Nokia N97 - Nseries with touch and QWERTY

Nokia today announced the launch of  the Nokia N97. It is the first touch-enabled Nseries device and has a horizontal tilt-slide form factor. It transforms from a touch slate to a landscape QWERTY device. The device, which has an Internet and entertainment focus, runs on S60 5th Edition, has a customisable, widget-based, home screen and full support for Ovi services.

It features a 3.5 inch (360 x 640 resolution) touchscreen with haptic feedback, 5 megapixel camera (with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash), A-GPS and compass sensors, comprehensive connectivity options (WiFi, tri-band HSDPA, Bluetooth and USB), and 32GB of internal flash memory. Read on for more.

New Nokia Maps 3.0, plus personalised mapping using Ovi

Today at Nokia World 2008, Nokia has released (via Beta Labs) the latest version of Nokia Maps, v3.0, as well as a full personalized 'online mapping experience' on Ovi (also now available). The combination of Nokia Maps 3.0 plus Ovi is claimed to be "the first free service that allows people to pre-plan a journey at home and synchronize with their phone, giving access to pre-planned routes and favourite destinations while on the move." Nokia Maps has also been updated to include higher resolution aerial images, 3D landmarks for 216 cities across the world and terrain maps. Screenshots, info, download link (for selected devices) and notes below.

Nseries 2009? Hmm.....

Nokia's NW 2008 home page is filling out nicely, with video slots, a live video feed and a discussion board. Most intriguingly, the 'Countdown' link is attached a panel branded 'Nseries 2009' - surely this means that there's an Nseries device about to be launched? I was half expecting something in the Eseries line, but maybe Nokia is about to surprise everybody! Am I reading too much into this?

Insight 50 - Devices, Competition from Series 40, and more...

In Insight number 50 (woohoo!), Rafe, Steve and Ewan discuss the latest news from the Symbian World. Steve talks about his overall N79 experience, Ewan has been playing with an N85 and Rafe waffles about the state of the open platform market. Plus, we look forward to Nokia World 2008 (tomorrow)....

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic: (P)Review part 3 - Apps and Conclusions

In the concluding part of his very detailed hands-on (p)review of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, based on almost a month of day-to-day running with Nokia's 'Tube', Rafe Blandford brings us a report on the rest of its applications and on third party software compatibility, plus, of course, he sums up the device. Why is it unique and just how well will it do worldwide?

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic now shipping in Finland, Spain, India, Russia, Hong Kong, Taiwan

Nokia's just put out a press release that the 5800 XpressMusic is now shipping in selected countries (with other countries to follow in 2009 apparently). As always, "shipping" can mean the devices are on the way to the shops, so you may not see them actually on sale for a week or two. Full release follows below.

Hands-on Preview: Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

Yes, it's the long awaited part 2 of Rafe's definitive hands-on preview of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, a.k.a. the 'Tube', this time covering all aspects of multimedia, from camera to Web to games. The touchscreen and wide display make for a unique form factor among Nokia's current line-up, and Rafe leaves no stone unturned in his quest to evaluate the device.

Forum Nokia goes Budapest and Barcelona

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week (19th-20th) Forum Nokia goes to Budapest for two events: a Developer Day and Code Camps on S60 5th Edition Touch UI and Web Runtime widgets. At the beginning of December it is the turn of Barcelona which has S60 5th Edition Touch UI and Mobile Web Code Camps. Both events are free to attend; all you need do is register on the Forum Nokia web site. I'll be in Budapest for both days of the Forum Nokia event, please do look out for me, introduce yourself, chat about the Symbian ecosystem and show me any applications or services you may be working on.

Insight 46 - RoadSync, N96 and more on UIQ

In All About Symbian Podcast 99 (Insight #46) we talk about the N96 which has received mixed reviews from initial users. In the second half the podcast Ewan provides his first impressions of One, the latest N-Gage game, before we move on to discussing manufacturer commitment to the Symbian Foundation and what the future may hold for UIQ.

Real world (p)review: Nokia 5800 XpressMusic: S60's first touch-driven phone

Rafe's had Nokia's 'Tube' for around three weeks and has been using it day in, day out. In this, part one of a hugely in-depth two part (p)review of the 5800 XpressMusic, he introduces the device, explores the hardware and, most importantly, looks at how well S60 and touch work in daily life. With photos and copious screenshots, Rafe tells all, and I think it's fair to say that the 5800 XpressMusic has pleasantly surprised us.