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Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
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Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
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Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
-
Nokia N9 review
The Nokia N9 is, without doubt, one of the most fascinating phones of the last few years. The tale of its development and launch interweaves almost all the multivariate strands of the Nokia narrative. It is simultaneously the last big hurrah for the Nokia of old and the first showing of what the new Nokia, steered by Stephen Elop, is capable of. Much like the N8 and E7 that came before it, the N9 features an industrial design that sets it apart from the carbon copy smartphone crowd and marks it out as an unmistakeable Nokia product. Unlike its predecessors, however, the N9 shrugs off the aging, touchscreen-antagonistic Symbian operating system and moves to the long-awaited MeeGo Harmattan software.
As the first new Nokia smartphone to operate without the chains of legacy software, the N9 finally demonstrates some of that dormant software innovation from the labs in Espoo. I first saw it at Nokia’s introductory event in June of this year and, though my expectations were low, was blown away by how intuitive, responsive, and fluid the whole interface was. I wasn’t alone, either. Just about everyone who got a chance to play with the N9 remarked upon its superlative design and wondered aloud why Nokia was abandoning such a promising platform. Because, oh yes, Nokia had decided a few months earlier to transition its entire smartphone strategy to Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and consign MeeGo to the status of a one-hit (i.e. the N9) wonder.
Today, the humble smartphone that made an unintentionally spectacular first impression is shipping in a limited release around the world and doing its level best not to disrupt Nokia’s big WP7 launch plans later in the month. That makes the N9 a niche product if you’re just after phone buying advice, but if you care about real advances in smartphone UI concepts and perhaps a hint of what we can expect in Nokia’s Windows Phones, you’ll want to read this review.
Comments
Unstable software: First time I heard of this. Others report it to be rock solid. Device got a fair shake from Vlad though, surprising but very welcome.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:07 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Those cards in the multitasking view can be live, they are not screenshots per se.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:15 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s true, I have to admit that I wasn’t exactly thrilled when he joined TIMN, but way to go, impressive stuff. Makes me wonder just what a difference the whole office culture/editorial line makes.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:29 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If you push the phone hard, it will eventually slow down. And I have experienced the odd glitch. I’ve crashed it twice so far, i’ve had it about a week.
I don’t think normob users would experience much of this. But the temptation with maemo/meego is to dive straight in, flip the “developer mode” switch, and start installing alpha/beta quality software.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:39 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Not really the first time. I’ve read accounts on European websites that the phone tends to slow down in certain menus and has some stutter and “thinking pauses”. Also that the edge swiping can be a bit difficult to get just right.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:30 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
[I’ve read accounts on European websites that the phone tends to slow down in certain menus and has some stutter]
IIRC that was put down to still pulling down FB/whatever data etc, & once done for the 1st time it’s way better.
[Also that the edge swiping can be a bit difficult to get just right]
Reason that occurs so much….
Is because people forget where they’re meant swipe from the edge, & where they’re not.
It’s motor/muscle memory thing, that should fade with time.
But yes, some touch’s/swipes haven’t be registering as accurately as they should be.
I believe much of that is rectified w/PR1.1 in a few weeks time.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:37 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
it’s not 100% rock solid in this point. I have had my issues with the phone but it still gets the 9.1/10 from me. After all is polished 100% it’s 9.5/10.
But news about 3500 fixes and improvements coming in next update Verge
should make a part 2 review. Also as time go by there will be more apps and games because Qt is that good.
IF (not happening) Nokia makes a N9 rev.2 phone next year with Dual-core,HDMI,HD screen, it’s 9.9/10 for sure!! :(
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I really don’t think they are obligated to do a second review of the phone when and if the update for MeeGo does come out as they have never done such a thing for any other phone.
But I do want an N9+ with a better processor and a HD screen – that would be awesome. But I don’t think that’s going to happen, and on the other hand, then I’d have to wait for that phone to come out and I couldn’t buy myself an N9 right now. I’ve waited for ages already. Nokia did deliver.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 2:01 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Love The Italian super car simile. Great Review.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:10 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Agreed, but I really expected Paul to do this one.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:59 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The main sadness I feel in regards to Nokia is that they are only company that had a truly open source OS. While Android is technically open, it is not in spirit.
Tragically, there will still be very loyal Nokia fans who will still buy this device. WP7 is a terrific OS but hasn’t gained any traction a year after release. It’s even less successful than 6.5. Only time will tell if Nokia made the right decision.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:12 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If terrific in your opinion. Apparently most consumers feel differently. A UI that switches between freakishly eye-scarring or bland as a rice cake will do that.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:35 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I think it’s more a fact that people don’t have a clue what WP7 even is. I showed my HTC Trophy to my iPhone-owning brother (i just got it yesterday) and he as completely amazed by it; couldn’t believe how smooth and nice it looked. In his words, “Puts iPhone to shame.” I don’t know about that, but it does show that, even though it’s been out a year, most people haven’t even heard of it. I mean heck, he even said at first, “Wow, is that a ’Droid phone?” SMH.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:28 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The marketing is spectacularly bad. Even the name ‘Windows Phone 7’ conjures up the idea of something that is generic, ugly and probably buggy. It doesn’t matter that WP7 is none of those things.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:27 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
and the name iPhone sounds wonderful? lol
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:25 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Not wonderful no, but it connected the product in the consumer’s mind to the iPod which was enormously successful and had very high satisfaction levels amongst it’s users. Apple doesn’t really need to name its products well at this point, because consumer interest in the company is so high already.
Google didn’t have that advantage in the consumer space, and they clearly put a lot of thought into their mobile brand. Android is great branding, it is playful and futuristic at the same time. The little green robot works in almost any market, whether Asian, European or American.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:55 PM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
agreed. it’s a shame nobody knows about wp7.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:26 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
What’s more important to how “consumers” feel about it, the bandwagon, or user satisfaction ratings?
Your trolling is tiring, you’ve made the same comment twice in this thread.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The caveat being that Harmattan is less open than
Maemo 5. The upside being that actual MeeGo (or rather, Mer/Nemo) will
support this device in time.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:05 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You do realise Windows Phone 7 has sold more in its first year than Android did in its first year? Good job Google didn’t think like you and just throw in the towel because of lack of traction.
Nokia devices will be the ones to make Windows Phone sell, simply because their name is still popular in Europe (although where I work most non-iPhone users tend have Samsung phones now).
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:26 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Got a source for that? Because the numbers i can see suggest different – even in absolute terms WP7 is doing poorly, and relative to the size of the market it’s doing terribly.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:18 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
…and how many years has Microsoft been building mobile OSes versus Google?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:55 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That almost works against them though – did you ever use WinMo?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:25 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Or any other operating system than Windows, to have something to compare to?
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 1:46 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I want this hardware with ICS. This is undoubtedly the sweet-spot when it comes to size. Why can’t Samsung/HTC just get this!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:15 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Because one of there main priorities, is differentiating themselves from the iPhone. One easy way to do that, is make the screen bigger.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:59 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You want a machine (N9) that has slightly better hardware then a Moto Droid from 2009 running ICS? are you CRAZY?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I think he meant the no-button in front hardware.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:03 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
i think he means design (unibody, curves)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:56 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That too I guess. But I thought the no-button front is more obvious as ICS uses no buttons, at least physical ones (for the home, menu etc.).
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I like the last picture in picture with Windows phone 7, a sign of things to come.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:15 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Just wait one week and your wish might come true
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:23 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Just wait one week and your wish might come true
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:23 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
somehow I feel harmattan is a part of what makes this phone so beautiful, a hardware+software design combo. The square and unified color style of wp7 does not fit as well with this phone in my view.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:55 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The rounded icons do look more compatible with the phone’s design than WP7’s square design.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:05 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This phone feels rounded and soft edges. WP7 feels hard and sharp. I feel like this and the pre 3 share a lot in common. Both doomed, both with such wonderful os’s.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:57 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
And both with a lot of rounded edges. I was reading Vlads description of the phone while holding my Pre 3 and almost thought he was describing the Pre 3s rounded edges and how the screen feels like melted into the phones body…
Please, if anybody can marry the Pre 3 and the N9 so that they have children with the best features of both worlds I would be the happiest geek on earth!
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 6:28 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Bearing in mind Peter Skillman (ex-Palm) is in charge of UX at Nokia, that’s surely what they did do. The N9 is quite a departure from the N900 UX but not so far away from WebOS.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 5:51 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
BoBothth
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 8:52 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I agree. wp7 is a bit ugly. it needs to feel like it fits in the phone, not like it spills over. I hate viewing pictures on my phone’s screen that spill over the edges. Maybe I’m just an obsessive compulsive perfectionist, but I feel like using wp7 is that experience, only I can’t get away from it the way I can when I close my gallery on my Android device.
This is a beautiful piece of hardware, btw. A great departure in industrial design from the boringness that is currently dominating Android slab phones.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:59 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Gotta admit.. this phone is gorgeous.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:23 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Another very good hands on here from Crave. (Cnet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XC4sC6cJjI
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
A very honest review by Vlad.
It literally brought a little tear to my eye.
So beautifully written as well.
Thank you Mr. Savov.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
More like impending doom.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:24 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yeah….I can’t wait until next week. This is a nice phone though. Meego included. I wonder how upset Paul is at not doing this review. Can’t wait to see the Sea Ray (800) and it’s siblings unveiled officially.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:45 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
REAL ARTSY.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:17 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
agreed, that shot is so clever, well done
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 5:03 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This with a hint of Mango would be awesome…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:16 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I am very curious to see how that goes, I really hope they don’t try too hard to meld the two OSes and waste any more time getting nice-hardware mango phones on to the market.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:29 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Personally, while sad that MeeGo didn’t get the traction Nokia was hoping for, I sure do hope that Microsoft-Nokia deal at least leak (seep through? Non-native English user :P) some of the concept seen here in MeeGo, mainly the Swipe UI.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:56 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I think there are a lot of good concepts here, and hate to see MeeGo fade away, but if the choice is put Mango on N9 hardware “as-is” or spending months (years?) trying to merge the ideas from both, I prefer the former.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:41 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Well maybe not in Mango, but in later iterations or versions of WP7. But yeah, if given that choice, I’d rather an early device than a late one too.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:50 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
More likely to see it reborn in S40.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:40 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Which would make it more likely to get that Swipe UI. But yeah I think this is also possible.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:48 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I do think that it gets a higher score here because it will not reach the masses. You can praise its design and “not care” about its glitches, but I don’t think you’d give an Android phone w/ the same hardware but software limitations and lack of apps the same score. I’m not saying your anti-android, but simply that you don’t have to continually defend your score to scores of people who become frustrated w/ its problems since they will not have access to it.
Just saying, there’s a bit of wistfulness padding the score here. Hope Nokia will retain such great design for Windows Phone, but I, and most people, won’t really care either way. Elop said they iOS and Android needed competition, but I think he was really after differentiation. He could have accomplished that through design alone, as no current Android manufacturer is running away with the title just yet.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:16 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Yea, there seems to be a lot of romanticism about meego. Basically, never speak ill of the dead.
I, for one, can’t wait for the Searay or whatever Nokia’s WP7 N9 equivalent will be. I just hope they bring it stateside. I will definitely be buying one.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:04 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Forget Nokia, Samsung is going to be bringing out a SGSII spec phone which runs WP7 soon. Then again they might have to cripple it due to MS using Snapdragons are their reference cpu design (Could change and use Ti OMAP4 I guess)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:48 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Frankly I don’t much care about the CPU that the phone is running. Yea, the faster the better but the 1.4ghz part shipping in the latest Mango phones runs plenty fast. As long as it works well, who cares? The “ancient” snapdragon in the original WP7 devices performs faster than the newer dual core Android phones.
I just want a sexy device. The only specs that really matter is how much internal storage it has, the size and quality of the screen, quality of camera, and battery life (which is pretty good on all the WP7 phones already). Who cares how much RAM it has and how fast the CPU is?
And yea, Microsoft is still going to stick with Qualcomm parts. No OMAPs any time soon. If that’s what it takes to get all phones updated to the latest release in a matter of weeks instead of months (with many never getting it), I’m fine with that.
Samsung is just copying and pasting their Android designs to make their Windows Phones. Sorry, Samsung, try again. Just look at the Galaxy Nexus. It’s the same thing they’ve been doing — just more if it. Yea, that screen looks beast mode and I’d love to have it on a WP7 device but other than that… meh. Nokia (as seen with the N9) has the chops to make a lust-worthy device. I want something people say “woa, what is that?” when they see it. That’s what Microsoft needs.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
No Mike, Samsung will not do that because they need to use the exact same chassis a everyone else. So in effect you would get the poor build quality and plastic feel of the SGS2 but with the same SoC as others. There is absolutely no incentive to buy Samsung if the SoC advantage they tend to have is not present.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:09 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s true, base-line specs for WP are quite low, and relatively rigid…
Rumored to be raised quite a bit more come WP8x, but that’s some time away.
So there’s little OEM’s can differentiate on other than build-quality of chassis, camera etc.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:14 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’ve used Android, Symbian, iOS and MeeGo(N9) and I can honestly say that I thought the score was a bit low.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:35 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
i dont think theres a padding of the score. If it was the same phone + android + these software limitations, obviously the score would be lower. Meego brings cohesiveness, usability and responsiveness android doesnt have. Of course it brings along its own limitations, which is why the score isnt perfect. But if it was this hardware and BOTH android and meego’s issues i can’t see it having the same score or better
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:54 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Honestly, I don’t believe that for a second. If I recall correctly, Vlad (back on Engadget) never had anything good to say about Symbian^3 on the E7 even after Nokia announced it was abandoning it.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I want this + ICS. Is that too much to ask?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:20 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I want this + ICS. Is that too much to ask?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:20 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
They look like they were made for each other almost as much as the N9 + Harmattan. The WP7 UI is going to look silly on this.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:18 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It looks silly on anything.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:25 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Much of a WP and/or MS hater, are you?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:25 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Depends if you really really like tiles.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:28 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
No, they don’t. This phone was made for the Swipe UX, the curves on the screen and everything was tailor made for Harmattan. Android 4.0 is still the same old Android except for the fact that it uses software function keys.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:22 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
honestly? yes.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:22 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Over a Galaxy Nexus + ICS? Really. I mean this is kind of slick but give me a break.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
i will say the design of the galaxy nexus just isnt the same as the design as this phone
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:05 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That’s true, The N9 rocks slightly updated hardware from the Motorola Droid back launched back in 2009. The N9 has NOTHING on the Galaxy Nexus sadly
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:39 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
you forget the camera is better on the nokia n9
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Except for the fact that it looks better and has a vastly superior UI. Did I mention ICS and the Nexus are both FUGLY?
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:12 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I think it’s a weird thing to ask. The Android software has never been pretty or fluid, which is what makes this phone great. One can only hope that Nokia retains some of the hardware design in future WP7 models. Or that it changes it’s mind on Meego…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:16 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
And this is as close as a no-button phone can get too. Maybe the old CPU will choke though.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:59 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Once the CM guys get ahold of the source for ICS I can definitely see it happening. If the Nexus S can do it…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Best (least biased) review I’ve seen for a long time.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:21 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Agreed. I knew this was coming as Vlad put a picture up of this on his G+… believe me, I was full of jealousy.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:40 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t think any of the reviews here are biased. The Apple-hating idiots here like to claim that the Verge guys are biased towards Apple if they write a review that is favorable towards an Apple product, but they never take into account the fact that Apple products are actually very good.
That is not bias on the part of the Verge writers. That is people who hate Apple CLAIMING it’s bias. I find that the Verge writers put a lot of objectivity into all their reviews, not just the non-Apple ones.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:58 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
come on dude, i heard josh on many different podcasts saying if the new iphone doesnt get a new design it will be the end of the world, and it didnt get a new design and he still went ahead and praised it more than it deserved in his review. if MS or Google did something (i.e nexus s) they would be jumping up and down calling it a con.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:59 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You can’t review a product on what it isn’t.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:59 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Can’t argue with that brotha
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t know if you’ve been following Vlad’s reviews, but he has been consistently been called an Apple loving biased reviewer who hates Nokia products, for example the Engadget N8 review where he bashed the phone and gave it a low score.
It’s almost comedic how many here are calling this one “a bias free objective fair review” just because it fits their preconceived notion.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:54 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Gladly we have Apple-loving idiots that counterbalance them, eh Jack ?
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:29 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Until he says something you don’t agree with and he becomes a biased fanboy bleh deh bleh.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:15 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Best (least biased) review I’ve seen for a long time.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:21 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Woo, Vlad in Muswell Hill!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:21 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Woo, Vlad in Muswell Hill!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:21 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Nokias are so pretty and so european, I just adore the phones. I really wish they would make up their minds and pick something to do so I could buy one.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:26 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
n9 = d.o.a.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:27 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Vlad may be the best writer here (and here, that is saying something). Awesome write up.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:27 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, this was quite good
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:04 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
i agree, he gives everything a chance, not like josh who just hates windows with passion for no reason (maybe apple pay him or he is just ignorant) and others who just bash MS and any other company that is not apple or google. i personally dont limit myself to a brand, i will buy whatever interests me more, i dont care who has made it.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:57 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Josh does not hate windows with a passion. If he did, he wouldn’t be in love with Windows Phone Mango.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:07 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I think there is some value in considering the source when choosing a tool (or a toy). Looking at what a company has produced in the past and how they have supported/improved upon their products can’t be used as the only factor in that decision, but it definitely should be factored in.
As for Josh hating windows “for no reason”, I think he’s made it pretty clear on the podcasts that he has the same gripes that many OS X users have; Windows 7 feels clunky and dated (both functionally and visually).
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 8:44 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Can we not turn this thread into a OSX/iOS versus Win/WP debate please.
Try to remember the thread’s title please folks…
Many are subscribed to this thread because it interests them for one reason or another.
And not because they want to read about folks debating iOS Vs WP.
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 10:08 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Understood, I think the fact that the discussion of Nokia phones has wandered so far off track is an indication of how much of a miss this phone is.
I know there are many who would like to discuss the N9/MeeGo as if it exists in a vacuum (the fact that it was released at all seems to indicate that Nokia believes it does) but that is not the case. It is interesting, beautiful even, but without an ecosystem and developers it is DOA. MS can barely get devs to build software for WP7 (and from my experience, the ones that have are definitely not dedicated to bringing them up to the quality of their iOS siblings), why would Nokia think anyone would bother to write for MeeGo at this point?
Why time and resources were spent putting this phone into producing/shipping this phone is beyond me. Nokia has proven to us that they can deliver a nice phone, but what they really needed to do is deliver one that is relevant. Nokia has soldiered ignoring the American market and the iPhone for years now, and releasing yet another dead-end product is not very encouraging to those of us who have been waiting patiently for them to catch up.
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 12:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s okay don’t worry…..
There’s dozens of countries outside of US/UK/DE/NED/ESP/Ind/Fra/HK that are getting it.
There’ll be a market for apps rest-assured, probably not for folk in the countries listed, & not on the scale of Android/iOS, & most likely never.
Feel kinda sorry for the countries listed, as they’ve been shafted somewhat, but I understand the decisions.
Are you from one of those countries?
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 12:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I did not like him on Engadget, but he seems invigorated with the new site.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:54 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Dunno about it, but this review was written better than Josh’s speedy 4S review.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:28 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Great review. Very fair. I love my n9, but i also accept that i’m going to have to be willing to jump through a lot of hoops to get it working just the way i like it.
But that is part of the fun :)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:30 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Are you a lucky European or did you manage to find a non-$1000 solution to obtaining one in the States? If so, where please?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:53 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Expansys has 16Gb for $750 and 64Gb for $890. I’m doing my best to keep my finger off the trigger, hoping the price comes down.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:42 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Price of Nokia’s always drops quickly but stock might be harder to come by with the N9, wouldnt wait too long.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:46 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Huge shame, I wanted this to be great but sounds like it isn’t.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The only limitation is 3rd party proprietary apps.
All the opensource ones (like emulators) have been ported.
The core OS (GPS, chat protocols, voice protocols/SIP, unlimited exchange email accounts) is all there.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Wow what a beautiful phone. This with wp7 mango should be a hit! They can incorporate the multitasking paradigm into the windows pone OS and it would be perfection!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Poor Vlad! Reviewing this phone must be like working at the morgue the day a dead supermodel shows up… do you zip up the bag right away or…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:33 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
i’m guessing ? stands for…
[drumroll please]
…necrophilia.
and to answer, i’m sure that vlad would say that’s not a very accurate simile.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:25 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The video is a step down from what we’ve recently been accustomed to. Looks like a standard “here I am holding the device while I shoot it with a camera” type video that I thought the Verge was moving away from. I know the fancy videos require a bit more production but it’s worth it. As for the PenTile, it looks like a RGBG version, which make greens look weird. You won’t tell on black on white text as much.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:36 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I just read the whole review. So the N9 is “utterly gorgeous” with an “innovative, fresh UI”. But it has a "doomed ecosystem, old processor, and unstable software".
Does that mean that, as long as I just look at it, it’s a 7.9/10?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:36 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes thats correct because as soon as you use it the score goes up to 9.5/10
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:38 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You mean the score goes down when you use it. Doomed ecosystem, old processor, unstable software. Remember?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:55 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
No I mean if you just look at it, it’s a 7.9 but if you use it it’s an 9.5.
You know “Innovative, fresh UI”.
“Doomed ecosystem”
How is it doomed Nokia is using Qt in their next billion strategy(the N9 is a Qt phone which will be supported until 2015) and Elop has said that the “third ecosystem” isn’t limited to Windows Phone.
old processor
So? UI is really smooth I’ve had iPhone users be surprised and say that there is zero lag when using the phone. I’ve only used the phone for a little over a week and so far I haven’t noticed any lag and certainly no minute long freezes. However I usualy don’t have more than 10 apps running at the same time.
“Unstable software.”
Again nothing I’ve noticed.
But apparantly there is an update comming soon which main focus is stability and speed so i’m sure there is some issues.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:27 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This version of the OS was built from scratch in 9 months and committed to sales release 4 months ago, they used that time since to bug fix and bring new features, hence why the post sales update Vlad mentioned will bring many improvements that they just didnt have time to fix before.
Its a pretty good effort considering, and like all OS’s will mature nicely with time.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:52 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That means that Vlad hopes nobody will buy the N9 so he won’t have to justify the rating.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:37 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That thing looks gorgeous! Update the specs and slap Windows Mobile in there and they’d have a winning design.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:38 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
They already have a “winning design” – they just decided to back the losing OS thanks to the arm-twisting from the Microsoft mole.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:31 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Dude, you are obviously a troll. Relax yourself and go away.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:31 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Now if only someone would sell it to me in Ireland.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:39 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Expansys will.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:17 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
In 2 weeks maybe but they keep deleting and recreating the items and that date is well hidden. would prefere one now.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:30 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Excellent review, Vlad. It’s a shame most of us will never be able to get our hands on this fabulous device.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:40 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Great review, Vlad. Can’t wait to see what Nokia has in store next week.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:41 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Great review Vlad. Can’t wait to see what Nokia has in store next week at Nokia World.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:41 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
would you consider carrying this as your main phone or now that you have finished the review is it going to go in a drawer somewhere ?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:43 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes. I’d consider myself limited by a number of things pointed out above (missing apps being the main one), but I’d also enjoy simply using something different.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:02 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
There’s a difference there though. You enjoy using something different, because as a reviewer on a tech blog you have the opportunity to use lots of different phones and always go back to whatever phone you personally find best.
The rest of us make this decision and it’s the only phone we use for 2 years. Is it good enough without being able to resort to something else? It seems it would be interesting for a short while, but then you’d just want to ditch it for something that isn’t lacking in those categories regardless of how well it’s designed.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:38 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That’s what ebay’s for.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:16 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Its like me using a Pre 3, feels right. But wrong in so many ways.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:35 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes. I’d consider myself limited by a number of things pointed out above (missing apps being the main one), but I’d also enjoy simply using something different.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:02 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
7.9 out of 10? I get the whole indie vibe of “the Verge”, but are they trying to be tech-blog Pitchfork?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:46 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
U of Mads?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:28 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
7.9 out of 10? I get the whole indie vibe of “the Verge”, but are they trying to be tech-blog Pitchfork?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:46 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If the cons are these:
Doomed ecosystem
Old processor
Unstable software
Surely the WP version, which addresses all of these will be a 10 out of 10?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:48 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Won’t fix the doomed ecosystem :)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:00 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Hater from the start,hater till the end? Too bad, Ed.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:36 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I will take your trolling sarcasam and just say good day sir.
Cant wait for WP7 + Nokia Searay + Verizon!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:47 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If this happens I will drop Android like a bad habbit.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:52 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Is that habit or hobbit?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:33 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
coolface.jpg
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:01 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Maybe on another carrier, but Verizon? Extremely doubtful, given the still-bad-blood existing between Microsoft and Verizon over the Kin debacle.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:00 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That’s a bit presumptuous. Even if you don’t like Microsoft, you have to admit that they could eventually buy their way into a more robust ecosystem (cough Skype cough).
Indeed, already with Mango I’ve noticed an uptick in bigger name, quality applications. Is it iOS or Android yet? No. But then, they are still within their first year of existence. Android’s market was pretty abysmal at that point too, as I recall.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:52 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, but after their first year both iOS and Android had significant scale in the market and carrier interest, WP7 doesn’t. In absolute terms it’s selling about what the original iPhone was selling, 6 months after launch.
Maybe MS will succeed in buying market share, or maybe Nokia will be able to force it into the channel – but right now it looks doomed. It doesn’t help that Nokia has no US presence, and WP7 uses services like Bing that aren’t heavily used outside the US.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:52 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Go check your facts. People buy hype and eye-candy neither of which WP has currently. YOU can put ‘SHIT’ on the iphone and people will buy it; why? because of hype. Same could be said for Android, a lackluster OS, but great eye-candy.
WP marketplace is growing faster than the Android marketplace did; and the only two reasons anyone is using it[android] is because 1) please don’t like Apple and 2) the HW stays relevant (fresh).
Eventually WP and MS ecosystem is going expand to all corners of the global. I think MS partnership with Nokia is going to help make his possible sooner rather than later; and you and yours will have to find something else to complain about. Apple’s app store and Google’s marketplace started off the same way (slow), but got better over time.
So stop trolling and relax yourself.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:04 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Why would I need to check my facts, you didn’t actually question them. WP7 is selling worse than the iPhone did at 6months out. That is a fact. It doesn’t matter what the reasons are, maybe WP7 is the best ever OS not to sell – that doesn’t change the fact that it’s not selling.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:28 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Moron… you open this by saying, “Won’t fix the doomed ecosystem :)” so i was addressing all your BS (start to finish). No one is disputing that maybe, and that’s a BIG MAYBE, the iphone may have sold more than WP7 at launch — I don’t know, neither do you, since MS never provided sale numbers.
I’ve read almost all the BS you posted in this thread and I came to one conculsion: You are an WP and MS hating idiot.
If you are going to criticize Windows Phone, for whatever reason, do so constructively. Just don’t post shit so your fellow haters could +1 you.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:45 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I almost feel bad for you, but I feel obliged to point out that the poor numbers for WP7 are coming from Gartner, and this is the same Gartner that some time ago predicted that WP7 would overtake the iPhone by 2015, so they clearly aren’t ‘haters’.
Even Ballmer has acknowledged that WP7 sales are poor, presumably he’s also a WP7 hater?
If you had actually read my comments in this thread you’d have realized that I haven’t said anything against WP7 as an OS, all that I have said is that it has been appallingly marketed, and has terrible sales figures, resulting in very very poor prospects. But hey, keep telling yourself that when the facts are against you it’s because of ‘haters’, I’m sure it makes you feel tons better.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:06 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
this isn’t engadget guys. Chill out.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:13 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
iphone never had so many established competitors. wp7 sold much better than android in its first year. and the point is not selling, it’s only 1 years old so it’s too soon to tell
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:02 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
iPhone was also creating a market for pure touchscreen phones from scratch. You may not recall this but back in 2007 many people thought that the idea of a phone with no hardware keypad, and not even a stylus, was never going to take off and would only sell a handful of devices.
WP7 may be a year old, but there is a clear trend in their sales numbers, and that trend is a flatlne.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:36 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
iPhone was also creating a market for pure touchscreen phones from scratch. You may not recall this but back in 2007 many people thought that the idea of a phone with no hardware keypad, and not even a stylus, was never going to take off and would only sell a handful of devices.
WP7 may be a year old, but there is a clear trend in their sales numbers, and that trend is a flatlne.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:36 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I think you have it backwards. I think Windows Phone gets top marks in the eye candy / beauty / fluidness department. As an OS, Android is probably the most functional and powerful of the three, but it lacks a beautiful and fluid UI, which turns off a lot of people. I think Ice Cream Sandwich is the first real push towards beauty, eye candy, and a fluid and enjoyable user experience on Android.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Are you crazy? Android the the worst mobile OS I’ve used thus far. I’ve had an iPhone for two(2) years, an Android for one(1), and a Windows Phone for one (1) and hands down the Google OS was the worst I’ve used. The only thing I like Android OS for is the free turn-by-turn GPS already built in.
Android is the most powerful of the three (3), without a doubt, but is also the least functional of the three.
Have YOU used a WP for more that a few minutes or EVER? Is the WP ecosystem small compared to the Apple’s app store and Google’s marketplace, SUREEEEEEE; Is it selling less, SUREEEEEEE; Are most of the generation 1 phones garbage, SUREEEEEEE.
However, these are all things that applied to both Mobile OSes in their infancy. Apple iphone maybe be the exception since there wasn’t any appstore (per se) or major OS to compare it to at the time.
Google had three years to get the OS right since they are basically a copy of the iphone, but here we are and they’re still NOT innovating and still copying.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:14 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Google is innovating just as much as the other two in my opinion. There are plenty of ideas that are exclusive to Android.
Saying any OS as a whole is the worst is too much of a blanket statement. Each OS has its strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn’t say any of them at this point are a clear winner or clear loser overall. However, if you pick a very specific feature like voice control, you can safely say iOS just jumped from being the loser to the leader and WP7 is our new loser in this category. You could break the features down into hundreds of categories and the winner and loser would change with each. In the end, all three are pretty great at this point in time and which one seems best to an individual is highly dependent on their needs and priorities.
I’m not trying to bash WP7 so calm down fanboy. I have used all three actually. One of Android’s downfalls is that the experience varies wildly from device to device. Some Android devices like the Galaxy S II variants and probably the Galaxy Nexus provide an amazing experience, while others (and I won’t name names so as not to upset nyone) provide fairly lackluster experiences compared to the competition.
Funny you mention Android being a copy of the iPhone. I seem to recall about 20 direct rip Android features showing up on my iPod Touch with the iOS 5 update.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:24 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
wp7 definitely has the eye candy. it looks fresh and different from ios and android with their grids upon grids upon grids of icons. the good thing about android is you can leave all those icons in your app drawer.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Android’s market share was in a similar place in its first year…….on only one device, the HTC G1/Dream.
Windows Phone OS, is running on, what, a handful of different manufacturer devices, in multiple countries so far?
What WP needs right now is the equivalent of a ‘Droid’; a popular branded device that takes off in the public imagination. Most non-tech consumers now refer to Android devices as ‘Droids’, even the non-Verizon ones.
Since Verizon thus far hasn’t gotten behind the WP OS, and while AT&T has, almost seems to be hedging, I’m not sure where that gotta-have device marketing and branding is going to come from. Microsoft has been historically inept at consumer-level marketing, outside of the Xbox.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:58 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
…and remember, over the last while they’ve fired or chased out all the people that were behind the Xbox.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 6:21 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Tronco se nota que no te gusta la tecnologia, si no apoyarias todas la iniciativas, otro isheep al rebaño de carajotes
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:15 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Shouldn’t it be iOveja?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
true amigo
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:53 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Hmm, is this an ironic comment on MS translation technology that it would incorrectly identify my origins as Spanish? Google translate would correctly detect my surname as Italian :)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:54 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
normally firstnames determine the “current” nationality, eduardo is spanish?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:23 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s also Neapolitan, though in point of fact I’m English. Still if you’d insulted me in Neapolitan that would have been much funnier. I’m not even sure some of their words have spellings.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:22 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Is your real name Edward Pilgrim? :-P
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You think my name is bad? My sister’s name translates as Sunday Pilgrim.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
in that case, mi dispiace :)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:21 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s also Neapolitan, though in point of fact I’m English. Still if you’d insulted me in Neapolitan that would have been much funnier. I’m not even sure some of their words have spellings.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:22 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It would only ruin the good parts.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:28 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I thought all WP phones had to have old processor ;)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:10 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
One thing not mentioned here is Nokia’s diminishing status as a maker of premium phones in many of the most lucrative markets such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, etc.
Buyers and salespeople have become much more weary of selling and recommending Nokia phones and sometimes it’s downright hard to even find Nokia smartphones in stores. WP7 phones already suffer from this effect to an extent, and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of marketing Microsoft and Nokia do to fix the situation.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:50 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Myself, I don’t think there’s much of a future for Nokia selling their devices in the U.S.
The brand name is either unknown, or has been knocked into the dirt, associated with disposable burner phones for way too long.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:51 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
What they need is a Droid like advertising push. And if the carriers won’t provide it than MS and Nokia should do it themselves. We should see the device getting ready to launch everywhere and people will ultimately take notice.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:57 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
lol very well said!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:00 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It will have other downsides:
- not as intuitive UI
- closed source, not as free
- managed code
- OS manufacturer
- “From the people who killed MeeGo (and Symbian)”
So I would probably give N9 with WP a 7
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:57 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If the cons are these:
Doomed ecosystem
Old processor
Unstable software
Surely the WP version, which addresses all of these will be a 10 out of 10?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:48 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This phone looks great. Too bad MeeGo is going down but at least they’ll reuse the nice design again. Thanks for the nice review overall.
For all those who are saying “Vlad used to be biased but this review is fair” No. He’s not being any more fair or any less biased than before. He’s just reviewing the product according to his personal criteria and you guys think it’s fairer only because his conclusion here fits your own bias.
Not too long ago, you guys were shouting from the rooftop how great Symbian is and Vlad is an Apple fan boy because you guys were saying a good UI doesn’t matter and Vlad was dissing Symbian, remember that time?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:55 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
No, actually I don’t – I remember 99% of posters screaming “DIE SYMBIAN DIE” almost as loudly as they scream “DIE BLACKBERRY DIE” every single day.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:30 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
""I remember 99% of posters screaming “DIE SYMBIAN DIE”"
And the remaining 1% was the loudest complainers, who thought Symbian was amazing, just misunderstood. ;-)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:53 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Symbian is amazing and good UI matters. iCandy certainly does not mater.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:06 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
After seeing the dissapointing ICS and new Android phones, I think the future will be NokiaSoft Vs Apple – And the battle will be legendary! -or at least I can wish :)
Nokia’s hardware matches Apple quality in terms of industrial design and simplicity and Microsoft matches Apple quality in operating system (unique, lag free and a huge developer following).
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:56 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Huge developer following…? Maybe on the desktop, but hardly on their bizzaro mobile OS.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:29 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Uhh…what? WP7’s marketplace has grown faster in it’s first year than Apple’s AND Android’s. There’s over 30,000 apps in the marketplace. I think you’re just trolling for the sake of trolling.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:48 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You might think ICS is disappointing, but that’s just one opinion. WP7, regardless of the hardware, is still not going to catch up. People act like everyone in the world in just waiting on Nokia’s WP7 phone, but in reality it’s the same exact group of WP7 fans. Outside this bubble of a tech blog, no one really knows about or cares about the Nokia WP7 partnership or WP7 as a whole.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes. No one outside tech cared about Android until Verizon decided to take the matter in it’s own hand and market Droid in a large scale. If it wasn’t Verizon someone else would have. Honestly, I feel bad to say this, but most people are just sheep(not a reference to Apple users) ready to be herded. I would love them to do a objective decision based on merits and demerits of each platform and choose what they want instead of choosing a phone because his friend or everyone owns the same. But it ain’t happening. Coming from a WP7 user who sees the advantages iOS and Android has over the WP7 platform with clear eyes.
TLDR; if Nokia and Microsoft cares, they can make their phones sell.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:44 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Well MS hasn’t needed Nokia to make people care. Nokia needed MS to become relevant again. MS hasn’t put forth the effort here. They’ve kind of thrown their eggs in the Nokia basket, and though it’s nice hardware, it’s the same gift in different wrapping paper.
WP7 is out there now, on all major carriers (here in the US) and has nice hardware. It’s being limited by MS (hardware/software wise) and people have had the chance to care, but they just don’t. It’s the same story as WebOS. I wish it wasn’t so, but I still to do this day haven’t seen a single person using a WP7 device outside a carrier store. That’s not an exaggeration, I’m want that to end, but it’s just a reality of it’s popularity or lack thereof.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:02 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
In design they might match but in hardware specs Apple currently has the fastest CPU/GPU combo. Not even the Galaxy SII with is a match due to the crazy dual SGX543+ GPU’s in the iphone 4s. The N9 has slightly better hardware then a Moto Droid released in 2009
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:51 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I really don’t understand why people are so obsessed with hardware. It’s the experience as a package which should be counted and not the hardware alone. If hardware was the deciding factor, Android would have won the game long back.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:39 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
After seeing the dissapointing ICS and new Android phones, I think the future will be NokiaSoft Vs Apple – And the battle will be legendary! -or at least I can wish :)
Nokia’s hardware matches Apple quality in terms of industrial design and simplicity and Microsoft matches Apple quality in operating system (unique, lag free and a huge developer following).
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:56 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Actually, I don’t think there’s Flickr or Picasa apps as such present, just share plugins to those services. Obviously a good thing, great to see them there, but would’ve been great to have deeper integration to those services as well.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:58 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Unfortunately, I’ve been able to make the N9 freeze up for several minutes at a time on numerous occasions.
And you still gave it a 7.9? I’m sorry but that kind of performance is unacceptable in a phone of this price.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:59 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’ve used an N9 for more than a week and I havn’t been able to make it freeze up at all.
But I have had an iPhone 4 do an unexpected reboot and an HTC Desire S freeze up for a few seconds followed by an application crash.
So if that is unacceptable to you for phones at that prize point I take it you use really cheap phones.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:48 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
A device that is being reported as that unstable shouldn’t get such a high score in the same article! The issue is that Vlad’s description and his score just don’t seem to relate to each other. Now perhaps you’re correct about the stability of the N9, but given your posting history I’ll take Vlad’s assessment over yours.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:35 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
My point was that all phones can freeze up or crash and if you find that is something unacceptable in expensive phones then the only option for you is to buy cheap phones.
Oh and I’m sure Vlads N9 did freez up at times, I’m not disputing that, why else would he write it.
But as I said, during the week I’ve used my N9(I got it last Tuesday) I haven’t managed to make it freez up a single time but then again I usually don’t have more than 10 app running at the same time.
“I’ll take Vlad’s assessment over yours”
Vlad’s assesment which you questioned in your first post?
Did you not read this part?
“The universal experience of using this phone is one of delight and desire. Yes, it can get bamboozled and freeze up, and no, you won’t be finding an avalanche of awesome new apps for it, but those downsides fade in comparison to the abundance of positives.”
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I questioned his score, not his description. It seems to me that he’s giving the N9 a pity bonus because it’s doomed, and because the score doesn’t matter since most people wouldn’t be able to buy the device even if they wanted to.
You said you managed to make an iPhone-4 crash once, but Vlad is saying that he froze up this phone on ’numerous occasions’. A single failure during months of operation is acceptable, frequent failures during a day or two reviewing are not.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:43 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Vlad said that he purposely tried to freeze up the device by throwing many tasks at it.
I can also make the iPhone 4 freeze in this way.
The N9 has never crashed or frozen in real-world use, for me. It certainly has never rebooted (even for Vlad).
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:45 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
No you can’t because the iphone doesn’t multitask in that way.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I know the iPhone 4 doesn’t multitask, I have owned one. It uses background services.
However, you can still freeze it up by trying to do too much at once. In the same way Vlad did it on the N9.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:44 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
No you can’t because the iphone doesn’t multitask in that way.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Months? i’ve used an iPhone 4 for a total of maybe 15 minutes.
My experience so far one random reboot and 2 browser crashes.
I’ve used the N9 for 9 days and so far no crashes and no phone freezes.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:12 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Its a new OS, built with constrained resources and all OS’s have a few glitches on release. I lost count how many times Android has stalled and rebooted on me despite being at a mature stage.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:26 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Have had it for two weeks and not a single “freeze up”, hardly a lag actually. Miss DLNA and Spotify (but it’s coming soon). That’s it actually. I can live without Wordfeud (I actually like when only real words work in scrabble) and the Heineken/Coca Cola/Starbucks app. I need Twitter, possibly Facebook, RSS, a good browser, an OK music player, a really good podcasting client and a great screen for video. And you know what? I have all that in the most beautiful handset made. Perfect size, perfect design and it lets me even have control over my files and apps just by connecting to my computer. I’m happy without Microsoft, Apple and Google forcing me to access my through their “ecosystem”.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:38 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Exactly, it may not have millions of apps, but it does have some good ones and everything i need is available apart from DLNA, which as you say is coming.
Theres no doubt the N9 is now a niche product, but it does offer a powerful and usable experience if your willing to work a bit to fill the gaps. Plus like OSX, its relative obscurity will hopefully keep hackers away.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:37 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
There’s already at least two 3rd party Spotify clients for the N9 in the Nokia Store already. Try MeeSpot - http://store.ovi.com/content/208888?clickSource=publisher+channel&channel=&pos=1
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 5:40 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I haven’t been able to make it freeze up at all for over a week.
I believe, judging by his wording, that Vlad purposing set out to try an freeze it by doing many things at the same time. Of course no one would do this in real life.
That’s probably why it’s not so related to his score.
With that sentence alone, you’d have to give the phone a 5 but it’s simply not true. Read the following sentences.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:43 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sigh, one of the greatest phone I’ll never have :’(
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:01 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Nokia beat Apple to the no-button smartphone. Nice one Nokia. I really want this ‘edge-swipe’ in the next version of iOS.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:01 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Nokia beat Apple to the no-button smartphone. Nice one Nokia. I really want this ‘edge-swipe’ in the next version of iOS.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:01 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
So does Samsung/Google. Not sure Apple even wants to leave the Home-Button behind, even if it takes up a lot of room and tends to break a bit too quickly.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:07 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Suggesting Nokia “beat” Apple to a no-button smartphone is also suggesting that Apple thinks a no-button smartphone is a good idea. Is that what Apple thinks? Pretty sure that Apple could have had a no-button smartphone on the market by now if they wanted one. The thing is, Apple knows that people want a physical home button. Nokia apparently hasn’t learned that lesson yet.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:17 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
iPhone 5/6 will have no home button, larger screen with less bezel, same physical size — just like this N9. And you’ll love it.
FYI, The N9 is the same physical size as the iPhone 4S but has a much larger screen, much smaller bezel.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:47 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Really? Your argument is that you’re absolutely sure that Apple will move to a no-button home screen now that Nokia has done it? Even though the iPhone has been out for 4 years and Apple understands that a physical home button is a necessity?
I’d love to hear your reasoning behind that assumption, since it doesn’t seem to make any sense in the real world.
FYI, the iPhone has higher PPI than the N9 and has no plastic anywhere on the outside at all. It’s all steel and glass.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:46 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Obviously no-button approach works better and gives more screen real estate while not making the device bigger.
Like I said, you’ll love it when Apple does it. Bookmark this page? FYI, The Nokia E6 has the same PPI as iPhone 4/S. It means nothing. You say it has steel (10%) and glass (90%) as if it’s a good thing. It breaks without a case (which is likely plastic) anyway. The polycarbonate body gives N9 great reception.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 11:48 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yeah, because Apple copies no one and thinks about everything possible first. So if someone else does something before Apple, it just means that that something isn’t the best possible for consumers. Simple.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:42 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m sorry, what smartphone was Apple copying with the iPhone in 2007? Maybe you should be less stupid about this, what do you say?
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:44 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I say, yeah, I’ll be less stupid about criticizing Apple, it’s products or inventions no one has dared to even think about before them.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:51 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
None, the first iPhone was not a Smartphone.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:18 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yeah, because Apple copies no one and thinks about everything possible first. So if someone else does something before Apple, it just means that that something isn’t the best possible for consumers. Simple.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:42 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
And what exactly does the lone home button does on the iphone? It’s there just to take you to your homescreen, and to initiate multitasking. Good thing Meego is built with swipe ui so it doesn’t need it anymore.
Apple will not make your iphone buttonless because the software can’t stand without it. And I think nokia just owned the buttonless scene, because honestly, I can’t think of any better way to navigate a buttonless phone than with swipe ui. Dare them use Swipe!!!
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 11:57 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Swipe UX is patented and if Apple tries to copy it they’ll have to lose another lawsuit against Nokia.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I like the lack of the “me too” mentality. Does the next phone really have to be thinner then the last, because other companies are trying to make the thinnest phone?
No. There are a thousand ways to make a great phone, and this is one of them.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:01 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I like the lack of the “me too” mentality. Does the next phone really have to be thinner then the last, because other companies are trying to make the thinnest phone?
No. There are a thousand ways to make a great phone, and this is one of them.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:01 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I remember my first smart phone being at least 2cm thick. Back in those days, the thickness of a device did matter (although unfortunately, apparently not to the manufacturers). But now they are all so thin, I don’t really care which one’s a millimeter thicker or thinner. Wouldn’t want more than 12mm, but the N9 seems to stay in that range.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:36 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Oh come on, Nokia, since when did you became Samsung?
http://plasmon.rghost.net/26395951.image
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:10 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Apparently, you didn’t test it thorough enough. I’ve been using N9 for more than 1 month, (yes I was the one of the first adopter than anybody else – esp. in my country, beside Nokia employees – since my company is a Nokia partner), and kinda disappointed with the battery life. Put standby (without doing something important) and don’t use power-safe mode, you’ll find it keep draining the battery life.
However, the OS is superb! Although I find the email client app is still laggy. And off course, the physical design is outstanding, and the camera is the best (not yet compare it with iPhone 4s though).
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:13 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Now, whatever some people say about the N9 lacking apps, an ecosystem and all of that – that’s just some cheap excuse and thinking in terms of “we can’t make cash out of it” and “we don’t want to take a risk.” Overall, it’s obviously great to see that Nokia did indeed nail it with Harmattan. Some people are saying that the late arrival of MeeGo is mainly due to the strong standing of the Symbian team inside Nokia. Allegedly Symbian folks were the ones pushing Nokia to squeeze out the last juices out of the dried Symbian fruit, until it was too late. So, it’s possibly not just Elop, but also an inside job this MeeGo flop.
In either case, it’s great to see that conclusion and objectivity in reviewing the actual device, not what it’s future holds. Awesome review, Vlad!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:14 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Nuff said
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:16 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Not exactly sure what you want to say? That you have a 3GS and replaced it with a N9? Or do you want to show us the packaging most phones come in now?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:04 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
not just now, from what I can remember this is always how phones have come shipped.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:16 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yeah right, even Nokia used different packaging earlier (you would know, if you used their products):
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:52 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s a shame that Nokia didn’t use the packaging of the N950. It was way too big for retail.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:43 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Apple put things into boxes first! Or if they didn’t, they were the first to do it better.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:43 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I am always disappointed when apple doesn’t make rectangular boxes with rounded edges…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:01 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes I am quite confused.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:31 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Nokia’s only reason to use compact box and size is environmental reason. Nothing to do with how it looks. That box has nothing to do how it looks it’s not really that special. Beside Nokia uses most green materials possible.
For Apple that box in first place was only about the “looks” not about green choice for packing.
Sorry if the shape of the box makes someone sad =)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:28 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t think so, I think they all care about the look and somewhat about the environment too. Everybody cares about both. People don’t have one-track-minds, it’s usually just prejudice telling us so.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:03 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
We are big fans of N9, QT and Meego here. And also the N9 buyers are fantastic clients for new app ideas and minimal viable products. And yes, we are sad as well not to see the light at the end of the Meego tunnel.
Anyhow, you are all invited to test Toshl app for N9. We spent quite a bit of time to make the experience as good as possible.
http://toshl.com/blog/post/20/presenting-toshl-limited-edition-for-nokia-n9-with-meego/
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:18 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Bring on Cyanogenmod :D
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:18 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
RIP
(love that WP reflection in the last picture, cute touch)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:18 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I might get this just as a novelty toy. It’s gorgeous, and the UI is simple, even if there is no ecosystem.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:20 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
While it has no ‘ecosystem = apps’, it has all the messaging protocols in-built and it has all the emulators (vgba, speccy, ati, heaps of ancient devices, (s)nes, n64, psx).
Has in-built worldwide turn-by-turn voice navigation. Has in-built email with unlimited exchange email accounts.
Has in-built 3G SIP (only found on Symbian).It also has around 2000 apps right now which cover the most important.
The core smartphone is top-notch. It just doesn’t have proprietary 3rd party apps like Whatsapp.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:52 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Thanks for answering what was to be my next question…Does it have turn-by-turn Navigation with voice prompts?…Check! It seems that I can’t live without this now! How does this perform in real-world use???
Removable micro-USB, even if it does have up to 64gb internal, would be nice. Removable battery would be nice as well, but not a deal-breaker (for me).
I’m not familiar with Nokia’s recent smartphones or with Meego…is there any voice input or recognition? Any Drop Box or other cloud service apps? Are updates done OTA, or through the store?
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 2:09 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sorry, no removable micro-USB flash drives (but someone is working on this). Also, no removable battery as the device has a unibody shell. Everything the phone comes with works very well. More features are still coming with updates (like Swype) too.
Yes, it has Dropbox apps and all updates are done OTA. It notifies you of updates on the Events screen.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 8:28 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Oh and no voice recognition. Apparently this was planned for launch but Nokia dropped it and now say it will NOT come in an update (so don’t expect this).
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 8:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Hey look, Apple. It’s not much bigger than the iPhone, but has a 3.9" screen. Can we get the same, pretty please?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:20 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
They’d need to remove their home button.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:50 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Hey look, Apple. It’s not much bigger than the iPhone, but has a 3.9" screen. Can we get the same, pretty please?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:20 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It would be awesome and equally hilarious if you had given this device a 10/10. :) Also, it would send a propose message to Nokia: we don’t want another fail7 manufacturer, we want somethingg new and innovative. It’s like nokias previous CEO said: don’t piss your pants to keep yourself warm. You’ll just put yourself to shame.
Also, disquiss works like shit on android.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:26 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The hardware is boring and ugly to me
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I agree to some extent. Especially the black model.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:49 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The last true Nokia phone that has almost no future makes me made and confused that Nokia is all in with Windows phone but in the meantime Symbian is going to last for a wile after the first batch of Windows Phones so why can’t they replace Symbian with MeeGo witch is much better..
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:36 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
After this week Vlad should receive a raise and be part of the regular podcast… just saying
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:50 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
How did Vlad end up reviewing this? Did Paul lose a bet? I can’t believe he passed up the chance to spend some time with a MeeGo handset (especially one that looks this nice)!?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:59 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m guessing because Vlad is in London and Paul isn’t.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:57 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The availability (or lack thereof) in the States made Vlad review this.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Such a beautiful, and tragic device. I’d love to see a billet aluminium version of this phone running a future WP7 OS (Mango+). The “slow” processor doesn’t bother me, as it’s clear the OS is very touch responsive, unlike Android on phones with vastly better hardware specs.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:00 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Great review but not much mention of Nokia Maps which is usually a very strong feature of Nokia phones
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:03 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The images taken with the camera are a bit disappointing. I’m comparing these pics to the shots that Vlad took with the HTC Titan for its review, and for me, the Titan’s camera comes out on top. Kind of a shame.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:11 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The camera has a lot of problems handling light which is why the pics get washed out or noisy in lots or not enough light.
I think this is something that can be fixed in a software update.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
jesus wept.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:12 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
jesus wept.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:12 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Really great view, and such a tragedy for the device / OS. even though the review reeks of you being a fanboy of it, it is still a well rounded and critical look at the phone. I am seriously tempted to buy one, despite the fact that when I take it out the box it’s the best it will ever be.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:18 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Not quite true, it should receive a few updates over the years.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This would be my next phone, if Android hadn’t existed.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:26 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The head of this software project at Nokia (Ari Jaaski) is now head of software for WebOS. I expect some of these innovations are coming to WebOS. May someone recogonize the genius of these operating systems and make room for another company . . .
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:31 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
WebOS was abandoned. Doesn’t compute.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:17 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I wouldn’t count on it, this UI was developed after he left.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
shouldn’t that be iOveja?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:31 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The N9 has been delayed again where I live. Preorders have been delayed to 27th October and 10th November, and it will take even longer to get carried by providers. I’m now thinking that if I must have one for Christmas I’ll have to fork full price for an unlocked version…
Thanks for the review. Can’t wait to put my hands on one.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If comes with WP MANGO, the “Doomed ecosystem” and “Unstable software” would be gone. Not sure about processor, but I think(hope) you can at least give “8.5/10”. “7.9/10” seems like you are just 0.1 below 8 but your GPA is 0.3 less…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
“Not even the shiny new iPhone 4S feels as luxurious in the hand as the N9”. WP7 here I come.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:36 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
“Not even the shiny new iPhone 4S feels as luxurious in the hand as the N9”. WP7 here I come.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:36 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Great review!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:40 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
“gentle waves of awesomeness” is my new favourite saying
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:43 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I must agree that this is the best review Vlad has ever written. Coincidentally it’s the first review from engadget folk past or present, that has given a Nokia phone more than 7/10. Well done, congrats.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:47 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
But does it have conversations?! That was one of the best things about the N900 (or rather Maemo 5).
Pah! to Elop. ¬.¬
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:51 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It has integrated SMS, MMS, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Jabber (Gmail/ICQ) and everything else you could want.
The messages all go to a unified inbox which is visible in events, notifications and the screensaver.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:16 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It sounds like Nokia could have made a killer line of phones if they hadn’t jumped over to Windows Phone 7. Though, I’m not sure if MeeGo would be able to gain any traction getting to the market so late. A few hardware tweaks (mainly a better processor) and a decent set of programs I would actually need/want and this sounds like nearly the perfect phone. Could use a physical keyboard though :-D
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:53 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I wonder if BBX on a blackberry phone will have a similar swiping interface. The bezel gestures are one of the best things about the playbook and it is no surprise that Vlad found them so natural on this phone.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:59 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
bezel gesture, copycat of webos gesture. the philosophy of N9 gesture design is different from that. Different approach but some goal
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 10:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
My only question for Nokia: why are you walking away from this?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:01 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Damn. What a beautiful phone. I’m 110% positive that a WP7 Rom and a Droid Rom get built within weeks of it’s public release.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:04 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Maybe a Droid rom but not WP7. Wrong cpu.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:21 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It has been weeks of its public release.
You won’t see a WP7 ROM. No one working on an Android ROM.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:15 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Google should have bought Nokia.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:04 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Google couldn’t afford Nokia
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:38 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Windows Phone 7 will most likely appear on the N9.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:05 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
More like the other way around. N9 is TI OMAP/SGX and all WP7 phones are Snapdragon/Adreno (mandated by Microsoft). Also, apps on WP7 are managed code and would need more CPU than the native code of the OMAP in the N9.
The N9 is likely to be locked to Harmattan. There was almost a riot on the developer forums when the beta2 firmware plugged a hole that enabled replacing the kernel without messing up with the rest (and Nokia confirmed that the kernel is not to be touched).
According to Nokia, replacing the kernel will need a totally new OS, like MeeGo CE or Mer
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:39 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
[There was almost a riot on the developer forums when the beta2 firmware
plugged a hole that enabled replacing the kernel without messing up with
the rest (and Nokia confirmed that the kernel is not to be touched).
According to Nokia, replacing the kernel will need a totally new OS, like MeeGo CE or Mer.]
Actually this is now a non-issue as of about 2wks ago…
See the main thread “Nokia & AEGIS” at the MeeGo forum.
Nokia has now approved open-mode w/AEGIS, but not in so many words ;)
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:11 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I really like the Swipe UI because of it’s simplicity, but one (rather big) fault not mentioned in the review became evident the first time I picked up the N9.
The swipe is by design always active which is a problem with some applications. When I tried to activate Nitro in Need for Speed by swiping up (which is what you do on some of my iOS racing games) the phone interpreted as a system swipe and threw me out of the game. I don’t know exactly how Nokia could have done this differently, but it’s evident that it’s a huge problem.
Imagine playing Fruit Ninja on this device. It’s simply impossible.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:08 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Games have the possibility of disabling Swipe and only enabling it when they’re paused.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Good news. Weird they didn’t choose to implement it on the preinstalled software.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:22 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
SwipeUX guidelines dictate that full-screen apps implement this.
http://www.developer.nokia.com/swipe/ux/
However I’ve noticed 1-2 full-screen apps that don’t abide by it.
So perhaps it’s not “mandatory”…..
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:17 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
“…a four-icon app launcher. It’s accessed by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen —whether on the lock screen or within an app —and just lingering for a moment near the middle.”
Sounds a lot like WebOS’ Wave Launcher, yet WebOS is the only mobile OS you don’t mention in the article. Just saying…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:11 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
‘The only thing truly missing from the Harmattan arsenal is a set of integrated media playback controls.’
I read these features will be added at some point, hopefully in recently announced update.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:14 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Why worry about swapping a dead cell when instead of buying a extra battery you can just buy a universal external battery that will presumable charge it without needing to power off the phone. Removable batteries are from the age of flip phones.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Maybe wishful (and sad) thinking, but I really think this could’ve been a hit if Nokia stood by it. The initial momentum and wow-factor is there. The UI has the potential to cater to both mainstream and expert users. And after a successful introduction the developers would’ve come joining in…
This UI is the most innovative I’ve seen since the introduction of the first Iphone.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Instead of going with Android and being a me too company they’ve gone
with WP7 and turned into a has been company. They should have stuck with
Meego instead of all the internal bickering. They didn’t have the
fastest hardware (The N9 basically has slightly better hardware
(CPU/GPU) from the first Motorola Droid back in 2009) but they did come
out with some nice stuff once in a blue moon
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:37 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
How is webOS not mentioned here? Swipe to bring up launch icons? Swipe to minimize any app?
Hello?
btw those icons are horrible.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 12:59 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
My next handset in the WP7 mango flavor please and next month in the U.S thanks nokia. I’d hate to get a samsung focus S or HTC titan…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:02 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I prefer the styling of the Droid Razr. This Euro styling is too effeminate imo
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:02 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Needs moar fake carbon fibre
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:13 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
you mean real kevlar
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:52 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Still ugly
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:29 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Don’t confuse effeminate with understated.
Droid Razr is styled for moron bros.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 8:23 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I saw Bastion OST in there. Nice choice. (Y)
On topic: it is quite sad to read your review really, because Nokia has done a great job, and at the same time a bad job at this. Great because, like you said, this is a superb phone. Bad because the ecosystem is dead before arrival. Still, I am going to get this, student’s earnings permitting. :P
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 1:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
although its a nice phone, i would not give them all that much credit … its just like 5th gen Nano after all even the sloping glass :-)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:06 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
“That’s a shame not only because the N9 deserves a better fate than Nokia is saddling it with, but also because the Qt development framework held a lot of promise.”
Vlad, Nokia isn’t abbandoned Qt.
Qt is a part of Nokia’s Next Billion strategy.
http://blog.qt.nokia.com/2011/06/21/qt%E2%80%99s-future-for-nokia-bringing-apps-to-the-next-billion/
And just last week they released this.
http://mynokiablog.com/2011/10/07/qt-api-mapping-for-ios-android-and-windows-phone-developers-bring-iphoneipad-apps-to-symbiann9/
Oh and Music player controls for the lock screen is apparantly coming in the 1.1 update(it’s been rolled out to the N950).
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:13 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If Nokia hasn’t abandoned Qt why it is not working to get it work on WP7 rather than telling devs to develop for 100 million out of competition symbian devices
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:52 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Because Microsoft and Nokia thought that might cause fragmentation.
Did you miss the “as well as to continue to have a large addressable target audience in the future.”
The Next Billion is supposedly feature phones you know the ones that Nokia sold 89 million of last quarter.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:04 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
fragmentation…?? whatever…then MS should somehow stop programs made in technologies other than .NET/Visual C++ running on windows
Actually, I don’t have any doubt about Qt’s future becoz it will survive & wil become event better because of its awesome community but I don’t understand Nokia’s point in promoting something for so long and then leaving it just for feature phone. Frankly speaking, I don’t think most of the feature phone users care much about the quality of apps they get…
And Qt is much better than that… :)
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:05 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
fragmentation…?? whatever…then MS should somehow stop programs made in technologies other than .NET/Visual C++ running on windows
Actually, I don’t have any doubt about Qt’s future becoz it will survive & wil become event better because of its awesome community but I don’t understand Nokia’s point in promoting something for so long and then leaving it just for feature phone. Frankly speaking, I don’t think most of the feature phone users care much about the quality of apps they get…
And Qt is much better than that… :)
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:05 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
MS would never allow Qt on WP.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:26 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That’s not Nokia’s fault, it MS who doesn’t want to use it and there is nothing Nokia can do about it.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:35 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
:) I understand that…too much money being pumped by MS and Nokia can’t do anything about it…
Hopefully someday mobile phones will come as desktops where u can put any hardware and any software of ur choice together…
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:20 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If Nokia hasn’t abandoned Qt why it is not working to get it work on WP7 rather than telling devs to develop for 100 million out of competition symbian devices
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:52 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
‘Oh and Music player controls for the lock screen is apparently coming in the 1.1 update’
Awesome! Thanks for the info.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:26 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
So when this “Utterly gorgeous” hardware meets with Windows Phone next week it’ll be a killer phone!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:15 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If only it’d had come out 2 years ago….
…still want it mind…
Also, awesome write up Vlad. Terrific read, thanks.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:16 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
i still don’t believe nokia wasted their production dollars getting this phone out for sale … its a sexy piece of hardware for sure but the O/S is a hodge podge and looks terrible.
the day of the sea of icons screen is over. people want fast easy access to the things they need, not digging through menu after menu or icons after icons. the coloration of the o/s is very playschool.
windows phone is an easy to use modern O/S that keeps you moving. your documents can be with you where ever you go via skydrive. windows phone is by far the fastest UI to navigate thru. iOS leaves you digging through all your icons slowly … android is too difficult for the average person to customize so most people leave their homes screen at the defaults.
there are so many people making fun of windows phone because of it’s weak sales but the last releases of iOS (5) and android ice cream sandwich swiped features right out of windows phone.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, certainly a text list of Apps that looks like Dos is better and easier to use.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:36 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Did you read the review? This UX is exactly the way you say it should be. No digging around menus and app lists. N9 is way ahead of iOS, Android and WP in this section. Why?
Events view: You get information real-time from everywhere, no need to open apps to check updates.
Multitasker: Most used apps stay on top of the list. Quickly switch between browser, chat windows, or other tasks which stay open in background. No need to navigate app grid.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:45 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
How is events view ahead of iOS? iOS 5 has the notifications center which you can pull down – in any app OR on the home screen – at any time, and see the combined updates from all the various apps you’ve told to use it, like texts, email, facebook, twitter, whatever.
How is multitasker better than iOS? At any point in iOS, you can double tap the home button to bring up the list of open apps, in order of the most recently used from left to right. No need to navigate app grid.
It sounds like you really just don’t know shit about iOS.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:42 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Of course I know. iOS notification center isn’t optimized for pulling every status update or RSS feed or whatever. It’s just notifications, not really an event feed.
How many times have you used that ‘double tap’ feature? Usually it’s kind of pain to use, and not natural. On top of that, you don’t see the live app, you see just the icon. On N9, you see with one glance if something is happening in an app, like new chat message or finished download, whatever.
I don’t argue that N9 would be miles ahead of iOS (and that is mostly subjective anyway), but just wanted to correct the guy who I replied with in first place. My point is that N9 UX is optimized for minimizing menu navigation. Usually one or two swipes gets you what you want.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 3:08 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You need to make new review after next firmware updates about the software issues there is in the first one.
Also the apps issues might be different after the phone actually has been in the market more than a week or two. iOS has been out there for 5 years :)
Then you might need to give it new scores. :)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:35 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
IWISHTHISCOULDBEMYNEXTPHONE.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:40 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This will probably be the hardware for the Nokia 800 WP7. One question I had, does the phone lie completely flat when placed on its back (no rocking, etc?)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 2:52 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sooooo beautifulllllll. If I could have the n9 with ios, I would be so happy.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:00 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Why? Most of the N9’s appeal comes from the UI/UX. You would loose that if you put something else on it.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:18 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
1 word- Gorgeous
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
so, so sad that nokia has abandoned meego.
to think of what the mobile landscape would look like today if they had released this rather than the N8…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Just a little side note,
Polycarbonate isn’t a “fancy word for plastic”. That’s like saying Aluminum is a fancy word for metal. Polycarbonate is what they make riot shields out of. What safety goggles, airplane windows, and anything else that needs to be shatterproof is made out of. One of the main properties of polycarbonate is that it is ‘tough’ meaning it will absorb energy very well without fracturing. In otherwords, if you drop it, you can pretty much guarantee you won’t get a crack (cough iPhone cough). Polycarbonate isn’t all that hard though, so it’s slightly more susceptible to scratches. In terms of comparing it to other plastics, Acrylic is used for car headlights, anything else that needs a very clear, smooth finish is very brittle and will therefore shatter easily.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:37 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Can’t wait for the WP7 version Nokia SeaRay. It’s so definately bought, like I would never think about buying a phone before. Such a great design. If you wouldn’t know that it is from Nokia, its the very last company you would expect that from. Also WP7 is like iOS in use of cpu requirement and doesnt need to be packed with all those Dual-/Quad-Core stuff like Android is bashing us every single day.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:39 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Nokia 800 high on my list of candidates for next phone.
I was tempted by something from HTC but they are becoming so bland
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:41 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
been using N950 for last few months and all I can say is that Harmattan UI is the best I’ve used. Wish Nokia had focused more on this much better OS than that windows CRAP…
f u Mr. Elop
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:41 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Gorgeous.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:47 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I bought a black 64 G two days ago in Bangkok, Thailand and I must say that it is absolutely fantastic. I own some of the best phones as such as the Galaxy S2 (white), Htc Titan, Pre 3, Iphone 4 S but none of them come close to the fantastic experience that the N9 offers. Once you are holding it you just don’t want to put it down. Great review Vlad.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
@vladsavov:disqus "In my testing, however, I found this to be just a technical point with little practical impact. There’s no way to perceive the pixel layout with the naked eye (I had to zoom way in on some macro photos to verify the PenTile grid) and the N9 offers consistently bright, punchy color reproduction and typically wide viewing angles.“From a practical, functional standpoint, it probably doesn’t matter. But. It does appear to have negatively affected your impression of the quality of the display. You say:”Where the N9′s AMOLED screen does falter is in its handling of white and light grey shades; they start to take on a blue hue when looked at from the side. Admittedly, I don’t make a habit of reading the web with the phone tilted away from me, but it’s a noticeable degradation in color fidelity that definitely knocks the N9 back a couple of steps from the superlative IPS display in the iPhone 4 and 4S or the equally impressive Super AMOLED Plus on offer in Samsung’s Android phone line. Another discernible issue is color fringing — the appearance of color at the very edge of white onscreen items — which is most apparent when looking at the standby clock (white numbers on a pure black background)."The blue hue at the side angles, the poor production of white and grey shades, and the color fringing at the edges of texts are a direct consequence of Pentile style displays. You picked it up and it negatively affected your impression of the screen.Nokia wants to make money and regain their reputation as the world’s best cell phone maker. These impressions matter. If they decided to use a RGB AMOLED display instead of RGBG Pentile AMOLED display, these Pentile issues go away, and reinforces the quality of the device to the user. It matters.Humans aren’t practical people. They are emotional people. While there may be no practical impact, there is an emotional one. A branding one. In the end, this affects Nokia. They should have gone with RGB AMOLED.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
To be fair, it probably wasn’t an option. It would have required a higher pixel density than Samsung’s flagship SGS-2, so it would have needed literally the best SAMOLED+ screen in production. Nokia was never going to get such a cutting edge panel for a phone like the N9 that was DoA.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 5:26 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s water under the bridge now. Kind of, as elements of the N9 design will likely be used for their WP7 phones. But they had a choice. If the pixel density at 854×480 was too much for RGB AMOLED, they could have went with 640×360. They didn’t have to use AMOLED even, they could have went with an IPS display. An IPS display would have been a fine option, one that perhaps doesn’t have the heights of AMOLED displays, but it doesn’t have the weaknesses either.
Nokia has to make the optimum design choice for their users, benefiting them in the things that most do. If it is watching movies on a phone, AMOLED is probably the right choice. If it is web browsing, LCD is the right choice. If a particular AMOLED technology has some big positives, but also some big negatives, yet, Nokia still uses it, perhaps their priorities are not right yet.
Technology for technology’s sake isn’t the right answer. There always has to be the right set of tradeoffs made for potential buyers so that they are given the best satisfaction.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 1:03 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
What makes you think a 640×360 SAMOLED+ 3.9" display, is hugely superior to a 854×480 SAMOLED* 3.9" in RW terms?
I’d argue it isn’t, at all…
They went with the best option they could’ve gone with at the time, better than S-LCD, sorry.
Samsung would never have sold them a SAMOLED+ w/a higher pixel-density than their own SGSII, even if they could.
Pentile issues are vastly overrated, there are some badie’s, but they’re not all created equal.
*which is basically what the N9 is, despite not being allowed to be “marketed/branded” as such
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:36 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Hugely superior? Obviously not. IPS vs AMOLED vs SLCD all have strengths and weaknesses. You choose the technology that best serves the brand. Why risk the negatives of pentile when there are other more optimum solutions.
What would the weaknesses of a lower DPI RGB AMOLED be compared to a higher pixel pentile AMOLED? What would the weaknesses of an IPS display be compared to a pentile AMOLED?
People notice the color fringing and fuzzy text in Pentile screens. People noticed it in the 3.7" Nexus One, which is similar in DPI to the 3.9" 854×480 N9. If Nokia used a lower DPI RGB AMOLED, they would have gotten benefits of a deep blacks and clearer text. Those are more noticeable than lower DPI, no?
Here’s an interesting thought experiment: why did Samsung choose an WVGA RGB AMOLED for the SGSII over a qHD pentile AMOLED?
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 9:13 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Agreed about the SGSII – Samsung have tacitly acknowledged that PenTile is sub-optimal. Hopefully in a few years AMOLED will have PPI high enough that PenTile need never fringe our screens again.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 10:56 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
[“People notice the color fringing and fuzzy text in Pentile screens.
People noticed it in the 3.7” Nexus One, which is similar in DPI to the
3.9" 854×480 N9. If Nokia used a lower DPI RGB AMOLED, they would have
gotten benefits of a deep blacks and clearer text. Those are more
noticeable than lower DPI, no?"]
I’m not so sure….
Have you been reading/viewing all the anecdotal observations, & actual comparisons?
I have, pretty-much every one I’ve seen has found the N9’s screen to be more pleasing overall.
Nokia’s done some subtle but significant augmentations, beyond the base panel, that much is clear.
For e.g. most comparisons have felt the N9 has betters contrast/brightness, both indoors & outdoors.
I suggest you actually seek out some real-world comparisons.
You’ll be glad to know it’s widely lauded as good as the SGSII (if not better), “despite” being pentile.
Here is one comparo, also see the comments…
http://shootspeak.com/2011/10/08/screen-brightness-comparison-nokia-n9-vs-samsung-galaxy-s2/
Posted on Oct 23, 2011 | 1:33 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If there’s a phone with higher PPI than the SGS-II using RGB stripe AMOLED then I have never heard of it, and certainly TIMN have never reviewed it.
Names?
Posted on Oct 23, 2011 | 9:55 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
CBF’d searching for it now…
Only ph w/a quite high PPI & SAMOLED (not plus) I recall OTTOMH is
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1107028#post1107028
There’s also of course the Droid Razr and Nexus which aren’t out yet.
Even if there aren’t any, that wasn’t my main point, & doesn’t change it.
Posted on Oct 23, 2011 | 10:23 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The point is that the SGS-IIs screen really is that good if you want AMOLED and not LCD – it’s best in class, the Razr and the Nexus Prime are both PenTile as is the SGS-II HD.
If you had a choice of two 720p 4inch displays that used identical tech (ie. IPS-LCD or AMOLED) and one was PenTile while the other was RGB, the RGB would be better – there is no real argument there. If that wasn’t so we’d see vast numbers of Laptops and flat screen TVs using PenTile, and we don’t.
Even the links you provided in the previous post that pupported to show how good the N9s screen was actually described how it acquired a heavy pink tint when brightness was pushed too high. That’s really not acceptable to most people.
At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter with the N9, because the only people who will buy this device are true believers, and they will forgive any fault – but if Sea Ray is PenTile then you can expect to see some very hostile reviews, and for good reason.
Posted on Oct 23, 2011 | 12:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
My point was specs are specs, they’re only ever a guideline, a theoretical maxim.
They don’t necessarily ‘always’ reflect real-world results/usability.
If you read all my links….
I concede in one of my posts that there’s no doubt it should be better in some aspects.
Especially under the right kind of analysis…
But so far people actually using N9/SGSII for normal stuff haven’t seen any performance advantage.
In fact surprisingly, the only edge they’ve noticed so far, has gone to the N9.*
Now if you want to clinically compare, you will be able to point-out some inferiority, no doubt.
And RE the pink tinge @ max brightness, have a closer read of that page I linked to.
Turns out it was not the issue folks originally thought it was going to be.
I don’t buy devices because I’m a “true believer”, I’m not sure what you’re suggesting.
I buy devices when I see an excellent mix of tech/usability that I appreciate/like.
I don’t discriminate, I use several different platforms.
*jakiman is no fanboy, he’s a user of all the main platforms, if anything he’s a Samsung fanboy.
He’s Korean and has been a loud advocate for all things Samsung in the past.
So I’ve no reason to believe he’s basing his observations on any kind of emotional bias.
Posted on Oct 23, 2011 | 1:01 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I suspect (and this is purely a guess) that LCD wasn’t an option at all – because they probably needed to use AMOLED to fit the enclosure and to reduce device depth – AMOLED permits integration of the touch screen which LCD does not.
As for the lower resolution, it probably wasn’t an option, because the software development work had probably all been done assuming a particular pixel density. Much lower pixel density and you’d have to start reconsidering all the UI elements. Redesigning all the bitmaps, potentially choosing new fonts etc – not to mention the fact that the average consumer is far more aware of resolution than they are of PenTile.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 9:48 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
["I suspect (and this is purely a guess) that LCD wasn’t an option at all -
because they probably needed to use AMOLED to fit the enclosure and to
reduce device depth – AMOLED permits integration of the touch screen
which LCD does not. ]
I doubt that was the reason personally, but you never know I guess. Besides…
Discounting Japan/Korea, there’s only a handful of phones that do higher res & are SAMOLED*, & I’m not sure any are actually higher PPI?
And IIRC there’s only 1x RGB stripe (i.e. “Plus”) SAMOLED that has a higher res, but it’s about the same pixel density?
*N9’s marketed as “AMOLED CBD”…
But it’s basically a Samsung SAMOLED, plus some of Nokia’s augmentations.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 10:07 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The N9 is 12.1 mm thick, basically that thickness in the area of the display, then it tapers down to 7.1 mm at the top and bottom “endcaps”. That’s 2.8 mm thicker than the iPhone 4/4S and 2.9 mm thicker than the LG Optimus Black. Both these phones sport IPS displays.
They didn’t choose AMOLED because they needed it to make the N9 thinner.
As for the consumer being aware of the resolution, I think they are not aware of that whatsoever. Marketing has made it that way: QVGA, HVGA, WVGA, nHD, qHD. Note that WVGA includes both 854×480 and 800×480. What average consumer knows what these stupid screen resolution codes mean? On the personal computer front you have: VGA, SVGA, WSVGA, XGA, SXGA, WSXGA, UGA, and a lot more. You literally have to keep a scorecard handy to figure it out. No, consumers aren’t aware of what resolution is. If they did, they’d be rejecting the craptastic 1366×768 resolutions ever so popular on 15"/17" laptop screens.
However, by inspection, by mere usage, they notice crappy font rendering, crappy color rendition, poor view angles, etc, much easier. I’d bet consumers wouldn’t know the difference between Nokia’s so-called “nHD” resolution (640×360) and WVGA. They’d be too busy noticing the eye-popping colors from AMOLED screens.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 9:38 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I didn’t say that Apple or LG (or for that matter Samsung, HTC or Moto) would need to use AMOLED to fit a phone into that enclosure, I said that Nokia would. Nokia have many sterling qualities, they have made some solid phones over the years, but one thing that they’ve never excelled at is making phones thinner.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 10:52 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
@vladsavov:disqus "In my testing, however, I found this to be just a technical point with little practical impact. There’s no way to perceive the pixel layout with the naked eye (I had to zoom way in on some macro photos to verify the PenTile grid) and the N9 offers consistently bright, punchy color reproduction and typically wide viewing angles.“From a practical, functional standpoint, it probably doesn’t matter. But. It does appear to have negatively affected your impression of the quality of the display. You say:”Where the N9′s AMOLED screen does falter is in its handling of white and light grey shades; they start to take on a blue hue when looked at from the side. Admittedly, I don’t make a habit of reading the web with the phone tilted away from me, but it’s a noticeable degradation in color fidelity that definitely knocks the N9 back a couple of steps from the superlative IPS display in the iPhone 4 and 4S or the equally impressive Super AMOLED Plus on offer in Samsung’s Android phone line. Another discernible issue is color fringing — the appearance of color at the very edge of white onscreen items — which is most apparent when looking at the standby clock (white numbers on a pure black background)."The blue hue at the side angles, the poor production of white and grey shades, and the color fringing at the edges of texts are a direct consequence of Pentile style displays. You picked it up and it negatively affected your impression of the screen.Nokia wants to make money and regain their reputation as the world’s best cell phone maker. These impressions matter. If they decided to use a RGB AMOLED display instead of RGBG Pentile AMOLED display, these Pentile issues go away, and reinforces the quality of the device to the user. It matters.Humans aren’t practical people. They are emotional people. While there may be no practical impact, there is an emotional one. A branding one. In the end, this affects Nokia. They should have gone with RGB AMOLED.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I want one so bad, hurry up Expansys and get some stock in!!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 3:59 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
That is one sexy piece of kit!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:03 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m going to read this review carefully because Nokia 800 / SeaRay seems like a twin brother of this.
Honestly I’m suprised to see this page in ThisIsMyNext since Nokia haven’t felt that way…
Tip to improve performance – reboot Nokia phone atleast once it two days :)
(That’s what I do for my Nokia X6)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:06 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This is not your daddy’s Symbian phone…
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:51 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s the N9’s evil twin!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:31 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I want that phone. I don’t understand why Nokia was so stupid and shortsighted. With even halfway decent advertising, this thing could have been huge. I have yet to meet someone who, after watching the demos, didn’t want the phone.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:17 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I dont care Meego will end up releasing an image for the N9 just like the N900.
People need to realise the Meego platform is not Nokia. and is an open-source and developement org. you will see it in IVE’s in cars as many manufacturers have adopted it as their standard OS. Tablets also.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:13 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sure, but it’s not just the software that makes that phone great (although that is a huge part). The N9’s hardware is the best of ANY smartphone I’ve ever seen.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:33 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
?? What you mean? Just the shape and material?… The specs are definitely outdated. The camera is quite cool, but if that is paramount you should still go for the N8.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:30 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Go ahead and buy it. If people just bought instead of caring if other are, then they would!!… Kind of a chicken and egg problem here.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:31 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
How am I going to buy it? They don’t sell it in the U.S. (or most of Europe, or even the rest of the world).
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 1:11 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
http://www.expansys-usa.com/s.aspx?search=nokia%20n9
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 4:14 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
nice review …
the processor? well we all know the issues with VM apps and multicore cpus
so the 4S at 1.4dmips/mhz and the A8(N9) at 2.0 dmips/mhz and a faster clock speed(n9)
and apps that have no VM overhead.
It is superior to nearly all phones in this area. OLD no.
By the way ARM rank the A5 below a A8 and even with the dual core the dmips are roughly the same.
So what would you prefer from the below
a single core running at 3ghz
or a dual core running at 1.5ghz (same cpu)
I think it is pretty obvious… lol
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:24 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The A5 (like most other current SoCs) is based on the ARM Cortex A9 dual-core processor and clocked at 800Mhz; the N9 sports the older single-core A8 processor at 1Ghz. The GPU (PowerVR SGX530) is older than even the one that has been in the iPhone 4 for 14 months (535). So please, stop trolling or go back to Engadget.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:17 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
And why cant you clock it higher LOL
old design…
Do you math(also dimishing returns) and you will find it is a better performer.
your world is full of trolls- (everyone who does not agree with YOU)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:33 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
"Cortex A9" is a marketing name by ARM; "Apple A5" is a marketing name by Apple. There is no correlation between the two names, the A5 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) platform based on the Cortex A9 CPU reference design.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:28 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t think he’s going to get it. The idea that two different things could have the same name has blown his mind.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:45 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
1 A5 = 2 A9. Your mind = blown.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:20 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
A5 is just Apple’s name for a Samsung Exynos + PowerVR543MP2.
It has a Cortex-A9 processor.
The N9’s processor is most similar to the iPhone 4.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:11 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Shame on you nokia! How could you kill this?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:25 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Now, I agree that the phone looks just fantastic – I really hope Nokia will continue with this design on its Windows Phones (although, please, with the connector at the bottom). I’m also sure that there are some innovations in MeeGo, which I hope will be integrated into WP someday.
However, it’s based on an old and slow SoC, uses a PenTile display, and runs an operating system that not only doesn’t have a future or an app ecosystem, but which also apparently has stability problems.
With all these problems in mind I feel a 7.9 is a bit high. I mean, the iPhone 4S, arguably the most popular smart phone in the world, with unbeaten UI ergonomics and a class-leading app ecosystem, only got half a point more (8.4)! Apart from admiration and nostalgia already settling in, do you really deem it worth the rating? In my book close to 8 out of 10 is pretty much a buying recommendation. For a phone with dating hardware and no future.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 4:30 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yoshi,
sorry …do you homework the A5 is a poor design achieves 25% less DMIPS per mhz than the N9.
An apple fanboy has absolutely no basis or right to critizise other manufacturers phones on their hardware. Apple is still one of the worst made(engineered) phones on the market.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:01 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Oh goodness you are so confused. You are clearly mixing up the Arm A5 core with the Apple A5 SoC. The Apple A5 chip contains two ARM A9 cores, along with a dual core GPU. It MASSIVELY outperforms the SoC in the N9.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:05 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m sorry, the N9 UI ergonomics beat iOS with one hand tied behind its back. Just pick one up and you’ll see.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:50 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You obviously don’t understand what ergonomics are then. It’s the subtle things you don’t notice that makes iOS great, not the obvious feature set. Like rubber banding when it gets to the end of a page. That is a clear visual message conveying what’s going on that everybody can understand. That is good UI ergonomics. iOS is full of those things, and it’s one of the reasons the iPhone is a higher rated phone than the N9.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:13 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Really, if you spend this much time “explaining” stuff here, why not try and get it right? Rubber banding is present in the N9 everywhere. And as apposed to Android, Nokia actually has the right to use those effects in their products.
It sounds like you live in a land where nothing could be better than the iPhone. In my mind, and Vlad apparently thinks the same, the Swipe UI on the N9 is actually leaps and bounds better than iOS. iOS feels old, hunting for the back button is lame, and the home button serves no purpose if the UI would allow for its functionality to be replicated, like Swipe UI does. Multitasking is superior in the N9, the deep integration of Fb, Twitter, etc is better in N9, the combining of multiple chat protocols in the same messaging app is brilliant, and so is double tap to wake and swipe down to close.
The reason the iPhone is rated higher is because it has a huge ecosystem, and that ecosystem will be around for a while. This is why the N9 is rated lower. UI wise, it really trounces iOS. It is better by a wide margin.
Buttons? Really?
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:26 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Are you suggesting I’m the one who rated the iPhone higher than the N9? Because I’m not. The fact that you said the home button serves no purpose pretty much says everything about your IQ level.
The reason you think everything is better on the N9 is because you don’t like Apple products. It’s that simple. Therefore, in your mind, the N9 is better in every way than the iPhone because it just is. Regardless of what the rest of the world thinks and is reflected in review scores. right?
Oh and by the way, in what universe is double tapping to wake “better” than clicking the wake button once? Or the home button… once? In what way is clicking twice better than clicking once? If you were trying to prove that you don’t understand what makes for good ergonomics, well done. If your software locks up (and it will), are you going to wish you had a physical button? Yes, you are.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 12:12 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Jack, let me put this to you in simple terms, because I see you tend to mix up stuff:
You are an idiot, and you should use IQ, not IQ level, since IQ is already a qoutient. I am writing this from my MacBook Pro, have an iPad2, so it is not about not liking Apple.
Again, I would like to indicate; You are an idiot, because you state:
“The fact that you said the home button serves no purpose pretty much says everything about your IQ level. "
While I said:
“the home button serves no purpose if the UI would allow for its functionality to be replicated, like Swipe UI does.”
Now, I know this must be a long sentence for you, and you might not reach the end of it while reading which may have impacted your grasp of what I said, but if that is the case, my point is still valid: You are an idiot.
You state:
“. If your software locks up (and it will), are you going to wish you had a physical button? Yes, you are. "
There is a button on the side for that. There is no need for buttons on the front anymore. You have no clue about ergonomics. Again, you are…. ah nevermind.
Bye now.
Posted on Oct 23, 2011 | 2:36 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Nokia does not and has never used a PenTile display.
All their OLED screens are RGB.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:08 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
No, the N9 is pentile, as has been widely reported – not least in this article.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 5:21 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sorry, you were right. It’s their first PenTile display.
It’s very difficult to tell (Compared to other PenTile) due to its high PPI (251). Needs a magnifying glass.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 11:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Harmattan is very similar to Windows 8 task switching, I wonder if we will see this reflected in Windows Phone 8 (Apollo)?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
In other words: this phone has a soul…
Wish I could buy it for a usual price in a normal store.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:14 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
As much as I like Nokia doing hardware for MS, I feel sorry for MeeGo. What the heck is up with the tech industry these days?! Bunch o’ asses sitting at the top of their company decides what products to manufacture and what to shelf based purely on what rivals are selling. That is NOT going to work out for innovation in this industry!
Oh btw, Vlad, pragmatic response
Sorry, couldn’t resist :P
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:18 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The 16GB Black N9 is available for sale in Lisbon, at Colombo Nokia Store (I was there smudging that perfect screen with my dirty paws today)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:47 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Looks really nice. Hopefully this with WP7.5 is in the future.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 5:48 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
SIGH. So beautiful.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:28 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I already broke my heart with Jessie’s Girl (N950), so I don’t suffer so much for the hardships involving the N9.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:17 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
“Hello, I must be going.”
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:44 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
“For my sake you must stay.
If you should go away,
You’d spoil this party I am throwing!”
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:15 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Brilliantly awesome review as usual Vlad! I will say that you are hands down the best editor/reviewer on The Verge (not to take anything away from the rest of the crew). I will also add that I do miss your podcasts with Myriam on Engadget Mobile. You were like the Ying to her Yang… or whatever. Anywho… hats off to you Sir! :-)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 6:54 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Dear Nokia,
Follows these steps…Step 1 – Put stock Android on the N9. Step 2 – Sell the N9.Step 3 – Buy new wallets. Because yours just exploded with money.
Sincerely,
Customers waiting with a fist full of money
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:07 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
1 – Abandon your own research and development.
2 – Make delayed copies of other companies.
3 – ????
4 – Profit!!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
why spend time on dead-born gadget writing such a wonderful review. i dont get it.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If the platform is dead, it only makes this wonderful device “unique”, so even more interesting and necessary to get.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:58 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You and I obviously have different definitions of the word “necessary”.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Some of those swiping gestures and animations look awesome. I hope another OS like Android borrows these open source but now dead features.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:42 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Last picture is awesome Vlad. Pure awesome. Windows phone is super lame but the foreshadowing is pure awesome
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 7:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
tiny.cc/qcfnd
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:12 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Geez… Could that thing ‘borrow’ anymore from iOS?
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Woah.. It’s completely different than iOS. Just look at the events view and multitasker among everything else.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:58 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If only the opposite happened, I would have more faith for the future of humankind.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 10:07 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
What do you think it borrowed?
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:27 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
As a N9 owner I can confirm the N9 is a joy to use. I don’t believe for a second nokia will abandon the software on the N9 (whatever its name). It may not be a part of the “third ecosystem”, but I think there are a lot of people out there who don’t really care.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:23 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Doom or not, I have bought one any way. It is a very nice phone with good combination of hardware and software and is one of a few phones with offer 64GB storage, and you can use these storage as a USB drive unlike iphone or WP7.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
WP7 and a slightly bigger screen (4.3+) and ITS MINE MINE MINE MINE!!!! :D
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:41 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
lol, so a completely different phone then?
Think your in luck, rumor says theres one coming at NW.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 8:01 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Well lets not forget that the N9 has a 3500+ improvement Firmware Update coming so the con of “unstable software” may just disappear
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 8:44 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’ve found a worthy replacement for my palm pre plus, time to start saving.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:02 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’d have loved to see ICS on this hardware…but WP7 will look equally beautiful on it (probably more so as the homescreen of WP7 is sexy as hell)
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
http://goo.gl/CrmZf
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:27 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I have tears in my eyes. Great review, and so true. I have played with it only for a while, but it was enough to see how great it is.
Regarding the keyboard, one amazing feature of it is that to change the language you just swipe the keyboard away. That is so awesome! If you need to switch languages frequently, I guess it’s something you will not be able to live without after trying.
You commented on the lack of SD card port. But does it support USB OTG? This is a great feature that could replace the lost ability to read cards. I love to be able to connect my N8 to a TV via the HDMI port, and play a film from a pendrive connected to the USB OTG port!
As for the apps… When did “Stephen Elop personally shut the door on future consumer products running MeeGo Harmattan”? There is just too much speculation around this. Yeah, they say those crazy things putting a death sentence to Symbian and then postponing it by 5 years… But you guys are exaggerating. Qt is not going to die any soon. Heck, isn’t Qt the basis of the “next billion” thing?? Symbian is still the largest installed base of smartphones out there!
And let me remember again: Maemo has existed for many years, since before the Iphone was launched. The fact Nokia had other “flagship” phones didn’t mater to its existence. Why would the WP device(s) threaten it? What would make its viability as a research, or “niche” thing change? It only gets more interesting as they make the development easier with Qt.
All that has been said and done was to please the board, and the press. With such a good response from you guys, and others, I am pretty sure there will be more Linux devices by Nokia coming in the future. It may even be available in the USA!…
I don’t think it’s impossible for Nokia to release some kind of “little brother” to the N9 Q1 or Q2 2012.
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 9:48 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Elop has closed the doors on Meego, he’s repeated it several times, and then repeated it again, and just one more time: there will never, ever be a next generation Meego phone.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 1:56 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
He has always said there is a place for “future disruptions”. The disappointment was that people thought the Linux thingy, that “niche” product, would be the “flagship”. Then it wasn’t. It’s only that. I don’t see a reason (yet) to believe the existence of the “niche” thing is now threatened.
There is N9, all beautiful and being sold (unlike N950 / Jessie’s Girl). Where is the burning platform, the doom, the death? All I see is one great mobile device that I would like to use and to develop to.
It has Angry Birds!
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 2:39 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
As a consumer I agree with you, the N9 is here. It seems great. I’m impressed that you, as a developer, is going to be putting out stuff for it. With QT do you consider the existing base of Symbian phones part of your market?
You state that the disappointment people experience only rests with the Linux thingy not becoming the flagship device. I believe it’s more, that it’s the lack of continuity and future development of the platform that creates the disappointment. Based on having followed discussions at maemo.org for several years, many would be developers have abandoned the platform, and there is a lot of disappointment about on that forum.
I would have gone with Meego (well actually it was Maemo). I even got drawn in to the point of learning Linux. However, even though the N9 is a very interesting product I will not invest my money in it. I’m going to go with something where my learning curve, the apps I buy etc get some return.
A few years back the Linux thingy would be niche flagship had projected sales of 12.000.000 for 2012, according to my best estimates based on the old Nokia business plans. Future disruptions could come, as Elop states, but they will not be based on Meego or this product line.
The doom and death of the burning platform we as consumers may not notice much of, because it is going on inside of Nokia. More than anything else this message from Elop was intended for the Nokia organization. I have not kept count of how many people at Nokia have lost their jobs but it is a substantial amount.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 3:50 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You, and everyone calling N9 a “dead man walking”, overestimate the importance of using this or that API in the development of native applications. More than that you overestimate the importance of these “native apps”… This is nuts, you pick up a phone: it has a great browser, you can read your email, PDF files, it has games, you can hear music with a great player, and watch films (it even supports matroska!!!). But then there comes the judgement: “oh, we are not sure the company will release another product next year based on the same API, so it’s as good as a brick.” This simply makes no sense, I’m sorry.
In the development of Maemo compatibility was broken from 770 to N800 and N810, and then to N900, and now more or less with the N9, because although N900 supports Qt, it’s not the same window manager, and that seems to be a problem for a number of developers… People complained about all that, but it wasn’t the end of the world, and it will never be the end of the world. I hear all the apocalyptic visions, and I think I am hearing the same crazy people saying the actual world is going to end in 2012 or whatever.
If you are a lazy programmer, and you want to avoid rewriting code as much as possible, there are few better choices than using Qt, because it’s C, it’s highly portable. It’s not the same for Iphone, Android, etc. Plus you can target other platforms, Like Symbian, and whatever else will be running Qt in the future, because there will be something.
Now, what is really difficult is not so much to code. It’s to design, and come up with a product. Angry Birds started with the character design… If you have a product, and a good enough SDK and a sufficiently large user base, there is little in the way of any company or developer to make his app for that platform. And Qt is this good SDK that was missing, development for Maemo and Symbian was a pain before!
Some time ago I would try to convince a friend of mine to get a Symbian phone. He would think it’s all good, but then would be put down by it not having a native Foursquare app. Now there is a native Foursquare app for Symbian, but I hear lots of people saying they don’t care about foursquare anymore! How crazy is that?
I understand that after having a good browser, media player, games, email and all, it is nice to know that developers will target your platform when they create that new app for this innovative service that can’t be done just inside a browser. But some other things are important too, like the hardware design, and to run Linux and support Python!…
If that is all you care about, go ahead, man, get and Iphone or whatever… Myself, I am a Linux hacker, That’s why I like Nokia’s Linux stuff. I am very much surprised to know someone has been attracted to Linux through them, and not the other way around. That only shows the power of having Linux products in the market, and why Microsoft and other fear that so much. Maybe I am just used to companies not caring about Linux… To this day I still get amazed when Skype, Spotify or Dropbox create a Linux version of their applications. That is good, but I learned to live without that. I learned to live with what the community of FLOSS developers manage to give me, and that is one factor that seems to be always missing from all N9 reviews, not to say from other products that are not so close to FLOSS project, but do benefit a lot form them.
If you need the potentially empty promises of the platform continuing to exist forever and ever, go look for WP, Ios, etc. Myself, I am looking for what is available today that looks the most like a Linux distro that I run in my desktop. Today is the N900 and N9. Tomorrow it may be a Nokia product, it may be something else. But It’s Linux, it’s POSIX, etc… Maemo switched from libraries, but it’s still thse same desktopy Linux below, that didn’t change, and that is what really matters to me.
Maybe if I try to write about that five more times I can finally come to some concluison about the life, universe and everything… :) By that time all the current technology may probably be obsolete, but the problem will still exist…
Embrace the madness!… These “problems” are not actually things that will be solved somehow. You are looking for something “perfect”, but there are actually compromises going on, that we can’t escape from.
For the platform to be popular there must be some effort from the consumers too, and not just developers. Fans must do their part surviving companies that don’t care so much for their platform. If you want something ready and sure, jump to another platform. I rather help putting down the fires and building something amazing that I saw in my dreams. As long as I can, then I might jump too. You looking for more safety, me looking for more freedom.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 1:40 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I really appreciate your commentary. We need more passionate, in depth and knowledgeable commentaries, bringing new perspectives. Preferably directly responding to the review, rather than to my, or someone else’s comments so that they get noticed. I’ll return to what your comment means to me personally toward the end.
You have a point, that there likely is going to be another follow up Linux based product from someone, such as Tizen. A very important point. My thoughts, albeit based on quite some lack of technical understanding and more on having read others views, are that it appears to me to be a downmarket product. Or at least able to cover downmarket products.
You say “For the platform to be popular there must be some effort from the consumers too, and not just developers.”
This is key. This is exactly why I’ve felt let down by Elop/Nokia, and why I thought, well might as well go with one of the other platforms, Android being the most likely as it is hacker friendly. I will be investing time and effort in understanding a platform, in how to tweak it, how to modify it to my needs etc, and I don’t want the effort to be rewarded by an entirely new platform where my old skills are useless. Maybe I’m ignorant, and that everything is ephemeral, and new platforms will come, and old ones, and old logic will be abandoned and I should “embrace the madness” as you say. But then again, it’s “only a phone”. I only have so much time to devote to it.
You also said “You looking for more
safety, me looking for more freedom.” I agree, partly.
The difference is, though, is you already know Linux, and so you have the tools to create that freedom. I would have to learn it, and with limited time as I have other commitments in life and don’t have the talent for programming, meaning a lot of effort for short bursts of time, and being dependent on others, knowledgeable hackers. Perhaps I’m not looking so much for safety as certainty, a certainty that my effort to learn the platform is ensured to pay off so that I can use my knowledge in the next generation of products.
What your comment has done for me, which is excellent, is to make me reflect on that the actual device is potentially less important, and even the OS, because as long as there will be another Linux based phone, where Linux programming logic remains the core, then my effort will pay off. Very interesting.
What appealed to me with the N900, and with the N950, which I had hoped
would be released as a consumer device, and with the N9, is the Linux
base, that it basically is a computer, and could run Linux based
programs, and Linux based PC software applications. Flexibility. And
that it was rooted by design, and had a great following. However, Tizen will be HTML5 based, which I understand to mean, basically less apps running on the actual device, and more cloud based stuff. Not particularly appealing to me.
Returning to devices and the N9, I also want my next phone to have LTE, which afaik the N9 doesn’t have. I can wait. I don’t need a new phone now. So I’ll follow the Tizen development, the first products of which will be out in 2012, according to Intel, and then see if this will be the products I’ll embrace for my future journey in the mobile landscape.
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary.
Posted on Oct 23, 2011 | 1:28 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Meltemi, fear not ;)
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:52 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Squirclular icons!
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 | 11:12 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Wow that phone is beautiful and the UI is so snappy. Great review!
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:14 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Vlad – great review! Love your conclusion and the comparison to an Italian sports car. Its nice to read a post with some passion and real opinion rather than the same old boring nonsense. Expectations for a Nokia WP7 are high, but its sad to see the N9 as the only Meego phone.
Nice shots of Muswell Hill, CHL and Ally Pally Park Rd. Its a bit weird reading a phone review and seeing photos of where I live…..if I see you in the Maid of Muswell, I’ll buy you a pint – you deserve it. I’ll be the idiot with a S-E Arc.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 5:57 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
So what about Nokia Maps? or the excellent Webkit2 based browser? or the built in Skype/SIP/GTalk support?
This review glosses over a lot of the other strong points in the N9 that might justify the 7.9 score beside the obvious design and UI strengths.
Apps – it’s only been launched a few weeks. Give it time. Plus Qt might still be in for a chance as Nokia will uses it on their S40 replacement and RIM are using it for BBX.
Sluggishness – PR1.1 just around the corner addresses a lot of that.
I presume Vlad hadn’t used an N900 before this N9 review or he might have picked out the strong points from that to see where they’ve gone on from in the N9?
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 6:07 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Give it time? Developers already have to choose between iOS, Android and WP7 – or develop for all or some of them – and you think anybody will be interesting in having to develop for a FOURTH ecosystem? One that has zero traction and that Nokia themselves is abandoning?
Optimism is great, but you have crossed the line from optimism into blatant stupidity. Nobody is going to develop apps for this.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:09 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
You’re rubbish at trolling aren’t you? Stick to smiting.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 12:36 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I like how you don’t have an intelligent response to my comments, thereby reinforcing the “stupid” part. Well done.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 2:28 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Right, because spending my time writing a lengthy reply to an insulting troll is anything but ‘stupid’.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 6:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Oh, now I’m a troll because I pointed out a basic truth? You complain about wasting time with a logical response, and then go ahead and waste time with illogical responses. Does that make any sense to you? The simple fact is, there are no developers that are going to write software for this platform. Nokia themselves are abandoning it. That is a simple fact.
Go ahead and call me a troll for pointing that out if it makes you feel better, but it doesn’t change the facts. You’re under the impression that within a few weeks this phone will be overflowing with apps. As I said, that crosses the line from optimism into blatant stupidity.
Also a fact.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 11:44 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
How are they abandoning it entirely if they’ve gone to this much effort in recent days?
http://www.developer.nokia.com/Develop/Porting/API_Mapping/
What of the continued efforts to consolidate Qt components across S40/S60 Harmattan?
Glacial progress but only very recently reemphasized (extremely late as usual) intriguingly.
Then what of the Meltemi rumors, have you not heard of them???
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 11:55 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
How is not engaging with a troll ‘illogical’?
I’ll probably regret it but just to point out some ‘basic facts’ that contradict your view that “no developers that are going to write software for this platform. Nokia themselves are abandoning it. That is a simple fact.”
No, that’s not a fact, that is your opinion and it is wrong.
Nokia Qt Developer Days is on now…
http://qt.nokia.com/qtdevdays2011/
Presumably that conference is just going to be Nokia presenting to an auditorium of empty chairs by your reckoning. The event sponsors – digia, futurice etc aren’t developers either as they don’t exist.
The developers in these videos, do not exist…
http://conversations.nokia.com/2011/07/20/nokia-n9-qt-and-app-development/
Nor do these ones…
http://www.youtube.com/user/nokiadevforum#p/u/1/4WV9kj8Gn1w
I said give it time. I did not say we’d be overflowing in apps. In the last week we’ve had two Spotify clients, a Dropbox client, an official FourSquare client and a really superb Facebook client (fMobi) plus a load more I’ve not really been paying attention to.
The N9 isn’t going to be a massive success, far from it, but I still reckon it could be a cult hit, like the N900 was before it.
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 8:37 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The N9 isn’t going to be a massive success, far from it, but I still reckon it could be a cult hit, like the N900 was before it.
Compared to the N9, the N900 was a huge great blockbuster of a phone – simply due to the markets it launched in. From wiki:
In August of 2011 Nokia announced that it therefore (despite earlier announcements) will not be introducing the Nokia N9 to key markets such as Japan, Canada, Sweden, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S
Nokia is abandoning the N9, otherwise it wouldn’t be shuffling it off to Kazakhstan when it could be releasing it in markets like the UK and Germany.
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 10:35 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Actually the N900 had nowhere near the same marketing push behind it.
The N900 wasn’t barred from approx. 4 large markets & 3 smaller ones like the N9.*
But it didn’t need that to sell poorly (comparatively speaking), as it’s profile was never high anyway
It was always treated as the poor cousin to S60/S40…
Nokia still saw it as a learning/experimental device, OPK: “step 5 of 6”.
N9 is their 1st mass-market, consumer-focused, derivative of the N900.
Where it is going, they have been pushing it far, far, harder.
*N9 is going to “dozens” of other substantial countries though.
Posted on Oct 25, 2011 | 3:56 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
have you heard of Maemo ?The N900?
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 1:20 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Have you heard of Android? iOS? WP7? Can you honestly tell me there are developers out there who would be willing to spend time on this OS with those other three on the market? Really? Because I’d like for you to show me those developers, if that’s the case.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 2:30 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Although I agree that there is less interest now, at one point in time there was a community just screaming for this to be launched. So yes, there were developers interested in yet another ecosystem, and furthermore, with QT, Nokia had the intention of developing for a large installed base of Symbian devices.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 1:52 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
“were” being the key word. “Had” being another key word. There is nothing right now that would compel any developer to make software for this.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 2:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Agreed. I was making a distinction between the present and the past. PRIOR to Elop’s decision there WAS an interest to develop for a FOURTH ecosystem, mainly driven by a belief in the “open source” system, a more effective (resource wise) platform than any of the others, and a belief in Nokia’ significant brand value+size. So having to develop for a fourth ecosystem, with a base in QT and a large Symbian phone was interesting at one point in time. I don’t think the number four, which you emphasized, is the problem, the abandonment of the platform is. On maemo.org I’ve found a massive defection of previous great believers in this fourth ecosystem.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 3:02 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I must have glossed over the review, because I failed to notice that these indeed very important things were missing.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 1:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Then the burden of proof for the Nokia should be shouldered by the Windows Phone, Hope Nokia could give us at least a good N9 substitute it not better, now Mr. Elop we are giving you the honor to prove that your rejection for the N9 is an instinct of a true CEO… Good Luck Nokia…
ecPosted on Oct 21, 2011 | 6:08 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
WTF. It’s a Nokia with a beautiful design that has me actually curious. I haven’t had a Nokia since the first Matrix movie. What’s next? People wearing Doc Martens?
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 6:16 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
heard of the n95?
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 5:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
tiny.cc/qcfnd
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 8:54 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Such potential. So much.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 10:11 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Cons: Doomed ecosystem, Old Processor, Unstable software. 7.9? Wanna buy my old Jaguar? It’s gorgeous.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 11:25 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The OS is not doomed! Learn about the Maemo/Meego community before commenting. Not everyone wants a Million apps,b.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 1:13 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Very fair review, thanks guys!
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 1:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Great review! I experienced the N9 in the store. It was smaller than I had expected, had this TOTALLY DEEP BLACK SCREEN just like you describe it, and I enjoyed the interface and the natural feel of the swipes, with that raised gorilla glass. Although I agree with the “shame” part in “It’s just a shame that the Nokia of 2011 didn’t believe in itself enough to see them through.” I find it an interesting statement, because it shows how culturally we equal a few board members (not event the entire board if you believe Finnish newspapers) and the new CEO with the company Nokia. I’m sure there were a lot of people in Nokia who believed in these products, and if they had had the power would have gone the Meego route. I wonder if the UI and logic behind it could get ported or used somewhere else?
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 1:44 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
that is some great design work by Nokia, looks really awesome
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 2:13 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
What Fry said.
http://youtu.be/8QfSzgV1q5g
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 2:39 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Is it a coincidence that the two major Linux based smartphone platforms from major Microsoft both got pulled in the months prior two the release of WP7?
Microsoft plays dirty, and they have a long history of attempting to smother Linux with their bags of $$$..
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 3:53 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
An amazing writeup for a phone that deserves nothing less. If I can manage to get this device for less than $800 here in North America (which is up in the air at the moment) I’ll have no hesitation. In a way, I take this review as a eulogy for the Nokia that was; even if they find success with WP7 going forward, it won’t really be the same. Relatedly, that last shot of WP7 reflecting in the N9’s screen is why, like this phone, you ThisIsMyNext/TheVerge folks are in a league of your own.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 6:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Good review. This phone is really unique.
I’m antagonizing whether to replace my phone with the N9 or iphone 4S. Price is not an issue for me as I can get it unlocked for $600 and its 20% cheaper then the iphone(I’m not a fan of telco subsidized phone as my phone bill is very small, its cheaper to buy unlocked.)My concern is the apps ecosysytem which doesn’t exist.
Posted on Oct 21, 2011 | 8:35 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
RE your concerns about apps….
Take some time to find out from the community what sort of apps are here or coming.
You may find there’s just enough satisfy you for quite some time into the future.
There’s certainly more than enough built-in functionality to satisfy the avg user.
But hard-core users will require the odd extra app…
If you don’t know any places to start looking, I can make some suggestions…
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 8:02 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Gulp, I took up Steve Job’s advice, followed my heart and bought this Nokia ( blue one) just now. Beautiful phone.
I’m taking up your offer now, where can I find the “must have apps” like opera mini and TuneIn radio?
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 8:13 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Hey Mate,
Will get back to you ASAP, very busy ATM!
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 3:37 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
What is Nokia gonna do with WP7 that HTC and Samsung haven’t? They can’t alter the OS unless MS is letting them do something the other companies can’t. If they can alter it for the better and you own a current WP7 handset, you have to feel like you got f in the a
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 1:25 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Use it on some quality hardware?
I looked at the HTC Titan and Radar last week and was very disappointed on the build quality. Samsung and LG are just plain tacky
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 2:50 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
the verge splashes in the video are amazing, sorta retro, sorta futuristic. Plain Awesome
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 7:22 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Gorgeous hardware, I really love the curved edges. Reminds me of the 4th gen iPod Nano which I always thought was an awesome design.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 10:16 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
thank you for scoring it. as soon as engadget dropped the scoring number i stopped reading their reviews all together.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 10:24 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I agree, that’s an attractive phone. It rivals the iPhone in terms of looks. To me, it is the first phone that does.
Posted on Oct 22, 2011 | 2:42 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Vodafone New Zealand should be ashamed of themselves for advertising this DOOMED phone….its GOT to be a terrible experience, getting locked into a contract with this dead on arrival THING…..and it costs 800 USD too! Right, so you order “a high end, thousand dollar NZ smartphone” online, “oh, I’ve heard of Nokia before, five years ago, cool, I’ll buy that one, I mean, EVERYONE has an iPhone, or HTC Sensation/Galaxy S II….I’ll be ORIGINAL! Everyone will like me!….”
I took a video screenshot of the ad, with a little techno music playing in iTunes :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZyss_UqvBo
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 6:56 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
don’t be so judgmental until you’ve actually had time to use it for a while, you might actually be surprised.
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 7:33 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sad that such a good looking phone seems to be DOA. Would love to try it out.
Posted on Oct 24, 2011 | 3:32 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Don’t worry, Cliff, Nokia is announcing its Windows Phone version tomorrow!
Posted on Oct 25, 2011 | 6:39 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
http://tinyurl.com/3jleohd
Posted on Oct 25, 2011 | 12:09 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
reported spammer poo
Posted on Oct 25, 2011 | 4:15 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sigh…why can’t the new Nexus look this beautiful?! Nokia (Eleop) you’re a fool for abandoning Meego. My thoughts go out to all the thousands of people who have lost their jobs at Nokia in recent months. :-(
Posted on Oct 25, 2011 | 2:38 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Love these comment hotkeys.
Posted on Oct 26, 2011 | 12:47 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This is hardware p0rn. Beautiful phone
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 5:31 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
New review layout is top notch
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 5:33 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Yes, this is a beautiful design, the review looks even better now. One tip though, when I want to enter a comment, it takes a full 4 seconds before the box displays any of my typing….
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 6:12 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Excellent review for a beautiful phone. The Mangofied version will be very nice indeed!
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 6:18 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Vlad, don’t listen to Josh. This thing is beautiful. I wish I could justify buying one. :(
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 6:29 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I love the “Jump To” toolbar on the side there, nice touch!
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 7:05 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Man I wish this phone would be perfect but as stated above, its doomed
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 7:08 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
If only I could afford to buy this beautiful piece of hardware. Definitely love the look of the UI!
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 7:13 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It still makes me sad to look at this :(
Windows Phone just does not fit with the aesthetic at all. But I’m not daring enough to jump onto a burning platform.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 7:51 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This is probably the best looking design for a phone. I love it.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 8:33 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Nice design and MeeGo the best. Unfortunately, Microsoft (including Stephen Elop here) knew how good MeeGo was, and how it would impede Windows Mobile, so it killed it. Shame.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 9:38 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
_you people just don’t get it. facepalmPosted on Nov 01, 2011 | 1:16 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I thirst to purchase such a phone. Hardware-wise, at least.
The one thing that killed the Nokia E7 I used in the past was the lack of a thriving ecosystem, and I sadly foresee that being same issue here.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 9:53 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Something to be said for great design. This is a stylish phone. Apple could learn from this design, combination of style and durability.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 10:00 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I re-read this view, because its pretty.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 10:42 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Phone looks beautiful. Wish it were Android or W8 (which I know we’ll be waiting a while for, but looking forward to).
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 2:29 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m oddly really tempted by this phone. I know the Lumia 800 would be a more logical choice, but somehow the N9 seems much cooler.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 4:20 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Awesomely designed review. Like!
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 4:34 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Man, the MeeGo software really does look like a breath of fresh air, it is too bad that we’ll see it go down the tubes. I personally am an Android lover, but it’s always really nice to all of the different ideas and innovations that people come up with to try and differentiate their product. This looks like a good one, just too bad it’s already dead. I almost wouldn’t mind having one just to have one.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 4:51 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Definitely a cool phone.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 6:41 PM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
That’s it.. I’m biting the bullet and gettin’ me one sigh
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 7:10 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I really like this phone from an OS stand point and from a hardware stanp
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 9:43 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Wow no editing huh? I wanted to say I like the OS and hardware but they could have gussied up the icons a bit.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 9:46 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m so sad that this device isn’t getting Nokia’s backing and development. It is the only device that I’ve seen since the first iPhone for which I would seriously consider jumping ship from Apple. It really is a shame that so much potential is being waisted.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 9:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I want this to be the iPhone 6.
Posted on Nov 01, 2011 | 10:30 PM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
It may not be the best device in the market but it is a device worth buying. It is unique and beautiful. And moreover all major apps are being ported to MeeGo Harmattan, the number of apps dosen’t matter as it has got everything that is required by a typical smartphone user and more useful applications are on their way.
Posted on Nov 02, 2011 | 12:49 AM EDT via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
I can’t express how bummed I am that this is a doomed ecosystem. This looks way the hell better than windows phone or any nokia phone I’ve ever seen. What are they thinking?
Posted on Nov 02, 2011 | 3:31 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
A very beautiful phone and an equally beautiful ClearBlack display. I believe the supercar reference is appropriate, but if I may, I’d liken the Nokia N9 to a Bugatti or Ferrari in exquisiteness whilst its competitions are Porsche 911s and Audi R8s. The N9 does stir up a more emotional response.
If I simply needed a beautiful excuse to make calls and do messaging, I would get an N9. I’ve recently offloaded most of my smartphone tasks to my tab recently anyway.
Posted on Nov 02, 2011 | 5:03 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Couldn’t resist no’m0’h > JUST ORDERED IT. sigh
Getting the 64GB Black one. I think I got a good deal on the price based on the endless hours I spent comparing my purchasing options. Let me know in case someone is curious.
Posted on Nov 02, 2011 | 5:21 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Are you in U.S.? Where did it turn out was the best place to buy?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 7:02 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I got it from distributor based in Singapore (www.sgbest.com)
Compared to other places that are advertising the 64 GB model for at least a couple hundred more (and by the way which they don’t even have in stock yet), I think that selling it at 200 dlls less and available for immediate shipping was a no-brainer.
It is a lot of money for a toy, but the thing is a collectible from the get go, and as it happens with collectibles, the selling price is often way above than one would pay for mass-produced alternatives, so that’s no exception here.
Posted on Nov 04, 2011 | 1:23 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
And yes, I’m in the US.
Posted on Nov 04, 2011 | 1:30 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Please update when you take delivery. Prices look good.
Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 6:27 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I have to admit the design looks sick, but i dont know about the software. I would prefer my iPhone 4S.
Posted on Nov 02, 2011 | 2:40 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Anyone else find it strange that the “ecosystem” rating is green when it is a 3. It seems like it would make more sense for the good ratings to be green, and very low rankings red…
(Nothing to do with the N9 — just about the design of Verge reviews)
It wouldn’t be as confusing if they were all high rankings, and the more “red” something was the better it was, but seeing red and green next to each other for high and low scores seems odd when green is used to represent a “low” score.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 8:24 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I think colors in Verge’s review bars are not meant to be comparable to traffic lights and similar life situations where green is seen as a sign of acceptance and red as a sign of prohibition.
The bars used here follow a thermo-spectrum analogy (I think). On one end you have black (the coldest point) all the way up to red (the burning hot point). So a “burning hot” mark is the top mark in the thermo-scale, that is, the highest mark. Green? not so much.
Posted on Nov 04, 2011 | 1:42 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
‘The only thing truly missing from the Harmattan arsenal is a set of integrated media playback controls’
Coming in the next update. PR1.1
Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 6:23 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Wow, I love my iPhone, wouldn’t want to trade it, and especially not for a Nokia or Windows Phone at this moment, but the comment about the deep blacks really got me wishing… I’ve got a weakness for high contrast ranges and black blacks…
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 2:29 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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