My thoughts on the recent Live Q&A with Nokia, and the N97 Firmware

Article removed due to ongoing talks with Nokia right now.

They're going to offer full refunds on their defective products?

Berty wrote:They're going to offer full refunds on their defective products?

i think they should, this is the worst nokia i have ever bought because of rubbish GPS, poor signal/reception, defective lens cover, small ram/c drive etc.

mainly hardware problems that could not be fixed via firmware updates, nokia needs to grow up and recall early versions, sort them out and make its loyal customers happy.

Definitely agree about hardware gps, very poor signal, but I seem to recall the N95 taking an age to lock onto a gps signal prior to a firmware update.

I'm waiting for the firmware that'll fix the lens cover...

Im looking forward to the update which fixes ..

- the lens getting scratched
- certain WLAN's getting the Gateway, no reply error.
- Applications being shut down by the phone cos of no enough memory (what happened to paging hay)
- The terrible CPU they have put in this thing.
- The aweful FM Transmitter strength.
- The terrible TV Out picture in certain parts of the OS.
- The aweful Ovi store where you cant download things you have already bought / doesn't work half the time anyway.
- The fact that it doesn't register that fact that its charging half the time via USB.
- The aweful GPS reception.
- The crashes which require the battery to be taken out.
- Completely inconsistent scrolling methods across the phone.
- Completely inconsistent single select / double select across the phone.

Ive had about 10 nokia phones before this one ... this is definately my last 😞 Next year, its time to swap to the iPhone 😞

Nyxmorph wrote:
Ive had about 10 nokia phones before this one ... this is definately my last 😞 Next year, its time to swap to the iPhone 😞

me too, im already considering (as much as i dont want to) selling this and moving to WinMo platform or iphone.

I have been through the N95, N96 and Now the N97 fiascos.

N95 they have just about got working to its best ability after being on the market for so long.

N96 I bought for the DVB TV - but found out after I got it, that it was no good for the UK and still is as crappy as the N95 was.

N97 well what a 'bloody liberty' �500 for this? If this was any other device, say a stereo or a TV, we could just return it and say it was faulty. But because its a phone we are tied down to contracts that won't let us give the phone back.

My next phone will NOT be an iPhone they are ghey. I will be getting a Sonyericson experian x1 or the new x2 when it comes out. Mobile Pc software so much more to do with it and a lot less hassle.

I switched to N95 from a XDA exec due to the size and functionality of the device, but now there are alternatives.

I have always felt that the N97 would be everything the N95 was and could have been, but what a let down it has been so far.

Again, are Nokia listening to people's views? A statement or something toladdress people's frustrations would be good. �500 for this gadget in this climate is a lot, and I think a lot of people feel swindled or ripped off.

What are we going to do though?

Nothing we can do and they know it...

I'm advising everybody I know not to buy nokia though... Maybe if we get enough voices we can get enough bad reviews up for the n97 to get it noticed at the top of google...

I have accepted that I won't be able to sell the N97 without losing a ton of money, so I will try to use it.

Hopefully, the next firmware release will improve speed and stablity. I am still looking forward to a native Skype client with address book integration.

Regarding the lens cover problrm, I am losing hope and think that we might end up having to mod our phones to be rid of the problem. I have bought a screen protector and will cut that down to the size of the lens cover area and use that to try and limit the damage.

This will be my last Nokia phone I think. Most likely my last Symbian phone as well.

Funnily the gadget show rated it bottom out of a review between the iphone s, palm pre and our beloved n97'

Personally my device isn't so bad, have avoided a lot of the problems mentioned here and elsewhere, some busting firmware may do the trick, got a long way to go yet.

maybe once Nokia finally fix this device, owners can trade in their N97 for the new flagship when it come out for half price or something like Apple have done with the iphone.

Berty wrote:Funnily the gadget show rated it bottom out of a review between the iphone s, palm pre and our beloved n97'

Personally my device isn't so bad, have avoided a lot of the problems mentioned here and elsewhere, some busting firmware may do the trick, got a long way to go yet.

maybe once Nokia finally fix this device, owners can trade in their N97 for the new flagship when it come out for half price or something like Apple have done with the iphone.

Anyway I love my n97 and can't complain although there are some annoying things such as the scrolling and double tapping that could be fixed and the terrible ovi store but I'm sure they will be fixed in the coming months by updates😊

I have had the N97 for about 3 weeks now and I use together with my old , trusty and beloved HTC touchHD which is now my work phone.
I must agree that the N97, as it came out of the box sucked big time, but so did the touchHD, and my old Samsung Omnia 900 was the worst of all.
However now after all updates, (I got at least 4 in less than 3 week), some optimization work (move everything I could to mass storage and get rid of bloatware), and after I added many excellent free apps and programs (do you know that there are many web pages offering free N97 apps with a lot more and better stuff than the crappy OVI?) and after I put a beautiful (free) skin on the (ugly) S60 UI (just try to google "free themes for 97: there are 1000s) ; well, now it has become an excellent , fast,fun, and eye catching smartphone.
So good in fact that I think I prefer it to my my HTC touchHD, even if I don't have the heart of selling it (not before I get the HTC Hero next week anyway).
And the camera lens gets scratched only if you get some dirt between the cover and the lens itself; yes it's pretty bad and I hope that Nikia will offer a solution, BUT : if you just take care not get any crap under the cover you are not gonna get any scratches.
Yes , I was disappointed with the N97 when I first got it , but now I really love it, you just have to optimized for your needs and taste (like every other smartphone I have had), it's not so hard to do and the result is simply amazing.

My only gripe with Nokia is the buggy, bloated , heavy, unintuitive and extemely annoyng Nokia PC suite that Nokia oblige you to install on your PCs.
Specially the awful Nokia music Nokia tries to force down your throat.
The last thing I want is to install all this bunch of crapware on my PCs just to use a phone, oh and the fact that it can be used as a mobile modem ONLY via bluetooth it's also tragically stupid, why not via a much more stable USB connection?

Biggest peice of s**t I've had in years. :icon13:

As someone said earlier, if it was a hi-fi or TV it would be back in the shop & replaced; with a phone they've got you (in my case) for 18 months. Can't wait until October... 2010!

makes you feel like you've just bought a betamax video player don't it 😡

As mentioned on page 1. Im currently the POC (Point Of Contact) with the Nokia technical team for the N97, and working with them to help improve the N97 via its firmware, reporting bugs, and suggesting idea's, and suggestions for improvement. Things will get better, and Nokia are indeed listening. Patients my friends.

maybe you can ask Nokia to put a few words down here and on other forums to make people feel more comfortable.

Micky! wrote:As mentioned on page 1. Im currently the POC (Point Of Contact) with the Nokia technical team for the N97, and working with them to help improve the N97 via its firmware, reporting bugs, and suggesting idea's, and suggestions for improvement. Things will get better, and Nokia are indeed listening. Patients my friends.

They might be listening, but until they acknowledge the lens scratching issue publicly and do something about it I'm staying angry.

Software issues I can live with - because they eventually get fixed. But I was excited about this phone. And they've ruined it. It'll never get that shiny glow back.

😞

No way.
I'm pretty choosy when it comes to my gadgetry and specially about my cell phones.
I got an iPhone 3G last year and sold it less than 2 weeks later because it lacked essential features(MMS, tethering, decent camera, etc.) ; the HTC Touch Pro (1) lasted even less in my hands : it was returned less than a week after purchase.
I nearly sent back the Samsung Omnia 900 because of its lack of voice dialling (then I installed MS voice commander+button manager+ other stuff and I kept it for 8 months).
But the N97 requires only a bit of easy optimizing, and some free downloads.
The UI is ugly?
I agree, but the free themes , wallpapers (if you dont wanna use one of your pics) and skins available are 1000s.
Lack of phone memory?
Terrible. But by moving files to mass memory (until now) I managed to install all updates.
The processor is slower than those in similar phones?
True. But the N97 is very fast anyway (much faster than my touchHD) because S60 is far less demanding than win mobile or Android (just like Linux systems require less powerful hardware than Vista PCs).
The camers cover can scratch the lens?
Yes , but if you just take care not to get dirt between lens and cover you 're safe.
The Nokia PC suite sucks?
Yes, and there are no excuses.

People have to get used to the idea that advanced smartphones such as N97 HC touchHD or TouchPro2 or OmniaHD etc, are like little PCs: when you buy them you have to spend the first 3 or 4 days getting rid of crapware, installing the apps and prog.s you need, the skins and themes you like, sync'ing it with your electronic ecosystems, etc.
If you want a phone that is perfect for your needs just as it gets out of the box don't buy a smartphone.

Yes , Nokia has to fix a few major bugs of the N97; and the way and the speed it will do that will determine if its smartphones will be worth to buy in the future, but for now the N97 for me is a keeper.
Even if I was disappointed by it for the first2 or 3 days I used it , now that I optimized it acording to my needs and tastes, it's become as good or probably even bettr than my (heavyly "optimized"😉 HTC toucHD.

If you are so disappointed by the N97 you will never ever find a smartphone that will satisfy you, simply because you don't know how to tweak a smartphone to make it right for you.

Next week I will get my third phone, the HTC Hero, (my first Android) .
I don't yet know if I will like it or hate it or if I will give it back few days after delivery, but I know that when it will come out of the box, before I adapted it to my tastes and needs , it's probably bound to disappoint me.
As with all my previous smartphones what will determine if I will keep it or not will be how flexible, adaptable, skinnable the all system is gonna be.
If Nokia will keep the updates and fixes coming regularly it will still have me as a customer even if I hate the "NokiaPC suite" and the "Nseries suite".

angiepea wrote:makes you feel like you've just bought a betamax video player don't it 😡

I DID buy a betamax video years ago! Some of us never learn...😊

eccleshill wrote:I DID buy a betamax video years ago! Some of us never learn...😊

Ha !!! glad to know someone on here is just as old as me :redface:

angiepea wrote:Ha !!! glad to know someone on here is just as old as me :redface:

a beta-what?!?!

😎

plexus wrote:No way.
I'm pretty choosy when it comes to my gadgetry and specially about my cell phones.
I got an iPhone 3G last year and sold it less than 2 weeks later because it lacked essential features(MMS, tethering, decent camera, etc.) ; the HTC Touch Pro (1) lasted even less in my hands : it was returned less than a week after purchase.
I nearly sent back the Samsung Omnia 900 because of its lack of voice dialling (then I installed MS voice commander+button manager+ other stuff and I kept it for 8 months).
But the N97 requires only a bit of easy optimizing, and some free downloads.
The UI is ugly?
I agree, but the free themes , wallpapers (if you dont wanna use one of your pics) and skins available are 1000s.
Lack of phone memory?
Terrible. But by moving files to mass memory (until now) I managed to install all updates.
The processor is slower than those in similar phones?
True. But the N97 is very fast anyway (much faster than my touchHD) because S60 is far less demanding than win mobile or Android (just like Linux systems require less powerful hardware than Vista PCs).
The camers cover can scratch the lens?
Yes , but if you just take care not to get dirt between lens and cover you 're safe.
The Nokia PC suite sucks?
Yes, and there are no excuses.

People have to get used to the idea that advanced smartphones such as N97 HC touchHD or TouchPro2 or OmniaHD etc, are like little PCs: when you buy them you have to spend the first 3 or 4 days getting rid of crapware, installing the apps and prog.s you need, the skins and themes you like, sync'ing it with your electronic ecosystems, etc.
If you want a phone that is perfect for your needs just as it gets out of the box don't buy a smartphone.

Yes , Nokia has to fix a few major bugs of the N97; and the way and the speed it will do that will determine if its smartphones will be worth to buy in the future, but for now the N97 for me is a keeper.
Even if I was disappointed by it for the first2 or 3 days I used it , now that I optimized it acording to my needs and tastes, it's become as good or probably even bettr than my (heavyly "optimized"😉 HTC toucHD.

If you are so disappointed by the N97 you will never ever find a smartphone that will satisfy you, simply because you don't know how to tweak a smartphone to make it right for you.

Next week I will get my third phone, the HTC Hero, (my first Android) .
I don't yet know if I will like it or hate it or if I will give it back few days after delivery, but I know that when it will come out of the box, before I adapted it to my tastes and needs , it's probably bound to disappoint me.
As with all my previous smartphones what will determine if I will keep it or not will be how flexible, adaptable, skinnable the all system is gonna be.
If Nokia will keep the updates and fixes coming regularly it will still have me as a customer even if I hate the "NokiaPC suite" and the "Nseries suite".

I agree. My phone doesn't have all the same bugs that people report here... Its all about learning how to use it, findng out the right apps, format to get rid of crap, install the apps you need and enjoy!

I love my N97!

I simply luv my N97. After using N95, N96 & lastly N85 this N97 is simply better. Maybe I am lucky that I don't have any of the bugs reported. I just need more RAM for multi-tasking.

Micky! wrote:As mentioned on page 1. Im currently the POC (Point Of Contact) with the Nokia technical team for the N97, and working with them to help improve the N97 via its firmware, reporting bugs, and suggesting idea's, and suggestions for improvement. Things will get better, and Nokia are indeed listening. Patients my friends.

If you really are Point of Contact, tell them...

1) Fix Nokia Music and the N97 to correctly read iTunes tagging information - even if it has to read from iTunes itself. Many of my M4A files (ones over 10 minutes) seem to lose this information. Rewrite the Tags in Nokia Music, and iTunes refuse to play it.

2) Native DivX Playback

3) Lens Scratching

4) GPS Signal Strength

5) Message Store switches from E: to C: at random intervals

6) No way to back up to Mass Memory on E:

7) No way to move message store from E: to C:

8) Need an inbuilt SIP Client (eg N95)

That is all. I think these are some pretty good bugs and good features to think about that will make the phone a hell of a lot more usable and user friendly.

Cheers
Simon

No. That's not all.
Remember the unlock slide button that often requires 2,3 or more slides to unlock and light up the screen.
Thanx

9) Lock slider problem

10) Phone crashing

11) Sometimes will not charge

12) Problems either on phone or software connecting via USB to computer with PC Sync

to be honest though, I don't think these are really major issues. If the phone crashes a couple of times, it really isn't a biggy as long as people can use it for 99% of the time without a problem.

A couple of swipes of the finger for the lock slider, not a problem. Just being critical because the phone has other major problems. Sort out usability.

I agree with all of you and I hope nokia fix these above mention problems quickly as I am in Canada and bought this phone from US as most of you might know that f....ing nokia does not give international warranty, so every time i have to send it to US and than US nokia has to ship to US address only in my case i have to bother my friend there and ask him to ship it back to me.

So you can see how much i wanted this phone and how much i waited for this phone but man this phone has pi....ed me off as of now it is in Nokia US for the warranty repairs already and hopefully it will be my last nokia after using them more than 10 years didn't wana do it but this phone has forced me to do that 😡