Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

Right. It will be much easier to keep your existing number with a data HSPA chip you've hacked to do voice... :D

... I agree that VoIP is still not "there" yet in terms of general market readiness for Jane Consumer. I was just commenting on the bizarre nature of this thread's proposed hack.

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

The hacking part was the idea of the OP, and I don't think it's a viable option either (other than the 'I did it !' factor). The one exception is if the mobile section is 'transplanted' from an existing Nokia handset, with all the necessary hardware for 'regular' phone calls (GSM, etc) in place, just the stack missing (for whatever reason, a possible retrofit for Harmattan, a 'backup' plan if the other Nseries don't sell well enough, __insert favourite maemo conspiracy theory here__). The chances for that are, of course worse than astronomical. Of course, HSPA VoIP is kindasorta a phone (and will be used by many when RX-51 comes out), but then you could argue that the N810 WiMAX was already a phone, too - sort of...

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

Look through bluez:audio/telephony-maemo.c from the Fremantle pre-alpha SDKs. There're some interesting API capabilities in there:

• Inbound calls
• Conference calling
• Putting callers on hold

These strongly indicate that some form of "normal" voice-phone capability will be built-in. Certainly there's an API for it.

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

Looks interesting, though what is bluez involvement with a phone api?

Rich

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

Those provising HSPA are certain to cap it off. Unlimited could mean only a few GB. Doesn't sound like you'll be making many VOIP calls over your HSPA. I can almost guarantee that the new NIT WILL be a phone. Figuring that buying the N8x0 tablets is limited to online and Nokia stores, I'd guess they've had a difficult time selling them to more than just a small group of tablet enthusiasts.

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

What makes you think it's a phone? Every statement I've read from Nokia has mentioned that there is data only cellular connectivity in the Maemo 5 lead device.

Depending on the codec, you could make several VoIP calls even for 1 GB/month. G.711 for instance (64 Kbps) gives about 34 hours of talk time per GB by my calcs. That's a ROM estimate.

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

quick guess, bluetooth handsfree...

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

If what you say is true then cellular providers would be losing by giving people the ability to voice over their data network. If cingular is offering "unlimited" data for $60 and you can make clear VOIP calls on it then you've got a better deal than every one of their voice customers.

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

well, there is capacity (# calls/GB), and ability. There is enough capacity to make a significant amount of VoIP calls. Ability is dictated by any throttling or port blocking that the telcos smash you with.

Re: Can we say that N900 is for sure going to be a Phone?
 

Maybe they'll allow the voip use and stiff you with overages and hidden contract fees. One way or another they're going to get theirs.