What's this? The first hint of a release date for the Nokia N9? A European website is offering the hotly anticipated, much-debated, MeeGo-powered smart phone from 19 August -- but with Nokia yet to confirm whether it'll come to the UK at all, we need your help. Free the Nokia N9!
Kazakhstan site TexhoDom is offering lucky Kazakhs the chance to pre-order the N9 for
99,990 Kazakhstani Tenge, which runs through the exchange-o-tron to around £420. Add on VAT and that sounds about right, but we'll still believe it when we see it, and here's why.
Either the N9 will land in Eastern Europe in just under a month, or folks at TexhoDom have figured out that inventing a spurious price and release date for a hot phone will get you in the news.
Even if the date is accurate, it's no guarantee we'll get our hands on the N9 here in Blighty in August -- or ever. Nokia told us it can't confirm the release yet, making us wonder if the phone will come to the UK at all.
It seems the networks are shy of a phone powered by an operating system that's essentially dead on arrival. MeeGo is a slick and intuitive software that impressed us when we tried it out, but it isn't getting the chance to take on Nokia's eye-watering financial woes: despite Nokia's promises and the possibility of running Android apps, MeeGo has already been thrown over in favour of Windows Phone.
The N9 provides the template for the first Nokia Windows Phone, codenamed Sea Ray, but it would be a shame if that was the N9's only chance to shine.
So let's do something about it. If you think Nokia and the networks should release the N9, join our campaign to give the phone the recognition you think it deserves. Tell us how much you want the N9 in the comments section below or on our Facebook page. What would you give up for an N9?
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Comments 42
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Anonymous 25 July, 2011 12:21
I certainly hope that the UK isn't deprived of the N9 as it is a big market. Who knows if it takes off well in the UK (which would really have Trojan Steve totally peeved) there may follow more apps for the device. Why wait for the Searay? Just go down the road and buy a HTC, Samsung as all Windows phones seem the same and sterile.
Anonymous 25 July, 2011 12:58
Nobody offers Russians N90 for 99,990 Kazakhstani Tenge, that`s rediculous, Russian currency is rouble. TexhoDom is a Kazakh online-shop, that`s why its offerings are in its Karahk national currency. The news author could of been more attentive about such things.
Natalya, Russia
anonymous 25 July, 2011 13:36
You're quite right, Natalya. We've clarified that the site is in fact from Kazakhstan, which we were fascinated to learn is the world's largest landlocked country. But enough of that - what do you think of the N9?
Das vidanya!
Anonymous 25 July, 2011 13:53
I really hope this does get released! I have always liked Nokia's (currently own and N900) and already know how good a linux based OS can be! it was a shame the N900 was so under supported! But i think it will be different with the N9!
NOKIA please release the N9 in the UK and launch your windows phones using a different shell! don't be lazy and just use the N9!!
HarryMonmouth 25 July, 2011 14:06
I would love it to come here but I can't say I will buy it because I am not looking for an upgrade for now and don't plan to do so for at least a year. Having said that I really do like everything about the n9 and think it has real potential to be an iPhone killer. It is a shame that Nokia is having to scale back their operations. If I were a rich man I would actually buy one of these in addition to my iPhone as an alternative to Android for tinkering.
HarryMonmouth 25 July, 2011 14:08
Just to clarify, I know that the iPhone is not Android. I would just like to have a more open phone in addition because iOS is so closed.
Anonymous 25 July, 2011 17:12
I'm totally with you!! Free the N9!!
If Nokia make it difficult for us in the uk to get an N9, i certainly wont be getting WP7 phone. No chance!!
I had and still have an N900 (quality). Using a HTC now (android) but would concider the move if Harmatten is good as it appears.
Anonymous 25 July, 2011 18:59
I would get this phone if released before my contract ends in september. i hope it will play all video formats on the internet. I have owned nothing but nokia phones and would stay with them with this one.
jangira 25 July, 2011 23:19
i have been using nokia handsets for the past 9years, i currently own the n900, my contract is up in september & if the n9 is not released in the UK im going move away from nokia
jangira 25 July, 2011 23:21
FREE THE N9
Anonymous 25 July, 2011 23:47
N9 me up please Nokia!
Yours,
A disgruntled (and out of contract) iPhone user
Anonymous 26 July, 2011 00:57
Meamo on the N900 is amazing I really want a N9 no way would I go back to a Symbian nokia! So it simple no N9 and I will have no choice other than to move away from nokia.
Anonymous 26 July, 2011 04:33
Release N9 to more countries
Anonymous 26 July, 2011 04:59
i have had my n900 for nearly 2 years now and it's served me well. however, it's about time i upgraded and the n9 is the only thing that will keep me with nokia.
i find it strange that only a couple of years ago most mobile phones had their own operatiing system but now all of a sudden the networks won't touch it unless it' android or iphone. shame on Elop for allowing everyone to loose confidence in Meego. It probably had more potential than all other OS but now we'll never see how things may have been
Anonymous 26 July, 2011 05:18
N9 for UK! Yayyyyy!!!!!
Anonymous 26 July, 2011 07:58
free the N9, we want it in the uk, if nokia dont release the N9 in the Uk im moving away from nokia
Anonymous 26 July, 2011 14:04
I have heard from a source over here in Australia that the phone will be priced at;
16GB: AU$749
64GB: AU$849
with a release date of around end of August/September
Anonymous 26 July, 2011 20:51
Free The N9!!!
I am still running my own Craptastic N97 and have a Desire from work, I have been waiting patiently for the next Big Nokia to arrive. I still say it's beta than the iPhone, just the UI and speed let it down.
Come On Nokia, release it to the wild, and prove you are still the Best!
Anonymous 26 July, 2011 23:18
N9 is the best phone around at the moment, the os is amazing, 64gb is brilliant, this is the phone I have been waiting all along, yet it might not come to the Uk, what a disapointment.
Anonymous 27 July, 2011 11:59
i can not wait for the phone
anonymous 27 July, 2011 21:14
Don't bring the meego to the UK, the people that buy it will have a second class experience in comparison to android,Win 7, IOS, and RIM.
Please do not bring it to the UK! For the users sake!
However by all means bring other devices!
Anonymous 27 July, 2011 21:26
I'll definitely buy the N9 if it comes to the UK, otherwise it'll be Android for me
Anonymous 28 July, 2011 16:49
I dont like you Jake!!! Free The N9!!!!!
Anonymous 28 July, 2011 16:57
Also to add to my last post, I spoke to nokia today and they seemed very sure that it will be released in the uk, not all networks will choose to pick it up though of course. August 19th was suggested to me.
Anonymous 28 July, 2011 22:05
Looking at the list of supporters for meego, plenty of networks can be seen. it is an odd assumption that no networks want to release the n9 as many support meego. i read some time ago that they saw meego as a way they can get some control back as iphone and android are taking over and they don't like being reduced to a dumb pipe!
als, i wish sites such as this would stop saying meego is dead on arrival, its had a set back on the mobile side of things but its got some big backers in the pc, motor industry and TV industry. Android didn't become an over night success, it was unveiled in 2007. give meego another 3 years before saying its dead.
Anonymous 28 July, 2011 22:31
The N9 is on my wish list. I am using several phones at the moment, as a result of my job. The relatively old N900 is probably my favourite, the less powerful CPU in the N900 is offset by its ability to run Linux apps. The lack of an ecosystem and apps is bit of FUD, I have about 130 apps installed at the moment and I want for very little. The common QT capability of Symbian, Meego and Maemo will enable a lot of apps to be ported really easily. Similarly, the doubts about Nokia support are probably irrelevant - Nokia support and the community support for Maemo on the N900 has been excellent, despite similar doubts two years ago.
Anonymous 29 July, 2011 19:08
I've had an N900 since the end of 2009 and still love and use the phone. I really want my next upgrade to be the N9 so I can retire my iPhone 4 (micro sim). I really do not care for a Windows powered phone but with Meego Linux I find the adaptability and power of the OS fantastic! If the N9 doesn't appear in the UK I am unsure what phone to go for but I doubt it'll be a Windows powered phone...
Anonymous 29 July, 2011 22:27
Bring the N9 to Britain. Nokia needs our support. Nokia should listen to our opinions. The N9 is the next step for us Nokia lovers. Without it we may lose our way.......
Are you listening Nokia?
Anonymous 30 July, 2011 13:56
This phone had better come to the uk, it looks amazing, definitely looks better then WP7. If Stephen Elop does drop this for WP7 it won't be because its better it will be because he used to work for microsoft. Please let this phone come to the uk!!!! or i will have to buy an unlocked one of ebay for a million pounds :(
Anonymous 31 July, 2011 16:53
What is the actual point in this phone? Releasing 1 device with a new operating system then immediately dropping support for it to focus on windows 7.
I fell into the reliable nokia trap of always sticking with them only to upgrade to a n900 which turned out to be the worst decision I ever made. Thanks for dropping support for the device as soon as it was released with a phone thats marketed as a phone but hardcore nokia fans claim 'is an internet tablet'. Its a phone nokia gave up on making to push more crap running shitty software.
anonymous 1 August, 2011 07:31
If the release date is true in Kazakhstan, I shall have it in my hands at the end of August for a possible first ever unboxing video? If this date is for pre-orders, that means largest phone store (CYM) in Almaty should have it 2 days after it, I am sure it will carry a premium over pre-order, but I am still planning on getting it and taking it back to US for first ever N9 in US.
Anonymous 16 August, 2011 11:13
how much is nokia n9?
anonymous 16 August, 2011 12:15
Having used Maemo for the last few years I am now facing a choice of either an imported N9 bought sim-free or taking a step back in technology and plumping for Android. I looked at WP7 when choosing a handset for my wife and Android won the day. My N900 may well be my last Nokia after some 13 years if rumours are to be believed. The two things I have no desire at all to buy are iphone and WP7. If the carriers are the problem, Nokia needs to apply some pressure or it may be that HTC are handed a very loyal customer on a plate.
anonymous 19 August, 2011 11:57
Contract up in 8 weeks and if Nokia don`t bring out the N9 then sorry Nokia i am going over to An Android. How many potential customers and loyal fans have you lost over this. I have had Nokia well over 10 years
anonymous 19 August, 2011 19:48
please nokia release this phone in Britain and i promise my crack-whoring days are over for good this time
anonymous 25 August, 2011 15:35
I'm currently an iPhone user (ducks the rotten tomatoes) but my current contract ends tomorrow and I can honestly say if the N9 is coming to the UK I would choose it over having another iPhone.
I've been really impressed by the demo's I've seen and, frankly, I don't like the idea of the smartphone market becoming too homogenised. iOS, android or WP7 doesn't seem like much choice to me.
Of course there's also the geek cred of having a cool phone that most people won't recognise too ;-)
anonymous 31 August, 2011 12:50
I have a iphone 4 and I was going to get the 5 but i really love this phone so please Nokia release this baby
anonymous 4 September, 2011 19:40
Please Please Please release the N9 in the UK, Nokia are making a big mistake, DO NOT push things onto us, let customers world wide decide what sells and what does not sell (UK included). All the reviews I have read for the N9 are all extremely positive (only negative is your killing off Meego). Nokia has not had such a response for a product like this for a long time, Again Nokia management is blind, don't thing people world wide were too excited when Nokia announced that they will be releasing WP7 devices. Nokia were blind not to develope Symbian fast enough now they are again blind and going for a corporate type operating system rather then something that is fun to use like Meego.
anonymous 11 September, 2011 09:35
Its a real shame that nokia have sold out to microsoft The N9 looks brillant this coulod have been the phone to save Nokia even a iphone killer .I have used Nokias since my very first phone in 1998 I'm out of contract march 2012 the N9 was the phone I was hoping to get .I will now have to think hard about wheater to stay with nokia and go with the WP7 option.
COME ON NOKIA GIVE US THE PHONE WE ALL WANT THE N9
anonymous 11 September, 2011 16:49
Get onto the nokia uk website and the contact us section and send them a e-mail lokie I have done come on people spread the word lets get the N9 released here.
anonymous 22 September, 2011 20:15
I LIve in the uk and im loyal to Nokia, i dont want iphone or android or windows! i want Meego N9, if i cant have that then i will leave nokia
anonymous 22 October, 2011 02:06
I live in the UK and I dont want the WP7 version of this phone... FREE THE N9 IN THE UK