Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

* quad band gsm
* faster cpu
* more ram
*

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

I've always been a fan of "all-in-one" solutions but - the last thing I'd like to do is to carry the tablet as my phone.
You can always have very slim and small phone so carrying both is no longer an issue (I use E51).
I've dreamed about phone with "everything possible" but I've found that even with E51 connecting and disconnecting headphones (I don't like using them for calls) makes me forget about E51 as music device etc.
Maybe I'm just getting older but I think it's fun to have "equivalents" of all devices in one but not for regular usage.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

This is how it worked in OS2007, you had 2 modes, pressing by finger gave you big start menu, touching by stylus gave you small one. They removed this feature in OS2008. Let's hope they will add it back in some form (even static stylus/finger mode choice in control panel would be good for me).

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Yes, we can hope.

But the sad fact is that it's simply easier/cheaper for Nokia to ignore useful UI features and just go for the iPhone-copying finger sh*te.

"We are Apple/Nokia/Microsoft. You will be dumbed down. Resistance is clever. But futile".

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

3G for real mobility

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

I've got a phone already (actually I've got more than one), there's no need to have built-in 3G in the NIT and yet another SIM card and carrier contract. And a NIT, to be useful, is too large to use as an all-purpose (thus only) phone. IMO there's absolutely nothing whatsoever to gain by having a phone built into the NIT.

If it's not clear from the above I'm stating that I strongly disagree with the previous poster and also the earlier post above about 'quad band gsm'. :D

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Full open source.
Hardware and software.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

That's not very realistic in a mobile world. :)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Perhaps a good solution to those wanting a tablet and a phone would be a differently branded device (E900 or something) that expanded upon the Nxxx line with a cell radio and the necessary software to drive it.

I for one would heartily leap at such a device. I suppose I'm pro phone. Of course, I currently don't have a mobile but would like one at some point. The prospect of buying two separate devices is not very appealing for me.

If wimax ever gets sorted (and is reliable), this is a moot point, as I'll happily use the N810w for VoIP. My only wish would be the ability to hold it to my head for quick, private calls.


}:^)~
YARR!

McCapt'n

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Already can use (the N800) as a headset; just crank the volume down. And as much as my mobile is audible from all directions, even the N810's side-facing speakers should pose no problem.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

:O

!!!!

I'm insulted! ;)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

That's great news. I fully intend to do this. Is there easy balance control on the speakers? Have you personally tried holding the phone to your ear? Can I run scripts/commands from RTCOMM upon incoming call, text, or other?

Given the hardware, I think an app that had phone like functionality would be useful for a select few. I'm sure that it would have to numb the display to input from ones cheeks during a call and adjust speaker levels, but even for the original N810, it would be a useful to have around the house/cafe/etc.


}:^)~
YARR!

'High-seas' Corrupt

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Just a warning that be prepared someone making joke with you... :rolleyes:

Anyone remember the N-gage sidetalking?
http://www.sidetalkin.com/page-1.html :D

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Har har... Or worse, they might mistake it for a dreaded iPhone... :D

<offtopic>
By the way, I got a chance to try a 3G iphone out the other day in a Rogers store. I was 'impressed' for all of 30 seconds before I got utterly bored with it. I think it was the low resolution and the closed nature that turned me off. I like the ability to customize, tinker, and build, but the iPhone, sadly, seems to offer little of any of these characteristics. Although the iPhone/NIT are similar in capability, the closed nature of the iPhone is a huge turn-off for peeps like I.
</offtopic>


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n 'beer-belly' Corrupt

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

it's be worse with the n800 because the microphone is at the top/middle, so you'd be holding it in a very peculiar way. not sure where the microphone is on the n810 or 770.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Not easy (requires software installation), but possible. Not really needed (on the N800, at least) because you have the volume way down, and the other speaker is pointed at your jaw, there's no significant sound leakage from it. Again, with the N810's side-firing speakers, I can't say, but it might be worth it.

Aumix exists (in some repo, maybe extras), and I think it's scriptable.

Yes, after hearing it recommended in these fora. Of course, since I use my tablet as a music player, I just use a headset for calls as well, but I did try it.Dunno.

Maybe, but it'd be a very select few... I'd just recommend this. (And I'm not really joking; if you want to use the N800 in phonish fashion, that's really not a bad plan, leaves the N800 usable while on-line, and it should definitely work.)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

I'm mostly happy with my n800. The only three things I would like to see in the next model are:
* good hardware support for video playback
* official A2DP support
* a nice line of cases from Nokia - preferably with the option of a belt-clip case

I don't think the n*** needs a cellular transceiver - I'm fairly sure I wouldn't want to use it as my primary phone as it is too big.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

This is definitely an option. Another option would be a usb handset/headset. They are both plentiful and cheap, and I doubt require much current. I could be wrong about this.

I also have a bluetooth headset, but hate wearing it with me everywhere on off chance that I receive a call (and it's one of the smaller ones). I'd much rather just pick up the NIT and start to talk. It's not so bad at home, I have privacy, so speaker would work well for quick conversation, but on the road, I would rather not juggle many devices for this simple function.

I'm hoping that the NIT to-ear works well...

}:^)~
YARR!

Zappertain Corrupt

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Just got my hands on the new Blackberry Bold. Wow! What a nice device. It looks like Blackberry hear my cry: very solid hardware & keyboard with leather backside (scratches on leather doesn't look that awful than on metal finish).
Now, Nokia should do a smaller N900 with the form factor of BB-Bold, integrate all my wishes including Maemo, free Nokia Maps and I promise again, this will be the killer device!

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

I've held off buying the n810 because I didn't like a few things that changed from the N800 to the N810, particularly the lack of a second SDHC slot (getting stuck with an unremovable 2GB is unacceptable to me and seems like a step backwards from the N800 model).

Here's what I'd like to see in a newer model, realistically, and would effect my decision to immediately jump out and buy one.. I'll break it down into three categories: important things to retain from current models, new things I want to see and, lastly, things I don't want to see. :)

IMPORTANT THINGS TO RETAIN FROM CURRENT MODELS:
n800: TWO SDHC slots
n800: Speakers in the FRONT (On the sides/back on the n810? Weak.)
n800: Directional and other controls on the face
n8x0: Kickstand (one of the things that immediately impresses EVERYONE as useful)
n810: GPS built-in (wish I'd had that in my n800, very cool integration)
n810: Slide-out keyboard (more of a want, not a real NEED, I've found)
n810 WiMax Edition: The black metal style--MUCH nicer than anything else so far.

THINGS I WANT TO SEE:
Mouse support! PLEASE! There are many times where I'd LIKE a more accurate way to draw (with a drawing tablet) or hover over things (web browsing, tooltips, etc.) There would NOTHING quite like folding out my already-working Bluetooth keyboard and my almost-working Bluetooth mouse and my N800 tablet down.. and then effectively having the most portable faux laptop experience.
Open drivers to hardware (if Neuros can do this with frighteningly similar hardware--why can't a bigger, more established player like Nokia?)
Of course, faster processor and more memory.. my Palm Tungsten T5 is faster than either the N800 or the N810 and the T5 isn't even a Linux based Internet Tablet.

THINGS I DON'T WANT TO SEE:
Cell phone radio (I would prefer to have an external Bluetooth phone or USB modem device to do wireless networking so that I'm not tethered to a particular service)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

How is a mouse more accurate than a touch screen? Thats confusing...
And there is mouse support, at least for USB (which I use). Bluetooth sometimes works. I use a wireless USB mouse, so its all good...

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Softer plastic or rubber keyboard keys that can be easily felt and are less slippery.
Slight gap between keyboard keys.
Less gap between parts of the device; my N810 has become a magnet for those little circles of paper from hole punches.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

A touchscreen is VERY inaccurate even with a stylus. Firstly, a finger is a blunt object--so that's patently less accurate. Secondly, a stylus point press on a touchscreen is a guessed value based on contact points that feel pressure. Lastly, since you have to cover the spot to press the spot--you can't always see what you're drawing or pressing on.

If I could plug in my drawing tablet, I can DEFINITELY draw more accurately and with better ergonomics on-the-go. Also, a mouse will allow me to drag better, select whole lists (with a keyboard's CTRL and SHIFT keys) and so on. Just a WHOLE lot more accuracy and comfortable.


As for support--not without hacking.. and then it's not very good from what I've read (although I've yet to try it myself). I have a bluetooth mouse as well as a USB dongle to plug in an IMPS/2 style USB scroll-wheel mouse and it besides recognizing it as a mouse device, the GUI doesn't use it at all--no pointer, nothing. So it's obviously not supported by default for ordinary users.


Anyway.. that's not the topic of this thread, but my wants and needs are there for this. :)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

@danramos - My bad. I didn't really understand what you meant. Yea, on the tablets its sometimes hard to click links and such.

Actually its pretty good. Its in the repos now (called USB-mouse or something). Its just plug and play for me. The mouse cursor can be easily changed from invisible as well. But I agree, true mouse support would be nice, and even nicer would be a USB host port. With more and more devices with OTG and even Host (Pandora, UMPC, etc...) the N900 will need it.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

No problem at all. :) That gave me a chance to elaborate my reasons and hopefully Nokia's folks will take it to heart better than just a one-off suggestion or critique.

It's also worth noting that I'm EXTREMELY pleased with my N800 and that many of my friends have gone out and bought N800's because of sheer envy. They can see me using it practically every hour of the day for SOMETHING (most often to listen to podcasts (THANK YOU GPODDER! yes--I donated.. heheh), sometimes to help me RECORD a podcast live wherever I am (I host a show--and yeah, I've plugged it there too.. hyeah!), often to check RSS feeds for things like Slashdot/Groklaw/etc and to check weather (THANK YOU OMWEATHER!!), and so on). So I want to take this moment to thank Nokia for this Linux based and.. MOSTLY.. open-source device. It can still be improved.. by a lot and without a lot of expense.. but EXCELLENT showing so far. :)

OK.. sorry for that chest-thumping moment.. on to the rest of the quote..

Agreed wholeheartedly on your points! I'll have to give this USB-mouse a go. I don't see it on the repository, though.. which one? I'll have to snoop around a bit and see if I'm overlooking it.

ALSO.. for the N900.. I want 1024 horizontal resolution.. forgot to mention that. Nevermind the folks saying it'll make text too small... that's what font sizes and zooming buttons are for. I just want the potential for very dense resolution. This is more of a WANT than a need, again.. but sometimes it's been a need depending on the situation.

Danke shoen! :)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Don't think it is in the repos... There was a wiki page with a link to the deb at electronicproductonline (jolouis's shop), but the wiki seems to be broken...

Edit: The wiki's back! http://www.internettablettalk.com/wi..._and_USB_mouse

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

You are THE MAN! Thanks a lot! I'll give that a go! (Getting back on-topic, I DO hope they make this actually supported in future tablets. Want!) :)

Thanks again!

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

I'd have thought this will be pretty high up the list of things to fix, it's certainly been noticed by lots of people in a negative way. I can't imagine Nokia will ignore this.

As for the rest:

* TI OMAP 3440 core with working OpenGL drivers
* CPU in the 800MHz range.
* Color bump on the LCD
* Similar or better battery life
Yes please to the above.

* Doubled RAM/Flash
Not too bothered about this, more RAM will reduce battery life.

* Dual SD-card slots
* Wifi/Bluetooth but no stupid cellular radio of any sort
* Ambidextrous button layout (twice the buttons, twice the fun!)
* No slider.
I need a keyboard, please keep the slider!

* Resolution bump on the LCD to ~1024x600
Not too bothered, text is too small at that DPI anyway, better to have a more fluid zoom like on the iPod, etc.

* Accelerometer-based screen rotation
Sounds good :) (not for the rotation, for the hacking :))

* Multitouch
* h.264 hardware video decoding
On the OMAP3xxx this will be on the DSP, so we can do it ourselves if needs be. OpenMAX DSP components though please, let us use the closed source stuff in our pipelines!!

* Video-out of some kind
Definitely, this would be very cool (think presentation at LinuxTag :))

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

I think I agree with a lot of that--but I don't think I care about the color increase--that would put more overhead on the CPU (also lowering the battery time as well). If the CPU has to do more work, it would do less work and would serve a better purpose having a high resolution screen--particularly for web browsing. I disagree that it would be hard to see at that pitch, though. This is a tablet device--near to your face--not a laptop on the desk at arms'-length.

More RAM would be MUCH better--it will MAYBE reduce battery life a little bit but the advantage of doubled memory is well worth the difference. A different, newer, battery might be in order here too. (I'll bet memristors would DEFINITELY solve this problem someday)

I couldn't care TOO much about the slider. If I really need a keyboard, I find it's better to use my folding BT keyboard.. and for anything else on-the-go, the touchscreen is fine as a keyboard. I think the slider adds unnecessary weight and battery drain (backlight, resistance, etc.). With the N800, I've never really had a problem with not having a keyboard to slide out.

Open hardware--definitely. I heartily agree that Nokia needs to open this up more. Nokia is there to sell customers what they want--not make it more attractive for a competitor to come along and snag away customers to a more open and useful platform when they come along and sell us something closer to what we actually wanted.

Video out--would be nice. Very nice! If it adds too much expensive and hardware, I'd probably rather not have it.. but there have been impromptu moments where I TRULY wish it did that. (meetings, gatherings with friends, etc.)

There's my $2 (inflation! whew!)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

lol, I replied to the General's post which is 3rd or so in this thread (i.e. on page 1!), my fault, changed to the low bandwidth mode and got confused :)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Well, I think he got it almost exactly right. I wouldn't mind more RAM, but I _do_ want a sliding keyboard.

I think full USB (including standard power) support to handle all of the other cases more easily (cell, external display, etc) would go a long way.

It's good to stay focused on the hardware, the software can be worked out later :)

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Har har... I was wondering about that! It's funny, but the post did seem familiar!

}:^)~
YARR!

Father Corrupt

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

What is more important: more RAM or faster CPU?

IMO CPU, because starting & using MicroB (even w/o extensions) is simply too slow for fast usage. The NIT should IMO be a device you pull out of your pocket to look up something quickly. Some functionality is quick like RSSm weatherm or e-mail but there are some options you really need a browser for. For example: to look up when a train arrives, or a price check on a product while you're shopping.

It is also important to note that the competition is in usability and the hardware / price for money field. Tablets will become more popular, and there are already competitors & clones coming out too. Nokia will have to decide its position on the market, and the N900 is an ideal milestone to do so.

PS: I am interested in making an objective Wiki page about this subject with all the pros and cons outlined. The idea is to devide in 3 parts: 1) small changes (e.g. a bug or feature previously in a NIT) 2) big changes (ie. things Nokia would use in a marketing announcement) 3) research / expensive changes (like e.g. solar power, totally different hardware platform, and so on). What more should I keep in mind before I start?

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

an app similiar to JoikuSpot on symbian, or netshare on iphone, or wifiradar on winmob! turns your n810 into a wifi access point via your bluetooth connected cellphone's data connection. good for quick fixes in binds when there isn't a wifi network anywhere & you just gotta get or send that file from your laptop.

that would be a very useful app.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

err, your thinking about going laptop -> wifi -> n810 -> bluetooth -> phone?

get one of those coin sized bluetooth dongles then...

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

No, he means Phone -> Bluetooth -> N810 -> WiFi -> Laptop/etc :D

Yea, i know you can pair via bluetooth, but think about it. You have to pair all your devices with the phone, or you can just pair your n810 and create a hotspot that any device with WiFi can use. For example, if you and your three friends are on a trip, and you all want to use your laptops, you guys can't all connect to a single phone, even if all the laptops had bluetooth. So, you create a mobile WiFi hotspot and bang, instant internet.

I know for sure there is a linux app like this. In any case, it can be done. The IT is basically a full laptop, and internet connection sharing has been a norm for a long time. But I don't think we are going to see this built into the N900. This will have to come from a 3rd party. Nokia wants you to use their device, not another.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

im not sure the wifi chip can do AP mode, as i think someone poked at it before and got nowhere.

beyond that it would be a case of firewall/router settings.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

You're the n'th person whom I've seen that would get rid of the slider [keyboard, I presume] and I just don't get it. The existence of a physical keyboard was what made me buy the N810.

The N770 that I acquired when they first came out has been largely unused due to its lack of hardware keyboard, the N800 was equally unattractive and for the same reasons (an "on-screen-keyboard" is just not good for text input, regardless of what Apple claims...it's just far from the typing-comfort that I need. I use text-input extremely intensively on the road) and so I skipped the N800.

What I'd love to see in a N910 would be a keyboard as in the good old Psion 5Mx PDAs, plus a bit more memory and general horsepower.

Of course, Nokia should make a N900 without a keyboard for those who want a crippled device ;)

I guess that what I'm saying is "different strokes for different blokes", and that the existence of a Nx00/Nx10 without/with keyboard is optimal.

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Here's an easy question. How many people would like to see a wide-area-network capable N900? This is assuming that there's plenty of affordable coverage. Why? Why not?

And no, it doesn't have to be GSM. :)

I for one think it would be amazing; of course I don't have a cell phone. This is kinda what the N810w promises, but as of yet is iffy if it actually will be delivered.


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n 'crunch' Corrupt

Re: What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?
 

Just out of curiosity, isn't the n810wimax exactly the wide area networkd device you are mentioning cc?