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Nokia Challenges Apple and Google with New N97 Phone

Written by Frederic Lardinois / December 2, 2008 9:55 AM / 18 Comments

nokia_logo_dec08.pngNokia today unveiled its new flagship phone, the N97, which is clearly meant to compete with the iPhone and Google's Android platform. Unlike the iPhone, however, the N97 has a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard. In terms of its other hardware features, the N97 also clearly outperforms the iPhone. The N97 supports up to 48 GB of storage, including the 32 GB that are already built-in. The phone has a 5 megapixel camera and its GPS is capable of giving turn-by-turn directions. The resolution of the phone's 16:9 touchscreen is 640x360.

Location

The phone will also be able to make use of Nokia's updated mapping product, which will feature 3D landmarks and, according to Nokia, is more versatile than Google Maps. These new maps themselves pose a major challenge to Google, as Nokia will, at some point in the near future, allow users to point their phones at a building and get relevant information (and presumably advertising) about that building on their phone.

Interface

nokia_n97_front.jpgOf course, the iPhone's real advantage (as well as that of any Android phone) was never its hardware, but its operating system and the overall elegance of its user interface. It is hard to say where the N97 falls here based on the videos we have seen so far. Earlier Nokia N-series phones also featured extremely capable hardware, but the operating system made it extremely hard to make good use of these features. In terms of software, Nokia does have one ace up its sleeve, and that is the N97's ability to play Flash videos and games. The OS also supports copy and paste, which is still sorely missing on the iPhone.

Widgets

The main feature of the phone's touch-enhanced Symbian OS is its support for widgets, which will be open for third-party developers and are available for download through an application on the phone itself. Nokia calls the N97 a 'mobile computer,' and a lot of its success will surely depend on the applications that third-party developers will develop for the phone. Apple's App store already features over 10,000 native applications, so Nokia definitely has to play catch-up here.

We have to say that the phone's hardware and user interface look extremely slick. Of course, we haven't been able to get our hands on one yet, and the demo video is nice, but as we know from Apple's ads, these videos can be quite deceptive as well.

Overall, the N97 looks like a formidable challenger (especially with regards to its hardware specs), but much of its success will depend on the quality and ease of use of its user interface.


Comments

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  1. It's always good to see competition from major mobile manufacturers. Keep it coming Nokia!

    Posted by: Dealyzer | December 2, 2008 10:55 AM



  2. Carrier? AT&T I assume, I don't see many Nokia phones on Verizon.

    Posted by: Jmartens | December 2, 2008 12:34 PM



  3. I am guessing they will be using https://www.widsets.com/ more. widgets already exist on the s60 platform but they have just not taken off yet. have a look at the developer site for nokia.

    Posted by: Darren | December 2, 2008 1:14 PM



  4. Great move by nokia, but just like other N series phones this too looks a bit slow. (Notice the lag before the rain video plays).

    Posted by: Mayank | December 2, 2008 10:04 PM



  5. From a developer point of view the problem is that this is just ONE phone in Nokia's range, in much the same way the NGage was - I was expecting Nokia to announce a platform, rather than a device.

    Hardware-wise - it looks like what I want the iPhone to be.

    Posted by: JulesLt | December 3, 2008 1:58 AM



  6. I love it already!

    Posted by: vardis | December 3, 2008 4:15 AM



  7. I am already a very happy user of N95
    the N57 looks/sounds very much like my next Christmas gift!
    All that will be on my wish-list is a full SSH / serverkey authentication to connect to remote servers while being out of office / away from home.
    May be some of the Symbian developers convert one of the existing opensource Linux SSH tools to Symbian OS .... job opportunities !

    Posted by: hans | December 3, 2008 4:24 AM



  8. Nokia always makes better phones, Watch out Apple, you are going to get crushed.

    Posted by: Diamonds | December 3, 2008 9:57 AM



  9. I love Nokia brand!

    Posted by: Jessica | December 3, 2008 3:32 PM




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  11. The N97 looks as if its going to be the latest attempt at knocking the iPhone off of its high perch. I have to say i do have quite a bit of faith in it as well due to its many applications and huge memory, also its ability to play flash videos. You can already sign up for N97 release information here...

    Posted by: Jack | December 4, 2008 5:27 AM



  12. Hi,

    The key to the new and growing success to the iPhone is the app store and the integration of iTunes. It doesn't matter about features, keyboards or any of that stuff.

    It's the content dummy and I don't see anyone taking on Apple in this dept for a while (Nokia and Google don't get this yet)

    Rod

    Posted by: Rod Beckwith | December 7, 2008 9:01 AM



  13. I am so going to buy this phone when it finally comes out. I cant wait. There are some video out there etc.

    http://www.nzmobiles.com/phones/34-nokia/61-the-new-nokia-n97-.html

    Posted by: john | December 8, 2008 12:30 AM



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    Posted by: mike | December 11, 2008 9:40 AM



  15. Puremobile is advertising that Nokia N97 Unlocked version is available with them as "coming soon"!!, Can that be possible??, since N97 is just announced.

    check this out- http://www.puremobile.com/Nokia/Nokia-N97-White-GSM-Phone/

    I would be the lucky one to order it first and get it from Puremobile,com

    Posted by: Kelly | December 14, 2008 3:40 AM



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    Samsung omnia i900.....$400usd
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    User Manual
    Bluetooth Headset

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    Posted by: mike | December 14, 2008 7:42 PM



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    Samsung omnia i900.....$400usd
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    Nokia n96 16gb...$400usd
    Apple iphone 16gb..$350usd
    Sony ericsson xperia x1..$400usd
    Apple iphone 8gb.....$300usd
    Nokia n95 8gb.......$300usd
    Ps3 60gb.............$300usda

    PACKAGE CONTENT Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte.
    Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte Quadband 3G 4GB UMTS Mobile Phone
    BH-803 Bluetooth Headset
    Standard battery, Li-Ion 1000 mAh (BL-4U)
    Carrying Case
    Data CD-ROM
    Device Handsfree
    Desktop Charger
    Travel Charger
    User Manual
    Bluetooth Headset

    Sidekick 2008 (Gekko)
    Included Accessories
    512 mb MicroSD card
    Battery
    Charger
    Stereo Hands-Free Headset
    Mini-USB cable
    Changeable Shells (black & Green Included)

    We make shipment via Ups and Fedex shipping company 2days
    deliver worldwide.
    If you are interested in buying our product contact us via
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