So the Nokia N97 was a bit of a disaster. Normally, companies pretend that all of their products are great, even when they aren't. But one Nokia VP is willing to admit that the N97 was a steamer.
The DSi shatters and fragments, which is more effective at maiming and disabling a target. On the other hand, the N97 remains whole, for greater penetration through tough surfaces. Both, however, are fun to look at.
Hello, Nokia N97 owners who ignored our heartfelt advice to look elsewhere for a smartphone. (You couldn't go with the vastly superior E71?) Firmware 2.0 is out, and it supposedly—hopefully—makes life better. Kinetic scrolling! [DailyMobile via Engadget]
Shrinking the N97 won't exactly fix what was wrong with it, but this supposed N97 Mini makes the economical choice of ditching the borderline-useless D-Pad. Weenie-sizing the price would help more, though. [GadgetReview]
Need more evidence that Nokia just doesn't get it? Here's what UK General Manager for Nokia Mike Loughran says about the N97 versus the iPhone 3GS:
The N97 is Nokia's attempt to stand tall in an unfamiliar, hostile world populated by the iPhone, Pre and Android the only way it knows how: by throwing the kitchen sink at them. If this is it, they're doomed.
You know those videos where someone puts a rugged gadget through a battery of tests that would destroy regular hardware, but the device comes through the other side unharmed? This is not one of those videos.
Vodafone seems to have let slip that Nokia are planning a "Mini" or "Lite" version of the recently released N97 smartphone.
Nokia's "quite good" N97 touchscreen handset will show up in Nokia stores (and online) today for $700, contract-free. If you can wait until July, it's still $600 on Amazon. Wake me up when we've got a carrier, please. [Symbian Guru]
"Nokia has about 35-40% of the total phone market. 1.1 billion users...I would have said that Motorola was our number one competitor a few years ago. Now, RIM, Microsoft, Apple."
I got a good feeling groping the Nokia N97. Not in my pants, but close. Unlike the boring E75, it goes beyond "nice," The interface—which divides the screen in big, easy-to-click buttons—felt quick.
It's been a long time coming, but after dabbling with touch on the midrange 5800, Nokia has finally brought a touchscreen to an S60 "N-Series" smartphone, the N97. Take a look at our hands-on impressions and the complete rundown on Nokia's new flagship.
