Back from Nokia World: Out with the N86, in with the N97, waiting for the N900
by Volker Weber
It's been two (and a half) crazy days at Nokia World. It was a very well run show. Press interviews were well organized one-on-ones and not the group chats I know from IBM events. There was plenty of time to get all questions answered and both Nokia and its agency did a fine job.
Besides the usual keynotes, Nokia World is very different from other events I have attended. There was a huge lounge with breakout areas in the same room as well as bean bags, catering, excellent food, healthy drinks. And then there were four large areas (discover, play, share, organize) where you could experience devices and solutions in a very relaxed way. I never had anything like it. There was way more networking than in other events where people disappear in hallways and small breakout rooms. This is a format to copy.
So, why out with the N86 and in with the N97? I enjoyed the N86 a lot. Very solid phone with a great camera. But frankly, all the action is happening on the 97, and soon on the 97 mini. I need to test a few betas, and that is why I have to swap the device.
What I am really looking forward to is using the N900. I played with it for a little at the conference, and I was very impressed. This isn't yet for the masses, but it's a fast device with interfaces that don't suck. Nokia has brazillions of devices out there running S40 and S60. So one little N900 is not going to cause a revolution. But it's a great example of what might be in store for the future. It's not an iPhone killer, it's not a Symbian killer. But it's a very exciting device, especially since it is completely open. You do with it what you want, not what somebody else wants.
Comments
Reminds me a little bit of the HTC Kaiser.
TBH I am not a big fan of the keyboards. You can get devices now with the keyboard on screen which isn't chicken pecking (like Windows mobile) and isn't intrusive.
That aside Nokia do make nice phones.
