Nice review. But you are mistaken that N9 has no FM radio. N9 has FM radio hardware and there are a few FM radio apps in ovi store. There is also an app where you can use the Volume + button as a a camera button.

N9 now has flashplayer with firefox, something you don't get in Lumia. This opens up a lot of sites with embedded video and other functions like ticket booking. N9 can do video calls, Lumia can't. Calligra to edit MS Office docs is coming to N9 soon.

Another important difference - Nokia Maps has offline navigation for N9 but must be online for Lumia 800. Surprise!

The price of 16GB N9 has dropped to RM1500 if you shop around.

Fluid and smoothness; This part, it depends how you judge.
If we only see the surface and cover, yes; Windows Phone OS is more fluid.
But for those smartphones users especially for more technical users, we should understand its not as simple as that. Just like iOS, it's fluid because? Similar like Windows Phone, the OS is simple and very controlled, there is little service running.
For other smartphone OS, especially a true mobile computer OS, it will not be as simple as that, it's not just a mobile phone that only runs mobile phone services, it has other OS related services and other features provided for users. It up to the user how they wish to customize or they wish to make it simple.
BUT if leaving no options for user, that is a nono.

For the UI part, as I mention above, they can make it simple, but doesn't mean they have to remove what it can do.
Example:
Don't like widgets? Don't use
Don't like homescreen? Make option to turn it off, only only 1 main screen like Lumia.
So, with OPTIONS (or CHOICE), it's up to the user, they can CHOOSE between SIMPLE or COMPLEX.
BUT Windows Phone OS? Sorry, no OPTIONS or CHOICE.

By the way, I did met some hiccups on the Lumia too, so does the person who were passed on to review.
Sometimes, the black screen turns white too; but nothing serious.

For the restrictions on ZUne and bluetooth file transfer; While I agree people have no problems with iPhone, it doesn't mean there's no reason to dislike Windows Phone OS (Not Lumia or Nokia).
In my perspective, it doesn't matter if some people have no issue with the restrictions or limitations, if it's not a good thing, we need to highlight and keep feedback to Microsoft, they need to remove this restrictions and limitations. If we just accept, then we're no different that those hardcore blinded Apple fans.

If we judge by COVER or SURFACE --> the answer above is YES.

If we use above SIMPLE answer and judge everytime, then what for develop a powerful customizable and flexible OS? Just make it simple and ensure everything running smoothly.
The key here is to make something that is powerful, customizable and flexible, smooth and reliable. Not drop everything and make it simple to achieve the smoothness and fluidity.

A DSLR is very powerful camera, does it it, in order to make it easy for people to use, it must remove all it's capabilities? NO.
Every PROPER DESKTOP OS outthere, even MacOS, they're all capable and powerful OS, they improve and make it better everytime, but does it mean it need to make it simple and remove everything? NO
Photoshop is a very powerful and complex tool, they constantly improves and make it easier for newbie to pickup and use, improve the performance, make it smoother and faster, add in new processing engine, simplifies some feature, but does it need to remove it's capabilities? NO.

Thanks to Apple's iOS, people tend to overlook this. iOS is not a mobile version of MacOS; It's actually an OS used by the iPod Touch, the media player. Hence, why it's smooth and simple.
Instead of developing a mobile version of MacOS for smartphone, they simply use the iPod Touch.
Similarly, Windows Phone OS is no longer the original Windows Mobile which is mobile version of Windows. It more like taking the Zune player and make it into a phone like what Apple did.

With a smarpthone, it's like your computer. IF you add in customizations, widgets, install services, install this and that, runs services, then the performance of your device will be affected.
As with N9, in default factory mode, it's very smooth and hardly have any issue. But it provides many services that is always running with it's TRUE multi-tasking nature.

I didn't disagree the Windows Phone OS is smooth, just that, it cannot directly be compared to N9 as it's like something that is solely built for performance only, while N9 is for performance, flexibility and power.
Think of it as, a car built solely for SAVING FUEL, and another sports car with high power, yet easy on the fuel and nice and good handling. If we compare which car saves more fuel, it's not really fair as one of the car is solely built for saving fuel and sacrifices everything else.
If we look at the COVER or SURFACE, it's means comparing these car without knowing the details. Surely and no doubt, Windows Phone will performs smoother, there's no need to even run any test. Based on it's nature, I don't even need to test it to know.
I didn't say end of the world? Make it such way? The problem is, they DON'T have to make it such way.

I'm a software developer, I understand very well about software. No such thing a make it simple and remove everything. That in simple words, is to control, cheat and limit what user can do. What they're doing now is no different than what Apple is doing. There're many types of user, are they only targeting certain specific user?
I'm a long term user of Microsoft and also using their development products and also attended their course, they have never thought or recommendeds things like restrict or limit or control, it's always about flexibility, provide options, customization. This current Windows Phone OS is way off Microsoft's route.

What they do here is NOT disable, is completely removed. Disable is ok, but NOT removed. As I mentioned, they can make the default mode as disabled. For users who wish to have this feature, they can turn it on at their own risk and understand that it may affect the performance. Just like Flash, you can turn it off. JavaScript? You can turn it off. It's also a nature of Microsoft to allow such options. But Windows Phone OS? Sorry, so NOT Microsoft.

As I said, if we just agree with what they did, then they will continue with it since nobody or little people is complaining.

Some people may don't care about the widgets, homescreen, wallpapers, etc. BUT, we should always consider different types of user NOT forced them to accept and use, especially from GOT become NONE.
Maybe only your friends have no problem. All of my friend, young to old, have problems with it. Just a simple example: My uncle don't really use computer, you expect him to use Zune? He's using N8 and usually using high end Nokia devices. He transfer photos to friends/colleagues using bluetooth.
How can one remove the most commonly used transfer method and WANTS everybody to accept it?

Yes, no doubt, some poeple have no issue, but are you saying we should just accept and push forward this? Or should we tell Microsoft, they should consider and provide this feature?

For me, I don't support any brands, if it's not good, then it's not good, I will tell out.
Even if I have no problems with some limitations, I think about others and other possibilities as much as possible.
There're many different users, you never know what missing feature or limitations can change their mind.

If we want the product to be successful, it's not forcing people to like it, it's to try pass the message to the manufacturer so they know and understand. With big companys with multi-level, somethings, they don't even see the small little things that matters.
If the reviewers or bloggers is saying "nice things" or how others can accept it with iPhone, it gives the wrong impressions that this is OK and we should just accept it.
Just imagine those political people on top, how they judge things and make decisions.

Not to sound mean, but I believe I'm putting myself in other person's shoes in most cases, I think about all sorts of users, from young to old, many types of users. And all current Nokia users, have never face such limitations and restrictions; Have you put yourself in their shoes?
Have you put yourself in a person who are not internet savvy and use computer? They own and still uses Symbians, even high end Symbians phones like E7, N8, etc.
Can you imagine how they can cope with Windows Phone, that requires Zune, doesn't have the most commonly use method of transfer, aka bluetooth?
Can you imagine someone at reunion dinner, use his new Windows Phone, took some nice photos then the relatives ask, please send to my phone. How should they react? Can I send to your e-mail ar? See from Facebook?
No email how? No Facebook how? What is all this? Have you put yourself in all kinds of situations?

You don't have to be a perfectionist. It's a software, and it doesn't have to be 100% perfect, but it can be easily made to suit many different situation and cater for different people.  OS is a software and do you know it's the limitations are usually due to hardware capabilities? But for iOS and Windows Phone, it's not due to the hardware, it's because the company wishes to limit and restrict. That's 2 different thing.

If you have to understand software, when developing software, you can create one that only fit 1 type of users, or you can try to cater for more types of user.
There're software which comes with LITE and PRO version, do they create 2 different version? In proper software design, no, they only create 1, which is the full complete version, if you buy the lite version, either they remove or disabled/hide the feature away until you upgrade.
Software is very flexible and customizable, it's not like hardware.

That said, if Microsoft wants to allow bluetooth file transfer, it's can be easily done, it's just whether they wants to allow it or not.
With people saying it's OK, we can live with that, that means? Whats' more, with reviewers and bloggers around telling people it's OK.  It gives the wrong impressions. If the management heard complains and want someone to do survey, and if these people do survey based on what bloggers, reviewers said, they come up with, "majority is OK". The management will remain their decision.
Sorry, Lumia isn't even digicam.
With restriction and limitation, you can imagine a camera which ONLY gives you AUTO & SCENE mode; There's no Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, in short, it doesn't allow you to customize. You can think of a company take the digital camera and REMOVE all these features, then they CALLS IT simple and easy to user.
Yeah, simple and easy right?
Most if not all digital camera have AUTO & SCENE modes and have all other features. Why does removing makes it special? As I said, you don't need? then just don't use it, as simple as that. BUT if there is such option, you can learn LATER if you want. With no such options, you're limited of what you can do or learn.
What's the benefit to the manufacturer, the user will never learn and advanced, whcih is good for them because when the user used something more advance with more buttons and features, they got scared and afraid to change and learn.
CHANGE is the hardest, and most people are reluctant to learn and try something new especially more complicated.

If you don't understand remove, basically, a smartphone is a mobile computer phone. Before Apple comes into picture, all smartphones are trying to provide a computer experience on a phone, hence the name Pocket PC, then Windows Mobile. A mobile version of Windows.
But ever since Apple came into picture, it changes everything. Windows Phone is following the traits of iOS.
With such restrictions and limitations, it's more like a mediaphone than a smartphone; A zune player converted into a phone, just like how iPod Touch converted into iPhone.

If they were truly developing a mobile version of Windows, then it would work like Windows. It should be able to provide many of what a desktop windows can offer in mobile form.

Anyway, that is not a concern to many people as they just need apps and games. Let's talk about some of the main annoyance:
1. Reliance on Zune (same like iPhone); Why there is need of such restrictions and reliance? Microsoft should totally just drop this. No smartphones has such things.
2. Restrictions on file transfer (bluetooth in particular), another iPhone feature. No smartphone has such things before.
3. No mass-storage access (related to point (1)).

These are the main drawbacks of Windows Phone and it doesn't take a genius to foresee any problems. Even now, you can see many complains from Nokia users who switch to Nokia Lumia thinking they were upgrading but only to face the frustrations from the limitations and restrictions.

If you want a product to succeed and widely accepted, you need to find out what's the bottleneck or problems that's the major drawback for the phone.
From your statement, you clearly don't understand software. I've explain in my above post.
Its still complicated, but they continue to make it more simple and easy, just like any other software, even Windows. With Windows 7, there're many improvements, but did they add restrictions like cannot do this, cannot do that? If they did, are you going to support them and say there is a good reason they did this?
Why not? Why must? hat's the reasons them? It's simple, if there is 2 options, why don't go for the better option where most people prefers and get rid of all the hassle?
Simple things like bluetooth file transfer? It's simple option, but why restrict? Are you saying it's better to restrict and face all the complains from users and other possible problems? It doesn't require a genius to foresee this.
I would say they're following what iPhone did because of popularity.
In this world, many management decision are based on what's popular and they follow the product, even cars. There're research agencies which help them do research and these research agencies may not be product specific and so on. It's very complicated, but many times, the decision made by higher level, may not necessarily understand what's going on. They see "charts", "graphs", "statistics" and make decision from there instead.
Maybe you don't understand software so you don't see it this way.
If a phone have FM Transmitter hardware and have front facing camera, but the software doesn't provide it. TO a customer, they know it's not the phone cannot do it or doesn't have the hardware, but it's the manufacturer doesn't want to provide this feature in their OS.

Just like bluetooth file transfer, mass-storage, etc. all these are easily done and should've been provided.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SATISFY EVERYONE.
Did you get the picture?
Software is not a limitations or restrictions. Its the manufacturer's decision.
If it's something that cannot be done, then YES, nothing wrong witht that and nothin to blame.
Bluetooth file trasnfer, mass-storage mode is a very common feature in most (if not all) real smartphone.
Now here's an example of not putting yourself in others shoe. Or should I say, most people put in other shoe, but they use themselves without feeling and understand how others feel.
You don't need and you don't realyl miss them, but do you know MAJORITY DO and were frustrated?
This is not good for Nokia.

If people want a phone that works, there're many phones, not smartphone. But what is a smartphone then?

It's funny cause it's like you keep defending what Microsoft did. Windows Phone has these flaws, it's well known and must be acknolwedge and highlighted to the point Microsoft take notice how serious it is.
I love the People Hub feature, and Office Integration, but when there's something not good, I want it to be resolved because I want it to be a good OS for smartphone that can cater for more people, but to be succumbed to it and pretend it's OK.
I wonder who didn't come out of the circle? I have mentioned I given to people of various age, young to old, no necessarily software developer. I've mentioned above, have you think about all those scenarios? Based on your statement, I'm very sure NOT because you don't seem to see how important is those features and how it will affect many other people, because you don't have issue with it.
Personally? I don't really send files via bluetooth, but why am I highlighting this? You see, I'm not talking for myself only. I understand and know how many people will complain about this and how it will affect the reputation of Nokia and Windows Phone. It's for their own good, not mine.
I get NOTHING if they allow bluetooth file transfer in future, they don't pay me anything. I just wish to highlight that if people don't see and highlight the importance of this, there will be many unhappy customers.
Why do we want unhappy customers when it can be avoided?
Did Microsoft really didn't know or they really have very strong and good reasons? If yes, what are the so good and strong reasons that they are risking to face these issues from Customers? Have you think about that?

As for my uncle example, I guess you didn't know. Many of Nokia LOYAL CUSTOMER were actually these people? Have you thought about that? Younger generations? Most of them go for Androids, iPhones. How many actually likes Nokia, moreover with such restrictions and limitations, and people want FACE do you know that, imagine someone using their phone and cannot send file, they will be laugh and they might change phone. Have you seen such case? You might be surprise there is. Some people buy Lumia SIMPLY because they love the Live Tiles. We never know what type of people are there. There're also people who don't want to buy Lumia simply because there is no proper homescreen, it's that simple. So, in business, logically, would you try to find out WHY and then try to make up and get more customers? Or do you say "don't like don't buy?' or 'It's not for you then'? especially when it can be easily done.........

I didn't asked you to be biased, but reading your review I feel you're biased as in trying to "protect" WIndows Phone limitations and restrictions that it's still OK because iPhone also can sell. I mean, that's not the way.... Because iPhone is OK, so others can follow what iPhone did? Sorry, but in my personal opinion, that's just so NOT RIGHT.

My point is not to protect N9, if you read properly, I wish mainly to highlight the importance to notify and acknowldge the drawback of Windows Phone. N9 has it's drawback and I'll listed tons on my previous review, it doesn't have proper homescreen, which it's predecessor have and one of the unique feature,and there're also others.
I'm not a good or qualified reviewer and blogger, but I do find most reviewer or blogger tends to don't talk about the drawback or saying how it's OK for the drawbacks that may affect many people, as in this case, because iPhone sells.
I have few iPhone friends, I can tell you how much they hated to having to rely on iTunes and all those restrictions and limitations, but hey, there's jailbreak. So, it might not necessarily because they are OK, people are not seeign the real picture here.

Show me in quote. I want to see it also.
I didn't say cannot (or at least meant to), what I meant is it's only surface. I did reply that you can and with many reason, I guess you also get carried away and didn't take it with rational mind.

I've explain to you later that I have gone overboard and get carried away; my initial statement is to let you know the difference between comparing with surface/cover, and another is to understand why. But you can still compare as you like. It's just mere information sharing to you. But seem you rather not have people share with you.

Where did I went mum? quote me.
Did I say it's not right? I myself wrote a big list of N9 drawbacks, but you prefer to see me as a Windows Phone hater and make claims about it.
WHERE is the bashing? QUOTE and SHOW ME.
WHERE is the biased? QUOTE and SHOW ME.

Try to read back with rational and calm mind what I actually said about the article. As I recall and read back, only the first line was about the article which I said, "not very useful". Well, I personally find it "not very useful".
Is is biased? It is bashing? Wow.

Wait, I praise Lumia 800 too. But you prefer to ignore everything. I also praise Lumia here before, before we Rangers get our device, I also did the same in Lumia 800 thread, budden it's not important anyway.
Again, where is the bashing? I just said, "not very useful". The rest is more like what I feel we should concentrate on.

I think it's more like you're trying something here? With links and no words; tell me, you expect me to not be suspicious, but I try not to think that way as I have tried to end the previous debate with you peacefully and admitting my mistake, but you doesn't seem to done any.
No and No.
I read through but not in detail because it's more about what she felt and also how it further confirms the believe. i find nothing useful (to me), it's more like a happy read. Budden I never said it's bad, just said I don't find it useful. Is it cannot?
WOW! I didn't complain about the N9? HAHAHAHA, this is the biggest joke in history. Now it's more clear that you're biased and jump to conclusions.

Even though I like N900 a lot, I even complain and talk about the drawback a lot in N900 thread, just do a search. I think aspire sifu will remember this more. I complain about the lack of ram mainly on N900, no ringtone assignment to contacts, no contacts grouping and so much more.

Don't judge a person when you don't know the person. I already said, I'm trying to be fair, I talk about the goods as well as the bads.
I have talk about Windows Phone great features, but did you notice or even read?

Amazing!