So whats it to be iphone or N97?

[Geoffers]

As much as I enjoy the debate I think this thread has now run its course. It is in danger of becoming a head-to-head between two people. I think it should be locked down before that happens!

[Bartmanekul]

In this entire exchange I've been one of the calmer debaters. Is rudeness allowed simply because you own and support the Nokia platform? Pretty much puts to bed the notion that you're all more impartial than I think. Also just to be clear, are you actually a mod?

There might not be actual insults, but I know trying to provoke others when I see it. Yes I am a mod, and you have been warned.

In the US, iPod Shuffles are $79 and iPod Nano's are $150. That sounds pretty cheap to me but your own personal preferences may differ.

Fair enough, but I think that's an awful lot of money for something that's very small memory and just has the features it does. It's basically just a flash drive that can play music with the most minimal controls.

Theres no OS there to pay for.

Yes Apple's UI is simpler to use because they start out extremely bare but they DO add features back in over time but only after they've figured out how to make the feature as simple as possible FIRST.

I agree to that, but that's why I said you would need to get 2 similarly specced phones, and have the same options for both. For example, does the camera have as many options? How about selecting what GPS method to use? There are so many options Symbian has that a lot of people don't realise, some only when they can't use them after moving.

Yes cell tower triangulation can be out by some distance. It can also be pretty accurate and in the area I'm in, a big metro area like Boston with plenty of cell towers all around its never been off for me once. What I CAN remember is reading many reports of Nokia users saying that their GPS wouldn't even lock on immediately and that it was faster to ask someone else for directions than get a location from their phones.

As a self confessed fanboy, would you be telling the truth about that? In my expirence, cell based positioning is never ever been more than within 100 meters. Either way, why say it's as good when it plainly isn't?

Do you have a link to give the numbers of those 'many users'? I'm guessing it's some of the early N95 adopters, which had issues in relation to where the GPS antenna was. I'll referance you to the strawman you pointed out earlier.

Now as for my supposedly most fatally flawed argument about specs being the least important, well I stand by what I said. There's definitely a hardcore extremely geeky niche of any tech market and Nokia is one of the companies clearly catering to that niche group. You yourself are a proud card carrying member of this selection of individuals.

A good example here would be my mum, whom is the least techy of all, and yet she does want better pictures from her mobile phone. There is a huge difference between something like the Apples 2mp and the N95's camera. Or, if you want, the N86, which will be even more of a gap.

Again, you are guilty of guessing what most people want without any sort of source or referance.

Also, I notice you have not commented on what I said about your Sony Erricson point.

That said, assuming you are an mod, you and the others should probably come to a decision over these types of threads. It IS named "So whats it to be iphone or N97"? Methinks some folks here think it should be "Ok lets pretend to choose between the two but really lets just go for the N97 in the end." If you actually seek opinions on two competing products you're going to get some hard sells from both sides. Comes with the territory.

I daresay you are right, like I say there is bound to be Nokia fanboys here - that's obvious.

We already run a reasonable basis for threads - debate is ok, trolling and arguments are not.

You will notice that most people responded to your points with arguments against it, and general discussion. Yeah, you got bashed but then you must have anticipated that when you come in touting the iphone with some dodgy arguments on a nokia forum.

I myself have replied to your points, and am happy for that to continue. But I don't want flames or arguments.

Like I have said, I can recognise someone trying to provoke others when I see it - don't do it.

Feel free to continue the debate though. And if you feel you have been unfairly treated by anyone (including a mod), report the post. We do favour impartial discussions here.

Now, there is to be no more talk about Nokia, Apple, or the mods.

If anyone wants to post anything, it's some sort of comparision between the iphone and the N97. Anything else will be deleted.

[gavinguinness]

Ok, well. Here's my 2 pence worth.

Nokia have done pretty much zip to help us eager lot find out more about the N97. Relying on short video's from public shows, youtube video's from different contries we can't understand.
Apple have made considerable effort to detail exactly what the new iPhone can do. And yeah it's a bit long-time-coming, but it's here now.

Nokia have upset several UK Operators and still not really managed to setup any attractive deals with any either. But yes, you will have a choice of a few.
Apple have clearly sat round the table with O2 and nailed down a deal for all customers that includes most importantly, Web access.

Nokia have gone full speed at the Ovi store and failed to deliver what most people expected of it.
Apple have gone full speed at the App store and delivered a simple easy to use service that complements the device.

Nokia have taken a great deal of time and effort to design and deliver an impressive fold out keyboard (with the space bar in the wrong place and lots of moving parts!)
Apple have taken time to fully utilise the touch functionality and build in software spelling correction methods to help the user out.

You see, having though about it, despite saying several times that I don't believe Phones and Networks should be tied, Apple have put together a good package with O2. They even offer Tethering as a service, which scares the crap out of me. If they are selling it as a service, it means they know we're doing it and can probably restrict or isolate and charge seperately for it!

So if I buy the N97 Sim free, O2 may restrict how I can use it. Which is rubbish.

Do I blame O2 for this, or Nokia for not pulling their finger out and hooking up with a network? Haven't made up my mind yet.

So for me, the last few weeks have been quite interesting and i've emerged from it all with this. It's not a question of N97 ot iPhone, it's Apple or Nokia.

N95 or iPhone... N95
N95 or iPhone 3g... N95
N97 or iPhone OS3? Ideally I'd like an Apple N97! but sadly, probably an iPhone.

In the words of Chris Rock: "I said it!"

Not sure if I can bring myself to pay the ridicuilous price, but I'll have to see where the N97 is pitched next week and make a decision then. If anyone has read any of my posts over the last few weeks, you'll see it's very much in the balance, but I'm carrying a big chip at the moment for Nokia, so anything could happen.

Anyone else brave enough to confess, I know I'm not the only one...

[Sp00k]

'Bye Gav... Been nice knowing you...

See you in a year or so when you're yearning for multi-tasking, are tired of being restricted to only Apple-approved software and have sent your device away to have the battery replaced!

EDIT: Or maybe even sooner, if you have any expensive problems... after the 12 months guarantee runs out.

N.B. My 5800, bought in January, will still be covered 18 months from now, seems nokia have faith in the longevity of their devices!... ;)

[Tommie]

I have a qweston about this iphone 3G S , lot of people here says
the S = stand for Support MMS and other
says S= stand for Software upgraded from 2007

Do you know what it be ?

[gavinguinness]

Originally Posted by Sp00k

yearning for multi-tasking

I can't think of a time when I've needed multi tasking. I recall being impressed with the N95 playing music to my headunit and Navigating me over the Brecon Beacons at the same time, but Maps is pretty much a failure due to it's pricing scheme and being able to buy a TomTom for £75, so I don't use it anymore.

Originally Posted by Sp00k

are tired of being restricted to only Apple-approved software

As opposed to Symbian approved software, unless I hack my phone or trawl the web to try and obtain a cert from some chinese site... Not everything can be open signed. And let's be honest, there's a lot of Apple approved software anyway! (woah, I feel sick)

Originally Posted by Sp00k

and have sent your device away to have the battery replaced!

Yeah, that is poo in fairness!

Originally Posted by Sp00k

See you in a year or so

More like 24 months, have you seen the tariffs!!!!!
But I'm not going anywhere, still got the 5800 and E51. First port of call on 19th in CPW armed with my PAC and I'll make up my mind then. My contract ends on the 19th. That has to have a hidden meaning!!

EDIT

Originally Posted by Sp00k

after the 12 months guarantee runs out.

Ah, now that's a good point Sp00k, didn't know that... Interesting. I have made use of the Nokia 2 year warrenty outside of 12 months, so it's a good point.

[Evil Genius]

it's not a question of being brave gav. it's a question of being sane.

it all depends if you want quality or quantity: a multi-tasking Nokia or a one-at-a-time app driven Apple.

it's true that the N97 build up should have been accompanied with a fanfare instead of a little parp but whilst Apple insist on shouting every message from the rooftop, the fact remains that all they are saying is "this is the best iPhone ever!".

[Sp00k]

Originally Posted by Tommie

I have a qweston about this iphone 3G S , lot of people here says
the S = stand for Support MMS and other
says S= stand for Software upgraded from 2007

Do you know what it be ?

Sucker-Bait maybe?

Nah! It stands for Speed, Tommie... "The fastest iPhone ever"... Compared to other iPhones, kind of omitting to mention the fact that there are only two other iPhones to compare it to!

[gavinguinness]

Originally Posted by wrighty1973

it all depends if you want quality or quantity: a multi-tasking Nokia or a one-at-a-time app driven Apple.

That's an interesting comment there Wrighty. So would you say the iPhone is Quailty and the N97 Quantity, or the other way round? Out of interest...

Originally Posted by wrighty1973

a one-at-a-time app driven Apple.

Hang on here, back up a sec. Are you suggesting that the iPhone will only allow you to do one thing at a time!??! eg, if I'm playing some music and I want to write a text, I have to exit the Music app and open the Meessaging app? If that's the case, I've taken multi tasking for granted without realising it...

[Tommie]

Originally Posted by Sp00k

Sucker-Bait maybe?

Nah! It stands for Speed, Tommie... "The fastest iPhone ever"... Compared to other iPhones, kind of omitting to mention the fact that there are only two other iPhones to compare it to!

Wow Speed , thats sounds cool , I order 5 today..-)

little fun my workmates have the iphone and almost evrytime they want make a call ,it take a while , they ahh, ****, grr, and so on , and then ehh sry my iphone have frezze.

I say no problem , I make the call and yep here the iphone contract are not for free and they only need to live it for 2 year.

but maybee the speed phone be better ? but i'm will not take that chance for that kind of money apple want for almost a long life contract