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Nate Lanxon

Nate Lanxon is CNET UK's Senior Editor of News and Features, and covers every aspect of technology for Crave. He also enjoys popular-science books, obscure Japanese animation and plays 'technical metal' on the drums, whatever that is.

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Monday 15 June 2009, 5:28pm

N97: Greatest disappointment of 2009

The haggard offspring of a one-night stand betwixt horse and sheep would be a frightening beast indeed. Whether body of a sheep and head of a horse, or body of a horse and legs of a sheep, such a mammal would perform neither a sheep's, nor a horse's tasks terribly well. Nokia's N97 feels like the spawn of a similarly ill-advised liaison, but in this case involving the iPhone and the N95. And it, too, should receive both barrels squarely to the face.

I gave the phone the benefit of the doubt, and ditched my N95 for a week in favour of using the N97 exclusively (I also use an iPhone for email). Immediately, I disliked the keyboard, the fact that the space bar is tiny and sat over on the right-hand side, and the clunky touchscreen interface.

But I said to myself, "Self, give it time. Give it time." So I gave it time, and now I hate the thing even more for wasting a week of it. But it's not just the keyboard. The resistive screen and menu system join forces to produce something that feels more ancient than the sum of its parts.

I can't find anyone in the office who actually likes this phone. We gave it a fair review, with Flora acknowledging the very points that gave the phone its initial potential: great camera, loads of memory, ample connectivity. But when you get used to using it as your main phone -- particularly when your recent handset history goes Nokia 6680, N80, N95 -- you realise, "Hey, I've been using the same interface for about six years."

And it really shows on the N97. This OS, interface and outdated resistive touchscreen have ruined what should be a great handset -- a mobile stuck in the black hole of developmental ignorance. With phones such as the Palm Pre, the iPhone 3G S and Android-powered devices hitting the market, it's imperative for Nokia -- which has a history of making superb handsets -- to completely rethink its OS design strategy, and not just assume that something that works on a small display can simply be stretched to work on a touchscreen.

Maybe with Symbian going open-source, the N97 will be one of the last handsets I have to use that disappoints me this much. Incidentally, this year is the first year in my entire mobile-using life that I'm signing a contract for a phone that isn't a Nokia. I think that says it all.

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Comments on this post

My phone history is almost identical: Nokia 6600, Nokia N80, Nokia N95. What phone have you chosen? I'm thinking one of the next-gen Android phones is for me, or perhaps the N98 (or whatever it will be called) if my N95 holds out for that long...

Posted by Dan on Mon 15 June, 2009 6:59 PM

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I read the review and I think I'll stick with my 5800 for now. The N97 just seems a bit pointless and, like you say, it needs a revamp. Hopefully some heads will roll in Espoo and we'll get a new generation of Symbian^2 handsets with capacitive screens, OMAP and proper amounts of RAM. But let's face it: It'll still sell millions and they'll just continue not to learn.

Posted by Mark on Mon 15 June, 2009 7:30 PM

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True , I saw the interface on the 5800 and I didn't like it , because I have an iphone which has a nice interface . However the 5800 is cheap and has nearly all the n97 features so why would you pay for the n97 ?? . For me I will go for an android phone next time .

Posted by Ahmad on Mon 15 June, 2009 9:20 PM

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My past 3 phones have been Nokia N series, with my current being the N95 8GB. With my upgrade due next month I was planning on going for this since it was announced back in December last year. After reading a few bad reviews for the N97, I think I will be going for the HTC Touch Diamond 2 or Touch Pro 2. Just need to decide...

Posted by Crazylegs on Mon 15 June, 2009 9:45 PM

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You've confirmed my doubts over the N97 ever since I saw the specs of the handset. Nokia need to decide fast how they're going to overhaul the OS that they've invested so much in. All of the N97 expo videos showed how stuff on the screen could be dragged up.. dragged down... dragged up again... big whoop. I want to see the handset used and abused, not treated with kid gloves. I've only started to get the full use of my N95 after switching to a data-friendly tariff so I think I'll possibly stick with it for another year or so.

Posted by Joff on Mon 15 June, 2009 10:39 PM

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What a well written article, if this was the first effort of some pre school child. Seriously, is that a review of an educated word smith? But all the Iphone junkies jump on board and have a field day, and make the guy feel proud of his work. And I don't even want the N97, just amazed at the idiocy of this so called editors work.

Posted by Rioch on Mon 15 June, 2009 11:15 PM

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Rioch, you good sir, are an idiot. This is not a review but a blog, therefore if you look to pass comment about the N97 review, you may wish to check out the N97 review (that may be well written or not). I'm sure all the iPhone junkies will jump on this as they have nothing better to do than to troll websites searching for ill things being said about rival phones and again I'm sure that Nate lives and dies by the feedback he gets and therefore feels a huge sense of pride when some no mark like yourself passes comment, albeit good or bad.

Posted by gregkelly1985 on Tue 16 June, 2009 10:44 AM

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Agree with Rioch,some ,or is it all of you?,do not have the the thing and have took the advice of someone whose head is firmly planted in Apple's bottom! i've got the N95,my first ever phone!,and i have an ipod touch and guess what,i'm bored of that thin piece of glass ,UI is great but like anything over time it becomes a bore,change is as good as a rest so treat yourself to something new and don't listen to someone who is kicking and screaming at his desk like a brat,( i take it this guy's about 14 or so,sorry i'm new to this blog),i've got plenty money so i'll buy 2 and when i'm comfortably watching videos and films with the 97 propped up in front of me,and you guys are holding your iphones getting RSI ,ill put the spare 97 on ebay for you to buy!!!!!

Posted by Will on Wed 17 June, 2009 2:42 PM

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Since you jumped ship to the mac, it seems that you have grown to be a true fanboy: The tone of the Podcast has changed (feels like a repeat of Buzz out load, we are in the UK) and lost interest a month ago. Shame some people actually make decisions based on what you write instead of deciding for themselves.. reading this, it seem like you only played with the phone for 10mins... Just like the iPhone it takes time to get used to the keybored etc... Please stick to your reviews of music... This may have been your personal opinion but i think you should have given yourself time to used to the phone instead of picking it up, pressing 2 or 3 button then writing a review. Will the iphone developer

Posted by Anonymous on Fri 19 June, 2009 6:31 PM

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I used it for an entire week as my main phone.

Posted by Nate Lanxon, CNET UK on Sat 20 June, 2009 5:03 PM

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I have not used an Iphone but would like to understand whether its interface has been changed in the 3 years or more of its existence

Posted by Sai on Mon 22 June, 2009 12:32 PM

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So, which phone did you get? The Iphone?

Posted by Geeza on Tue 23 June, 2009 11:48 AM

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I too have jumped ship. The e71 a great phone; very beautiful and reliable. I can customise it; use it as a usb device as well as all the other things the iphone still can't do. But we all love a new gadget and, as Nate says, the long-awaited n97 feels dated and badly conceived. The touch pro2 seems the best alternative but too costly. I've got a pay as you go iphone: free 3G and wi-fi; lots of free minutes, no contract and I can easily sell it if something amazing comes along. It is as limited as I thought. More so in some respects and it is starting too look dated as well with the heavy black background that I can't change. However as I use it mainly as a browser it'll do because what it does do, it does supremely well. My all time favourite device was the treo 600 so I'm hoping the pre marks a return to form for palm.

Posted by karen-s on Thu 25 June, 2009 1:23 PM

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Karen, I agree. And from what I've seen of the Pre, it's a superb alternative to the iPhone; better than it in many ways. The E72 is a phone to look out for though. It's basically the E71, but with a better camera and tweaked design.

Posted by Nate Lanxon, CNET UK on Thu 25 June, 2009 7:38 PM

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I completely agree with Nate, I played a bit with the N97 before it came out and I could tell I wouldn't like it as much as my E71 but I wanted a bigger screen, a better browser and better email display than even the new nokia email could manage. The N97 seemed to deliver only the bigger screen but not much else. The landscape keyboard is a mistake, much better have a portrait one a la Pre. So I went for the HTC Magic and it hasn't disappointed. Probably not as compelling as 3GS but does more than I need and is included in a 600min unlimited text contract. The interface is snappy, elegant, application are well integrated: was most impressed when I could click on an event address in facebook and had the choice of displaying it in google maps ! That's just one example. So right now in the UK my take is it's the 3GS if you are prepared to pay for it, HTC Magic if you are not and iPhone 3G if it's fast enough for you and don't care about your phone's camera.

Posted by geekyduke on Fri 26 June, 2009 9:10 AM

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I unfortunately have to agree with Nate. I have always been a great Fan of Nokia Handsets, I jumped at the 5800 when it was first released and got rid of that as it just seemed a very basic handset, not much with the Build Quality either! It has to be said i like my gadgets and like trying out the latest Phones! I currently have the E71 which has served me well and has probably been my longest serving Phone over 2 years plus. With the N97 announced way before its release date, i was quite excited! And Pre Ordered ASAP! Again I have had it for a week and it just doesnt cut it, for a phone with a £499 Price tag and a 'Flagship' phone it just doesnt cut it! It doesnt have the WOW that its promised! I agree that it can take time to get used to a phone, but after the initial setup of a phone, u need summat to keep you hooked. Which this does not! I must state that in no way shape or form i am an Apple Fanboy, but i did purchase the initial iPhone, way back when. Which missed out on soo many key and Basic Features, which on the 3rd time of trying Apple has produced what should have been produced the first time round. So due to my poor experience of the much anticipated N97 i am sending this back. And going to try out the iPhone 3G s, which while i agree has its flaws, does seem the better option! And if this fails to impress i will ditch this too! But with the Apps store at least it has a promise of something! Unfortunately something Ovi as of yet does not have. Looking forward to how Ovi develops in the future. I would be intrigued to hear peoples views on the Palm Pre because i just cant get excited about it! Please try and convert me!

Posted by Mark on Tue 30 June, 2009 8:34 PM

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The n97 rocks! I just got it today and i think it is brilliant! There are some little kinks, but that's to be found with every phone, includibg the iphone!

Posted by jem on Wed 1 July, 2009 4:34 PM

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Is it just me or the screen of the N97 looks pixelated ? Not just pixels but some kind of oblic lines made of small points. Very unimpressed with the screen...How can this be with such a high res handset ?? And I am too a long time Nokia N series user but while keeping my old trusty N95 8gb I got myself an Iphone as a large screen 2nd device. Very pleased with it so far, it lacks some of the features I am used to have, but what it does it does in style.

Posted by shauru on Sat 11 July, 2009 4:38 PM

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Agree with Rioch, this blog opinion seems childish mainly focusing on the cons (software etc) and really ignoring the handset hardware capabilities. I respect personel opinions but fact is........ -Most reviews online praise 97's keyboard. -Ive come across lots who "actually" likes this phone Yet im not surprised Cnet based in Apple's hometown of California; Smelling fanboy anyone?

Posted by Sal on Tue 14 July, 2009 2:44 AM

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I have to say the article actually made me chuckle, even if i think the outcome is unfair. i have spent the past few weeks reading all of these blogs and reviews as i was torn between the iphone and the n97. I was sure i was getting the iphone too with all that's said online ... That was until i actually had them both side by side. I like the iPhone ... it's fantastic it really is ... but the n97 is just better rounded for me. It seems like you have to compromise too much (Camera quality ... service provider) to get that swanky operating system and sleak handset. the N97 isn't exactly some haggard one night stand (love the quote though!) to look at ... but it's no secret the Nokia need to update there operating system. As a developer it's a big deal for me but still i can't go to the iphone ... and hold on a minute ... is there no chance of a software update for the n97? Well i've had my N97 3 days now and i can honestly say i've not looked back. the more i use it the more i fall in love with it ... texting with the keyboard is a pleasure after spending a year bashing my samsung tocco touch screen especially. no more one line text replies from me! I honestly don't think it's a case of which is better now. They are all epic in their own way, it's more about which one suits your life style.

Posted by Jam on Sat 18 July, 2009 4:16 PM

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i found N97 quite ok though.

Posted by No name on Wed 5 August, 2009 11:29 AM

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To be honest i quite like the n97, its not going to be an iphone killer, and it isnt the best on the market, theres a close match with the t mobile G1 and "G2". there quite similar, the ovi store isnt the better of android and app store but its gaining ground in the feild. another thing is that the n97's keyboard is so much better than the other slide out qwerty keyboards on most other phones, i really found it easy to use from pick up and only got faster from the end of a week or so, for me it would be this over the iphone, but the palm pre over the both really. Well hey thats just my opinion take from it what you will or want.

Posted by Jordan on Wed 12 August, 2009 10:09 PM

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Couldn't agree more, I went from my amazing n95 8gb to this piece of rubbish.. I have ALWAYS had Nokia, always rated them, always defended them, no I hate them Rubbish interface, sometimes you have click once or twice, you can never tell, till it's too late. There is no slick smoothness! No internet radio, WHY NOKIA!!!!??? The internet is not the experience it promised, and Skyfire is NOT compatible, they said it would play flash, yeah right, try accessing the BBC website, or in-fact most flash enabled websites, it's slow even on WIFI or on 3.5g. The widgets, crash, and then crash oh and did I mention...... Facebook widget is at best unreliable and restrictive. And, the bunch of rubbish widgets you can get are not inspiring at all.... I could go on, but I never thought i would ever say it, I WANT AN IPHONE... but have a 18 month contract.... 'NOKIA! Annoying people'

Posted by simon on Tue 18 August, 2009 6:42 PM

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n900 anyone?

Posted by JONNY C on Wed 2 September, 2009 12:08 AM

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Right i have just bought the N97 and had it for a couple of weeks now, i previously have had the n95, and about 30 other nokia's all the way back to the 3210 and what not. This is the best i have had. I love the keyboard layout and am used to it now. All the people slagging this phone off have used the iphone or what ever and have seen different styles and menu's. Yes the menu has been the same on Nokia's but who really cares about the menu style. I have only used the menu a handful of times since i have used it. I am a business man and receive my emails , make calls , send text messages etc off my phone. At the end of the day this is what it is for. Not the fact hey my menu's look good WOW. Now the N97 has a perfect speaker phone and is crystal clear ( but no-one ever mentions things that matters on this blog). It has not crashed once. The camera is good and has a Carl Zeiss lens ( one of the best you can buy) Why don't some of you people get a life and start using a mobile phone what it is intended for. ( Not pretty little icons in the menu screen and a built in bubble level )

Posted by damian on Fri 25 September, 2009 1:13 PM

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