Is it possible to multitask while on call?

[dalonso]

There are a lot of threads about the excellent multitask capabilities of the N900 device.

My questions is a little more specific:

- If I'm on a phone call with one of my contacts, can I simultaneously open Xournal, for example, and take some notes? In other words, does the phone interface block any other functionality?

- Has someone tested the ability to open a data connection while on a phone call, keeping both active? Can I simultaneously open google maps in the browser in order to search for some street my contact is talking about? I have read some reports about the iPhone 3GS being able to do that if the network has support, so does it work for the N900 if used in such a network?

Thanks in advance.

[archebyte]

- If I'm on a phone call with one of my contacts, can I simultaneously open Xournal, for example, and take some notes? In other words, does the phone interface block any other functionality?


No. The Phone does not block anything. The Task-Switcher button is available on the Phone-app. Tapping it allows you to switch to another task while on a call.

[Cherrypie]

You can receive a call via skype, enable the speakers, go on talking, switch to the camera app, make a picture, upload the picture to facebook, copy the link with CTRL+C go to the skype im chat, send the person on the line the link, receive direct feedback on the photo from him/her.

Welcome to the world of Maemo Linux. :)

[dalonso]

No. The Phone does not block anything. The Task-Switcher button is available on the Phone-app. Tapping it allows you to switch to another task while on a call.

Nice!! That's great.

Thanks archebyte.

[EIPI]

I am using my N900 on EDGE due to Canada not having the correct 3G frequency for the N900. When I am connected to EDGE, and a cellular calls comes in, I get the yellow banner at the top of the screen saying "cellular data not available", and my data connection suspends for the duration of the cellular call. I am not sure if this is a N900 specific behaviour, or if it is a 'feature' of EDGE.

[dalonso]

Reading http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/technology/gsm-gprs.jsp it seems that only UMTS and HSDPA should support simultaneous data and voice calls, but not EDGE.

But then, does this need some support in the device / SIM? Why is it that Apple is advertising this as an advantage over Android phones?

Please, please, can anybody with a N900 at a 3G or 3.5G network test it?

Thanks.

[TA-t3]

EIPI, that's an intrinsic limitation of EDGE (and GPRS). Only with UMTS (true 3G) will you be able to keep a data connection open during a call.

So, it's not a limitation of the N900.

[EIPI]

@TA-t3: Thanks, that is what I suspected. Then the nice feature of the N900 is that it tells you that your data connection is no longer available when a cellular call comes through (while on EDGE).

[iJanne]

Multitasking in N900 is really one of the major strong points of the device. It is really a solid experience, and very intuitive to use too!

[iJanne]

I just tried listening to FM radio while playing Bounce Evolution and works great. Both radio and game audio came through in the headphones.