iPhone killer? Maybe?

New N-Series flagship? Definitely.

With a full Qwerty keyboard and a bent towards social networking, the N97 will certainly outshine the iPhone in at least some respects.  Among the new Nokia’s features are persistent network connections–something iPhone apps have been locked out of by Apple for “performance reasons.”

It’s curious that Nokia’s announcements keys so heavily on social networking, something that Apple has more or less ignored over the years. (Remember .Mac?  That was Apple’s idea of social networking I think.)  Location-based social features are something Apple has used in their TV ads for the iPhone, but the app they use in the ad (Loopt) isn’t allowed a persistent connection, limiting its usefulness.

Now, if the N97 is as usable as the iPhone and hits retail at a price point that folks can swallow (Symbian UI has nothing on the iPhone in my opinion), then this could be a serious hit.  I’m looking forward to trying one out.