I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

I really want to like the N810. Really I do!

This weekend I have been using my N810 and comparing it to my N800 with OS2008. I'm surprised by my reactions. Here are some:

• The N810 is heavier. All that metal makes it a little heavier in my hand and a little less convenient to toss around.
• The N810 is a little smaller. Mostly, it's less wide. For me, this makes it harder to hold onto.
• I keep putting my thumb on the ambient light sensor. I usually hold with my left hand and use the stylus with my right. My thumb naturally blocks the light sensor and the screen automatically darkens.
• The D-pad thing really annoys me. When I'm using FBReader to read a book, I'm used to rotating with the DPad. Now I have to fiddle with a menu or open the keyboard.
• Displaying menus when apps are in fullscreen mode requires the slideout keyboard. Pop any application into full screen mode -- say, the Web browser -- and you can't access the app menu without (a) taking it out of fullscreen mode or (b) opening the keyboard just for the menu key.

Yes, these are little niggles. But they are niggles that are not present on an N800 with OS2008. The menu point above is especially annoying. I can't even exit an application without using the keyboard to pull up the menu (I know: I could use the HOME key to exit using the list of applications). As I wrote in another thread, I don't like the mapping software. So I'm left with an internal GPS and a slideout keyboard as the only benefits to using the N810. They might be good, but for me, I don't use them all the time -- not near enough to balance the items above.

And the N800 has removeable memory cards that are more standard.

So I'm struggling here to choose the N810 over the N800. Maybe I should just stop whining!

What do others of you think? Are there other reasons to really move to the N810? Am I whining too much?

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

The memory card situation isn't as bad as it seems. I've just ordered a microSD card with adapters for miniSD and SD. miniSD cards seem pretty hard to come by for some reason. I can't see why Nokia chose them over micro but since I can use micro with an adapter it's not too bad.

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

I don't think you're whining too much; they are valid complaints. To be honest, I think it's more a function of the software than the hardware layout. Given the infancy of the Nxxx devices, the software should be better designed to account for setup changes.

Requiring the buttons for simple features is bad design IMO. The touchscreen is large enough to completely accommodate most simple inputs quickly and efficiently.

Here's to hoping software designers start considering HOW users will interact with their software, rather than relying on old-and-tired paradigms.


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

I've had the same issues with my left thumb covering the ambient light sensor. The comfortable/thick margins on the sides of the screen lend themselves to holding the N810 with the four fingers against the back and thumb against the front. Unfortunately, the ambient light sensor is located right where I'd naturally place my thumb.

The weight and weight-distribution are certainly something to get used to. I'm actually in the habit now of sliding out the keyboard during extended use sessions. This allows for two things: access to the dpad and slightly better weight distribution. Most of the weight seems to be coming from underneath the keyboard (battery?) not the display.

Most of my complaints and whines can be remedied by changing my habits. We'll see how happy I am (and other N810 users are) in a couple months... :p

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

Those are the reasons why my mockups put the camera and sensor on the top middle of the face, and put the d-pad and button-cluster back on the face of the device. Hopefully more people will feel this way about the N810 layout, and Nokia will look more closely at my usability suggestions.

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

I don't think anybody is whining here, these are fair objective observations and, as such, are of value.

Maybe it is possible to adapt to not putting a finger over the light sensor, maybe not.

Every time I pick up my Zaurus C1000 I switch it off! The On/Off button is placed exactly where my thumb goes when I hold it. In two years I have never managed to adapt. All I can think is that designers must hold the devices differently.

Yes, you seem to have been spot on. I read your post at the time. What are the chances of Nokia actually listening to users?

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

If Nokia is listening, *please* dump the N810 dpad design! ...having directional buttons as a small ring around a fat center button makes for some very difficult controls. Your N800 dpad design was much more functional than the N810!

I'm still trying to get used to the N810 dpad. Instead of cutting my fingernails to the nub, I'm leaving my thumbs slightly longer (not to the sliver) so that I can actually *use* that directional ring.

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

Quit whining ;)

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

Great! That's a good start!

Plenty. I've had mine for less than a week and I'm just finding more reasons to love it. There are lots of reason, including the smaller form factor and the overall finish of the device. The software is better too, especially when you consider that, thanks to programmers like Gnuite, applications like MaemoMapper are superior to the ones 'in the box' and this will only improve when the developers actually get the new devices in their hands:)

Indeed not! Having just praised this little jewel, there is still a lot of room for improvement, on both the hardware and softwares sides. For the hw, it just needs to have a better fit and finish. Others have posted on the these details here in the forum, so it's clear that even though this is a big step forward in the manufacturing end, there are still some serious QA issues to be resolved.

BTW, I noticed that some of the parts are actually made in the EU, which suggests that Nokia is starting to realize that quality of finish (not necessarily price) is going to be the deal-breaker for most users in the future as we become more accustomed, to dare I say it, an 'Apple-like' finish.:o

If nobody 'whines' then the developer who are reading this forum regularly ;) won't know what is working and what isn't.

Having said this, I realize that I personally am often not critical enough, since I am still so impressed with the all the good parts! :rolleyes:

Re: I'm surprised: Comparing the N800 and the N810
 

I agree with most said here. I thought it was entirely too heavy when I pulled it out of the box. Now it feels good, however.

One complaint I haven't seen yet is how malleable the stand is. I've already bent mine (and had to unbend it).

The size is perfect. I love the metal (it just feels solid). I'd like it to be lighter.

I HATE the SD card slot. It couldn't be more difficult to use if they tried. I'd rather the internal one be upgradeable, too.

I also find the sensor to do weird things as I move the device around (and change light exposure). I can't keep the display on a steady setting. This is minor, though.

Use the +/- (or taps) for paging and assign the "escape" key to be rotate. FBReader lets you reassign the keys. I read quite a lot last night and loved it. It's a great ebook reader. The pixel density is nice.

Agreed. This is a bit of an issue. I find myself using it keyboard open most of the time, however. It's quite nice to hold in that form. I would prefer the finger tap type work when it's open - I find myself trying to open the finger keyboard while it's sitting on the table fairly often.

All in all, I am not sure it's worth the exact amount that the 810 costs over the 800, but I really like the form factor, build quality, and slide out keyboard. I just purchased a bluetooth keyboard and will likely use it when the n810's my laptop replacement (most trips now), but it's nice to have the slideout available for portable use.

I'd be really happy with a cheaper model without the GPS. The keyboard is pretty key, though. Believe me, I considered the n800 heavily before my pre-order shipped catching me off guard (I hadn't decided yet!). The n810 just looks and feels solid while the n800 looks cheap. That's worth some to me.