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

I'm surprised that there isn't a screen lock as it is? Wouldn't it be difficult to keep the unit in low power mode when in the pocket?


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

1. MSN Messenger, in the firmware.
2. Multi-touch screen with at least 16million colours.
3. A harddrive with a minimum of 50GB.
4. 14 hours of battery-life.
5. Bigger screen.
6. 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and xenon flash.

Most of 'em aren't realistic, I think :D

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

I care MUCH more about Yahoo and AIM than I do about MSN. In fact, I care about Yahoo and AIM more than I care about Jabber/Google-Talk. That said, I do have accounts for all 4. Having them all be directly supported might be nice ... but it's sort of un-necessary given Pidgin, and the project that people here are doing (jabber to other chat program gateways).

The multi-touch screen, with things like intertial scrolling, etc., might be nice.

I think the hard drive and larger screen would make the device too big though (same with a _5_ megapixel camera).

I don't see myself needing a 14 hour battery life though :-} (and that would also probably make the device too big ... I wouldn't want to do anything that radically alters the size of the NITs)

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

I wouldn't want a harddrive in a tablet even if I got paid for it. No thanks. The harddrive was the main reason I stayed away from the Palm Lifedrive (back when there weren't any tablets). Fixed, as in can't just upgrade by replacing with new large SD card, movable parts, it stops spinning whenever you don't access it (to save battery), thus there's a very annoying latency when you want to use it (don't argue about iPods, it's very different when you just listen to music: It can simply buffer the single-file data stream. It's a very different case for multitasking computers.)

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

Oh, I dunno. I think you can get most of those features without having to wait for the N900.

Just strap your desktop and a car battery on your back and you're good to go.

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

I assumed he meant an SSD HD. Which is merely "big" as opposed to all of the other problems of a spinning platter based HD.

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

Ok, but I wouldn't call it a harddrive then :) (For larger machines, possibly. They're only used to harddrives. On mobile devices we know what we're dealing with when someone says 'flash'..) Still, even with an SSD "HD" I wouldn't want it unless it was replacable.. as with SD.

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

This whole thread is really not N810 specific....

Anyway I would like next Nokia IT to run on Android. That way a ton of software that _will_ be written for Android will also work on IT. Vs dozen (undoubtedly very) useful apps we have today.

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

While I don't think it should run on Android, it would certainly be good if it supported Android applications. Maemo is a very good platform, and shouldn't be tossed aside. Since android is a Linux solution for mobile phones, support should be possible within the maemo framework.

I hope that this is an official Nokia project, rather than a developer project. It would be nice if the N900 had android support out-of-the-box.


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

Agreed..

Honestly I'd settle for 1 easily swappable SD card. 32GB variants have been announced! This is more than enough data at any one time and swapping will likely be kept to a minimum.

Of course, if there's internal space to spare, another SD would be a plus.


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

After seeing some prototype artwork at Gizmodo, I thought the same concept could be easily applied to the N900.

The idea is extremely simple, but extremely powerful. The unit has standardized holes/clips/slots that external add-on hardware could be attached to. These attachments would have their own power supplies (if necessary), and would interface directly with the device (via downloadable applications) to extend the functions of the tablet and add personal customization.

Here are some suggestions for add-ons:
1) HQ point-and-shoot/video camera complete w/ flash and tri-pod mount-ability
2) external wireless network adapter for various wireless networks
3) video-out attachment (vga, dvi, component) for external screen viewing
4) extended life battery pack (2 to 3 times longer life)
5) memory expansion add-on with 4 full-size SD and full-size usb port (usb flash)
6) bar code reader (for warehouses, organization freaks)
7) game-pad controller w/ programmable buttons
8) infrared "remote" attachment w/ laser pointer (good for presentations)
9) 2x N900 attachment connecting two units nintendo-DS style (1337? :D)
10) robotics connector for automated/remote controlled home-brew bots
11) docking-bay attachment, for full-sized keyboard/screen/mouse functionality
12) greatly simplified external car/wall/desk mounts that use the new connectors
13) FM transmitter for wireless in-car listening
14) hard case attachment, that folds over to conceal and protect the device (ships with the unit)
15) storage attachment, for small physical items
16) inductive charging attachment for induction charging mats

I would totally rock the camera on my N900. I'd probably keep the gamepad close by as well...

Of these, which types of add-ons would you use? What would you like to see that hasn't been listed?


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

Check this out:


http://mobilementalism.com/imageSnag...71f4b72c0a.jpg

http://mobilementalism.com/imageSnag...80cbcafc90.jpg

How about this for the next I.Tablet ? Or perhaps similar design but without buttons (or as much as N810) on the face, make screen-part slimmer ( N95) and thicker at the keyboard-part. :)

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

Here are some more ideas for N900 add-on devices.

1) Computer 'book' cover. A leather bound holder the size of a large novel, that can mount an N810, external keyboard (like a mini laptop), and have storage for headphones, bluetooth headset, etc.
2) Wireless powercast battery attachment for effortless automatic in-home/in-car/in-cafe/in-office/ etc charging.
3) GSM/3G attachment for accessing cellular networks
4) 'survival' attachment, with solar panel, water-proof case, and light, etc, for off-road adventure.
5) scanner attachment, for scanning papers. The software would automatically stitch the resultant images together.
6) Walky-Talky attachment, for direct radio communication.


I hope Nokia is listening! It would *only* require cleverly positioned clips/slots/holes on the N900 to make this possible!


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

With an inspiration from Deeda.com, I'd like to see an external device comparable to their UWI.

1) wirelessly pairs with the NIT

2) has connectors for external display in many different formats:

* RCA RGB
* RCA composite
* RCA stereo audio
* DVI (with DVI-A)
* HDMI
* Digital Audio

3) include logic for display to NTSC, HD, and possibly PAL/SECAM (or maybe it needs to have a US version and a European version).

4) possibly a low power FM stereo output

(I think Deeda also mentions a car device which takes audio from the Deeda and just does the FM stereo output, so you can listen on your car radio; so add that as a second device suggestion -- one device for home-theatre/desktop display&audio, and one device for car audio)

Then you can use any TV or monitor (or stereo) as an output for your NIT either as a workstation or as a media player.

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

(this isn't exactly what I want to see on the N900, as it ends up describing more of a companion product, just like my last post did)

Rather than an attachment, I'd like to see something I can leave in my wallet/pocket/backpack/bookbag/briefcase. Something the size of a small cell phone; has its own internal battery with a decent life; a microUSB client port for configuration, wired tethering, and charging; microSD card for storing and transferring config files and wifi keys, and comes in 3 flavors:

a) GSM and GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA/HSUPA/HSOPA/LTE

b) CDMA and 1xRTT/EVDO rev 0/A/B

c) WiMAX/WiBRO


It should support as many of the following local network connection options to the NIT as possible:

1) Bluetooth DUN*
2) Bluetooth PAN**
3) act as a Wifi Access Point with decent security/privacy options
4) SIP server for utilizing any GSM or CDMA voice service that the device has (and can be disabled if the device is being used with a data only plan, or the user just doesn't want to accidentally use voice minutes)

(* unlike my Nokia 2865i, I shouldn't have to always re-approve the bluetooth session: once I've paired them, the device should always accept the NIT, so that I can literally leave the device in my pocket without having to always click "accept" when starting a data session)

(** which the NIT REALLY ought to support, if not in a software upgrade for the N800/N810, then definitely in whatever device comes next)

This accessory could also be sold to non-NIT customers (other PDAs, wifi enabled PMPs, laptops, etc.), and pre-N900 NIT customers.

Call it the Nokia Personal Wireless Gateway (PWG) or Personal Wireless Router (PWR).

I would NOT put in any other bluetooth support (except maybe FTP for handling config files) -- it shouldn't directly connect to bluetooth headsets/handsets ... that should be left to a SIP client on the NIT (or other client device). I also wouldn't put any kind of physical UI on it. You configure/manage it via USB, SD card, and/or HTTPS (once networked to it), and you otherwise never touch it directly ... except to plug it in for charging, maybe.

The only user interface button type stuff I'd put on the device are: status lights for power/charging/low-battery, WWAN connection, USB connection, client connection or data-xmit, and a power button.

When I said "small cell phone", it MUST be no bigger than a cradlepoint mobile router. But, I'd hope for a more candybar shape than the cradepoint (for pocket convenience :-) ).

Last, make sure the GSM version is supported by T-Mobile USA ... and try to convince MetroPCS to support the CDMA version :-)

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

Great post! And thanks for the Deeda reference. This is precisely what I'm talking about regarding a mountable physical devices, although the form and the mounts can be different (they should be very, very sturdy). Best yet, there are visualizations on the site that lets one see what some of these devices might look like (gamepad/ keyboards).

For those that don't know, check it out here: http://www.deeda.com/deeda-devices.html

The mountable paradigm is so strong because it gives users choice, but doesn't force things on them.

I remember looking at the Deeda Pi with longing eyes before. I'll keep my eye on this device and it's progress. Certainly, its form factor, vision, and openness, make it (IMO) the strongest N-Series Internet Tablet competitor I've seen so far. Hopefully it's not vaporware.

I think the idea of video out can play a much more important role in the future. Right now, the N810, though capable, is stunted by a relatively slow processor and memory. This will inevitably change as hardware becomes more sophisticated. At a certain point, one should be able to literally use the N900 in the place of a portable computer (without being constrained to a tiny screen) if it can use a comfortable keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, and a larger screen (with a higher resolution). This can only happen, however, if there is some type of built in video-out (NAY!), or external dock (YAY!).

I also appreciate your vision for interfaceless-wireless-networking device. It's a great idea and would be a good accessory for the current line of tablets, and future tablets, by giving the user choice of which network they can have access to. This is especially useful due to the growing number of wireless 'standards' out there. Eventually, one or two will become dominant, but that shouldn't prevent NIT users from getting on them now!

Personally, I would still like a mountable variant of such a device. This is just personal taste, but I like the idea of having everything in one convenient package high-speed, low power package.

Both versions of the 'network companion' (mountable and wireless) would easily cover most users preferences, without forcing them in a particular direction.


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

Hmmm... reminds me of the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Do I smell Laws.... oh, nevermind.

Regards,

Omega

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

Heh heh heh.

It's quite sad that the iPhone can be pawned off as a revolutionary invention. Apple was not the first to release phones and certainly not the first to release phones with touch screens, but somewhere down the line, the population got brainwashed into thinking that the iPhone is a revolutionary device.

It's stylish, has a slick interface, has multi-touch, is popular, and is arguably a very good device. A revolutionary invention, however, it is not.

By the same token, I wouldn't consider the N810 a revolutionary invention either. It quite predictably evolved from other mobiles that have come before it. It just happens to do what it does (IMO) better than all the rest.

Of course, design-patent infringement is another story....


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

Aye Aye Capt'n... I was referring to the Deeda thingie, not the IT's.

...but, point taken.

Omega

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

Oh, I know! Forgive my lack of clarity, as it was a general rant and not directed at you directly. My post should have prefaced it with "As an aside" or something similar, to indicate the superlative degree of it's generalness. :D

Fair travels, sir!


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

I am honestly very happy with the form that the N810 is in. To be honest, most of my concerns are software related. I would be pleased if the N900 mirrored the N810 hardware very closely.

I think the biggest change to the N900 should indeed be software. Maemo seems like a great platform, though its far from being perfect. Additionally, key applications should be improved dramatically (eg. MPlayer should be standard).

I came across an article that compares the N800 to the Apple Newton. The reviewer has done a very good job of outlining areas that can be improved. Check it out: http://cs.gmu.edu/~sean/stuff/n800/

What do you think?


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

I would like to see the N900 come packed with one of these: http://www.wirelessground.com/mircousbhfadap.html

It's a microUSB to 3.5mm headphone adapter eliminating the need for a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack in the N900. The benefits are many:

1) It frees up internal room for more hardware (extra micro USB, for example).
2) It forces audio over USB, which can be useful for digitally perfect, crystal-clear, audiophile grade sound reproduction from the N900. Great for home stereo hookups.
3) It allows power users the choice of bypassing the in-pack microUSB to 3.5mm adapter for use with an efficient portable amp and HiFi headphones.
4) It's a very simple and low cost solution.
5) The headphone output can be controlled via software, allowing the adapter to act as a line-out, for quick and easy stereo hookup.
6) It can accommodate wired headsets complete with microphone input.


Ideally, this adapter would have the ability to tightly 'clip' to the headphone jacks base, eliminating the need to re-connect it each time you want to listen, or reducing the possibility of it coming loose in the pocket.

Together with usb charging, this would free up a great deal of internal space. The current 3.5mm headphone jack and the DC power input could be wholly eliminated in this scenario.


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

I could not agree more. When evaluating N810 against competitors, two things stuck out:

-- N810 is a great piece of hardware
-- N810 really lags in software

In my opinion, the hardware makes the N810 a potentially great PIM, media viewer/player, GPS, and eMail client. These are all well-established "killer apps" with large markets. The only thing preventing the N810 from competing in (and possibly leading) these markets is the software.

I know there is 3rd party software, which is certainly useful. However for such important applications there should be a much better out-of-box experience. I wonder what Blackberry's market would be like if they had suggested people find and install their own email client, or if Palm suggested people wait until someone else developed a PIM application.

The ROI for Nokia here must be huge. I really can't get my head around why they haven't done it.

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

I still have some usability concerns with the dpad/button-cluster placement on the N810. I'd like to see something like my mock-ups, with 2 dpads arranged in the center sides (or upper sides, like where the N800 dpad is) and the camera and light sensor above the screen instead of to the side.

The other hardware things, though, I would agree aren't as critical. They're "nice to haves" (charge via USB, microSD/transflash, rear facing picture and video camera, tilt screen instead of kick-stand, WWAN (wimax, hsdpa/hsupa, etc.). Once the usability concerns are addressed, these "nice to haves" can, and probably should, take a back-seat to software concerns. And, hopefully, those software concerns don't have to wait for an N900 -- they can be done within the OS upgrades to the current tablets alone.

The things I think are "Must Haves" on the software side:

• Calendar/Todo app
• Sync app for contacts, bookmarks, calendar, todo with all of the following desktop/server based counterparts:
  • thunderbird/firefox/lightning/sunbird
  • Apple addressbook and iCal perhaps via iSync compatibility
  • Google Apps
  • (maybe Outlook/Entourage)
• Full IMAP client (can read all server-side folders, can use the server-side inbox/sent/trash folders instead of local ones, automatically syncs all IMAP folders when checking for new messages)
• Bluetooth PAN support (in addition to Bluetooth DUN)
• Fully supported integration with Bluetooth Hard drives, NFS, CIFS, WebDAV (windows "web folders"), and Apple File Share volumes.
• Support for Socks 4 and Socks 5 Proxies in the Configuration wizard (in the same dialog where you specify HTTP, HTTPS, and other proxies).
• Support for password protected proxies.
• Gmail Notifier should support logging into Google Apps hosted gmail domains, and not just the main gmail domain. (it notifies just fine, it just doesn't work when you tell it to go login)

These things are "Nice to Haves" on the software side:

• Act as Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for other devices (supporting both HID and SPP modes)
• Act as Bluetooth "handsfree" device for cell phones (display caller-id, dial calls, answer calls, route audio through NIT, sync NIT and phone contacts, send/receive SMS and MMS messages)
• Bundled OpenSSH client (keep server as an add-on)
• Built in VNC client (just like xterm is now built in) (use the zoom buttons for actually magnifying/demagnifying the display, and not as surrogates for mouse2 and mouse3)
• Easy to install and manage VNC server
• Support for "video out via USB" devices
• Office Software (view/edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint docs)
• Sync documents to desktop host via simple user interface
• Sync documents with Google Docs
• Support for USB modem/network devices (POTS modem, RTT1x/EVDO, GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA/HSUPA/LTE, WiMAX, Ethernet 10/100/Gig)
• Support for USB tethering with cell phones (via USB OTG port)
• Support for USB card readers
• Support for various Express Card devices via Express Card to USB adapters (so, EVDO Express Card plugged into adapter plugged into cable plugged into USB port)

(you'll notice I don't mention any media device oriented stuff; I don't use my NIT that way ... I wouldn't object to having faster video frame rate support, more codecs, etc. -- just didn't include them because they aren't on my radar)

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

Agreed, and very well put. This is especially puzzling when one considers that many of the apps are available, high quality, and open source. For example, were Nokia to pack Canola, or canola 2 as part of the Internet Tablet stock applications, it would be considered a POWERFUL and complete PMP (personal media player) replacement, capable of taking advantage of almost all types of media with its optimized Mplayer backend.


Amazingly put. Nokia is providing a less than stellar user experience in a number of areas:

1) shoddy software
2) less-than-stellar user interfaces
3) difficult to find/manage software
4) missing key applications

The thing is, many of these things exist! Rather than wasting time writing yet another media player, include Canola! The extra time can be spent porting PIM software or the like.

At the very least, stick a 'get latest software' button on the menu, to automatically grab a select list of OSS hand picked by very capable people.

As for the 3rd party apps:

Nokia could really benefit from hiring one or two people, dedicated to maintaining a website for 3rd party apps. At the present moment, the maemo site does a pretty good job of delineating the existing applications, but with non-intuative names, and often shoddy websites, it's VERY difficult to know what the program is prior to installing it. This problem could be wholly eliminated if one (or two) people, was committed to making comprehensive writeups for an applications on a standard page, with screen shots and install links.

The user-friendly software site would not only help existing users find software that's easily installable (only the standard repository!), but understand what is actually available to be installed. Future tablet owners will have the luxury of knowing what the tablet can do before the purchase. Lastly, the user site will easily point out the lacking areas of the current software base, and site statistics analysis, will determine how the masses are using the tablet.


Sometimes these obvious things to us (the users), are not obvious to executives reading charts. Someone should mail this thread to thread to the key individuals responsible for the Tablet Series.

I'll draft an open source letter :) and post it here for the scrutiny of all. Hopefully, once mailed, it'll be read, and have an impact on the direction of Internet Tablet development.

To all: Get your ideas in!


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

Good suggestions. It seems as though first time N810 owners don't have that much of an issue with the dpad location. Do you think this is something you have gotten used to, and is uncomfortable on the N810?

As a first time tablet owner, I doubt I'd have a problem with the dpad on the N810. Is this just me?


A great list of must haves!

In regards to bluetooth PAN: this thread seems to suggest that it is indeed possible, but certainly not out of the box. A forum member has posted a script to enable it, but it could potentially be easily setup with easy to use configuration software. Worth a look.


Certainly. It seems as though you mainly use the tablet as a remote network tool! :)


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

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

I don't have my N810 yet. For me, it's about ergonomics and convenience. Thumb placement, and fatigue from extending the thumb, etc. say that the N800's dpad location is pretty ideal. The N810's location means you have to extend your thumb down to use it (assuming you're firmly holding the sides of the device). That's likely to cause thumb aches in the long run.

Then there's convenience. With the N810, to use the dpad, I'll have to open the device. That's just not a good requirement in my opinion. If the UI was as finger-friendly as the iPhone, the that'd be fine. But OS2007 certainly isn't, and while I hear OS2008 is better, it doesn't sound like it's as good as an iPhone for finger-friendliness.

Thank you :-)

I've seen that thread. And, you're right, I mean "out of the box". I want it to be as basic and as integrated feature as Bluetooth DUN and Wifi. While I am quite capable of hacking any unix/linux box (I'm a unix sysadmin by profession), I don't want to do that with my consumer device. I want it to "just work".

Yup! For me, it's about connectivity. Chat from anywhere, Email from anywhere, Web browse from anywhere, read RSS from anywhere, ssh to my servers from anywhere. I suppose it's possible I'd be just as happy with a sidekick (I know they have ssh, don't know if they have a decent RSS reader), but on principle, I want an open source platform as well, and unix based is a huge bonus. And there are some other things I enjoy about the NIT platform beyond those basic connectivity goals.

I have an iPod I _never_ use. It is just forever charging on my desktop (probably killed the battery from doing that, and I just don't know it yet because I haven't touched it in over a year). I don't begrudge people who want more PMP features on the NIT platform -- even if I probably wont use it, it improves the platform in all sorts of ways. I just don't have any of those features on my list of "must haves" and "nice to haves".

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

- While I would certainly use some vnc type of functionality, support for a sena clent would be cool.

- WAY faster processor and the ability to underclock it if you want longer battery life.

- The current camera offends me. Nokia, 2001 called and they want their camera back.

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

Kinda redundant, as we're guaranteed to get a processor upgrade next generation (it's already been mentioned several times, anyway). Underclocking already comes with OS2008, it just scales to user demand. A selector for this would be rather pointless, you either get more cycles with a slight reduction of battery life to get something done quickly or fewer cycles with less of an impact on battery life that takes longer to complete—the result is mostly the same.

Plus, these sort of things should be transparent to the user, anyway. :)

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

I'm just feeling mouthy this morning. :)

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

Ah, in that case, mouth on! :cool:

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

The GA is spot on with the underclocking - no need, the system does that fine by itself as needed. Also, the OS reduces the voltage when it can too, which as far as I have understood is an equally important battery saving factor. I wouldn't want to fiddle around with manually adjusting the voltage level.

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

Yes, the whole point of CPU underclocking is lowering its voltage. Without lowering the voltage you just do same thing longer at slower clock which does not save much. It may (apart from having sluggish system) even make your battery life worse since system has to keep various hardware parts powered for longer time waiting for CPU to finish.

This idea is often called "race to idle" - the best approach is almost always to run at the fastest clock frequency afforded by the current voltage level and get the work done quickly.

See #11 here http://lwn.net/Articles/240253/

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

What would I like to see:

+ A slightly bigger screen (6 or 7'' maybe) with a 800x600 or 1024x768 pixel resolution. Enough to view most technical PDF, allowing me to get rid of books and/or carry most documentation even without Internet access

+ 7-8 hours of battery life with WiFi and Keyboard on so I can use the thing over a workday full of discussions and note taking

+ Some decend applications that can read/write/display Word, Powerpoint and Excel. Sorry but those ARE the standards that our customers (and therefor my employer) work with

+ Synchronisation with Outlook and Notes on the level of what a WiMo System can do for Outlook

+ NO harddisk. Please no moving parts. And bring back the hardcover of the 770 or something similar. I like rugged. Adding a sturdy integral belt-loop/stand combination won't hurt either

+ Either a slide out keyboard or another way to carry a keyboard without needing cargo pants or an attache case. This might include things like laserkey (I am not a touch-typist anyway)

+ Full USB bus and support for attaching to a printer, a camera or an external hard drive. This includes a printer-driver that speaks PCL

+ NO cameras please. Build-in Cameras mean that I can't take the unit everywhere. If I really need one, it's better to be abel to attach an external unit through USB or Firewire

+ Telephone support. Either through a card slot (like some PDA) or build in. And please with UMTS and Quad-Band support

+ UPnP support, at least as a media player.


Give me a unit that can replace one of the larger-sized WiMo 5 or 6 phones and we have a deal.

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

Then this isn't the device for you. Pocketability is the most important feature of this product line, this ruins that and turns the device into just another UMPC (of which there are plenty).

This simply isn't realistic without major increases in size (to accommodate a large battery) or major decreases in performance (to increase efficiency).

Hard disk isn't realistic for a device of this size and power usage. I'm 100% agreed on that.

I think what a lot of people overlooked about the loss of the 770's hardcover is that we got a badass kickstand out of the deal and, honestly, I'd much rather have that than a bulk-increasing, mildly useful hardcover.

A hardware keyboard is a waste of space, money, and time for me. I can type perfectly fine on the onscreen thumbboard, and losing the 2nd memory slot is not a good trade for a barely usable hardware keyboard. If you want a good keyboard, get yourself an iGo.

A laser-keyboard is bad idea. Some of us are touch-typists (not a hard skill to learn, and incredibly important in today's digital world), and would prefer to have a keyboard that actually works.

We pretty much have this now, we just need more support on the software end.

This is an N-series device, so it's a bit like asking McDonalds to give you a vegetarian cheeseburger—not gonna happen. Now, if we're talking about an E-series maemo device, go for it! (pupnik has since convinced me that product line diversification doesn't mean I'm going to have device envy no matter which one I buy ;))

There are a lot of reasons why this is a stupid idea (they've been beaten to death endlessly in this and other threads). So I'll limit myself to this: Please, dear god, no.

Both the File Manager and Media player support this natively, so I'm not sure why you're bringing it up. (There's even a UPnP server available, actually)

This may not be the product for you, then. :)

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

I agree that pocketability is key for the NIT line. I wouldn't mind seeing an UMPC line of products from Nokia with a larger form factor than the NIT (sort of like what HTC is starting to do).... but for the NIT line itself, it must be a pocketable device. Any suggestions to the contrary don't seem to be consistent with what the NIT devices are, and need to be.

However, on keyboard: I like the idea of a slide-out thumb keyboard. I recently bought a Samsung SCH-R410, and love using the slide out keyboard on it. Having one on my NIT is something I very much look forward too.

I would agree that "no rotating platter HDD" is a good goal... but a solid state HDD, in a 1.8" form factor ... if it doesn't really alter the physical profile (size, weight) of the NIT, doesn't eliminate the keyboard, nor affect the screen size? Then, I'm ok with that.

I'm ok with no camera. If there's going to be a camera, I'd prefer a picture cam over a chat cam. I have no real need/use for a chat cam.


on WWAN support ... I wouldn't mind seeing a version of the NIT that is WWAN enabled (EVDO, WiMAX, and/or HSDPA/HSUPA versions). I don't want to have to carry an extra device just to tether my NIT. It doesn't need to have cellular voice capability; SMS/MMS would be good, but Data only would be fine. And, if Nokia and Qualcomm ever bury the hatchet, didn't Qualcomm just come out with a chipset that could do all 3 of those WWAN protocols? So maybe it'd be one device. As long as you can still buy and use it without a WWAN service (so you can use it as a WIFI/bluetooth only device, just like the N800 and N810). If they had 1 wireless chipset (Wifi, bluetooth, WiMAX, CDMA/EVDO, GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSPA) then it hopefully wouldn't even take up that much room.

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

Antilles: This is the "What would you like" Thread. That's what I'd like. If Nokia can deliver, fine. If not, well Hello Asus/HTC/Samsung...

As for the 6-7'' display: I would have no problem fitting at least a 6'' unit in my coat or jacket pocket. Actually the N770 is too small for it and jumps around in my trenchcoat pocket. And enlarging it would allow for a larger battery so that problem would be solved just as well

Case: I never used the stand that came with the N770 and I never missed it. A strong, solid cover over the unit OTOH allowed for quite a bit of "carefree" treatment. Like simply dropping it in a attache case, trenchcoat pocket etc. Sure, I could buy an extra case (maybe Nokia even starts selling them) but why should I?

Keyboard: I obviously disagree here. Aside from the fact that I earn a living with computers since the mid-80s and still can't touch-type (and NEVER missed it) external keyboards take space. Carrying the tablet left and my papers right balances my coats and jackets nicely. But there's little space for another blocky tool. So it's back to an attache case. And if I carry one of those, I might just as well get an EEE (Bigger screen and all)

Telefone: Carrying around another brig (and I need a phone that a grown-up can dial on) is another "thanks but no thanks" criteria. I am quite willing to accept a card slot and an optional card here like some older PDA but in that case I at least need the slot and software support for a standard card

Not my device: Currently that is true. That's why I made wishes here. Maybe I get them fulfilled and buy an N9xx, maybe March 2009 sees my getting another WiMo (Contract renewal time)

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

In terms of mobile devices, this is still called "flash", the only reason it's referred to as a "hard drive" is because you can drop it in as a replacement in desktops PCs and they didn't want to confuse the issue for those users. There's no such thing as an SSD "Hard Disk Drive". :)

Realistically, though, there simply isn't enough room (or battery power) to stick one of those in the NIT lineup.

"What woud you realistically like to see in the N900?" is the name of the thread, and this implies a couple things: A. It's an N-series device and the successor to the N8x0s, so it has camera, it follows a similar formfactor and feature-set, and it is pocketable, and B. The requests are realistic (8 hour "in-use" battery life, and giant screens are not. More backlight = less battery life).

I live in Florida, I'm usually in shorts and a polo, I don't have massive pockets and I'm not interested in carrying around a device I could kill somebody with. Really, if your pockets are so freaking huge, what's the problem with getting a foldable bluetooth keyboard? Enlarging the screen also increases backlight power consumption, so, net-net, you probably end up at about the same place. :)

I didn't either (and it's "770"), but the N800/N810's kickstands are invaluable and I wouldn't give them up for a semi-useful hardcover.

A phone should be a phone and an internet tablet should be an internet tablet. We're not at the point technology wise where a full convergence device really makes much sense. Besides, I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want to hold a device with a 6-7" screen to the side of my face. :rolleyes:

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

Well guess we disagree here about realistic as well as clothing. Since realism is always based on perspective, from my PoV a lot of the things ARE realistic. And with Nokia being from the colder parts of Europe they might agree. Heck, they might build one to fit in a rubber overboot given their background

Starting with the form factor since I don't wear shorts anywhere I carry a computing device that is of little concern to me. And likely for the majority of users. And backlight was actually turned quite low on my N770 so I doubt it's that much of a problem either, most people use this under resonable lighting conditions. I got around four hours from the unit so 7-8 with a bigger batterie seems resonable and fitting it in a 6'' unit seems doabel

Given the changes between the three tablets so far I don't think form factor and camera are chiseled in stone either. Strange but the N770 had no camera and the N800 has no slide out keyboard.

Value of the stand seems to vary a bit between users. If you have read what I posted, I haven't used it ONCE in the two years I had a N770 and never missed it.

And strangely there are companies that CAN deliver a tablet sized device with phone capacities. Either build-in from factory or delivered through an add-on card. And have a decend battery life too. As for the size, have a fish, last time I looked there was that thing called a "Bluetooth headset". I need one anyway for a phone since thats the only legal way to use it in the car. Now granted this is HighTech and might not have made it to the USA.

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

Hello,

I want to say sorry for not reading the whole thread but it is already 24 pages. I am new N800 owner and the improvements for N900 I see would be:
- as thin as possible (drop the keyboard from N810)
- docking station (so it is always charged while using at home)
- let the touchscreen be a bit more sensitive (I tried iPod Touch so it is doable)
- use graphics hardware which is built in, make 3D API and make it available to developers
- stick with the same hardware, increase the clock frequency to keep up with time but do not change hardware platform (so current owners can taste the future by upgrading to the new OS)
- I heard that OS2008 is already more finger friendly and more responsive so it seems to be something Nokia knows already

Thanks,
Slawek.