Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

GA, I understand that a bit of control is necessary to miantain things n order and make sure that one doesn't break something else.

But even though extras is free, its still a Nokia channel some users might want the freedon to deliver something from a Non-Nokia channel (in fact there are quire a few nice apps for Diablo I installed from third party repos).

The same logic as you mention in the extreme is what is Apple (only in this case nothing is free).

Apple essentially says the same thing - all and everything iPhone related MUST be installed from the app store.

Its just a tie-down in some sense, dont you think, even though extras is open to developers and is free of cost unlike the app store (my conmparison is not a direct comparison, but more to put a point across) ?

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

The problem is that a lot of the deb files you will find on the internet are not designed to be compatible with Maemo and could even break it if installed forcibly. Maybe Maemo apps/packages should have a different extension than .deb. That way, users won't be tempted to install apps that were not specifically designed to work well with Maemo.

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

Oh of course if the user is that dumb and installs any .deb file then he will run into problems.

But any Maemo software is usually labeled as being made for Maemo so then the deb file is always OK.

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

When, exactly, did maemo.org Extras become a Nokia channel? :)

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

Maybe an app can be made available (but definitely not installed by default) that would allow installing local packages without the need for xterm. Users that avail themselves of that option would be on their own if what they install breaks their system, a clear warning should be provided in that regard from the app itself. That way, if they think they know what they are doing and just want a bit of convenience, they can have what they want. Any one looking for a good test app project? ;)

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

Hey, would you look at that! ;)

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

just want to make something clear:



are you guys talking about single .deb files or about third-party repositories?
i was under the impression that adding a new catalogue in fremantle is trivial... in the SDK, there is a "catalogues" page with a "new" button (which is disabled, i attributed that to the SDK).

if it's only about single .deb files, i can understand it, but not allowing other catalogues to the end user by UI would be strange...

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

You don't have any connection with the Android team? Are you no longer working for the same employer?

Oh gnuite... You've gone to the Dark Side! :eek:

;)

(still waiting for maemo 5 mapper)

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

Win for the Motorola Droid:
Some versions of the screen shots show a 4row keyboard with dedicated number row (almost as good as a 5 row keyboard!) ... the others show a more conventional 4 row keyboard (not as good, but still better than 3 rows).
D-pad (not on the face, but better than nothing).
24bit color.
3.7" screen ... still not 4.1" (the minimum acceptable), but better than 3.5".
The Android app ecosystem.
Rumors that it might be mifi-type capable.

Wins for the Nokia N900:
Full/real Linux environment (with command-line and everything).
32GB of user storage.
Graphics controller.
TV-out.
GSM/WCDMA instead of CDMA/EVDO.
USB Host and OTG
FM Radio transmitter.
Not on Verizon.

Re: N900 vs. Motorola Droid (Verizon Android device)
 

johnkzin: You're just joking about the USB host/OTG thing, right? I didn't think it was possible to miss that long and ugly thread...

I actually understand Google's perspective here. They're making an OS designed to run on all sorts of hardware, so they need to fight a bit harder to keep their revenue stream flowing. AFAIK there are four (or five depending on how you count) devices that run Maemo, all made by Nokia. Piracy just isn't as much of a concern (yet) for Nokia.