The Phones Show 93 and Phones Show Chat 10

[UKJeeper]

Ok, i wasn't quite clear (even to myself) perhaps. Samsung obviously answers to the end user, as does any manufacturer. Make a bad product, no-one will buy it.

But what i am trying to say is that Samsung makes a firmware for its UK customer, Orange. Orange buys the phone from Samsung and sells it on to us. Orange tells Samsung what is and isn't going to be on the firmware. Its Oranges branded firmware.

Unless Samsung is going to start going around Orange and other carriers and release its own non-branded firmware, available for any product code(which isn't going to happen), Orange will be the decider on what and when any future UK firmware is released.

So, imo, Orange is the UK 'customer' who tells Samsung what they want on the phone, not us.

So is railing against Samsung for the notsogreat UK firmware going to make a difference? It might make Samsung go to Orange and tell them its time to make improvments.

But 'end of the day' Orange is the one who decides if we get a better branded firmware.

Had issues with the V20 my N97 kept saying it was out of memory!! Couldn't even send sms but could receive. Running good so far after I reinstalled it twice; but I did notice I do have an alpha numeric keypad for the dialer now WooHoo lol. i have the n.american version

[jonnybruha]

I'm really surprised Steve. To keep the i8910 off the list entirely and put the N97 at the top just seems...inaccurate. If your list is designed to make recommendations to prospective smartphone buyers, I have a hard time believing that type of user would be more impressed by the N97 than any of the other devices on the list.

[slitchfield]

Originally Posted by jonnybruha

I'm really surprised Steve. To keep the i8910 off the list entirely and put the N97 at the top just seems...inaccurate.

I didn't. I put the Nokia N97 *mini* at the top of the list - the N97 wasn't, technically, IN the list. Have you TRIED a mini yet - really nice second iteration, better build quality, with only a few compromises over the N97 (e.g. capacity)

[UKJeeper]

Originally Posted by slitchfield

the N97 wasn't, technically, IN the list. (e.g. capacity)

Erm, what? Did i watch the wrong podcast?


The one i watched definitely seemed to have an N97 mentioned in your list. In fact for a phone that wasn't "IN the list", it got the most airtime of all SIX of your top five. BTW, you don't appear at any point to say the N97 is NOT on the list, but you do spend lots of time justifying the N97's well known shortcoming's (I didn't go to Uni, Is 'caveat's' latin for 'excuses'?).

Maybe you should make a new top 5. Call it, oh, i don't know, The top 5 of under powered, low rammed, poorly built, self mutilating phones that you should still go out and buy.

[timsalmon]

Originally Posted by UKJeeper

For Tim; "Mobbler. It just wouldn't work. It looks like it should work, but it doesn't work on the N97". Probably accurate.

Turns out that this is *not* accurate - after a second hard reset of the N97 and 'start again' procedure Mobbler works fine.

Tim

[UKJeeper]

Originally Posted by timsalmon

Turns out that this is *not* accurate - after a second hard reset of the N97 and 'start again' procedure Mobbler works fine.

Tim

That's good news. Thanks Tim.

[morpheus2702]

Originally Posted by slitchfield

Have you TRIED a mini yet - really nice second iteration, better build quality, with only a few compromises over the N97 (e.g. capacity)

Nope I haven't tried a Mini yet. Given that, with a caveat* it isn't even generally on sale yet, I doubt many people have.

Really Steve, how to you justify recommending a phone that is not even available to purchase yet as the phone you would most recommend people should go out and purchase? Can you see the paradox there? Maybe? Just a little bit? A teensy weensy lil bit?!?

A bad case of premature recommendation I think. There are pills to help you.

* Caveat: yeah available to order on Expansys or Vodaphone - but have you seen one in the shops yet?

[slitchfield]

@morpheus: Yes, they've been on sale in shops for at least a week or so. I was playing with one in the High Street in Reading last Saturday (i.e. 8 days ago).

I wish you guys would give me some credit, it's very annoying when you slam me as if I've got an IQ of 80. I deliberately waited for my Top 5(6) until

a) N97 v20 was out and I could assess its worth
b) the N97 mini was available in the shops

I had LOADS of people suggesting I recommend other devices which aren't out yet (e.g. E72, N900, Droid, HD2), but I completely agree: I can't recommend something which isn't available.

Which is why the Nokia N97 mini came out no.1, with my recommendation.

[morpheus2702]

Have to take your word for it Steve, I've not seen any N97 minis anywhere and they certainly didn't have them in the Regent Street store on Wednesday.

So it's a foregone conclusion that the phone is going to rate highly when it is reviewed on the site?

[Arthur]

N97 mini a #1? What a joke. Yet another under powered piece of c**p from Finland.

[slitchfield]

>>Have to take your word for it Steve, I've not seen any N97 minis anywhere and they certainly didn't have them in the Regent Street store on Wednesday.

Maybe they all sold out because they're popular? They certainly had them the previous weekend/Mon/Tue. I could certainly have bought one in Reading, but am waiting to see when a loan review unit arrives from Nokia.... Rafe funds quite a few review purchases, but borrowing them from Nokia when possible saves his bank reserves 8-)

>>So it's a foregone conclusion that the phone is going to rate highly when it is reviewed on the site?

Well, it's looking likely. I've had a pretty decent play already. Just need to double-check a few things and try using the device for a solid week etc.

Its great to see the N97 getting some good press and well justified with the feature list you said.

Even though I am an N97 owner, I was surprised to see it at the top of your list. There are better phones out there, surely there are? I am still awaiting V20 (UK unlocked/unbranded) so when it arrives, I may think its the phone I wanted to love otherwise it will be the HD2 for me! It has left me wondering if you are receiving any sponsors from Finland. It reminds me a bit of Engadget. One minute they hate Nokia, next they dont and then a day later it was announced that Nokia will be sponsoring their show I believe.

Besides that, great show. Dont let anyone else put you down mate. Most forums etc are full of fanboys always looking for the opportunity to bash someone who doesnt rate the device they have.