Nokia Launches the N97 To Keep Up With The Internet, Google vs Apple vs Nokia Heats Up
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) may be the largest handset maker in the world, but the big question is: will wireless incumbents like Nokia, or newcomers like Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) and Google (NSDQ: GOOG), be the ones to thrive in an industry that is increasingly focused on the mobile Internet? Today, Nokia’s unveiling the N97, which is the company’s best chance at staying relevant in the fast-paced and increasingly competitive industry. Nokia has done a good job of keeping this project under wraps, so this morning will be the first time pictures of the phone and the device’s specifications will be made public. Nokia will make the announcement at Nokia World in Barcelona today at 9:15 a.m. CET, which is just a little past midnight on the West Coast. Based on early information Nokia provided to the press before the announcement, the phone looks like an HTC Tilt, but behaves like the T-Mobile G1, and easily beats both the iPhone and G1 when it comes to a number of features and specifications, like the 5 megapixel camera, video-recording capabilities and support for Adobe’s Flash. Lots more on MocoNews, where we will also be covering the live press conference as well…
Also, recognizing that it can’t get away with just rolling out services on the phone, Nokia is announcing that it will roll out Internet e-mail and mapping services for the PC. The two announcements pair nicely with the unveiling of the N97. Again, more on MocoNews.
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Comments (2)
Dec 2, 2008 7:21 AM
I’m finally impressed with a Handset maker that understands the iphone threat. RIMM released an iphone competitive product that shipped with less than 1GB of memory. Then at the last minute included an 8GB card. That is the most idiotic think I ever hurd of. RIMM fail to understand that its about mobile computing which requires more memory. I’m so glad that Nokia finally got right with a minimum of 32GB of on board memory. Apple will have to consider the N97 as a major threat.
Nokia’s only mistake is the keyboard. The camera and Flash are not important to most users and will not sway an Apple buyer.
I also believe that Nokia should immediately launch the N97 in the USA as RIMM’s offering is grossly inadequate which gives them a chance of upstaging RIMM for US market share.
Dec 2, 2008 9:15 AM
This is going to be a GREAT phone and I think those who got let down with the Xperia will be condoled by the N97. However, I don’t think it will be better than the G1 or iPhone because of the software.
I’ve been looking high and low for “new” information on the phone and seem to find a lot of the same regurgitated stuff but here is a nice little resource that organizes it all: http://nokian97.org
Dec 9, 2008 4:25 AM
Finally the need of the consumer has been taken into consideration by someone.. thats Nokia with its new N97. Even if the features physically seems to be like the G1 and i Phone, i am impressed by the internal features like the memory which is said to be 32GB inbuilt and extend able by 16GB via a micro SD card. Todays consumers need is to stay connect to the internet in a easy manner wherever they are and for that computing they need more and more of memory which Nokia has understood and come up with the N97. This feature will boom the market of N97. other feature like the flash player and the 5MP carl Zeiss are not that much needed by the corporate consumers.
As observed since long Nokia has not made any major impact on the US market, but now by launching this new N97, it holds a great prospect towards the US market as now the consumers will find the N97 to be more powerful tool as compared to the others like the i Phone or the G1.
only feature that will attract a lot of consumers are the extra huge memory, and the mobile computing facility at the best.
Competitors have to become more innovative and alert now.
Dec 19, 2008 10:51 AM
5MP camera, qwerty and full touch!!! Finally Nokia is relaasing it. I cant wait to play with it. Although, I am getting it from http://www.puremobile.com/Noki…N97-White-GSM-Phone/ that why i dont have to renew contracts and all that deal.
Dec 19, 2008 10:55 AM
Ahhh, refreshing. Finally a phone I will buy. Iphone no kwerty, not for me. All the others were a joke with on board storage.
In all seriousness. The comparison with iphone is inevitable so i might as well go there. I just cudnt see myself jumping on the iphone bandwagon when it was released with 4gb, then 8, then 16, even 32. I wont even consider it til its 64gb.
After coming from a 160gb ipod.Are you kidding me? And dont give me any crap about hard drive based and flash based, i dont care. This phone is a much better buy and im getting it. As a matter of fact, im glad its not out yet. I need to save some more, even if its for next christmas. Im aspiring to own this thing.
Dec 29, 2008 1:36 PM
I won’t get the iphone cuz it has no video camera. And it forces you to pay for the internet whether you want it or not. What if you lose your job or something? I like the ideaa of a keypad. I wish it was set up to “find” things like my old faitlful Palm. I need something new and have bought and returned 4 phones. Hope the N97 is the one?
May 25, 2009 10:36 AM
THE N97 IS THE BEST PHONE FOR 2009 SO FOR