Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

arrggg, I hope you are wrong!

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

The Chicago Nokia flagship store has just announced that they are selling N900s right away.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

I hope it too!!

I've emailed DDP Program, let's see what they say ;)

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Ditto, reserved funds released. Drink !

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

It's a shame... The Thanksgiving holiday next week in the US is a time when many make up their minds about Christmas gifts and holiday purchases. The day after is called "Black Friday" because all 'ell breaks loose in the retail sector as many folks plan their shopping day starting as early as 3 AM. :eek:

My large, extended family gathers together for a turkey feast the day before and it would have been nice if I could show off the N900 at that time...

Oh well, maybe @ Christmas dinner then... when everyone pulls out their new "Droids" and what not.

Nokia must be really serious about this being a "geek only" device. :D

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

The new price of 480 from amazon is really nice. I am confused now. Wait for DDP to respond or go ahead and buy the n900 for 480$ since the retail units will have warranty. The amazon deal is looking better...

Any advise?

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

I'll stick to the DDP even if with no warranty. The time it breaks, if ever, it's possible a better tablet device is available, or maybe the price of a regular N900 will be substantially lower. Though I understand how you feel (like me I guess, after all this waiting).

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

No answer from DDP yet... bad, bad way :S

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

The only thing I'm worried about... If it becomes available here with a German keyboard *before* DDP ships, I'd probably get that instead. (One of the reasons I ordered was my assumption I'd be among the first to receive it.) - I hope I can cancel my order then. (German keyboard plus warranty plus having it instead of waiting would be worth the price difference.)

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

So DDP are no longer replying to emails... this is becoming a farce.

It would be really nice if Quim could find out what is going on with deliveries and in particular warranties and let us know, considering we now have no way of communicating with the organisation we have committed €250 to.

With so much frustration being caused by the lack of communication and each of us being left with a potentially unrepairable €250 device after the first week I'm considering jacking it all in and going elsewhere for good, Nokia is not a communicating company and probably never will be which doesn't bode well for maemo. :(

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

if someone is to split pots I would take the DDP device for lets say 350eur.
even if there is no warranty for DDP devices, we find a deal if you guys like to have the German kbd or just dont want to wait ;) let me know

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Oh come on guys!

They are not shipping it yet and there is ONE reason for that: they don't have enough N900 ready.

This has only one explanation: Nokia didn't expect that many orders for the N900.

This has one effect on us: WAIT.

What should they say to you?
It's clear they CANNOT say WHEN YOUR device is gonna be shipped.
There's a queue, full stop. When they have, they'll ship it.

Surely they're gonna ship to pre-orders first, same as in NYC where they are calling those on the list first.

Nothing new here, nothing they can say to you, NO NEED TO WHINE about it.

Let's be reasonable.
The only complaint is the lack of more info on the warranty.

PS: and this is NOT because I already have a device.

Aniello

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Actually, I'm happy to know they're no longer "reserving" money. In fact I may even put my order right now ....

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Fine, but a post here from those in the know wouldn't do any harm would it? The lack of communication has always been one of the biggest problems where Nokia and Maemo are concerned, and obviously that isn't improving. With the DDP going into radio silence the situation has now got even worse.

That is a very big issue, and a direct question from me on the matter emailed to DDP has gone unanswered for several days now.

Again, the matter could be addressed very simply through this forum, by the people who are responsible for setting up the developer device program and who chose to use Forum Nokia which has been nothing short of a disaster. At least when buying through the Nokia Store the previous discounted devices had full warranties.

I really don't think it's fair to charge people €250 for a device (which may be their primary device as they can't afford a second) and to then only warranty it for one week.

It's an odds on certainty that some of the discounted devices will fail after one week but within one year and there will be hell to pay when the owners start whining about how they've been left with a useless €250 brick and Nokia are refusing to repair it.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Guys. It's about choice. You have an option of getting it for 250E, under certain conditions. It's just a special offer, nobody's twisting your arm. If you think it's reasonable, go for it. If you find it lacking for whatever reason (warranty, VAT, not getting Nora's phone number, you name it), you can always opt for regular channels. In simpler terms, you have the choice of deciding if the (non-DOA) warranty and flaky DDP comms is worth ~350 euros to you.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

After waiting an answer from DDP, I've emailed Forum Nokia, and they have answered in less than 20 minutes:
So, let's see if DDP team says something...

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Hi,

I agree with you. But I do think that the multiple claims from the people with devices telling others to be patient rings hollow. We need all the people without devices to stand up and calm everybody down. Someone get on that, I'm going to go check my email to see if there are any emails from DDP or DHL.

Frank

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

So, what you are trying to tell is Nokia just choose to ignore because it has offered its developers a discount?

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

It's not a developer discount. It's an eligible community member discount. The DDP is just a vehicle for delivering this without creating further logistical problems. DDP being caught off-guard by this, for them sort of extracurricular activity, and the N900 caused near-ADHD status of many Maemites is a different question :)

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Well said. I have three working tablets, and two working phones, the N900 will only make the problem worse, so there is no hurry :-)

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

I think the big problem here is that it isn't the Maemo division of Nokia doing the this program. I don't they're used to this kind of intense excitement from people participating in their "usual" programs.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

I'm guessing, but they may not be used to such a flood of small orders for individual devices either. Carriers and other corporations that purchase devices to develop custom firmware or applications probably each buy multiple devices at a time and do so through their respective purchasing departments.

We've turned their lovely B2B operation into worrisome B2C overnight, and now we're clogging up the little lobby area they didn't expect anyone to ever use, and worse, we're asking why the place doesn't look as nice as the shops on main street, and oh, will they validate parking?

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

The DDP program responds to my emails very promptly. The are anticipating getting units next week.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

That's what they told me last week, too :-)

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

If you like, you can say it's just a choice for each of us to make, but eliminating the warranty sure takes the shine off the program.


It reminds me of a friend who manages expensive restaurants telling me how stupid it is for the restaurant to charge a good, regular customer with a corkage fee if he comes in some nights carrying his own special bottle of wine to try. It's penny-wise and pound-foolish and not the way to create goodwill.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

So can we use the $ 50 rebate form if we ever get our devices from nokia?

That would knock down the price to 320 which is the price i brought my earlier 3 tablets!!

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

"Get a Nokia Visa® $50 Prepaid Card when you buy a new Nokia phone and activate a free Ovi Store or Ovi Maps account."

Rebate term are in the above link.
It is a Nokia Visa $50 prepaid card. Is that same as cash? I guess the longer the delay, the more we would dissect the terms to get rid of boredom :)

A little bit sentimental and off the topic, I paid only $75 to get my 770 (as compared to sachin007's 300+?) when it was phased out. I have ABSOLUTELY no idea what is a Nokia 770, and then I bumped into Internettablettalk.com, and then,...and then.... my 770 is still running, mainly use as a browser as well as a remote desktop to run my PC stereo, no WSOD yet. Sorry, folks, ramble a bit....

bun

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

The rebate is only valid for us products. Since we are paying in euro's i think this will not qualify as a us product. The amazon pre order looks more and more a better deal.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

This are the terms and conditions set by Nokia, I do not see any mentioning of US product.
================================================== ===========================
Mail-In Form and Terms & Conditions for the Nokia Ovi Holiday Device Offer
Get a Nokia Visa® $50 Prepaid Card when you buy a new Nokia phone and activate a free Ovi Store or Ovi Maps account.
The following steps must be completed by 1/8/10:
1. Requires purchase of a new, eligible Nokia N97, Nokia N900, Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition, Nokia 5530 XpressMusic, or Nokia 5530 XpressMusic (Games Edition) device between
November 16, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
2. The original UPC and barcode panel from the product box of your Nokia device.
3. Activate a FREE account on your device:
• PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the activation process prior to submitting your request. Eligible service to qualify for the Nokia Visa Prepaid Card:
i. Nokia N97 – Activate Ovi Maps or Ovi Store
ii. Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition – Activate Ovi Store
iii. Nokia N900 – Activate Ovi Store
iv. Nokia 5530 XpressMusic – Activate Ovi Store
v. Nokia 5530 XpressMusic (Games Edition) – Activate Ovi Store
• Ovi Maps
i. On Your Device – Click the Maps icon
• Ovi Store
i. On Your Device – Click the Store icon
4. This completed Mail-In Form
================================================== ========================

I am NOT saying it is going to work, but by reading the terms,

1) buy a new N900
2) cut out the barcode
3) activate/open an ovi acct
4) fill in the form

That is it. :) .

bun

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Sorry, bun, but on the right (Terms and Conditions): "Only U.S. products are eligible for the offer."

Also, sorry to say, it isn't a properly written offer. It's structured all wrong: "The following steps must be completed ... 1. Requires purchase of ... " I'm sorry, Mr. Copywriter, but "Requires purchase" is not a "step." There's no normal rebate construction like "You must mail in the following: ... [a list of what you must mail in]"

Likewise, nowhere does it quite say you are supposed to mail in your "dated store receipt," but it's implicit in the deadline it assigns it.

In sum, the important thing: it's not for people purchasing through this dev & contr program.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

From DDP Progam:

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

When did you get this?

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Just received this email after chasing DDP for a reply:

I'm on the verge of cancelling as I really don't want to play Russian Roulette all for the benefit of Nokia.

This was a nice offer but basically offering no warranty on a €250 device is not reasonable - offering these devices through the normal Nokia store as per previous devices was so much better for the end user, even if it was a little more problematic for Nokia.

It seems to make life easier for Nokia they are basically screwing over the active community/developer - not a very smart move.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Hi, nokia has send my money back to my account, but i'm seeing the n900 in estore again...

I don't know what to do, wait to nokia news? or buy it again? maybe qgil can guide us.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Or maybe you just write directly to the DDP guys?

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

i've just sended them a e-mail, waiting for reply.

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

Is the reason why I'm waiting to order it: I'm in Spain now and I'd like the device to be shipped to my italian home. I'll come back for christmass holidays, so I'll order it the week before coming back home. Or should I order it now? Uff... all of this is a bit frustrating :(

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

On Friday, 20th

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

You're a braver man than I.

I've just emailed asking for clarification on what we are supposed to do with those devices that develop a fault after the first week - from the sounds of it, throw it in the bin but hopefully there will be some way to get faulty devices repaired through DDP although I'm guessing not based on what has been stated so far.

If you're happy to take this kind of chance, go for it. :)

Re: N900 device program for maemo.org developers and contributors
 

I won't buy a device for 250€ with no warranty,
I am lucky that I've got a device loaned for a year and I think I'll pass the offer to a friend of mine willing to take the risk.

It's a real shame though.