i am noky these are my random musings…

Image by Hector Milla via Flickr

So anyone who really knows me knows: I love Nokia. Three out of four of my phones have been Nokia devices. My first phone was this crappy Verizon candy bar phone. I switched to the original AT&T Wireless promptly after I realized the extras were cheaper. The handset? A "progressive" 3650. It was my introduction to the S60 world. I skipped a beat when switching to Cingular and got a Sony-Ericsson Z500A. It was then I realized that I made a mistake leaving the open world of S60. After a long contract, welcome to the present with a Nokia E62. I've had my current E-Series for quite some time and while I've been disappointed with the sluggish nature of my phone, I can't be more impressed with the wide array of features an S60 3rd phone provides. I think I've covered myself enough.

I've been considering a new phone for quite some time and I've also considered not having a phone for even longer. Reading this (relatively) recent press release from Skype gives me the urge to drop a serious wad of cash on what one could call: the mobile device. Apparently, the new N97 will sport full Skype integration to go along with the bevy of slick features. Thanks to an old Cingular contract, I pay very little for unlimited internet access on my mobile (which balances the paltry 300 minutes and 100 text messages). This would essentially mean I can talk to everyone and their mother for next to nothing. The drawback is a big one though: the phone weighs in at a cool $800. Some retailers are even asking $1200 for a chance to wield this impressive piece of technology. Chances are, the price won't drop too much either. The original front-runner, the N95, is still selling for $375.

The question is: Does Skype support make this impressive phone worth it?

The more important question: Is Skype support what we need to see more of?

With providers subsidizing phones and trying to make their dollar on plans. This sounds like bad news for all the major telcos. With the ever expanding plans for city-wide Wi-Fi/Broadband access, a market is emerging to phase out the old system and drive more profits to the handset providers.

Skype and Nokia partner to integrate Skype into Nokia devices - About Skype