Nokia N97 gets personal

By Leigh-Ann Francis for Nokia

Johannesburg, 31 Aug 2009

While the Internet-savvy user is inclined to enjoy the always-on Internet capability of the Nokia N97, it is the ability to create a truly personal device that may be most appealing.

The Nokia N97 combines a 3.5-inch touch display that can be fully personalised with frequently updated widgets, and a full qwerty keyboard, which takes some getting used to. With both a physical and visual touch input, the device can be used for blogging, chatting, posting, sending texts or e-mailing.

I found the touch-screen response to be slow at times. Incoming calls need to be unlocked on the touch display, which can be time-consuming when trying to answer a call in a hurry. Also, as someone who relies entirely on a reliable alarm to wake me up in the morning, the Nokia N97 failed. Only once I unlocked the display every morning would the alarm go off - usually long after the pre-set time.

Access to the Internet, music, games, and even maps for navigation can be fully customised according to the user's location and individual preferences. To this end, Nokia recently kicked off a local developers contest aimed at creating South African-relevant widgets for the local Ovi store.

The Nokia N97 introduces the concept of 'social location', with integrated A-GPS sensors and an electronic compass, the device intuitively understands where it is. This allows users to update their 'status' on social networks automatically with real-time information, and share their 'social location' as well as related pictures or videos.

A more personal Internet experience, however, requires always-on Internet that will support the continuous update of feeds. The network tariffs in SA make this a costly activity and it is unlikely that the average user will be able to use the device to its full potential.

Overall, the Nokia N97 is the phone to have if you want to build your social networking credibility. It is cool and funky - a device that you define and not one that defines you.

In summary:

I say: A social networker's dream tool
Plus: Personalised device
Minus: Costly to maintain, unreliable alarm clock
Contact: Nokia SA
Price: R7 999