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

If you really want it, I'll make a short list of the N900's advantages.

Software:

Privacy (!)
More versatile OS
No underclocked CPU
Virtual memory (!)

Hardware (specs):

Internal memory
Higher screen DPI
FM radio/transmitter
Stylus
Digital compass (?)
No wasted keyboard buttons
HSCSD (like you care about it anyway...)
BT 2.1

Hardware (quality):

Stereo speakers
Hardware quality (quality materials)
Camera quality (still/video)
Dual LED quality

Availibility:

Unlocked
Cheaper

...and the list is still incomplete. Feel free to extend it.

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

It's a computer. Nuff said.

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

From what I've read about Android and from what I've seen in a friend's HTC Hero, Android practically does not multi-task:

Since Android's apps are in java, you only can run java apps. Now, according to an article I'd read about Android programming (I don't remember where, but have a look at the activity lifecycle here) and from what I've seen, Android freezes java applications when they are left in the background. The friend of mine also claimed that it swaps-out the application to free memory (but I can't understand how it can do that).

Also, how are you supposed to install a new media player in Android? Can a Java program practically play a hi-def video? From a test I performed the HTC Hero could not play a 720p video (as avi and mp4) I created, most probably because of missing codec. This video runs from mplayer under N800 (but very-very-very slow). Can you do that with Android? I don't believe that there will ever be any video-playing program written in Java to extend the video-playing functionality of Android.

As for the hardware specs: that's not an OS issue. However, since you mentioned them: I'm more-and-more pleased by the fact that N900 will have a resistive screen. Being able to use a stylus is a great advantage. It is *very* slow and uncomfortable to do some tasks with your finger. Just try to type a long URL using an iphone.

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

A couple of notes from someone who is considering both the N900 and the Droid but waiting to see the Dell specs:

The Droid is underclocked but this will reduce battery drain. It will be interesting to see battery tests of production models.

The N900 might have better DPI but the Droid has a bigger screen with more pixels.

The N900 does have an FM radio but, at least from what I've seen in other threads, doesn't have an app to access it. One hopes this changes.

The Droid has a digital compass and uses BT 2.1 as well. BTW, does anyone know what BT modes the N900 supports besides the "stereo headsets" mentioned on the website?

I'm less impressed with the N900's two speakers than with the Droid's two microphones with noise cancellation.

The N900 has a better name on the lens so I would agree on the camera. OTOH, the Droid seems to have more camera features).

Lastly, given that romanianusa sounds like he's in the US, I suspect that the Droid will be cheaper. As of now, I haven't heard of any subsidized N900s from US carriers.

Still, it's a good list. you earned a bookmark as well as a thanks.

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

Then it's close to crap. I'd much rather buy a Viliv S5 or UMID M1 as a pocketable computer. They've got much faster processors, much more internal memory, internal hard drives, better input and output options, and I can run Karmic Koala and all its apps without any worries about recompilations.

For better or worse, what makes the N900 appealing is that it's a smartphone that can accomplish some computer tasks. So are the various Android based phones. It allows one to move from a phone plus a UMPC to a single device assuming you don't need to do much computing while walking about. I'd take it to Starbucks instead of my OQO. However, if I'm going to be marking up documents in a meeting I'd still want my real pocketable computer.

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

Wh0T?!

Where have you seen that?
Thats not possible.

I use tele2, how can i get it for free with tele2. Impossible!

Eikido

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

Let me take one example from Telenor (picked the first one with a free phone): 499SEK/month, 399 of which can be used for calls and messages (pays for ~2000 minutes or 600 SMS) + 119SEK for unlimted data (wifi zones included). All in all, SEK 618 which is around $90 at the current low dollar exchange rate.

Or another example: Tele2 319 SEK/month+unlimited data (throttled to 64kbps after 5gb) 159 = 478SEK/month ($69), 169 of which can be used for calls and SMS (free within network, 169 SEK pays for 200 minutes/SMS elsewhere). Still need to pay 90SEK for the phone.

Both these examples are for 24 month contracts. After they run out, subtract the 100 or 150 that cannot be used for calling (that part paid for the phone).

Eikido: These examples were from Katshing, if you want to order (Telenor abonnemang 399 and Tele2 Kompis pott 169) I understand they have a rather long list of N900 preorders though ;)

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

Yeah, we're way ahead of you. :) wazd is even working on some pretty UI mockups.

Pretty much anything if you're willing to put a little time in.

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

None of these devices offer you reasonable one-device pocketability or usable battery life, however. I'm all about To Each His Own, but this just isn't a usable solution for normal people. :)

Have you ever used a Maemo device? Have you used an N900?

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

I should have been clearer. I know that maemo.org developers are coding late into the night on all sorts of truly impressive projects. What I meant to say was that I hope Nokia adopts an FM radio app as a standard part of the software suite when they come out with their Xmas 2009 software update (assuming that is still on track).

I would think that out of the box it'll do more than just A2DP but I could be wrong. I would also guess that it doesn't support every Bluetooth profile except the DUN, HID, and PAN cited in the wiki. In any case it's not something I want to program, it' s something I want to buy.