[Under Consideration] Improving the Maemo 5 phone experience [Archive] - maemo.org

Texrat

11-01-2009, 03:25 PM

Abstract:

Some have complained that the N900 cell capability feels like an afterthought, and is missing features expected on advanced communications devices.

While the N900 may be a mobile computer first, there is no reason to accept phone shortcomings if improvements make sense and can be reasonably incorporated.

If you have ideas for UI and/or usability improvements to the cell or even VoIP functionality, add them here!

http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/

The thread by matthewcc (http://talk.maemo.org/member.php?u=24021) that started all this: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33551

Related thread on Contact grouping: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33812

RevdKathy

11-01-2009, 03:27 PM

Most standard phones will pick up the network's answer-phone service from the sim card, and install it on 1 on the speed dial.

How does n900 handle the answering service?

Texrat

11-01-2009, 03:40 PM

Most standard phones will pick up the network's answer-phone service from the sim card, and install it on 1 on the speed dial.

How does n900 handle the answering service?

Sigh... I get the message "Incorrect number". Guess it didn't come across automatically...

Laughing Man

11-01-2009, 03:49 PM

Hmm, is that more a place to put suggestions as to how to address the shortcomings or just to point out shortcomings?

RevdKathy

11-01-2009, 03:50 PM

Hmmm Well, that's one to improve then!

Certainly allowing a 'call answerphone' facility is needed, even if you have to hunt down and enter the number yourself. For that matter, does n900 have a notification if you have messages?

allnameswereout

11-01-2009, 04:12 PM

When I insert SIM in phone automagically configures stuff like voicemail number. As for voicemail, a local voicemail box is usually cheaper, and then you can implement your 'visual voicemail' too.

Example implementation:

1) Phone voicemail is on or off for A or B where A is GSM and B is SIP or VoIP. Can be multiple B. Can eventually even include support for IM phone calls, conferencing, or video chat.
2) If setting is on and phone is called for X seconds, them following is triggered: Phone is picked up, no microphone or speakers are enabled, message making clear voicemail is enabled is played to caller, input sound is recorded, data is flagged as voicemail in log. UI allows user to handle voicemail(s), including: play, reply, delete.

Basically like Eliza only works on Pidgin when its enabled, and when one is away... ;)

RevdKathy

11-01-2009, 04:30 PM

Texrat

11-01-2009, 04:34 PM

Hmm, is that more a place to put suggestions as to how to address the shortcomings or just to point out shortcomings?

We can discuss shortcomings here, and when Solutions occur to someone, they need to be added to the Brainstorm item.

gecebekcisi

11-01-2009, 04:34 PM

IMO it makes sense to select them all by default, and put on top 'Show...'

[X] Incoming calls
[ ] Outgoing calls
[ ] Missed calls
[ ] Voicemail

Clarification: I did not put X in checkboxes while by default it would Show All aka Filter NoneHow about a menu of selectable 5 items,

[X] Show All
Or Show Only:
[ ] Incoming calls
[ ] Outgoing calls
[ ] Missed calls
[ ] Voicemail

and maybe multiple selection enabled for the last four?

allnameswereout

11-01-2009, 04:36 PM

In the UK voicemail is automatically included from your network and usually can't be turned off, though you can record your own message these days.

So any other option is a bit of a nonstarter. Calls to voicemail are either free or part of your 'included minutes' if you're on a plan. I really need n900 to know if someone has left voicemail.Well I'm notified by SMS with link to voicemail number if I got voicemail, and receiving SMS works on N900, so...

How about a menu of selectable 5 items,

[X] Show All
Or Show Only:
[ ] Incoming calls
[ ] Outgoing calls
[ ] Missed calls
[ ] Voicemail

and maybe multiple selection enabled for the last four?Yes, I thought of that, but the first option's checkbox directly influence the options under it which must be shown in UI.

Consider:

You have 'Show All' enabled. You show 'Or show only', and now enabling one option in 'Show Only' disables 'Show All'.

...while...

Show All is disabled and being enabled 'Show All' removes functionality of currently enabled and/or disabled checkboxes of 'Or show only'.

Confusing... and what do you do when you disable 'Show All'? Back to filter user had before enabling 'Show All'?

This complexity is not worth it. Its only 4 checkboxes. No need for 'Show All'. No need for 'Inverse'. That is useful if managing a lot of messages in webmail; not case here.

What may be useful is different profiles.

Or a button (instead of checkbox) to Show All. (I don't find it worth it tho, I think different profiles is better solution.)

RevdKathy

11-01-2009, 04:54 PM

Another thought: most phones allow me to 'hide number' so that the person I'm calling can't see my incoming number. Does n900 allow that? It's very useful (for example if I have to call clients and only have my personal phone handy - I don't want psychotic folk getting my number. ;) )

Laughing Man

11-01-2009, 04:56 PM

Well a known shortcoming is how the device only has one ringtone for all calls when most phones have a ringtone per person option, or at the very least a ringtone per group (family, friends, work, etc..). That should be an option when editting the contact's details.

gecebekcisi

11-01-2009, 04:58 PM

allnameswereout

11-01-2009, 05:20 PM

well, I think an extra button for used as a shortcut to:
-"select all" functionality when there are unselected items in "or show only" list (to enable fast return to default view)
-"select none" functionality when there all items are selected in "or show only" list (to enable fast single selections)
would be very useful but if you think it's confusing, I'm just leaving my ideas here :)Select None makes no sense. Who would want to see in their log nothing at all???

We include a 'Show All' because we establish a user might want to quickly (re)enable showing all (or, clearing the filters).

Hence:

Button 'Show All' (grey if all are flagged)
Checkbox + Buttons as previously described.

[... Show All..........]
[X| Incoming Calls ]
[..| Outgoing Calls ]
[..| Missed Calls....]
[..| Voicemail.........]

Or

Enable filtering shows (with state of checkboxes saved):

[X| Incoming Calls ]
[..| Outgoing Calls ]
[..| Missed Calls....]
[..| Voicemail.........]

Disable filtering greys (with state of checkboxes saved)

[X| Incoming Calls ]
[..| Outgoing Calls ]
[..| Missed Calls....]
[..| Voicemai.........]

On a second thought. Screw it. Such stuff should be indexed by Tracker. Tracker indexes IM logs, documents, images. Why not voice logs? Why that seperate treatment? Might as well make tons of exceptions while purpose is to include backends for Tracker making it more useful. Hence differentiation makes no sense. This also allows easier to search on communication based on other metadata, allowing more fine grained filtering instead of only outcome_of_used_protocol. Such as: Person, Group context (Work, Family, etc). Also allows data of voice to be combined in search with other protocols such as IM or SMS.

406NotAcceptable

11-01-2009, 05:45 PM

Helmuth

11-01-2009, 05:45 PM

Sorry, I have seen my fault. I deleted this message. Sorry.
Without your reply nobody will remind! :D

Saturn

11-01-2009, 05:51 PM

Helmuth, thanks for the ideas but I'm limiting this thread to call functionality, ie, sending, receiving, filtering, etc. But check other Brainstorms in this subforum or start your own if none cover your topic! Thanks.

Does Helmuth's idea (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=363225)about the grouping of contacts fit here?

I would like also to configure different ringtones to each group and also block calls from groups certain times. Basically, to give an example, I would like to block all calls from work when I'm on holidays and block all calls except from my family group when in a meeting.

Thx

Helmuth

11-01-2009, 06:50 PM

Does Helmuth's idea (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=363225)about the grouping of contacts fit here?

Hmm... so i think it also doesn't fit here.
Contacts are a seperate Programm. Should I start a new Brainstorm?
There could also be different Ideas... (only Groups, Tag Clouds, and so on)

Texrat

11-01-2009, 06:55 PM

There's certainly synergy with Contacts, as I noted earlier, so yeah there won't always be clean divisions between Brainstorms. I think we can address improvements to calling Contacts here for sure.

allnameswereout

11-01-2009, 07:36 PM

Does Helmuth's idea (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=363225)about the grouping of contacts fit here?

I would like also to configure different ringtones to each group and also block calls from groups certain times. Basically, to give an example, I would like to block all calls from work when I'm on holidays and block all calls except from my family group when in a meeting.

ThxProfiles based on:

Time/date (calendar-based)
Location (GPS-based)
Group (user-defined/sorted by user)
Person (user-defined/sorted by user)
Current task (hmmm.. as last resort definition. During driving or meeting, for example)
...?

Different ringtone is just what deviates from default. There is so much more than ringtone.

Auto-reply or voicemail
Urgency (overrides certain settings)
Notify silent via LED and/or vibrate (don't notify via LED when asleep)
...?

sjgadsby

11-01-2009, 09:23 PM

Another thought: most phones allow me to 'hide number' so that the person I'm calling can't see my incoming number. Does n900 allow that?

Yes, it does.

Settings -> Phone -> Send my caller ID

Yes
No
Let network choose

Novurania

11-01-2009, 10:13 PM

Being able to group contacts would be useful.

As for ring tones, have them set at 3 levels:

1. default (nothing set specifically)
2. At the group level (over rides default if set)
3. At the contact level (over rides group ring if set)

jjx

11-01-2009, 10:45 PM

Calls to voicemail are either free or part of your 'included minutes' if you're on a plan. I really need n900 to know if someone has left voicemail.

Here on Vodafone pay-as-you-go, voicemail minutes appear to cost the same as calls, that is 20p/minute...

I have a Three USIM ready with much better terms, the Vodafone PAYG is just a cheap thing to keep me going until I have an N900 to put the USIM into :-)

(Hope they fix the "not compatible with Three USIMs bug soon!)

gecebekcisi

11-01-2009, 11:19 PM

Select None makes no sense. Who would want to see in their log nothing at all???As I said, it could be used to make single item selection with less clicks than removing multiple unneeded selections if that button is implemented the way I described.

We include a 'Show All' because we establish a user might want to quickly (re)enable showing all (or, clearing the filters).
...
On a second thought. Screw it. Such stuff should be indexed by Tracker. Tracker indexes IM logs, documents, images. Why not voice logs? Why that seperate treatment? Might as well make tons of exceptions while purpose is to include backends for Tracker making it more useful. Hence differentiation makes no sense. This also allows easier to search on communication based on other metadata, allowing more fine grained filtering instead of only outcome_of_used_protocol. Such as: Person, Group context (Work, Family, etc). Also allows data of voice to be combined in search with other protocols such as IM or SMS.Hmm. What about taking 2 different approaches to logs as simple "call log" and advanced "global log"?

Simple call log should use single selection at a time (radiobox logic) to eliminate the need for confirmation of multiple selections by either pressing another button or touching unused areas of the screen.

(●) Show All
(..) Filter Incoming
(..) Filter Outgoing
(..) Filter Missed
(..) Filter Voicemail

Advanced global log should use multiple selection at a time (checkbox logic) since data will be aggregated from lots of sources (as in S60 now) user should be able to perform advanced & custom filtering (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33486: similar topic)

(..) Show All
(●) Filter
Criteria:
....[..] Voice Calls
....[..] VoIP Calls
....[X] SMS
....[..] IM
....[..] Voice Mail
....[..] E-mail
....[..] Data connections
....[..] WiFi
Direction:
....[..] All
....[X] Incoming
....[..] Outgoing
....[..] Missed
....[X] Number/Contact/Contact Group

Show all could save state of selected checkboxes, but I prefer this should be optional (since I think I'd like to make new selections everytime I want to go advanced)

RevdKathy

11-02-2009, 03:58 AM

Here on Vodafone pay-as-you-go, voicemail minutes appear to cost the same as calls, that is 20p/minute...

I have a Three USIM ready with much better terms, the Vodafone PAYG is just a cheap thing to keep me going until I have an N900 to put the USIM into :-)

(Hope they fix the "not compatible with Three USIMs bug soon!)

I'm locked into Orange on a contract for a while (still paying for the mistake that was the c905). My voicemail can't be turned off, and the calls come out of my allowance. As I never get anywhere near using my allowance at the moment (calls are a low priority for me, and the c905 is 'broken' in that respect anyay) that means free. I have dug through and found the voicemail number, and added it to contacts for syncing. Now I need to know whether n900 notifies of a message left - which I probably shan't know for sure till I hold the device in my sticky paws.

Not that it matters much to me but I gather n900 doesn't have speed dial? or voicedial? Both of those might fit into thei category of improvements.

SubCore

11-02-2009, 07:12 AM

Now I need to know whether n900 notifies of a message left - which I probably shan't know for sure till I hold the device in my sticky paws.

you mean a notification for a voice message in your carrier's voicebox? the n900 knows nothing about that, so it can't inform you. the carrier has to send you a sms that you have messages waiting. (at least that's the way it works with all the carriers i know, perhaps it's different in the uk)

RevdKathy

11-02-2009, 08:22 AM

My carrier sends some sort of signal: a symbol appears on the phone as long as I have unread messages. As soon as I read and delete them, the little envelope symbol disappears: works in symbian,palm and SE OS to my certain knowledge.

allnameswereout

11-02-2009, 09:12 AM

@ Kathy, yes it is clear different ISPs in different countries use different methods. According to Wikipedia voicemail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voicemail):

provide message notification by SMS, a special dial tone, or using Caller ID signalling

However many people do have to pay for using voicemail (PAYG or having free minutes in subscription or not). Having the stuff local allows for much more versatile configuration, and allows even to centralize VoIP (e.g. Skype)/SIP voicemail to be combined with GSM voicemail.

When I had an answering machine on my home line I never had to dial some special number to hear my voicemails. They were recorded local. It really makes little sense to save them remotely, and _if_ saved remotely it makes sense to fetch them from the server and then decide what to do with them. Imagine your mail server asking you if you really want to download the spam or delete it then telling you how many messages remaining meanwhile you're paying for the seconds to listen to this artificial nonsense wasting your time; that is voicemail on GSM. Although perhaps deserves a seperate topic (Brainstorm) to fix the issue has been discussed before on t.m.o.

Hmm. What about taking 2 different approaches to logs as simple "call log" and advanced "global log"?Thanks for your post, I think you're on the right way for getting the UI right.

However IMO one engine should be used (Tracker) with a backend for the protocols (SMS, VoIP, GSM, ...). With flags a shortcut can be made. Like for example: tracker --search backend=gsm filter=none. From there, one can modify the filter or use more backends. My point is: why use different search program or different UI when using different protocol (VoIP or IM different than GSM or SMS)?

Instead, make it unified, like the profiles don't care about protocol you use to communicate with either; they store them all. Then the 'gsm communication log' should use the frameworks as the 'general communication log'. If yes, why not simply use the same interface with default options which make sense from the protocol used (e.g. log called from GSM goes by default for GSM but allows more)?

One problem is 'Missing' has different context in IM/SMS/e-mail than in VoIP/SIP/GSM, and I'm not sure how to solve this because there is no authentication in IM/SMS the other side has read the message.

gecebekcisi

11-02-2009, 02:33 PM

However IMO one engine should be used (Tracker) with a backend for the protocols (SMS, VoIP, GSM, ...). With flags a shortcut can be made. Like for example: tracker --search backend=gsm filter=none. From there, one can modify the filter or use more backends. My point is: why use different search program or different UI when using different protocol (VoIP or IM different than GSM or SMS)?

Instead, make it unified, like the profiles don't care about protocol you use to communicate with either; they store them all. Then the 'gsm communication log' should use the frameworks as the 'general communication log'. If yes, why not simply use the same interface with default options which make sense from the protocol used (e.g. log called from GSM goes by default for GSM but allows more)?Very convergent approach, thanks :)

Now I understand that if we had a permanent DIAL/SEND key on the screen (or a HW key like in most phones) which could directly be assigned to "fast" log (only voice calls are shown like in most phones) separate UIs would be consistent, but since we don't have such a key versus we shouldn't have two seperate UIs for one job. That's alright. I have a few more ideas:

[ Calls ] [ Filter ] [ Sort ]

Three keys in a tab, just above listed events.

Calls (or whatever it can be called): remove any previous filters and apply "voice" only. Permanent action. Could display "Return" while other filters are applied since this will be default behaviour of call list.
Filter: speaks for itself.
Sort: speaks for itself.

One problem is 'Missing' has different context in IM/SMS/e-mail than in VoIP/SIP/GSM, and I'm not sure how to solve this because there is no authentication in IM/SMS the other side has read the message.Items in filtering menu applying fixed (maybe configurable via editing a file?) and reasonable presets of filters should be solution to this problem. My "reasonable" preset list would be:

Incoming: Incoming (Voice Calls + VoIP Calls + Video calls + SMS + MMS + IM + Voice Mail + E-mail)
Outgoing: Outgoing (Voice Calls + VoIP Calls + Video calls + SMS + MMS + IM + Voice Mail + E-mail + EDGE/3G + WiFi)
Missed: Missed (Voice Calls + VoIP Calls + Video calls + Voice Mail)
Text: All (SMS + MMS + IM + E-mail)
Data: All (EDGE/3G + WiFi)
People: All (Voice Calls + VoIP Calls + Video calls + SMS + MMS + IM + Voice Mail + E-mail) for selected/highlighted number/contact/group
Advanced: Open a dialog and let user select prefered filters and directions.

In fact, I don't have any real idea how current list behaves. Sorry if I have duplicate/inappropriate ideas.

Texrat

11-02-2009, 02:36 PM

There's been some EXCEPTIONALLY productive discussion on this and I am getting ready to corral it into Solutions unless someone beats me to it.

Thanks all!

Helmuth

11-02-2009, 04:11 PM

There's certainly synergy with Contacts, as I noted earlier, so yeah there won't always be clean divisions between Brainstorms. I think we can address improvements to calling Contacts here for sure.

I'm shure you won't forget the Group wish for the Contacts (and also the diferent ringtones for each Group)

I thought a Tag Clound could be even betten than seperate Groups. Some Contacts can Overlap. And sometimes you will see Groups at twice or set ringtones to a group of them. Only set Filters with the Tag Cloud. In my opinion the usability could be more consistent with a Tag Cloud like at the Photos and Images. (mostly the same code, the same syle and so on) :rolleyes:

qole

11-02-2009, 04:20 PM

Yes, it does.

Settings -> Phone -> Send my caller ID

Yes
No
Let network choose

We need qwerty12 to hack a fourth option, "Custom caller ID" :D

Helmuth

11-02-2009, 05:04 PM

We need qwerty12 to hack a fourth option, "Custom caller ID" :D

I'm not shure. I don't think we NEED this. :D

But it is possible that wee need a second Brainstorm treath seperated for the Contacts in the future...
A posibility to edit the text of the Data Fields would be nice. So I've got also SMS messages from Contacts with a old Mobile Number. So at the Symbian System I've stored the former numbers also in the Contact (with a customized Text: "Mobile (OLD)" - at the Maemo Contacts you can only Chooce between "Mobile", "Mobile (home)", "Mobile" (work), "Phone" and "Phone (home)".
And there is no customized Fields for other kind of numbers possible, are'nt I right?
At example I need only: "Work" for my Collegs in the Company.

sjgadsby

11-02-2009, 05:32 PM

We need qwerty12 to hack a fourth option, "Custom caller ID"

Ah yes, calls from "707-531-9009" will be the "Sent from iPhone" of the Maemo world.

Texrat

11-02-2009, 05:36 PM

I'm half-tempted to dial that and see what it is... :eek:

sjgadsby

11-02-2009, 05:38 PM

I'm half-tempted to dial that and see what it is...

Well, a number in California for I know not what, but also for a adolescent with a calculator it's...

Texrat

11-02-2009, 05:42 PM

LOL.

:p

Texrat

11-03-2009, 02:55 PM

I apologize for the delay in posting Solutions. I have just been extremely swamped. Normally I have brief periods of availability where I can sneak in such things, but the Brainstorm page has been updating so slowly that I can't do that.

I will try to find time as soon as possible to provide updates, but in the meantime anyone is welcome to post solutions to this Brainstorm.

EDIT: except ragnar (kidding :p)

Helmuth

11-04-2009, 04:51 PM

We're starting a call from the Contacts. And I don't want to create a extra new treath so i think it fits here enought:

What about the Fields in the Contacts application? I think there are not enought. It should be possible to add some with own Description. And also the possibility to Add more than a Single "Web Page" or a Single "Note".

In the View "All contacts" you can only Choice between several Views of First and Lastname or Nickname. More posibilitys would be nice. :rolleyes:

sjgadsby

11-04-2009, 04:54 PM

...also the possibility to Add more than a Single "Web Page"...

This is already possible. I have several contacts with two or three "Web page" fields.

Helmuth

11-08-2009, 05:59 AM

This is already possible. I have several contacts with two or three "Web page" fields.

Oh, yes. You're right. :o

I've tested a lot. You can add more than one "Web page". Yes, okay. But only a Single Note.

I have added a new Bug report for the Description problem. It would solve several other problems. So, feel free to vote for: 6083 (https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=6083)

nwhitfield

11-15-2009, 06:34 AM

Thinking about it, I like Helmuth's idea of tag clouds for contacts, if you can also use those tag clouds as a way of controlling when you get alerted - for example tagging a period in the calendar so that only contacts with a 'family' tag will make the call ring.

The one problem with that is that if (as I do) you want certain times every day limited to family callers, then you probably need a 'profile' or some other screen to set those, otherwise the calendar might potentially get crowded with entries that do nothing other than control what calls you get.

It would, though, be useful to be able to add multiple options to contacts, so there could be some clients I am happy to hear from outside office hours, but still have the 'work' ringtone, so I know when I hear it that it's not going to be friends or family, and I can act sober when I answer.

Saturn

11-19-2009, 07:04 PM

Hi,

found some minutes and added in the different ideas for the "grouping of contacts" I found in here at the brainstorm page (http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/).

I've also noticed there is a very similar request in the bugzilla for this at https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5356

HIH

RobertHall

11-20-2009, 11:19 PM

just wondering if any of the maemo developers can develop an app for this?
im using HandyBlacklist on S60.

Features such as : Block Private Numbers, Unknown Numbers(those which arent stored in your phonebook) Select numbers from Contacts, Allow list(rejects all other calls except this list) should be implemented in the application.
So anyone up to it developing such?

agogo

11-24-2009, 01:16 AM

how about a predictive dialer, similar to Winmo?
using the dial pad to enter the first numbers of the mobile phone or T9 to pick up names.

RevdKathy

11-24-2009, 03:44 AM

how about a predictive dialer, similar to Winmo?
using the dial pad to enter the first numbers of the mobile phone or T9 to pick up names.

My SE does that. Oddly, I find it really aggravating! (Maybe I don't like my phone knowing who I'm calling?)

qole

11-24-2009, 04:27 AM

RevdKathy

11-24-2009, 04:35 AM

(starts dialling) 5-5-5-...
(phone interrupts) "Oooh, calling that guy again, I see. You like the look of him, don't you? Mmm-hmm. But he's no good for you, girl. You leave him alone... What about that nice fellow at your office? You know, the one who called you yesterday at 6:24 and talked with you for 8 minutes and 54 seconds?"
(phone owner) "Arrgh! Mom! I curse the day you got your CompSci degree!"

Yeah, that's exactly it. Well, no actually it's the thought that it may know confidential NHS information like clients' phone numbers (I should be using my NHS phone, I know...)

My n95 would happily let me dial, and then tell me who I'd dialled so I could see I'd dialled right. For some reaon, I never minded that.

BTW, a few folks donw in the crazy world that the n900 forum has become have some compaints about phone functions - I pointed them here. :)

juhas

11-27-2009, 12:56 PM

Personally, I like N900 as an Internet device, but the phone/contacts seems to be a bit lacking.

Besides the things already previously mentioned (contact groups, profiles with custom ring tone / ring group settings, contact/group-based ringtone setting, perhaps the ability of automatically change profiles based on time or calendar entries), I'd also like to see few other related features:

The possibility of also defining special IM permissions to profiles ("only IM/SMS messages from the members in groups VIP + Work will play a tone")

"Smart groups" that are automatically populated & updated based on one-or-more user-defined criteria. For example, group Work could contain all people where Company contains "Example Ltd"

Contact/group-based IM/SMS ring tones

Texrat

11-30-2009, 12:16 AM

Robert, part of the problem is that this subforum is specific to Brainstorming, not requests or even simple suggestions. I am merging your thread with an existing phone improvement Brainstorm topic.

shaninkatz

12-02-2009, 02:39 PM

I have had the n900 since Nov 21. I love the phone. However, I do have 3 specific items I would like to see improved. They are as follows:-

1. No MMS. - Based on all the research I have done so far it doesn't sound like this can happen. If anyone knows otherwise please share. Apparently, its not something that an apps or software upgrade can fix!

2. Limited number of profiles: only general and silent.- Can we have the option to create more profiles please? My life doesn't fall under the neat categories of silent or general! Is this something that can change with a software upgrade? I would assume so.

3. Can’t assign specific ringtone to contacts. Ok.. Nokia/Maemo what’s the deal here? After owning a N6630 and a N73 you expect me to LOOK at the screen to find out who is calling? Seriously? Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone PLEASE tell me this will change!

If there has been fixes to this already, please please let me know how to!

Texrat

12-02-2009, 02:52 PM

Shaninkatz, thanks for your post. Your concerns are addressed in this thread and throughout the forum. There are no "fixes" yet, but the purpose of this subforum is to find them! ;)

Andraeseus

12-07-2009, 09:05 PM

i only have a few things to add.. everything else seems to already be on the move so here goes...

1. There is no practical way to use the ^ insert symbol (which is part of my pass word) i think that's the name of the symbol &

2.. there is no option to "select all" or "Mark all" when scrolling through files or rearranging things in the phone like in file manager or copying or transferring music

3.a way to organize music like having the files pop up in alphabetical order.

4, A user friendly way to create play lists and multiple play lists at that! (if this one is possible i have had the darnest time trying to figure it out.)

Moderator EDIT: actually this belongs elsewhere, not in Brainstorm how-to. Moving.

bonerp

12-08-2009, 09:40 AM

A few problems I have found - biggest first:

When entering typical online bank details, passwords are normally hashed on the screen upon entry, but on N900 are not. This poses a big security risk. Also no padlock symbol once logged in showing a secure connection.

Portrait mode for all apps.

Call handling is not very clever / missed calls / voicemail management / contact groups etc

Auto disconnect of 3g required when browsing closes/having recalled emails.

Need to create/edit profiles.

Power/battery management needs improving.

qgil

12-08-2009, 04:41 PM

Note that this proposal has currently +5 karma and needs at least 5@more thumbs up to move from Sandbox to Under Consideration: http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/

Helmuth

12-08-2009, 04:50 PM

Improvement:

Store and Handle prefered numbers Information from VCARDs in Contacts Application and handle it in the Phone Application.

When you chose a Contact, there should be a little Star or something else for you prefered number of the contact during selecting the Number to call.

rapante

12-10-2009, 08:34 PM

I've just read through the brainstorm and I would like to see a small addition to solution #2

the addition is specifically about "block calls from specific groups."

this should include being able to block incoming calls with numbers hidden.

Even though it is against the law (in Germany, don't know about other countries) to call someone with a business matter with a hidden number, still quite a lot of "spam" companies do hide their number.

I get quite a few of these calls per month and I just like to completely block those hidden calls and in addition would like them to not show on the "missed calls" entries.

Everybody I do have on my contact list and even all of the companies I have a contract with (bank, creditcards, electricity, water etc.) do show their numbers, so I really love to just block those bastards who try to sell me sh*t :)

karmicguy

12-10-2009, 11:26 PM

Hey All,

This is my first brainstorm post, so please be kind :D. How about a solution #4 (or is it too late for that?). I actually perceive the N900 to be much more than a phone. I see it as a universal messaging device. How about the option of a universal inbox that would include all of your messages (including email and voicemail, IM, MMS, twitter, etc.). It would allow users to manage all messages in one place instead of having to go to multiple places (email, conversations, etc.). Message threads would remain intact. When you go to act on a message it would use the appropriate protocols/api to send the response, so that if the interaction started on facebook, it would continue on facebook or if it was a voice call then you would have the option to call the person back directly after listening to the message.

Ability to create advanced filters and rules for all incoming messages. for example this would allow the user to:

Have some messages automatically saved in certain folders or deleted.
Have custom messages/replies based on who the caller is or who the message is from
Configure a filter to show only work related messages from 9 to 5.
Have custom sounds assigned to messages. For example, you would hear a chirp sound whenever you received a tweet.
Set priorities on the sorting of messages so that, for example, messages from your best friends are always at the top of the list.
Tag or color code all messages via the custom rules and sort on the tags or colors.
Set up behaviors based on your location and what time of day it is (be able to turn off all audio and visual notifications after 11:00 PM for example).
Have smart folders based on customized rules. These folders could also be placed on the desktop for quick and easy access.

Ability to search across all of the messages in the universal inbox and to filter the messages by sender, date, read, unread, etc.

Include smart data detectors to be able to parse out phone numbers, dates, contact information, etc. from messages. Be able to perform something smart with this information like add to contacts or add a meeting to your calendar.

To summarize:

One universal inbox for all messages regardless of protocol (a message is a message is a message...)
Be able to create and apply advanced rule based behaviors based on multiple attributes of the message (what, who, where, when, etc.) to filter message streams
Search across all messages
Data detectors allow you to quickly act on received messages
Smart folders (based on advanced rules).

One very smart mailbox to rule them all :).

Thanks for considering...

Fargus

12-10-2009, 11:36 PM

...
1. There is no practical way to use the ^ insert symbol (which is part of my pass word) i think that's the name of the symbol &
...

Press the blue arrow and then the Sym/Ctrl key to popup less used characters including the caret.

edgar2

12-11-2009, 10:20 AM

two ideas for improving the phone experience, will add to brainstorm.

1. custom-sized speed dial shortcuts on the desktop. pressing the icon would trigger a pre-defined action, in this case calling a specific number. handy for those cases when you're outside, on the move, maybe with gloves on your hand and only one hand available.

2. when in phone app, shaking should trigger specific actions. what about shaking triggering a suggestion to call one member from a pre-defined group? shake again and the next person is suggested. when you find the person to call, put the phone to your ear and the light sensor will trigger the call function.

Andraeseus

12-11-2009, 04:59 PM

am i the only one who doesn't see an option to "MUTE" during phone calls?

captainqtp

12-11-2009, 05:04 PM

am i the only one who doesn't see an option to "MUTE" during phone calls?

The mute button looks like a microphone with a red line through it. When it is muted the microphone is highlighted. When it is unmuted, it is not highlighted. It sits at the upper left hand side of the dial pad, during a phone call.

Speaking of phone experience (I haven't read through the complete thread, so sorry if this is a repeat)... I can't seem to use touch tone dialing in skype which limits the usefullness of skype for me since I spend so much time in conference calls which require touch tone dialing (10-15 hours a week at least). Any ideas?

Saturn

12-13-2009, 09:47 AM

hawkey81

12-13-2009, 06:22 PM

I would like to see the addition of the voicemail symbol that is displayed when you have un-read voicemail. Visula voicemail would be even better.

Fargus

12-15-2009, 10:10 AM

I would like to see the addition of the voicemail symbol that is displayed when you have un-read voicemail. Visula voicemail would be even better.

I'd like to see the traditional tape reel symbol in the notification area, obviously activated by the normal formatted SMS from operator - call me old school! :)

nymajoak

12-15-2009, 05:29 PM

enbeekay

12-15-2009, 05:45 PM

Having just got an N900 after using a 6500 classic for 2 years (which was after using a 6230i, 6230, 6310i, 6210, 6110), one thing that is really bugging me about the N900 is a lack of notification symbols for SMS and voicemail.

for years now, whenever i have an unread SMS there's a little envelope at the top or for voicemail, a little tape recorder symbol...

It's only a little thing i know but those little reminders were ever so helpful in remember you had an sms to look at or a voicemail to listen to.

At the moment on vodafone (uk) the only voicemail notification i have is recieving an SMS. (i know that there's a widget to see all your unread SMS messages but still :confused:, it's mighty annoying to only get an SMS and a little alert that goes for good when you touch it.)

Would very much like to see these symbols implemented again in the status bar as it is really a reminder/notification you have something to read or listen to and not remember when you happen to go into Conversations.

At the moment this is really my only major gripe about the N900 (apart from the lack of a converter app and stopwatch/countdown timer app! (i've seen a stopwatch app being developed though!))

Here's hoping...

rapante

12-15-2009, 05:50 PM

I haven't read the entire thread either, so apologies in advance if this has been discussed.

When you have missed a phone call and tap corresponding entry in the phone application, you may expect the phone to call back to the very number you missed a call from. In case the call was from one of your contacts, and that contact has more than one phone number associated with it, you are instead asked to choose one of those numbers.

Am I the only one thinking this is not right? Or am I maybe missing something? The person might at the moment only be available on the number they called from and I can't see a way to even know which number that was.

no you are not alone and if you have a look at this: http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/

you'll see that there are quite a few good solutions already added to the brainstorm. feel free to vote for them.

I've just thought about the missed calls again and I'd say the best solution is if you see the number your contact has called you with at the first button on top and all the other numbers below.

this would be a good solution for these kinds of scenarios:

A friend of yours calls, let us call him Steve

Steve calls you at 3pm, with his office number, but you've been in a meeting for another 4 hours (that's gotta be hell guys) and you are not able to call him back.

So you see you missed Steve's call at 3pm, but you know he is always in office until 5:30. now it's 6pm and it's a tuesday so it's his fitness day, which means you know you'll have to pick his private mobile phone, which is the second number on the list.

What do you think about this solution?

nymajoak

12-15-2009, 06:05 PM

nymajoak

12-15-2009, 06:11 PM

no you are not alone and if you have a look at this: http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/

you'll see that there are quite a few good solutions already added to the brainstorm. feel free to vote for them.

I've just thought about the missed calls again and I'd say the best solution is if you see the number your contact has called you with at the first button on top and all the other numbers below.

this would be a good solution for these kinds of scenarios:

A friend of yours calls, let us call him Steve

Steve calls you at 3pm, with his office number, but you've been in a meeting for another 4 hours (that's gotta be hell guys) and you are not able to call him back.

So you see you missed Steve's call at 3pm, but you know he is always in office until 5:30. now it's 6pm and it's a tuesday so it's his fitness day, which means you know you'll have to pick his private mobile phone, which is the second number on the list.

What do you think about this solution?

This is the thread about that very brainstorm, so yes I am aware of it. Wanted to gauge if I had missed something obvious before carving my stupidity in stone in the brainstorm section.. ;)

I like your solution, I think it is nice to have quick access to all of Steve's numbers but I would like the number he called from to be highlighted. On top and with a different color or a small explanatory tag of some kind.. On top might not be clear enough imho.

Would you add it to the brainstorm? :)

rapante

12-15-2009, 07:15 PM

This is the thread about that very brainstorm, so yes I am aware of it. Wanted to gauge if I had missed something obvious before carving my stupidity in stone in the brainstorm section.. ;)

I like your solution, I think it is nice to have quick access to all of Steve's numbers but I would like the number he called from to be highlighted. On top and with a different color or a small explanatory tag of some kind.. On top might not be clear enough imho.

Would you add it to the brainstorm? :)

just did :)

nymajoak

12-15-2009, 08:09 PM

just did :)

And \me voted. :)

evad

12-18-2009, 10:31 AM

Just added new solution to this brainstorm:

Solution #9: Provide speed dial for phone pad

Actually, I was surprised that so useful and present in all Nokia phones feature wasn't suggested yet. :)

Antoine

12-21-2009, 03:52 PM

I think there's one thing missing into the contacts part : groups. But, not groups from Gtalk and others... Groups that you can create and fill with contacts from the phone.
That way, you can send an email or a SMS to a contact group directly, not having to select all of them one by one. Other Nseries phones allow this...
Or did I miss something ?

Antoine

12-22-2009, 07:51 AM

I think an application that allows to start a conversation with several contacts, or with a group (already existing) of contacts would be good.
Thus, we would send a message to a group, a conversation would be created, and all the responses would come in a single conversation.
Because for now, when we send a message (SMS or IM) to several contacts, it opens several conversations, which is not very ergonomic.
Then, in that conversation, we should be able to answer a message, by selecting the contact(s) we want to send it to, or by choosing an 'send to all' option.
So in this conversation, at the left of the messages, we would see the icon of the sender, and just beside, the icon of the receiver, or an icon that represent the group.

What do you think ?

Fargus

12-22-2009, 07:53 AM

Antoine

12-22-2009, 08:03 AM

Yes, I agree.

Saturn

12-22-2009, 08:32 AM

Hi,

Nice ideas.

If you like you can follow the discussions here (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33830) and add those ideas on the brainstorm (http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/)

regards

Antoine

12-24-2009, 03:45 AM

I don't understand how this forum works. Where are we supposed to post our ideas ?

Saturn

12-24-2009, 06:33 AM

I don't understand how this forum works. Where are we supposed to post our ideas ?

hi,

If you are talking about the brainstorm check this video (http://static.maemo.org/static/m/maemo_brainstorm_introduction.swf)

In short, register and add your solution. People then can vote.

hope it helps

Thor

01-01-2010, 09:54 AM

Regarding the autorotation issue:

I'd like it if there is an autorotation section in settings, which brings up a list of programs with checkboxes alongside. Checked items autorotate, and unchecked items don't. There should be 2 big buttons at the top as well: autorotate all (in essence checks all boxes); autorotate off (unchecks all boxes). This may only be possible for the built-in applications, unless developers are given the info on how to integrate their app into that as well, as it is much better in one place than within each specific app. Apps with no autorotation feature should have the checkbox blank and "greyed out".

Perhaps a default orientation - where the option is available - can also be available here, so a portrait/landscape slider or entry.

All checkboxes on the left so that the length of a program name doesn't get in the way of viewing the important info.

It may also be useful to have a program specific option from within that program. eg. when in the browser, you can tap the title bar for settings and change default orientation, autorotate on/off and this is reflected in the settings page.

jeffsf

01-01-2010, 01:10 PM

On call groups and distinctive ring tones

Previous Nokia phones, including the 6681 and E70, have not done well with groups, ringtones, and one-touch dialing locations when sync-ed using SyncML/iSync -- losing all customizations on every sync. Any implementation here should be checked to make sure that this does not occur (assuming the AT parser bug has been fixed).

rami

01-07-2010, 06:06 PM

every time time you need to delete, edit, for forward a contact, you have to open it first, it would be great to implement a "Long-Press" feature in the contacts that pops up a menu with the following options
1-delete
2-edit
3-send
4-select (AKA Mark)
5-merge

Moderator edit: post moved to pre-existing thread.

ndi

01-07-2010, 07:17 PM

Em, hi.

I was wondering, with all this brainstorming why nobody made any suggestions to re-add features that were there for a long time, or were added for handsome cash by other companies?

For example, people complain about lack of per-user ringtone, but I never used those because if I did I'd never know it was my phone that rang. I relied on the voice synth to read it out loud, which is mighty useful since it works an all contacts. Any of you ever tuned that off? (It's on by default)

What about video/animated portraits, it would be cool IMO to have the person calling you wave in the little window. It's not like it's hard to do. A little GIF or an AVI or an animated PNG.

Also, the call screen has a lot of free space. We have bigger images.

What about the call screen image quality? The image stored in contacts is too small, and it gets stretched as the window is bigger. How about an associate, each contact gets an unique ID, and that ID is replicated in an image or a video in a separate folder on the MMC. When calling, pull that. If not there, pull contact. Else, pull the blue unknown thingy. This worked just fine on S60 with a quarter the processing power and a tent of RAM and costs like 50$.

Where's progressive calling? Hum, then call. Ring for 2 seconds, wait 5, ring again, allow me to pick up without annoying everyone, yet still get it in the other room. I currently do thus via a custom sound that shuts up a little. It's a modern version of Attraction.

How about customizable ring screen? Let us put what we want on it? Just like we edit the desktops, let me move my red button on top and my green on bottom, they are too close together, you assume I'm watching the screen. This is one of the few phones you have to see to answer. (reject is easy, red is on bottom).

How about accelero-answer? Just like turning over shuts it up, how about head-down answers? Head-up is kinda bad because I'm looking at it. But I could rotate to answer, just leave the arm hanging to answer the phone. Mabye head-down-to-head-up. Or head-down shuts it up and proximity answers so one doesn't bust a membrane.

Does any of this appeal to you or am I the only one who wants this stuff?

chemist

01-13-2010, 01:22 PM

does this thread get an own proposal or should it be merged with the phone experience thread?

Behemoth

01-13-2010, 03:49 PM

...

How about customizable ring screen? Let us put what we want on it? Just like we edit the desktops, let me move my red button on top and my green on bottom, they are too close together, you assume I'm watching the screen. This is one of the few phones you have to see to answer. (reject is easy, red is on bottom).

...

I totally agree with you! There is so much space on the screen. Why did they put the red and green button so close together? This could be improved!

evad

01-13-2010, 05:59 PM

How about accelero-answer? Just like turning over shuts it up, how about head-down answers? Head-up is kinda bad because I'm looking at it. But I could rotate to answer, just leave the arm hanging to answer the phone. Mabye head-down-to-head-up. Or head-down shuts it up and proximity answers so one doesn't bust a membrane.

I wouldn't do auto-answer under any circumstance. Imagine you can't (or don't want) take a call. If I'd use accelerometer in relation to ringing phone, then picking it up from flat surface should make ringtone just quieter. HTC HD2 has such feature, very useful!

markske

01-16-2010, 08:01 AM

Helmuth

01-16-2010, 11:16 AM

customizable ring screen?

I would like the option to create 3 sliders @ringing time

1 slide up = silence
2 slide right = pickup
3 slide left = reject

Now if I get a call and grab my phone out of my pocket I have a chance that I already pressed to pickup or reject the call
that is very annoying (My guess that sliding can help here)

It's a good Idea. I have this problems too and added a seperate Brainstorm for this kind of problems. You can find here the Brainstorm (http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/actions_when_device_is_locked_and_a_event_like_ale art-alarm_or_call_happens/) and here the Conversation (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=40872).

jubei80

01-16-2010, 11:30 AM

I want is video calling, custom video for each contact....heck even if its for evryone i'd still want it.

peyo

01-16-2010, 11:48 AM

Hello,

being able to enable/disable quickly im/sip/skype/ovi accounts would be awesome.
Also being able to "profile" those accounts, as emails.
I mean allow this and this accounts to connect always, that one only through wifi and that one only through 3G. Why that ? my (french) phone company doesn't allow any VOIP protocol on 3G (skype/sip/...) and I use them on wifi at home and at work.
Also, ovi is the only charge free account on my phone company. Using xmpp is costing me, even if it's only connection and no IM.

Also : http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=40893
about addressbook matching

nymajoak

01-16-2010, 12:20 PM

[...]
When you have missed a phone call and tap corresponding entry in the phone application, you may expect the phone to call back to the very number you missed a call from. In case the call was from one of your contacts, and that contact has more than one phone number associated with it, you are instead asked to choose one of those numbers.
[...]
I can't see a way to even know which number that was.

It seems this issue has been fixed in PR1.1. Now you only see the missed number when you first tap the missed call, not all the contact's numbers. If you want to call a different number stored in the contact you tap the avatar and all numbers are displayed. Essentially just what we asked for in solution #8. :)

jean2323

01-16-2010, 03:57 PM

i have a few issues with the call log management ... discussed them on another topic, but i guess here it's a bit more appropriate
so i'll make some copy paste:

i have the latest firmware
in call log (phone .... call log is one with the phone application)
is i press a gsm number; get the option to call or to send and sms (long press gives me the option to delete or to open the vcard)
if i press a sip call i get the option to call (sip call) or to chat

even if the contact has an assocoated sip audio number ... i cannot access it from the call log if there i have a gsm call.

on my n82 ... i have the option to choose the call type from the call log ... should be implemented in n900 too

i added a solution here (#24), please vote for it!
http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/

sure ... one needs to know from what number originated the call!!!
but ... you need to have the option to choose how to call back!!!
it's important!!
and if you can somehow find a way to do this with a contact (you go to the contact list a pick whatever you find there), you have to take a pen ans write down the number if this number is not a contact number ... and dial it the way you want in the dial-pad

one needs these options there!! to chose how to call ... to copy the number, all the options on n95 where there for a reason after years of experience (that's why they are leaders, that's why so many iphone users still have a n95 in their pockets!)

quite annoying ... for such an advanced device!

jean2323

01-16-2010, 03:57 PM

another feature missing: if sip is deactivated ... there is no way to activate it trying to make the call

n82 way ... pick a phone # from the call log list or contacts >> choose the type of call (gsm or sip) >> if sip is disconnected, it asks you if you want to start the sip service ... nice & easy ...

it would be nice if this could be copied by maemo's team

etuoyo

01-16-2010, 04:15 PM

I'm sure this has been brought up somewhere in this thread (I am just going to read the thread now to see what has been suggested and any I think is missing) but just need to highlight the inability to dial numbers starting with * (assuming the firmware update hasn't fixed this). I just got back from holiday in Nigeria for three weeks where to load credit you have to dial * followed by the card number. Of course I couldn't do this on my phone. So each time I wanted to add call credit I would have to take out my sim card and put it into someone else's phone to add the credit. A real hassle of a process (remove battery on N900, remove sim card, remove battery of other phone, remove sim card, put my sim card into other phone, add credit, remove battery of other phone, remove my sim card from other phone, put sim card back into N900, replace N900 battery, switch phone back on).

qgil

01-16-2010, 10:53 PM

Is it me the only one thinking that http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/ has gone out of control? Brainstorm proposals need to be around a concrete proposal.

Now what? Imagine that one of the 21(!) "solutions" is under development. Should we move the whole proposal to In Development and leave a big question mark about all the rest?

Texrat

01-16-2010, 11:08 PM

I really think we need a Brainstorm reporting solution...

qgil

01-16-2010, 11:26 PM

Texrat

01-16-2010, 11:30 PM

I think we all need to agree on the fact that Brainstorm is more useful when you can isolate a problem and discuss it / rate it with focus. Otherwise you end up in brainstorms like this one where it is difficult to get any focus.

Certainly I agree. But how do you propose we accomplish that? I'm thinking we need a more detailed step-by-step outline of the expected process... at least for the Norming/Performing part.

MartinNZ

01-16-2010, 11:43 PM

i want the ability to link through from the phone app contact cards to edit contacts with the contacts app. why are the two apps so disjointed. it makes no sense.

jer006

01-16-2010, 11:50 PM

I would like to see more persistent phone status icons, for example currently it is too easy to dismiss a voicemail or sms notification and forget about it. Most phones put indicators into the status area when such an event occurs. I find myself forgetting about voicemails as I dismiss the initial message and then when I do check I've missed something from several days ago.

Also you should be able to set customizable reminders up on these events so that you will not easily forget.

I also agree with MartinNZ, but I would take this a step further - everything in the phones firmware should be linked together, for example:
1) contacts should be able to be added to the calendar
2) addresses in the calendar should be able to be linked to ovi maps and vice versa

qgil

01-16-2010, 11:58 PM

Certainly I agree. But how do you propose we accomplish that? I'm thinking we need a more detailed step-by-step outline of the expected process... at least for the Norming/Performing part.

Probably the first step is to knock out proposals in the Sandbox that are too vague, and see how we can deal with the proposals (like this one) that have become an non very manageable monster.

I think everybody understand that one discussion brings better results when it stays on focus. And that 7 focused discussions have more probabilities to end up in something sooner/better than one discussion trying to accommodate 7 different even if slightly related problems.

The simple truth is that "Solution #4: custom-sized speed dial desktop shortcuts" has nothing nothing to do with "Solution #5: shake to choose contact, phone to ear will call" or "Solution #6: Store and Handle preferred numbers Information".

Saturn

01-17-2010, 12:28 AM

Don't you think it is a good idea to split them into 4-5 different brainstorms?
Like "Improving contacts", "Improving calls", etc.

Texrat

01-17-2010, 12:57 AM

The simple truth is that "Solution #4: custom-sized speed dial desktop shortcuts" has nothing nothing to do with "Solution #5: shake to choose contact, phone to ear will call" or "Solution #6: Store and Handle preferred numbers Information".

But they ALL have something to do with the original proposal of improving the phone experience.

So I'm still confused. Maybe I'm just too dense to get it.

Texrat

01-17-2010, 12:58 AM

Don't you think it is a good idea to split them into 4-5 different brainstorms?
Like "Improving contacts", "Improving calls", etc.

More proposals to keep up with. More risk of root issue overlap. And more potential mess if multiple solutions are still allowed.

sjgadsby

01-17-2010, 08:21 AM

But they ALL have something to do with the original proposal of improving the phone experience.

The point is, that original proposal was too broad from the start. It should have been rejected by a Brainstorm moderator with a suggestion given to open a new brainstorm with a more narrow focus.

Finding the sweet spot for problem focus in Brainstorm is going to be like picking topics for term papers back in school.
Propose a topic too narrow, and your teacher will reject it because you'll only get an essay, not a paper, out of it. For us, that's the simple, yay/nay, "Default phone icon should be green, not blue"-type* stuff that belongs in Bugzilla, not Brainstorm.
At the other extreme, the teacher will also reject proposed term paper topics that are too broad, as you'd just wander aimlessly in that book-sized topic and never achieve a real point in your ten pages. In Brainstorm, that's "Make Maemo suck less"-type* stuff. Sure, widespread improvement is a worthy goal, but it needs to be broken into reasonably-sized chunks. Otherwise, as in this case, it becomes impossible to select a solution, implement it, and mark the brainstorm closed, because there are a dozen or more other, unrelated, but probably equally deserving, solutions hanging on.

* Yes, this is a stupid example. It's early, and I'm hoping it's just good enough that my point is conveyed.

Texrat

01-17-2010, 08:45 AM

The point is, that original proposal was too broad from the start. It should have been rejected by a Brainstorm moderator with a suggestion given to open a new brainstorm with a more narrow focus.

Finding the sweet spot for problem focus in Brainstorm is going to be like picking topics for term papers back in school.

Propose a topic too narrow, and your teacher will reject it because you'll only get an essay, not a paper, out of it. For us, that's the simple, yay/nay, "Default phone icon should be green, not blue"-type* stuff that belongs in Bugzilla, not Brainstorm.
At the other extreme, the teacher will also reject proposed term paper topics that are too broad, as you'd just wander aimlessly in that book-sized topic and never achieve a real point in your ten pages. In Brainstorm, that's "Make Maemo suck less"-type* stuff. Sure, widespread improvement is a worthy goal, but it needs to be broken into reasonably-sized chunks. Otherwise, as in this case, it becomes impossible to select a solution, implement it, and mark the brainstorm closed, because there are a dozen or more other, unrelated, but probably equally deserving, solutions hanging on.

* Yes, this is a stupid example. It's early, and I'm hoping it's just good enough that my point is conveyed.

We have a profound difference in philosophy. I still think "umbrellla" proposals are the better way to go. IMO the "chunks" should be in the Solutions. But I see I am in the minority so I won't press it further. I just wish someone would propose usable alternatives instead of simply beating down everything I say. I haven't seen one yet.

Oh,. and it was my proposal, and I'm a moderator... maybe that is in error, too...

slender

01-17-2010, 08:53 AM

We have a profound difference in philosophy. I still think "umbrellla" proposals are the better way to go. IMO the "chunks" should be in the Solutions. But I see I am in the minority so I won't press it further. I just wish someone would propose usable alternatives instead of simply beating down everything I say. I haven't seen one yet.

If i understood people correctly they are only saying that brainstorms moderator should be bit stricter when choosing what topics are not too wide and not too narrow.

It´s quite common problem for brainstorm to be too big. If problem expands or is too wide then you have to just split it in components. Off course its problematic when there is links between different areas. But I agree with qgil that some brainstorms might be too big already.

Texrat

01-17-2010, 09:04 AM

If i understood people correctly they are only saying that brainstorms moderator should be bit stricter when choosing what topics are not too wide and not too narrow.

It´s quite common problem for brainstorm to be too big. If problem expands or is too wide then you have to just split it in components. Off course its problematic when there is links between different areas. But I agree with qgil that some brainstorms might be too big already.

Again: it was my understanding the components were in the solutions.

I just don't understand why no one said anything until now, after my instructions have been up (and wrong) for months.

I would have rather had this dialog right after people read those posts (and Thanked them!) than put a lot of time into work that turned out to be ********.

I don't get it.

sjgadsby

01-17-2010, 09:05 AM

We have a profound difference in philosophy.

I'm not debating philosophy. I'm explaining how our existing Brainstorm software has been designed to, and does, work.

I still think "umbrellla" proposals are the better way to go. IMO the "chunks" should be in the Solutions.

And I can see how that might be a great improvement. An ability to select one or more solutions to a given problem and promote them to a separate entity would sure help with this proposal. Please propose a change to Brainstorm in, well, Brainstorm, I guess.

In the meantime though, these "umbrella" proposals are working against the software and breaking the process. In this case, Quim wants to push within Nokia a phone software change the has community requested, but he can't do so without shutting down other good ideas.

I just wish someone would propose usable alternatives instead of simply beating down everything I say. I haven't seen one yet.

I'm not trying to beat you down or attack you. I'm just trying to explain that we don't yet have a can opener, so for now we have to use our hacksaw. It's inelegant, but if we want supper tonight, we have to make do.

Texrat

01-17-2010, 09:09 AM

I'm not debating philosophy. I'm explaining how our existing Brainstorm software has been designed to, and does, work.

It's still philosophy. The system is flexible enough to work any number of ways, as evidenced by the significant changes recently.

It looks like I severely misunderstood the process. As I said in another post, I just wish someone had corrected that after I wrote it up in posts that have been read numerous times over the past few months. I invested a lot of effort into doing something wrong, and I'm not happy about it just now being raised.

qgil

01-17-2010, 09:16 AM

I just wish someone would propose usable alternatives

Ok, let's go through the current solutions under http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/

RELEVANT TOPICS according to number of ratings

Solution #6: Store and Handle prefered numbers Information
Solution #1: Adding filtering & sorting to call list
Grouping contacts: Solution #2: Add grouping of contacts (A) + Solution #3: Add grouping of contacts (B) + Solution #7: Provide filters for grouping unknown numbers
Speed dial: Solution #4: custom-sized speed dial desktop shortcuts + Solution #9: Provide speed dial for phone pad
Solution #8: Better UI for Missed Calls
Contacts fields: Solution #12: Store fax numbers (actually implemented) + Solution #15: Freedom to rename entry titles + Solution #16: Possibility to add more than one "Note" to a contact .

POTENTIAL BUGS to be filed at http://bugs.mamo.org

Solution #10: Avoid sending SMS to Landline Phone's

NOT RELEVANT at this point since they have too little (or negative) ratings

Solution #5: shake to choose contact, phone to ear will call
Solution #11: A phone shortcut icon at task manager view

DUPLICATE

Solution #17: Add portrait mode ONLY option for the phone app at least --> portrait mode is discussed in other brainstorms.

Note that also http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/phone-contacts-conversations_application_inconsistencies_on_n900/ exists , which is is another vague brainstorm with some overlapping with some of the solutions listed above.

sjgadsby

01-17-2010, 09:31 AM

The system is flexible enough to work any number of ways, as evidenced by the significant changes recently.

Sorry. I had not seen an option to split existing Brainstorms and had assumed that if such an option existed somewhere deep in the Brainstorm moderation interface, qgil would have used it to seperate out the solutions he wants to push forward. I apologize.

EDIT: Okay, it appears as though this really isn't possible...yet. qgil has opened bug 8153 (https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=8153) though. Thanks, qgil!

guy2die4

01-17-2010, 09:53 AM

hi all
i have been trying to find a post that captures the following items but could not actually find the specific issues and also need to know how do i vote for such issues if they have been raised already....

i have read in one of the posts on talk that full portrait mode is not planned for N 900. However as a user for over a month i have realized that portrait mode is essential for the following activities else it becomes user unfriendly to use N900 as a phone:

- unlocking the phone with one hand if you have a device lock code set up
- typing sms with one hand on the go (s/w keyboard in portrait)
- searching for a contact with one hand (though phone app has the portrait mode but currently there is no provision to type (s/w keyboard) and reach the contact quickly)

We need a portrait view for the above specially if you want to use your phone on the go.....

Requesting the community to direct me to the right place to log these and/or vote for these if they have been logged before....

Thanks!

Texrat

01-17-2010, 10:33 AM

Sorry. I had not seen an option to split existing Brainstorms and had assumed that if such an option existed somewhere deep in the Brainstorm moderation interface, qgil would have used it to seperate out the solutions he wants to push forward. I apologize.

No need to apologize. I'm going out on a limb to an extent; I know it's configurable because it's very, very different now than when first implemented. Being content management software (more or less) I think it's safe to assume there's more that could be done... and as we see, probably should.

But I was referring originally to more manual manipulation. Even without further functionality changes, the same end can be achieved by human beings with the inclination, knowledge and access to do a little editing. That's why I'm asking for a definition of the workflow Quim would rather see.

I apologize myself for getting testy. I'm just frustrated by an overload of damned if I do, damned if I don't.

jean2323

01-17-2010, 01:38 PM

Ok, let's go through the current solutions under http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/

RELEVANT TOPICS according to number of ratings

Solution #6: Store and Handle prefered numbers Information
Solution #1: Adding filtering & sorting to call list
Grouping contacts: Solution #2: Add grouping of contacts (A) + Solution #3: Add grouping of contacts (B) + Solution #7: Provide filters for grouping unknown numbers
Speed dial: Solution #4: custom-sized speed dial desktop shortcuts + Solution #9: Provide speed dial for phone pad
Solution #8: Better UI for Missed Calls
Contacts fields: Solution #12: Store fax numbers (actually implemented) + Solution #15: Freedom to rename entry titles + Solution #16: Possibility to add more than one "Note" to a contact .

.

relevant/not relevant ... i thnk that many of the problems of the contact database comes from the fact that each number is multiplied to fit any available service for the number, instead of offering a sellection of options for the number (with a filter or not) ... for a mobile # field, you get a sms field for the # a sip field for the # a sip message field for the # ... doing that, maybe the management of the database gets tricky

this is the reason why calling a number from hte call log is so difficult now ... you cannot call it using hte sip application if it was a gsm call, because it was not multiplied ...

this is a MAJOR ISSUE!!!
what if i just want to copy the # and put it in an email?
etc.

sure, this is a solution for the touch screen environment. one needs an easy way to access all these options ... don't know if this is the best, maybe it is for a touch screen phone ... have no idea .. though i would have prefered a menu with options (like in a clasic n95)

guy2die4

01-19-2010, 03:05 PM

stefanmohl

01-19-2010, 09:56 PM

Hmmm, I might be able to at least shorten the solutions list by two entries. I made my solution a Bugzilla entry since it really is easy to fix, and my solution would solve one of the other issues on the list as well. My proposal is to permit free-form text in phone numbers. This also solves the proposed solution of permitting extra field types (you can enter the text in the number rather than the field type).

For example, you would be able to enter a US phone number as:

+1 (555) 123-4567

rather than the much less readable:

+15551234567

and you can even add things like:

+1 (555) 123-4567 (Old number)
+1 (555) 123-4568 (Current number)
+1 (555) 123-4569 (Parents)

Or whatever other comment you would like.

Having extra text in numbers seems to work well in all places I have tried it (several phones, SyncML web-sites and Outlook), but extra field-type names are not portable. Several other apps and phones already permit free-form text entry. The N900 has no problems with free-form text in phone numbers once it is there (i.e. imported from a vCard for instance), but the text-entry field prohibits all but numbers to be entered.

Have a look at bug 8297 (https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=8297) for more details (and please do vote for it).

stopgap

01-20-2010, 08:39 PM

This is definitely an area which needs work, I hope this brainstorm gets noticed and acted upon. There are some great ideas in there - for what it's worth I've added my own idea which is a phone widget. I think this approach could be really great as it'd integrate perfectly with the desktop and customization aspects of the OS' design.

I have been looking at various phones, including iPhone, Android-based, Windows Mobile and Symbian. I was interested to see just why the N900 phone features were feeling lacklustre to me and the main differences I've noticed are:

* Many phones instantly or within 1-step present a dial-pad (or have a physical pad)

- N900 has a first step screen with recent calls, this slows calling flow and could easily be changed. I think at least having the option to go to the dialler pad first should be included.
- The phone application design logic is a bit faulty... making users open up an extra window to access the dialler or the contacts list adds an extra step before a user can then access another vector to dial. A tabbed approach would be much better for easy flicking between - something I've noticed the Hildon UI doesn't seem designed to handle. Nevertheless, I'd personally still break with UI design and flow here to tab these functions as it is such a critical application.

* Many phones jump from an icon on the home screen to the dialler app

- N900 doesn't do this by default, but can easily be configured. This should be the default... 1-touch access seems critical
- N900 transition can be quite slow going to phone. I love the transitions generally but on this particular feature I'd prefer to have it appear instantly, or make the transition less physical. The transition from a desktop shortcut also sometimes has an extra step going to phone (the black expanding box) - this should be eliminated to speed up the transition.

Aside from that, there's not actually much wrong with the dialler/phone application. I love the rolodex-style A-C, D-F shortcuts on the contacts list and the dialler / active call display doesn't really have any particular issues. One exception here is that I think the answer / call buttons should be slightly more spaced to prevent accidental mis-pressing on the touch screen. I have accidentally pressed the screen pulling it out of my pocket to answer too and I'm not the only one (judging by other posts on these forums). I don't know whether the proximity sensor is employed when a call is coming in - ie. it's against my leg in my pocket so don't activate the touch screen for a few seconds, but something like that or a slide-to-answer solution to prevent accidents could be helpful.
The ability to place shortcuts to contacts on a desktop is great, I love it and find that really usable - no complaints there at all.

The only feature really missing from it all is a proper filtered call log system. This is really lacking from the phone and needs adding with at least the functionality that the N95 (and its like) had.

I'd love for my idea for a dialler widget to be realised (see my solution, number #31 here: http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/ for a full description and mockup of this idea). If I knew how I'd do it myself - not my area of expertise alas. I think along with the sort of improvements I've mentioned above that Nokia could kick the impression of this "not being a phone" once and for all.

http://static.maemo.org/static/3/326e66c2061811dfa40d95fd6c7885898589_view_phonepad _widget_design

niqbal

01-23-2010, 06:34 AM

Input on

PHONE APP INTERFACE DESIGN
click on phone app -> dialing pad opens
1: click on call button once (empty string) should open call log
2: call log page should also contain dialled/received/missed call tabs
3: hold a number (2-9) should start speed dialing number
phone app drop down menu -> assign speed dials
4: ussd code functionality be available

except for voice dialing this would put a solid phone app in n900

Kwljunky

01-24-2010, 10:03 AM

Major *** improvements:

Skype/Msn/Aim Intergration thanks to the protocols added from the repos you dont need a IM app its already built in.
Well yeah that basicly can you please Add some grouping method to when you see the contacts, cos everyones names in msn have all that crap in it and everyone on my IM acounts show up when i want to find a phone contact.
Can you please seperate them ?

So go to contacts, then select group and then have the contacts from that Acount or service ?
And then add a telephone numbers that are stored locally group as well so you can switch between them easily.
Instead of loosing your mind because you have 18 sams in the damm contacts and one of them has a phone number and the rest are from msn.

Another thing why not just add a voicemail app so its stored directly on the device rather then going to the networks voicemail.
There was a app like that for s60 v3 and plus if you cant reach someone because you have no credit your sure as hell not going to get to the voicemail.

And what would be funny to add in my opinion is a voice settings where you can change the pitch and tone that the other person hears on the other end.
So all heliumy or satan !
Although a 3rd party app can do this im guessing, but still will be pretty nice :D.

jcompagner

01-24-2010, 10:31 AM

if i look at my usage then i like that i get the call log immediately, thats the way i work, i almost always call from the call log because there are about 10 persons who i call and who call me the most.
If that is not the case then i will just start typing the name on the desktop or phone/contacts app.

So i dont want another interface between the call log when i start the phone app so that i have to do 1 extra click. On my E90 i also work exactly like that, when pressing the call button you i did get the call log.

rami

01-24-2010, 01:14 PM

The "Silent" profile should sort of disable the audio function rather than just the ringing function, currently when you're in the "Silent" mode if you play any video/audio file, or if you open a web page that has background music everyone in the meeting room will look at you (this is what happened with me actually)

so I believe it would be better if the Silent mode just disables the audio output function rather than the ringing tone function only

RobertHall

02-08-2010, 08:22 AM

this is my one idea(its in brainstorm please vote)

Call Rejector
a simple call rejector application which rejects calls listed by the user.
1. allow list - when active only calls from the listed numbers will be allowed.
2. reject list - all calls are allowed EXCEPT the ones listed in "reject list"
3. auto reject unknown numbers - numbers not stored in the users contacts are auto rejected. (option to turn this feature off)
4. private numbers - private numbers are auto rejected (option to turn this feature off)

the application will be similar/a replica of HandyBlacklist for the S60 platform.

Future Improvements - SMS/MMS rejection following the same examples/options as above.

Im not a developer but would be keen on going through the process to help with develpment.

uncleboarder

03-07-2010, 12:12 PM

Major *** improvements:

Well yeah that basicly can you please Add some grouping method to when you see the contacts, cos everyones names in msn have all that crap in it and everyone on my IM acounts show up when i want to find a phone contact.
Can you please seperate them ?

So go to contacts, then select group and then have the contacts from that Acount or service ?
And then add a telephone numbers that are stored locally group as well so you can switch between them easily.
Instead of loosing your mind because you have 18 sams in the damm contacts and one of them has a phone number and the rest are from msn.

I'm still waiting for a phone that can handle contacts as well as my Palm PDA did TEN YEARS AGO!!

Come on, we all organize things by groups, folders, lists, whatever, yet you don't give us the capability on the N900. This is one big shortcoming on the iphone as well. I thought the n900 would be better than the iphone. Do something that people want, something you can be better at. Please give the n900 grouping! ASAP!!

Bec

03-23-2010, 08:16 AM

Solution 51
http://maemo.org/midcom-permalink-44f27242367011df8e4ed156a86799df99df/
Posted on 2010-03-23 11:36 UTC by Pelau Vadim.

The phone app should be closed automatically after ending a call and manually locking the screen.

I'm always disturbed that after ending a call I have to squeze my finger to close the phone app. The option to automatically close it by manually locking the phone (as long as no conversation is in place) should be possible.

If someone locks their phone after ending a call, they obviously do not intend using the phone app again in the near future.

What do you think?

cjp

04-03-2010, 07:18 AM

There are some great ideas flying around here, but has anyone turned their attention to the responsiveness of the Phone app when running other applications?

In my experience, if I have a lot going on in the device (YouTube, other browser pages, e-mail) if a phone call comes through I might as well disconnect the battery immediately, as the device is bound to just jam.

Sometimes the phone app isn't quite as bad, but might be sluggish, even though there's nothing goin on at the same time! The screen might simply turn black so I know something's coming, but it might remain black for a long time. It's really the same with SMS and E-Mail as well, with E-mail working perhaps the best.

The problem with my experiences is this, however: I can't recognize any patterns for the problems occurring for me to file a bug report or suggest a solution. The problems seem really random and very often just unexplainable.

Some bug reports come close to defining some of this ambiguity, for example the volume problem during calls or the screen being locked even though the light is on. But a large part of this behaviour, at least to me, seems unexplained.

How about we all reflect also on this kind of experiences of sluggishness or un-responsiveness as we think of new features for the Contacts app etc. ? Anyone got similar problems?

fnordianslip

04-03-2010, 07:32 AM

I had an occasion where I had just started to play back a movie in MediaPlayer, when a call came in. The video stuttered a lot and the device was pretty unresponsive but I got no notification that there was an inbound call. However, I did get notified that there was a missed call afterwards.

This outcome could have been worse - actually taking the call without the spare processing grunt to handle it well would have been a bad experience. It does seem though that better resource management wouldn't go amiss.

deadmalc

04-06-2010, 11:14 AM

I would like the ability to have separate address books.

I started writing an app for ldap contacts, I got ldap working fine but I need the contacts imported from ldap in a separate group as my ldap doesn't contain some fields (skype etc) but I want it to update and delete fields and some of my contacts are in ldap and on my phone contacts with skype/gmail fields - I don't want to update my phone and lose those fields.
(obviously the same happens with sync-evolution, so I have had to turn off contacts for merging)

So I it would be nice to have a "google address book" "ldap address book" and a "local address book".
Obviously some contacts could appear three or more times but that would be preferable to not being able to use the address books.

At the moment I am thinking of having a separate application that mimics the contacts functionality, but the db is completely separate.
Not nice!

Or am I being daft and missing something obvious?

oved_etzot

04-06-2010, 02:04 PM

Hi,
I would like the dialing pad to stay active after I press "call". So many phone calls are to automatic answering devices that need extra input.
For example, I call my voicemail and have to add in new information (1 for new messages, 2 for old messages, 3 for delete, etc') or call my municipal parking and have to dial 1 for area A 2 for area B etc.
What happens now is that as soon as I press call the dialing pad dissapears, the phone starts rotating on me and sometimes by the time I find the dialing pad button and open it starts rotating in all sorts of directions GRRRR:mad: or goes black on me?
Why not leave the dialing pad open, or have such an option?

slender

04-06-2010, 02:54 PM

What happens now is that as soon as I press call the dialing pad dissapears, the phone starts rotating on me and sometimes by the time I find the dialing pad button and open it starts rotating in all sorts of directions GRRRR:mad: or goes black on me?
Why not leave the dialing pad open, or have such an option?

You should probably try to change turning control settings from phones upper menu. If you want to use it in landscape then keep keyboard open. I recommend that you put turning control to portrait from automatic so it will not rotate unless you do not snap keyboard open.

oved_etzot

04-06-2010, 03:47 PM

You should probably try to change turning control settings from phones upper menu. If you want to use it in landscape then keep keyboard open. I recommend that you put turning control to portrait from automatic so it will not rotate unless you do not snap keyboard open.

Thanks - I missed that option :o
Still would like an option to have the dialing pad to remain... Perhaps for some phone numbers Or a button that says "Call & continue" or something like that..

chemist

04-28-2010, 10:12 AM

Merged another thread to this one and removed some noise, please consider to make use of the "Report This" function to keep brainstorm clean

xpress

05-07-2010, 04:44 PM

am very close to buying this phone ( waiting for my leg to heal from a torn ligament) but iam reading few minor problems that am concerned about and i hope nokia will fix them in the coming firmware !!

1) make a dedicated call log shortcut ! ( like when you press on the green dialling button on other nokia phones to see the dialled . received. missed calls )

2) improve battery life
3)the ability to assign specific ring tones to specific contacts

what do you think ?

adalal

05-07-2010, 04:45 PM

1) Extended call log function
2) Disable most of your services and get a better battery life
3) can't do it on this... yet, don't know if it will be supported later

Hope that helps

xpress

05-07-2010, 05:14 PM

jflatt

05-07-2010, 05:27 PM

Yeah, and do you hear Ferrari drivers complaining about their MPG?

klinglerware

05-07-2010, 05:27 PM

Perhaps the Ferrari comparison is not apt, considering the terrible gas mileage it gets. Or perhaps it is, in that crappy gas mileage and mediocre battery life is the price you pay for high performance.

AndrewG

05-07-2010, 05:33 PM

why should i buy a high-end gadget to disable its functions !! its like buying a ferrari without any fuel in it !
and about 3 i dont know why a low end phone has this function while a 500$ dont and its basic and essential !
they can think if these stuff before releasing !!

Because, as many others have said before me, the N900 is NOT a phone. It is an internet tablet which happens to have BASIC phone functionality.

ossipena

05-07-2010, 05:34 PM

why should i buy a high-end gadget to disable its functions !!
why should I put over 4 liters per 100km to 1000bhp sport cars fuel tank?!? it should run with 2 liters!!!

ketil

05-08-2010, 07:20 AM

Added a solution in brainstorm:

"Add missed call as task in calendar with one simple action"

http://maemo.org/midcom-permalink-f0f51ed05a8a11dfa870e52d84ee67e967e9/

Please upvote if you find it sensible.

xpress

05-08-2010, 09:21 AM

well i see you didnt understand the comparison i was trying to make or i'll make it more undrstandable ! to decrease the size of the tank so you'd re-fuel every 10 Km or its like being limited to a speed of 50km/H and not more !!

what am saying is that i hoped nokia would pay more attention to design detail by trying to install a bigger battery! or raise the screen a bit and put a numbers row in the key board since there's a big space available !

this battery is good for a smaller device like the 5800XM that i currently own.. by default a much more advanced device would need more battery power ! since n900 says Online as it happens !

adalal

05-08-2010, 09:29 AM

yes, but what you forget to realise is that nokia is selling this device as an internet tablet than as a phone. Yes, it has not picked up in the market as quickly as the android or whatever, but every phone has it's pros and cons.

i think the battery life on this phone can be a downer, but i have managed to get 5 days worth of battery life (dont ask how, i have my battery graph somewhere on this site)

As far as the keyboard goes, i like this keyboard and wouldn't want the phone to get any bigger

RFS-81

05-08-2010, 09:36 AM

I agree on that it would be nice to have a battery a bit larger. But I doubt it will be fixed by a firmware upgrade ;-)

zlatko

05-08-2010, 09:38 AM

1) make a dedicated call log shortcut ! ( like when you press on the green dialling button on other nokia phones to see the dialled . received. missed calls )
what do you think ?
It even has better - turning control. When you are on any desktop and you turn your device from landscape to portrait N900 automatically launches phone app with last 10 missed/received/dialed numbers. Just have to tick "Turning control" to ON.

xpress

05-08-2010, 05:27 PM

It even has better - turning control. When you are on any desktop and you turn your device from landscape to portrait N900 automatically launches phone app with last 10 missed/received/dialed numbers. Just have to tick "Turning control" to ON.

thats what i wanted to know !! to see the numbers i dialled recently ..
thanks :)

yashodhan92

07-06-2010, 03:31 PM

is it still not possible to make a group of contacts to send text messages to so that i dont have to select all the time?

s33

07-13-2010, 11:47 PM

Saving a number to a new contact or existing contact from the dial pad itself??????

currently we have to first make a call then only we can save that number from the recent dialed list.

Hwz that for an enhancement????

kureyon

07-14-2010, 06:54 AM

Saving a number to a new contact or existing contact from the dial pad itself??????
Just enter the number on dialpad then go to menu and select "New Contact" (or "Merge Contact" if you want to add to existing contact).

s33

07-16-2010, 03:27 AM

Just enter the number on dialpad then go to menu and select "New Contact" (or "Merge Contact" if you want to add to existing contact).

Thats good.thnx man:)

simpu

08-25-2010, 05:58 AM

Solution #61: calling phone numbers from browser or notes
http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/improving_the_maemo_5_cell_phone_experience/#calling_phone_numbers_from_browser_or_notes

this is already possible in the browser, if sites would use proper uri-schemes
stated in: http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/75994a4a-382b-4a60-aaf2-2446f9e8c4f3/Web_Design_Guidelines_for_the_Nokia_N900.html (2.4.2)

don't know if one would need it in the notes app

cjp

08-26-2010, 03:35 AM

Of all the issues discussed in this thread, how many of them require digging into the closed source package of the phone?

I'm just thinking since there's a community FW in the works. Could any of these ideas be implemented into that?

arvind

12-26-2010, 10:29 AM

Hello,
I was joyous to see inbuilt conference call feature in N900.
when I tried to make conference call; every attempt was rejected by the phone. Always it remarked "Request Rejected".
Any Idea how to establish conference calls?
Regards and Thanks in advance.

cyapalmos

02-02-2011, 03:11 PM

Ran some searches and didn't see anything, but has anyone wanted a voice dial function? Can't believe I'm the only one.

Tiboric

02-02-2011, 03:19 PM

yeah my n900 has voice dial... it dials someone whenever I say
'babe call the takeaway for me' lol

Joking... but would be good for hands free while driving, (not hands free driving) lol

sjgadsby

02-02-2011, 05:21 PM

...has anyone wanted a voice dial function? Can't believe I'm the only one.

Please see the thread "Poll - do you want voice dialing on the N900" (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=34462).

Mr Z

02-18-2011, 02:18 AM

Ran some searches and didn't see anything, but has anyone wanted a voice dial function? Can't believe I'm the only one.
Me me me me! I miss the voice dial my N82 had.

gautamr9

03-25-2011, 05:31 AM

When data cable is connected, below are the options provided:
1. Mass Storage Mode
2. PC Suite Mode

I suggest an addition of a 2 more options:
1. Mass Storage Mode (Internal Storage and MMC)
2. Mass Storage Mode (Internal Storage only)
3. Mass Storage Mode (MMC only)
4. PC Suite Mode

Ofcourse, if no MMC card is present then the original 2 options only will be presented.

Reasoning: There are times when I'm listening to music from my phone, but want to transfer some files to/from Computer. In this case, I can continue listening to music and select either one of the storages which are not being used!

:cool: :) :D

pali

03-25-2011, 06:08 AM

WhiteWolf

03-25-2011, 06:58 AM

Allow add any recorded call (outgoing / received / lost) as a citation and / or task in the Calendar application.

When making a call or answer, showing a reminder that we have created for that contact, for example, "commenting on this customer has not yet gone to collect the documents to the office. " This would not forget important details to remember about that contact, without having to search in Contacts.

Option to add records to the program called Calendar, allowing monitoring of integrated calls with dates, etc ...

Vertical mode support in the Calendar application.

In the Calendar application to duplicate an appointment or task allowing you to change the date, time, etc ... without having to retype everything again.

They can add links to files in the Calendar application style "Evolution" or "Outlook".

Allow repeating event to modify / delete one belonging to a given day without losing the rest.

Integrate "Recall " with Contacts and Calendar. This would go directly to the registration of recordings from that contact.

Any contact, appointment, task or copied text can be sent by email, sms, etc.

Greater robustness to load the kernel. Power switching applications (highest priority), etc ... even in situations of overload to the desktop and task manager.

The availability of image quality using the front camera.

hasten

04-02-2011, 01:37 AM

I don't know if that is the place to suggest this..but

The N900 should be able to show what the phone (cell phone, home phone, work) is calling for the caller ID and not only the name / photo of the contact. Is there a way?

demolition

02-02-2012, 08:08 AM

There are a few things I still haven't figured out with the phone software. Obviously, I've looked about on M.O. and T.M.O. and I may have overlooked relevant items. Also, a lot has changed since much of the Wiki was written, so some things might be possible now that weren't then, yet remain undocumented.

Is it possible to paste numbers into the dialing pad, without opening the kb to press Ctrl+V. Is there a menu somewhere I'm not seeing?
Call from webpage: microB doesn't seem to recognise telephone numbers in web pages. Opera, on the other hand, does recognise that these numbers are telephone numbers but does not invoke the phone software. e.g. See Google's office addresses (http://www.google.com/intl/en/about/company/address.html) in microB and Opera. The html (line 912, according to leafpad) is very ordinary looking but interesting to see the difference in interpretation between the two browsers.
Is there a way to get microB to "see" (and potentially use) phone numbers?
Is there a way to make Opera associate the phone software with these number-strings, so its capability of recognising numbers can be put to good use? Somewhere in its about:config?

From the dialing pad, I can get [1] to work as a speed dial key (voicemail). Can this be achieved for the other numbers?
Small point but I thought the word was "dialing", not "dialling" as currently shows. The former follows standard spelling rules (double vowel, therefore one consonant before -ing); possibly the latter is en-us? Is there a way to change this?
Pressing a letter on the kb from the desktop opens the contacts list filtered to that letter; and, pressing Fn+(Num), enters this number into the dialing pad. However, press & hold a valid number key from the desktop does not have the expected response of opening the dialing pad. Do I have an inappropriate expectation here?
Is there a technique to dial 'p' and 'w'? Not hugely important but odd it's missing.
Although I have extended call log installed, it doesn't seem to show how long a call lasted for. What's the best/easiest means of accessing and displaying the duration of a phone call?

Many thanks in advance for help/suggestions/answers. Links to answers are good enough - no need to rewrite information already available.