Nokia Astound for T-Mobile will not get updated to Belle

Once upon a time, there was a cute Symbian smartphone known as the Nokia C7. It was announced back in September of 2010, and by April of 2011, it was released in the U.S. bearing the Nokia Astound moniker, courtesy of T-Mobile.

Now, as we reported yesterday, the Nokia Belle update started rolling out to select Symbian devices bringing lots of goodies both on the outside and the inside of the platform. And since the Nokia C7 is on the list of smartphones that are getting it, one would assume that the Nokia Astound would be treated to an update too as it is practically the same device. But to the misfortune of all Nokia Astound owners, the Nokia Belle update is not meant to meet the humble Astound, as it was announced via the Twitter feed for Nokia US.

Perhaps it is time to move on and pick a new handset? If you are happy with being a T-Mobile subscriber, the T-Mobile Valentine's Day sale might be a great opportunity to upgrade. All of the carrier's phones, top of the line devices included, will be priced at zero, so feel free to stop by a retail store or visit the T-Mobile web page this Saturday.

source: Nokia US via IntoMobile

7 Comments

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posted on 09 Feb 2012, 07:38 2

1. flopjoke (Posts: 42; Member since: 05 Jan 2012)

Hmm.. obvious target towards bringing Nokia Windows Phone devices in US. It's sad that the last they'll see of Symbian is Anna while the rest of the world enjoys Belle.

posted on 09 Feb 2012, 10:43

2. ReturningToNokia (Posts: 130; Member since: 09 Jul 2011)

From what I've seen of Belle, Nokia Astound users are not missing anything by not having Belle. If they want the Belle icons, they can just download a theme.

posted on 09 Feb 2012, 11:51 3

3. bluechrism (Posts: 99; Member since: 09 Sep 2011)

Belle is a big improvement and i get the impression you haven't used it. Most users of devices running Anna will want belle and it's a shame T-Mobiles users will be among the few worldwide that won't.

posted on 09 Feb 2012, 13:20

5. ReturningToNokia (Posts: 130; Member since: 09 Jul 2011)

bluechrism....I don't want to install Belle on my N8 because I don't want to use Belle. I've seen enough videos of the update, and I've read plenty of feedback from most of the Nokia-centric sites - Belle is not desireable, as far as I'm concerned, and it will not add any benefits to my current user experience, nor does it add any visual appeal.

posted on 10 Feb 2012, 06:12

7. flopjoke (Posts: 42; Member since: 05 Jan 2012)

Simple fact: You'll never know till you actually use it. Videos can show a lot, but it can be totally different when you see it in person. Also, "feedback" is subjective. Everyone's opinion is different. But you can't set an opinion if you haven't experienced it.

Belle is an improvement over Anna and is more closer to Meego and goes a bit further than traditional Symbian feel. It's not just new icons, the whole experience becomes a bit better. Maybe it's not desirable to you specifically, and probably doesn't have the updates you require or wanted to see, but generally it is a much better experience.

posted on 09 Feb 2012, 13:02

4. -box- (Posts: 3991; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)

Crud, I was right... Got Anna, can't get Belle (officially)

posted on 09 Feb 2012, 16:12 1

6. rafael.roque (Posts: 78; Member since: 03 Jul 2010)

Yet another example how carrier branding restricts and limits the full potential of smartphones; thanks a lot T-mobile!