If you missed the news, the Nokia N97 is now available direct from UK Nokia Flagship stores, or online at Nokia.co.uk

Nokia are giving themselves a week headstart over other retailers, so if you want the N97 on a contract, you will still have to wait a little while.

Expect a few of these over the next few weeks, but there is a great first review of the N97 over at All about Symbian.

Some nice photos to tide you over till your N97 arrives, and generally all good comments. Let us know what you think on the Planet N97 Forum

The chaps over at NokNok have had the chance to unbox a N97. You get what you expect in the box but also the nifty dual charge lead that alows compatability with both old style and new style Nokia chargers. Just a little thing, perhaps, but quite cool.

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Hot from Nokia is an email to the N97 members cloub that states the N97 will be shipping THIS WEEK!

Exclusive news just in for the Nokia N97 Members Club: the Nokia Nseries flagship will start shipping to stores worldwide from this week! Keep an eye out for more online updates about when the devices will be available for purchase in your country.

Those members who have pre-ordered their new handsets will be one of the first in their country to receive the new Nokia N97. Expect an email from the online store shortly with delivery dates.

Have you pre ordered – have you got the email? If so you could be some of the lucky ones to get your hands on the N97 earlier than expected!

Another N97 video, just like it says on the tin.

In the lead up to the actual launch of the N97 you can expect a lot of hype and speculation over 2 questions:
1. When will the N97 be released?
and
2. How much will it cost?

Well online retailer Expansys have thrown their hat into the ring, as you can see, and the news is not good, or at least as good as may have been hoped.

The release date has gone from Q1 to the end of Q2 – 23 June, and the price is a top end £689.99, or over $1000.

Of course Expansys may be wrong on both counts, and only time will tell.

As Symbian Freak reports, some of those attending CES 2009 had the oportunity of handling the Nokia N97, and a number of videos are emerging. The first, from CNET is below and shows a couple of minutes worth of action, including demonstration of the touch screen and screen rotate in action.

This second video shows some nice close ups of the N97, particularly the keyboard and the camera cover, something sorely missing from the N96.

Get your ideas on the N97

Nokia have announced a competition to allow YOU to design a widget that will be made available on the N97. A widget is one of the little programs that will run on the front screen of the mobile phone, or as Nokia helpfully describe it: (more…)