Nokia N97 Cityman disguise knocks N97 back a good two or three years technologically

Americans probably associate Motorola-style brick phones with... well, Motorola, but Nokia had an equally vogue model way back in 1987: the Mobira Cityman. Like the N97, the Cityman was a dark gray beast from another era that combined the industrial design of a Mack truck with the user interface ergonomics of a PDP-11 -- but on the plus side, it made a terrific weapon in a pinch. It seems only fitting, then, that the two models would be united in holy matrimony through a wacky gag accessory for the N97 sent to The Nokia Blog from Nokia's WOM World, allegedly said to have antitheft properties by making your brand new Nseries look like a giant version of its great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. Ironically, an actual Mobira Cityman is probably worth more as a collectible in 2009 than an N97 is, so the effect might be quite the opposite of Nokia's intent -- but yes, of course we want one anyway. Follow the break for video of the Cityman not being stolen.

[MSM Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:27PM]

wow,, is this guy serious ?

[jsmrekar Posted Aug 6th 2009 10:18PM]

just alerted all of my pick-pocket friends. Now we will steal "80's bricks"

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:28PM]

Good times!

M1st

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:30PM]

Ummmm why go through all of that. Why not just carry your phone with you.
And if they try to steal it just knock em out.

[Mr 14 Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:53PM]

If you can dodge a fist, you can dodge a bullet!

[Twitchy Posted Aug 7th 2009 7:34AM]

Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:29PM]

Zack Attack?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:34PM]

Love those bizarre hacks. Seriosly. Go guys! o/

[AdamSpruijt Posted Aug 6th 2009 4:01PM]

I have a funny feeling you are correct.

[Cahlito Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:42PM]

I think it may be more than just 2 or 3 years...

[MrAffrox Posted Aug 6th 2009 5:35PM]

Yeah I think the 2-3 years estimate is a bit off. We had the iPhone in 2007.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 7:29PM]

Try generations.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:45PM]

and it functions as an Anti-GetLaid, Douche-Bag device too!

[SneezyPorcupine Posted Aug 7th 2009 4:13AM]

Nah, that's called an iPhone...

[goldenthief Posted Aug 7th 2009 4:43AM]

add a flesh light on the bottom. Cuz you´ll get tired of not getting laid lol

[Grabbydad Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:48PM]

You could put a tazer in that thing as well. Hell.....why not a lighter, knife and a metal spork too. The Urban Army Phone.

[bdav Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:51PM]

Yeah no that was exactly what I was thinking.

[RageTek Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:55PM]

lol yeah i saw it on all about symbian too
http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/10237_Presenting_the_Cityman_450_ant.php
was confused for a while, till i realized what exactly was goin on! lol

[tavisjohn Posted Aug 6th 2009 2:31PM]

What just a huge hallow plastic thing? No extra battery or anything?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 3:07PM]

I don't think you guys are getting it? It's a JOKE! I laughed my ass off when I first saw it ... I love a tech company with sense of a humor... If I had N97, I'd definitely would try to get one.

[slamEVIL Posted Aug 6th 2009 3:24PM]

this, plus your old fiat convertible...
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/dbimages/0302102001236727119.jpg
chicks will flock

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 3:40PM]

i would just buy it for the fun of it lol retro rocks

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 6:39PM]

Wow, Chris, rockin' that PDP-11 allusion...how many folks do you think actually got it?

(Hint: I first learned to program a little in Basic+ on one, in like 1979-80).

[Brendan H Posted Aug 6th 2009 6:41PM]

I'll wait 'til they have one like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlZS_qYUIeU&feature=related

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 7:03PM]

What a waste of publicity for a very niche phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 8:11PM]

Might as well tie to a brick.