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The world of touchscreen mobile phones is starting to get exciting, as the biggest name in the industry has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sexy Nokia 5800 and the unbelievably jaw-dropping Nokia N97.

An undistinguished history – Nokia`s early attempts at a touchscreen phone

A lot of people seem to be under the false impression that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen phone to wear the Nokia label. It isn`t. Actually, there`s been several touchy-feely phones to wear the Nokia name. Starting at the 7700, there have been a few Nokia mobile phones which are controlled by touch. They had a relatively big (for the time) touchscreen in common, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were irredeemably awful. Just one of those devices, the 6708, showed a modicum promise, but it was destined only for the Chinese market, and thus, we never got to play with them in the UK. So, we were relegated to handsets that were total, utter toss.

However, those bad recollections have all been exorcised due to the debut of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touch-sensitive displays, and both of which are so much nicer…

Nokia 5800 – if music be the food of love…

First up is a completely new member of Nokia`s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the mouth-watering Nokia 5800. This one`s quite obviously built for music and media, as it has a dedicated XpressMedia touch-key that brings up a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the web, and more. Oh, and the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touch-sensitive display, to actually play with those different media files. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was created as a little handheld jukebox and movie player, and as music devices go, this is just about the prettiest. The Nokia 5800 also comes with a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA data access and sat-nav, so that it`s a wonderful all-round mobile phone, on top of being a wonderful media player. Oh, and it`s got a lanyard to attach a fake guitar plectrum. That rocks.

However, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range handset; it isn`t, nor will it ever be, an absolute top-ender. That role falls to a separate handset…

Nokia N97 – the single best phone EVER made?

With the Nokia 5800 on track to bring touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a very big gap at the absolute top-end, and yes, there IS a touch-based mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to fill that gap: the genuinely jaw-dropping Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch operating system and packages it into the body of a proper, full-tilt smartphone. So it has a bigger, 3.5 inch screen, a kick out QWERTY keyboard, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, in a very definite way, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it`s truly as high-spec as the rumours said, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and integrated Flash, so that you have an internet experience like no other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It easily outdoes other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 aims to take over the mid-range, I reckon that the Nokia N97 will utterly DESTROY the competition next year!

2008`s been a good year for touchscreen mobile phones, but if anything, 2009 looks like it`s going to be even better, thanks to two new systems: Google Android, as seen in the T-Mobile G1, and Symbian S60 Touch, as seen in the Nokia N97. But how do these two heavyweight stack up against each other?

Domo Arigato Mr Roboto – The Rise of Google Android via the T-Mobile G1

A new operating system in mobile phones is always something that raises a fair amount of excitement. When it`s completely open source, so anyone can change it, it causes more excitement. When it`s made by one of the biggest names in the universe, Google, then everyone`s going to pay attention. So it was with Google Android, and the T-Mobile G1, the first mobile phone in the entire universe to be built around it. But what makes the T-Mobile G1 so special? Why is it so different to other mobile phones? Well, apart from the fact that the T-Mobile G1 comes with a huge touchscreen and full QWERTY keyboard, putting it firmly in the smartphone territory, that Google Android software makes for a truly unique experience. From the Android marketplace, where you can buy literally ANY extra software for your mobile phone that people can dream up, to the Amazon MP3 store, to Google Maps (and StreetView, with the built-in compass, which has to be seen to be believed), to full integration with GoogleMail, the T-Mobile G1 gives you access to masses of features not seen on any other mobile phones. And because the T-Mobile G1 is the first of its breed, it is truly unique!

Symbian evolves – the Nokia N97

So, while the T-Mobile G1 is heralding in a new day with the brand new Google Android software, what exactly does the biggest name in the business have in store from their mobile phones? Well, the answer is, quite simply, the unbelievable Nokia N97. It`s not the first touchscreen mobile phone from the Finnish giant, but it IS easily the best, as it`s based on the absolute latest version of the Symbian S60 Touch operating system. The huge, widescreen touch display on the Nokia N97 is truly something to behold, and it ties up beautifully with the QWERTY keyboard to give you one of the nicest interfaces in the history of mobile phones. Software-wise, the Nokia N97 is easily as fluid and nice to use as thing like the iPhone and, yes, the T-Mobile G1. And of course, since Symbian has such a massive developer base, software for it is as wide-ranging and you`d like. Basically, the Nokia N97 is a true world-beater.

T-Mobile G1 vs Nokia N97 – Which will win the war?

So, both powerful mobile phones, both really, really innovative… but which is the better of the two, the T-Mobile G1, or the Nokia N97? Well, the T-Mobile G1 has the open source battle sewn up, since the Nokia N97, basically, isn`t open source. Potentially, that means more software available for the T-Mobile G1, as more people can, theoretically, code for it. Also, the G1 is reckoned to have one of the simplest registration procedures of all mobile phones, and you can`t overlook how nice a thing that is to have. However, the simple fact is that the Nokia N97 is far prettier, has a bigger screen, has a better camera, and potentially, has faster internet access. The T-Mobile G1 does have a certain cool factor from being something so new and unprecedented, but when it comes down to it, the Nokia N97 simply slaughters it on build quality and features. And so, if I had to pick one of these mobile phones (which is kind of the point of this article, really), I`d go for the all-conquering Nokia N97.

The world of touchscreen mobile phones is starting to get exciting, as the most well known brand in the game has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sexy Nokia 5800 and the unspeakably awesome Nokia N97.

Off to a bad start – Nokia touchscreen mobile phones in the past

Most people are under the incorrect assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen phone to wear the Nokia label. It isn`t. Actually, there have been several touchy-feely phones released under the Nokia badge. Starting at the 7700, we`ve seen a couple of Nokia mobile phones that work by touch. They all shared pretty big touchscreens, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were irredeemably awful. Only one of these mobile phones, the 6708, showed a modicum potential, but that was destined only for China, and thus, we never got to play with them in Britain. Unfortunately, that meant that the phones we got were utter, utter toss.

However, those bad recollections have all been exorcised due to the announcement of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which come with touch-sensitive displays, and both of which are so much sexier…

Nokia 5800 – if music be the food of love…

The first phone up is a brand new member of Nokia`s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the stunning Nokia 5800. This one`s pretty obviously built for music and media, as it has a separate XpressMedia touch-key which brings up a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the internet, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you muck about with those different media files. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was designed as a teeny portable entertainment centre, and as music handsets go, this is just about the sweetest. The Nokia 5800 also comes with a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet connection and sat-nav, so that it`s a brilliant all-round mobile phone, as well as a superb media gadget. Oh, and it has a strap to attach a fake guitar pick. Pointless, but brilliant.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it`s not, nor was it ever meant to be, an absolute powerhouse. That role falls to a different mobile…

Nokia N97 – the single best phone EVER made?

With the Nokia 5800 on track to deliver touch-based mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a great big gap at the absolute top-endof the product range; well, there IS a touch-based mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the utterly mind-blowing Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch operating system and packages it within the shell of a proper, full-on smartphone. So it has a massive, 3.5 inch screen, a kick out QWERTY keypad, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, in a very definite way, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it`s truly as powerful as we`d heard from rumours, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and built-in Flash, meaning you get an internet experience like no other mobile phones! Put it like this: the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 angles firmly for the mid-range, I`m predicting that the Nokia N97 will completely DOMINATE the world in 2009!

Anyone who likes touchscreen phones should be excited; the most well known face in the industry has announced not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sleek Nokia 5800 and the completely jaw-dropping Nokia N97.

Phones we`d rather forget – Nokia touchscreen mobile phones in the past

A lot of people are under the false assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen phone to wear the Nokia label. It isn`t. The opposite`s true, because there have been a few touch-based phones to wear the Nokia name. Starting with the 7700, we`ve seen a couple of Nokia mobile phones which are controlled by you prodding and poking the screen. They all had reasonably big (for their time) screens, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were utterly rubbish. Only one of those handsets, the 6708, displayed any promise, but that was destined exclusively to be sold in China, and thus, it never saw the light of day in Britain. So, we were relegated to handsets that were utter, and complete bobbins.

However, these unpleasant memories have now been exorcised by the debut of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which come with touchscreens, and both of which are much, much nicer…

Nokia 5800 – if music be the food of love…

First up is a whole new member of Nokia`s Xpress line of music mobile phones, the mouth-watering Nokia 5800. This one`s quite obviously made for music and video; you can tell by the separate XpressMedia touch-key that opens a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the web, and so on. Oh, and the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you muck about with those different media content. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was created to be a little handheld jukebox and movie player, and as music handsets go, this is just about the sweetest. The Nokia 5800 has also got a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet connection and sat-nav, so that it`s a wonderful all-rounder, on top of being a superb media player. Oh, and it has a strap to clip on a fake guitar pick. That`s pretty cool, that.

However, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it isn`t, nor was it ever meant to be, an absolute top-ender. That position goes to another handset…

Nokia N97 – the single best phone EVER made?

With the Nokia 5800 all set to bring touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a very big gap at the very top-end, and yes, there IS a touchscreen mobile phone waiting to be unleashed to fill that gap: the utterly awesome Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch operating system and crams it inside the body of a proper, full-tilt smartphone. Which means it has an even more huge, 3.5 inch screen, a slide out QWERTY keyboard, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, obviously, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it really is as high-spec as we`d heard from rumours, with HSDPA, sat-nav, digital compass, and integrated Flash, meaning you get an internet experience that tops any other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and as the Nokia 5800 angles firmly for the mid-range, I`m predicting that the Nokia N97 will totally DESTROY the competition in 2009!

Anyone who likes touchscreen phones should be excited; the most recognised name in the game has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sexy Nokia 5800 and the totally awesome Nokia N97.

The history of touchscreen phones – best left in the past…

Many people are under the incorrect assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen mobile phone Nokia have ever made. It`s not. The opposite`s true, because there`s been several touch-based phones to wear the Nokia badge. Starting at the 7700, the world has seen a few Nokia mobile phones which work by you prodding and poking the screen. They had a relatively big (for the time) touchscreen in common, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were utterly hideous. Just one of those handsets, the 6708, displayed a modicum promise, but it was destined exclusively to be sold in China, and thus, it never saw the light of day in Britain. Unfortunately, that meant that the phones we got were utter, and complete bobbins.

However, these bad mental images have all been removed due to the announcement of a pair of new Nokia mobile phones, both of which come with touch-sensitive displays, and both of which are much, much sexier…

Nokia 5800 – music, rhythm, who oculd ask for anything more…

The first phone up is a completely new entrant into Nokia`s Xpress line of music mobile phones, the mouth-watering Nokia 5800. This one`s pretty obviously built for music and video; you can tell by the separate XpressMedia touch-key that pops up a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the web, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to actually muck about with those different media files. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was designed to be a teeny handheld entertainment centre, and as music devices go, this is just about the sexiest. The Nokia 5800 also comes with a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA internet access and sat-nav, so that it`s a wonderful all-round mobile phone, in addition to being a brilliant media box. Oh, and it`s got a strap to clip on an imitation guitar plectrum. Pointless, but brilliant.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range device; it isn`t, nor will it ever be, a full-fat top-end monster. That role falls to a different mobile…

Nokia N97 – the Superman of mobile phones?

With the Nokia 5800 all set to bring touch-based mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a great big gap at the absolute top-endof the product range; well, there IS a touch-based mobile phone on its way to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the utterly mind-blowing Nokia N97. This takes the same Symbian S60 Touch interface and crams it within the body of a proper, full-on smartphone. So it has a massive, 3.5 inch screen, a kick out QWERTY keypad, and the camera`s been upgraded to 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, in a very definite way, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it`s genuinely as powerful as the rumours had us believe, with HSDPA, sat-nav, digital compass, and built-in Flash, so that you have an internet experience that tops any other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is awesome. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 angles firmly for the mid-range, I`m predicting that the Nokia N97 will utterly DOMINATE the world next year!

The world of touchscreen mobile phones is starting to get exciting, as the biggest brand in the game has waded in with not one, but TWO mobile phones: the svelte Nokia 5800 and the terrifyingly mind-blowing Nokia N97.

Black sheep – touchscreen mobile phones we`d all rather forget

A lot of people are under the incorrect assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen mobile phone Nokia have ever made. It isn`t. The opposite`s true, because there have been several touch-based phones released under the Nokia badge. Beginning at the 7700, the world has seen a couple of Nokia mobile phones that work by touch. They had a relatively big (for the time) touchscreen in common, but the other feature they had in common, unfortunately, was that they were unbearably awful. Just one of those handsets, the 6708, displayed a modicum potential, but it was made exclusively to be sold in China, and thus, it never saw the light of day in the UK. So, we were relegated to handsets that were utter, utter rubbish.

However, these bad memories have now been exorcised by the debut of two new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touchscreens, and both of which are much, much sexier…

Nokia 5800 – touch it, hear it, feel it

The first phone on the list is a whole new entrant into Nokia`s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the mouth-watering Nokia 5800. This one`s pretty obviously made for music and video; you can tell by the dedicated XpressMedia button that opens a list of links to music, videos, the web, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you play with those different media content. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was designed to be a teeny portable entertainment centre, and as music phones go, this is just about the prettiest. The Nokia 5800 also has, built-in, a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA data access and GPS, making it a wonderful all-rounder, on top of being a superb media player. Oh, and it`s got a strap to clip on an imitation guitar pick. That`s pretty cool, that.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range handset; it isn`t, nor will it ever be, a full-fat top-ender. That job falls to a separate phone…

Nokia N97 – touch it, feel it, LIVE it…

With the Nokia 5800 on track to bring touchscreen mobile phones to the mid-range market, that opens up a great big gap at the very top-endof the product range; well, there IS a touchscreen mobile phone coming soon to fill that gap: the utterly jaw-dropping Nokia N97. This uses the same Symbian S60 Touch interface and packs it inside the frame of a proper, full-on smartphone. Which means it has a massive, 3.5 inch screen, a kick out QWERTY keyboard, and the camera`s been upgraded to 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, in a very definite way, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it`s genuinely as high-spec as the rumours said, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and integrated Flash, so that you have an internet experience that tops any other mobile phones! Put simply the Nokia N97 is simple incredible. It gleefully relieves itself over other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 angles to take over the mid-range, I reckon that the Nokia N97 will completely DOMINATE the world next year!

Anyone who likes touchscreen phones should be excited; the biggest brand in the industry has brought out not one, but TWO mobile phones: the sexy Nokia 5800 and the unbelievably mind-blowing Nokia N97.

Memories best forgotten – Nokia touchscreens in history

Many people are under the incorrect assumption that the Nokia 5800 is the first touchscreen phone to wear the Nokia label. It isn`t. Quite the opposite, in fact, there`s been several touchy-feely phones released under the Nokia name. Beginning with the 7700, we`ve seen a couple of Nokia mobile phones which are controlled by you pressing directly on the screen. They all had reasonably big (for their time) screens, but unfortunately, they shared something else: they were irredeemably rubbish. Just one of those mobile phones, the 6708, displayed a modicum potential, but that was made exclusively to be sold in China, and so, it never saw the light of day in the UK. Unfortunately, that meant that the phones we got were total, utter bobbins.

However, those bad memories have all been exorcised by the launch of a pair of new Nokia mobile phones, both of which have touchscreens, and both of which are much, much nicer…

Nokia 5800 – play that funky music

First on the roster is a completely new member of Nokia`s Xpress family of music mobile phones, the mouth-watering Nokia 5800. This one`s quite obviously built for music and media, as it has a separate XpressMedia touch-key that brings up a list of shortcuts to music, videos, the web, and more. Then, of course, the Nokia 5800 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen, to let you use those different media files. Basically, the Nokia 5800 was created to be a teeny handheld jukebox and movie player, and as music handsets go, this is easily one of the sexiest. The Nokia 5800 also comes with a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA data connection and GPS, so that it`s a brilliant all-rounder, on top of being a superb media player. Oh, and it`s got a strap to clip on an imitation guitar pick. Pointless, but brilliant.

Despite all those features, the Nokia 5800 is very definitely a mid-range handset; it`s not, nor was it ever meant to be, a full-on top-ender. That position falls to a different handset…

Nokia N97 – super-powered and ready to rock

With the Nokia 5800 on course to deliver touch-based mobile phones to the mid-range market, that leaves a huge, yawning gap at the very top-end, and yes, there IS a touch-based mobile phone on its way to take its place as the top-end powerhouse: the frankly awesome Nokia N97. This takes the same Symbian S60 Touch interface and crams it within the frame of a proper, full-fat smartphone. So it`s got a massive, 3.5 inch screen, a slide out QWERTY keypad, and the camera now weighs in at a meaty 5 megapixels. The Nokia N97 is, as should be glaringly obvious, destined to be the new flagship Nseries mobile phone, and it`s genuinely as powerful as the rumours had us believe, with HSDPA, GPS, digital compass, and built-in Flash, meaning you have an internet experience that tops any other mobile phones! Put it like this: the Nokia N97 is awesome. It easily outdoes other mobile phones and while the Nokia 5800 angles firmly for the mid-range, I`m predicting that the Nokia N97 will utterly DOMINATE the world in 2009!