what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Hello,

I'm on the verge of getting an N800 but have held back because of some unanswered question about some of the N800's features. I've been poring through SO many threads for the past month that my head is spinning (but its good to see that this is a very active forum!).

My issue is this. On paper, judging by the specs, the N800 has the feature set that I'm looking for. These include:
- web browser
- vnc capability
- FM radio
- simple camera
- video recording capability (I'm ok with the low resolution)

However, when going through the postings here in internettablettalk, I've come to the realization that only the first 2 bullets in my list above seem to be fully satisfied if I upgrade to OS2008. In other words, the common sentiment of what I have seen posted is that OS2008 does support the N800's FM radio, but there are side effects to battery life. As well, the Camera application works in OS2008, but does not support video recording. Am I understanding this correctly that this is the current status of these features at this point in time?

I've heard it mentioned that the later Camera versions gave a better quality picture output than those circa v2.7. Is this true? Can anyone confirm?

One of problems of scanning through so many threads is that some of the information that I read may not be totally correct and even for some of those that are correct, that info has now been obsoleted. Can anyone set me straight with the latest story?

Thanks a bunch!

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

I haven't seen a problem with my battery while listening to the radio... yet? I hope not.... Yes, the camera has a very low quality compared to phones that are out there, it is not even a megapixel however at least you can videochat with other N800 owners...

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Before you go out and buy that N800, here are my 2 cents:

- web browser <-- good, works as promised
- vnc capability <--
- FM radio <-- interferes with another core feature, can't remember what.
- simple camera <- yes, very simple, not fit for most purposes
- video recording capability (I'm ok with the low resolution) <-- does not do video recording

You should be aware that most of your needs are not addressed by the feature set.

The radio will consume battery life, as would any other form of media playback, so be aware of that.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

The camera is a low-quality webcam, and it's very poorly supported by the software - the only video chat application is Gizmo.

The FM radio works fine. I use it frequently, and the battery drain is minimal. But as I discovered (and posted elsewhere in another thread here), if you turn off the N800 without stopping radio play in the FM applet, the radio remains active and drains the battery.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

If you turn off the N800 without stopping radio play in the FM applet, the radio remains active and drains the battery??!?!?!

Then what all is the OS doing when it supposedly "shuts down"?

Has anyone confirmed this and submitted a bug report?

No wonder some people are having battery life issues!

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

the fm radio is a surprise since it wasnt in the product sheet...
someone said recently it interferes with bluetooth, but i dont know
if that is a software or radio interference issue.

the internet radio capabilities are pretty wonderful on the n800,
especially if you install streamtuner, so i almost never use the fm radio.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

The fm radio works fine. There was a way to record video, but I haven't seen it lately, and it was very primitive, though sorta fun. I have several batteries and a charger, which cost me a total of about $20 including shipping on ebay, so I rarely notice battery usage problems. I did an ebay search yesterday and it looks like the battery/charger deals are still available.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

VNC viewer -> http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...d.php?p=134884
Simple Camera -> http://illumination.sf.net/maemo/Knips.install

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

- despite any issues w/the current state of os2007 or os2008, the Nokia N800 is one of the best deals on the market for an Internet tablet, especially considering it is now in the US$200 range...

- top features for me:

1. Linux-based (so many benefits here)
2. built-in wifi
3. bluetooth
4. built-in camera (also works as a motion-based Internet security cam!)
5. FM radio
6. mp3/video playback
7. (2) SDHC slots (currently supporting 64GB of storage! mine has 32GB)
8. touchscreen
9. supports external USB devices (RS232, HD storage, keyboards, etc.)
10. Skype, Gizmo Internet phone/videoconferencing
11. Gmail POP3 support

- and on and on...

- just try to find *any* device with these capabilities on the market in the N800's form factor and price range from any other manufacturer!

- JMHO, YMMV

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

The OS does a number of things. First, and most obvious, strangeness of "shut-down" behavior is when the charger's plugged in. With the N800 "off" but the charger plugged in, it displays charging status on the screen. You might think, since the device is off, there must be a secondary (low-power) CPU handling this, or that there's just a BIOS routine, and the whole OS is not loaded. In fact, the OS is up, just in a different runlevel. Programs can still run, sometimes with quite interesting results. Like most modern devices, off doesn't mean off. It's a little more visible on the ITs, though, and you could argue that's a (collection of) bug(s).

I've no experience with this, and it sounds wierd even to me. With the N800 powered off and no charger connected, I think the CPU really is off. Don't know how the FM receiver could still be on, but it's possible. If so, then it's a bug; when the process receives sigterm, it should turn off the radio.

But there is the possibility to leave the FM radio playing through the "headphones", even when the headphones are a bare patch cable used solely as an antenna. Not a bug, just a hazard. Done that a few times...

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

You may be referring to the bug on fmradio interference with bluetooth headsets BZ#2660

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Well said. Honestly, for all of the (mostly well-meaning and constructive) criticisms raised in this forum, the fact is that the feature-to-price ratio for the N800 is outstanding. In some ways, the "killer feature" of the N800 is keeping it affordable while supporting open technologies and standards that allow it to be expanded and upgraded.

I recently showed mine off to a friend. She loves her iPhone, but she really liked a lot of the N800's features - the bigger screen, the upgradeable flash memory, the ability to tether with a GPS over bluetooth, the integrated speakers, even the integrated stand (a favorite of mine as well). It really says something when a significantly cheaper device makes an iPhone owner envious. (Obviously, the iPhone shines in other areas - UI, multitouch, screen reorientation, etc).

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

What is needed hardware and software wise to support RS232?

This would be great for console router configuration.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

- all you need are:

these serial modules

and a USB->RS232 adapter

- simply 'insmod' the modules, then plug in the adapter...

hth!

p.s. use 'dmesg' to view success info from the kernel... the serial device will be '/dev/ttyUSB0' - AFA a terminal emulator - i'd most likely use minicom...

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Hi My name is Henry Pozzuoli (hankpo@juno.com)

I want to purchase the N800 but need to know the answer to one question.

Can the broswer access secured sites such as banking or Stock trading? Sites that start with https://

Thanks to anyone that can help me
Hank

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Yes, if you can view it in your browser, you can view it on the N800

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Not true. If the site uses Java applications, it won't show up. e.g. the Internet Banking facility for the banks I use in Singapore and in the UAE.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Thanks, I've been trying to recall the description of this bug for the last couple of days.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

The question was if https sites could be used.

"Can the broswer access secured sites such as banking or Stock trading? Sites that start with https://"

The answer therefore is Yes, which means internet banking is possible. Works well for me.

I have not much problems encountered with Java sites. However some plug-ins may be needed; it is true that some heavy java applications may slow OS2008 / browser.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

What - there is a java plugin available? where? official?
Are you confusing java with javascript? the only similarity is the name.

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Pfff, The guy is greedy, I'll watch my words better next time. Not that is had some relevance, but anyway.. he had a point :o .....

I Can still learn a lot of these ITT people.... Should learn to create answers like ... " Yes, if you can view it in your browser, you can view it on the N800 " Needed a magnifying glass to understand. Thumbs up !

As Always: Have fun ! ;)

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

Sorry Abel, I don't understand what you said in that post. Please - I'm very new here.
If I understand correctly, there is no finished Java VM for the n800.
neither Java applets in the browser, or "java Mobile" programs may be run. Correct?
I only found some references to Sun java being developed for the 770, but thats seems to have been abandoned.
Maybe the palm version of Java wil run in the garnet VM?

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

That's only J2ME, it's buggy and unstable, but it's better than nothing...

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

I am sure your are aware of the Meamo froum.
http://maemo.org/community/mailing-lists.html

Re: what REALLY is the current state of these N800 features?
 

To cut short the answer to the question about accessing banks and stock markets:

- It _may_ work. But you don't know until you try.
- If it uses java applets then it won't work now, and nobody knows when it will.
- The microb browser may work some places where opera doesn't. With OS2007 you have both opera and microb, with OS2008 there's only microb.
- Tell us the name of the bank and/or the stock markets, someone may have tried that site already, or maybe it's easy to check out. Then someone can tell you right away if it'll work or not.