Nokia N97 Photos from Eseries Social Media Meetup
Last Tuesday, I was at the New York City Nokia Flagship store for the Eseries Social Media Meetup. Nokia users mingled with other fans as well as Nokia representatives. I was expecting to see the Nokia E72 because it was announced hours before the event, but it was nowhere to be found. Nokia was pushing the E71x and the E75, but I think the highlight was the session where we shared ideas with each other while Nokia folks took notes.
View from the second floor as people started coming in.
Burgers, beer, and wine for everyone.
Q&A with Jerry Hart, Product Marketing Manager in AT&T Product Group. Questions were mostly about the software compromises placed on the Nokia E71x compared to an unlocked Nokia E71. If you want to know the difference between the two devices, Nokia Experts wrote a thorough Nokia E71 vs E71x comparison.
During the ‘blue sky’ thinking session, we were broken up in three groups and presented our ideas based on the questions listed below. This is a photo of Chanse Arrington (North America Multimedia Product Manager), Hugo Hernandez (Director of Eseries Marketing in Americas), and Molly Schonthal (Social Media Communications in North America) listening to blogger Mobile Dan representing his group.
Thanks to WOM World/Nokia for inviting me to this event. As you probably know, I love gadgets especially phones. Meetups like this enable me to let the people behind the brand know what I think about their devices in person. I told the AT&T Product Group Marketing Manager that I didn’t like the Nokia E71x because it didn’t have Share Online built-in. I also had the opportunity to tell the Eseries Director of Marketing I love the email experience on the Nokia E75, but the screen is too small!
Session Questions
It’s flattering that Nokia folks actually read this blog, so I’m sure they’d be interested in your responses to the same questions asked during the session. Let them know what you think!
- Which form factor works best for a QWERTY – E71x candybar, or E75 slide or another form factor?
- Is there an argument for making all mobile devices QWERTY?
- Where are the lines blurring between business, multimedia and consumer focussed devices. Should those lines remain? If not, why not?!
- Think about how working practices will change in say 5 years, what do expect to see in the place of these devices? What legacy will live on?
Andy Pho on 18 June 2009:
Mark, that is a great set of questions which I'll answer when I get home later tonight and link back in my blog to hopefully get more responses.
I really wish I could've made it to the event since I have so much to say on these phones, but I had work at those hours.
maceyr on 18 June 2009:
I think that there should be two different types of phones, QWERTY and non since both cater to a different set of users. Those who prefer QWERTY (like myself) won't go for the simple handsets with numeric keys and fiddling with T9. And those who prefer a simple handset with numbers don't care to have all those keys to confuse them.
Although the slide out design does work, I think I'd much rather have it non-sliding since it can get annoying to have to rotate and switch from portrait to landscape when using the slide out keyboard. Perhaps adopt the flip design instead like the LG Keybo.
For now, I think I'm preferring the candybar style of the E71 since it seems to offer a great combination. But PLEASE, don't align them directly over each key, it's EXTREMELY hard to figure out when typing. Think about the desktop keyboard layout. Please align the keys in a reverse pyramid layout. That's the main frustration with the keys on the E71 although I have gotten used to it now.
jke on 18 June 2009:
# 1. Which form factor works best for a QWERTY – E71x candybar, or E75 slide or another form factor?
E71 & E72 candybar
# 2. Is there an argument for making all mobile devices QWERTY?
No, as not all users are interested in using a full keyboard to type out messages (or type at all). Unless of course there's a way to combine T9 & QWERTY like on the E75, but then again: comes with a slider. Maybe a QWERTY with an extra row for digits?
# 3. Where are the lines blurring between business, multimedia and consumer focussed devices. Should those lines remain? If not, why not?!
I have an N95 I am using for my business needs and also because it has a nice camera. My next phone will be an E72 because of the QWERTY, the candy bar form factor, the batttery life and the similar camera. => If all new devices come with a decent camera and the business user in mind (usable e-mail client, improved browser, reasonable qwerty keyboard), it doesn't matter to me if a phone is labeled as N or E Series. Imho, Nokia should focus on improving the browser experience as it is what drives many others to the iPhone and other devices and at the same time reduce their diversity.
Comparing the E75 with the 5730, the lines have already blurred between these two devices as most functions are already possible with both devices. I think the lines between these devices will not be set by engineers or customer needs, but rather by economists who are looking for unique features to justify the existence of this diversity.
# 4. Think about how working practices will change in say 5 years, what do expect to see in the place of these devices? What legacy will live on?
- touchscreen
- interactive stand-by screen
- usb port for charging & data
- sms
- multimedia playback & upload from the device
- gyrosensor
- less difference between communication methods, e.g. one interface for sms, mms, e-mail, twitter, status updates to social networks, browsing, etc. ==> “all-in-one-experience” because users will be used to this from their all-inclusive desktop browsers (see: Google Chrome & Wave)
- easier sync between phone and desktop pc
- improved battery runtime and/or alternative power supplies
- improved swapping of user data from phone A to B (make it more idiot proof), or a SIM card with an integrated microSD
- more phones with the build-quality of the E-Series
- the green factor will become more important (e.g. Nokia leasing out phones and thus getting a way to upcycle the precious metal inside each phone)
- a levy on batteries = incentive for users to return old batteries
- 3.5″ standard headphone socket
- Nokia phones will continue being usable with one hand only
jke on 18 June 2009:
Oh, and an LED torch will also be highly appreciated! (we had this discussion over in the Kenyan blogosphere the other day and realized that so many ppl love their simple 1208 because of the LED).
stoodi on 19 June 2009:
at. 2 I love phisical QWERTY keyboard (e71), but if Nokia can provide good touch keyboard and bigger screen, I choose bigger phone with bigger screen. (this in e71/e72/e75 is too small)
at. 3 – I think it's not about hardware but software included. All phones now should have decend camera with minimal VGA video capture quality. (lower is in most cases unusable like in E71)
venkat2009 on 19 June 2009:
I am very very Happy to read the Nokia Article with Pictures.I am using the Unlocked Nokia E75 series..Till Now I was Unlocked It From the Vodafone Australia..Now I am In the Telstra Network Same Australia…
illusionado on 21 June 2009:
#1. The slide form factor works best.coz it can save or put larger screens or xtra buttons.but this 21th century Phones should be able to morp the keypads..by changing to qwerty>>numeric vice versa…i think it is a matter of lighting.
#2 Yes.This modern age we need have to create things faster and thats emailing and texting in short of time..qwerty is the key.
# 3. They should focus much only in 2 way…by business and by multimedia.. multimedia includes music, camera, games , etc…
business is as usual a big thing for professionals.
#4 ..1 sensor for all,,
,
,all features of digital or slr camera should be in.
.touch screen or morphing keypads..like it change to werty when u r in landscape mode and numeric in portrait…
battery charge with micro and/or maybe solar powered.
customizing your own phone..this will be a great choice of taste.
form factor of multi slide and light phones.
last is advanced connectivity
iftikhar ahmed qureshi on 28 June 2009:
ok very good
iftikhar ahmed qureshi on 28 June 2009:
ok very good
Ram on 28 January 2010:
N97 mini is 10k less than n97 and n97 is not there now in indian market.
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