Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Interesting discussion, everyone.

@ Christexaport

I share your enthusiasm about the tremendous potential of the n900. But, remember that as the intro device for maemo 5, the n900 represents only stage 4 of Nokia's 5 stage plan for positioning maemo as a platform that would garner widespread consumer acceptance. This is probably why Nokia is being so low-key about the launch, and possibly why Nokia is not in a hurry to get carrier agreements on subsidization.

I think a lot of us were surprised that telephony was included in the stage 4 device (many of us were expecting it in stage 5). But in retrospect, the decision to introduce the phone capability in the n900 makes a lot of sense in the context of the roadmap. If stage 5 is supposed to culminate in the uber-devices meant for widespread consumer adoption, then Nokia would have to introduce telephony in stage 4 in order to iron out the kinks. That way, the stage 5 device will have a more polished phone experience for users that are expecting the device to be, well, a cell phone with all the usability and features they have come to expect.

I think a lot of people may be frustrated by Nokia's seemingly tepid marketing support for the device, but it does appear that Nokia is making a huge bet on maemo being a large part of the future of the company. In that light, it is not surprising at all that Nokia is proceeding very cautiously--I don't think they want to excessively hype a device that isn't meant to be the be all and end all.

I think qole is right on this, word of mouth, enthusiasm and feedback from the early adopters (i.e., us) will lead to more widespread consumer adoption when the stage 5 devices come along. This is not just in terms of telling all our friends about the n900, but it also goes for participating in the maemo community: as with the earlier maemo stages, even regular users can provide input in terms of what applications they want, what's working and what isn't. The developers in the community through their dedication and talent show us what is possible. The community thus ends up improving and polishing up maemo even further.

With all that being said, I am still very excited about the n900. I think we are all going to have a lot of fun with our devices over the next couple of years.


Finally, as for Oprah, I think she is now hawking the T-mobile myTouch--it looks like it was on the roster in one of her famous giveaway shows. That also goes to show what a big bet T-mobile is placing on Android.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/s...anks-to-oprah/

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Oprah is a huge influence here, but you won't get the N900 on that show because of the hardware, or benefit of price or locked/unlocked etc.

It WILL get on the show there is an application that this community can write, software/App, (this is open source) that benefits everyone or directly has a link to what Oprah believes in. And of course the software would be FREE for everyone. Then she will get it and show everyone that "look this is what the Maemo community made" and then of course the N900 will be used and will be featured and showed.

so to summarize (because I'm not the best writer sorry) I'm saying that the way to get the phone on Oprah show or any other influential shows with pull in certain demographics (and the mass markets) is to have an app or software because of the community and "free" nature of the OS featured on these shows. Then by default the N900 will be featured.

The tech shows will do their part because they are for techies, but these other shows won't take their time to highlight just because of megapixels or processors.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

I remember the cameo of the Nokia 770 in the Harold and Kumar movies. I was sad when they used it as a phone in the second one though -_-

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

That is the truest and scariest aspect of Oprah. It plagues Hollywood in general- America worships those fine upstanding people way too much. Now not are they only mere actors/actresses (most pretty poor at that) but we've somehow allowed them to become political and social experts that the sheep flock to for nourishment and direction.

And yet, I agree- get an N900 on her show and you're nearly golden. KFCs were packed when she had an online link to a coupon for a free sample of their new grilled chicken. Their restaurants were flooded with people, and KFC halted their promotion due to lack of product, then went and stuck it to the consumer with some other lame offer you had to submit via writing to get- all because of so much popularity due to being on Oprah's show. Granted, the people jamming the KFC joints likely consider it "fine dining". I drove by and laughed.

Yes, give something free with the device. Put some special code inside that when it first boots and reveals the code, they enter it on a web site and Blam-o! Free something that everyone wants. Nokia could partner with a restaurant chain, or an online movie mogul, or an airline. It's too late in the season for an amusement/theme park joint promotion.

And Nokia could even create a Limited Edition version of the N900 with exclusive apps or perhaps some ebooks of Oprah included within, a special Oprah-ized set of headphones or carrying case. Oh yeah- some blingy case would do the trick so all the ladies can show their friends how unique and special they are by having it.

Think Willy Wonka...the golden ticket...run with it.

As for the original topic question, I say yes it will. It may not burst out of the canon as fast and far as we'd like it to, but it will explode and shower the masses more and more over time until they can't avoid seeing the flash and glow and say "ooooooh, awwwwww" and if nothing else, it may just make them a Nokia customer even if not an N900 owner.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Jeremy Clarkson says "Some say he is remote controlled by a n900, some say he got his brain reprogrammed using maemo 5 after a accident , All we know is hes named the STIG"
i can just see it now on next seasons TG episode 1 its going to be epic :D

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Nokia is the world's largest manufacturer of cell phones. The vast spread of Nokia's market is almost everywhere except North America. Nokia has never played well with the U.S. carriers and their procedures. A few Nokia smartphones are released with U.S. carrier 3G frequencies (the NAM models.) These are sold unlocked on the open market. Occasionally, there is a carrier subsidized version. Recently, in typical baffling Nokia style, they announced that the N900 will remain un-tampered by any carrier. T-Mobile U.S. has no plans to subsidize it (at this time.) The device and it's Maemo OS are the 5th step of a planned 6 step program and as such, Nokia still excuses the N900 as an exploratory device and as a geek computer that now also happens to include a phone. There is no denying that it is a well appointed and potentially powerful unit. Nokia is charging top dollar for it.
.
I would imagine that Nokia is fully aware that the N900 probably ain't going to sell real well in America.
And perhaps they just don't care.
What other handset manufacturer has the ways and means to refuse to play ball with the U.S. but can still see a long term vision carried through with it's original purpose remaining intact?

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

I really pity all those people who live in that Market where those questions are really questions...

Where did it go wrong? Because of the market really must be completely open? Not regulated at all by the government?

I am really glad that i dont live there if we talk about the mobile market, because the 2 questions you ask above are not even questions at all in the country i live (The Netherlands)
They are both "of course"

I never buy a phone from the carrier.. that is a very stupid move because those are mostly branded. And that is most of the time not things like that and this is disabled. But just some pictures and some apps in the firmware. But then suddenly i cant upgrade to the firmwares Nokia sends out, so i will never buy one from the operator.

But thats not a big deal, there are so many independent phone providers that will sell the phone subsidized. And then the question is never will it work for the provider i want? Because which ever provider i choose it will always work (gsm or hsdpa)

Thats why i call free market and choice..

Back on this topic about the N900 making it or not, i do think Nokia will be surprised how well it will do. But they should market it way better yes i agree with that. They have gold in there hands and they should exploit that to the maximum.

I do here are lot of stuff, but it is so expensive.. What?? expensive?? It is cheap!! My current phone (E90) was 800 euro's when it was introduced! And if you compare it to the other high end phones from nokia N97 (mini), X6 they are all not really way cheaper.. So why are there so many complaining about that fact?

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

LOL!!

How about a bombshell ending...?

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Well put!!

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Please don't try to read between the lines as I'm only trying to bring some memory back:

- The N800 was released with Bora (Maemo 3) and user could upgrade to Chinook (4) and Diablo (4.1) with several maintenance releases in between.

- The N810 was released with Chinook. You refer only to Diablo but it was already a Maemo 4 update.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

I think the only people in the US that will ever see these phones are the members of this forum. The other 99.99% of the US will have never heard of it. I had my eye on this phone, but I won't spend more for a phone than I can for a laptop, that's just stupid.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

It's just the result of convergence. And if you want to get into it early you have to pay a high price. It's only in the future that prices will drop and convergence gets us to the point where maybe laptops aren't needed anymore or even made.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Do you really think that is probable, laptops not needed or made in the coming future? :D

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

I have to say in the few days that i started this thread I have learnt a lot of things. I was an avid Nokia fan for a long time till the 6600 came out to be precise after that Nokia just started going, well nowhere really, there were a lot of players introduced and the market suddenly became very very open.

All things considered you have to understand that Nokia although was pretty much around it never really made a big impact in the last few years, sure the N95 was the talk of the town but that was around the time the iphone was released so all the hype suddenly went luke warm. But now suffice to say things are different and sure the North American market is not Nokia's key party place, they are surely getting there. I think what Nokias strongest position is at this time is that they have a fully functional vertical OS, some thing not a lot of manufacturers can boast about. Sure the Iphone has its own thing, Palm has webOS but how many else. Samsung is still working on a new concept and is rolling out WInmo and android powered devices in the mean time, even the high and mighty Microsoft is going to ditch Winmo in the few years to the run up to project PINK. HTC is well dishing out anything and everything and companies like LG and sonyericcsson have no clue what they are doing(Xperia really!!!), even the once great Motorola has coloquially ridden it high horse on the RAZR and finds itself in a position where they have no design or software prowess anymore.

This is where I think Nokia is going to shine, they know that its all doom and gloom over symbian, I mean sure symbian is good but its only good for low or mid range level devices but with convergence the next big thing, Symbian doesnt stand a chance. Maemo on the other hand is way different in this regard, they have already tested it on other more complex devices and suffice to say it did work, they are porting it now to a mobile phone device, and already people are giving it favourable reviews. Maybe its still early and even though we have not seen a lot of buzz on the more mass marketing segments, I am pretty sure that Nokia is rooting hard for the N900 to succeed otherwise they would have never released the N97 mini, which is a sure shot N series suicide. Its just a matter of time now, I have a feeling the N900 WILL make it.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

of course

ask yourself, how many people have large desktop computers anymore? the number is dwindling

eventually we'll all move from laptops to "mobile computers"

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Seems that may have been a misunderstanding. See this:

http://conversations.nokia.com/2009/...for-operators/
My feeling is that things are not as pessimistic as kenny seems to think.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

IF the battery can last an entire day with moderate/slightly above average usage (on 3G without relying on wifi access) then the N900 will be a definite success.. no doubt!

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

I think I put the carrier customization rumors to rest awhile back with this:
http://www.symbian-freak.com/news/00..._for_maemo.htm

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

On the laptop vs handheld arguement, its really an ARM vs ATOM/x86 war. The next generation Intel mobile chips will be more competitive, but this will play as big a part as any in how far laptops can go with handhelds coming on strong.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

The lack of advertising scares me. I don't know if it's over-confidence or lack of confidence.

I've actually seen/read more about the Chinese Lenovo oPhone than the N900 - well, not until very recently that is. But I'd love to see this "pimped" just right.

I've seen mention of Oprah; she didn't fare too well with the Pontiac G6. In fact, it darn near emasculated that product. And we all know what happened to Pontiac anyway - dead brand now.

The viral vids are cool, but they seem to hit a core target audience that's already connected and thus the N900 isn't that much of a mystery to them. And the earlier commentary about that Maemo 5 isn't prepped to be fully mainstream and Maemo 6 is... it makes me wonder why buy this iteration and just wait for the next, more mainstream version.

In fact, why would anybody buy into this iteration if that's the case?

The whole early adopter stuff in this economy isn't always going to equal success. The N900 has a lot of the right things in place, I'd just love to see its direction a bit more concrete so close to a possible release - mid-October still, right?

Hurry it up Nokia. I want to see what you have planned.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

I don't think it'll be purely mobile computers. Maybe mobile computers + docks. Unless things are integrated with us by then.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

No docks. More technology will arise to use your TV as a monitor for your phone wirelessly, I'd imagine.

And I agree with most of what Gerbick said. (except for the G6 issue. It was the economy. Most of the people that'd buy G6s were broke and no credit was available. Pontiac was an ok brand but GM has too many irons in the fire

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

For products in this category, it has to come down to its features:expectations match to the customer's to have a lasting appeal.

All the hype and grand advertisements in the world can only make a batch of early adopters pick the phone up.. to have the staying power to last longer it has to stand up to 'reviewers' scrutiny. In this case, the 'reviewers' may be a 'geek' somewhere who makes personal recommendation to his close friends about gadget purchases or someone who works in IT purchasing department.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

I meant docks in the most generic form. Basically you could have access to charge+ display/audio out + maybe input in. Not specifically a Zune HD or iPod dock (ugh while I see how useful they are I just hate how they're stuck to one platform). Why not just have a "dock" with audio out plugs + charging capability. Though I guess in their cases, it comes with proprietary information to control said device.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

What Nokia marketing ***** came up with the idea of basically saying "This is good but it's not as good as what's coming next". It's basically saying, "DON'T BUY THIS ONE, WAIT". Who wants to own the "stepping stone" device? It already sounds obsolete and outdated.

And then again what ***** said, or has unintentionally given the notion, we're stopping at Maemo 6. After that, it's a dead OS.

I intellectually know that neither of these are true. But, both items can really be read that way or has the ability of being interpreted through some of that definition.

Has Apple ever said OS 3.0 is a stepping stone in our evolution to OS 4.0 which will be better than sliced bread. No, because it would get people yearning for OS 4.0 and skipping OS 3.0 in favor of waiting.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

I think it was a bit of expectations management gone awry. What he basically wanted to say was YES: great device, cool features, new and exciting OS, BUT: not yet as developed for say businesses etc. as symbian (or insert a cautionary term of your own choosing). Sadly what it sounds like is: see this device? well we're coming out with a better one at some point in the future!

This coupled with the fact that the people who were presenting the Nokia products were perhaps not the coolest cats in town. No offense to them, they're definitely great at their jobs but honestly steve jobs is FUN to watch, he sells. The presenters that Nokia were using lacked a bit of the charisma of jobs.

This gave the whole launch the air of being a bit "older" than it should have been.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

The problem is that Apple doesn't sell licenses for their RDD[tm] (Reality Distortion Device).

SCNR, really.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

haha, yeah they have this way of presenting things that already exist as fantastic new innovations and it's just so pretty you really don't care about any of the functions it lacks.

In reality though they've found an amazing market potential in realising that normal people don't really use all the functions in their devices, they want something that does what they need plus some other stuff in a really cool and flashy way... and it needs to be pretty.

Re: Will the N900 make it?
 

Nokia's somewhat odd concept of marketing has always been like this.
It's the Nokia way.
Judging from the recently completed Nokia World, I don't see it changing anytime soon.