Alternate Line Service support?
 

Is it possible to switch to a second phone line in order to utilize the CPHS service feature "Alternate Line Service" (ALS)?
No word on that in the manual...

Re: Alternate Line Service support?
 

Oooh, I hadn't thought of that - that would be a deal breaker for me and I'm glad you've asked the question.

Re: Alternate Line Service support?
 

For me as well, actually!
Just heard from Nokia Germany that ALS is not working with the current release and german Eplus simcards. Can anyone confirm this for other cards, e.g. Rogers or Orange?
Well, lets hope Nokia/Maemo will integrate this feature in the final version (or at least in the first update).
However, for me it would be just fine if it was possible to at least receive calls on the second line. If someone here has a N900 and an ALS-activated simcard at hand, please check that.
Btw, Rogers is currently offering the second line free with no activation fee: http://your.rogers.com/business/wire...ineservice.asp

Re: Alternate Line Service support?
 

You could probably use Google voice as an interim solution

Re: Alternate Line Service support?
 

Oh I don't think so. Google Voice is VoIP.
And, depending on your mobile coverage, call quality may be very poor - especially when you're in EDGE-mode, it is actually not possible to reliably use VoIP.
All Nokia phones support a second phone line. Nokia should really add this capabilty to the N900. I'd really like to buy this phone, but if it is not working, I'd have to wait for its successor - that's a pitty!
I there active work beeing done on the phone app, or is that closed source? According to the CPHS specifications, ALS support only requires the phone to send a different bearer to initiate calls on the second line. Plus, the phone has to distinguish incomming calls. Someone should hack that into the phone app. Should be a minor fix, I guess...

Re: Alternate Line Service support?
 

Google Voice is NOT VoIP.

Re: Alternate Line Service support?
 

Ok so:
First of all its not yet available in my country.
And even though its not VoIP, its still not the same and as convenient as ALS. One may send incoming calls directly to Voicemail, but I don't see how it would be possible to dial out using a second number or distinguish incomming calls about the number dialed.
Actually, the service seems to be rather the opposit of a second line service, as it says:
"One number for all your calls and SMS"

I'm using ALS, I'm happy with it, and I can't understand why the Nokia N900 is not supporting it. If it is not supporting it. Is that confirmed?

Re: Alternate Line Service support?
 

I'm not suggesting you should use Google Voice, but I will say people outside the US are using it, so it is possible.

You can make outgoing calls using Google Voice. And you can customize how incoming calls from groups or individuals are handled.

Not sure if Google Voice would do what you want, but maybe you should look into it more before you dismiss it...

Re: Alternate Line Service support?
 

I guess I would like to have a closer look on google voice - however, I can't, since I would need an invite...
And, as far as I understand, one can only get a canadian or us number. That would of course limit the useability of this service of me, but would suit for testing.
So, it would be really great if someone would send me an invite - thanks in advance! :-)

Line 2 functionality
 

Does anyone know what the line 2 functionality will be like with the N900???

At present, I have 2 lines on my SIM, work and personal
I have full functionality with my primary line (work)
If I switch to my secondary line I can make or receive calls, but texts, MMS and data are all routed through my primary line. If I send a text from my personal number, it appears at the other end as if from my work number. As I understand it, this is a limitation of my phone which doesn't support full line 2 functionality. Is the n900 any different. Im trying to work out whether to port my personal number to another network, or keep both numbers on the same SIM as the n900 will give me a proper line 2...