Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

Oh I'm well aware that it's a common deal....I was specifically asking about countries/companies that are offering the N900 for free

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

Interestingly, this guy (of FSF and GPL fame) argues that Android is by far the more promising platform for creating a completely free mobile software stack.

http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2009/10/26/symbian.html

But I also notice that the hardware that "replicant" (the FOSS fork of Android) runs on is limited to the HTC Dream. Which, in my view, highlights the challenges of creating open mobile platforms, since there's usually some proprietary software to control what are highly idiosyncratic hardware devices.

Obviously, the politics of free software are contentious. But what do others think of Kuhn's argument? Is Android a better candidate for creating a completely free and open platform?

I don't really get too worked up about the proprietary portions of Maemo so long as the system remains easy for me (an average user) to modify. I.e., Maemo is open and hackable where it matters.

Just think of where we would be today if the situation for mobile hardware components and drivers was similar to that of desktop pcs. Imagine if the user could choose from a wide array of hardware and install either Android or Maemo or a full blown Debian or (God forbid) Windows Mobile on any number of pocket devices. I look forward to that day. :)

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

I'll provide same sarcastic answers as to why n900 is better than Droid (I'm assuming he really mean Droid)

- n900 is thicker. Better bulge in the pocket
- OVI Maps is so so so much better than google maps. Eye roll
- OVI Maps navigation costs money. Must be better than google as it costs money
- Apps are easier to write. Most universities still teach C++ rather than Java. Right? Right?
- Those developers who love to use MS Visual C would love to start developing using ESBox inside VMWare.
- Nokia will be there to support software for Maemo. Nokia are much better at developing software than Google. Right, right?
- Developing in C++ is much easier than Java. I mean the average and newbie developers can write C++ much better quality code than Java. Pointers and memory allocation, easy peasy!
- I'm sure 95% of the average consumer cares that is 'open'. of course.

But in all seriousness, "if" you want the power of a real computer in your pocket, its the n900 hands-down.

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

@mdl - from what I can gather from your linked article, the author's understanding of the Maemo platform is confused. I would place Maemo in a significantly 'freer' position than Android.

One point the author doesn't seem to understand is that proprietary components do not an unfree platform make ;)

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

The average consumer would probably care more if it's the iPhone or not. Not if it's open, partially open, partially closed, or closed.

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

Points about Android to some degree are really like a rats in cage, because at best, you will have 150 megs of free space for apps. No more. This will not change until future droid devices add more memory so there is room for apps. Virtual micro sd space is not an option unless you can root the device, format the SD with Linux and add modified firmware. 99% of the install base will not do that (if they could).

I you are an app fan, Android will give you very little room to play with.

To me I think this issue is going to hurt the platform badly since the entire install base has very low app space.

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

Bugelrex made good points about software, so I'm going to hit this from the hardware angle, since the OP obviously meant Droid v N900.

In many ways, Motorola designed a nicer piece of hardware than Nokia. Aside from the internal RAM, the droid is thinner, more solid (more metal) and has some very nice docking options the n900 lacks.

Give Motorola their due. For users living in the USA who are looking for the "best" smartphone, this is a tough decision, especially since the Verizon network is far better than T-Mobile's.

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

Basicly all stores in Sweden are offering the N900 free on contract with any carrier for at least 12 months. However, the 18 and 24 month contracts are the most common. Of course, you can buy it unlocked for ~539€ as well.

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

Interesting. How hard do they metaphorically pound you in the *** with those contract deals?

Re: Can someone tell me why N900 and not Android?
 

First, to try and pull this back onto topic, while the original poster said "Android" he obviously meant "Droid" and he is looking for a comparison between the two phones.

From an average user perspective, most of us don't care if the OS is open or closed unless by being open it adds something to our capabilities. We care about what the phone hardware plus the OS plus the available apps can accomplish. For example, the Droid can run Google's maps with turn by turn directions. That is a capability. We don't care if it's open or closed, we care if it's available or not available.

If I wanted to develop for my phone or for the broader community of users of my flavor of phone, the openness of the OS becomes significant. However, unless the Maemo community can demonstrate some capability that you can add to the N900 because you can get root, it is irrelevant to the average user.

So, can anyone take up the challenge and offer romanianusa a list of capabilities that he can utilize if he buys the N900 which he will not have if he buys the Droid?