Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

N900 - even if at Nokia World '09 was not the biggest new release (that one being the X6), even if Nokia downplayed this device and even if Nokia said to carriers do not strip device features and made angry operators about those remarks, N900 is still in the spotlight.

What do you think is so cool about this device?

Is this better than N95, N97, 5800, X6, E71, E90?

Is this better than the competition (Android, iPhone, Blackberry, WM devices)?

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

I made a poll about this, maybe I should add another option besides these:

• Resolution 800x480
• Video recording 852x480
• Multi-tasking with very nice task presentation (6 small windows)
• Nice hw keyboard
• Linux Debian compatible
• Open platform
• Ovi Maps, GPS, 5MP camera, So-Lo apps

Which other option should be added?

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Yeah.. I've pretty much ticked 'all of the above' (maybe there should be an ALL OF THE ABOVE option). Btw, the task selector is not limited to just 6 panes, is it? I think I've seen in one of the videos that it's grown to 8?

Also, I'd say most of the competitions have their own strengths that's been keeping them in business. So, even if i think that the N900 is better 'for me', I know that doesn't apply to.. say.. 75% of the rest of iphone users that appreciates more application selection and a device that 'just works'.. or 95% of blackberry users who are tied to their infrastructure/ecosystem.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

I think iPhone (first launched july 2006) was a refined UI and UX of the N800 (launched 2005, isn't it?) or N770 (launched in 2004?)... The problem with Nokia is they didn't put telephony on N800, N810... and they bought Symbian and focused on Symbian too much in
2006 and 2007 and they did not release any Maemo Nxxx phone for all these 2.5 years, enough time for iPhone to get the market...

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

I went for multi-tasking. I am a big multi-tasker, and in my desktop, I open a lot of applications and jump between them constantly. Right now, for example, I have Google Chat, Gmail, 4 Wikipedia pages, MSN, Media Player, OWA, a couple of download windows, and 3 forums.

So what I look in a device is something that supports it. The first thing I did in my E71 was to multi-task it to the extreme, until it hung up, so I could know its performance limit. The same I did with my N800, and it handled multi-tasking better, but eventually it froze too.

Aside that, I want to not be forced to tinker with a device in order for it to work properly. That is why I have been looking at the iPhone platform lately... however, the problem is that, what if I don't like the way something works? With Symbian, Maemo, and even Windows, I can customize a bit. With Apple, is their way or the highway.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

@mrojas: yup, it is.

The 'problem' for most ppl who can 'hack' (loosely used) is that they can tinker with everything in the software layer, but when it's time to find the portable device that suits them, they're completely dependent to hardware producers because they can't MAKE their own devices. In this sense, they NEED companies like Apple, Nokias, and RIM with their own separate Agendas and business model.

Our niche market is not big enough and it never will be, because 'normal' people just doesn't want to waste their time to tinker too much with their 'appliances'. So we have to take this into consideration and make use of what's out there to get what we want. Once this reality is understood and accepted, I think it's easier to weight the options and make your decisions.

Yes, Apple hates us cause we're not a part of their agenda :)
I sometimes feel that the apple-hatred voiced in many forums is due to 'unrequited love' :D They want a part of apple (the hardware for example, or the popularity Apple has gained due to the design and marketing excellence) whereas Apple didn't design the product for them in the first place. And they ***** when the unsupported 'jailbreaking' is disabled in the latest OS update.

I mean, I'm an iPhone user that jailbreaks the OS.. but I also know that I'm the one taking advantage of Apple in this situation for my benefit.

As for multitasking, it's definitely a double edged sword.. on portable devices with limited resource (cpu, memory, screen estate), it has to be managed very smartly. I think Maemo 5 is very close to doing that. We'll have to see.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

The n900 is still in the spotlight? I must be viewing a different stage then...

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

what do you see in the spotlight? The Moto Cliq??

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

that and a whole lot of iphone...

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

We're seeing things differently. Especially since the 3.1 was really a non-announcement, right after the CPU only (to the consumer at least) update in the iPhone 3GS and the backlash from people online for OS 3.1 - myself inclusive - isn't really all that good from what I see.

The Android 1.6 update to its marketplace, the WebOS 1.2 update and the HTC Hero seem to have more of a consumer eye. Maemo 5, has the "tinkerer" eyes. And OS 3.1 - is pissing off a lot of people.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

REUTERS:

RPT-Nokia says seeing 'alot of interest' in N900


http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssT...37277520090916

"Since we started to show it to larger audience two weeks ago, there has been tremendous buzz and interest. A lot of interest," Ari Jaaksi, vice president for Maemo devices at Nokia.

"Now we are finalising the package, software, hardware, marketing campaign. The goal is to get it out in October," Jaaksi said.

Analysts see N900 and following Linux devices as key for Nokia to gain back ground in the coming years.

Nokia has kept its overall market share stable, close to 40 percent, but it has lost share among more expensive models to the likes of Apple (AAPL.O).

--- AMSTERDAM, Sept 16 (Reuters)

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Well, it seems to be "Best" seller on Amazon. Last time I checked it was in 8th place and all that was ahead of it was blue tooth ear pieces and $15 screen protectors. Thats good news.

Nathan.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

I think Maemo is going grow. Though it won't be a top contender just yet. But our community should be getting bigger, along with more applications, more company support. So things should look good. It won't explode like the iPhone though.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

I have never used an iPhone, so I apologise if this is incorrect but I've heard multiple times that the iPhone cannot multi-task at all. Indeed, if you want to play music you must do that and only that, you can't have it playing in the background (Spotify app has this behaviour for instance).

Even if Symbian isn't as pretty, it's so much more functional with any post N95 device you have enough memory and demand-paging to allow you to run a good number of applications simultaneously.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Well, it can actually multitask as it's an OS-X kernel, but since there's no task switcher, you have to quit one app before starting the next. Jailbroken iPhones can have multitasking, from what I've heard.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

in response to who's in the spotlight and I asked was it the Moto Cliq...
If you do a search of the usual suspects, and check the major blogs, the spotlight is on Nokia and the N900. Even the Apple blogs are asking for a homebrew app czar, wanting a UI update, new hardware, Google Voice apps, etc., and many considered this years Apple shindig a flop. Palm is getting buzz, but not much more. Android it HOT, but diluted by various devices but little differentiation. Symbian is surviving, but Maemo?

Its on everyone's lips, and it is mostly good. This is a turn for the better. Nokia hasn't had much good pub in a while, we may have forgotten what it felt like.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Jailbroken iPhones can have multi-tasking through an app called backgrounder. But the app isn't reliable and some apps tend to crash.

The term for iPhone tasking is serial-tasking (one item at a time).

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

"Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released? "

That's the problem, it's a "smart phone". Nokia has officially abandoned the mobile internet tablet platform.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Be careful. "Smart phone" is hugely contested around these parts since it's being marketed as a "mobile computer" or something another.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Psh. It's a mobile computer with phone functionality.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

It isn't just being pedantic to make the distinction, it defines a different device class altogether. GeneralAntilles is correct.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Haha.. I do wonder what it's officially called by Nokia, they seem to be indecisive. Is it a computer, is it a smartphone? Is it a comphone?

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

It's a mobile computer. They've been very clear about that so far.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

I get that it is designated as such directly from Nokia; however once again as a layman - the term smartphone already has a mindshare that's undeniable.

And proposing it as a "mobile computer with telephone abilities" and no marketing as of yet to people outside of this community... I can't help but see an uphill battle. I do see how it distances itself, label-wise, from other offerings.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

To me a mobile internet tablet and a smartphone are very different. The nXXX series was supposed to be a MIT. Larger screen and keyboard, Mozilla browser, etc. With the n900, Nokia seems to be trying to go after the iPhone. Smaller screen, smaller keyboard, etc. Nokia now no longer has any 4.1" device. Just bunch of 3.5" devices (n97, n900). Nokia has abandoned the MIT platform?! Anyone willing to back me up on this?

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

*sigh* :rolleyes:

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Can't back you up on that, actually.

Hold it in your hands and you'll understand why you're wrong.

The smaller keyboard is easily FAR better to use than the N810's keyboard to the point of being able to fire off fast IMs easily. The smaller screen is something you won't even notice unless you have really bad eyesight. You won't even realize it unless you put it side by side with an N810... and even then, you realize it just doesn't matter.

This is the mobile internet tablet you've been waiting for. Get it in your hands for a little while and then try to deny it. You won't be able to. Head out to a Nokia flagship store and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

i would claim that a smartphone have always been a pocket computer.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

A mobile computer is a very generic term;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_computer

but the term internet tablet.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Tablet
And the information in parenthesis next to the n900 entry kind of prove my point. But as someone just posted, it's all speculation until I get my hands on it.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

There's no need to hit up Wikipedia. They're just going to use what they wish. They being Nokia.

I'm just curious as to why use such an esoteric moniker and don't advertise yet.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

I was just looking at amazon.com. It took me a while to even find the N900 - I ended up doing a search for it. This is what I found :

"
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17 in Cell Phones & Service (See Bestsellers in Cell Phones & Service)

Popular in this category: (What's this?)
#2 in Cell Phones & Service > Accessories > Unlocked Phones
"

In Cell Phones and Service, BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Unlocked is at #10, but everything else above the N900 is an accessory.

I don't know why "Unlocked phones" is even in the "Accessories" section, but being #2 is nice enough - the above BB is #1.

What's strange is, if I go directly to 'Unlocked cell phones' using the top menu bar, and then 'sort by bestselling', then N900 is nowhere in sight....ah, there it is on page 4 - it's #93. I can only assume that this sorting is done by total sales, rather than just the last week or something. Anyone know?

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Well, as the person who created and wrote that article, it's funny to see it used here to back up an argument.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

LOL I should check wiki histories more often. :D

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

I think the #1 reason for crashing iPhone apps is due to lack of memory, which is common on iPhone 2G & 3G. They come with 128MB of RAM and after loading the OS there's around 50-60MB free, but it can go down to below 40MB if you load many 3rd party extensions from Cydia (the jailbroken appstore).

The 3GS comes with 256MB RAM, which leaves about 3x as much free memory than the 2G\3G (150MB-ish) and alleviates this problem...

ps: backgrounder + kirikae (task switcher)

pps: I also think the term 'mobile computer' is... um.. sub optimal.

It's a mouthful, kind of nondescriptive (as it doesn't indicate how small the N900) is, and the generic 'computer' has lots its edge.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Ah I haven't heard of kirikae yet. That's new. And yeah that makes sense for why the apps crash. With the way Apple has the system setup. Each app is guaranteed to have the most resources available to it since ideally (following Apple's guidelines) no other app besides what Apple does (phone ability, etc..etc..) should be running. But if you introduce backgrounder (and now kirikae) then now apps that were programmed (if this is the case) to use whatever RAM is available will now be fighting for that same RAM.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

See, now that's even stupider than Nokia or Apple not supporting MMS. That's the kind of situation that I don't want to happen with operators disabling stuff enough to effectively break the device (I know multi-tasking won't go...).

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

The original question this thread is interesting, it doesn't account for the times when those models were introduced except for the N900, aka the queston is biased.

Of that list, the N95 is/was the most influential and most innovative release. However that's an easy answer, thw N95 was nothing like anything else, ans was slose enough in terms of a frame of reference that it broke perceptions of mobile. Heck, Nokia called it a mobile computer...

...the N900 hasn't done anything yet. If it changes how we use mobile computing, then history will show that of this list, its Nokia's best, smarter mobile computing device.

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

repeating it over and over will not magically make it become true. the screen on the N810 already is too small for most of my use cases. how could i not notice that it got even smaller??

Re: Is N900 the best smartphone Nokia ever released?
 

Somehow everybody I know who has a device keeps insisting the screen size isn't an issue, and somehow everybody else keeps insisting it is.

I wonder who's better qualified to judge?