Nokia N97 hands-on and impressions
By Darren Murph 
posted June 3rd 2009 4:41PM
posted June 3rd 2009 4:41PM
posted June 3rd 2009 4:41PM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Meh...
Let me elaborate: Android & the perty handsets it runs on.
I think it's a beautiful phone, much more than just a 'Meh' is necessary!
Fuck Android. It has nothing on Symbian and by the time it does - in a few years - this phone will be obsolete.
what!! pretty android handsets!! are you kidding me!!
This phone can easily be the BEST looking phone on the market when it comes out, can't wait to dump my 5800 for this baby...
OMG, I didn't realize there were Nokia/Symbian fanboys. Btw is Symbian open source yet? I heard that's what they were doing.
It's not fanboyism, it's simple fact. Until Android becomes more established it's not going to threaten Symbian.
SF is open source though so I expect they'll evolve too.
Either Nokia Symbian or SF, both are better than android, no fanboyism here.
I'm sorry, I have to disagree. Though I understand why you all think that Symbian is great, it's not. I'm on my 3rd Symbian smartphone (currently on E71) and I really really like it. It's snappy, it does the job, it's a stable OS, the works. But that's it. The OS is in general crippled by bad design, applications are extremely scarce (yes yes, there are thousands and thousands of SymbianOS apps, all stuck in the middle ages). I have to struggle to find the app I want to use, and 70% of the time, not from a centralized location (even though that's changing now).
For me, SymbianOS is stuck in the mobile OS middle-ages and is in serious need of a remake. Especially for the interface and the customizations it can receive. I'm all for Nokia build quality and Symbian stability, but I want a next-get web-connected phone -and unless something dramatically changes- it's NOT going to be a Nokia/Symbian.
Aburrida! Y no es un iPhone.
I agree, fuck Android. It has nothing on Symbian and by the time it does - in a few years - this phone will be obsolete. However, then there is the iPhone which isn't as immature as Android, nor as old and chunky as Symbian. This phone has nothing on the iPhone, but maybe the hardware keyboard if you're into those things.
Symbian could do with a refresh, Android isn't at the races yet.
As for the iPhone, yeah, it's OK but I'll need to see what v3.0 offers because at the moment it just doesn't cut it for me.
its doesn't have the hype of Iphone or Pre so people don't get excited. I think its a really good device and I am looking forward to my widgets on the home screen.
The German site xonio.com also got a retail device. There are a few pics - the full review is coming up later - I will update you ;-)
short description:
http://www.xonio.com/news/Erste-Bilder-Nokia-N97-in-der-Redaktion_36738407.html
Pics:
http://www.xonio.com/bildergalerie/Nokia-N97-in-der-Redaktion-Erste-Bilder-Galerie_36738462.html
OMFG..... this is what I have been waiting for.
It comes down to this or the new iPhone. With my loss of love for Apple lately I am praying this thing kicks some form of ass - to justify the spend.
This thing looks AWESOME!
Looks O.K.
O.K. meaning- 'Officially Kick-butt', right?
My dad wants a new phone and offered to take my Touch Pro and pay me for it. Thinking about getting the N97, but I might cave and pick up the iPhone if Apple announces some good changes tomorrow (Kotaku mentioned better ram, 3d processor, and attachment points for external keyboards).
IF and I mean IF Apple doesn't dissapoint with just a software update... I might have to give in :/
Looks like its made of cheap plastic?
Well...in fairness, the iPhone isn't exactly made out of billet titanium itself...
ah... as opposed to expensive plastic? pretty much the case will most phones these days. even the mighty iphone went plastic
Why does the article link to the spanish engadget?
cuz they got it 1st in spain ;P
Did you even read the post? It specifically says Engadget Spanish got it first.
OMAP3 or bust, Nokia.
This ARM11 nonsense is not going to bode well for your "flagship" device, especially considering the specs of your upcoming Maemo tablet.
I find it funny that people burn the N97 for using an 'out of date' ARM11 core, which it is a bit. Then the same exact people turn into raving NVIDIA Tegra fanboys / girls, which is also an ARM11 design :D
The Tegra platform uses a really awesome GPU, while this...definitely does not. That's the huge difference right there.
But yeah, Nvidia would benefit from using an ARMv8 proccy instead of an ARM11 core as well.
Good to see a nice set of accessories. The adapter that allows you to charge the phone via older Nokia chargers is kinda cool.
A few people have noted there's no TV-out cable included .. if you've got one from another N series you're ok .. but to have to go out and get one would be a pain .. they expecting everyone to just watch clips on the device screen?
So yeah .. not bad as far as accessories go .. but missing one that should be there.
Nice to see them all packed in plastic bags. Looks very exclusive.
Sounds smooth in his hand, looks like a quality build. If only I could understand what he was saying :(
Translated, for those who wish to read in English: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http://es.engadget.com/2009/06/03/video-desempaquetando-el-nokia-n97-y-primeras-impresiones/&sl=es&tl=en&history_state0=
Definitely my next phone.
The screen looks really cheap. OS response time is really poor. its a brick on top of all that. I second that Meh… comment. Compared to iPhone, Palm, HTC or any other phone Nokia looks sooo dated.
No kidding. Having seen videos on the horrendously boring OS and unresponsive screen, I wouldn't even want to spend €250 on it. The device would have been a banger in 2007 but today it pale in comparison to the iPhone, Pre, HTC and even ZuneHD. Until SE and Nokia have reinvented themselves by developing a contemporary OS, they won't see me purchasing any of their their top phones.
@ homeboy
The ZuneHD isn't even a phone.
@Homeboy
Or you could, you know, use it yourself.
Just a thought.
These pictures look GREAT. Does anyone know if there is an interactive version of the Nokia N97 online like http://interactiveiphone.com for the iPhone? I really want to test it out before I decide if I want to get one of these instead of an iPhone.
You can look at the video and see most of the interface. I think that gives you a good idea of what to expect if you get the phone.
These pictures look GREAT. Does anyone know if there is an interactive version of the Nokia N97 online like http://interactiveiphone.com for the iPhone? I really want to test it out before I decide if I want to get one of these instead of an iPhone.
Nokia RDA is something like that. it's just not a simulator because it uses actual phones. and that's the reason there is a waiting queue. I haven't tried it myself yet, but you can if you're feeling lucky: http://www.forum.nokia.com/Technology_Topics/Application_Quality/Testing/Remote_Device_Access/Instructions_for_RDA_Usage.xhtml
I'll have to go and get this one... resistance is futile.
Not that I know of but if you find one let me know cause I want to try out the interface & I don't any stores in the US will be carrying the N97
I will wait and see the iPhone before deciding...
@sam:
Like you have *any* idea. Just shut up.
Where's the detailed software reviews of these things, the looks are all samey these days.
They had me at "hola"
Played with one in the Nokia shop in London today.. It's FAST. and doesn't feel at all cheap, my wait for a Pre has just shortened to non-existent.. I want an N97 now.
I love the white one :)
it's just too hard for me to decide between this and the Samsung i8910 HD