Doing the Unthinkable: Returning to the N97

Okay! I have come to terms with an admission of guilt over some words
that had been previously uttered by no one but me. These words were
critical of the Nokia N97...well, they were EXTREMELY critical to the
point where I even considered a hiatus of my usage of Nokia products.
At this moment, I am officially eating my words upon my return to the
N97.

Even after my most recent return to the E71, I am still left somewhat
unsatisfied from its functionality. True, there are many benefits that
make the qwerty bar model a convenient workhorse companion in daily
messaging, but a problem still persists: it is an ESeries device. From
a different perspective, being an ESeries model is certainly not a
problem...but being an E71 is. Even with all of the business-centric
features and professional grade build quality, I am simply bored with
its limited potential. The small screen without a touch interface
sometimes downgrades the user experience for certain applications, and
a lack of worthwhile multimedia support with an acceptable camera is a
turn-off as well. At the end of the day, I want a touch-enabled
multi-tasker that can truly be the jack of all trades for all that I
can possibly do with a Nokia.

My reason at this point for going with a black N97 is simply
familiarity and potential. Symbian S60 has been with me for years in
the 3rd edition variant and continues to remain steadfast in its 5th
edition. I can also declare that the upcoming N900 actually causes me
concern when I consider its Maemo newness. I don't necessarily want to
be on the cutting edge with a device that still doesn't offer support
for AT&T 3G. While other potential problems such as landscape-only use
and lack of MMS can eventually be fixed with updates, not having 3G
data access is detrimental to mobile efficiency. I have experienced
enough quirks with the EURO 3G HTC Touch Pro 2 to know the downfalls
of using EDGE only for data speed, and I refuse to go through that
again. I am hopeful that the N900 may emerge as a near-perfect device
for me, but it looks like only TMobile users will be able to unlock
its full potential when it is eventually released. Another thing to
consider is that the market for Maemo and its developer support may be
left to the hands of fate in regards to its success or failure. From
this view, the N97 seems like a wise decision.

Yes, I am aware that the N97 does possess problems that users such as
myself have pointed out before on blogposts and netcasts. Ultimately,
no device is perfect all the time, for there will always be a little
compromising to adhere to as an end user. I am more than willing to
right now adopt the NSeries line with a new sense of expectation and
not demand too much from it. I will only seek to effectively replace
the E71 with my continued use of Nokia Sport Tracker, Missing Sync for
Symbian, bluetooth tethering with Mac, Gravity, Nokia Messaging, and
Quickoffice.

The N97 still offers a number of multimedia and interface features
that make leaving the E71 worth it:being able to efficiently surf the
web with a large touchscreen, take and edit amazing pictures, shoot
great video footage, stay connected to my Facebook and Twitter
accounts via widgets, listen to music and voice calls with a 3.5mm
jack, remain in touch with Messaging, watch online flash videos,
experience stereo sound from suitable speakers, use Quickoffice,
tether my Mac via bluetooth, use GPS tracking on my runs, have access
to an acceptable qwerty and have US 3G support with reliable signal
reception. When it comes to a mobile device, this is all I really want
to get by in my daily routine as a smartphone patron. Anything else is
not as crucial as what I have already listed, and I am perfectly fine
to be without those extra features...if there are any left to even
consider. It is quite clear that I have calmed down on my smartphone
requirements since my failed use of a number of different models in
addition to the recent E71.

What makes the N97 so great is that it basically allows me to have my
cake and eat it, too! I can move to a different interface of a most
familiar OS that still retains much from its predecessor and continue
using Nokia apps I've grown accustomed to using over the years. Even
with all its potential hangups I had already written about, it is a
most useful tool for me...socially and professionally. Unlike the E71,
I can take advantage of OS navigation that at least feels modern to a
point and not feel trapped in a box of limitation with a small screen
and qwerty bar form factor. It is certainly my duty to understand that
no one model is flawless, but also my responsibility to recognize when
a model isn't completely hopeless. The N97 takes the role of a
promising phone since it essentially bridges the gap between old world
S60 and new world Maemo.

With that said, I am sure to await the arrival of the N900 and look
forward to any blogposts and further video reviews. I did have a
pre-order activated for a unit, but I canceled it after giving some
rational thought on the risks of adopting a new version of Maemo.
Jumping into a newly released mobile phone without research was my
immediate downfall with the N97, and I will never wish to do that
again. All we Nokia fans can do at this point is take any current
pre-release reviews with a grain of salt and wait.

In the meantime, I have decided to return the Nokia E71 back to Amazon
and remain exclusive to the N97 with the Euro Touch Pro 2 as a backup.
After getting over the initial shock myself, I am glad that I have
finally come to my senses. As this blogpost writing comes to a close
on this N97 qwerty as I listen to music via my headphones, I feel
relieved...finally.

--
TRENT
Sent from my Nokia N97
TRENT SENSE blogger/netcast host
trentsense.com
youtube.com/absolon3