Nokia N97 applications worth using!

Written By: DChetty

August 18, 2009

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I have been using the Nokia N97 for a few months now and while I believe that the hardware spec is unbeaten yet by the other mobile giants, Nokia has always lagged behind in terms of cool app development. You can jump up and down all you want telling me about the Java revolution and millions of Jar file apps on the web, but here I will tell you that you simply don’t get better than the iPhone in this department. (For those who know me, you will understand that me admitting that the iPhone is better in ANY regard is no easy thing, I LOVE Nokia and will be a die-hard fan for life!)

Anyway, as a result of being one of the first 97 people globally to be touting a Nokia N97, I had the unfortunate experience of having to wait for all the good apps, but none-the-less, I have enjoyed my experience so far and I’m itching for more awesome apps to launch, so that I can use my phone to its full capacity.

This is a list of some of the Nokia N97 applications that I have used so far:

Nokia Messaging: A great application that consolidates up to 10 email accounts into a single manageable interface. Easy to install, easy to maintain, easy to use, runs in the background & intuitively designed!

Nimbuzz: An IM aggregating client that supports Skype, Facebook & Twitter in addition to the old faithful IM’s like Windows Live, GTalk, etc. Its a really great app that doesn’t kill the phones resources and is very intuitive to use. Of all the IM aggregators for mobile that are available, this is the one that I recommend whole-heartedly.

Gravity: My outright favourite! A Twitter application that is potentially the best out there for ANY device. It’s simple to use, simple to get up & running and a dream to keep running in the background without killing your battery. The usability is well thought out and everything on it makes sense. Newer versions also support Facebook. It is a paid for app, but give the trial a shot and I am sure that you will be able to justify the 10 Euro to buy it.

Worldmate: My weather update application that keeps me informed. The app is a bit tricky to set up the way you want it, but once its done, you will never need to adjust the settings again. Giving you voice directed prompts of the weather the day before and an update in the morning, the application also has a host of other features like foreign exchange rates, flight delay monitors, etc, etc, that I don’t use and doubt that I ever will.

Mail for Exchange: I loved this application on my Nokia E71. It was the greatest feature on that phone and it worked like a dream. I have to be honest here and say that I havn’t been able to get the damn thing to work on my N97. It doesn’t sync, or maintain connections to run without me having to restart the phone, while standing on 1 leg with my right arm on my left ear, and my tongue pointing south, singing the Barney song. A major disappointment for me!

AP News: I think that it stands for Associated Press. It is a news app with regular updates. It allows you to rate articles, share them via email, SMS or Twitter. The UI could use a few tweaks in terms of usability, but it does a good job of keeping things simple. (It doesn’t seem to available in Ovi anymore )

Drawing: A Windows “Paint” type application that is VERY handy when you are trying to explain something without a notepad and need to a solution design, scribble down a picture to explain your point, etc. It allows you to save the images, which is really great, though I would have liked it if the option to forward the image directly from the application was made available.(It comes pre-installed!

I have installed a few more, but don’t use them, so I can’t comment on them fairly.

If you have any applications that you recommend that I try out, please feel free to let me know, I will give it a shot and update this post accordingly.

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About Author

DChetty

Dee Chetty is a South Africa- and India-educated web junkie. Focusing on strategy and new developments, Dee finds himself pushing the limits of innovation with his ideas. Dee loves open-source, mobile technologies and location-driven applications. He is an Apple fanboy & a die-hard Audi fan.

(22) Readers Comments

Nafisa
August 18, 2009 at 3:02 pm

The best 10 Euros I've spent was on Gravity. I prefer using the Gmail application for email.
Haydndup
August 18, 2009 at 3:21 pm

Nice list! I was using Nokia Messaging, but had hassles with my Gmail account - it wasn't sending & receiving even when I told it to. Running Emoze push mail now - quite decent :-).
DChetty
August 18, 2009 at 3:48 pm

@Nafisa - Totally agree with you about spending on Gravity. I haven't used the Gmail app, as the Nokia Messaging works really well and consolidates other mail as well. @Haydndup - Thanks mate. I tried out Emoze a while ago on my old Nokia N80 and loved it then. Killed my battery though, so I uninstalled it. If I can't fix the Mail for Exchange, then I will definitely give it a shit. I loved Mail for Exchange on my E71 and its a winner for me!
Chris M
August 18, 2009 at 3:54 pm

That's a really great list. Emoze is pretty cool and then there's that task manager, which allows you to kill processes - Haydndup knows the name, I can't recall it..
DChetty
August 18, 2009 at 3:59 pm

@ChrisM - Are you refering to "Jbak Taskman"? It was just recommended to me by another N97 user, so I am definitely going to give it a shot. How does Emoze treat your battery nowadays?
Haydndup
August 18, 2009 at 4:09 pm

I'm running Handy Taskman. Never tried Jbak. Emoze battery usage has improved. I generally leave it running all day.
DChetty
August 18, 2009 at 4:13 pm

Cool, I will try em both! Thanks gents!
Nafisa
August 18, 2009 at 4:26 pm

Gmail fetches all my mail from different accounts, and Gmail mobile is customizeable which is what I like about it. The Facebook widget is such a disappointment.
SimonB
August 18, 2009 at 4:26 pm

Dude great list, thanx for posting. Here are some other apps I found that work great. 1. Joiku Spot - This app turns your handset into a wifi hotspot. 2. fring - IM/social media/VoIP 3. Trapster - The name says it all. Smile zones on a map 4. vuFone - Mobile Sync app 5. GoogleMaps 6. Gmail Mobile app. 7. Accuweather 8. Qik 9. Shazam 10. Phonetorch
DChetty
August 18, 2009 at 4:44 pm

@Nafisa - I will give it a shot then. I have to agree about the Facebook widget. Having to sign in so often is a disappointment as well. Usability & layout has become default with most Facebook mobile apps though. @SimonB - Appreciate the list mate. I'm gonna be checking them all out! :)
Nafisa
August 19, 2009 at 2:07 am

One other thing, don't be alarmed by the on-screen keyboard when you instal the Gmail app - it can be turned off under settings.
TonyPony
August 19, 2009 at 4:07 am

Nice list there D. I cant say that I have used all of them but here are my comments: Nokia Messaging : I never really gave it a chance but from what Ive heard and read it is a good messaging app. I use Emoze and upgraded to PRO. Very satisfied with the service, but my only problem now is that I formatted my phone, and now I cant get back on to PRO. But there is a man helping me out from Emoze. It's been a little over a week now which is frustrating. Gravity : Enough said. Havnt bought the full version YET, but im getting there. Other than that I have not been using too many APPS. The Drawing up is fun to fiddle with, but I find myself playing with it when I havnt got any apps to play. Games : Havnt enjoyed any games so far. At least the free ones. Im not the type of person to go buy cellphone games. I have enough upkeep with a ps3.
DChetty
August 19, 2009 at 1:34 pm

@Nafisa - Noted.. I'll look out for it. @TonyPony - I have the guys at Nokia looking into my Mail for Exchange issues. If that fails, Emoze is on my hitlist. I haven't tried out the games yet, but it is DEFINITELY on my list. I did forget to mention that I use the Fm Transmitter quite a bit. It's simple, it works and its brilliant!
Seng
August 20, 2009 at 11:05 am

It was great to learn what the Nokia N97 offers.
Roy Negri
October 19, 2009 at 6:49 am

@DChetty - The problam with mail for exchange that is that it takes you alot of data because there is no limit for attachments. @ALL OF YOU - emoze basiq version is free and work better then all you wrote much more is that you pay for emoze one year license that is 10 euro and you get all your mail account (gmail,hotmail,OWA,AOL) to your N97 instead of running around with diffrent apps. ofcourse there other great application that N97 make it a winner but people wrote them already.
Wapit Mobile Search Engine
December 10, 2009 at 6:37 am

Thanks for the list. I really love the phone! hoping to get my hands on one soon!!
Pingback: Nokia N900 Review! | DChetty
Kirstie Glad
March 18, 2010 at 8:51 pm

Fantastic blog, many amusing details. I think 6 of days ago, I have viewed a similar post.
mbrett
March 24, 2010 at 5:16 am

Must say Nimbuzz dropped off my list when they dropped support for XMPP and thus OVI Contacts so I've used Psi to enable transports and use OVI Contacts to communicate with OVI, MSN, AIM, ICQ and Yahoo. Google, Skype and Facebook IM still seems a little troublsome for transports from OVI Contacts.
Darron Heinze
June 14, 2010 at 12:03 am

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Mayur
September 3, 2010 at 4:13 am

hi there have you updated to v22? and how is your n97 performing now? wat is your product code?im on mtn and only have v12 do you have fm transmittor if you have v22
Mi Tobon
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