onlyfoolsandmobiles

It begins!

So now it’s over, it is time to collect my personal thoughts about Nokia World. For me the biggest, most abiding memories will be: the passion, energy, enthusiasm and belief that every single Nokian showed over those two days. It was a joy to behold! Right from Kevin Shields and his “AWESOME!”, through Blanca Juti doing her dance, to the guys in the experience lounge. It made me feel proud again to be a Nokia Fanboy. The opening  keynote was truly AWESOME. Even the guy sitting next to me with his iPhone seemed to be truly captivated by the whole experience.

I am sure there will be lots of posts coming giving you all the technical specifications of the devices announced, I will not bore you with that, instead I will bore you in a different way.

So what were the key moments for me on that first day? Obviously seeing Stephen present for the first time, he has a drive and passion for this that really does shine through and seems to infect everyone. As for Kevin Shields, well, “what a guy”, some great tag lines, “Lame Grid of Icons”, “Tiles are Cool” and of course “AWESOME!”. Blanca Juti and the Asha series did not disappoint either, some great little devices and wow, how low can they go? Referring to the price of course – from just 60 euros (before tax). I have to say the Asha 303 really caught my eye. Anyway most of you will have watched the keynote online so I will move on.

After we all left the auditorium, I met up with my wife who had come over from Windsor to be at the keynote and experience her first Nokia World, at least for a few hours before returning to work. It was quite an emotional experience for my wife, mainly due to the live link video at the end of the keynote, seeing Ram in the Salo factory on screen made her well up with tears. As everyone knows it has been a tough year for Nokia.

So on to the experience lounge. First stop, the coffee area in the centre serving great cappuccinos. Whilst enjoying my coffee I bumped into one of the great Nokia guys, of course I mean Chanse Arrington,  I have known Chanse for a number of years, from my time in the US, it was great to him again and great to see him so enthusiastic and energised. Next came Jan Bonnevier, @inspirito from Twitter just in case you don’t know him. I first met Jan a few years ago at a show in Helsinki. You just could not wipe the smile off his face at Nokia World this year, he was just oozing pride, and I have to say I can see why. There were quite a few others, too numerous to mention all, however it was great to see Jennifer and Kee again, doing awesome jobs as usual. Plus two guys I met this year at the Nokia music stand, Jethro Borthwick and Paul McKenna.

I did not get the opportunity to meet Stephen Elop in person, so instead I will say it here.

Hi Stephen, I would just like to say thank you, for bringing back the pride, energy, enthusiasm and above all a belief in the company and yourselves. It was sorely lacking last year, the turnaround is impressive to say the least.

So from me, a devoted Nokia Fan, THANK YOU.

Now I cannot leave this without mentioning the great people I met this year (some last year too) who are not Nokia employees. I feel it only right that first up should be Steve Ollier, Krishna, Stephen Quin, CJ and their host, and liaison with Nokia support discussions, Juha. These guys together have done over 40000 posts on NSD helping people with their problems. I should point out that Steve has done over 23000 of those, well done guys. You are what Nokia is all about, the Community!

Steve, Krishna, Stephen, CJ, Juha (left to right)

The next guy really does not need an introduction: he takes great phone porn, writes awesome reviews and is generally an all round great dude! Guessed who yet? Of course it’s none other than me, “cough” sorry I mean Michael Hell.

Here he is paying homage to a young lady who we would dearly love to see at Nokia World, or anywhere for that matter.

Paying homage to Rita El Khoury

Hmm, now who next for the mention? So many of them. Well I guess it should really be a guy I have known for several years online and finally got to meet in May in Berlin. I speak of none other, than my fellow N-Gage elite, yes it is Clinton Jeff

Trying to look thoughtful (comments please on a postcard)

Sorry James but I just had to post this one. By James I, of course, mean the dude himself Mr James Whatley

Hmm, poor CJ

I have more photos but rather than post here I shall post on my Flickr account for everyone to see.

This just leaves me to say thank you to everyone at Nokia World for making it an unforgettable experience this year.

Oh I almost forgot one last thing, something that will be a Christmas present to myself.

So Beautiful!!

Yes, it is the White N9, simply STUNNING!