Nokia N97: The Definitive Verdict (maybe)

Sorry ben gotta agree with James at his point BUT mine should be here in an hour or so (hopefully) so will let u know after that for sure!

Excellent video, shows both sides of the debate nicely. One thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people, Mr Fry included, seem to confuse “sophisticated UI” with “sophisticated OS”. Apple has the former, Symbian has the latter.

Fight Fight Fight! Mud wrestling next.

I agree with Ben, you shouldn’t have to wait for software upgrades - as much as I dislike the iPhone, at least it was mostly feature complete out of the box.

I haven’t played with the N97 - it reminds me too much of the N810; great hardware, disappointing software, lousy keyboard.

Hehe, neat video. Personally I prefer the N97. Yes, S60 has some silly quirks but it’s also very flexible and very feature rich.

Btw, was that filmed next to Teddington Lock by any chance? The surroundings looked pretty familiar…

Can I please correct James on the price of the N97..? You mentioned it is free on a £35/£40 a month contract. I went into Vodadfone last week to ask about it, and was told on £35 and £40 plan it will cost somewhere around £250. (after learving O2) I now have a Samsung Tocco Ultra! good phone. Battery life is awfull as needs charging every two days!

Which store was that?!
I never, ever buy in store as you more often than not get the worse deal.

Also, I just called Vodafone and asked:

“My friend is thinking of leaving o2 and is considering the N97, how much would it be?”
“Depending on what bundle he had, we would definitely try and make it free.”
“What does that mean?”
“£35-£40pcm on an 18-24mth contract”
“Cool, thanks.”

Tell the VF store they’re talking crap and ask for a better deal, they’re on comission remember?

EDIT - “Free On Pay monthly plans from £40″

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/nokia-n97

[...] while the IntoMobile gang waits for Simon to get around to writing his review, my friends over at The Really Mobile Project got in front of the camera and debated one of the most controvertial handsets of [...]

Yep - at Teddington lock and the nearby Anglers pub…

Sorry ben gotta agree with James at his point BUT mine should be here in an hour or so (hopefully) so will let u know after that for sure!

Sorry ben gotta agree with James at his point BUT mine should be here in an hour or so (hopefully) so will let u know after that for sure!

Excellent video, shows both sides of the debate nicely. One thing I've noticed is that a lot of people, Mr Fry included, seem to confuse “sophisticated UI” with “sophisticated OS”. Apple has the former, Symbian has the latter.

Excellent video, shows both sides of the debate nicely. One thing I've noticed is that a lot of people, Mr Fry included, seem to confuse “sophisticated UI” with “sophisticated OS”. Apple has the former, Symbian has the latter.

Fight Fight Fight! Mud wrestling next.I agree with Ben, you shouldn't have to wait for software upgrades - as much as I dislike the iPhone, at least it was mostly feature complete out of the box.I haven't played with the N97 - it reminds me too much of the N810; great hardware, disappointing software, lousy keyboard.

Fight Fight Fight! Mud wrestling next.

I agree with Ben, you shouldn't have to wait for software upgrades - as much as I dislike the iPhone, at least it was mostly feature complete out of the box.

I haven't played with the N97 - it reminds me too much of the N810; great hardware, disappointing software, lousy keyboard.

Hehe, neat video. Personally I prefer the N97. Yes, S60 has some silly quirks but it's also very flexible and very feature rich.Btw, was that filmed next to Teddington Lock by any chance? The surroundings looked pretty familiar…

Hehe, neat video. Personally I prefer the N97. Yes, S60 has some silly quirks but it's also very flexible and very feature rich.

Btw, was that filmed next to Teddington Lock by any chance? The surroundings looked pretty familiar…

Can I please correct James on the price of the N97..? You mentioned it is free on a £35/£40 a month contract. I went into Vodadfone last week to ask about it, and was told on £35 and £40 plan it will cost somewhere around £250. (after learving O2) I now have a Samsung Tocco Ultra! good phone. Battery life is awfull as needs charging every two days!

Can I please correct James on the price of the N97..? You mentioned it is free on a £35/£40 a month contract. I went into Vodadfone last week to ask about it, and was told on £35 and £40 plan it will cost somewhere around £250. (after learving O2) I now have a Samsung Tocco Ultra! good phone. Battery life is awfull as needs charging every two days!

The reason I liked the N810 is the reason I’m not convinced about the N97… the OS. The N810 has never crashed, ever, in all the time I’ve owned it, despite my having installed a fairly random range of applications on it. My Nokia Symbian handsets crash on average once or twice a week, and hang non-fatally once or twice a day.

Now admittedly I probably use my phone a hundred times as often as the N810 (although they’re both turned on 24/7), but that’s still ‘lots of crashes’ vs ‘absolutely none’. I’m really disappointed that Nokia haven’t ditched Symbian in favour of working with Android, and as soon as someone puts Android onto some decent hardware on a decent network, I’ll be jumping ship.

Incidentally, why are Nokia still shipping top-end phones with mid-range cameras - is the camera from the N82 really too big to fit into the N97? I like the N82 camera, downgrading from it is going to hurt.

If you’re feeling adventurous, I’ve written a quick guide to getting Android on the N810
http://shkspr.mobi/blog/index.php/2009/05/nitdroid-installing-android-on-the-nokia-n810/

If you’re feeling adventurous, I’ve written a quick guide to getting Android running on the N810.
http://shkspr.mobi/blog/index.php/2009/05/nitdroid-installing-android-on-the-nokia-n810/
Enjoy.

Ahahaha. Okay. *starts downloading things gleefully*

Which store was that?! I never, ever buy in store as you more often than not get the worse deal. Also, I just called Vodafone and asked:”My friend is thinking of leaving o2 and is considering the N97, how much would it be?”"Depending on what bundle he had, we would definitely try and make it free.”"What does that mean?”"£35-£40pcm on an 18-24mth contract”…

Which store was that?!

I never, ever buy in store as you more often than not get the worse deal.

Also, I just called Vodafone and asked:

“My friend is thinking of leaving o2 and is considering the N97, how much would it be?”
“Depending on what bundle he had, we would definitely try and make it free.”

“What does that mean?”
“£35-£40pcm on an 18-24mth contract”

…

Ben - without commenting on the rest of the video, I will say that the stylus was a cheap shot, and I think you know it. As James pointed out - you had to pull yours out of the box to show it on the video, and that’s exactly where mine is, and has been for the past week.

The fact that a stylus is included shows nothing about the overall interface. You’d be hard pressed to seriously maintain that S60v5 is not a finger-friendly system. Even the 5800XM, with its smaller screen, includes a stylus, but the only thing I’ve *ever* had to use it for was to remove the SIM card.

When I asked the N97 Product team about the stylus at Nokia World 2009, when the phone was announced, they said the stylus is only really included for handwriting recognition, and they’re right.

Great review. Balanced in a funny sorta way. Love the site! Just bumped into it from a link on Twitter!

No No No Ben… Resistive Touch Screens are good.. one of the reasons @LozzieCunliffe got her 5800XM over the iPhone was the fact the iPhone wanted her to text with her finger, not her girly nails, which the 5800 was happier to do. After using the N86 for a few days now i’m finding it a bit of a PITA to be honest, takes good photos, sure, but it’s crashing all over the shop. It’s certainly very very nippy, probably one of the fastest S60 phones i’ve seen (Theme Effects swish and slide nicely, and Maps flies like shit off of a shovel). But the immature firmware just isn’t refined yet, i’ve had browser crashes, video crashes, Nokia Messaging crashes. Hopefully when I can afford my own N86 or N97 they will both be on a more solid firmware.

Yep - at Teddington lock and the nearby Anglers pub…

Yep - at Teddington lock and the nearby Anglers pub…

Firstly… iPhone followed by HTC Magic (and its older sister the G1). In terms of handsets, that’s all that is worth mentioning, recommending, reviewing or using for business or personal use. I know that sounds a little fascist, but it’s the truth - or at least my over-inflated opinion.
Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, whoever have all been completely blown out of the water by Apple & Google. Even if you are a die hard Symbian fan you either have to be mildly brain dead or employed by Nokia to even claim Symbian can hold a candle in the wind to iPhone & android. It can’t.
Until Samsung etc start releasing android devices - which is the only OS that can hope to compete with Apple - they are simply off the map…

which brings me nicely to my second point.

What’s the point in reviewing new [insert-temp-dead-device-manufacturer-her] devices? I just don’t see it. Sure Nokia release some cool hardware now and then. But the OS is for all intents and purposes the same old vibe. Add to that the fact that handset reviews are a dime-a-dozen these days. When I look at devices in stores I expect the review to read: “Nokia NXX. Same old Symbian malarkey. Cool slide out keyboard. Decent camera. the end.”

I’m not trying to be testy here. I really like The Really Mobile Project you guys do some excellent work. But I find I only watch the handset review-type-posts for the banter (very good banter in this one guys ).

That’s my two cents anyway, but I’m a cynic.
Keep up the good work.

Ben , iPhone is cool if its unlocked but otherwise it sucks. iTunes is damn slow.Camera is dismal. Battery life is bad.

But I agree about your point about the screen sensitivity. Apps on iPhone rock too !

Regarding the stylus , i had a chance to meet the designer Axel Meyer himself and he told me that the stylus was meant only for handwriting recognition.

N97 beats the iphone on battery life , connectivity , camera , keyboard

Ricky - I genuinely did routinely *have* to use the stylus over the weeks I tested it. I only removed it for filming as it swings about and makes an irritating noise close to the mic. I also did have a few near-misses with the N97 as the styles (tied to the proper mounting point) got snagged taking the device in and out of pockets.

I *do* maintain S60 5th edition is not finger friendly *enough* (relative to the rest of the market). You can cope, but I was hitting 50% error rates on certain scroll bars and in more precision selections, such as correcting text.

Power users will adapt, especially of the device has other desirable features, but I really expected Nokia’s effort to be so much better… I could forgive the 5800XM due to price, but not the N97.

But did I enjoy having a dig…? You bet

It’s certainly not a case that capacitive = good and resistive = bad, although in my opinion that is the current state of the market… Rafe and Co from All About Symbian have refered several times to significatnt improvements in both that will make them much closer in ease of use and their word is law… so it’s just a matter of time. Individual users will always have different priorities, but for me the general case is that the iPhone is top of the touch screens right now.

Sorry to hear about the N86 - *very* surprised. Aside from the camera s/w the proto we had for about a week was impressively stable.

It’s an entirely fair point although I’d argue that Symbian’s touch OS is so new it does warrant a fresh look. We do try not to do ‘which is best Nokia or Apple’ but ask what the whole experience is like as a consumer. To be honest tho the comments on the posts are just as important as what we have to say.

…and if we all enjoy ourselves along the way? Bonus.

‘N97 beats the iphone on battery life , connectivity , camera , keyboard’ …and yet I still find myself picking up the iPhone when I have a range of handsets in front of me

The stylus may only have been intended for handwriting, but that just makes some of the UI elements even worse, because I didn’t find them usable without it!

I think Ben has been spoiled by the sublime TS experience that the G1 provides (superior even to the iphone), there’s only one thing wrong with the N97, and that’s the price.
In Europe and Asia the market is still way more interested in HW features than available apps, however, that is changing slowly but surely.
Never used a resistive screen that came remotely close to giving the fluidity of any capacitive device.

Thanks for the kind words, we really appreciate it

[...] Oh, for more contrasting opinions of the N97, check out this video by James and Ben from The Really Mobile Project. [...]

LOL really Ben do you have sausages for fingers?! I don’t understand why you find the 5th Edition so hard to navigate around with your digits? Plain confused and confuddled here!

The reason I liked the N810 is the reason I'm not convinced about the N97… the OS. The N810 has never crashed, ever, in all the time I've owned it, despite my having installed a fairly random range of applications on it. My Nokia Symbian handsets crash on average once or twice a week, and hang non-fatally once or twice a day.Now admittedly I probably use my phone a hundred times as often as the N810 (although they're both turned on 24/7), but that's still 'lots of crashes' vs 'absolutely none'. I'm really disappointed that Nokia haven't ditched Symbian in favour of working with Android, and as soon as someone puts Android onto some decent hardware on a decent network, I'll be jumping ship.Incidentally, why are Nokia still shipping top-end phones with mid-range cameras - is the camera from the N82 really too big to fit into the N97? I like the N82 camera, downgrading from it is going to hurt.

The reason I liked the N810 is the reason I'm not convinced about the N97… the OS. The N810 has never crashed, ever, in all the time I've owned it, despite my having installed a fairly random range of applications on it. My Nokia Symbian handsets crash on average once or twice a week, and hang non-fatally once or twice a day.

Now admittedly I probably use my phone a hundred times as often as the N810 (although they're both turned on 24/7), but that's still 'lots of crashes' vs 'absolutely none'. I'm really disappointed that Nokia haven't ditched Symbian in favour of working with Android, and as soon as someone puts Android onto some decent hardware on a decent network, I'll be jumping ship.

Incidentally, why are Nokia still shipping top-end phones with mid-range cameras - is the camera from the N82 really too big to fit into the N97? I like the N82 camera, downgrading from it is going to hurt.

If you're feeling adventurous, I've written a quick guide to getting Android on the N810http://shkspr.mobi/blog/index.php/2009/05/nitdr…

If you're feeling adventurous, I've written a quick guide to getting Android on the N810
http://shkspr.mobi/blog/index.php/2009/05/nitdr…

If you're feeling adventurous, I've written a quick guide to getting Android running on the N810.http://shkspr.mobi/blog/index.php/2009/05/nitdr…Enjoy.

If you're feeling adventurous, I've written a quick guide to getting Android running on the N810.
http://shkspr.mobi/blog/index.php/2009/05/nitdr…
Enjoy.

Ahahaha. Okay. *starts downloading things gleefully*

Ahahaha. Okay. *starts downloading things gleefully*

Does the N97 have an on-screen keyboard by any chance? I know it’s semi-redundant, but that’s not stopped every other touch screen phone I have from having one.

The Android on-screen keyboard uses about 45% of the screen just for the alphabet. For Windows Mobile it’s a mere 25% - including numbers and symbols. Obviously the super sexy winmo keyboard requires a stylus, but I can live with that.

No - it’s T9 or handwriting only.

Phone’s in the post to you tomorrow.

Ben - without commenting on the rest of the video, I will say that the stylus was a cheap shot, and I think you know it. As James pointed out - you had to pull yours out of the box to show it on the video, and that's exactly where mine is, and has been for the past week. The fact that a stylus is included shows nothing about the overall interface. You'd be hard pressed to seriously maintain that S60v5 is not a finger-friendly system. Even the 5800XM, with its smaller screen, includes a stylus, but the only thing I've *ever* had to use it for was to remove the SIM card.When I asked the N97 Product team about the stylus at Nokia World 2009, when the phone was announced, they said the stylus is only really included for handwriting recognition, and they're right.

Great review. Balanced in a funny sorta way. Love the site! Just bumped into it from a link on Twitter!

Ben - without commenting on the rest of the video, I will say that the stylus was a cheap shot, and I think you know it. As James pointed out - you had to pull yours out of the box to show it on the video, and that's exactly where mine is, and has been for the past week.

The fact that a stylus is included shows nothing about the overall interface. You'd be hard pressed to seriously maintain that S60v5 is not a finger-friendly system. Even the 5800XM, with its smaller screen, includes a stylus, but the only thing I've *ever* had to use it for was to remove the SIM card.

When I asked the N97 Product team about the stylus at Nokia World 2009, when the phone was announced, they said the stylus is only really included for handwriting recognition, and they're right.

Great review. Balanced in a funny sorta way. Love the site! Just bumped into it from a link on Twitter!

[...] Oh, for more contrasting opinions of the N97, check out this video by James and Ben from The Really Mobile Project. [...]

No No No Ben… Resistive Touch Screens are good.. one of the reasons @LozzieCunliffe got her 5800XM over the iPhone was the fact the iPhone wanted her to text with her finger, not her girly nails, which the 5800 was happier to do. After using the N86 for a few days now i'm finding it a bit of a PITA to be honest, takes good photos, sure, but it's crashing all over the shop. It's certainly very very nippy, probably one of the fastest S60 phones i've seen (Theme Effects swish and slide nicely, and Maps flies like shit off of a shovel). But the immature firmware just isn't refined yet, i've had browser crashes, video crashes, Nokia Messaging crashes. Hopefully when I can afford my own N86 or N97 they will both be on a more solid firmware.

No No No Ben… Resistive Touch Screens are good.. one of the reasons @LozzieCunliffe got her 5800XM over the iPhone was the fact the iPhone wanted her to text with her finger, not her girly nails, which the 5800 was happier to do. After using the N86 for a few days now i'm finding it a bit of a PITA to be honest, takes good photos, sure, but it's crashing all over the shop. It's certainly very very nippy, probably one of the fastest S60 phones i've seen (Theme Effects swish and slide nicely, and Maps flies like shit off of a shovel). But the immature firmware just isn't refined yet, i've had browser crashes, video crashes, Nokia Messaging crashes. Hopefully when I can afford my own N86 or N97 they will both be on a more solid firmware.

Firstly… iPhone followed by HTC Magic (and its older sister the G1). In terms of handsets, that's all that is worth mentioning, recommending, reviewing or using for business or personal use. I know that sounds a little fascist, but it's the truth - or at least my over-inflated opinion.Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, whoever have all been completely blown out of the water by Apple & Google. Even if you are a die hard Symbian fan you either have to be mildly brain dead or employed by Nokia to even claim Symbian can hold a candle in the wind to iPhone & android. It can't.Until Samsung etc start releasing android devices - which is the only OS that can hope to compete with Apple - they are simply off the map…which brings me nicely to my second point.What's the point in reviewing new [insert-temp-dead-device-manufacturer-her] devices? I just don't see it. Sure Nokia release some cool hardware now and then. But the OS is for all intents and purposes the same old vibe. Add to that the fact that handset reviews are a dime-a-dozen these days. When I look at devices in stores I expect the review to read: “Nokia NXX. Same old Symbian malarkey. Cool slide out keyboard. Decent camera. the end.”I'm not trying to be testy here. I really like The Really Mobile Project you guys do some excellent work. But I find I only watch the handset review-type-posts for the banter (very good banter in this one guys ).That's my two cents anyway, but I'm a cynic.Keep up the good work.

Firstly… iPhone followed by HTC Magic (and its older sister the G1). In terms of handsets, that's all that is worth mentioning, recommending, reviewing or using for business or personal use. I know that sounds a little fascist, but it's the truth - or at least my over-inflated opinion.
Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, whoever have all been completely blown out of the water by Apple & Google. Even if you are a die hard Symbian fan you either have to be mildly brain dead or employed by Nokia to even claim Symbian can hold a candle in the wind to iPhone & android. It can't.
Until Samsung etc start releasing android devices - which is the only OS that can hope to compete with Apple - they are simply off the map…

which brings me nicely to my second point.

What's the point in reviewing new [insert-temp-dead-device-manufacturer-her] devices? I just don't see it. Sure Nokia release some cool hardware now and then. But the OS is for all intents and purposes the same old vibe. Add to that the fact that handset reviews are a dime-a-dozen these days. When I look at devices in stores I expect the review to read: “Nokia NXX. Same old Symbian malarkey. Cool slide out keyboard. Decent camera. the end.”

I'm not trying to be testy here. I really like The Really Mobile Project you guys do some excellent work. But I find I only watch the handset review-type-posts for the banter (very good banter in this one guys ).

That's my two cents anyway, but I'm a cynic.
Keep up the good work.

Ben , iPhone is cool if its unlocked but otherwise it sucks. iTunes is damn slow.Camera is dismal. Battery life is bad.But I agree about your point about the screen sensitivity. Apps on iPhone rock too !Regarding the stylus , i had a chance to meet the designer Axel Meyer himself and he told me that the stylus was meant only for handwriting recognition.N97 beats the iphone on battery life , connectivity , camera , keyboard

Ben , iPhone is cool if its unlocked but otherwise it sucks. iTunes is damn slow.Camera is dismal. Battery life is bad.

But I agree about your point about the screen sensitivity. Apps on iPhone rock too !

Regarding the stylus , i had a chance to meet the designer Axel Meyer himself and he told me that the stylus was meant only for handwriting recognition.

N97 beats the iphone on battery life , connectivity , camera , keyboard

Played around with the n97 last Friday at Tuttle LA, not really my bag. Qwerty keyboard was a nice touch but the touch screen was
Really difficult to use. Awaiting @msjen’s verdict of the N86 after she gets done playing with it. Like that it has an 8 mp camera and the white version looks good enough to tongue gonna weigh my option carefully before replacing my N95.

Ricky - I genuinely did routinely *have* to use the stylus over the weeks I tested it. I only removed it for filming as it swings about and makes an irritating noise close to the mic. I also did have a few near-misses with the N97 as the styles (tied to the proper mounting point) got snagged taking the device in and out of pockets.I *do* maintain S60 5th edition is not finger friendly *enough* (relative to the rest of the market). You can cope, but I was hitting 50% error rates on certain scroll bars and in more precision selections, such as correcting text.Power users will adapt, especially of the device has other desirable features, but I really expected Nokia's effort to be so much better… I could forgive the 5800XM due to price, but not the N97.But did I enjoy having a dig…? You bet

Ricky - I genuinely did routinely *have* to use the stylus over the weeks I tested it. I only removed it for filming as it swings about and makes an irritating noise close to the mic. I also did have a few near-misses with the N97 as the styles (tied to the proper mounting point) got snagged taking the device in and out of pockets.

I *do* maintain S60 5th edition is not finger friendly *enough* (relative to the rest of the market). You can cope, but I was hitting 50% error rates on certain scroll bars and in more precision selections, such as correcting text.

Power users will adapt, especially of the device has other desirable features, but I really expected Nokia's effort to be so much better… I could forgive the 5800XM due to price, but not the N97.

But did I enjoy having a dig…? You bet

It's certainly not a case that capacitive = good and resistive = bad, although in my opinion that is the current state of the market… Rafe and Co from All About Symbian have refered several times to significatnt improvements in both that will make them much closer in ease of use and their word is law… so it's just a matter of time. Individual users will always have different priorities, but for me the general case is that the iPhone is top of the touch screens right now.Sorry to hear about the N86 - *very* surprised. Aside from the camera s/w the proto we had for about a week was impressively stable.

It's certainly not a case that capacitive = good and resistive = bad, although in my opinion that is the current state of the market… Rafe and Co from All About Symbian have refered several times to significatnt improvements in both that will make them much closer in ease of use and their word is law… so it's just a matter of time. Individual users will always have different priorities, but for me the general case is that the iPhone is top of the touch screens right now.

Sorry to hear about the N86 - *very* surprised. Aside from the camera s/w the proto we had for about a week was impressively stable.

It's an entirely fair point although I'd argue that Symbian's touch OS is so new it does warrant a fresh look. We do try not to do 'which is best Nokia or Apple' but ask what the whole experience is like as a consumer. To be honest tho the comments on the posts are just as important as what we have to say….and if we all enjoy ourselves along the way? Bonus.

It's an entirely fair point although I'd argue that Symbian's touch OS is so new it does warrant a fresh look. We do try not to do 'which is best Nokia or Apple' but ask what the whole experience is like as a consumer. To be honest tho the comments on the posts are just as important as what we have to say.

…and if we all enjoy ourselves along the way? Bonus.

'N97 beats the iphone on battery life , connectivity , camera , keyboard' …and yet I still find myself picking up the iPhone when I have a range of handsets in front of me The stylus may only have been intended for handwriting, but that just makes some of the UI elements even worse, because I didn't find them usable without it!

'N97 beats the iphone on battery life , connectivity , camera , keyboard' …and yet I still find myself picking up the iPhone when I have a range of handsets in front of me

The stylus may only have been intended for handwriting, but that just makes some of the UI elements even worse, because I didn't find them usable without it!

I think Ben has been spoiled by the sublime TS experience that the G1 provides (superior even to the iphone), there's only one thing wrong with the N97, and that's the price.In Europe and Asia the market is still way more interested in HW features than available apps, however, that is changing slowly but surely.Never used a resistive screen that came remotely close to giving the fluidity of any capacitive device.

I think Ben has been spoiled by the sublime TS experience that the G1 provides (superior even to the iphone), there's only one thing wrong with the N97, and that's the price.
In Europe and Asia the market is still way more interested in HW features than available apps, however, that is changing slowly but surely.
Never used a resistive screen that came remotely close to giving the fluidity of any capacitive device.

Thanks for the kind words, we really appreciate it

Thanks for the kind words, we really appreciate it

LOL really Ben do you have sausages for fingers?! I don't understand why you find the 5th Edition so hard to navigate around with your digits? Plain confused and confuddled here!

LOL really Ben do you have sausages for fingers?! I don't understand why you find the 5th Edition so hard to navigate around with your digits? Plain confused and confuddled here!

Does the N97 have an on-screen keyboard by any chance? I know it's semi-redundant, but that's not stopped every other touch screen phone I have from having one.The Android on-screen keyboard uses about 45% of the screen just for the alphabet. For Windows Mobile it's a mere 25% - including numbers and symbols. Obviously the super sexy winmo keyboard requires a stylus, but I can live with that.

Does the N97 have an on-screen keyboard by any chance? I know it's semi-redundant, but that's not stopped every other touch screen phone I have from having one.

The Android on-screen keyboard uses about 45% of the screen just for the alphabet. For Windows Mobile it's a mere 25% - including numbers and symbols. Obviously the super sexy winmo keyboard requires a stylus, but I can live with that.

No - it's T9 or handwriting only.Phone's in the post to you tomorrow.

No - it's T9 or handwriting only.

Phone's in the post to you tomorrow.

As I said at IntoMobile, +1 to Ben (sorry James). Just sold my N97 today and he mirrored almost all of my impressions after using it for a week. Unbelievable amount of bugs and crashes right out of the gate, more than I’ve ever seen on an S60 launch. The low RAM was also critical when running a few of the active widgets and other larger apps in the background like Gravity and GM Latitude. It just doesn’t have the torque or horsepower a flagship device should have for 2009. I wouldn’t get an iPhone either though. I’m still hoping for good things out of the i8910, which I haven’t tried yet.

Using those same internal specs from the N97 on a 3rd Edition FP2 device like the N86 makes it much more passable as a new device for 09 instead of the old-tech mashup that is the N97.

Vicki has great tits.
She does a good job pretending to be interested in nerds and their smartphone questions too.
Great work.

Played around with the n97 last Friday at Tuttle LA, not really my bag. Qwerty keyboard was a nice touch but the touch screen wasReally difficult to use. Awaiting @msjen's verdict of the N86 after she gets done playing with it. Like that it has an 8 mp camera and the white version looks good enough to tongue gonna weigh my option carefully before replacing my N95.

Played around with the n97 last Friday at Tuttle LA, not really my bag. Qwerty keyboard was a nice touch but the touch screen was
Really difficult to use. Awaiting @msjen's verdict of the N86 after she gets done playing with it. Like that it has an 8 mp camera and the white version looks good enough to tongue gonna weigh my option carefully before replacing my N95.

Guys, good all round review. I have a quick question. As a confirmed Nokia user for god knows how many years I really want to go for the N97, but the shinyness of the iphone is starting to draw me in. I am now starting to come to one of two solutions. The first one is go for the iphone and pay the £200, the second is to go for the N97 free on the monthly tariff and go for the ipod touch @ around £180. Any ideas please guys. Thanks

[...] on both sides of the world. The Really Mobile Project’s Ben Smith and James Whatley seem completely divided here on video (and embedded below), while Engadget Mobile’s Chris Ziegler and Thomas Ricker seem equally [...]

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing. I have a N95 as my mobile and tether it to my iPod touch through Joiku spot. Works brilliant. BUT, now that the new iPhone does video, there’s going to be a lot of really cool things you can do with it. The 12 Seconds app for instance will let you easily record and post videos and do video replies. Probably just the tip of the iceberg as more video apps come out through the apps store. Nokia’s are clearly better as phones and for media creation but there’s so much you can do with iPhone apps. In a perfect world? A totally touch-screen Nokia N series and an OVI store full of awesome apps.

[...] informative, Ben and James from The Really Mobile Project deliver a quality, balanced debate on the pros and cons of the N97. It’s clear who is the fan and who isn’t, and this format of device review could really [...]

Hey. Thanks James. I foned and spoke to someone yesterday but the guy couldn’t tell me how much it could cost. And the stores have no returns policy since 1st June. So never mind. I’ll live with my tocco ultra. But I know for next time to shop online. Thanks for your help.

James Vincent

For me, the definite con is my experience with Nokia cuatomer care Sweden. I’m in love with my e71, and I’d love nothing more than getting my hands on a N97. But cannot justify ever getting getting another Nokia phone =o(

The NOKIA Sweden Customer Scare is posted @ http://sweden101.wordpress.com

For me, the definite con is my experience with Nokia cuatomer care Sweden. I’m in love with my e71, and I’d love nothing more than getting my hands on a N97. But cannot justify ever getting getting another Nokia phone =o(

The NOKIA Sweden Customer Scare is posted @ http://sweden101.wordpress.com

Hmm, I see from the comments that the N95 is still a very popular phone, and people are looking to upgrade to the N97 or iPhone.

Personally, I used to have a N95 8GB, and I thought it was a great phone, the only downside was battery life.

I then got hold of an E71, and frankly, it has been a superb phone, with the qwerty keyboard being very easy to use.

At the moment, I am sitting on the fence between the N97, or the iPhone 3GS, (I would hold out for a Palm Pre, after reading: http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3586 but I don’t think we will see it over here before the new year). The main problem over her in Ireland is that while the iPhone has very good carrier presence (on O2, which by the way is now operating a separate “add-on” for MMS messages on the iPhone), the N97 is nowhere to be seen, short of buying it from Expansys.

So, it looks like nokia will lose out over here in Ireland to the iPhone, and I, along with many others, will probably go with the iPhone.

Phil

As I said at IntoMobile, +1 to Ben (sorry James). Just sold my N97 today and he mirrored almost all of my impressions after using it for a week. Unbelievable amount of bugs and crashes right out of the gate, more than I’ve ever seen on an S60 launch. The low RAM was also critical when running a few of the active widgets and other larger apps in the background like Gravity and GM Latitude. It just doesn’t have the torque or horsepower a flagship device should have for 2009. I wouldn't get an iPhone either though. I'm still hoping for good things out of the i8910, which I haven't tried yet.

Using those same internal specs from the N97 on a 3rd Edition FP2 device like the N86 makes it much more passable as a new device for 09 instead of the old-tech mashup that is the N97.

As I said at IntoMobile, +1 to Ben (sorry James). Just sold my N97 today and he mirrored almost all of my impressions after using it for a week. Unbelievable amount of bugs and crashes right out of the gate, more than I’ve ever seen on an S60 launch. The low RAM was also critical when running a few of the active widgets and other larger apps in the background like Gravity and GM Latitude. It just doesn’t have the torque or horsepower a flagship device should have for 2009. I wouldn't get an iPhone either though. I'm still hoping for good things out of the i8910, which I haven't tried yet.Using those same internal specs from the N97 on a 3rd Edition FP2 device like the N86 makes it much more passable as a new device for 09 instead of the old-tech mashup that is the N97.

Vicki has great tits.She does a good job pretending to be interested in nerds and their smartphone questions too.Great work.

Vicki has great tits.
She does a good job pretending to be interested in nerds and their smartphone questions too.
Great work.

Guys, good all round review. I have a quick question. As a confirmed Nokia user for god knows how many years I really want to go for the N97, but the shinyness of the iphone is starting to draw me in. I am now starting to come to one of two solutions. The first one is go for the iphone and pay the £200, the second is to go for the N97 free on the monthly tariff and go for the ipod touch @ around £180. Any ideas please guys. Thanks

Guys, good all round review. I have a quick question. As a confirmed Nokia user for god knows how many years I really want to go for the N97, but the shinyness of the iphone is starting to draw me in. I am now starting to come to one of two solutions. The first one is go for the iphone and pay the £200, the second is to go for the N97 free on the monthly tariff and go for the ipod touch @ around £180. Any ideas please guys. Thanks

That's exactly what I've been doing. I have a N95 as my mobile and tether it to my iPod touch through Joiku spot. Works brilliant. BUT, now that the new iPhone does video, there's going to be a lot of really cool things you can do with it. The 12 Seconds app for instance will let you easily record and post videos and do video replies. Probably just the tip of the iceberg as more video apps come out through the apps store. Nokia's are clearly better as phones and for media creation but there's so much you can do with iPhone apps. In a perfect world? A totally touch-screen Nokia N series and an OVI store full of awesome apps.

That's exactly what I've been doing. I have a N95 as my mobile and tether it to my iPod touch through Joiku spot. Works brilliant. BUT, now that the new iPhone does video, there's going to be a lot of really cool things you can do with it. The 12 Seconds app for instance will let you easily record and post videos and do video replies. Probably just the tip of the iceberg as more video apps come out through the apps store. Nokia's are clearly better as phones and for media creation but there's so much you can do with iPhone apps. In a perfect world? A totally touch-screen Nokia N series and an OVI store full of awesome apps.

Thanks for the video guys… very entertaining. Poor Ben got worked. Btw Ben, the teeny tiny on screen keys of the iphone made me wish IT came with a stylus. Heck, even the 5800xm was easier to type on. With that said, I’ve never had to use the stylus with my N97 - still in the box.

Hey. Thanks James. I foned and spoke to someone yesterday but the guy couldn't tell me how much it could cost. And the stores have no returns policy since 1st June. So never mind. I'll live with my tocco ultra. But I know for next time to shop online. Thanks for your help.James Vincent

Hey. Thanks James. I foned and spoke to someone yesterday but the guy couldn't tell me how much it could cost. And the stores have no returns policy since 1st June. So never mind. I'll live with my tocco ultra. But I know for next time to shop online. Thanks for your help.

James Vincent

For me, the definite con is my experience with Nokia cuatomer care Sweden. I'm in love with my e71, and I'd love nothing more than getting my hands on a N97. But cannot justify ever getting getting another Nokia phone =o(The NOKIA Sweden Customer Scare is posted @ http://sweden101.wordpress.com

For me, the definite con is my experience with Nokia cuatomer care Sweden. I'm in love with my e71, and I'd love nothing more than getting my hands on a N97. But cannot justify ever getting getting another Nokia phone =o(

The NOKIA Sweden Customer Scare is posted @ http://sweden101.wordpress.com

For me, the definite con is my experience with Nokia cuatomer care Sweden. I'm in love with my e71, and I'd love nothing more than getting my hands on a N97. But cannot justify ever getting getting another Nokia phone =o(The NOKIA Sweden Customer Scare is posted @ http://sweden101.wordpress.com

For me, the definite con is my experience with Nokia cuatomer care Sweden. I'm in love with my e71, and I'd love nothing more than getting my hands on a N97. But cannot justify ever getting getting another Nokia phone =o(

The NOKIA Sweden Customer Scare is posted @ http://sweden101.wordpress.com

Hmm, I see from the comments that the N95 is still a very popular phone, and people are looking to upgrade to the N97 or iPhone.Personally, I used to have a N95 8GB, and I thought it was a great phone, the only downside was battery life.I then got hold of an E71, and frankly, it has been a superb phone, with the qwerty keyboard being very easy to use.At the moment, I am sitting on the fence between the N97, or the iPhone 3GS, (I would hold out for a Palm Pre, after reading: http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i… but I don't think we will see it over here before the new year). The main problem over her in Ireland is that while the iPhone has very good carrier presence (on O2, which by the way is now operating a separate “add-on” for MMS messages on the iPhone), the N97 is nowhere to be seen, short of buying it from Expansys.So, it looks like nokia will lose out over here in Ireland to the iPhone, and I, along with many others, will probably go with the iPhone.Phil

Hmm, I see from the comments that the N95 is still a very popular phone, and people are looking to upgrade to the N97 or iPhone.

Personally, I used to have a N95 8GB, and I thought it was a great phone, the only downside was battery life.

I then got hold of an E71, and frankly, it has been a superb phone, with the qwerty keyboard being very easy to use.

At the moment, I am sitting on the fence between the N97, or the iPhone 3GS, (I would hold out for a Palm Pre, after reading: http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i… but I don't think we will see it over here before the new year). The main problem over her in Ireland is that while the iPhone has very good carrier presence (on O2, which by the way is now operating a separate “add-on” for MMS messages on the iPhone), the N97 is nowhere to be seen, short of buying it from Expansys.

So, it looks like nokia will lose out over here in Ireland to the iPhone, and I, along with many others, will probably go with the iPhone.

Phil

video was brilliant, i agree with both of you.

one thing i’d just like to point out tho, and it’s quite an interesting point. The N97 comes with a stylus included in the box (i have one myself and to add, i’m very disappointed!), but…the phone comes with a stylus…..where on earth do you attach it to the phone??? I’ve had a good look and cant find anywhere to attach it! hilarious….you are right, its a very ‘last minute idea’ to include the stylus…they didnt even think about the fact that they didnt design a loop for the thing! hahah! oh dear.

Ben, stick to the iPhone mate, you don’t derseve a Nokia N97. It’s for clever people. Not simple like yourself with big fat fingers . Definitely you should stick with the phone for the masses. The sheep phone. (baaaaa iPhone baaaaa). Take a photo with the iPhone at night and I am sure you are going to get more than grainy photos. You should be rather talking about the ground breaking features of the new iPhone such as MMS, Cut and Paste (ha ha) and 3MP camera. WOW!!!!!!

Check the manual - there is a small hole near the base that you loop it into (accessed with the back cover off). It’s far from obvious.

Clever people, eh?

Like you?

Definitely clever Ben…. although I am not a N97 user yet. When the price comes down - for sure.

As you pointed out the iPhone is simple, and it’s a fact that Apple created the iPhone for simple masses. You can always spot an iPhone user. They the ones trying to show off their phones with their ponsie white headphone cables sticking out of their coats or jackets. Doesn’t the iPhone support bluetooth headsets or support A2DP? (now that would be clever).

Thanks for the video guys… very entertaining. Poor Ben got worked. Btw Ben, the teeny tiny on screen keys of the iphone makes me wish IT came with a stylus. Heck, even the 5800xm was easier to type on. With that said, I've never had to use the stylus with my N97 - still in the box.

Thanks for the video guys… very entertaining. Poor Ben got worked. Btw Ben, the teeny tiny on screen keys of the iphone makes me wish IT came with a stylus. Heck, even the 5800xm was easier to type on. With that said, I've never had to use the stylus with my N97 - still in the box.

It’s a shame that the pretentious people crowding around Apple stop you seeing the products because they actually are rather good.

If you were clever (like Ben and myself) you’d have both the iPhone and N97 in order to make an informed decision about which one to use. I have handsets coming out of my ears and I choose the iPhone again and again. On paper it’s not perfect but on a day by day basis it’s a lot better than the competition.

So you’ve never actually used this device you claim is so excellent? Hmmm…

I have - for several weeks - plus time with several prototypes as far back as February.

I didn’t say the iPhone was simple, I said it was pleasurable to use…. and you mis-spelt ‘poncey’ but I’ll forgive you that

What Dan said….

For the last few weeks, I’ve had an iPhone, N97, G1, HTC Magic, N82 and a Treo Pro (yuk) on me all the time…. All I’m saying is that when it counts I go back to the iPhone or G1 (although other reservations about the G1 mean I don’t recommend it to non geeks yet).

Hey, we are not all fortunate enough to have all the above models in hand to test for weeks on end, but saying that after reading all the phone blogs and sites that have had these two phones for weeks with their crappy pre-release firmware, the real test can only really take place after a couple of months.

If you could kindly send me an iPhone I would gladly give it the once over and honestly blog about it. What would be a day by day comparison? (iPhone versus N97)?

What do you use your iPhone for besides the obvious? Could you even consider the iPhone as a smartphone? What does it do smartly? (haha)…

I have a Nokia N95 and the 5800XM and they are two of the greatest phones ever made. In fact amazingly enough the 5800XM beats the iPhone in the recent “Phoneshow 82″ over at AllaboutSymbian.

I never said the N97 is excellent (the word excellent is reserved for the N95).

The units James and I reviewed are production UK and European units (one of each).

So you’ve never used an iPhone either? LOL

I respect the All About Symbian guys very much - Rafe’s helped us a lot here at Really Mobile, but we don’t agree about everything.

but as you guys pointed out in your video, were your phones exactly the same? It’s hardly a true test if what you are comparing are not the same?

What would be a day by day usage comparison? (iPhone versus N97)?
Ben, all you did was rubbish the N97 in the video unlike James who gave valid reasons as to why it was good. Give us some facts as to what is better on the iPhone versus the N97, that would be a better comparison.

What do you use your phone for on a daily basis besides the obvious texting, phonecalls, twittering, blogging, gaming etc?

Good site though, I look forward to your next posting. Maybe you guys can do a comparison of the iPhone, N86, N97, 5800, The new samsung Android and the i8510.

Ahh you see, that’s why we’re actually clever and you just think you’re clever… we get the handsets, either by talking to the right people or having enough money to just buy them.

The iPhone is the smartest phone out there… without any modification it’s a consumer friendly handset with a vast range of third party applications available for it. With a slight modification it becomes a tiny computer running EXACTLY the same operating system as my Mac desktop…. doesn’t come much smarter than that! Not even Android (which runs the Linux kernal but lacks any of the userspace tools that make a GNU/Linux system usable) can claim to do that.

Did I say consumer “friendly”? What I meant by that is it LOVES the consumer, like a cheap whore it convinces the user to hand over the money and touch it… cunningly with the app store it convinces the user to pay some more to touch it in different ways. There are loads of users who have had Nokia and Sony Ericsson smartphones who never installed any third party apps before they moved to the iPhone.

Apple’s innovation isn’t with megapixels or MMS, it’s with getting normal everyday people USING most of the feature on their phone. It’s the way the interface doesn’t make them feel stupid for not knowing what “symbian signing” is or how to “bluetooth a JAD file” to their handset.

Even hacking the iPhone is easy… unless you do something very naughty to the baseband the thing is nearly impossible to brick.

I’d wager you like the N95 and the 5800XM because you invested time and effort in learning the quirks of S60. You sat through several hours of initial frustration learning how to configure S60 and now your a ninja at those menus… try doing something you’ve never done before like configuring the S60 SIP client and you’ll remember the frustration you first experienced when you got your hands on S60 for the very first time… of course, back then there wasn’t much else worth bothering with so it made sense to invest the time and effort in learning it… now, times have changed and you have an alternative.

No they weren’t identical, but my comments applied to both - the screen and UI is common between them.

I said why the iPhone is a better general touch-screen choice - it’s a pleasure to use for routine tasks. I also recommended the N86 as a power handset.

video was brilliant, i agree with both of you.one thing i'd just like to point out tho, and it's quite an interesting point. The N97 comes with a stylus included in the box (i have one myself and to add, i'm very disappointed!), but…the phone comes with a stylus…..where on earth do you attach it to the phone??? I've had a good look and cant find anywhere to attach it! hilarious….you are right, its a very 'last minute idea' to include the stylus…they didnt even think about the fact that they didnt design a loop for the thing! hahah! oh dear.

video was brilliant, i agree with both of you.

one thing i'd just like to point out tho, and it's quite an interesting point. The N97 comes with a stylus included in the box (i have one myself and to add, i'm very disappointed!), but…the phone comes with a stylus…..where on earth do you attach it to the phone??? I've had a good look and cant find anywhere to attach it! hilarious….you are right, its a very 'last minute idea' to include the stylus…they didnt even think about the fact that they didnt design a loop for the thing! hahah! oh dear.

Ben, stick to the iPhone mate, you don't derseve a Nokia N97. It's for clever people. Not simple like yourself with big fat fingers . Definitely you should stick with the phone for the masses. The sheep phone. (baaaaa iPhone baaaaa). Take a photo with the iPhone at night and I am sure you are going to get more than grainy photos. You should be rather talking about the ground breaking features of the new iPhone such as MMS, Cut and Paste (ha ha) and 3MP camera. WOW!!!!!!

Ben, stick to the iPhone mate, you don't derseve a Nokia N97. It's for clever people. Not simple like yourself with big fat fingers . Definitely you should stick with the phone for the masses. The sheep phone. (baaaaa iPhone baaaaa). Take a photo with the iPhone at night and I am sure you are going to get more than grainy photos. You should be rather talking about the ground breaking features of the new iPhone such as MMS, Cut and Paste (ha ha) and 3MP camera. WOW!!!!!!

@danlane rock on - you nailed it!

Check the manual - there is a small hole near the base that you loop it into (accessed with the back cover off). It's far from obvious.

Check the manual - there is a small hole near the base that you loop it into (accessed with the back cover off). It's far from obvious.

Clever people, eh?Like you?

Clever people, eh?

Like you?

Definitely clever Ben…. although I am not a N97 user yet. When the price comes down - for sure. As you pointed out the iPhone is simple, and it's a fact that Apple created the iPhone for simple masses. You can always spot an iPhone user. They the ones trying to show off their phones with their ponsie white headphone cables sticking out of their coats or jackets. Doesn't the iPhone support bluetooth headsets or support A2DP? (now that would be clever).

Definitely clever Ben…. although I am not a N97 user yet. When the price comes down - for sure.

As you pointed out the iPhone is simple, and it's a fact that Apple created the iPhone for simple masses. You can always spot an iPhone user. They the ones trying to show off their phones with their ponsie white headphone cables sticking out of their coats or jackets. Doesn't the iPhone support bluetooth headsets or support A2DP? (now that would be clever).

It's a shame that the pretentious people crowding around Apple stop you seeing the products because they actually are rather good.If you were clever (like Ben and myself) you'd have both the iPhone and N97 in order to make an informed decision about which one to use. I have handsets coming out of my ears and I choose the iPhone again and again. On paper it's not perfect but on a day by day basis it's a lot better than the competition.

It's a shame that the pretentious people crowding around Apple stop you seeing the products because they actually are rather good.

If you were clever (like Ben and myself) you'd have both the iPhone and N97 in order to make an informed decision about which one to use. I have handsets coming out of my ears and I choose the iPhone again and again. On paper it's not perfect but on a day by day basis it's a lot better than the competition.

So you've never actually used this device you claim is so excellent? Hmmm…I have - for several weeks - plus time with several prototypes as far back as February.I didn't say the iPhone was simple, I said it was pleasurable to use…. and you mis-spelt 'poncey' but I'll forgive you that

So you've never actually used this device you claim is so excellent? Hmmm…

I have - for several weeks - plus time with several prototypes as far back as February.

I didn't say the iPhone was simple, I said it was pleasurable to use…. and you mis-spelt 'poncey' but I'll forgive you that

What Dan said….For the last few weeks, I've had an iPhone, N97, G1, HTC Magic, N82 and a Treo Pro (yuk) on me all the time…. All I'm saying is that when it counts I go back to the iPhone or G1 (although other reservations about the G1 mean I don't recommend it to non geeks yet).

What Dan said….

For the last few weeks, I've had an iPhone, N97, G1, HTC Magic, N82 and a Treo Pro (yuk) on me all the time…. All I'm saying is that when it counts I go back to the iPhone or G1 (although other reservations about the G1 mean I don't recommend it to non geeks yet).

Hey, we are not all fortunate enough to have all the above models in hand to test for weeks on end, but saying that after reading all the phone blogs and sites that have had these two phones for weeks with their crappy pre-release firmware, the real test can only really take place after a couple of months. If you could kindly send me an iPhone I would gladly give it the once over and honestly blog about it. What would be a day by day comparison? (iPhone versus N97)? What do you use your iPhone for besides the obvious? Could you even consider the iPhone as a smartphone? What does it do smartly? (haha)… I have a Nokia N95 and the 5800XM and they are two of the greatest phones ever made. In fact amazingly enough the 5800XM beats the iPhone in the recent “Phoneshow 82″ over at AllaboutSymbian. I never said the N97 is excellent (the word excellent is reserved for the N95).

Hey, we are not all fortunate enough to have all the above models in hand to test for weeks on end, but saying that after reading all the phone blogs and sites that have had these two phones for weeks with their crappy pre-release firmware, the real test can only really take place after a couple of months.

If you could kindly send me an iPhone I would gladly give it the once over and honestly blog about it. What would be a day by day comparison? (iPhone versus N97)?

What do you use your iPhone for besides the obvious? Could you even consider the iPhone as a smartphone? What does it do smartly? (haha)…

I have a Nokia N95 and the 5800XM and they are two of the greatest phones ever made. In fact amazingly enough the 5800XM beats the iPhone in the recent “Phoneshow 82″ over at AllaboutSymbian.

I never said the N97 is excellent (the word excellent is reserved for the N95).

The units James and I reviewed are production UK and European units (one of each).So you've never used an iPhone either? LOLI respect the All About Symbian guys very much - Rafe's helped us a lot here at Really Mobile, but we don't agree about everything.

The units James and I reviewed are production UK and European units (one of each).

So you've never used an iPhone either? LOL

I respect the All About Symbian guys very much - Rafe's helped us a lot here at Really Mobile, but we don't agree about everything.

but as you guys pointed out in your video, were your phones exactly the same? It's hardly a true test if what you are comparing are not the same?What would be a day by day usage comparison? (iPhone versus N97)? Ben, all you did was rubbish the N97 in the video unlike James who gave valid reasons as to why it was good. Give us some facts as to what is better on the iPhone versus the N97, that would be a better comparison. What do you use your phone for on a daily basis besides the obvious texting, phonecalls, twittering, blogging, gaming etc?Good site though, I look forward to your next posting. Maybe you guys can do a comparison of the iPhone, N86, N97, 5800, The new samsung Android and the i8510.

but as you guys pointed out in your video, were your phones exactly the same? It's hardly a true test if what you are comparing are not the same?

What would be a day by day usage comparison? (iPhone versus N97)?
Ben, all you did was rubbish the N97 in the video unlike James who gave valid reasons as to why it was good. Give us some facts as to what is better on the iPhone versus the N97, that would be a better comparison.

What do you use your phone for on a daily basis besides the obvious texting, phonecalls, twittering, blogging, gaming etc?

Good site though, I look forward to your next posting. Maybe you guys can do a comparison of the iPhone, N86, N97, 5800, The new samsung Android and the i8510.

Ahh you see, that's why we're actually clever and you just think you're clever… we get the handsets, either by talking to the right people or having enough money to just buy them.The iPhone is the smartest phone out there… without any modification it's a consumer friendly handset with a vast range of third party applications available for it. With a slight modification it becomes a tiny computer running EXACTLY the same operating system as my Mac desktop…. doesn't come much smarter than that! Not even Android (which runs the Linux kernal but lacks any of the userspace tools that make a GNU/Linux system usable) can claim to do that.Did I say consumer “friendly”? What I meant by that is it LOVES the consumer, like a cheap whore it convinces the user to hand over the money and touch it… cunningly with the app store it convinces the user to pay some more to touch it in different ways. There are loads of users who have had Nokia and Sony Ericsson smartphones who never installed any third party apps before they moved to the iPhone.Apple's innovation isn't with megapixels or MMS, it's with getting normal everyday people USING most of the feature on their phone. It's the way the interface doesn't make them feel stupid for not knowing what “symbian signing” is or how to “bluetooth a JAD file” to their handset.Even hacking the iPhone is easy… unless you do something very naughty to the baseband the thing is nearly impossible to brick.I'd wager you like the N95 and the 5800XM because you invested time and effort in learning the quirks of S60. You sat through several hours of initial frustration learning how to configure S60 and now your a ninja at those menus… try doing something you've never done before like configuring the S60 SIP client and you'll remember the frustration you first experienced when you got your hands on S60 for the very first time… of course, back then there wasn't much else worth bothering with so it made sense to invest the time and effort in learning it… now, times have changed and you have an alternative.

Ahh you see, that's why we're actually clever and you just think you're clever… we get the handsets, either by talking to the right people or having enough money to just buy them.

The iPhone is the smartest phone out there… without any modification it's a consumer friendly handset with a vast range of third party applications available for it. With a slight modification it becomes a tiny computer running EXACTLY the same operating system as my Mac desktop…. doesn't come much smarter than that! Not even Android (which runs the Linux kernal but lacks any of the userspace tools that make a GNU/Linux system usable) can claim to do that.

Did I say consumer “friendly”? What I meant by that is it LOVES the consumer, like a cheap whore it convinces the user to hand over the money and touch it… cunningly with the app store it convinces the user to pay some more to touch it in different ways. There are loads of users who have had Nokia and Sony Ericsson smartphones who never installed any third party apps before they moved to the iPhone.

Apple's innovation isn't with megapixels or MMS, it's with getting normal everyday people USING most of the feature on their phone. It's the way the interface doesn't make them feel stupid for not knowing what “symbian signing” is or how to “bluetooth a JAD file” to their handset.

Even hacking the iPhone is easy… unless you do something very naughty to the baseband the thing is nearly impossible to brick.

I'd wager you like the N95 and the 5800XM because you invested time and effort in learning the quirks of S60. You sat through several hours of initial frustration learning how to configure S60 and now your a ninja at those menus… try doing something you've never done before like configuring the S60 SIP client and you'll remember the frustration you first experienced when you got your hands on S60 for the very first time… of course, back then there wasn't much else worth bothering with so it made sense to invest the time and effort in learning it… now, times have changed and you have an alternative.

No they weren't identical, but my comments applied to both - the screen and UI is common between them.

I said why the iPhone is a better general touch-screen choice - it's a pleasure to use for routine tasks. I also recommended the N86 as a power handset.

No they weren't identical, but my comments applied to both - the screen and UI is common between them.I said why the iPhone is a better general touch-screen choice - it's a pleasure to use for routine tasks. I also recommended the N86 as a power handset.

@danlane rock on - you nailed it!

@danlane rock on - you nailed it!

Re: Your 5800XM.

I was just reading your review

http://www.lookatbowen.com/2009/05/the-nokia-5800xm-is-not-just-a-phone

And I noticed a striking similarity between the image that you used and this one, (from my photostream).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/3476977184

It is clear these images are one and the same and, as ALL of my flickr photos are shared under Creative Commons, may I suggest changing your post accordingly as currently there is no attribution to the original source.

You can read more about Creative Commons right here - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en_GB

Let me know when it’s fixed.

Thanks.

Hey James,
Many thanks for the link and this is a very interesting topic off the original topic.

The image in question. I use a WordPress plugin called Insights on my blog, and it is this plug-in that is pulling your “claimed” image from Flickr…. You can right click on the image and pull the URL if you like and you will see I am not claiming it to be mine at all. Here is the URL that http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3476977184_ca66032360_m.jpg and as you can see it’s got a lot of “flickr, farm4, static” mentioned in the URL. I don’t see any mention of “whatelydude”.

I think you need to raise this “creative commons” issue with the author of INSIGHTS (Vladimir Prelovac) or with Flickr themselves, before you go insinuating that I am claiming an image that might belong to you. I too post understand Creative Commons on my various blogs and understand what it means.

With that said, I am not removing the image or putting any attribution to the original source. As far as I am concerned, the original source is Flickr.

“As far as I am concerned, the original source is Flickr.”

I’m sorry??? You’re saying as long as an image is on Flickr, you have the right to use it?

YOU have the burden of proof to show that you have the rights to use an image, not the other way around; it’s not about proving that you DON’T have the rights to use something. Also, you can’t claim ignorance because of a third party plug-in; if you CHOOSE to use it, you assume responsibility for it. If someone has pointed out that it is acting illegally, you should choose to remove it.

And clearly, those are the same image. To try to argue otherwise seems incredibly petty, especially from someone who creates web content themselves.

wait, does that mean you are happy to use a tool that pulls pictures without giving the owner (the person who takes and publishes that picture on Flickr, not Flickr itself imo) the rightful credit?

Not knowing the source of an image doesn’t make a violation of Creative Commons acceptable and the onus is on you to discover the source and license of that photo. You can do this by searching for the photo ID in google. In this case you can plainly see that the photo ID (3476977184) matches the ID of the photo James linked to and you can see that it is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license as described here: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en_GB

You have now been notified of the source of the image by both James and myself, I have explained how you can verify the source for yourself and you have been made aware of the terms of the license.

I expect to see correct attribution or the removal of the link as soon as possible.

Look, if it was James Whatley ‘s link I was using on my site, then I would change it or remove it or give him credit for the image, but it’s not his image. It’s got a different URL.

I am not claiming ignorance just because it’s a third party application, but for the love of gawd, if you think I am going through all my INSIGHT images and giving credit to the original snapper, you can think again. Besides there is no way of knowing from the second the image is selected in INSIGHTS that it belongs to James or not.

Petty… was making a comment about it in the first place and not checking the original link on my site.

‘Claimed’ image? It’s not ‘claimed’ - he bloody took the photo!

He’s not saying you’re claiming it be yours either, he’s saying you need to reference your sources properly.

Yes, this should be flagged to the author of Insights, but a simple ‘Sorry, I’ll add a link to your original photo’ would have done.

Flickr is the medium that stores the imagery, it owns nothing and each indivudual is the source.

What a ridiculous stream of ill-informed comments…

You’ve used a (bad) tool to show it the image on your blog. The plugin should have warned you that the image requires attribution, but it did not. James has now made you aware of the licence for the image and it’s your obligation to correct your website.

The usage on your site requires attribution, fact. The URL makes absolutely no difference.

Hey Mike,

I think it’s pretty obvious that the image you’re using is James’s. Sadly you’ve been let down by the Insights tool, leading to you inadvertently breaking the terms of the CC licence. I’ve been burned by a similar error in the past, where I reposted an image that had been created by someone, from a 3rd party aggregator which stripped out all the attribution info.

James hasn’t asked you to take down the image, just to give him his due attribution. It’s clear you’ve not intended to do anything wrong, so it would be great if you could just add an attributive link.

“if you think I am going through all my INSIGHT images and giving credit to the original snapper, you can think again.”

In that case you can probably look forward to being sued when you get caught using a fully rights-reserved image taken by a professional photographer.

Yes James, let down by some terrible software, which is actually a cool plug-in, but if it causes so much grief it’s better off not being used on my site.

I am going to replace the photo and remove the Insight software.

James Whatley, I apologize for using your photo without permission and I will remove all the other photos as well, as I am sure they belong to you in some way or form.

Hmmm!

I’ve ditched Nokia for a year or two now after being a Series 80 Power User and am now the happy onwer of an HTC Touch Pro2. (Yes I’ve gone to the dark side - WInMo) And do you know what? It isn’t that bad at all!!!

Any chance of a considered opinion on that one, boys?

You’re clearly a moron who

1. doesn’t understand what “licensing” means
2. doesn’t understand how the Internet works
3. obviously can’t engage in intelligent conversation.

I hope you get sued into oblivion; there are enough ignorant smart-asses on the Internet, you won’t be missed.

Different URL is nonsense. Flickr provides multiple URLs for the same image for different sizes. The exact photo you’re linking to can be seen on this Flickr page (clearly labelled with CC attribution and James’ profile linked):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/3476977184/sizes/s/

No one has said you should go through all images on your site. We are saying that now you’ve been informed about this particular photo and it’s your legal requirement to correct your page.

If he’s using a plugin that sources images from Flickr without telling him what their copyright status is, this thread is the gentlest way he could have found out what an incredibly bad idea that is, by a significant margin.

I’d go for removing the plugin, not fixing this one instance. The next person whose work he fails to attribute might not be so polite, nor so liberally licensed in the first place.

Takes one to know one!

Re: Your 5800XM. I was just reading your reviewhttp://www.lookatbowen.com/2009/05/the-nokia-58…And I noticed a striking similarity between the image that you used and this one, (from my photostream).http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/347697…It is clear these images are one and the same and, as ALL of my flickr photos are shared under Creative Commons, may I suggest changing your post accordingly as currently there is no attribution to the original source.You can read more about Creative Commons right here - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed…Let me know when it's fixed. Thanks.

Re: Your 5800XM.

I was just reading your review

http://www.lookatbowen.com/2009/05/the-nokia-58…

And I noticed a striking similarity between the image that you used and this one, (from my photostream).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/347697…

It is clear these images are one and the same and, as ALL of my flickr photos are shared under Creative Commons, may I suggest changing your post accordingly as currently there is no attribution to the original source.

You can read more about Creative Commons right here - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed…

Let me know when it's fixed.

Thanks.

Hey James,
Many thanks for the link and this is a very interesting topic off the original topic.

The image in question. I use a WordPress plugin called Insights on my blog, and it this plug-in that is pulling your “claimed” image from Flickr…. You can right click on the image and pull the URL if you like and you will see I am not claiming it to be mine at all. Here is the URL that http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3476977184_… and as you can see it's got a lot of “flickr, farm4, static” mentioned in the URL. I don’t see any mention of “whatelydude”.

I think you need to raise this “creative commons” issue with the author or <a href=” http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/insights/sc… (Vladimir Prelovac) or with Flickr themselves, before you go insinuating that I am claiming an image that might belong to you. I too post understand Creative Commons on my various blogs and understand what it means. With that said, I am not removing the image or putting any attribution to the original source. As far as I am concerned, the original source is Flickr.

Hey James, Many thanks for the link and this is a very interesting topic off the original topic.The image in question. I use a WordPress plugin called Insights on my blog, and it this plug-in that is pulling your “claimed” image from Flickr…. You can right click on the image and pull the URL if you like and you will see I am not claiming it to be mine at all. Here is the URL that http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3476977184_… and as you can see it's got a lot of “flickr, farm4, static” mentioned in the URL. I don’t see any mention of “whatelydude”.I think you need to raise this “creative commons” issue with the author or <a href=” http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/insights/sc… (Vladimir Prelovac) or with Flickr themselves, before you go insinuating that I am claiming an image that might belong to you. I too post understand Creative Commons on my various blogs and understand what it means. With that said, I am not removing the image or putting any attribution to the original source. As far as I am concerned, the original source is Flickr.

“As far as I am concerned, the original source is Flickr.”I'm sorry??? You're saying as long as an image is on Flickr, you have the right to use it?YOU have the burden of proof to show that you have the rights to use an image, not the other way around; it's not about proving that you DON'T have the rights to use something. Also, you can't claim ignorance because of a third party plug-in; if you CHOOSE to use it, you assume responsibility for it. If someone has pointed out that it is acting illegally, you should choose to remove it.And clearly, those are the same image. To try to argue otherwise seems incredibly petty, especially from someone who creates web content themselves.

“As far as I am concerned, the original source is Flickr.”

I'm sorry??? You're saying as long as an image is on Flickr, you have the right to use it?

YOU have the burden of proof to show that you have the rights to use an image, not the other way around; it's not about proving that you DON'T have the rights to use something. Also, you can't claim ignorance because of a third party plug-in; if you CHOOSE to use it, you assume responsibility for it. If someone has pointed out that it is acting illegally, you should choose to remove it.

And clearly, those are the same image. To try to argue otherwise seems incredibly petty, especially from someone who creates web content themselves.

wait, does that mean you are happy to use a tool that pulls pictures without giving the owner (the person who takes and publishes that picture on Flickr, not Flickr itself imo) the rightful credit?

wait, does that mean you are happy to use a tool that pulls pictures without giving the owner (the person who takes and publishes that picture on Flickr, not Flickr itself imo) the rightful credit?

Not knowing the source of an image doesn't make a violation of Creative Commons acceptable and the onus is on you to discover the source and license of that photo. You can do this by searching for the photo ID in google. In this case you can plainly see that the photo ID (3476977184) matches the ID of the photo James linked to and you can see that it is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license as described here: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed…You have now been notified of the source of the image by both James and myself, I have explained how you can verify the source for yourself and you have been made aware of the terms of the license.I expect to see correct attribution or the removal of the link as soon as possible.

Not knowing the source of an image doesn't make a violation of Creative Commons acceptable and the onus is on you to discover the source and license of that photo. You can do this by searching for the photo ID in google. In this case you can plainly see that the photo ID (3476977184) matches the ID of the photo James linked to and you can see that it is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license as described here: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed…

You have now been notified of the source of the image by both James and myself, I have explained how you can verify the source for yourself and you have been made aware of the terms of the license.

I expect to see correct attribution or the removal of the link as soon as possible.

Look, if it was James Whatley 's link I was using on my site, then I would change it or remove it or give him credit for the image, but it's not his image. It's got a different URL.I am not claiming ignorance just because it's a third party application, but for the love of gawd, if you think I am going through all my INSIGHT images and giving credit to the original snapper, you can think again. Besides there is no way of knowing from the second the image is selected in INSIGHTS that it belongs to James or not. Petty… was making a comment about it in the first place and not checking the original link on my site.

'Claimed' image? It's not 'claimed' - he bloody took the photo!He's not saying you're claiming it be yours either, he's saying you need to reference your sources properly.Yes, this should be flagged to the author of Insights, but a simple 'Sorry, I'll add a link to your original photo' would have done. Flickr is the medium that stores the imagery, it owns nothing and each indivudual is the source.What a ridiculous stream of ill-informed comments…

Look, if it was James Whatley 's link I was using on my site, then I would change it or remove it or give him credit for the image, but it's not his image. It's got a different URL.

I am not claiming ignorance just because it's a third party application, but for the love of gawd, if you think I am going through all my INSIGHT images and giving credit to the original snapper, you can think again. Besides there is no way of knowing from the second the image is selected in INSIGHTS that it belongs to James or not.

Petty… was making a comment about it in the first place and not checking the original link on my site.

'Claimed' image? It's not 'claimed' - he bloody took the photo!

He's not saying you're claiming it be yours either, he's saying you need to reference your sources properly.

Yes, this should be flagged to the author of Insights, but a simple 'Sorry, I'll add a link to your original photo' would have done.

Flickr is the medium that stores the imagery, it owns nothing and each indivudual is the source.

What a ridiculous stream of ill-informed comments…

You've used a (bad) tool to show it the image on your blog. The plugin should have warned you that the image requires attribution, but it did not. James has now made you aware of the licence for the image and it's your obligation to correct your website.The usage on your site requires attribution, fact. The URL makes absolutely no difference.

You've used a (bad) tool to show it the image on your blog. The plugin should have warned you that the image requires attribution, but it did not. James has now made you aware of the licence for the image and it's your obligation to correct your website.

The usage on your site requires attribution, fact. The URL makes absolutely no difference.

Hey Mike,I think it's pretty obvious that the image you're using is James's. Sadly you've been let down by the Insights tool, leading to you inadvertently breaking the terms of the CC licence. I've been burned by a similar error in the past, where I reposted an image that had been created by someone, from a 3rd party aggregator which stripped out all the attribution info.James hasn't asked you to take down the image, just to give him his due attribution. It's clear you've not intended to do anything wrong, so it would be great if you could just add an attributive link.

Hey Mike,

I think it's pretty obvious that the image you're using is James's. Sadly you've been let down by the Insights tool, leading to you inadvertently breaking the terms of the CC licence. I've been burned by a similar error in the past, where I reposted an image that had been created by someone, from a 3rd party aggregator which stripped out all the attribution info.

James hasn't asked you to take down the image, just to give him his due attribution. It's clear you've not intended to do anything wrong, so it would be great if you could just add an attributive link.

“if you think I am going through all my INSIGHT images and giving credit to the original snapper, you can think again.”In that case you can probably look forward to being sued when you get caught using a fully rights-reserved image taken by a professional photographer.

“if you think I am going through all my INSIGHT images and giving credit to the original snapper, you can think again.”

In that case you can probably look forward to being sued when you get caught using a fully rights-reserved image taken by a professional photographer.

Yes James, let down by some terrible software, which is actually a cool plug-in, but if it causes so much grief it's better off not being used on my site.I am going to replace the photo and remove the Insight software. James Whatley, I apologize for using your photo without permission and I will remove all the other photos as well, as I am sure they belong to you in some way or form.

Yes James, let down by some terrible software, which is actually a cool plug-in, but if it causes so much grief it's better off not being used on my site.

I am going to replace the photo and remove the Insight software.

James Whatley, I apologize for using your photo without permission and I will remove all the other photos as well, as I am sure they belong to you in some way or form.

I really enjoyed this ingenious Ben vs James review, and today engadget posted a similar and very interesting Chris vs Thomas “missives interchange”:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/nokia-n97-review-a-tale-of-two-bloggers/

Hmmm!I've ditched Nokia for a year or two now after being a Series 80 Power User and am now the happy onwer of an HTC Touch Pro2. (Yes I've gone to the dark side - WInMo) And do you know what? It isn't that bad at all!!!Any chance of a considered opinion on that one, boys?

Hmmm!

I've ditched Nokia for a year or two now after being a Series 80 Power User and am now the happy onwer of an HTC Touch Pro2. (Yes I've gone to the dark side - WInMo) And do you know what? It isn't that bad at all!!!

Any chance of a considered opinion on that one, boys?

You're clearly a moron who1. doesn't understand what “licensing” means2. doesn't understand how the Internet works3. obviously can't engage in intelligent conversation.I hope you get sued into oblivion; there are enough ignorant smart-asses on the Internet, you won't be missed.

You're clearly a moron who

1. doesn't understand what “licensing” means
2. doesn't understand how the Internet works
3. obviously can't engage in intelligent conversation.

I hope you get sued into oblivion; there are enough ignorant smart-asses on the Internet, you won't be missed.

Different URL is nonsense. Flickr provides multiple URLs for the same image for different sizes. The exact photo you're linking to can be seen on this Flickr page (clearly labelled with CC attribution and James' profile linked):http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/347697…No one has said you should go through all images on your site. We are saying that now you've been informed about this particular photo and it's your legal requirement to correct your page.

Different URL is nonsense. Flickr provides multiple URLs for the same image for different sizes. The exact photo you're linking to can be seen on this Flickr page (clearly labelled with CC attribution and James' profile linked):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/347697…

No one has said you should go through all images on your site. We are saying that now you've been informed about this particular photo and it's your legal requirement to correct your page.

If he's using a plugin that sources images from Flickr without telling him what their copyright status is, this thread is the gentlest way he could have found out what an incredibly bad idea that is, by a significant margin.I'd go for removing the plugin, not fixing this one instance. The next person whose work he fails to attribute might not be so polite, nor so liberally licensed in the first place.

If he's using a plugin that sources images from Flickr without telling him what their copyright status is, this thread is the gentlest way he could have found out what an incredibly bad idea that is, by a significant margin.

I'd go for removing the plugin, not fixing this one instance. The next person whose work he fails to attribute might not be so polite, nor so liberally licensed in the first place.

Takes one to know one!

Takes one to know one!

I enjoyed this ingenious Ben vs James review, and today engadget posted a similar Chris vs Thomas “missives interchange”:http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/nokia-n97-re…

I enjoyed this ingenious Ben vs James review, and today engadget posted a similar Chris vs Thomas “missives interchange”:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/nokia-n97-re…

Ben - you re so wonderfully objective in your own grumpy way. You did not mention the fact that the N97 does not support SIP VoIP natively - mission critical FAIL!

On balance I think that I shall be resisting the temptation to commit to a N97. I shall stick with my wonderfully reliable (and feature rich) E71 - which is now available for a FRACTION of the price of a N97!

Ben - you re so wonderfully objective in your own grumpy way. You did not mention the fact that the N97 does not support SIP VoIP natively - mission critical FAIL!On balance I think that I shall be resisting the temptation to commit to a N97. I shall stick with my wonderfully reliable (and feature rich) E71 - which is now available for a FRACTION of the price of a N97!

Ben - you re so wonderfully objective in your own grumpy way. You did not mention the fact that the N97 does not support SIP VoIP natively - mission critical FAIL!

On balance I think that I shall be resisting the temptation to commit to a N97. I shall stick with my wonderfully reliable (and feature rich) E71 - which is now available for a FRACTION of the price of a N97!

Brilliant, love the conflict. James definitely won the argument though. I’ve got an E71, but definitely want an N97 if I can blag my boss to get me one.

The widgets are genius. I’m making a widget that will work on my E71 as well as the 5800/N97 I wish I had, and it’s pretty darn simple and is such a powerful part of the standby screen.

Brilliant, love the conflict. James definitely won the argument though. I've got an E71, but definitely want an N97 if I can blag my boss to get me one.The widgets are genius. I'm making a widget that will work on my E71 as well as the 5800/N97 I wish I had, and it's pretty darn simple and is such a powerful part of the standby screen.

Brilliant, love the conflict. James definitely won the argument though. I've got an E71, but definitely want an N97 if I can blag my boss to get me one.

The widgets are genius. I'm making a widget that will work on my E71 as well as the 5800/N97 I wish I had, and it's pretty darn simple and is such a powerful part of the standby screen.

After thinkin of both opinions. I’m with James on this one!

JamesVincent (was kevx)

Ben is right. Waiting 6 months aprox. for the stuff to work. Bloody arrogant Nokia. By By i’m of to Apple.

After thinkin of both opinions. I'm with James on this one!JamesVincent (was kexv)

After thinkin of both opinions. I'm with James on this one!

JamesVincent (was kexv)

agreed, amen. (Loooooooong time Nokia user)

Ben is right. For almost 600 euro’s the product should be finished. I will never spend this amount of money on anything that is not 99% thought out. I’ve been using Nokia’s for 10 years now, but i just ordered the 3 GS. Can’t wait.

Oeps, Ben is right twice now

Ben is right. Waiting 6 months aprox. for the stuff to work. Bloody arrogant Nokia. By By i'm of to Apple.

Ben is right. Waiting 6 months aprox. for the stuff to work. Bloody arrogant Nokia. By By i'm of to Apple.

Which decent phone we can get with at least 16GB memory and GPS with any OS which allows application installation for free and I think Iphone is not an alternative to it but maybe good for some people and not for some. Give us something which is a phone plus easy to update and have some competition with N97.

agreed, amen. (Loooooooong time Nokia user)

agreed, amen. (Loooooooong time Nokia user)

Ben is right. For almost 600 euro's the product should be finished. I will never spend this amount of money on anything that is not 99% thought out. I've been using Nokia's for 10 years now, but i just ordered the 3 GS. Can't wait.

Ben is right. For almost 600 euro's the product should be finished. I will never spend this amount of money on anything that is not 99% thought out. I've been using Nokia's for 10 years now, but i just ordered the 3 GS. Can't wait.

Which decent phone we can get with at least 16GB memory and GPS with any OS which allows application installation for free and I think Iphone is not an alternative to it but maybe good for some people and not for some. Give us something which is a phone plus easy to update and have some competition with N97.

Which decent phone we can get with at least 16GB memory and GPS with any OS which allows application installation for free and I think Iphone is not an alternative to it but maybe good for some people and not for some. Give us something which is a phone plus easy to update and have some competition with N97.

[...] I’m a fan and I make no apology for recommending it whole-heartedly. Sorry to those who think I’m only here to slag things off. [...]

Nokia N97 Model mobile is Nice Mobile I am using the Mobile.It was Unlocked From the Vodafone Australia I found the Unlocking Instructions In the site Unlocking Instructions.

Nokia N97 Model mobile is Nice Mobile I am using the Mobile.It was Unlocked From the Vodafone Australia I found the Unlocking Instructions In the site Unlocking Instructions.

Nokia N97 Model mobile is Nice Mobile I am using the Mobile.It was Unlocked From the Vodafone Australia I found the Unlocking Instructions In the site Unlocking Instructions.

Why should anybody take seriously any of the opinions of a pair of lager drinkers?

You absolutely shouldn’t

Why should anybody take seriously any of the opinions of a pair of lager drinkers?

Why should anybody take seriously any of the opinions of a pair of lager drinkers?

You absolutely shouldn't

You absolutely shouldn't

Check out this video review of the Nokia N97.
It’s probably the best video review i’ve seen.
A very detailed review with a touch of humour aswell.

Also notice the Nokia N97 vs. Touch Pro2 lightsabers at the end of part 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJe9Nd_wx0

Check out this video review of the Nokia N97. It's probably the best video review i've seen.A very detailed review with a touch of humour aswell. Also notice the Nokia N97 vs. Touch Pro2 lightsabers at the end of part 2.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJe9Nd_wx0

Check out this video review of the Nokia N97.
It's probably the best video review i've seen.
A very detailed review with a touch of humour aswell.

Also notice the Nokia N97 vs. Touch Pro2 lightsabers at the end of part 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJe9Nd_wx0

Wait! Hold the video presses! WHERE IS BEN’S SUIT & TIE???!!!!!????

It makes me truly happy to see Ben & James sparring on video. When are we going to see Vikki & Dan sparring on video?

((p.s. I like the keyboard and I do *use* the stylus. ;o) ))
( p.p.s. I will actually be buying the N86 )
p.p.s.s. More cute doggies in videos.

;oD

Agreed - that’s an excellent review… Recommended.

The suit is given a weekend pass and spends time with its family…

Agree Vikki and Dan video is overdue… *starts planning*

Noted re: doggies

Wait! Hold the video presses! WHERE IS BEN'S SUIT & TIE???!!!!!????It makes me truly happy to see Ben & James sparring on video. When are we going to see Vikki & Dan sparring on video?((p.s. I like the keyboard and I do *use* the stylus. ;o) ))( p.p.s. I will actually be buying the N86 ) p.p.s.s. More cute doggies in videos. ;oD

Wait! Hold the video presses! WHERE IS BEN'S SUIT & TIE???!!!!!????

It makes me truly happy to see Ben & James sparring on video. When are we going to see Vikki & Dan sparring on video?

((p.s. I like the keyboard and I do *use* the stylus. ;o) ))
( p.p.s. I will actually be buying the N86 )
p.p.s.s. More cute doggies in videos.

;oD

Quite funny this vid, I enjoyed it very much, great job Ben and James, damn that almost sounds like the American ice cream - Ben and Jerry lol nah but really great video, keep up the good work

cheers mate

Agreed - that's an excellent review… Recommended.

Agreed - that's an excellent review… Recommended.

The suit is given a weekend pass and spends time with its family…Agree Vikki and Dan video is overdue… *starts planning*Noted re: doggies

The suit is given a weekend pass and spends time with its family…

Agree Vikki and Dan video is overdue… *starts planning*

Noted re: doggies

Quite funny this vid, I enjoyed it very much, great job Ben and James, damn that almost sounds like the American ice cream - Ben and Jerry lol nah but really great video, keep up the good workcheers mate

Quite funny this vid, I enjoyed it very much, great job Ben and James, damn that almost sounds like the American ice cream - Ben and Jerry lol nah but really great video, keep up the good work

cheers mate

[...] is becoming widely available I’m reading some of the reviews and having second thoughts. A video review that I watched this morning (from The Really Mobile Project) got me thinking about how Apple have taken the market initiative [...]

I’ve spent about an hour with a N97 and I’m with Ben on this one.

All the smart kids are

I've spent about an hour with a N97 and I'm with Ben on this one.

I've spent about an hour with a N97 and I'm with Ben on this one.

All the smart kids are

All the smart kids are

[...] I know that I’ve been fighting with Ben about how good the N97 is, but really, when it comes to creating content (video and/or photos) - [...]

part of my job is to check other network stores in town and see what they offer (I work for a T-Mobile store).

Just came across this AMAZING offer on the N97. Free N97 Black, £45 a month, 1200 Minutes, Unlimited Landlines, Unlimited Texts, 500MB Internet all on a 18 month contract!

part of my job is to check other network stores in town and see what they offer (I work for a T-Mobile store).Just came across this AMAZING offer on the N97. Free N97 Black, £45 a month, 1200 Minutes, Unlimited Landlines, Unlimited Texts, 500MB Internet all on a 18 month contract!

part of my job is to check other network stores in town and see what they offer (I work for a T-Mobile store).

Just came across this AMAZING offer on the N97. Free N97 Black, £45 a month, 1200 Minutes, Unlimited Landlines, Unlimited Texts, 500MB Internet all on a 18 month contract!

i was told today by a t-mobile store worker that they don’t have the N97 yet as it failed t-mobiles tests?! they are retesting it and if it passes they’ll have it in 3-4 weeks.
was looking forward to getting this phone on friday, i really dont want to have to wait!

i was told today by a t-mobile store worker that they don't habe the N97 yet as it failed t-mobiles tests?! they are retesting it and if it passes they'll have it in 3-4 weeks. was looking forward to getting this phone on friday, i really dont want to have to wait!

i was told today by a t-mobile store worker that they don't habe the N97 yet as it failed t-mobiles tests?! they are retesting it and if it passes they'll have it in 3-4 weeks.
was looking forward to getting this phone on friday, i really dont want to have to wait!

I’m with ben - its a nightmare with your fingers, its slow unresponsive and does unexpected things. esp when trying to scroll menus.

it becomes way more responsive and satisfying with a stylus.

resistive screens need stylus
capacitive screens love fingers

S60 5th edition isnt finger friendly.

I'm with ben - its a nightmare with your fingers, its slow unresponsive and does unexpected things. esp when trying to scroll menus.it becomes way more responsive and satisfying with a stylus.resistive screens need styluscapacitive screens love fingersS60 5th edition isnt finger friendly.

I'm with ben - its a nightmare with your fingers, its slow unresponsive and does unexpected things. esp when trying to scroll menus.

it becomes way more responsive and satisfying with a stylus.

resistive screens need stylus
capacitive screens love fingers

S60 5th edition isnt finger friendly.

[...] screen is 2.4 inches wide with 65k colours (measly in comparison to the N97, with a whopping 16 million), but comes with 256MB Flash memory as standard and a decent 512Mhz [...]

[...] may remember a few months back that fellow Really Mobile co-founder Ben Smith and I sat down to argue discuss the merits of [...]

‘get an iphone’ hahahahaha :p

'get an iphone' hahahahaha :p

'get an iphone' hahahahaha :p

[...] it the N97? No. The early firmware troubles playing a key factor here, leaving the mobile users of the world divided. The mini may yet turn things around, but has arrived too late for this [...]