timwatt | # 1 | 2010-03-04, 15:07 | Report

1) Lens cover creates uneven surface resulting in rocking when typing on a flat surface.


2) Volume switch is upside down when in phone mode. https://bugs.maemo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=6384 (cant solve this with software – rotating it means the switch function is reversed making the hardware function inconsistent) strongly suggest consider for future models the volume rocker (or slider) to be on the bottom left in landscape mode.

3) Screen requires a more vertical angle (kick stand is inadequate.) this function is nice but could be provided by a well designed pouch (think first Palm V - one of the best ID PDA designs of all time.)

4) Easy access to the Micro SD card (without removing the back)

5) Charging / sync cable comes out the top (problem using the phone while hooked to a PC or charging)


6) Lanyard comes out the top of the phone dangling in the way when using the n900 as a phone. Strongly suggest moving it to bottom right when in landscape mode.

7) Consideration for one handed operation - typical usage left or right hand thumb (primary input hot zone; UI should where possible always be one handed ) see Elce http://www.itechdiary.com/else-smart...-else-ltd.html and http://www.elsemobile.com its almost there.

8) Lock switch - requires 2 hands to turn off the screen should be a 1 handed operation. (this has been fixed by pressing power button twice in latest firmware) (typical a button of this nature would be used by the left hand thumb)

9) Screen could be bigger – see HTC HD2 (my bet is the typical n900 consumer wants web browsing GPS and possibly large screen for applications like rDesctop.) if the device was all screen it could still be a bit bigger. It looks like screen size is optimized to allow one hand thumb coverage, (a result better achieved through good UI design)

10) scream vibrate (Haptic feedback) is great but I can't feel it or hear it in a noisy environment. (it's like it was designed in ideal (quiet) lab conditions)

11) Lock switch - primary function stays the same but if I hold for 2 seconds it should have a second preset function like: Silent Mode or Off line Mode. Thanks there is a solution: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php...149#post504149

12) Power button could be bigger. it feels a little gimpy.

13) Head phone jack should come out the top not the bottom, the n900 ID team can learn a lot from the Nokia Music phone ID team.

low life | # 2 | 2010-03-04, 15:30 | Report

Some of these are rather obvious - like the first one.. I don't understand how they managed to let that slip through the design process. This makes using the phone while it's sitting on a table very uncomfortable (something I'd like to do when I'm for example eating)

However, I find 5 and 13 to be conflicting. I can't speak for you, but I'm much more likely to be using the phone function with headphones attached than charger (nearly always charging during the night), and the headphone wire would be just as much in the way when talking on the phone. It's also much more natural to put the phone in my pocket "upside down", with the headphone jack staying on top - this way when I take it out it's instantly the right way in my hand. This also ensures the proximity sensor keeps the screen locked as long as it's in my pocket when receiving a call instead of opening it as soon as it peeks out.

To me the best configuration would probably be both connections at the bottom, but this is where limited space comes in.

pelago | # 3 | 2010-03-04, 16:18 | Report

The non-flat underside wasn't something I thought of before I got the N900, and I agree it's annoying. I quite often used to type on my N810 with it flat on a table.

I agree the USB socket should be on the bottom for portrait mode, which would also make car mounting or a desk stand easier, so you could put it in a powered mount or stand in portrait mode.

As "low life" says, ideally both power and USB would ideally be on the same side, so that a mount/stand could plug into both sockets simultaneously, easily.

If I could add one more item re: industrial design: it's not worth adding two little bumps to the keyboard letters F and J if they aren't actually prominent enough to feel without looking at the keyboard! Personally I think they should just be removed, as I wouldn't want bumps that were so big they would hurt my thumbs after a while.

timwatt | # 4 | 2010-03-04, 19:54 | Report

I hadn't see them before, I agree if you cant feel them they there is no point.

tissot | # 5 | 2010-03-04, 20:06 | Report

Camera part not being flat is something that i'am afraid wont be going anywhere.
People want slimm phones and at least here in Europe the megapixels still sell. I would anyways take the lens cover rather than flat back.

mrojas | # 6 | 2010-03-04, 20:06 | Report

Great job on defining all this!

timwatt | # 7 | 2010-03-04, 20:26 | Report

If you use the phone with the headphones attached you wont be holding it up to your face as the audio played through the headphones so your concern is not a problem. I have seen that all music phones have the headphone coming out the top and I think it is for good reason.

if my n900 held a charge all day i wouldn't keep it plunged in at work (I'm digging at Nokia) it manly happens when i sync my phone at work or if its charging at home and I answer a call.

sondjata | # 8 | 2010-03-04, 20:33 | Report

people actually lay these things down flat to type?

AliB | # 9 | 2010-03-04, 20:46 | Report

I agree on most parts. However, I disagree with:
How do you figure? To me, it's in the most logical position as is. The switch you're suggesting wouldn't really make a difference when in phone mode anyway, but it would make the volume rocker awkward to use in landscape mode. Hence why the current position is more logical to me. The only difference I see for phone mode is that if you hold the phone to your left ear you can change volume with your thumb instead of your index finger (and vice versa if you hold it to your right). But it makes no sense to move the button for that - both index finger and thumb work equally well for me, and there's no way to know which ear people will use the phone with anyway. In fact, I regularly swap which ear I use while I speak.

I'm equally surprised. It seems like it would be very awkward, regardless of how flat the backside is. But to each his own, I guess.

Finally, I have an additional suggestion to Nokia:
14) Move both the usb-jack and headphone-jack further up, in relation to lanscape mode. Presently, the cables are a bit annoying when using the keyboard.

timwatt | # 10 | 2010-03-04, 20:48 | Report

totally agree, but the n900 is a brick not an E71. The function is being compromised, and the phone is as thick as the camera anyway. I say just recess the camera or make the battery a little bigger. to make it appear thinner look at the iPad or the Googles Nexus make it taper to the edge.