Yup, fully agree on recommending phone based on the purpose.

Previously, I was actually more like differentiating between Android based device Vs Maemo as the person who asked was deciding between both. So, I gave slightly more in depth on both OS, being Android will have more support from both google and the community, and a better choice is one is more concern about apps/games "for now".

Anyway, usually I try to add in the final word as a summary or in short, for those who prefer short and simple answer; As this is a discussion/sharing forum, plus we're talking about smartphones, possibly someone might want to know more; I know I would if I'm new to both and don't know where to start.

Just my personal opinion~ Cheers~

Battery terrible?
Um... yea, IF you came from a non-smart phone background; Basically, "smart"phones are like a phone + mini computer. So, you should expect the battery consumption is higher than normal phone and also understand and be a little more patient with the phone, just like handling a computer (sometimes, it may lag a little, etc).
Overall, I do the N900 is more power hungry than other "smart"phone, but it also depends on how you use it.
If you care a lot about battery consumption, just follow the battery saving tips/advice on the web, and don't put any update/background processing widget on the N900 Desktop. It should last you up to 2~3 days most probably?
I can't tell because I bought this device to ENJOY it, not to save battery. Imagine buying a sports car, but driving very slow to save petrol. Again, this is just my personal opinion and everyone has their own personal way of doing things, there's no right or wrong.

Also, if you've been using those older phones. I suppose the battery are Ni-Cad or Ni-Mh Battery? If yes, you might want to know that most phones nowadays already use Li-Ion or Li-Poly; These battery you should NEVER let it die off (means, don't wait until the phone turn off due to low battery). You can charge it as often as you like, but NEVER let it go empty as it will damage/shorten the life of the battery.

---

Added on March 22, 2010, 10:24 pmAre you doing that in web browser?

Just slide your finger or stylus from the LEFT SIDE of the non-display area towards the display area.

I actually put up a demo for this, but it's at the last section of the video:

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Added on March 22, 2010, 10:30 pmFor Facebook contacts sync and integration with the contacts in N900, try below instead of the Hermes app:
http://thenokiablog.com/2010/02/10/how-to-...out-of-the-box/


This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 22 2010, 10:30 PM

Check out the reviews for the Nokia DC-11 Extra Power:
http://thenokiablog.com/2010/03/21/nokia-d...rger-on-the-go/

I've been using it too, quite often

For those who think Capacitive Touch Screen are the best, think again...
This is why resistive can be advantages and better:



comment from YouTubers:
A capacitive screen is very responsive, as it uses the electricity coming from your finger to recognise its position. This does have the disadvantage of not being able to use it with a stylus or gloves and it being less accurate. Advantage is that it is more responsive and that its more likely to support multi-touch. Resistive uses pressure points and is exactly the opposite of a capacitive screen.

PR1.2 SDK (Software Development Kit) is available, we can see the changes from there.

http://thenokiablog.com/2010/03/22/nokia-n...k-major-update/

Darn, can't wait for the real update!
Will the official launching unit in Malaysia already come with PR1.2? If not, they're doing a very bad move to expect Customer to update themselves and bringing more problems to themselves.

Pray Pray
P/S: There's new version of NSU (Nokia Software Updater). Just updated yesterday...

Basically the apps already can support Portrait. You can find few apps which can auto change to Portrait mode when you turn your phone.

For the Desktop, I think maybe they will not change to support Portrait?
Why? Did you notice the Desktop is landscape design (they call it Panorama Desktop; maybe because it has up to 4 Desktop, but they are all landscape view.). If you have arrange the icons, widgets, etc; Imagine what happen when it switch to Portrait mode? Didn't sound right does it? Just like out PC, the desktop is always landscape mode.
Perhaps if we have Home screen like other mobile OS like Symbian, probably it can easily switch between Portrait and Landscape as those Home screen are simple and have limited customization unlike Maemo Desktop which are just like a Computer Desktop.
Plus, I cannot imagine how it looks like if we need to organize our Desktop in Portrait mode! It'll look very wierd, LoL

But it's just my personal opinion; I don't think Portrait mode is needed for the Desktop. Maybe everyone is used to a Mobile Phone OS that they've forgetten what a PC/Laptop feels like; Imagine a Laptop/Netbook shrink down to a size of a phone, with touch screen. Will you think about Portrait mode? Hehe;

This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 23 2010, 03:14 PM

Haha, I also wanted Portrait mode; but when I think about the Desktop, it doesn't look right to be in Portrait mode. But the MENU might make sense in Portrait mode as it's just a list style, just like every other phones.

I think you mean *#06#, which gives you the IMEI number, which then you can check where this phone is built. This previously was a circulated/forwarded mails.

Not sure how true but anyway, for N900 US set, it is make in Korea as stated in the box itself.
My old Nk6600 has the code of "00" which according to the forwarded emails, it's made in the original factory, best quality.


Uuuuhhh, has the BB "force" get into you? Are you switching over?

the 2 codes is the 7th and 8th digit of the IMEI.

For the N900, physically, you can check for any scatches, check the gap betwen your LCD part and the keyboard part, some units are pretty "loose" and have big gap. Check the slide is it very loose or firm.
For 2nd hand, more things to check... check the screen properly for scratches, test out each key is it working properly.
Check the camera lens condition, check the led lights (slide the phone to reveal the keyboard which has white lightings) and also the LED fash is working.
Test the speaker, FM transmitter, also test the microphone (do a video recording and make sure it can record sound clearly). Try and make a call and make sure the other party can hear you and you can hear the other party clearly.
Test the WiFi, etc.

Important:
Check the USB port on the Phone, make sure it's firm and tight!
When plugging in and plugging off the USB charger/cable, do it with care. The pre-prodocution unit have major problem with it where it comes off.
Suppose the production unit should have fix the problem, but just taking precaution.

You might also want to check for Dead Pixels, and so on. Actually, there is an app (program) which you can install to check for many things. It's call HealthCheck, check below for more info:
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=45453

This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 23 2010, 05:39 PM

If you have 3G plan or meet at somewhere with WiFi, connect to the internet and download the HealthCheck program (but this requires you to add the repositories and you need to know how to do it first, since you're still new, it might be a bit of a problem).

Checking the USB is very simple, just check the USB port on the phone if it's firm, make sure it's not loose and/or feels like dropping out. This problem should actually have been fixed for production model, but just check in case.
When you use it next time, take extra care when plugging and un-plugging the usb cable.

Camera lens, just open the Camera cover and check the condition; it's a simple check, then open the camera application and see if the picture is clear, etc.

Dead Pixels, there's simple and also detail checking, for simple check, just look closely at the screen if there is any dead pixel (e.g. When you start the phone, there is black screen, see if there is tiny white dots). In detail check, you need to test multiple colours, would be best using some softwares to do it. There's also website which can provide some images to help you check.

How much are you buying the 2nd hand unit? Might want to check with Clareen or ETeam Trading, they do provide good price for new AP Set.


Authenticity? What do you mean?
AP Set are still original, just that they are not AUTHORISED local set. They're simply overseas set imported by AP Companies.

What do you mean can't delete?
Is it Red colour with "!" mark?

What message did you get when you try to delete?


Software as previous mentioned "HealthCheck" which include several test for you to check. Others I'm not sure.

For dead pixel check, you can google it, there're many sites which offer such test. An simple one for below (doesn't matter what phone/device):
http://iphonedpt.awardspace.com/

How much are you getting the 2nd hand? Maybe more worth getting new AP set?
Less trouble to check, unless the owner really take care of the phone.

This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 24 2010, 11:49 PM

Is it green colour?
If yes, it is the "PENDING" icon, where it will try re-send again.

Try look for option to cancel it/defer sending?

This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 25 2010, 04:12 PM

Bro,

What FM channel you use? I'm getting annoyed with our Radio Channel, there's so many occupied channels. I'm looking for one completely clean channel; I'm now on 107.90 which has no disturbance on when I tested it even when I turn the volume super loud, just buzz. But just within a small area, some area, suddenly this channel receive some other channel for a short moment. Darn annoying, plus our 206 antenna is fixed type cannot turn off and it's also very strong. So many channels close to one another.

Btw, I'm also using FM Signal Booster.

Why? It's initial launch, it's not surprising plus this is a high end device at a very low price (for Nokia, hey this is far more powerful than N97, but cheaper than N97 initial launching price).

Beside, they have announced earlier for booking, so I won't say 300 unit is a lot, because this phone is already on the AP market for some time, many people might be looking/waiting for it.

The Motorola Milestone also targets the same 300 units pre-order, which also comes with FREE GIFT. The price is close to the N900 official set, but the spec is lower than N900. N900 have more hardware and it comes with 32GB internal storage.
Check out the price difference for other phone which have 8GB <-> 16GB <-> 32GB options. Sincerely speaking, the N900 price is really very competitive and considered low if compare with other competitors in the market.

It's just common sense
It's been delayed so long, and the pre-order start few weeks back. It's not surprise to get 300 units order, in fact, if you're going to sell something that is great and high demand, you would expect more.

Seems you didn't check other brand or other phone? It's the same for other phone and brand. In fact, some may expect more.

Do you know when N900 is launch oversea, how many people questioned Nokia Malaysia why this phone is not available and Nokia has not plans to launched it at all. Isn't it a shame when AP units available but Official set not available? There're so many complaints and blogs complaining about Nokia for not bringing in this device. It's in high demand previously (for those who knew about this phone) and no AP units available at first. How shame when you bring the N900 AP set to official Nokia store and you have it and they don't have it. At least now they're launching it (after SO LONG), and it's not surprising to expect 300 units, more especially with this pricing.

The only problem is, how many people actually know in detail about this phone?
Another problem is, now there're many competitors have launch their unit (e.g. Milestone, Xperia X10). It's kind wrong timing.
Plus, they really need to do proper advertisement and train their sales staff well on this phone, show off the device capabilities and selling point. Even the Symbian device, which is a long time OS, some sales staff are still not familiar.


This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 26 2010, 11:31 AM

Obviously you did not get my point; I'm not saying which is better, I'm comparing the pricing factor, which CAN BE my personal opinion, because maybe for another person, the additional few 0.5 inch screen is worth much more than a 32GB internal storage, or the smaller form factor is worth everything.

Previously I've already mentioned there's advantage and plus points of the Milestone just like you mentioned. But for N900 to price at such price is a surprise considered their high end device like N97 when initially launch is never so low.
Milestone does not even have 1 GB storage space, and as mobile storage space pricing, you can see a big difference in pricing when there is 8GB to 16GB to 32GB model. Considering the N900 which comes with additional hardware options (Infra, FM transmitter) and extra storage space, the price in my opinion is much better than Milestone; Then again, this is my personal opinion; One can say the form factor or screen size and more worth the money.

As for utilize 8GB, sorry dude, N900 comes with 32GB and I've got myself another 16GB micro SD, and I've EVEN fully utilize it. When you really use storage, it's never enough. Cmon' the N900 can play movies without converting, basically you can put in any FULL movies into the N900 and watch it smoothly; It also supports extra codecs which allows you to play more files type including FLV and RMVB files!

FYI, storage does not really make the phone laggy. It's when you use up the internal memory that makes the phone laggy, when the phone runs out of memory/ram. It may make browing/scanning the files slower, but the phone still works like normal.
And for the N900, my rootfs only occupied about 10%++, below 15%.


This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 26 2010, 11:45 AM

Bro,

Everyone have their own preference and usage. It doesn't matter how often I watch or listen. It's same theory with PC, why do we need bigger and more storage? How often do we use those things we put in? It doesn't matter. Maybe to you, it's not needed, but doesn't mean others must follow right?
You can also say, why buy such powerful phone when I don't utilize it, right? What I need, probably can be achieve by many other phones as well. It's personal preferences and what one wants to do with it. And it's no doubt storage space is an issue for many, but not everyone.

It doesn't matter if it's N900 or other phones. I have my N81 with micro SD loaded full of files, it doesn't makes the phone laggy; It's laggy when I install apps which uses the internal memory/ram and leaving very little. My N81 is not the one with 8GB. The internal free memory is only around 25MB, when I install NGage Arena and Nokia Maps 2.0 and Garmin, it left me around 5MB, which makes the phone laggy. It makes no noticeable difference whether I fully utlilize the micro SD space or not; Only when I access the file manager, or scan the file, it's slower, but that's the problem one have to accept, it's not a problem for me; It's when those people who doesn't understand and complain that's the real problem.

Anyway, I'm not sure where are you going and what's your purpose. But, we're only sharing information and as long as the person is happy and like with the phone, it doesn't matter if it's a useless phone or a good phone to another person.
If you've been following this thread, I've been saying it many times, the best phone for Person A may not be the best phone for Person B. Everyone have their own preferences and how they value each thing/part.

Above is just my personal opinion.

P/S: I don't know how we come to this stage, but previously I was just explaining to aruja_69 that it's not just Nokia doing this 300 units which he find surprising like he's never seen this kind of thing before, and I simply take the Milestone as a comparison which also happen to have similar pre-Order of 300 units and at almost the same timing.

Official Set (comes preloaded with Android 2.1):
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1359676

"FIRST 300 ONLINE REGISTER WILL GET FREE ACCESSORIES
(Worth RM2XX)
FIRST COME FIRST SERVE"

No problem. Thanks for sharing your information.

When normal usage, the N81 is not laggy, It's laggy when I open few apps, then the internal used memory is low then it will be more laggy and sometimes have out of memory issue. Example: When I blast sms, it will hang or become laggy.
If I format my phone, with internal memory free above 20MB, I don't have such problem, EVEN with my memory card full of files. It's not how many files you store, the effect is minimal.
Even my 6600, I don't notice any noticeable difference when I fully utilize the 512MB MMC; there's no noticeable difference when I use the 32MB MMC vs 512MB MMC, except when you scan the files in file manager or scan the memory. Besides, the 6600 can install those N-Gage games and running smoothly, regardless your MMC is full or files or not, it doesn't affect the performance. But if you ram/memory is low, then you'll notice performance or crash.
Most important is the RAM or internal memory, when it's used, then it's laggy due to occupied memory or low memory.

Same goes for the PSP, be it 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and how full or how empty; The games still runs the same speed (or at least no noticeable difference). I'm not expert into the details, but honestly, it doesn't make a difference in normal usage.

Above is what I know and my experience.
What's important is that we know/understand the impact and are we willing to sacrifice it and accept it. Like someone complain smartphone have lag/slow issue compared to non-smart phone, but they have to understand why instead of just complain and say smartphones are not good.
For me, the storage space is given to me, I'm going to use it and enjoy it. The same goes for battery consumption.
But that's me. Everyone has their own way and preference.
Most important is the person is happy and satisfied with it

X6 is "Comes With Music" phone.

N900, they're smart to give the DC-11. I've got one for myself too; nice to have, imo, better replacement for a spare battery

hanx bro, will try that out.

haven't faced that problem, and i'm on postpaid.

have u top up ur credit? if yes, did the message send out?
if there any other options available?

try:
1. in the conversations screen on the contact, touch and hold your finger on the message and a pop up will appear, see what options are there and try cancel or delete or something similar.
2. touch the message it will bring you into the single message screen where you can delete. I believe yu have tried this step.

if not it could be a bug that needs to be reported. not sure if its been reported. if it has, most probably it'll be solved in the next update.


wow! what workshop is that? how do we apply or join?

Aih, we "early" owners and "supporters" got no chance to attend also
Even didn't get free, it's still nice to attend these workshop

Did those AP owners register yourself at ovi.com?
I've registered my device when I first bought it. For those have done it, Nokia should have the list of owners who have bought the N900 in Malaysia, the supporters and also fans for this phone. Too bad for us then...