Actually, the original title was “Usability not counteless features is good for Nokia phones” but then my train of thoughts focused on the N-Series (as well as S60 usability) in the end…

Reading this great summary from Russel and the following comments in this link, I recalled a previous post regarding the complex structure of S60 UI (could not find the link again but I found this instead from a year ago) and I completely agree with most of the problems on the complexity of S60. Some of the comments in Allaboutsymbian discussion were also quite unexpected and one question came to mind: Is it better to have a multi-functional allrounder device where each feature, its usability and customisation varies from average to good or have a device which has “few core” great features, great usability as well as customisation? I think the latter is most preferred and certainly the one I prefer. OK, I know nowadays we are blessed with convergence in many parts of our life and I don’t have any statistics about user preference, but I think the latter is the most preferred because the most successful stories are still the ones where the product has one clear goal, effective and simple use. I think of Google as the best example, but I could take several other Web2.0 companies as examples (as well as “old companies” like Hoover or Nutella – just because I’m a “sweet guy” ), where the user identifies the brand/product name with its use (which many brands don’t like).

Anyway, going back to the initial discussion, if you pack 100 features in your mobile phone the device will be perceived, I think, as “anonymous” if none of these features really stand out. On the contrary, if you make few great core application, the buyer will possibly appreciate its key points without really analysing and scrutinizing all the features and differences with other products (and hopefully also give some “brownie points” back to its brand – I’m thinking of Google again right now but also Apple).
Sure, you can add a N-Series logo to clarify its use among consumers but marketing is always limited by the product (and vice versa). If the product is not clearly defined first, the marketing will be less focused and effective. I might be dumb, but after several N-Series mobile phones, I’m still not sure what the N-Series logo is supposed to stand for (which by the way, was never printed on N95s until now)? Is it converged device, Multimedia computer, mp3 player, camera phone?

If you buy a Sony Ericsson Walman phone, you know what you are buying. Is it the same with N-Series mobile phones? Taking my mobile into the discussion, I’m currently using a N95 which is one of the latest “multimedia computers”… Do I think is a good mobile phone? Yes. Do I think is a great music player? No, it’s a good music player. GPS? Not working great if you ask me. Looking at my pictures in the gallery is also slow and definively not a “computer” experience. That already makes the N-Series name kind of useless and leaves a great opportunity for other brands to explore. I don’t think for example that the N-Series brand is as powerful and focused as the E-Series. The N-Series branding, to be as effective as Nokia wanted, must be associated to a Multimedia Computer that really stands out from the crowd and this is really not the case now. As far as I’m concerned, Nokia could have called it M-Series, as in More expensive, given that price tag is the common denominator among these mobile phones rather than features. One thing that really sets this mobile apart from others is the camera, which is outstanding compared to other manufacturers and that is possibly what the customer perceives when buying this mobile: they are mostly buying a camera phone. Where is the branding for that? Too limited for a converged device? Is Carl Zeiss Lens the only marketing catch phrase that Nokia could have come up with? Disappointing…

Well, I’m supposed to make some conclusion after this but I don’t think Nokia is going to drop the N-Series logo any time soon… There is a thing in my pocket but I really don’t know what is supposed to be…

-Reda