muki | # 111 | 2007-12-20, 06:17 | Report

Me too thinking I am going to miss the time over the xmas hols to begin development (my first on maemo). We can use the SDK now and I am quiet happy using it to get myself familiar before diving in, but how many would want to release sw and try and support it without access to the actual device? I'm trying very hard to be patient here but suppressing all this pent up frustration has got my whole body covered in festering boils ouzing puss all over the place (picture that with your breakfast, he, he).

PS: I'm joking about the boils

Nathan | # 112 | 2007-12-20, 06:19 | Report

No, I think they botched the timing --Just prior to Thanksgiving would have been the best time for most developers (imho) to get their hands on it. Gives them a little bit to play with it before actually "coding" in their week(s) they have off around Christmas. I know I'm off soon and afterwords I have a ton of things to do also.


LoL, I have the SDK installed -- but I don't have a device (no N770, 800 or 810) so it is kinda hard to test anything. In fact w/o the device my motivation is to work on things that have a much more visible impact to me right now. ;-)

Nathan.

ArnimS | # 113 | 2007-12-20, 08:22 | Report

The ArsTechnica review of the N810 points to this very problem:

The vast majority of third-party software applications available for OS2007 haven't been ported to OS2008 yet, but users can expect to see a lot more third-party software become available next month when developers begin to get the devices. ...

Alberto Garcia Hierro, for instance, tells me that he has already created experimental XChat packages for the N810 and will be adding them to the Maemo Extras repository after he has had an opportunity to test them on the device.

Like the N800, the N810 doesn't come with any calendaring or task management software. The absence of strong PIM support will likely deter many enterprise users. Third-party PIM software is currently under development by OpenedHand...

I talked to OpenedHand developer Matthew Allum (the creator of the Matchbox window manager) about the availability of Pimlico on the N810. He tells me that Pimlico builds for Maemo 4 are planned, but haven't been done quite yet. Chris Lord, who is also an OpenedHand developer, has revealed some plans for new Dates features that he plans to add to the new Maemo version once he gets his N810.

Source: http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardw...0-review.ars/4

This review by one of the top sites on the planet gives a positive review of the N810, but emphasizes that the available software makes it a poor choice for enterprise users.

Obviously Nokia can't develop all the apps users want in-house; Third-party developers do not just provide fun little addons (like my game and emulator ports) but also important functionality that can significantly affect reviews and sales.

Every new product release is a chance to make a 'first impression' on millions of potential customers. Getting early units out to the 'short list' of the most important projects out there (for e.g. PIMlico, Abiword) - heck even offering cash grants for chinook releases before review units shipped - could have greatly improved the launch.

(edit) The fact that there is a developer discount at all is a great credit to Nokia and shows how they seriously support the community that supports them. Hopefully Nokia can learn from the N810 release and get out ahead to coordinate new 3rd party software releases with their next hardware release.

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Last edited by ArnimS; 2007-12-21 at 09:13. Reason: positive ending

iancumihai | # 114 | 2007-12-20, 10:26 | Report

my vacation will come soon ... no n810 (

c'mon already with those discounts code.
what's the problem? 500 devices, this is not like distributing 5 million. even a single guy can track the distribution of those discount codes, there is no need to be bought from nokia site, just send them by a currier, i would pay extra for those currier services.


pfff ... not angry just being a little kid that's waiting for a toy and there is too much teasing.

penguinbait | # 115 | 2007-12-20, 13:00 | Report

I know, I feel like a little kid, and everytime Christmas gets close, they change the date

qole | # 116 | 2007-12-20, 19:54 | Report

I think the main problem is that the device has become ridiculously, unexpectedly popular and Nokia has been caught off guard. Wired magazine put it at the top of their Gadgets We Want For Christmas and I keep seeing it at the top of other high-profile wish lists (like on Slashdot).

I think the recent meltdown of Nokia's servers when they released the new version of OS2008 is a clear indication that they had NO IDEA just how crazy things were going to get with this device.

rcadden | # 117 | 2007-12-20, 19:57 | Report

Yes but based on how the program was described to me, the 500 should have gotten their devices before they were on shelves elsewhere. That, to me, is the biggest part of the screwup.

qole | # 118 | 2007-12-20, 21:51 | Report

I agree. Then again, the Nokia server meltdown was a major screw-up too. I don't understand how a company that so often seems to be really "with it" can make these big "amateurish" blunders.

iancumihai | # 119 | 2007-12-21, 11:25 | Report

I'm going to buy a rabbit and post a page somewhere stating i'm going to kill and eat it unless i get my won n810 (no, any other n810 will not do).
Of course i'll mention that it's a really cute rabbit and i would hate to do that

muki | # 120 | 2007-12-21, 12:24 | Report

@iancumihal: twisted, but at least it's a plan