nice review. this is really an incredible and one of a kind phone, and the desktop stand out above the rest, even better than our home pc desktop. it just depends on the use, what they really want and to understand this phone well. the browser is amazing, it can totally replace ur laptop/netbook. wait till it fully support flash 10...

btw, try not to let your battery die off. it's not good for li-ion or li-poly battery.


using maxis. 3g usage consume a lot of battery. some owners suggest swithing to 2g from the settings if you don't require to use 3g speed. basically 2g is more than enough for im.

btw, nice blog for the blackberry. how do you find it with thhe N900? mixed feelings? hehe
oh yes, for the bb im, actually you can find somthing similar from pidgin im which is avable for maemo as well as few other mobile os.

Clareen is selling handphones. You can get from her (post to you) or you can look for some seller here in lowyat.net from Penang.

Do you know the official date? Previously I heard is around end of March?

PR1.2 update was said to be coming as well. Possibly they're targeting to launch in MY after PR1.2 release? Hopefully they have fixed many of the issues in the next updates, hopefully with official MMS support. That way, at least there won't be so much problem as when it's officially launch, many buyer might purchase it without knowing the details and later found of the weakness...

You can find some dictionary apps in devel or testing repositories. You need to "enable" or "add" them first to your "App Manager", then you can have access to many of the apps which are under development "devel" or testing stage.

Be aware though these apps are not ready for production as it's still under development or testing and may have some problems or cause some problems.

Though, I haven't tried any of those dictionary apps, so I'm not sure if they fit your requirement. There's also gTranslate which allows you to translate language (which uses google translate engine). However, this requires Internet connection.

You can find how to enable or add the repositories through kiawin's blog below:
http://kiawin.com/blog/2010/02/nokia-n900-3-more-apps.html

This post has been edited by Andy214: Feb 28 2010, 02:21 PM

i just check with nokia profesional store, the estimated release date mentioned was end of march or early april. price still unknown.

hm... i think also depends the set comes from which country and the price oversea?
so far the n900 isn't available worldwide yet and the set is pretty consistent?

but then it also depends on popularity. many new phones coming soon, even the motorola milestone ap is just around the same price with N900. very similar design but spec is better and running android 2.
if nokia didn't at least fix some of the phone features before the launch in malaysia, i think it will give bad impression and impact on the reputation and sales. it can be a pwerful device but it's not great as a phone.

Here's the video of the portrait mode using Qt4.6.




And this is the Qt4.6 apps running on different OS. Check out the performance on N95, woot~





Yup, capable if one knows how to use it and make use of it. It's a very powerful device.
But in terms of usability as a phone and/or heavy phone usage, it's not a good one yet, but it can be fixed with firmware updates as these are mainly the software issues. The problem is only the hardware part, such as the battery, but I think it's also pretty much a problem for many smartphones out there.


No problem bro. For Li-Ion and Li-Poly, you can charge it anytime, even if it's 90% full. Just try not to let it die off as it can shorten the life and also the performance.

Btw, at times, not sure what's wrong, the N900 might have some problems running in the background which you cannot see; You can notice the processor usage is high constantly (e.g. load-applet widget which will show the processor and ram usage on your desktop).
You can also use 'Conky', which will show you more details and the app which is running and consuming high usage.
During this time, you might notice your battery consumption is bad.
Simple solution: You can restart your device.
Other solution: Check the process id (PID) then use X Term to kill the process. If you're in doubt, just use the restart solution.

This post has been edited by Andy214: Feb 28 2010, 11:52 PM

Qt is a programming language like Java, and same like Java it can be deploy everywhere. Thus as long as the OS support Qt library, it can run the apps. Qt4.6 is the version which can be supported by many OS.

N900 is also build upon Qt4, thus the nice looking UI/screen, buttons, progress bar, etc. Looks like Flash style. PR1.2 is said to have full Qt4.6 built in.

Please correct me if there's anything wrong with above statement.


Well, the blog itself is talking about the great Maemo, N900 and upcoming MeeGo. The problem comes from the comments from the users; mainly they're frustrated with the new OS which everyone fears Maemo5 will be forgotten and loose it's support.

As a longtime Nokia user, I don't think Nokia will stop supporting their old device, they might support less as time goes, but by that time, it's pretty much stable usually.
The future of N900 is still uncertain as Nokia said it's too early to tell if N900 can be upgraded to MeeGo; but I'm sure they won't just drop N900 away. Besides, with Qt4.6 as their emphasis, we can rest assure that many apps develop in Qt4.6 can install in MeeGo as well as Maemo5, even Symbian, WinMo, etc. They also don't want to the trouble have to port the apps to various OS right?

The main concern here is the support as currently Maemo5 is still not stable and needs a lot of improvements, still very new/young. Nokia also specifically mentioned they're pushing the updates for Maemo, hence, we already have 3 updates since the launch of the N900 (1 update being the major one) and with another upcoming major update .

Anyway, as I've mentioned previously, it really depends what you're looking for as your next phone. The best phone for Mr. A may not be the best phone for Mr. B. Think carefully what you really want for your next phone and make your decision. Personally, I don't find other phone attractive or outstanding, they all look pretty much the same. Maemo OS is like a totally different class, the Desktop idea/design is really unique and outstanding, you don't see this in other phones in the market, which makes it very unique and outstanding. The original theme and background (water splash) is also very creative and classy in design. The buttons, progress bars, media player main screen, music player timeline bars, all are very nice looking, like a Flash device; unlike others which looks plain and normal.
It's one of the kind OS with very nice UI design. Plus, N900 it's the only Maemo5 device in the market.

On the other hand, the Android is also nice in another way, but I find it quite like the iPhone OS in certain way, but a much better/improved version. There're unique features or attractive part of Android OS, and it's also one of the fastest updated OS, having already version 2.x and soon to v3? Plus, there're just soo many device options for Android OS out there. Depends how you look at it, it's good and also bad. Bad in terms of? Just like WinMo devices, one of it is, be prepared that your device gets outdated very quickly with more and more new device supporting Android and new better specs keep coming. The good thing still remains where you can still upgrade your OS to newer version, but the hardware specs is the one that can be fix.

What after sales service? You mean software updates?

Basically, you get 1 year free updates from any Nokia Centre and 1 year warranty; But honestly speaking, software updates can be easily done through your PC ever since they have the connection to PC Suite via USB cable.
As for warranty, it's unless very unlucky to get the any problems within 1 year. Depending how much price difference, it might not worth getting the "authorised" set.

Then again, as Clareen has clarified; Nokia Centre sells more expensive. Just like the N97 Mini, Nokia Centre is selling RM2150, but Clareen is selling for only RM1700++?

I've had a bad experience once. I bought the N81 when it just launch last time from Nokia Centre in One Utama, later I went down and saw Maxis centre selling N81 as well, both are authorised set, but Maxis selling more than RM100 cheaper. I ask her lady why they're selling cheaper, she replied that the price I bought is the RRP (Recommended Retail Price), but they don't necessarily have to sell at that price....

So, perhaps when the authorised set are available, those interested can hunt around lowyat.net for any seller selling authorised set.

---

Added on March 1, 2010, 10:26 pmBtw, check out the link below and see how you can customize your conversations~

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=36618&page=35

This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 1 2010, 10:26 PM

Firmware updates if you download via PC basically you're getting the international version. I'm not sure what kind of customization for local authorised set, probably like default language, etc. The thing is, who would know the differences? The features are all the same. But for Motorola Milestone (DROID in UK), there're difference in terms of hardware and firmware, the milestone are "locked" version by Moto as I've read. So, in this case, do you prefer to get the "local" set?

After warranty period, in case there's any hardware problem *touchwood*, AP or authorised set get the same treatment and same price for repair at Nokia Centres. Do they get special discount or service? No idea.
I guess AP set, the worry is whether the accessories are truly original (such as Battery, charger). Am I right?

Yup, the MMS is one of the problem problem, the other common one is: As most people have been using custom ringtones for contacts to identify caller, grouping contacts for easy sms sending to groups and assigning ringtones to groups; they might be surprise to find this feature missing in the N900.

Portrat mode not really a problem really! Currently the browser supports Portrait mode, and I can say I doesn't like the Portrait mode; maybe certain web page it might be useful, but because the screen is widescreen in landscape mode... viewing in landscape mode is the best~
For phone function, portrait mode is already supported since it was launched? The default mode is portrait mode when you tries to make a call.


Yup! I've customize a little; moved the other party avatar and nickname to the right side.
Cool~ much nicer and easier viewing.

Btw, anybody knows why for SMS, it doesn't show our name or nickname? It always show "You"
Somehow in the forum, those people have nicknames instead of "You". Seems its not define in the html or js file.

---

Added on March 1, 2010, 11:08 pmLatest firmware, the web browser can auto switch to Portrait or Landscape mode.

Phone function, Portrait mode has long been supported, in fact, it's the default mode.

As for more Portrait mode support, it's been mentioned that it might be available in the next update; but no official statement yet; We'll see and hope for the next firmware updates.

You can check out the below teaser video:






This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 1 2010, 11:08 PM

But the N900 does have Qt4 library built-in already, just not Qt4.6. There're apps which are build using Qt4 which gives better UI design, similar to current N900 UI. I'm not sure those cool N900 UI is GTK+ based or Qt based, but looks like Qt based or was it simply the core of N900? Anyway, it's a very cool looking UI.

I think possibly what the community mentioned is that, non-official port. Hahaha
Anyway, there's a dual boot video of N900 booting Maemo and Andriod.

WinMo loose our in terms of UI design; What we see now is those themes or manufacturer specified themes; The core itself is very old fashion with win 3.11 looking scrollbars, ugly buttons, plain looking calendar, plain looking text messaging, etc. It never change since I've been using WinMo 2002! Gosh.. What have they been doing for so many version changes? The OS itself is quite powerful and customizable, I've not use WM6 and above, but previous versions, you can basically customize a lot of things, edit the registry and such. But MS have already known that their OS and developement tools are lack of multimedia or rich content. VS2008 are multimedia targeted, and the have many developments tools which are competing against tools like Flash and so on, even Vista they've OS are multimedia rich. Only their mobile OS still old fashioned; possibly why they ditch the entire WinMo OS and start over with Windows Phone 7. In the recent interview, seems MS is finally targeting a device which has the power of the PC at the hands, which was what the PocketPC suppose to do but never did properly. (And my, the minimum requirements for Windows Phone 7 is high, 1GHz processor is the minimum)

http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_handset_running...d-news-1477.php

I don't think the Android is underrated? Isn't it very popular? Many people are looking forward for Android devices and there're so many choices around; I think many are waiting for the X10 possibly. The Motorola Droid/Milestone seems great and great competitor against the N900 as both have very similar design and looks very much the same, but it looses out in some specs (e.g. 512Mb internal memory vs 32GB on N900). For those who wants less bulky phone, the milestone/droid is a great choice, plus the build quality is great.

---

Added on March 1, 2010, 11:41 pmAh thanks a lot bro!!!

Too many page, totally missed that part~

Thanks again~



This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 1 2010, 11:41 PM

LoL, alright. Thanks for your information sharing. I'm also new to the Maemo OS, etc. No worries, we share our pov and information and at the same time correct each other in case any wrong info or misunderstanding

Haven't use Android before but the feature it have is pretty good and unique too and being "open source". Personally, I don't find Android as slick as Maemo, hahaha; To me, the Android UI looks much simpler, pretty much like the iPhone, while the Maemo looks sophisticated, classy and multimedia rich content.

Yea, I'm also fan of Symbian especially the older versions which has less restrictions, such as the era of N-Gage, 3650, 6600.... we can install tons of apps easily, there're great file managers, we can send files easily. I can play N-Gage version KOF on the 6600 and bluetooth with my friend! During that time, those games graphics are the bomb for handphones. Even up till now, it's still way better than most of the Java Games.
I drop WinMo since 2002/2003 version as I find it's phone functionality and sms lacking. I've having both WinMo and Symbian device and I prefer Symbian device much more, it's much more user friendly and more "proper". Got another PPC with WinMo 5 later but the UI is still disappointing; only thing I like is the apps, apps, apps. Same goes for the iPhone, the great thing about iPhone is the apps/games...
Would be great if those apps/games can be ported to N900

But the N900 actually have a few very good app.

For camera lovers, really really should check out QuickPanorama app in the OVI Store.
I'm so surprise how the app works on the fly sooo smoothly and easily... Last time, in order to capture panorama images, I have to take multiple picture, then use a software to create the panorama picture. This app for N900 work like a charm and no need to take picture, just like taking video~ OMG! It's so amazing!

Numpty Physics; Amazing game, the idea and design is very creative~


Stellarium; Another amazing app, more of a science app but darn, it looks so "high tech":



Btw, for those who think the N900 is lacking of apps/games, think again. The N900 has full Flash 9 support, that means... you can play those flash games, flash videos, etc. Check out newgrounds.com for the various types of games available as well as great videos made with flash.
These flash apps/games alone easily beat the number of apps/games available for iPhone; until iPhone have full Flash support in the future.

I think it depends on the users, no/less users means this product is not in demand = less developers = less Nokia support.
It also depends on the developers, if there're many nice apps, this phone can stay strong; The problem is, the N900 is the ONLY Maemo5 device available... But the good news is, with Qt4.6 support, we can rest assured that the apps developed in Qt4.6 are compatible.

For Nokia part, what we need them is for the firmware updates, bug fixes, demand-list. For bug fixes, I'm sure Nokia will still support in the future, I believe at least they will make it stable before slowing down the updates. The demand-list or request for features/function, might take some time; But for now, they're pushing the updates as much as possible.

Just make sure you really like the phone and are able to accept its current weakness/drawbacks before making the final decision. The best is to get your hands-on the device, once you've touched and played with the real thing, it makes a difference. Of course, if there's no chance to touch and play with it, YouTube has tons of virtual hands-on videos, including unpacking the box videos, 1st time booting up (which is very unique for this device), etc.

You need to access to the system files. To access through the phone, you need to install rootsh and use sudo gainroot to be able access the system files. It's the harder way.

For easier way, install ssh, then use ssh client to access to your phone, where you can copy/backup/edit your system files. It's quite dangerous if you mess up any files though, but the messaging file is safe as it's just html, javascript and css files. Backup your original before replacing/editing.

You can download the already modified version from maemotalk, few of them have provided their version.


Yea, actually if you check out the PUSH team, they've done even more wonderful things. They've connect the N900 to various old devices and control those devices.

Another thing that they do is using bluetooth and connect to PS3 as a PS3 controller, connect to a Media Player which supports Bluetooth as Media Player Controller (you can also connect to your PC Windows Media player and controls the basic operation). They have also connect Wii Remote or PS3 Remote to N900 via Bluetooth to play the SNES Emulator. I've also seen the videos N900 controlling the control car (not sure if it's real tough).

Previous plan was that they already plan to released Maemo6 device; but since they merge with Intel, current Maemo6 will be rebrand to MeeGo; the first instance of MeeGo is actually Maemo6.

Actually, this device is officially launch in Dec 2009, and up till Feb 2010, that's 3 months, and they have release 3 updates (1 being major), and another one the way. I think it's that's pretty fast, but to be honest, it's also because they release it too early being the OS still have many things to be improve, such as the Maps are not complete, phone function is still very basic, etc. Possibly they want to make quick appearance on the market to compete, thus they release it early while the features are still in basic stage. Since the device in more of an internet tablet, they mainly focus on the internet capabilities first since it's the main objective of the device, while enhancing others on the way.

Nonetheless, it's disappointing to hear the news and uncertain future for the N900; but at least they're not hiding it and suddenly just launch the MeeGo device; We can see that they're concern about the N900 future too. For those who haven't buy the device still can make their choice, for those already own it, I don't really see it as a problem for now as it's still a great device and many great apps available and coming. I don't even know what will the MeeGo OS look like, how will the phone look like, etc. Who knows? Maybe some will still prefer the N900 or Maemo5?

Anyway, as per previous mentioned, most important is to know what you want and device for yourself. Nobody is stopping anyone for not buying or buying any phones. But, it's a dilemma to decide to buy now or wait; that depends on whether one can wait or need a new phone now.

Take note that Droid and Milestone, eventough they are the same, but they have some slight differences (even hardware); I read that milestone have restrictions (only allow sign firmware) which kind of defeat or contradict with the advertise "phone without compromise/limits".

In short, the Droid is the better version.


Very well said; That's also one reason why many of the buyers goes for the N900, a true mobile computer. And people has been saying that this is more of an internet tablet than a phone. Or for simple to understand, think of a touchscreen laptop (tablet PC), shrink to the size of the handphone, and instead of running Windows OS, it's running Linux family OS.
Previously there was a video (can't remember where I see it), it's showing the N900 as a laptop, then shrink down to the size of a handphone. Probably that video would be better for the public to understand.

Windows Mobile is really a strip down version and old version of Windows. And they used to call the Pocket PC as Pocket Size Computer in your hand or something like that; Back then it was great as it there wasn't much competitor, but there's a great difference between a Windows Mobile against Windows for Desktop.

I guess that's why Symbian ruled when it makes it's appearance for smartphone OS. It's a great mobile OS with nice UI, nice features, easy to use, etc. The main problem I faced is lack of memory ram and/or memory for Nokia symbian devices. Somehow Nokia always give very little ram and/or internal memory, which causes lags, not enough memory, hang, etc.

How do you find the milestone? I think the slim design and build quality is nice, the screen also looks nicer?
The milestone only comes with 512mb internal storage right? That one of the major drawback I know of.

Actually, N900 just officially launch in Dec last year, so considering the app available today, it considered good already. And if you go into the devel and testing repositories, you won't say it lack apps anymore, there're quite a lot apps and widgets available until the 4 desktop is not enough for me. It's cramped!

Besides, since N900 have full support for Flash.... just throw any SWF files into your phone and enjoy~
If you watch the Flash Video "Xiao Xiao" before, there is one episode 6, which is the Virtual Cop remake in Xiao Xiao style. There's also Raiden Project game in Flash version, Balloon Duel in Flash version.... soo many more games in Flash. Talk about Flash apps/games/videos, there're just so many out there.

Nokia phones have different series targeted for different purpose.
The "N" series are not targeted for business, the "E" series is the one. The "N" series is for multimedia, I think. I didn't follow already this series thing.
Last time it was more simple with numbers from 1xx to 9xx. The 6 series is for business, 5 series for sports or something like that, 7 series designer series, etc. Can't remember all already.

Maybe someone who is more clear on it can correct me or share their information

---

Added on March 3, 2010, 12:46 amGiving up your Maemo for Android? Hehe

This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 3 2010, 12:46 AM

If you're referring to Nokia Symbian, it lags because most of Nokia symbian lacks of ram/memory. The N97 mini seems smooth. It also depend on how many apps you installed (apps which use up your ram/memory), thus affecting the overall performance. A new formatted symbian should work smoothly.

Do you mean simple to use or the OS is simple?

Hehe, just clarifying because your previous post mentioned Symbian more simple than Android; It can be 2 meaning, so just to double confirm/clarify.

I guess probably the Android is still new, still need improvements and also probably need some time to get use to/familiar with the usability factor.

But for Symbian, it's true that it's a simple to use Smartphone OS compared to the others, it's user friendly and not complicated.

Wah, change again? Do you change phone often?
Btw, the milestone you get is AP set right?

N98 is available for sale many seller here in lowyat.net, but not sure if it's real because google bring up fake CN version!

Anybody have any info on the N98, actual phone picture and real spec? Doesn't seem genuine.

Are you sure you've watch the proper review? There're many nice review video of the N900 and also those that not so good; You need to see those that really understand the capability of the N900 to know how great it is as a internet tablet device.

But if you're concern with the "surface" cool stuff, like multi-touch, super AMOLED, 8MP or 12MP cam, etc. Then you're looking at the wrong place; When talk about powerful device in technology, it's about the capabilities of the device in technical terms/aspect.

First off, to differentiate the Maemo OS from the rest, check out the Desktop concept which it's one of a kind. I'm not even sure if there's any device which can do what Maemo desktop can do? You can arrange your icons/widgets as you like and design your own desktop.
If you look at the UI (Interface design), such as Media Player main screen, check out the shadow on each icons, which looks great, check out the scroll/timeline bars which looks great.
Check out the first boot up settings for the phone, it's one of the kind for Maemo OS, looks very cool.

The Maemo OS design/UI might not interested or capture everyone's attention. My friend prefers the Android design, but for me, the Android looks like another version of iPhone OS.
The Maemo looks nothing like both in terms of UI design, most of Maemo screen is black black black, while iPhone and Android is white/gray? Maemo default theme blue, you'll see blue shadows, nice blue scrollbars/etc. The transitions effect is nice, and so on.

Moving away from UI part:
Check out the web browser and it's capabilities; Do you know of any smartphone browser currently that can do what the N900 browser can? There's also Firefox browser available for the N900 with tab page function. And these browser can install plugin, pop-up blocker and so on.
You can login to actual facebook website and have similar experience just like when you login facebook from your PC. No smartphone browser can do that till today?

Next:
Multi-tasking. Maybe just reading or listening won't get a clear picture until when you finally do it yourself. It can simply replace your laptop; say, when you're out at Starbucks, your next table is using laptop chatting on MSN, while surfing the web, having another web page loading YouTube videos.
You can do exactly the same with you N900, you can chat with your contacts, while your browser load the YouTube video in background, and another browser window loading lowyat.net forum, and another browser loading another website, and so on. You can do it all at one time, and switching from one to another.
It'll be nice if it can support chat room tough, hehe.

Finally:
If you're a hardcore advance user/developer, this device allows you to access to it's system files; and you can develop apps which can customize pretty much of the phone. There's many hacks and mods done by others. There's custom boot video (no more Nokia Shaking hands boot up video), there's custom battery icon, etc etc.




To find out more on the capabilities of this phone, below is a review from a user which he also includes the current problem/weakness of the phone. In the middle part, he also mentioned about those that might not be suitable to use this phone, and the last part, it's the interesting part where he show how capable is this phone:



Conversations Inbox, I'm not sure how to do. But for SMS conversations, Chat Conversations, and Single SMS, YES, you can customize easily.

For more info:
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=36618&page=35


This post has been edited by Andy214: Mar 4 2010, 12:24 AM

I don't think it's able to input chinese text as of now, but viewing Chinese character is possible in SMS.
If when they launched in Malaysia with new updates which support Chinese input, then I believe AP set can get the same updates because we can update the international/global firmware through internet.

As for 3rd party apps, I'm not sure as I don't use Chinese input.
But previously someone has mentioned about it (not sure what is it about as I didn't check the link):
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=31586930

Huh? This phone is already Flash enabled, version 9.

You can basically put in any SWF files and execute it (will open in the web browser).