”. How sad is this?
And of course it’s also the look. I like the iPhone and yes, I like the design of the N97. I think it’s one of the greatest devices in the market. But it won’t be a so called “iPhone-Killer”. Check out the G1 and with a little sense of taste, you’ll have to admit that this is not a beatiful device by any means.
So long,
G-Rock
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@Christexaport,
Sorry I have to say this – I wonder how can anyone be so wrong.
First, running x apps in the background doesn’t make a phone better by the factor x.
Next, I seriously doubt it that there is any mobile browser on the planet that does a better job than the one on the iPhone. By “better job” I mean the speed of rendering the website, the accuracy of rendering it and of course the network speed. Of course I haven’t seen what the N97’s browser is capable of, but there has never been a browser, especially not from Nokia, that did rendering any good. Yes, it may be able to display Flash content (FlashLite?) but, seriously, I missed that feature exactly one time in over a year I use my iPhone.
“More useful apps” – did you have a clown for breakfast? You’ve got to be kidding me.
“better freeware” – did you have a clown for breakfast? You’ve got to be kidding me.
“open multimedia format support” – what’s not open at mp3, mpeg4, h.264, …?
“larger developer community” – did you have a clown for breakfast? You’ve got to be kidding me. I happen to work in the mobile gaming industry and I’m afraid to say you don’t seem to have a clue what you are talking about. Developers for S60 are really rare. Why is that? Because noone buys apps/games for S60. Why is that? Because in general they don’t increase productivity or deliver any fun.
“online gaming” – this is a concept that has failed for years now. No matter which (mobile!) platform. Here’s why: Latency of the networks at live games, boredom with turn-based games. Besides, you could create (and I’m sure there are already such games) online games with the iPhone. And why wouldn’t you be able to in the first place?
The improvements between 1st iPhone and 3G are indeed not too big. There’s GPS, another (yes, cheaper) case and 3G support. Still, after a few hours with the iPhone I couldn’t believe I was satisfied with a Nokia or a SonyEricsson just a short time before. I won’t trade it in for anything in the next year(s). Just a stunning device that doesn’t make you angry but does its job.
By the way the biggest improvements were simply put into the iPhone by firmware update, which is why I won’t let copy/paste count as a good argument against. This is about to come and noone doubts it. Yes, it’s annoying not having this feature right now.
There are neither more nor more powerful games for S60. And games don’t perform like on a PC. This is so not true, I can’t even say how not true that is. Sorry dude.
Then, DVD quality is studio quality which a phone’s camera won’t be able to perform in this century. Not having a video recording app is still sad and annoying, yes.
Show me a Nokia with accelerometer sensor that was on the market before the iPhone was. I can just recall a Samsung which fantastically failed in the market.
So, why would I buy an iPhone instead of an S60 device? Well, basically because I won’t get a heart attack while using it. Sadly enough I still have to deal with all these rubbish devices in the office. Cruel world.
Oh, and I can sync all my music directly from iTunes, just by pressing a button. And it syncs my adress book and my calendar without having to install this unutterable software called Nokia PC Suite (which basically noone gets ever to work) and even the apps and games that I bought. If I delete an app on the phone, I can just re-get it by checking a box and synching the phone. Which is not as rip-offish as in the normal market.
Of course, features make a product great. But this discussion is not about features, it’s about the platform a device is based on and about what developers are able to do with this platforms in order to supply features (such as the facebook app for the iPhone or Super Monkey Ball or one of the other 10k apps and games).
Is a blogging application a feature of a phone? I don’t think so. It’s software that some people want and some don’t. Nokia has a device in the market which is advertised with something like “integrated blogging features”. How sad is this?
And of course it’s also the look. I like the iPhone and yes, I like the design of the N97. I think it’s one of the greatest devices in the market. But it won’t be a so called “iPhone-Killer”. Check out the G1 and with a little sense of taste, you’ll have to admit that this is not a beatiful device by any means.
So long,
G-Rock
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I don’t see a little piece of fruit on it or hipsters on TV telling me how all the other pretentious little boys will have one. I’m willing to bet this will join the legions of excellent consumer electronics that delivered more features for a lower price but failed to overcome Apple’s marketing.
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I don’t see a little piece of fruit on it or hipsters on TV telling me how all the other pretentious little boys will have one. I’m willing to bet this will join the legions of excellent consumer electronics that delivered more features for a lower price but failed to overcome Apple’s marketing.
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@ christexaport
Whoa, that was the biggest dose of fanboyism since Amiga fanboys. And I thought the Apple clan was bad.
Product is more than the spec sheet, really. You claim to be able to browse, edit film and do some other stuff at the same time on E90. Good for you, last time I checked the E90 could not even handle the browsing properly. Byw the facebook app for iPhone is quite sexy.
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@ christexaport
Whoa, that was the biggest dose of fanboyism since Amiga fanboys. And I thought the Apple clan was bad.
Product is more than the spec sheet, really. You claim to be able to browse, edit film and do some other stuff at the same time on E90. Good for you, last time I checked the E90 could not even handle the browsing properly. Byw the facebook app for iPhone is quite sexy.
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Great Post Scob, but I must kindly disagree.
I’m going to repost a blog post I orginally started as a comment to your post, so I hope you don’t mind. If people want to see the blog post in all its glory, please go here: http://is.gd/9VwH
—
There is a lot of buzz today about the iPhone “killer”, Nokia’s N97 at Nokia’s annual conference for themselves, Nokia World . As much as I would like Apple to get some real competitors, this is not it.
Here are 3 reasons why:
1. Price Point. This phone is priced to start at $700, the iPhone is priced at $200. Granted, post-subsidies it might come down to $350, but given two very similar phones, I think most people will still opt for the iPhone.
2. App store. The Nokia phone is allowing 3rd party developers to distribute applications through their traditional “Download” application. What this lacks is 1. deep integration into the phone and 2. a way to pay for applications. Might I suggest doing some sort of partnership with PayPal or Amazon?
3. Size. Bigger, fatter, heavier.
This is starting to get pathetic. The Blackberry Storm was a let-down, the G-Phone was a flop, and now even Nokia is completely paralized by a phone that was created almost 2 years ago. Come on guys, get your act together. If we want a mobile revolution, we’re going to need everyone to chip in. Here is what everyone that wants a shot at Apple needs to do:
1. Worship developers.
None of the other big mobile manufacturers have a viable app store. Right now, the user has to know how to physically go around and find applications on their own. This is horrible, the reason why the iPhone App Store is so successful is because it caters to impulse buying and downloading. To one-up the iPhone App Store, the rest of you guys (Blackberry, Windows, Android, and Symbian) need to come together and create an app store and distribution channel together. You need partnerships with every payment processing service; PayPal, Amazon, and Google. It’s not hard guys, stop being lazy and innovate.
2. Break the price point.
The only reason why Palm is still in the game is because they broke the $100 barrier. These smart phones need to be f-ing FREE. We do not need a 5 megapixel camera in our phone, we need internet connectivity at an affordable price point. Make the iPhone the premium product, not your own entry-level competitors.
3. Touch Screen EVERYTHING
Stop with the QWERTY junk. The iPhone touch screen is far superior to tacticle feedback. Like Henry Ford said, “If I asked what people wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Apple succeeds because it knows that people are stupid and are going to want stupid features, like a keyboard. If you use my application, iType (shameless plug), you can see that people can get up to 40 WPM (my co-founder) on the iPhone, that’s without spelling correction. Given that it is highly possible to type well on a touch screen and that screen space is the biggest value-add to any mobile device, it is STUPIDLY obvious that you need to switch off the tacticle keyboard.
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Great Post Scob, but I must kindly disagree.
I’m going to repost a blog post I orginally started as a comment to your post, so I hope you don’t mind. If people want to see the blog post in all its glory, please go here: http://is.gd/9VwH
—
There is a lot of buzz today about the iPhone “killer”, Nokia’s N97 at Nokia’s annual conference for themselves, Nokia World . As much as I would like Apple to get some real competitors, this is not it.
Here are 3 reasons why:
1. Price Point. This phone is priced to start at $700, the iPhone is priced at $200. Granted, post-subsidies it might come down to $350, but given two very similar phones, I think most people will still opt for the iPhone.
2. App store. The Nokia phone is allowing 3rd party developers to distribute applications through their traditional “Download” application. What this lacks is 1. deep integration into the phone and 2. a way to pay for applications. Might I suggest doing some sort of partnership with PayPal or Amazon?
3. Size. Bigger, fatter, heavier.
This is starting to get pathetic. The Blackberry Storm was a let-down, the G-Phone was a flop, and now even Nokia is completely paralized by a phone that was created almost 2 years ago. Come on guys, get your act together. If we want a mobile revolution, we’re going to need everyone to chip in. Here is what everyone that wants a shot at Apple needs to do:
1. Worship developers.
None of the other big mobile manufacturers have a viable app store. Right now, the user has to know how to physically go around and find applications on their own. This is horrible, the reason why the iPhone App Store is so successful is because it caters to impulse buying and downloading. To one-up the iPhone App Store, the rest of you guys (Blackberry, Windows, Android, and Symbian) need to come together and create an app store and distribution channel together. You need partnerships with every payment processing service; PayPal, Amazon, and Google. It’s not hard guys, stop being lazy and innovate.
2. Break the price point.
The only reason why Palm is still in the game is because they broke the $100 barrier. These smart phones need to be f-ing FREE. We do not need a 5 megapixel camera in our phone, we need internet connectivity at an affordable price point. Make the iPhone the premium product, not your own entry-level competitors.
3. Touch Screen EVERYTHING
Stop with the QWERTY junk. The iPhone touch screen is far superior to tacticle feedback. Like Henry Ford said, “If I asked what people wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Apple succeeds because it knows that people are stupid and are going to want stupid features, like a keyboard. If you use my application, iType (shameless plug), you can see that people can get up to 40 WPM (my co-founder) on the iPhone, that’s without spelling correction. Given that it is highly possible to type well on a touch screen and that screen space is the biggest value-add to any mobile device, it is STUPIDLY obvious that you need to switch off the tacticle keyboard.
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Good stuff Robert. Just wanted to point out the the 550 mark was in Euros I believe. So it’s more like 7 hundo American
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Good stuff Robert. Just wanted to point out the the 550 mark was in Euros I believe. So it’s more like 7 hundo American
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It’s amusing to me to see companies try to compete with Apple on features. In the iPod days all the pundits thought that not having an FM radio was a heinous omission and so all the wannabes like Zune and Sansa proudly announced their iPod knock-offs had FM radios. Turns out that nobody cares about having an FM radio in their media player because the content and audio quality sucks compared to listening to mp3 files.
The same will be true for all these features. Apple will add the ones that make sense like copy-and-paste and turn-by-turn and ignore the rest (video calls, physical keyboard) and they will still kick Nokia’s and Google’s butt.
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It’s amusing to me to see companies try to compete with Apple on features. In the iPod days all the pundits thought that not having an FM radio was a heinous omission and so all the wannabes like Zune and Sansa proudly announced their iPod knock-offs had FM radios. Turns out that nobody cares about having an FM radio in their media player because the content and audio quality sucks compared to listening to mp3 files.
The same will be true for all these features. Apple will add the ones that make sense like copy-and-paste and turn-by-turn and ignore the rest (video calls, physical keyboard) and they will still kick Nokia’s and Google’s butt.
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Good Job, Robert! You’ve really got all the Apple-hating Microsoft gamer-nerds excited!! “The ultimate Facebook device” !!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! For who?? GAMER NERDS??? Like you?? HAHAHAHA!!! Who told you to call it “The ultimate Facebook device”? Is that the anti-Apple selling strategy this time?? It’s a lot better than “welcome to the social”!! HAHAHAHA!!! But who are these nerds going to call? Their LAN party buddies? What would they do with a Facebook account?? HAHAHAHA!!!
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Good Job, Robert! You’ve really got all the Apple-hating Microsoft gamer-nerds excited!! “The ultimate Facebook device” !!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! For who?? GAMER NERDS??? Like you?? HAHAHAHA!!! Who told you to call it “The ultimate Facebook device”? Is that the anti-Apple selling strategy this time?? It’s a lot better than “welcome to the social”!! HAHAHAHA!!! But who are these nerds going to call? Their LAN party buddies? What would they do with a Facebook account?? HAHAHAHA!!!
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@christexaport
Your website says it all.. your a Symbian freak, therefore your job is likely to convince me that my iPhone is worthless. Honestly, a camera for you and for Scoble might be the greatest thing in the world, but for me I need applications that are relative to what a teenager needs (I’m 17). Facebook, Youtube, Myspace, IM are all on the iPhone and web browsing on Safari I find is satisfactory if not great.
and…your right I’ve never used a S60 device before. I was locked onto Verizon previously, which happens to not sell any higher end Nokia phone, and neither does AT&T, at least this was the case when I bought my 3G. I might be wrong. Nokia has an issue with getting these phones for relatively attractive prices ($199/$299) and onto carriers here in America. I can’t look at Scoble toying with the phone, and other tech blogs and consider the phone is for me. The only opportunity I’ve got to mess around with a Nokia is when I visit India. They (Nokia) happen to be dominant there, and everyone has a nice S60 phone. Not so much the story here in America. They aren’t widely available where I live, and there prices aren’t attractive.
Regarding Apps, I’m not a developer so I can’t give tell you exactly which platform is easier to develop on, though from all the programming languages you mentioned, S60 would be a choice. And as you say on your site: “S60’s Download! Application does not offer very well known or unknown & powerful applications, utilities, nor support the entrepreneur/student programmer.”
The App Store does.
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@christexaport
Your website says it all.. your a Symbian freak, therefore your job is likely to convince me that my iPhone is worthless. Honestly, a camera for you and for Scoble might be the greatest thing in the world, but for me I need applications that are relative to what a teenager needs (I’m 17). Facebook, Youtube, Myspace, IM are all on the iPhone and web browsing on Safari I find is satisfactory if not great.
and…your right I’ve never used a S60 device before. I was locked onto Verizon previously, which happens to not sell any higher end Nokia phone, and neither does AT&T, at least this was the case when I bought my 3G. I might be wrong. Nokia has an issue with getting these phones for relatively attractive prices ($199/$299) and onto carriers here in America. I can’t look at Scoble toying with the phone, and other tech blogs and consider the phone is for me. The only opportunity I’ve got to mess around with a Nokia is when I visit India. They (Nokia) happen to be dominant there, and everyone has a nice S60 phone. Not so much the story here in America. They aren’t widely available where I live, and there prices aren’t attractive.
Regarding Apps, I’m not a developer so I can’t give tell you exactly which platform is easier to develop on, though from all the programming languages you mentioned, S60 would be a choice. And as you say on your site: “S60’s Download! Application does not offer very well known or unknown & powerful applications, utilities, nor support the entrepreneur/student programmer.”
The App Store does.
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@ Charles Yu,
I’ll try your itype app, but on idlehands app, I did manage to get 50wpm. 🙂
I have a friend who works in Marketing for Nokia, and he’s always banging on about how great Nokia phones are….. and then begs me to let him play SuperMonkeyBall on my iPhone.
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@ Charles Yu,
I’ll try your itype app, but on idlehands app, I did manage to get 50wpm. 🙂
I have a friend who works in Marketing for Nokia, and he’s always banging on about how great Nokia phones are….. and then begs me to let him play SuperMonkeyBall on my iPhone.
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This is the reason, I have avoided all iPhone hype, like it, but it’s not a workhorse and impossible to type, N97 is everything ever. I love the iPod touch however, just doesn’t fit the phone concept for me.
But ‘Facebook device’ is hardly good marketing…and N97 is an expensive loaded kitchen sink phone, mass market appeal it will have not. I like it, but then if you are hot on it, I might have doubts.
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This is the reason, I have avoided all iPhone hype, like it, but it’s not a workhorse and impossible to type, N97 is everything ever. I love the iPod touch however, just doesn’t fit the phone concept for me.
But ‘Facebook device’ is hardly good marketing…and N97 is an expensive loaded kitchen sink phone, mass market appeal it will have not. I like it, but then if you are hot on it, I might have doubts.
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it looks cool..I want one.Thanks.
Also is there any food left, the dinner looks delicious.
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it looks cool..I want one.Thanks.
Also is there any food left, the dinner looks delicious.
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thanks for info, iphone or n97 ?
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thanks for info, iphone or n97 ?
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I still have my N95 right now…. my phone works well. But seeing that new and cool N97, I’ll try to get one when it’s out to the market. 🙂
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I still have my N95 right now…. my phone works well. But seeing that new and cool N97, I’ll try to get one when it’s out to the market. 🙂
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“Availabilty? Second quarter of 2009.”
So this is a pure paper lounch, a marketing event, without a buy able product for one year. That are 1 or 2 generations in mobile development…
But every scobleized blogger jumps on the train because Nokia gives them a prototype to play with.
The next iPhone generation will be on the market by this time.
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“Availabilty? Second quarter of 2009.”
So this is a pure paper lounch, a marketing event, without a buy able product for one year. That are 1 or 2 generations in mobile development…
But every scobleized blogger jumps on the train because Nokia gives them a prototype to play with.
The next iPhone generation will be on the market by this time.
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Nokia wins anyway because you can buy the phone without a contract. 😉
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Nokia wins anyway because you can buy the phone without a contract. 😉
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I think Robert makes some technical excellent points about the N97 but I don’t think it’s going to be the iPhone killer. For one thing Apple has managed to make some kind “cool” cache out it’s products that Nokia hasn’t been able to do for sometime. And people want the cool products.
I for one will try my hardest to never buy Apple products, but that’s because I’m a tech geek. I hate the fact that I can’t “seem” to own an Apple product. If I can’t change the battery myself then I won’t be buying it. Apple has created an innovative product but it’s also one of the worst for consumers because they have lock you into their system – as well as charging you up the wazoo for it.
My wife like’s Apple products and would get the iPhone but she won’t because she knows that she won’t use 70% of the features.
The iPhone will certainly have a good market share and even if it does become top dog it won’t last long because Apple treats it’s customers like crap. Nokia won’t defeat the iPhone, especially in the US, because they can’t build any kind of “coo” cache.
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I think Robert makes some technical excellent points about the N97 but I don’t think it’s going to be the iPhone killer. For one thing Apple has managed to make some kind “cool” cache out it’s products that Nokia hasn’t been able to do for sometime. And people want the cool products.
I for one will try my hardest to never buy Apple products, but that’s because I’m a tech geek. I hate the fact that I can’t “seem” to own an Apple product. If I can’t change the battery myself then I won’t be buying it. Apple has created an innovative product but it’s also one of the worst for consumers because they have lock you into their system – as well as charging you up the wazoo for it.
My wife like’s Apple products and would get the iPhone but she won’t because she knows that she won’t use 70% of the features.
The iPhone will certainly have a good market share and even if it does become top dog it won’t last long because Apple treats it’s customers like crap. Nokia won’t defeat the iPhone, especially in the US, because they can’t build any kind of “coo” cache.
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Looks like a nice piece of tech. Heres the only prob: the Iphone is now cheaper than the N97 is going to be. Is that extra stuff worth the price? If you wait until the price drops to $330, then the Apple response will probably already be out and it will be even better than the N97. So, where does it stop? If you’ve got money to blow on this stuff, cool. But not all of us can buy each new beautiful piece of tech that comes along with a $600 price tag.
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Looks like a nice piece of tech. Heres the only prob: the Iphone is now cheaper than the N97 is going to be. Is that extra stuff worth the price? If you wait until the price drops to $330, then the Apple response will probably already be out and it will be even better than the N97. So, where does it stop? If you’ve got money to blow on this stuff, cool. But not all of us can buy each new beautiful piece of tech that comes along with a $600 price tag.
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The N96 even looks better than the iPhone.
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The N96 even looks better than the iPhone.
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Excellent Nokia N97 –
best of the best
Nokia is rocking
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Excellent Nokia N97 –
best of the best
Nokia is rocking
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It’s the keyboard, stupid. Main reason I will never use iPhone as my #1 device. Of course, Apple will never adopt this form factor, and RIM missed it. More thoughts: http://simonwoodside.com/weblog/2008/12/4/nokia_n97_the_form_factor/
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It’s the keyboard, stupid. Main reason I will never use iPhone as my #1 device. Of course, Apple will never adopt this form factor, and RIM missed it. More thoughts: http://simonwoodside.com/weblog/2008/12/4/nokia_n97_the_form_factor/
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This is a great phone. It rocks.
http://www.nzmobiles.com/phones/34-nokia/61-the-new-nokia-n97-.html
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This is a great phone. It rocks.
http://www.nzmobiles.com/phones/34-nokia/61-the-new-nokia-n97-.html
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haaaa, i’ll definitely be one of the first to have an unlocked version. As soon as its available here http://www.puremobile.com/Nokia/Nokia-N97-White-GSM-Phone/
I really can’t wait, never been this anxious for a cellphone. Qwerty and touch in a Nokia….wow
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haaaa, i’ll definitely be one of the first to have an unlocked version. As soon as its available here http://www.puremobile.com/Nokia/Nokia-N97-White-GSM-Phone/
I really can’t wait, never been this anxious for a cellphone. Qwerty and touch in a Nokia….wow
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WOW Finally N97 is to be released..Puremobile Says Coming Soon Can it be??????????????
I was really waiting to get this lovely phone and when i get it from puremobile it would be really AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
I am really waiting to place an order here http://www.puremobile.com/Nokia/Nokia-N97-White-GSM-Phone/
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WOW Finally N97 is to be released..Puremobile Says Coming Soon Can it be??????????????
I was really waiting to get this lovely phone and when i get it from puremobile it would be really AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
I am really waiting to place an order here http://www.puremobile.com/Nokia/Nokia-N97-White-GSM-Phone/
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hey everyone 🙂 Now my personal experiences with the iphone (cause i have it) are great…they got a new update so it now has turn by turn with the new google maps so one problem solved….the battery thing for hours is crap my phone can fully charge like in an hour and a half its the battery bar is red….and things like video apple can update that soon enough they get updates like very couple months….and who knows by spring appl might even have a new iphone with better stuff than it has now….
Basicly im saying that the phone world never stops once one person comes out with something evrybody likes all the other companies follow it…(thats how touch screen came into view)….now thats just my opinion
ps…not much of apple fan but the iphone rocks and the n97 rocks to but i cant wait till spring 😦
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hey everyone 🙂 Now my personal experiences with the iphone (cause i have it) are great…they got a new update so it now has turn by turn with the new google maps so one problem solved….the battery thing for hours is crap my phone can fully charge like in an hour and a half its the battery bar is red….and things like video apple can update that soon enough they get updates like very couple months….and who knows by spring appl might even have a new iphone with better stuff than it has now….
Basicly im saying that the phone world never stops once one person comes out with something evrybody likes all the other companies follow it…(thats how touch screen came into view)….now thats just my opinion
ps…not much of apple fan but the iphone rocks and the n97 rocks to but i cant wait till spring 😦
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Hi guys, i just wondering, a lot of advertising there, offering this N97. They sell it on 300-450USD.
Is it true, since Nokia haven’t launced it in store, how these people can sell it?
I’m really don’t understand, can somebody help me to explain? Thank You.
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Hi guys, i just wondering, a lot of advertising there, offering this N97. They sell it on 300-450USD.
Is it true, since Nokia haven’t launced it in store, how these people can sell it?
I’m really don’t understand, can somebody help me to explain? Thank You.
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Hi guys, may i ask something?
I wondering, how come, there is advertising sell these n97, since Nokia have not launched it yet in store?
They offers around 300-450USD.
Anybody can help me to explain?
Thanx
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Hi guys, may i ask something?
I wondering, how come, there is advertising sell these n97, since Nokia have not launched it yet in store?
They offers around 300-450USD.
Anybody can help me to explain?
Thanx
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hi guys,
The Nokia N97 captivates you with its innovative technology and revolutionary features. The impressive slider concept and cutting-edge design of the Nokia N97 make it an absolute fashion accessory.
For more visit http://www.nokian97.350.com/
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hi guys,
The Nokia N97 captivates you with its innovative technology and revolutionary features. The impressive slider concept and cutting-edge design of the Nokia N97 make it an absolute fashion accessory.
For more visit http://www.nokian97.350.com/
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For me, this phone is close to perfection but there is one thing that would make it perfect -> Is there an extra camera for video calling? (otherwise i will just go for the Sony Ericsson x1).
Thanks!
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For me, this phone is close to perfection but there is one thing that would make it perfect -> Is there an extra camera for video calling? (otherwise i will just go for the Sony Ericsson x1).
Thanks!
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Oh i just say wow! Facebook is AMAZING! 🙂
now i used iphone i think iphone is the best mobile phone 🙂
i like it.
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Oh i just say wow! Facebook is AMAZING! 🙂
now i used iphone i think iphone is the best mobile phone 🙂
i like it.
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Its really being nail biting waiting for N97 to be released, puremobile says coming soon Can it be????????????????????
http://www.puremobile.com/Nokia/Nokia-N97-White-GSM-Phone/
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Its really being nail biting waiting for N97 to be released, puremobile says coming soon Can it be????????????????????
http://www.puremobile.com/Nokia/Nokia-N97-White-GSM-Phone/
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The N97 looks great. Is it going to be sold unlocked to any carrier in the US? I might trade in my iphone for this, since the n97 has better specs: http://www.clashem.com/phones.php?id1=1179&id2=2
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i love the Nokia N97. I am going to buy it soon in white. I live in UAE so it is in stores now or by next week.
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great can open at any time FB
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Nice article about the Nokia N97 article..I am going to buy the Nokia Nseries for that i am going to sell the Nokia 6060 Model Mobile For that i want to unlock the Mobile From the T-Mobile US network I found the Free Unlocking code in the site <a href=”http://www.unlock-free.com/”http://www.unlock-free.com/ after Unlocking it & i will sell the Mobile & buy Nokia N97 Mobile ..It's My Dream.
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Thanks for post. It’s really imformative stuff.I really like to read.Hope to learn a lot and have a nice experience here! my best regards guys!mobile phones for sale–mobile phones for sale
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I hold no blind loyalty to N97, nor did I to my 9210, 9300, or 9500.But while I have a N97 in my pocket I'll remain true to the Brotherhood.My N97 is my best friend.My relationship is currently on hold while I accustom myself to everything that the N97 can offer me. So far, I haven't put it down.I'm getting married in 7 days and hope to have grown up by then. If not, my N97 will be with me at the top table and I'll mention him in my Wedding Speech.Love is such a fickle thing.See you around http://www.nokian97forum.com
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Nokia N97 is a most attractive 3G Smartphone comes in black and white colour casing. It designed nokia, for many business & entertainment users suit today's mobile phone users. If you plan to buy this phone you can compare various nokia N97 contact deals http://www.askphone.co.uk/nokia-n97-contract.html and buy cheapest.
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I have a Nokia N97 and I'm VERY disappointed. Nokia made promises and came out with a useless device. It's firmware software is FULL of bugs, it's extremely slow, freezes, Skype is still not included but they said that the Nokia N97 will be shipped with Skype. The worst thing is that Nokia lied and lies about the N97. What they do is simply not telling the truth about their buggy device. I am very disappointed. I've always had Nokia phones, but I'm sure this is my last Nokia phone. Bugs and lies – this is what you can get from Nokia. If you planned to buy an N97, forget it. It sounds great what Nokia tells about the device, but the device is useless.
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I have a Nokia N97 and I'm VERY disappointed. Nokia made promises and came out with a useless device. It's firmware software is FULL of bugs, it's extremely slow, freezes, Skype is still not included but they said that the Nokia N97 will be shipped with Skype. The worst thing is that Nokia lied and lies about the N97. What they do is simply not telling the truth about their buggy device. I am very disappointed. I've always had Nokia phones, but I'm sure this is my last Nokia phone. Bugs and lies – this is what you can get from Nokia. If you planned to buy an N97, forget it. It sounds great what Nokia tells about the device, but the device is useless.
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