Photo: Uploaded on December 3, 2008 by budiputra

Some of the most exciting things about this year's Nokia World was how the press got to have access to key leaders to talk directly to them one-on-one.

Photo: Uploaded on December 3, 2008 by budiputra

Many of the journalists really appreciated this opportunity. Robert Scoble really gave super advice, mused with them on strategy, and video'd the heck out of everything using his flip cam!

I found it interesting to talk to the head of marketing and ask him how, now that Nokia is a software company, will they deal with China. Facebook & Google, are not at all popular in China. Nokia, being a leader in the China market for handsets, could have a tough time to bring the N97 to market due to Baidu's popularity and the new social networks that are exploding. I wonder if in China they will make a localized version with local social networks and Baidu search or if facebook and Google are their global partners and no localization will be possible. Perhaps it is the strategy of facebook and Google to leverage Nokia to increase their userbase in China.

Uploaded on December 2, 2008 by random0

It was very generous of Anssi Vanjoki was very kind to take my questions about the battery life of the N97 and how many women were consulted on the design of it. I commented about solar power battery backs, however Mr. Vanjoki pointed out the obvious which was that one cell on the back of a battery pack will not solve your power problems (because direct sunlight is needed in constant to charge). He said that the N97's design team is 50-50 men and women.

Uploaded on December 2, 2008 by random0

Again the lovely Darla Mack backed me up in my campaign for fashion phones becoming S60 phones so as to target digital girls such as we are. 2 Years ago at the Nokia World, the design head stated that they understood that women were really into multimedia and that Nokia would respond to this female demand (and he said specifically that it meant not making the phones pink). Both Darla and I would love to see more visually stimulating phones such as the fashion phones, but we need the power of NSeries inside!

Uploaded on December 2, 2008 by random0

Seeing Robert Scoble, and listening to his point of view on the N97 was really interesting. He suggested to Nokia that they should do a fully branded facebook phone. However, I think that would not be in line with Nokia's brand strategy. Other phone manufacturers have done that type of thing (Moto Dolce & Gabana gold razer) and been successful so I can understand Robert's point of view. However, Nokia have never been the ones to partner with only one brand. The N97's appeal is it's host of services in one touch screen device.

Uploaded on December 1, 2008 by Robert Scoble

Robert took a lot of great photos on his flickr and wrote an interesting breakdown on his blog. The interface of the N97 is what I find very interesting. The killer feature for me, and the advancement in UI design is the IMPORTANT PEOPLE photos (4 on the screen). What is revolutionary about these 4 photo icons is that you can put your 4 most important contacts on your screen. When you click on their faces, the screen changes to show you all the sms messages, emails, and other communication information that you have had with this person. Many times I use multi-communication to talk with someone. Example: I have just responded to an important email to person X, and then I text person X to tell them that I have answered their email and to have a look at it now and reply to me. Many times they either respond by sms to say they answered, give me a short answer or immediate feedback answer, and then elaborate on it or give more details in the email. I find this point that the UI can make it possible for me to have all this conversation on one page really unique and revolutionary. I have not heard anyone else really focus on this feature, and for me, it's the top advantage.