Exciting times, the Nokia N97 is finally listed under compatible N-Gage devices, the page features a Nokia N97 running Spore a popular N-gage title. BUT it's not really good news, when you click get N-gage, the Nokia N97 still isn't listed, bizarre.
I don't know whether this is "news" or whether it's been like this for a while, but it's the first time I've seen the Nokia N97 listed. Perhaps we can expect N-gage on the Nokia N97 soon? Or perhaps it's being rolled out regionally and we just don't have it in the UK yet? I'd not be surprised if that was the case, seems we're last to get everything these days.
On another note, the Nokia 5800 still isn't listed at all, despite being released long before the N97. I assume N-gage is going to be available for the 5800 but then again, perhaps not, maybe Nokia are trying to push people toward the more expensive N97.
Hopefully it won't be too long before N-Gage is available, the built in Guitar Hero game is rather lame when compared with the iPhone version. A couple of ex iPhone users who have recently purchased the Nokia N97, are considering taking their N97 back due to the lack of gaming currently on their device. Hopefully Nokia won't keep us waiting too long!
As promised here are the Nokia N97 drop tests. We originally filmed these N97 stress tests yesterday evening but due to low light, they didn't come out too great and so we decided to do them again this morning. Bear in mind all of these drop tests have been done x 2, plus a couple of retakes.
In this video you'll see Kenny dropping the Nokia N97 on grass, gravel and concrete from both waist and head height. In everyday life, it's unlikely you're ever going to drop your handset from anywhere above waist height and hopefully not at all, but we wanted to push the N97 a little further just to see how it holds up.
Overall the Nokia N97 has held up brilliantly in our opinion. I was expecting the screen to crack when dropped on concrete from head height but fortunately it didn't. Most of the damage is superficial, a couple of scratches and scuffs. The only damage that's been done that may effect the performance of the phone is a hairline crack in the camera lense, which happened during the head height drop on to concrete
We're going to take some macro pictures later on, to give you a better idea of the extent of damage done during the tests. We'll also take a couple of shots using the N97 itself, to see whether the camera quality has been jepodised.
Keep checking back for more tests and please keep the ideas coming in.
We were gutted when we discovered the US was to receive the N97 first, as we'd not have any exclusives. Anyway after some brain storming we decided it would be useful if we truly put the N97 through it's paces with a number of stress tests.
Test 1: Screen scratch test. We used the stylus, a coin and a key to test just how scratch resistant the screen on the Nokia N97 is. The result? Hardly a mark on the screen. I really don't think you'd need a screen protector. Though I guess it always adds an extra layer of protection.
Tests were conducted in association with Tehkseven and the Geeks Network.
Test 2: Pocket test. We placed the phone in a bag, along with coins and keys to see what damage could be done if you accidentally put the phone in your pocket with other stuff. Once again the N97 come out unscathed. Top marks so far.
Test 3: Paintwork scratch test. This time we tested how easily the paint work scuffed and scratched. Overall I we were pretty impressed with how well the paint work held up. The most fragile paintwork was on the rim of the keypad where the paint flaked off pretty easily, though generally this part of the phone will be protected by the keypad
Test 4: Cereal test: So just what happens if you drop your N97 in a bowl of cereal? Well it gets wet obviously. The phone is still fully functioning at this point, minus the menu key.
Test 5: Wash test: If you happen to drop your N97 in a bowl of cornflakes, you're gonna need to wash it off right? Well no, not exactly, but for testing purposes we did. As you'll see in the video, washing with soap and water put the N97 out of action for roughly 2.5 hours, but minus some condensation on the screen, it's now fully functioning and ready for tomorrows tests!
Test 6: Washing Machine: Let's be realistic. If this happens your phone is pretty much gone. We aren't even going to test this one. It ranks up there with the "How Does The Nokia 97 Fare in Molten Lava" test. If you are running your business from your cell phone, let's hope you forwarded to your calls to your phone answering service before you decided to give it a wash because you just turned your Nokia N7 into a paperweight, or for the table sports fan, a very heavy paper football.
P.S please feel free to post suggestions for other stress tests you'd like to see, we'll fulfill as many as we can.
It really surprised me just how difficult the Nokia N97 back cover was to remove, almost as difficult as the iPhone and that's not meant to come off!. When I first took the N97 out of the box and had to remove the back cover, I was quite concerned the cover was going to snap in two, so it took me about 5 minutes to get it off.
In the end I used my nail in the groove in the back cover, held my breath and give it a good firm yank. And ta-da the cover was off.
Anyway, because of the difficulty we had, we've made this quick demo to help those of you still struggling with the cover and hopefully lay any concerns to rest, it really is quite durable and I'm pretty sure you won't break it, if you follow the instructions in the video.
Last night we were so excited about the launch of the N97, we decided not to go to bed and head in to London at 5am. It's the first time I've been up and out at 5am since.. well perhaps ever! but the excitement was enough to keep us awake.
We arrived at the Nokia flagship store at about 6am and surprisingly there was no queue. I guess my experience with the iPhone launches had me expecting people camping outside, which we almost did btw.
However across the road at the Apple store, which is directly opposite the Nokia store was a different story. There was a strong queue forming even at 6am. By 7am the queue for the iPhone was close to the end of the road while Kenny and I were still the only 2 in line. We felt a little out numbered but we held the fort
Apples doors opened at 7am, letting the first batch inside while we sat across the road freezing our b... butts off. While we were stood inline T3.com popped over and talked me in to giving a short video interview on why I was choosing the N97 over the iPhone. It was nerve racking to say the least but they were really nice. Shortly after another couple of guys popped over and asked if I'd be willing to give a short interview, only this time the video camera was huge and they were from Channel 4!
Anyway Nokia finally opened their doors at 9am for us bloggers to let us have a play with the new handsets Nokia N97 and Nokia N86. I'll quickly mention that the N86 takes an absolutely incredible picture. When inside we met Rafe from Allaboutsymbian, Carl from Nokiapp, Robert from Nokiausers and Emkwan from the Emkwanproject who were all really nice.
Nokia offered us the chance to buy the N97 before the store officially opened to the public and of course we'd already pre-ordered ours, so we went ahead and purchased the very first UK retail Nokia N97. It's our claim to fame.
The fun didn't end their, Adam from the Nokia store had arranged some extra goodies for us including a Nokia Pen, notebook, Candy, Lanyard and some other cool Nokia memorabilia. He then took us upstairs in to Nokia's conference room where they have THE biggest TV I've ever seen, I believe it's 103", it was incredible to say the least. It accompanied by a spread of snacks and drinks. I guess the main purpose of the exercise was to help build stronger relationships between Nokia and it's bloggers as well as a chance for us bloggers to put faces to names. It was a really nice touch and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were thankful to be part of it, thanks to everybody we met and of course Adam for making us welcome.
