Video: The Phones Show – Episode 87 – Your favourite phone at the moment?

Episode 87 takes a break from Steve’s news and reviews of the phone world, instead shifting the limelight to his PhonesShow viewing audience as they reveal which phone they’re using right now, and why they love it.

It’s a strong Nokia showing, but then again, Steve is from All About Symbian :).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE_1nLyBChA]

via 3lib

My favourite phone of the moment?

[N97 from 97 images of the N97 – 5000 tiles]

I was using a Nokia N97 but that has returned to the World of WOM after a lengthy trial. Thanks guys!

Despite it’s shortcomings (low RAM, bugs, some further improvements required via future firmware upgrades) it worked for 90% of the things I needed it for really well.

• Really good messaging device – the keyboard took some getting used to. It wasn’t as tactile as I’d hoped, but eventually, I was able to type without looking at the keyboard. Makes text messaging/facebooking/emailing (push!)/instant messaging really fast, fun and convenient.
• Great media player. Stacks of Memory means I can pile on my music and my videos. Though I could have done with dedicated music buttons, the included remote helps sort that out. 3.5″ screen great for viewing BBCi Player videos and my movies. TV out turns it into a media centre.
• Never getting lost with Navigation – either by car or on foot. GPS sorts itself out pretty quick – network gets your general position within about 5 seconds, and GPS lock around 15 seconds. Ovi Maps is a really good navigation solution but Google Maps is also a really good alternative too. I did have an issue with the GPS not working but managed to sort that out after a hard reset.
• Pretty good Web browser. I switch between 3 browsers, Opera, native S60 and digia. When Digia @Web comes out of beta and becomes a lot more stable and a bit faster, then I’d be really happy with surfing the web on the N97.
• Apps – they’re slowly coming along to Ovi Store. There’s a lot of content now to download, and quite a few of them are free. (still needs more content and slight reorganization – still a lot of great apps that aren’t on Ovi Store).
• Video – not perfect, not in HD nor is there an adequate focus point. However, the video recording is surprisingly good on this device. I’ve found it to be really stable – it doesn’t do that jelly wobbling effect that most phones do when you move the camera about. It’s even better if you can mount it on a tripod. Sound recording is also really good.
• Calling – with O2, not had a problem with reception. Call quality is excellent on both ends.

-Not really a feature but I like knowing that upgrades will come; that perhaps after collective ranting, it might get the push necessary for firmware team to take a look.

Major gripe is taking still pictures with the camera. I’ve been used to the N82 always being able to capture photos in any condition, snap photos of friends/family/friends – always being glad to have such reliability to capture great quality photos as I always have my phone with me – and also never regretting not taking a dedicated digital camera with me as the N82 captures what I need it to capture really well. N97 only takes good photos in optimal lighting. Everything else is bleh.

Overall, I had a really positive experience with the N97. Out of the box, it wasn’t all that. A couple of firmware upgrades, reorganizing of the menu/settings, installation of my favourite apps, finding out about some new apps, learning some quick hints and tips – the N97 grew up to be the phone I needed it to be and that’s why I love it. (note “needed”, not “wanted”. If it had Xenon/more RAM…etc etc :p)

[tiles]

I’m FINALLY gonna be getting MY OWN N97 after Friday… waiting a few more days as I have an exam to do that I missed the first time round. I know I won’t be able to concentrate, playing with a “new” toy (and sorting out any problems :p).

via 3lib

Tags: aPPLE, Blackberry, Episode 87, N97, Nokia, Nokia N97, Nseries, Review, Reviews, RIM, S60, S60 5TH EDITION, Steve Litchfield, Symbian, Testimonials, The Phones Show

Category: 5th Edition, MNB, Nokia, Nseries, Rant, Reviews, S60, Symbian