It seems Maemo is like a completely different group; Looking at the OS phone functionality, if it's a Nokia, it should have the same functionality or even close as the Symbian, but seems it's not; So it's like a completely different group that don't interact, sort of like a 3rd party?

I think they're like "testing" with Maemo (like a backup), but dare not invest or put much effort on it. So, it's just left there, and release it half-bake.

Anyway, just hope the MeeGo is a complete bake or at least near complete bake. As long as it's stable and works well, the support isn't so much important anymore, just for minor bug fix and so on. Support is important if the OS is problematic and/or half-baked.

Praise? Not sure what kind of praise do you mean.

If a product is good, then it's good; there's no arguing, just like you can't argue 1GB of RAM is better than 512Mb of RAM of the same type. Well, unless, you prefer less for some reason?

As for the praise, there're the type of praise like "overdoing" which can be annoying, something like "my phone is better than yours" or saying the phone is the "best in the world" kind of thing without even knowing much about the phone. This is more obvious for iPhone, the exaggeration, the crazyness, etc. is way over. It's like a fashion thing, must have brand, and it gives the class status.
Even how great a phone is, it depends on the context, if someone is looking for a simple phone, with nice speaker and great camera, doesn't care about the specs, or it's other capabilities; Their definition of great phone will be different from others.

Belle have a lot of Maemo touches.... the boot up "...." is from Maemo?
The black theme with glowing blue is Maemo trademark?
There're some Maemo touches here and there....

The drop down from Top is so Android, lol

The more flexible homescreen, is just like what I mentioned before in Maemo forum; In order to accomodate for landscape and portrait mode, they can't link both (meaning, you have to re-organize for Portrait/Landscape, which mean they're kind of not the same anymore like last time.)

Overall, Belle gives much better experience, much more improved over previous Symbian, the virtual keboard are also way better to use.

How do you there will no none?

And, have you use it's predecessor OS, the "Maemo" before?
There's apps repository, tons of useful apps available, and all FREE, many of those, you cannot find in ANY normal smartphone.
For those general apps, it's "usually" easily portable between different "smartphone" class OS.

As long as the Maemo developers interested in N9, they will port it, but from what I know, MeeGo Harmattan is using same packaging system as Maemo.
Maemo is already dead since long ago when Nokia abandon it, but it survives till this date due to the strong community support, just too bad the full source code wasn't release to the community, if not, much more can be done.
As long as N9 get the same community support, we'll see many useful and FREE apps, not just apps but ADD-ONs to the OS.

As for general apps, I suppose the Qt will allow easier to port between Maemo, Symbian and MeeGo?
As for other apps, even it's easy, it's not the issue, it more about $$$; Companies won't simply port their apps to MeeGo if they can't make money out of it, etc. or unless Nokia takes the initiatives.

For N9, I can't tell as I haven't see and try the real/actual device, but from the demo videos and hands-on; It seems simple and easy to use, smooth and fluid, like iOS, yet it's full of functionality and powerful, very much like Android? It's like you get best of both worlds. Well, the real thing, we have to see and hands on to tell how well it performs and how smooth and simple it is.

For those who only concern and care about apps (especially ONLY care about apps), will need to wait longer and see if they are OK with the apps available. It really depends on what kinds of user/buyer, some people care about camera, some people care about smoothness (cannot stand even slight lag), some people care about apps, apps and apps (it's all about apps), etc.

They really change everything, they've successfully change the true meaning of smartphone, which before iOS, smartphone is about bringing computer like experience to mobile, bring people closer to a computer. But when iOS came, it change how the world thinks, a simplified OS which concentrates on APPS alone.

Simplified is OK, as in making things simple; BUT scaling down, instead of making the process more simple and easy to use, yet maintaining the power and feature is another thing. For iOS, it's "really" make the OS a very scaled down and BASIC/SIMPLE OS. With this, it's easy to manage, control and STABLE. By putting the concentration on APPS, it's easy to control and attract people, changing how most people think. But for technical people, especially the "pros", they see it different as they notice the change, hence why iOS or iPhone was never considered a smartphone.

Then again, it depends on the types of user, it seems there're many users which only cares about apps instead of the OS features and functionality, as well as, the computer like experience. So, it's a winning strategy but to me, it's a bad name for smartphone as it changes the game.
But, there're people who will eventually move on and upgrade, they will notice what their phone or tablet can't do; You may notice some users moved on to Android, especially after knowing the real difference (e.g. saw what the friend with Android devices can do, the "homescreen", etc; With iPhone, it's more like a PLAIN device with TONS of APPS, to me, it's no difference with those multimedia player class devices, it simply adds phone functionality).

In short, there're many category/types of users, most people will choose something simple and easy to use (with most of them probably are not familiar with smartphone, find smartphones too complicated to use), and some of these will eventually learn and move forward, upgrade and "DEMAND" for more.

I think many people weren't from Maemo background or users of Maemo, so they were not familiar what Maemo already has or offer; IMO, it's still better than MeeGo, just that MeeGo provides more simplicity, smoothness and more polished; MeeGo has separated to Tablet OS and Smartphone OS, I'd pretty much prefer the Tablet/Netbook version OS
I think previously they run some version of MeeGo on N900? I can't remember

Yea, I remember I saw that, but was very laggy I think. I'd prefer that, especially considering Maemo as a tablet class/version OS.

True, there're many Android devices which are still below 1Ghz; Usually they won't come out with apps which requires the highest spec; If there is those that can support high spec, most probably it'll come out something like the "HD" thing, as current trend.

True, just as I said before, to have is better than not to have. So having the integrated IM is something very nice to have. For apps, there can always be created/developed easily, but something that's added to the core, it's a different thing. Besides, the integrated IM, there're many advantages and benefit, especially for those that really appreciates and utilize it, the contact book is integreated to all those social network accounts, conversations are integrated and stored in history, and there no need to open a 3rd party application for IM.

When you connect to the internet, you're automatically connected to the integrated IM, and all the services.

It's a threat that may disrupt Nokia Windows Phone sales/popularity.
Imagine if people prefers MeeGo? What will happen to Nokia Windows Phone? How will MS react?
In fact, the latest Symbian Belle, seems to be smooth and looks pretty good; I wonder what will happen to it later.

On a side note, as the rumour/talk about "sending someone into the base, attack from the inside, and finally take over"; It'll be a fail plan if MeeGo overwhelms... So, first, it need to eliminate the threat. After all is well, time to bought over? When Nokia using Windows Phone, I suspect people might start to remember Microsoft than Nokia as the brand? I don't know... All this is just talks.

I believe he is Wesley Chong, one of the main person for the meet up.

They're basically very different device with different OS. If you know what you want, then you won't really be considering between these two, unless you got no phone and really need a phone now.
If you're choosing between 2 Android devices it's more reasonable, but for this, they're pretty much 2 different thing; If you prefer Android, then the answer is clear, if you're interested in MeeGo, then it's also clear. Unless the OS is of no concern/importance to you?

Anyway, whether it's attractive to you or not, as others have mentioned, it's limited. So, I don't think it really matter; It's the launching price anyway, you can try wait for the price to go down later and if it's not "attractive" enough to others, then you might have chance to buy it at lower price... but then, there will be more devices out there with more powerful specs (especially with the speeds of HTC, Samsung, etc). Technology moves very fast, that's why I mentioned to Nokia, they need to push this device as early as possible, the longer they delay, the more competition and less appealing.

Not sure, but for Maemo, we can install some 3rd party Java library which can enable us to run desktop version Java apps.

Guess what, some people also install NetBeans IDE on it.

This post has been edited by Andy214: Sep 14 2011, 10:29 AM

Apps is still unknown and can change or solve; unlike hardware which nothing can be done.
OS can be improve, but if it's abandon, then no updates.
Apps should be the least problem because as long as the device/OS is kept alive and popular, apps will be made available.

Apps is not everything, although it's nice to have more (especially the good and useful ones). iOS change the game to be app-centric, everyone suddenly look at apps and forget the meaning of smartphone. If the phone only concentrate of apps, might as well call it app launcher instead of smartphone.

Anyway, what's app? What kind of app? I think most important is to have those really nice and useful apps, rather than tons of apps which are practically useless, just to show how many apps available.
I think it's very common that many websites or forums to list down the list of recommended apps in the front page. Even for people who just bought a new phone, usually they'll ask what's the recommended app to install, instead of searching through the tons of apps in the market and just to found out many are pretty much useless.

Another fact? Most people install many apps, but I'm not sure they use how many of it. Most people love to install many apps, but they hardly or rarely use them, even the same applies to Windows. I'm also one of them, but some apps do come in handy when you need them one day.
So, the most important I think is to have those app which truly have its use, that most people will utilize/use it always. That one app, is far better than to have hundreds of apps which are practically useless.

Facebook Chat, and several other social, I believe already built-in into the CORE OS functionality, there's no need to install 3rd party app for it. Your Facebook Account should be able to directly tie/link to your Contact Book and it'll pull all your contacts from these social network automatically. Your "Conversations" (SMS) should be able to support chatting with these social networks. Well, at least, it's already implemented in Maemo, I believe this should be better polished in MeeGo. For Maemo, those that weren't available, can be added through 3rd party plugins (e.g. MSN, Yahoo, etc).

Actually, those apps you mentioned, many of them were actually available on N900. The problem with N900 is, user. How many people know about the app repositories? How many people knows how to manage those app repositories? Those that didn't try to learn about the phone, surely they have no idea, an will only know how to check OVI Store which is useless for N900.
Once you learn, managed and use the app repositories... you'll find tons of apps available and many are very useful and much more powerful, some not even available on ANY smartphone. It really depends if you own the phone and how much you explore and know the phone.
If you really want to know, just try google it and see the apps available on N900, and all FREE.

Here's an old video which explains very well on using a smartphone and also mentioned who is N900 is not meant for (after all, current smartphone is like the early years of computers, if you had one or gone through before, you'll know the experience, plus, current technology, it's moving forward very fast):

Yea, many people are very concern of apps without going into the details or understanding (which I've mentioned in previous post).
Anyway, just trying to say that, apps can be develop later or anytime, but the hardware is different story, and the manufacturer support is also a different story. If the OS is stable and polished/properly "complete", then it's less of a problem, but if the OS is not complete (e.g. Maemo5), and the manufacturer stops supporting it and keep the source to itself, then the OS will be limited no matter how many good developers try to enhance it; just like N900, there's so many great customization and add ons, but due to no access to the full source, there's limited of how much they can do.
So, let's hope the OS is done properly.

Since it'll be limited units, there's no need to get every users; It's better to get quality or proper users who appreciates it than getting users who just want an app launcher device.

There will/might be N900 developers switching to N9, so there'll surely be porting already done or in progress. Besides, Nokia already give away N950 to the developers some time back.

As for bada, I'd say it's different. MeeGo/N9 is not something really new, just like N900 with Maemo, it's not something new either, before N900, there was N810, N770, etc which runs on older versions of Maemo, many of those apps were ported to N900/Maemo5. As I have mentioned, many people might just check OVI Store, which you can say, there's pretty much nothing interesting there, and very little apps. Those who know about the repositories, will find more apps, but to find even more, then need to add more and wallah, heaven of apps, there're super customizable widgets that you can execute custom command, etc; No other smartphone have such powerful widgets. In short, if you check out N900, you'll most likely find that it's more powerful and flexible than N9, MeeGo looks like a more "trimmed" down OS from Maemo (which is a Tablet class OS), but if you take MeeGo Tablet version, then it's different story

I'm wondering if they can install FCam onto MeeGo/N9.

Most likely still need. Not sure about the technical details, but for some basics, at least the UI might need to be re-work to fit the different resolution? And some others technical stuff which I think those developers can explain better.

FCam is basically the driver and the app, with the driver, developer can create apps for ti.

For N900, the is HDR app and LowLight app which uses the FCam driver.
The HDR app is very powerful and you can customize it.
LowLight is like what it explain, let you take better photo in lowlight, which work something similar like HDR app.

With the FCam app, one can control many things like shutter speed, ISO, exposure, etc. The ISO can go beyond the original max ISO available for the camera, and it have the ability to shoot raw, etc. Allow for touch focus, etc.
In short, the camera on N900 is not so good, but with FCam, it makes photography fun and give the "wow" factor; Previously in N900 forum, got few DSLR user there was amazed and having fun with FCam.

It's just too bad N900 hardware has limitation, if only there's a better hardware available...

This MeeGo used on N9 is MeeGo Harmattan, which is actually Maemo 6, it's still using .DEB packaging.

Not sure what do you mean, but the build quality is darn good, solid and tough. Eda from Nokia, throw the phone on the table a few times, and it was not "gentle" throw, it's like you're furious and angry (e.g. phone annoyed you) and then you throw it hard. She did it couple of times, everyone was SHOCKED and feeling the pain! Give it to ussssssssssss

Darn, I was thinking to take picture of it and play with it LATER after you know, the heat gone down a little, but the N9 were no longer available. I only get to hold it ONCE

Anyway, was busy taking photo, didn't notice you're testing the phone, if not maybe can record the video of your hands on.

Not sure as I don't have SGS2, but it's solid and very nice feel and to hold.
Eda from Nokia, threw the phone on the table a couple of times. Read top post for more detail.

Very true indeed! After all, it's a tablet at the size of a palm or handphone with phone function, whereas, now tablet starting picking up the trend

If there is power source, just charge it anytime you can. This is lithium-ion, don't worry, just don't let the battery discharge. I've been using the N900 for more than 1.5 years, heavily use almost everyday, charge few times per day; Till today, it's easily over 300 charge cycle and amazingly seems it's still have decent battery life...

This is smartphone, don't worry about the need to charge everyday, whether there's still 50% or 70% battery left, before you go to sleep, just let it charge. As for overcharging, there is "cut off" when the battery is full and it won't re-charge again unless the battery drop below certain percentage. For N900, only when the battery is below 85%, then it will re-charge, else you will get message battery is full.

Me too... but I got TOUCH it ONCE, didn't get to play/test it. I was planning to try it later when it's less crowded so I can have more time with it and also took some pictures, but didn't know the N9 left early, hehe, too bad, have to wait for next chance

Anyway, thanks for organizing and planning for such event, it's great as well as meeting the participants/members/friends in person.

I didn't manage take the "product", as I was planning to take later during my hands on, but anyway, I think many others took tons of the product shots already


Haha, I think that's ok, maybe next time can ask someone to record the video when you/anyone do hands-on testing, just like those posted in YouTube; In a way, it give others sort of a "virtual" hands-on


Ah... should've demo it through TV-Out yesterday. It'll be interesting, especially if you have dual boot on (or maybe even triple boot ); It can show off the capabilities and potential of N900, just too bad it's limited by the hardware.

Huge difference... Apps is not everything, if one cares so much for apps only, then just get the app launcher device.


For Symbian users, Belle will make a big difference and something they would want. No comparison with MeeGo or Maemo though, but it's considered something big for Symbian users.


I thought you were using N900? You got the super good deal last time...