Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I have to admit that I agree. I rarely open my keyboard. But, I think this is mainly due to the fact that the keyboard is much to "squishy" for my taste -- doubled by the fact that it is behind the plastic covering of my case.

Tim

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Well, the buttons are ok. They are way too small for me however. And I just can't stand the 320x240 display =(

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Keep saying stuff like that, guys. I need to keep justifying the fact I never got an N810, just kept using my trusty N800... :D

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

You are not missing that much, really. To be honest the transflective screen and keyboard (warts and all) were the only worthwhile additions. The ambient light sensor doesn't work too well and there are entire threads dedicated to the performance of the built-in GPS. But you get to use two cheaper & higher capacity SD cards, mini-USB connector, FM radio and a webcam that rotates :-)

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

N800 forever! :D
Just one rant: why did they choose the strange curved profile???
There are 3600mAh batteries for the N810, but we N800ers can't have a Superbattery(patent pending :D) because of the awkward profile and the slightly curved battery cover...

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

did you guys read what i read? some nokia official denying that they would release an android phone... quoting inaccurately from memory here, and translating at the same time; 'because they were too heavily invested with Symbian to come out with an competitive UI'...

Maemo?

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Wouldn't that be an N1600?

Tim

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I occasionally slide open the n810 keyboard to use it as a thumb rest, but mostly I just dream of ripping it off the device.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I like the N810 keyboard not because it's fast*, but because it saves screen state.

*But it is faster for me, since I never got used to onscreen keyboards... I still think Graffiti2 is the best onscreen input method ever seen.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

It's particularly an issue when you're doing something like VNC ... where the virtual keyboards have limitations (thumb keyboard blocks the view of the screen entirely, I don't know if the stylus keyboard even works with vnc-viewer, and I never tried the handwriting input; plus, the enter key never seemed to actually work properly).

The physical keyboard basically made vnc-viewer usable.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Exactly.

And I hate the n810 keyboard not because it's slow, but because it's a heavy, unused, space-wasting brick.

The two of us couldn't be more different, and there's tens of millions of people like you and there's tens of millions of people like me. [broken record]Every company in this space should either have 2 product offerings that differ only in physical characteristics, or someone needs to create something modular. We could start with the basics: what is the minimum this product needs. Based on iPhone and iPod touch sales and other recent offerings (HTC Hero and various high-end Samsungs), I would say that a physical keyboard should be something that I could detach. From several posts and bugzilla comments, I'm guessing even Nokia is rethinking their stance on partial screen virtual keyboards.[/broken record]

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Just noticed that the RX-51 entry in the ARM Linux machine database (submitted by a Nokia person) explicitly states:
:-)

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

The entry was created in October 2008, there's also a reference to omap 2 there, seems outdated info for me :)

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Don't forget to include Nokia E63 in compare. It has a similar keyboard as Nokia E71, but some changes, potentially making usability better (not tested here).

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I like the N810 keyboard. I remapped the keys on doom, and now I play it just like the oldschool pc version... ctrl shoots, etc :)

I mess up a lot more with the OSK.

offtopic (sortof): is there a way to disable the OSK's word-guessing thingy? I always hit a word suggestion I'm not trying to hit when i go for the spacebar.

thx y'all.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I personally love the 810 keyboard, and it is easier to use than the small onscreen keyboard, or the ever useless thumb-board.

The 810 keyboard was a welcome improvement over the 800 or 770, and is VERY usable?

pb

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Control panel -> Text input settings -> "Languages" tab -> "Settings" button

From there you can enable/disable:

• Auto-capitalization
• Word completion
• Next word prediction
• Insert space after word

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

As directory suffix (ie arch/arm/mach-omap2). Don't take it literally, there are several other known OMAP3 devices in there like the beagleboard, overo and pandora.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I have had my trusty N800 for the duration. The extra storage capacity is nice but the thing never was a decent music server.
I do use it in the car though everyday for weather, traffic, news, and e-mail. Everything I use could just as easily fit on one 8GB MC. With prices dropping below $200 US I was thinking of picking up an N810 and using it in the car and moving the N800 inside as a a couch surfer. Sort of a retirement benefit for the good old N800 for years of excellent service. :D

Are you guys saying the trans-reflective screen and smaller form factor are not worth the effort?

BTW, can the 810's keyboard open while in the car mount?

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Yep, it sure does.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

The one thing (which is two, actually) that does not work in the car mount is the USB port and SD card switching as these are blocked by the kickstand.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Well I spend a bit of time in the middle east every year, and with the n800 the screen was just black all the time, at least with the n810 I could vaguely see what was on the screen and use it - So for me the trans-reflective screen was _the_ decision in buying it.

Using the keyboard whilst driving is frankly asking to die isn't it?

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Not really; we can't have a high-cap battery because the N800 wasn't popular enough for Mugen to make one. While it might look a little odd, there's no reason an extended back couldn't be made to suit the N800.

FWIW, Mugen does make an N800-compatible extended battery, but it comes with a useless E61/E62 back. Indispensable, as long as you're willing to trust two strips of scotch tape as your only insurance against hard power-cuts... ;)

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

:D

Using the top, + / - buttons to zoom in and out of maps on my N800 is asking to get lost first. :eek:
I remapped those functions to the right and left d-pad buttons in Maemo Mapper. I was wondering how I would do that on an N810 if the keyboard was closed...

I want to know where I am when I die. :p

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I like the N810 keyboard except for its no space between the keys. I'm not short with tiny fingers.
I think they should take that dpad and move it up to the left side of the screen where the escape and toggle buttons are and put those buttons over on the right side of the screen instead along with the menu button.
It almost seems like whoever designed the N810 didn't put any buttons on the right side of the screen because they had the power cord plugged in all the time (would block your right thumb).

If they did this to free up room for the keyboard they could then put some space in between the keys and make them a tad larger. Keep the build quality the same (I haven't heard any complaints unlike the Nseries phones) add support for the card slot for the future 128gb cards. Throw in some of the better equipment that nseries has like compass, 3.5g etc and I'll buy it for sure.
I can't stand having a big keyboard window in my way! It's really very annoying.

But for those of you that like onscreen keyyboards,
Anyone care to get this guy to make a swype for freemantle or mer?
http://swypeinc.com/
Or does someone maybe want to try a copy of it or ask permission to copy it?

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I just watched the long video. Pretty cool! I'd certainly like to try it on my N800.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

So where is this damned mythical beast, now?

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

You can give Ctrl+R a rest; the entire population of Finland will be on vacation for another two or three weeks yet, so there's no news forthcoming for at least that long.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

You sure about that? Because they just released a new device today, with AT&T (the Mako/Surge).

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I'm aware of that, and there was just a bit of humor intended by my post. At the same time, the Mako is non-flagship S60 device, previously announced, and just being released on AT&T.

In contrast, the Maemo 5 lead device--even if not a phone--will be the beginning of the repositioning of the platform, will be the first device by the Maemo division, and will have specs that best even the most powerful Nokia S60 devices. There's a good chance the announcement and release events will occur in rapid succession, if the two aren't simultaneous.

I can't see Peter@Maemo Marketing lounging on the beach when the press releases for the lead device start flying. Heck, he's told us he'll be too busy to check in on t.m.o or anything else when the announcement is made. I don't see qgil or any of the other Maemo folks missing the excitement either.

EDIT: The Mako was previously, and thoroughly, outed, not announced.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Thanks Benson, I didn't see that battery model ;)
N800's back is the only part I hate of my device, the battery's too close to the rounded part of the device, so given the increased thickness of the Mugen battery it would be impossible to create a custom back... we need a complete new shell :D

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

OK, so instead of asking when it comes out - why don't we ask when Peter/qgil are back from holiday ;-)

And I'm glad I'm not the only one with a ctrl+R problem!

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

So... apparently there's no announcement coming this month, or any time soon. I phoned the online Nokia store, and their sales team knows nothing about the N900 (they weren't even familiar with the idea), nor does Nokia International. I got this via email, when I contacted NokiaUSA's website, asking for launch date and info about the N900. Note he says it's "when and IF" it launches... when did it become an "if"? And they're calling it a "concept" device - doesn't make it sound like a concrete plan.

I think they're bailing.

Quote:

Dear Green46, Thank you for e-mailing the Nokia Care Contact Center. I apologize for the delay in responding to your e-mail message and greatly appreciate your patience. I am happy to hear that you are satisfied with your Nokia N800. I also understand that you want to know if and when the Nokia N900/Rover will become available. Green46, at this time, there is no launching date available for the release of the Nokia N900 Concept device. We recommend to please continue monitoring the www.nokiausa.com for future update. We appreciate your interest in Nokia product and regret any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for choosing Nokia for your mobile needs. Juan E-mail Specialist Nokia Inc.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

From other threads the I got the impression the most popular guess for the announcement is, for the time being, Sept 2-3 (Nokia World 09). Don't bet money (or equipment ;) ) on it, though.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

He's an email specialist, his job is to write emails as vague as possible! :D

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I'm sorry, but any launch won't probably be revealed by Juan, the email specialist. ;)

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

I've been in the nokia shop in London and they didn't even know the n800/n810 existed.
I think unless a phone sells a lot they won't be trained/know about it.

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Well, everyone knows that Twitter is the best way to get information at the moment, though the most of the times that info isn't true, but I found this:

http://twitter.com/cneisme/status/2653191193

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Very interesting find. I love that he says he works at Nokia and this is the a Nokia phone he really likes. ;-)

on the 11th he also posted:
Nathan

Re: N900 specs revealed
 

Neither of these things instills confidence.. especially when...

While people are getting upset about obtaining replacement stylus and repair parts for the already existing products and 'fixed in Fremantle' is the new mantra. Can I have something more concrete?

Who are you? You're not from Nokia--you don't EVEN work in a Nokia store much less anything closer to their home. :) Nokia's really losing me, here. I'm certainly not interested in their brand for anything more, given my experiences past buying the N800 (I love my N800, but everything ELSE about it--like repairs, support, etc. have been dismal to upsetting). Somebody help us out, here, with at least SOME transparency and communication with the customers. If the guys at the store act like they've never heard of it and even Juan! JUAN the EMAIL SPECIALIST can't tell me anything. What hope do we have? :)

Sachin007.. that didn't help. :)