As we expected, firmware version 20 (Also known as V2.0) for the N97 has appeared in the very last week of October, keeping true to Nokia’s promise of an “October 2009 release.”

The firmware has yet to appear for some product codes and as a FOTA update on the N97’s SW Update app. The SW Update on the N97 does inform the user that an “important” “Phone Software” is available for the N97, but it doesn’t allow for updating over-the-air, well at least not yet. But it does point to the www.nokia.com/softwareupdate site to update the phone via the PC.

The download on Nokia Software Updater (NSU) ranges anywhere from 130 to 150MB and overall I can report that the update on my N97 went smoothly.

Improvements in firmware 20.2.019 are (Thanks to Allaboutsymbian):

• A reworked memory mapping model – this means that applications use the (relatively) limited RAM much more efficiently and you should rarely see any memory errors. Note that the available ‘Free RAM’ after booting is now a lot less (around 47MB), but don’t take this raw number too literally – apps apparently use less RAM than before
• Kinetic scrolling in the User Interface in all lists and larger-than-screen views
• The keyboard driver has been enhanced so that a long press on any key brings up its associated ‘function’ symbol (or number)
• Music player shows album art more reliably, plus extra MP3 ID3 information
• Half a dozen new social media and services widgets have been added by default
• Camera still and video improvements
• Improvements to stereo speaker volume
• Offline mode for homescreen widgets (shown below)
• Ovi Maps 3 is now included (shown below, saving 7MB of your C disk, compared to the current situation)
• Ovi Store client now integrated (saving more space) (Ovi Contacts also not in the final distribution as expected)
• More responsive touchscreen driver (so fewer ‘missed taps’) and the usual minor bug fixes across the board
• Improvements to Sync system (hopefully paving the way for more reliable syncing with, among others, iSync on the Mac)

The feature that stands out the most however is the Kinetic scrolling implemented throughout the UI, making the N97 feel like a completely new phone. This is especially handy in the Music Player. With the added speed and smoothness, this updates breathes much needed life in the N97, making it even more pleasant to use.

Skype is missing, but what we are hearing is that this will be added soon as an update in the SW Update application. We were also promised several new built-in widgets and apps, but I have yet to find a new app or widget other than Vlingo.

What new feature did you find in this new update? Did you find any other apps or widgets other than Vlingo? Let us know.

While the build quality of the Booklet 3G might be better than most netbooks out there (it even beats many notebooks!) and has some unique extra’s like the built-in 3G and hot swappable SIM, there are several reasons why you should not get the Booklet 3G.

1.Can’t upgrade to 2 GB of RAM: With the  Nokia Booklet 3G you’re pretty much stuck with 1GB of RAM, because the module is soldered to the motherboard and is not user upgradeable. Even an efficient OS like Windows 7 runs much smoother with 2GB of RAM. Not being able to upgrade your RAM is the biggest reason why you should not get the Booklet 3G. More info can be found here.

2.No Nvidia ION: The Booklet 3G is adequate for most daily tasks, but it doesn’t have enough horsepower to smoothly play HD videos and high quality Flash videos, thanks in part to Intel’s Atom processor, but mostly due to the Intel GMA 500 graphic system.

Netbooks like the Booklet almost always have an Intel Atom processor that sacrifices performance for battery life. But this can be easily solved with a more powerful graphics system, in this case the netbook-friendly Nvidia ION. Many current and upcoming netbooks that have this ION graphic system have enough power to:

A)Do some light 3D gaming with many recent titles (something not possible on earlier netbooks or the Booklet 3G), as they lack the ION which supports DirectX 10/9 graphics

B)Can use the powerful graphics system for general PC tasks previously reserved for the processor, using the Nvidia CUDA technology. This could allow for 5x Faster Graphics and Video Transcoding.

C)Smoothly play Full 1080p HD (And 720P) video, while reserving CPU power for other tasks.

D)The ION will also support hardware acceleration of Flash 10.1 once it becomes available, keeping the CPU free.

E)Better Windows AERO performance in Windows 7

The lack of an ION graphics system, makes the HD display and HDMI port on the Booklet 3G a missed opportunity.

3.Uses the slower Intel Atom Z processor: The Booklet 3G uses the Intel Atom Z530 processor running at 1.6 GHz. Generally these Atom Z processors are slower than the Atom N270 and 280 processors. Nokia chose the slower processor without any doubt to achieve the impressive battery life, but in turn sacrifices performance. With general day-to-day usage the Atom Z can feel slugish at times. Other manufacturers like Asus solved this by allowing the consumer to slightly and safely overclock the processor. Other netbooks from the likes of Asus are already planning dual core netbooks.

4.Relatively high price: With an unsubsidized prices of $599 the Booklet 3G is expensive, with few stand-out features to warrant its high price. Better equipped and cheaper netbooks can be found for a lot less, like the Asus 1101HA or the upcoming Asus 1201N with it’s dual core Atom processor and ION graphics.

A few shipping and soon-to-be released Eseries devices are now officially DLNA certified. This is perhaps the best proof that the Eseries more than just emails and documents.

A feature previously reserved for the Nseries, is now opening it’s doors for the E52, E55 and E72.

The irony of all this is the lack of the DLNA certification for the N97, a device designed with (social) media in mind, beaten by Eseries devices.

If you don’t know what DNLA is, be sure to check out this post.

The highly anticipated firmware version v20 (also known as v2.0) was promised to be available sometime in October. The first reports indicated an “early October” release, with this later on becoming “mid October” and now we’re hearing “the end of October.” With less than a week to go before we actually reach the end October there are just two scenarios left. Either the firmware becomes available this coming week or will  be pushed back to a later date.

The last scenario is unlikely as it would indicate problems with the firmware that need to be ironed out. The reason why this is unlikely is because the N97 mini has just been released sporting the same firmware v20. A delay for the n97’s  firmware v20, would mean delays for the N97 mini’s launch.

Because of this were willing to bet that firmware v20 will start to roll out sometime this week, with a host of pre-installed apps, new widgets, kinetic scrolling, long press for alternative characters, more free Phone Memory, additional album art and info in the music player and other performance enhancement and bug fixes.

When do you think we’ll see firmware version 20?

Image: Courtesy  The S60 Blog

Reports are coming in and it doesn’t look so good for the Nokia Booklet 3G. It now seems that you’re pretty much stuck with 1GB of RAM, because the module is soldered to the motherboard and is not user upgradeable! This has probably been done to make Nokia’s netbook as thin as possible. This is definitely a big minus since upgrading to 2GB of RAM is one of the first things netbook users do.

On top of this, Nokia chose the Intel Atom Z530 processor to achieve the long battery life, but this processor is not known to be very speedy. Add the 1GB of RAM running Windows 7 and in some cases the Booklet 3G can feel rather sluggish, when compared to similar netbooks on the market. Other manufacturers like Asus who have also chosen the slower Intel Z processor have solved this problem by adding overclocking capabilities, something the Booklet 3G lacks.

It doesn’t help either that the screen is almost unusable outside due to the glossy screen.

On a more positive note, the Booklet 3G can be folded down to a nearly 180 degree angle, something that many netbooks can’t do.

Considering the premium price, the Booklet 3G has many unique features, but sacrifices on some of the essentials.

Would you still get the Booklet 3G knowing that you’re stuck with 1GB of RAM?

Via:Lilputing

Remember the $1200 limited edition Nokia N96? Nokia is now applying the same idea (minus the Ninja) to the soon-to-be released N97 mini. Nokia has teamed up with F J Benjamin to create the N97 mini RAOUL Limited Edition, with only 1000 unit up for grabs. From the start Nokia designers explained that the N97 mini was created to be a more fashion-oriented(and smaller) version of the N97, that’s why it’s no surprise that they chose a partnership with a fashion brand.

What makes this different from the regular N97 mini? First of all it comes not only with the regular metal cover, but also an additional back cover emblazoned with RAOUL’s signature stripes. Other stuff included are a calf-skin leather pouch and matching leather dangler, all of this in a leather-wrapped RAOUL box. On the software side you also get a Fashion Asia widget.

There will be just one color: Rose Gold and it’s limited to Singapore and Malaysia. Those that pre-order before the 29th of October 2009 will also get:

1. S$50 Nokia voucher
2. S$50 RAOUL voucher

Ready to buy? You can pre-order yours at participating Nokia and RAOUL stores.

Update: Price is a cool S$1138 or about $815 US

With its QWERTY keyboard, bigger (and wider) touch screen and large internal storage, it’s clear that the N97 has its advantages when you compare it to the N86 8MP. In some cases I even tried touching the N86 8MP’s screen!

But, as Nokia’s flagship camera smartphone, the N86 8MP has a few tricks up it’s sleeve when the camera is concerned. As we compare it to the N97, these advantages become very evident.

Wide-angle lens

               Nokia N86 8MP                                         Nokia N97

With the N97 and the N86 8MP positioned at the exact same spot, notice how the N86 8MP’s wide-angle lens is able to capture more of the keyboard in the shot. I was surprised to find that the N86 8MP lens not only captures more data in the width, but also in height as I can see more of the tile flooring. Perfect for in door shots, where there’s little space to back up to get everyone in the shot and great for panoramas.

Useable digital zoom

When it comes to zooming I had one rule: if it’s not optical, don’t use it. For this reason, I only used it on the N93 and N93i. Despite being blessed with only digital zoom, the zoom function on the N86 8MP is very usable, capturing lots of detail even when almost completely zoomed in. The N97 and other digital-zoom-equipped Nokia’s can’t keep up.

If you’ve owned a N93 you’d also know that the optical zoom mechanism produces an annoying buzzing sound while zooming in, not an issue with the N86 8MP.

Better Flash

             Nokia N86 8MP                                         Nokia N97

Both of these smartphones use dual LED technology, but the N86 8MP’s image is better illuminated and looks more neutral.

As for the operation speed, both seemed fast. I thought the N86 8MP would be faster, but the two devices are about the same. But when you consider that the N86 8MP has to work with larger 8MP images, it’s clear that it’s working harder (and faster) to stay at the same level as the N97 that has to process smaller 5MP images.

Other than these advantages, the N86 8MP also has Face Detection and focus point indication, features that the N97 lacks.

Another deal comes to us from Dell, but this time, it’s the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic at $224.99 + Free Shipping after $30 off Coupon Code: 9K78JTP99FW1FP. This deal will expire on 10/14. All you need to do is go to Dell Small Business and look for item #: A2489032 and use the coupon code above.

Here’s a great deal for our North American readers. Dell Small Business is offering the Nokia N97 NAM at $499.99.  Using the coupon code D8JCZ8T7RL5NF4, you can bring the price down to an amazingly low$449.00!

This is a great deal to get the N97 NAM if you still haven’t secured one, just in time before firmware v.20.

Know any good deals? Let us know.