Skip to main content

Nokia debuts N9, the first — and last — MeeGo phone

Nokia-N9-feature
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nokia today unveiled its new N9 handset at the Nokia Connection event in Singapore. The stunning device runs on the Nokia-made MeeGo operating system. But with the Finland-based phone-maker set to move entirely to the Windows Phone 7 OS later this year, the N9 will be both the first and a last MeeGo-based device from Nokia. Fortunately, the sleek and nimble N9 lets MeeGo come in and out with a bang.

The N9 boasts unibody design, meaning the case is all one piece, and is made “from the best in polycarbonate material engineering today,” says Nokia. (Read: plastic) The N9 sports a 854×480 AMOLED display that measures 3.9 inches — slightly larger than Apple’s iPhone 4, but nearly half an inch smaller than some of the behemoth Android-based handsets we’ve seen arrive in the past year. Nokia offers the N9 in three colors: black, cyan and magenta.

Nokia-N9-tallNokia is marketing the N9 as a “pure touch screen” device, with no front-facing buttons whatsoever. (There are various buttons on the side.) Instead, the N9 makes full use of MeeGo’s swipe-based user interface, which Nokia says “is an intuitive way to use all the different features and functions.” To return to the home screen, for instance, users simply swipe their finger across the edge of the phone’s screen; to unlock it, just tap the screen three times. Nokia has also given the N9 a new web browser built on WebKit 2, with “wide” HTML 5 support. And a new version of Nokia Maps is included, with built-in turn-by-turn navigation, as well as directions for public transportation.

Inside, a 1GHz TI OMAP 3630 processor powers the N9, and a PowerVR SGX530 graphics card gives it some moderate gaming guts. In other words, it’s not the most powerful phone out there — the GPU is used in the Droid X, Droid 2 and Pre 2, for instance — but it’s not underpowered either. A 1450 mAh battery gives about seven hours of talk time. The N9 also comes with either 16GB or 64GB storage capacities.

What it may lack in dual-core goodness, the N9 makes up for in other ‘superphone’ categories. Its 8 MP camera comes equipped with a wide-angle (28mm) Zeiss lens, which allows for HD video caputre. Nokia also claims that the N9’s camera is faster than any other on the market, “from launch to focus to capture.” (Unfortunately for Nokia, the N9 may lose that title when Apple releases iOS 5, which is supposed to greatly reduce iPhone camera load time.) The N9 also sports Dolby Headphone and Dolby Digital Plus support for some sweet surround sound enhancement. And the N9 comes NFC-enabled, making it possible to enjoy in the next-generation “digital wallet” payment systems that are slowly gaining momentum here in the US.

Release date and price of the N9 have not yet been announced.

Andrew Couts
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
HMD’s first phones just leaked, and I’m mighty disappointed
HMD Pulse leaked image in black.

At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, Human Mobile Devices (HMD) – the maker of Nokia-branded mobile phones – announced plans to make “affordable, beautiful, desirable, and repairable” phones. We also got our first look at the new HMD logo for phones, but what truly set the hopes high were the teaser images (like the one shown above).

The visual assets released by the brand showcased phone concepts in yellow, green, and pink, among other colors that brought back the sweet memories of the Lumia-Windows Phone days. The bright colors, flattened edges, and palm-friendly rounded sides had me more excited for these upcoming HMD phones than for some flagships lined up for a 2024 reveal.

Read more
Heineken, the beer company, just launched a phone
HMD, Heineken, and Bodega's Boring Phone.

What happens when Human Mobile Devices (HMD), Heineken beer, and a Boston-based streetwear brand named Bodega meet over some Lithium lager and discuss humanity’s unhealthy digital obsession? They make a phone. And they decide to call it the “Boring Phone.”

Is this just another attempt to capitalize on the latest dumb phone trend that even had The New Yorker spilling digital ink over it? Yes. Is it the most stunning retro-modern gizmo to come out after the Pocket Analogue, and will it make any nerd lose their sleep? Also yes.

Read more
The 6 best tablets for kids in 2024
Fire HD 6 Kids Edition

Tablets, which cater to a wide range of purposes, are also excellent devices for children. Younger kids will be able to access educational and entertainment apps with a tactile experience because of the devices' touchscreens. while older kids can use them for their schoolwork and recreational activities. However, not all tablets in the market are designed for children, so to help you decide what to buy, we've rounded up the best tablets for kids of all ages.

There are no limitations to the learning and creativity of children, and a tablet will help them develop their knowledge and skills like no other gadget can. While it's still necessary for parents to guide their kids in maximizing the use of their tablets, it can't be denied that the device has the potential to be a useful tool for your children as they grow up. Buying them one of our recommended tablets below will make sure that they get an appropriate device for their age, as we took into consideration several factors that prioritize your kid's well-being above all else.
The best tablets for kids in 2024

Read more