So far the phone name will be called Nokia N97 Mini. It has a smaller body size and smaller screen compared to the current N97 model where the navigation button has been eliminated. Technically the Nokia N97 Mini specifications more or less is the same with the existing N97. One of the difference is the internal memory storage which has been reduced from 16GB to 8GB, depending on the model. The display specs are very close to the Nokia 5530 XM with 2.9″ size, 16M colors, 640×360 resolution and automatic brightness control.

So the point is, the Nokia N97 Mini is intended for people who wants to have the N97 but doesn’t want to carry that big device in their pocket like what Nokia did with it’s communicator series before. Besides, this N97 Mini also will have a better price which is 100 EUR cheaper than the current model. There’s no detail info about the countries that will offer this model, so we’ll wait until the Press release is out.

[via: unwiredview]

But the truth will out. EngadgetMobile just posted pictures of this N97 Mini side by side with its bigger brother. So despite the incident happened on the forum, the real device could be there and soon we’ll know.

For those of you who haven’t heard about this incident, few weeks ago someone on the Vodafone Ireland forums who is a moderator and has the user name “Ev from Vodafone” posted this message:

Vodafone Ireland will not be launching the N97 but will be launching the N97 Mini later this year. Due to the N97 Mini’s competitive pricing, we feel that it will appeal to a wider segment of consumers.

Another operator has exclusivity on the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre so we are not able stock it.

I can say that we are going to Launch the N97 mini as mentioned above and the Storm 2 though.

But then the message was removed with the following statement:

Some information posted here yesterday has been removed. We are not in a position to discuss the N97 at this point. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will update you in due course.”

Find the full change log of the Nokia N97 firmware update below:

New applications added

• Ovi store client now embedded in the core system image

USB detection error fix

• PC does not detect N97 or USB charging connection not detected.

Widgets

• Home screen online/offline widget crash fix
• Fix for “Alphabetical and Number input are mixed in facebook until end key is pressed.
• Widget UI improvement – New facebook widget fixes a problem of Home Screen background visible on soft-key area.
• Browser fixes to improve widgets stability.

MfE related fixes

• Partial fix for Messaging/calendar entry lost.
• Mail for exchange calendar entry synchronization error fix.

UI transition error fixes

• UI transition (Slowness and bad effects)
• Slow Touch UI response
• Picture of the device lock appears half of the screen when transitioning the UI sometimes
• Landscape: in some cases the soft buttons on touch (right hand) show the Home Screen in background (install maps.google.com)

Photos thumbnail performance and stability improvements

• Device performance deteriorates when lots of content in the device – especially photos
• Partial fix no display backlight illumination when unlocking lock-key – CAP Genius reported already
• New version of AccuWeather to improve the “Connection error” situation
• Device reset when browsing with high speed packet access (for Malaysia )
• “Browser soft key UI doesn’t work after putting Chinese character with qwerty keyboard”
• Java fixes (TCK, Pre-install app disappearing, *#7370#*)
• Operator fixes (CMCC, Hutchson and Telefonica, Vodafone )

[via: symbian-freak]

With a 3.5″ touchscreen display, QWEERTY keyboard and fully customized home screen, the Nokia N97 will offer instant access to the full range of Ovi services. See also an interesting video below from Nokia blog team showing the assembling process of the Nokia N97 from assembly table, through packaging, to crating, inspection, batch testing and onto pallets on the truck.