Nokia shocks no one, confirms N-Series touchscreen handset

Hey, it's not like you really expected Nokia to ride the coattails of its N95 / N96 forever without adding in a dash of innovation, right? At a recent Nokia event held in New Delhi, Devinder Kishore (the director of marketing for Nokia India) was quoted as saying that "We will have lots of touchscreen phones coming up, including an N-series device very soon." Granted, it's not at all shocking to hear that the engineers in Espoo are already conjuring up touch-friendly N-series handsets, but at least you know there's a fingertip-lovin' Nokia coming for you if the XpressMusic 5800 just ain't rubbing you the right way.

[The Police @ Oct 11th 2008 11:44PM]

Nokia N97. Touchscreen, Quadband 3G, 8MP Camera, the works. I can see it happening now.

[avester @ Oct 13th 2008 6:49AM]

What is with those 8mpx cameras everyone wants? More blur and artifacts?

Not to mention the huge loadtimes that S60 phones get with big photos. (OUT OF MEMORY, CLOSE APPLICATIONS)

Give me 2mpx camera that doesn't look crappy, please.

And also, touchscreen isn't a good replacement for a real keyboard/pad, so put them both in it.

[Samboini @ Oct 12th 2008 8:55AM]

Hope it is zippier than my N95 though; it definitely needs more RAM or something to stop it crawling when mutlitasking. Awesome piece of kit still though.

[liv @ Oct 12th 2008 12:31PM]

I think they will drop the stupid 2 digit names... what's next? Nokia N27...? :|

Also it would be great if they ported the Maemo platform from the Internet Tablets and put it on a phone... hell... if they even get Android running on that thing it would be great :). even though S60 has tons of features and a huge app market... Android is somewhat prettier and more friendly to use.. not to mention it doesn't stall for like... a century when I open THE FUCKING PICTURE GALLERY! Ok I'm exaggerating but still, Symbian is slow...

And I would rather appreciate a 3MP dual-lens camera with Optical Zoom and great Xenon flash than just stuffing megapixels on their devices... I mean c'mon Nokia, you are working with freaking Calr Zeiss

My 2 cents

[MadMike @ Oct 11th 2008 11:46PM]

Quick! Someone get John Mayer's hair gel! Queue product placement photo shoot in 5...4...3...2...1...

[Connor @ Oct 11th 2008 11:46PM]

So much real estate wasted for that numeric keypad.

[cesium @ Oct 12th 2008 12:06AM]

Um that pic is just a random nokia phone, its not the touchscreen one...

[s1pacrat @ Oct 12th 2008 12:02AM]

I just hope that Nokia transfers some of the Eseries style to the Nseries... they feel a bit plasticky.

[dimsum05 @ Oct 12th 2008 12:12AM]

Nokia supposed to announce 2 new flagships at MWC. 5800 was just the midrange, the best is yet to come!

[Sean @ Oct 12th 2008 12:22AM]

I want that handset! what is it?

[Saad @ Oct 12th 2008 12:33AM]

Its not just about having a touchscreen, its having the backend as well (Store, SDK etc.)

[CJ @ Oct 12th 2008 1:21AM]

Symbian, Internet.

Problem solved, and without all that red tape that comes with the App(le) Store.

[Saad @ Oct 12th 2008 1:48AM]

@CJ

I own an N95. There needs to be something proper, accessible to the layman. Don't tell me there isn't redtape involved in working with Symbian.

[Poom @ Oct 12th 2008 2:10AM]

Go research before you comment. The S60 development community is way bigger than the iPhone community and it's been here for so long already.

[Magallanes @ Oct 12th 2008 7:22AM]

I developed for symbian and quit because:

a) while the sdk is for free, to program a single "hello world" can take you a couple of days, mainly because you must fix the reference libraries, you must install several tools (such perl) and you must facing with the signing process (a pretty limited self signed, the "open" signing process or buy a expensive symbian signed). Also carbide is unstable, vs plugins will not work with my copy of vs2008 and codewarrior is out.
b ) The sdk is fine but it's a riddler. Do you want to do a "motion sensing" application or use the "multimedia key"?, then good luck finding the way to do it.
c ) Symbian signed is so damn evil, you must own your own symbian certified ($150), the "self made" certified is good for nothing.
d ) Even if you are purchase a symbian certified, still your application must be certified, the process can take from a couple of weeks to several months, and your application can be rejected (usually it does) so you must start over. Of course this certified process is not for free.
e) And if you and your application is certified, STILL you are unable to put in the nokia store.
f) Do you want to sell on Handango?, then they will cut 50% just for publish on their site.

[Saad @ Oct 12th 2008 11:07AM]

@Magallanes

Thankyou.

[Mark Anderson @ Oct 12th 2008 12:13PM]

I take the point about S60 being fiddly, nonetheless the fact remains there are thousands of apps for it available from numerous site.

[L @ Oct 12th 2008 1:51PM]

Important to mention about S60 development is developers have LOTS AND LOTS of choice:

-use Symbian C++
-use OpenC/OpenC++
-use Python
-Use J2ME
-Use Flash Light / soonish Silverlight
-Use the Web Runtime Environment

Symbian C++ is weird at times, but for many applications, Python for example is sufficient and easy to use. Just choose the right language.

If you ask me, Nokia should just finally beef up their Download! app store usability, and do the signing for developers that submit their apps for the store.

[Poom @ Oct 12th 2008 2:42PM]

Magallanes, do you know about open c? I read from many developers that it made their life so much easier. Yeah, symbian signed sucks a lot. I totally agree, but I just hack my phone to skip the signing process. =P

[Renegade Fanboy @ Oct 14th 2008 4:04AM]

Many things are there, but not clear or accessible.
SDK, 10K+ apps, but an integrated experience in this case would be much better:

http://www.renegadefanboy.com/2008/10/nokia-up-gateway-to-all-updates-for-your-phone/

[Evil Bastard @ Oct 12th 2008 12:39AM]

I can't wait for the new Nokia;s. Have a N75 I purchased a year and a half ago. Was waiting for an announcement like this.

[)ROFL( @ Oct 12th 2008 12:44AM]

I've been off contract for a few months now. I need the Engadget community's advice. Should I stick with T-mobile or switch to At&t/VZW/Sprint?

[oZ @ Oct 12th 2008 1:10AM]

Sprint: CDMA. Atrocious customer service, attractive data prices, not as much coverage as Verizon, crap phone selection.
Verizon: CDMA. Locked down phones. Incredible coverage. You're stuck with CDMA.
AT&T: Okay deployment of 3G data services for GSM. Customer service is iffy. Horrible data rates.
T-Mobile: Young, immature 3G network. Fantastic customer service. Starting to really embrace open networks.

I am a T-Mobile customer, and have been for six years. This last year, I have seriously been cross shopping, and even took AT&T for a test drive, but I can't find anything like the deal I have with T-Mobile. My home town now has 3G. I bit the bullet and ordered the G1 and another two year contract. In my opinion, there isn't another American carrier like them.

[Nelagster @ Oct 12th 2008 1:16AM]

umm don't ever, ever go with VZW or Sprint (IMO). As far as i know, at&t and t-mobile are the only carriers that support unlocked phones so if you want a high end phone like the N95, you should go with one of them. I currently have an N95 8GB and i'm with at&t and life is good

[Benson @ Oct 12th 2008 2:57AM]

Rather, they're the main GSM players, and GSM has this neat thing called a SIM (subscriber identity module), which your subscription is tied to. You can take your SIM out of your current phone and put it in an unlocked phone.

The other folks have the subscription tied to the phone, so new phones have to be activated by them. The effect, of course, is that only GSM providers support unlocked phones.

There's also some regional GSM providers that may be a better deal in their region. Centennial, in particular, operates on the same frequencies as AT&T, roams free onto AT&T, but can be cheaper than AT&T. Not so hot on data plans, IIRC, but I'm with T-mobile now so I don't know. And they also, being GSM, support unlocked phones.

(And I'm not on contract, not buying a G1, and most definitely not going into contract to buy a G1 cheap. I'm currently waiting for the next Nokia Internet Tablet or a later Android phone, one with at least 800x480 screen. If this thing turns out to be impressive enough, though, I could jump for it...)

[2Perfect @ Oct 12th 2008 1:14AM]

What's that he's looking at? lol =/

[Bleck @ Oct 12th 2008 1:27AM]

Nokia NX

- 3G
- Touchscreen (Capacitive Touch)
- WiFi
- WiMAX
- GPS
- 8MP Camera
- Slide out Keyboard
- Unlocked
- Good Firmware

Make it happen Nokia.

[Dave Chappelle @ Oct 12th 2008 1:42AM]

Dude Nokia will be happy if they can make an appropriate successor to the 7250, this Company has lost so much Market Share and respect. the N73 was great but daaaamn unreliable (for me atleast)

[eggothewaffle @ Oct 12th 2008 1:42AM]

So basically a faster and smaller N810 WiMAX Edition tablet with 3G and GSM radios? :D

That would be *sexy.*

[holycow @ Oct 12th 2008 1:45AM]

You forgot to mention the ~$800 price tag! But yea Nokia, make it happen I'm counting on you!

[Psip @ Oct 12th 2008 3:27AM]

I'm sorry Chapel, but after your N73 they have raised from 35% market share to 40%. Go look wiki. Thought sorry to hear of N73 didn't work for you, but it has been long time.

N series TS phone sounds great, but what i want is E series. Just loving E71.

[Poom @ Oct 12th 2008 2:11AM]

I wonder how they'll name their touchscreen phone. I really hope it's not N9X and such, because they're running out of numbers...

[Zane @ Oct 12th 2008 2:57AM]

Nokia N1 (similar to the SE X1)?

They'll probably start out with a high-end N-series unit and then work their way down the range. So we might have a N8, N5 and a junior model N2.

In any case, I don't see them releasing the perfect touch-screen handset anytime soon. 3G, 802.11 b/g, 5MP cam with xenon flash, GPS, real stereo speakers a la N95 .. that's about it.

[ethana2 @ Oct 12th 2008 10:57PM]

"the SE X1"?
A little subliminal messaging going on here, perhaps?

[Zane @ Oct 13th 2008 4:52AM]

Haha, I almost didn't notice that!

[FIF2110 @ Oct 12th 2008 5:49AM]

Finally, I have been waiting this new to come
Nokia, welcome to the future...

[asg84 @ Oct 12th 2008 7:10AM]

announcement is about to make in this year and phone will be available in early 2009

i dont think they will name it as n97 cos pictures of that phone design already in the internet ( just type on Google if want to have a look ) very less chance that will be a touch screen one


anyway lets 1st release 5800 :)

[Kops @ Oct 12th 2008 7:52AM]

It's concept phone that dosen't have anything to do with TS N series phone.

Thought i guess it's partly engadget fault, but that's just normal engadget Nokia "loving" and steering people away from Nokia news by showing random 2 years old concept phone that can be fully recycled and dosen't have anything to do with the topic.

[Gavin @ Oct 12th 2008 7:23AM]

Hey int the pic that button next to the users finger looks like it's raised from the phone. Or is my mind playing tricks on me?

[asg84 @ Oct 12th 2008 7:32AM]

its just a concept phone of nokia, about how to maximize user experience (and they are hoping to use nano technology to phones in 2012 )

[Cybergypsy @ Oct 12th 2008 7:47AM]

yep and it makes it ugly!

[Cybergypsy @ Oct 12th 2008 7:46AM]

Not enough screen for me.

[Imran @ Oct 12th 2008 8:11AM]

Looks like you're just gonna have to make do with midget porn. Sorry.

[Zip @ Oct 12th 2008 11:05AM]

THAT PHONE DOSEN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH TS FLAGSHIP!!!!!!!!!!111
It's phone that's totally made from recycled materials and no, i have no idea why engadget have chosen that pic....
http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/02/18/nokia-remade-concept-phone-made-from-recycled-materials/

[noyp @ Oct 12th 2008 11:20AM]

I'm one of those people that like tactile buttons, not a hit-or-miss touch screen. My p990i is good enough for me, providing both worlds.

[dcoaster @ Oct 12th 2008 9:06AM]

Why is it that Nokia phones still look like a typical phone from 5 years ago? IMO, Nokia makes the most boring designs of phones....

[B Woods @ Oct 12th 2008 9:37AM]

funny , because most people complain that nokia's designs are too random for them.. (i.e. 7710)

[Guess @ Oct 12th 2008 11:22AM]

Imo Nokia makes so many different phones using different designs that i can't say they all look boring. Example 7xxx series has so wanky looking phones that you either hate them or love them. 8xxx has clean design and great materials that controls the premium market. E series is selling like no day especially with E71 that's thinnest qwerty phone ever and it just shouts good quality with that metal plaiting.

Thing that i want to change when it comes to design is N series. It looks ok, but i wan't much more variety there. It could be that Nokia is looking neutral looks there as N series is now days as much mass market as 6xxx series, but still....

Are you from states btw? Google some Nokia phones or visit Nokia's European site.

[mko @ Oct 12th 2008 10:06AM]

Am I the only that doesn't like touchscreen phones.

[asg84 @ Oct 12th 2008 11:14AM]

i think u have used a touch screen phone that runs in windows mobile :)