Gadget News

Anyone who likes touchscreen phones should be excited; the most well known face in the game has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sleek Nokia 5800 and the unbelievably awesome Nokia N97.

Evolution in action – early Nokia touchscreen phones

Many people seem to be under the incorrect assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen mobile phone Nokia have ever made. It’s not. Actually, there have been several touchy-feely phones released under the Nokia brand. Starting with the 7700, the world has seen a couple of Nokia mobile phones that are controlled by you prodding and poking the screen. They had a relatively big (for the time) touchscreen in common, but unfortunately, they shared something else: they were unbearably rubbish. Only one of these devices, the 6708, showed any promise, but that was made solely for the Chinese market, and so, we never got to play with them in the UK. The mobile phones WE got were, and I use this phrase with much feeling, total, and complete garbage.

However, these unpleasant memories have all been removed by the launch of a pair of new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touchscreens, and both of which are so much nicer…

Nokia 5800 – raw gorgeousness

First on the list is a totally new entrant into Nokia’s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the gorgeous Nokia 5800. This one’s very obviously built for music and media, as it has a dedicated XpressMedia button which brings up a list of links to music, videos, the web, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touch-sensitive display, to actually play with all your media content. Essentially, the Nokia 5800 was created to be a teeny handheld entertainment centre, and as music handsets go, this is easily one of the sexiest. The Nokia 5800 also has, built-in, a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet connection and sat-nav, making it a superb all-rounder, as well as a wonderful media box. Oh, and it has a strap to attach an imitation guitar pick. That rocks.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range phone; it isn’t, nor was it ever meant to be, an absolute top-ender. That job goes to a separate handset…

Nokia N97 – phenomenal cosmic power

With the Nokia 5800 on course to bring touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that opens up a great big gap at the absolute top-end, and yes, there IS a touchscreen mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the frankly mind-blowing Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch interface and crams it into the shell of a proper, full-tilt smartphone. So it’s got an even more huge, 3.5 inch screen, a flip out QWERTY keyboard, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, obviously, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it really is as powerful as the rumours had us believe, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and integrated Flash, meaning you get an internet experience like no other mobile phones! Put it like this: the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 angles firmly for the mid-range, I’m predicting that the Nokia N97 will completely DOMINATE the world next year!

If you like touchscreen phones, you should be wetting yourself with excitement about now; the biggest name in the business has announced not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sexy Nokia 5800 and the totally awesome Nokia N97.

Lessons from history – Nokia early learns how NOT to make a touchscreen phone

A lot of people are under the false assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first ever touchscreen mobile phone to come from the Finnish manufacturer. It isn’t. Actually, there have been several touch-based phones to wear the Nokia brand. Starting at the 7700, there have been a few Nokia mobile phones that work by you pressing directly on the screen. They all shared pretty big touchscreens, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were unbearably hideous. Just one of these mobile phones, the 6708, showed any potential, but it was destined only for China, and so, we never got to play with them in the UK. The mobile phones WE got were, and I use this phrase with much feeling, utter, utter toss.

However, those unpleasant recollections have now been removed because of the announcement of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touch-sensitive displays, and both of which are much, much more alluring…

Nokia 5800 – finger-tapping, toe-taping musical genius

First on the roster is a brand new member of Nokia’s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the gorgeous Nokia 5800. This phone is quite obviously designed for music and video; you can tell by the dedicated XpressMedia touch-key that opens a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the internet, and so on. Oh, and the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touch-sensitive display, to let you play with all your media content. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was created to be a little portable jukebox and movie player, and as music devices go, this is just about the sweetest. The Nokia 5800 has also got a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet connection and sat-nav, making it a brilliant all-rounder, as well as a superb media player. Oh, and it has a strap to clip on an imitation guitar plectrum. Pointless, but brilliant.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it isn’t, nor will it ever be, an absolute top-ender. That position goes to a different mobile…

Nokia N97 – phenomenal cosmic power

With the Nokia 5800 on track to deliver touch-based mobile phones to the mid-range market, that opens up a great big gap at the absolute top-end of the product range; well, there IS a touch-based mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to fill that gap: the utterly jaw-dropping Nokia N97. This takes the same Symbian S60 Touch interface and crams it within the body of a proper, full-tilt smartphone. So it’s got an even more huge, 3.5 inch screen, a flip out QWERTY keypad, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, in a very definite way, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it really is as powerful as we’d heard from rumours, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and built-in Flash, meaning you have an internet experience like no other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is unbelievable. It easily outdoes other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 aims firmly for the mid-range, I reckon that the Nokia N97 will totally DESTROY the competition in 2009!

The world of touchscreen mobile phones is starting to get exciting, as the biggest brand in the business has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sexy Nokia 5800 and the utterly awesome Nokia N97.

Early attempts – woeful touchscreen phones!

Many people are under the false impression that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen mobile phone Nokia have ever made. It isn’t. The opposite’s true, because there have been several touch-based phones released under the Nokia brand. Beginning at the 7700, there have been a few Nokia mobile phones that work by touch. They had a relatively big (for the time) touchscreen in common, but but unfortunately, they shared something else: they were irredeemably hideous. Only one of those devices, the 6708, showed any potential, but it was destined exclusively to be sold in China, and thus, it wasn’t meant for us in the UK. The mobile phones WE got were, and I use this phrase with much feeling, total, and complete garbage.

However, those unpleasant memories have now been removed because of the launch of a pair of new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touchscreens, and both of which are much, much nicer…

Nokia 5800 – rockin’ in the free world

The first phone up is a totally new entrant into Nokia’s Xpress range of music mobile phones, the stunning Nokia 5800. This one’s quite obviously designed for music and video; you can tell by the separate XpressMedia button that opens a list of links to music, videos, the internet, and so on. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you play with those different media files. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was designed to be a teeny portable jukebox and movie player, and as music phones go, this is just about the sweetest. The Nokia 5800 has also got a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA data access and sat-nav, making it a wonderful all-rounder, as well as a superb media gadget. Oh, and it has a lanyard to fasten on an imitation guitar plectrum. That’s pretty cool, that.

However, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range phone; it isn’t, nor will it ever be, an absolute powerhouse. That role falls to a separate device…

Nokia N97 – a mobile multimedia monster!

With the Nokia 5800 all set to bring touch-based mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a great big gap at the very top-end, and yes, there IS a touchscreen mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to fill that gap: the frankly awesome Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch interface and packages it into the frame of a proper, full-tilt smartphone. Which means it has an even more huge, 3.5 inch screen, a slide out QWERTY keypad, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, in a very definite way, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it really is as hyper-powered as the rumours said, with HSDPA, sat-nav, digital compass, and integrated Flash, meaning you get an internet experience that tops any other mobile phones! Put it like this: the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and as the Nokia 5800 angles to take over the mid-range, I’m predicting that the Nokia N97 will utterly DOMINATE the world next year!

There’s no doubt the iPhone gave everyone who makes mobile phones a wake up call. And now, the biggest name in phones has answered that call with TWO new handsets: the sleek Nokia 5800 and the terrifyingly mind-blowing Nokia N97.

Why should we care if Nokia make touchscreen phones?

It’s a question that some people have asked, and it’s quite an important one… Nokia clearly have a massive market share. And yet, they’re only just started making mobile phones with touchscreens. Given that their previous forays into the world of touchscreen phones have been unusual at best and downright unusable at worst, why now should things be any different? Why should be that interested in the Nokia 5800 or the Nokia N97?

Well, there’s a simple answer to that: the iPhone. By that, I mean that the iPhone has made every manufacturer up their game, and look at how their mobile phones work, how they interact with the user, and how they can enrich the user’s life. Nokia, it seems, have taken that to heart, and have created an entirely new operating system; a whole new software world to build their touchscreen phones on. That, in itself is a compelling reason to pay attention to their new handsets, but it’s not just about the software. How we, as users, react to mobile phones is based purely on our feelings, and what Nokia have done here is craft a pair of mobile phones that can genuinely make you feel better than ever!

Nokia 5800 – touch and listen…

The first phone up is a completely new member of Nokia’s Xpress range of music mobile phones, the gorgeous Nokia 5800. This phone is pretty obviously built for music and media, as it has a dedicated XpressMusic touch-key that opens a list of links to music, videos, the internet, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touch-sensitive display, to let you use those different media content.

Essentially, the Nokia 5800 was designed to be a teeny portable entertainment centre, and as music devices go, this is just about the prettiest. The Nokia 5800 has also got a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet connection and sat-nav, so that it’s a brilliant all-round mobile phone, on top of being a wonderful media box. Oh, and it has a strap to fasten on an imitation guitar pick. That is really very funky. However, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range phone; it’s not, nor was it ever meant to be, a full-fat powerhouse. That job falls to another device…

Nokia N97 – raw, phone-based power

With the Nokia 5800 on course to bring touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a very big gap at the very top-end of the product range; well, there IS a touch-based mobile phone coming soon to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the utterly awesome Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch operating system and packages it within the shell of a proper, full-fat smartphone.

So it has a massive, 3.5 inch screen, a flip out QWERTY keyboard, and the camera’s been upgraded to 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, as should be glaringly obvious, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it’s truly as high-spec as we’d heard from rumours, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and integrated Flash, meaning you have an internet experience like no other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is unbelievable. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 aims to take over the mid-range, I’m predicting that the Nokia N97 will utterly DOMINATE the world next year!

The world of touchscreen mobile phones is starting to get exciting, as the most recognised brand in the business has announced not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sleek Nokia 5800 and the totally mind-blowing Nokia N97.

Early Nokia touchscreens

A lot of people seem to be under the incorrect impression that the Nokia 5800 is the first ever touchscreen mobile phone to come from the Finnish manufacturer. It’s not. The opposite’s true, because there’s been a few touchy-feely phones released under the Nokia brand. Beginning with the 7700, the world has seen a few Nokia mobile phones which work by you prodding and poking the screen.

They all had reasonably big (for their time) screens, but unfortunately, they shared something else: they were unbearably hideous. Just one of those mobile phones, the 6708, displayed a modicum promise, but that was destined solely to be sold in China, and so, it wasn’t meant for us in these sceptred isles. Unfortunately, that meant that the phones we got were total, utter toss.

However, these unpleasant memories have all been exorcised due to the launch of a pair of new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touchscreens, and both of which are much, much more alluring…

Nokia 5800 – a piece of art

The first phone up is a brand new member of Nokia’s Xpress range of music mobile phones, the stunning Nokia 5800. This phone is pretty obviously designed for music and media, as it has a dedicated XpressMusic button which opens a list of links to music, videos, the web, and more.

Oh, and the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you use those different media files. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was designed to be a little handheld jukebox and movie player, and as music phones go, this is easily one of the sweetest. The Nokia 5800 also has, built-in, a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA data connection and GPS, making it a brilliant all-round mobile phone, as well as a brilliant media player. Oh, and it has a lanyard to attach a fake guitar pick. Pointless, but brilliant.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it isn’t, nor will it ever be, a full-on top-ender. That role falls to another mobile…

Nokia N97 – more powerful than Mexico…

With the Nokia 5800 on track to bring touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a massive gap at the absolute top-end, and yes, there IS a touch-based mobile phone coming soon to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the utterly jaw-dropping Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch operating system and crams it inside the body of a proper, full-on smartphone. Which means it has an even more huge, 3.5 inch screen, a kick out QWERTY keyboard, and the camera’s been upgraded to 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, obviously, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it really is as hyper-powered as the rumours had us believe, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and integrated Flash, so that you get an internet experience that tops any other mobile phones! Put it like this: the Nokia N97 is unbelievable. It easily outdoes other mobile phones and as the 5800 aims firmly for the mid-range, I reckon that the Nokia N97 will totally DOMINATE the world in 2009!

The world of touchscreen mobile phones is starting to get exciting, as the most recognised face in the industry has brought out not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sexy Nokia 5800 and the unspeakably mind-blowing Nokia N97.

Many people are under the false impression that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen mobile phone Nokia have ever made. It’s not. Actually, there’s been several touch-based phones released under the Nokia badge. Beginning with the 7700, we’ve seen a couple of Nokia mobile phones that work by you pressing directly on the screen. They all shared pretty big touchscreens, but unfortunately, they shared something else: they were irredeemably rubbish. Just one of those devices, the 6708, displayed any potential, but that was destined exclusively for the Chinese market, and thus, it wasn’t meant for us in Britain. The mobile phones WE got were, and I use this phrase with much feeling, utter, and complete bobbins. However, those unpleasant memories have all been removed due to the debut of a pair of new Nokia mobile phones, both of which come with touchscreens, and both of which are so much more alluring…

Nokia 5800 – sound, vision and touch

The first phone up is a completely new entrant into Nokia’s Xpress line of music mobile phones, the gorgeous Nokia 5800. This phone is very obviously designed for music and media, as it has a dedicated XpressMusic touch-key which pops up a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the internet, and so on. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you use those different media content. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was designed as a teeny handheld jukebox and movie player, and as music phones go, this is just about the sweetest. The Nokia 5800 also has, built-in, a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA data access and sat-nav, so that it’s a superb all-rounder, in addition to being a wonderful media gadget. Oh, and it has a lanyard to clip on a fake guitar pick. That rocks.

However, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it isn’t, nor will it ever be, a full-fat top-ender. That position belongs to another handset…

Nokia N97 – mind-blowing…

With the Nokia 5800 on track to deliver touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a great big gap at the absolute top-end, and yes, there IS a touchscreen mobile phone coming soon to fill that gap: the frankly mind-blowing Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch interface as the 5800, and crams it into the body of a proper, full-on smartphone. Which means it’s got a massive, 3.5 inch screen, a flip out QWERTY keypad, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, in a very definite way, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it really is as high-spec as the rumours had us believe, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and integrated Flash, meaning you get an internet experience like no other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is unbelievable. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 aims to take over the mid-range, I reckon that the Nokia N97 will totally DOMINATE the world next year!

Anyone who likes touchscreen phones should be excited; the biggest brand in the game has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sleek Nokia 5800 and the completely awesome Nokia N97.

Early Nokia touchscreens

Most people seem to be under the false impression that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen phone to wear the Nokia label. It’s not. Actually, there have been a few touch-based phones released under the Nokia name. Starting with the 7700, there have been a few Nokia mobile phones that are controlled by you prodding and poking the screen. They all shared pretty big touchscreens, but there was a feature they had in common:

Unfortunately, they were all irredeemably awful.

Just one of those handsets, the 6708, showed a modicum potential, but that was destined solely to be sold in China, and thus, it never saw the light of day in these sceptred isles. Unfortunately, that meant that the phones we got were total, and complete toss. However, these unpleasant mental images have now been removed because of the debut of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touchscreens, and both of which are much, much more alluring…

Nokia 5800 – music for the soul

The first phone up is a totally new member of Nokia’s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the stunning Nokia 5800. This phone is very obviously made for music and video; you can tell by the separate XpressMusic touch-key that brings up a list of links to music, videos, the web, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touch-sensitive display, to actually play with those different media content.

Basically, the Nokia 5800 was designed to be a teeny portable jukebox and movie player, and as music phones go, this is just about the prettiest. The Nokia 5800 has also got a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA data connection and GPS, making it a wonderful all-rounder, in addition to being a superb media box. Oh, and it has a strap to fasten on a fake guitar plectrum. That’s pretty cool, that. Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it’s not, nor was it ever meant to be, a full-on top-end monster. That position goes to a separate device…

Nokia N97 – mind-blowing mobile computer

With the Nokia 5800 on course to bring touch-based mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a great big gap at the absolute top-end, and yes, there IS a touch-based mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the frankly jaw-dropping Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch interface seen in the 5800, and crams it inside the frame of a proper, full-on smartphone. So it has a massive, 3.5 inch screen, a flip out QWERTY keypad, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, obviously, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it’s genuinely as hyper-powered as we’d heard from rumours, with HSDPA, sat-nav, digital compass, and built-in Flash, so that you get an internet experience like no other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It easily outdoes other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 aims firmly for the mid-range, I’m predicting that the Nokia N97 will totally DOMINATE the world in 2009!

Nokia 5800 Xpress Music upgraded to v 40.0.005 Upgrade using Nokia Software Updater (NSU) Update yet not available Over the air (OTA). Theme shown – Red Stripes from Nokia 5530 Download from: forum.dailymobile.se Discuss the firmware here: forum.dailymobile.se (problems, questions, how to, changes etc. everything will be answered) More features here: www.youtube.com Follow me @s60v5 twitter account!

Qt for S60 pre-release: “Garden”. – now based on Qt 4.5 – new S60 style Music by _ghost. See ccmixter.org qt.nokia.com

This is a video showing the new Nokia 5800 V40 update released at around 3PM on 13/01/2010 GMT. It brings a brand new homescreen, with music player, contact icons, and shortcuts all at the same time, as well as kinetic scrolling on most screens. Thanks to www.dailymobile.se and Phta^Trance for bringing me this information. Please comment, rate and subscribe!

symbianworld.org

It’s time for what may seem to be an odd match-up today, but when you think about it, these two particular mobile phones are actually pretty evenly matched, and pitting them against each other DOES make sense. So, let’s settle down watch the action as the Blackberry Storm takes on the Nokia 5800.

Nokia 5800 – touch, feel, play

The first phone in this battle’s a totally new member of Nokia’s Xpress range of music mobile phones, the gorgeous Nokia 5800. This phone is quite obviously made for music and media, as it has a separate XpressMedia button that pops up a list of links to music, videos, the web, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touch-sensitive display, to let you use all your media files. Essentially, the Nokia 5800 was created to be a little handheld jukebox and movie player, and as music devices go, this is just about the prettiest. The Nokia 5800 also has, built-in, a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet access and sat-nav, making it a wonderful all-rounder, as well as a brilliant media box. Oh, and it has a strap to fasten on a fake guitar plectrum. That rocks.

It’s also the first mobile phone to use the new Symbian S60 Touch platform, making it the first of a generation. So, with that in mind, let’s pit it against another phone that uses a brand new, touchscreen platform: the gorgeous Blackberry Storm.

Blackberry Storm – more than just a storm in a teacup

Up against the Nokia 5800 is the new Blackberry Storm, and although it might seem an odd match-up, in fight terms, it’s not actually as daft as it sounds. For example, both the Nokia 5800 and the Blackberry Storm are the first mobile phones to feature the touch versions of their respective operating systems, with the Blackberry Storm being based, obviously, on the Blackberry OS (well, the touch version of it, anyway). The Blackberry Storm also has a 3 megapixel camera, similar to the 5800, and it has a wealth of multimedia options. Both mobile phones also forgo a physical keyboard, but the Blackberry Storm adds something new to its virtual keyboard (well, to its interface as a whole): a moving, clickable screen. That’s right, the whole screen is clickable like a giant button, making ‘accidentally starting applications by touching the wrong icon’ a thing of the past. Of course, like all of its predecessors, the Blackberry Storm lives for email, as well, and its push email, just like its ancestors, lets you keep in touch with your emails, no matter where.

Nokia 5800 vs Blackberry Storm – which one should YOU buy?

So, which of these two mobile phones should you go for? Should you go for the more media-oriented Nokia 5800? Or possibly you like the email capabilities of the Blackberry Storm? Well, to a certain extent, it WILL come down to what you wan to use it for. The Blackberry Storm is undoubtedly the more capable of the two mobile phones for email. Well, come on, it has Blackberry email access, surely that was never in doubt! However, when it comes to media, the Nokia 5800 is clearly the more capable, with more colours no screen, smoother playback, better music quality, and so on. However, there is one thing you need to know about the Blackberry Storm, because its biggest strength is also its biggest flaw: that clickable touchscreen. It’s innovative, it completely removes the possibility of catching the wrong icon on screen, and it’s not been seen on any other mobile phones before, giving it cool factor. BUT (and it’s a big but), you have to really press down on it; when typing out an email on the Blackberry Storm, it’s going to absolutely destroy your thumb muscles after a while, and quite apart from tiring your hands quicker, it also makes it marginally slower to type that email. So, given the fact that it may well physically hurt to use the Storm after a while, the winner, for me, has to be the Nokia 5800.

The world of touchscreen mobile phones is starting to get exciting, as the most well known brand in the game has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sexy Nokia 5800 and the unspeakably awesome Nokia N97.

Off to a bad start – Nokia touchscreen mobile phones in the past

Most people are under the incorrect assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen phone to wear the Nokia label. It isn’t. Actually, there have been several touchy-feely phones released under the Nokia badge. Starting at the 7700, we’ve seen a couple of Nokia mobile phones that work by touch. They all shared pretty big touchscreens, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were irredeemably awful. Only one of these mobile phones, the 6708, showed a modicum potential, but that was destined only for China, and thus, we never got to play with them in Britain. Unfortunately, that meant that the phones we got were utter, utter toss.

However, those bad recollections have all been exorcised due to the announcement of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which come with touch-sensitive displays, and both of which are so much sexier…

Nokia 5800 – if music be the food of love…

The first phone up is a brand new member of Nokia’s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the stunning Nokia 5800. This one’s pretty obviously built for music and media, as it has a separate XpressMedia touch-key which brings up a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the internet, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you muck about with those different media files. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was designed as a teeny portable entertainment centre, and as music handsets go, this is just about the sweetest. The Nokia 5800 also comes with a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet connection and sat-nav, so that it’s a brilliant all-round mobile phone, as well as a superb media gadget. Oh, and it has a strap to attach a fake guitar pick. Pointless, but brilliant.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it’s not, nor was it ever meant to be, an absolute powerhouse. That role falls to a different mobile…

Nokia N97 – the single best phone EVER made?

With the Nokia 5800 on track to deliver touch-based mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a great big gap at the absolute top-endof the product range; well, there IS a touch-based mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the utterly mind-blowing Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch operating system and packages it within the shell of a proper, full-on smartphone. So it has a massive, 3.5 inch screen, a kick out QWERTY keypad, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, in a very definite way, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it’s truly as powerful as we’d heard from rumours, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and built-in Flash, meaning you get an internet experience like no other mobile phones! Put it like this: the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 angles firmly for the mid-range, I’m predicting that the Nokia N97 will completely DOMINATE the world in 2009!

Anyone who likes touchscreen phones should be excited; the most well known face in the industry has announced not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sleek Nokia 5800 and the completely jaw-dropping Nokia N97.

Phones we’d rather forget – Nokia touchscreen mobile phones in the past

A lot of people are under the false assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen phone to wear the Nokia label. It isn’t. The opposite’s true, because there have been a few touch-based phones to wear the Nokia name. Starting with the 7700, we’ve seen a couple of Nokia mobile phones which are controlled by you prodding and poking the screen. They all had reasonably big (for their time) screens, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were utterly rubbish. Only one of those handsets, the 6708, displayed any promise, but that was destined exclusively to be sold in China, and thus, it never saw the light of day in Britain. So, we were relegated to handsets that were utter, and complete bobbins.

However, these unpleasant memories have now been exorcised by the debut of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which come with touchscreens, and both of which are much, much nicer…

Nokia 5800 – if music be the food of love…

First up is a whole new member of Nokia’s Xpress line of music mobile phones, the mouth-watering Nokia 5800. This one’s quite obviously made for music and video; you can tell by the separate XpressMedia touch-key that opens a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the web, and so on. Oh, and the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you muck about with those different media content. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was created to be a little handheld jukebox and movie player, and as music handsets go, this is just about the sweetest. The Nokia 5800 has also got a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet connection and sat-nav, so that it’s a wonderful all-rounder, on top of being a superb media player. Oh, and it has a strap to clip on a fake guitar pick. That’s pretty cool, that.

However, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it isn’t, nor was it ever meant to be, an absolute top-ender. That position goes to another handset…

Nokia N97 – the single best phone EVER made?

With the Nokia 5800 all set to bring touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a very big gap at the very top-end, and yes, there IS a touchscreen mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to fill that gap: the utterly awesome Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch operating system and crams it inside the body of a proper, full-tilt smartphone. Which means it has an even more huge, 3.5 inch screen, a slide out QWERTY keyboard, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, obviously, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it really is as high-spec as we’d heard from rumours, with HSDPA, sat-nav, digital compass, and integrated Flash, meaning you get an internet experience that tops any other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and as the Nokia 5800 angles firmly for the mid-range, I’m predicting that the Nokia N97 will totally DESTROY the competition in 2009!

The world of touchscreen mobile phones is starting to get exciting, as the biggest name in the industry has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sleek Nokia 5800 and the completely mind-blowing Nokia N97.

Phones we’d rather forget – Nokia touchscreen mobile phones in the past

A lot of people are under the incorrect impression that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen phone to wear the Nokia label. It’s not. Actually, there’s been a few touchy-feely phones to wear the Nokia brand. Beginning with the 7700, the world has seen a few Nokia mobile phones that work by touch. They all had reasonably big (for their time) screens, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were unbearably hideous. Only one of these devices, the 6708, displayed any promise, but it was made only for the Chinese market, and so, it never saw the light of day in these sceptred isles. The mobile phones WE got were, and I use this phrase with much feeling, total, and complete toss.

However, those unpleasant mental images have all been removed by the announcement of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touchscreens, and both of which are much, much nicer…

Nokia 5800 – touching music

The first phone on the list is a totally new member of Nokia’s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the mouth-watering Nokia 5800. This one’s pretty obviously built for music and video; you can tell by the dedicated XpressMedia touch-key which opens a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the web, and so on. Oh, and the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you muck about with those different media files. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was created as a teeny handheld jukebox and movie player, and as music phones go, this is easily one of the prettiest. The Nokia 5800 also comes with a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet connection and GPS, so that it’s a wonderful all-round mobile phone, on top of being a wonderful media gadget. Oh, and it has a strap to fasten on an imitation guitar pick. That rocks.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range phone; it’s not, nor will it ever be, an absolute top-ender. That position goes to a different mobile…

Nokia N97 – the single best phone EVER made?

With the Nokia 5800 all set to bring touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a huge, yawning gap at the very top-end, and yes, there IS a touchscreen mobile phone on its way to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the genuinely mind-blowing Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch interface and crams it into the body of a proper, full-on smartphone. So it’s got an even more huge, 3.5 inch screen, a slide out QWERTY keypad, and the camera’s been upgraded to 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, as should be glaringly obvious, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it’s genuinely as hyper-powered as the rumours had us believe, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and built-in Flash, so that you get an internet experience that tops any other mobile phones! Put it like this: the Nokia N97 is awesome. It easily outdoes other mobile phones and as the Nokia 5800 angles firmly for the mid-range, I reckon that the Nokia N97 will totally DOMINATE the world in 2009!