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Nseries Needs A QWERTY

By TheGuru on December 11, 2007

I recently had the opportunity to play with and review the Sidekick LX for T-Mobile over at MobileBurn.com. You can read the review here. I won’t go into the UI differences and all that nonsense, but one thing that I couldn’t help but think about was how great it would have been if it had S60 on it.


The Sidekick, if you think about it, goes against so many norms it’s hysterical! First off, it’s an entirely youth-oriented device with a QWERTY keyboard. There’s nothing else on the market that has that claim. All of the QWERTY devices on the market are business focused, as it seems manufacturers believe only businesspeople need QWERTY keyboards. It’s also massive. I mean, HUGE. The Sidekick lineup always has been huge, though, so that’s nothing new to the youth lusting after it.

So why on earth DO they love it so much? Because the Sidekick does the one thing that *should* be mobilized, and does it better than any other device I’ve ever had – IM. If you think about IM for a minute, it’s perfectly suited for a constantly connected mobile device. It’s all about presence. Mobile companies are only just now beginning to consider that users would want constant presence on their mobiles. The Sidekick has done that for years.

So I pinged Ollywompus (remember him, he used to be a Symbian-Guru author – BA-ZING!) as I know he’s a T-Mobile user hardcore. We started discussing how the Sidekick would be even better if Nokia made it. Surely it would get an Nseries moniker and keep the youthful multimedia-focused aspects. However, it would likely get at least a 2 megapixel camera, video recording, decent MP3 player, and a few other niceties associated with Nokia’s Nseries lineup.
nokiaturnandslidelg15b4tk4

Not a few hours later, this patent came across the internet. It appears as though Nokia is looking into something similar to the Sidekick lineup, though nothing was mentioned in the filing as to what product line it would come to. I have to say that I sincerely hope that it’s an Nseries.

The things that sucked so badly about the Sidekick are all squarely addressed with S60. The lack of applications (there’s some, but they’re not really useful) such as support for java applications. The lack of a PC Suite application (that I could find) and the lack of useful Bluetooth (the Sidekick was crippled somewhat).

What do you think? Is it about time for Nseries to get a QWERTY keyboard on a device? Do you think that there is a big market opportunity for Nokia to create something similar to the Sidekick and offer it unlocked? Don’t you think it is something AT&T would be interested in for an exclusive?

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TheGuru

TheGuru, aka Ricky Cadden, started Symbian-Guru.com in November 2006, out of his excitement for the S60 3rd Edition version of Symella. TheGuru has used Symbian devices since the Nokia 6620, and is known for his perspective as a power user. You can follow TheGuru on Twitter at @Rcadden

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  • Yeah, I’d agree, a decent keyboard is a must.
  • Rufio
    N Series with a QWERTY would be a an answer to prayer. I am tired of lugging around all of my mobile devices. PSP, camera, laptop, and mobile. I currently own an E61i and am sold on Nokia for life. I bought this phone for its full QWERTY pad and great voice quality. For those sticklers who think that E Series should be business only, what about all of us "corporate" people who aren't high enough on the corporate ladder to have company issued phones or email access. I should be able to have one device to game, listen to music and handle enterprise related business on.
  • NZtechfreak
    Hey Ricky,

    I'm with you on this one, I'd love an N-series QWERTY.

    Strictly speaking I may not need one, as I can manage with T9 (30wpm, not as fast as some, but good enough in practical terms for most things), but I'd really like one.

    I disagree with those suggesting that adding a QWERTY has to destroy the aesthetics of the form-factor. The Nokia patent is one example of a way to keep the QWERTY addition from blowing out the device size, although I prefer the Helio-Ocean solution (landscape QWERTY slide).

    I'd echo the sentiment of others here regarding the delineation between E- and N-Series devices. I understand the need to differentiate product lines and so forth, but in many instances those lines have been drawn rather arbitrarily and in a way that doesn't meet consumer need. While I can't do without the multi-media features of the N95, I do use it for productivity functions almost as much. It would have been nice to have had an N-Series device that could have catered equally adeptly with both aspects.
  • Aggie99
    I would like an Nseries phone with a standard keypad AND a QWERTY ala the LG enV or Rumor. One of the things that keeps me from staying with the HTC devices is the lack of a standard dialpad. I can type short texts or even emails without looking at the phone on a keypad and I like to be able to do that when I want to (when driving unfortunately).

    I do think a QWERTY 3G device in the United States would be a huge plus for Nokia, but please, please, PLEASE do not let AT&T get their hands on it and destroy it. After buying a Tilt I'm done buying branded devices.
  • Ian
    I had an N80 and upgraded to N95 when it came out for all the reasons people can imagine. However I am on the road a lot and need to be prompt in keeping on top of client emails etc. So I bought an unlocked E61 simply to try and now this gets used more than the N95 because of the keyboard. Granted the wide form factor takes getting used to. Now I use my laptop far less as a result. The new patent looks good if it takes an E61 size keyboard and turns it sideways and puts that under the flip screen. The physical dimensions of the phone need not be bad at all. I agree that there should be less difference between E and N series. Symbian and good apps work on both and that is what compliments the good hardware that people really need.
  • sturgeon
    If an Italian author can write a 385 page novel on a Nokia 6630 using only T9 why does anyone need a built in qwerty keyboard?

    I think you would end up with a phone too big to go in your pocket - or a keyboard too small to use.

    My N95 and stowaway keyboard are perfect for my needs.

    s.
  • Couple comments:

    First of all, I'm with you, I would love to see a qwerty based device that also had a 5 mp camera.

    I wonder why the comments haven't taken the "when will Eseries devices have decent cameras" as opposed to "when will Nseries devices have qwerty". I'm guessing it is b/c the Nseries brand is starting to draw on emotional appeal, and that is b/c the products have had great multimedia specs to date. Yes?

    Also, a side note: generally speaking, QWERTY doesn't do as well outside of the USA as it does inside...especially in Asia for obvious reasons...so the problem comes back to Nokia's lack of market share/partners in the USA...something we are acutely aware of and are still working to change...
  • Dee
    Im also on the same boat as you guys on this one. I have an E90 but been toying with the idea of getting an N95 as a back up for quite a while now. I really miss having the multimedia features. I love shooting videos and photos. I love editing them on my phone even more.
  • I suppose it couldn't hurt to have an NSeries phone with a QWERTY keyboard but I wouldn't like to see it become too prevalent. Maybe make a token NSeries handset with QWERTY board could happen, but I much prefer my phone devices to retain an acceptable design, shape and size. QWERTY keyboard invariably means a wide design, which just feels unnatural to hold when making calls.
  • Dotsisx
    A total YES to this post. I have a WM device, and the 3 things I love mostly about it are WiFi, QWERTY and Medical Apps. Jotting down notes for a post while away from the pc, IM, writing emails, is amazingly better on a qwerty. I also enjoy writing (short stories and poetry) and the qwerty is a great help.
  • I completely agree that it's time for an Nseries with a qwerty. The turn-and-slide concept really excites me because the sketches seem to allow for a decent camera as well. The side mounted barrel suggests a powerful camera that allows enough real estate for a much needed optical zoom. It just looks like a brilliant form factor. I'm not a great fan of full-on touch devices, but a touchscreen with a hardware qwerty keyboard... that's definitely something that would interest me.

    AT&T might well be just the outfit to market such a device in the States. We've got quite reasonable data plans here that allow for always connected devices and users- this is something that at least Nokia is aware of and reacting to. I assume as presence becomes more and more important and relevant to consumers we'll see a larger demand for an Nseries device with a qwerty.
  • Pete
    I think this really speaks to the need to break down some of the barriers between E and N series devices. Why can't I have all the glory of an E90 with a 5MP camera? Because Nokia doesn't think that a business user will want it.

    Break down the walls!

    -Pete
  • Yeah, I’d agree, a decent keyboard is a must.
  • zr
    Need, I don't know about need, but it would be nice to at least one decent spec'ed nseries with a qwerty keyboard. I've played around and I'm generally as fast with two thumbs on t9 as I am on a thumb qwerty... so I don't care either way.
  • Demetri
    Yes! I Yes! I have been circling around the same
    thought for weeks. I currently use an e62 and
    like it for the s60 goodness, the screen and
    the qwerty keyboard. I only wish it was US 3G
    with a 5MP camera. That may be asking for too
    much, but I don't think so. I have considered
    the N75 for it's value and the N95-3 for it's
    feature richness, but I keep getting stuck on
    their lack of a qwerty keyboard. Maybe now that the guru has said it Noka will listen and deliver.deliver.deliver.have been circling around the same thought for weeks. I currently use an e62 and like it for the s60 goodness, the screen and the qwerty keyboard. I only wish it was US 3G with a 5MP camera. That may be asking for too much, but I don't think so. I have considered the N75 for it's value and the N95-3 for it's feature richness, but I keep getting stuck on their lack of a qwerty keyboard.
  • Nick
    to the first and second questions, a resounding YES!
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