Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Hi,

i don't understand - no announcement - no product - no Nokia N900

Where is the problem - by Nokia ????

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Hi Frank,

we published recently the pre-alpha SDK of Maemo 5. As the software matures, we will publish alpha and beta SDK. Preliminary estimate for beta SDK we communicated in Maemo Summit is from March to May 2009. To expect a product shipment before we have a beta SDK might be somehow unrealistic except if we would work like other players in the industry that make the SDK only open source once the lead device is shipping.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

http://wiki.maemo.org/Task:Maemo_roadmap/Fremantle

Read closely, look at dates mentioned for software releases, extrapolate what that means for the hardware it will run on.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

but why not publish Nokia a product (HW) roadmap for 2009 ???

Google and his HW partners sets Android with a high pace :)

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Let's remember that Maemo 5 is a big step forward in the development of Maemo software. We skipped the "E" release by jumping from "D"iablo to "F"remantle. The pre-alpha SDK shows that we are working on many fronts to built a high-end mobile computer with Maemo 5. Without wanting to speculate, if we would have had an E release, then we might have seen a device shipping last XMas. We chose to accelerate the evolution of Maemo and skip one development step to get immediately to the next level. This work is not immediately visible, but the pre-alpha SDK shows that we are quite busy. Obviously, this approach takes some time but needs less time than it would have taken to move from D to E and then to F.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

in other words the N8x0 will be hovering in developer limbo for upto a year ;)

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

On the software side, this was a good move. On the hardware side, it seems now, that stepping over the WiMAX edition entirely to concentrate on the hardware platform for the Maemo 5 device could have brought it to market sooner as well.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

The keyword is - Time to markets :)

Reasons - Price erosion - Competitors (Google, Apple, Microsoft & Nvidia, RIM, Acer) occupy the front seats

http://www.desinformado.com/wp-conte...sinformado.jpg

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

I'm not convinced that they occupy anything on this front just yet. Though you can see them getting ready - for instance the new MID Android development branch.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

LinuxWorld Summit - New York - 2005 - Presentation Nokia N770

And what has happened up to now - Developers - in search of perfection - everything at once - instead - to set priorities - and one after the other (see Google beta versions)

from sales and customer perspective - sorry, i can't understand this approach

in the competition only speed and innovation is the right answer

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

William Shatner?

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

I used to think the same way you do, Frank, until I realized what a big general bust 2009 is gonna be. Quick to market? WHAT market?

I think Nokia could goof off this year and still be okay... anyone releasing major new stuff this year may see that backfire.

That said, Nokia sure is quiet at CES 2009...

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

So is THIS going to be step 5 of 5?

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

I'm not with you about 2009, but that's not even the main issue. What's really frustrating is that we didn't even have something really new in 2008. The last innovation hardware-wise was the N800. Since then, we have the same platform. I love my N800, but it gets harder and harder not to turn my back on Nokia if they don't offer anything more up-to-date.

Trying to make this lack of progress look like some clever strategy ("2009", "skipped 'E'",…) isn't very credible. Mid-2008 would have been the time to release something new.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

It would be so easy for Nokia - Roadmap sample - looks Asus

real customer-friendly :)

http://www.liliputing.com/wp-content.../eee-pc-23.jpg

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

I just don't see anything to turn to right now for under $500 or so -- as long as nobody else catches up, Nokia doesn't really have to stay ahead. Now Android is gaining momentum, to be sure, and that will help the 800x480 Android devices whenever they arrive, but there's nothing right now, and no sign they'll be here before the RX-51 is announced.

And the Pandora is a sad tale of delays. :(

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

For sure. And maybe HTC has something planned that will eat Nokia for breakfast. But, for now, the Nokia tablets own the niche for a while longer.

I have a hunch that Nokia lost a huge amount of time with their TrollTech purchase and Symbian purchase last year, and the moves towards open sourcing these products. Open source is a good way to move forwards, but maybe Nokia is too big a company to efficiently "turn on a dime".

Maybe that's also why the IP08 (thought by some to be their 2008 iPhone killer) turned out to be the N97 which is "coming some time in first half of 2009".

Roger.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Depends on what you use your tablet for, what it is for you. I'm one of those who use the N800 as a small laptop. So the more I think of it, the more I consider GNU/Linux-friendly netbooks an alternative. They'd even have the great advantage of running the very distribution I use on my desktop.

Android is absolutely no alternative at all for me. I don't like its licensing, I don't like it from a technical POV and I'd never trust anything that Google was involved with. But that's my own private psychosis. Others may be more relaxed and find in Android what Nokia failed to deliver 2008.

So I do believe there's alternatives right now. It needn't be a device that's exactly like the N8x0.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

As explained several times elsewhere, no, this is step 4.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Peter's post does talk about choosing to accelerate Maemo's evolution by skipping Elephanta. It's not unreasonable to try and pin him down as to what this means in terms of the original "5 step" plan ;-)

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

I was in the same situation a couple of months ago when I realized that Nokia was not releasing the N900 before Christmas.
I ened up buying the We Surf
(http://www.wedigital.fr/index.php?pa...roduit=we_surf)
which is the same as the Clevo TN70M (http://www.umpcportal.com/products/Clevo/TN70M/).
I have a N800 and HP laptop, and before I had this Netbook, I spent my time between the HP and the N800. Now I realize that most of the time I use only the We-surf.

There is times when laptop is more suitable (eg. when I am at a table) and times when the tablet is best. With this Netbook I have the 2 in the same machine. Other issue that bothered me on the N800, is the screen size that made it difficult to read some web sites. I find that 7" is a good compromise between mobility and confort. One issue than I came to appreciate in the Netbook is that I have along side the screen, on the left the 2 mouse buttons and on the right the mouse weel. This is great to browse the net and use the Netbook as a PC.

The OS is Ubuntu, and the amount of available applications is amazing.
I paied 340 Euros for this wonder... (same as I would pay for a N810)

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Problem is that in 2009 I will give my money exactly once to exactly one manufacturer. Now if Nokia will not announce something attractive in time then they will be too late, at least in my case (I am not even sure whether I go for the one device or the two device strategy; maybe palm can convince me...). BTW I do not understand what the problem would be with such a announcement - the hardware is already designed, isn't it?

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Smartphones and netbooks are selling well. People buy these devices despite the bad economy.

Except that its name has no momentum whatsoever, and that the form factor might be odd, a MID/tablet could sell as some kind of device inbetween netbook and smartphone.

Several new products have been announced including touchscreen based mid-end & high-end smartphones. Every other major mobile (smart)phone corporation is catching on with touchscreen smartphones. We're waiting for the market leader in mobile phone sector to catch up...

Still, you have a good point that the damage would be less than in a thriving economy. So a focus on more lower and mid-end products would make sense.

Frank, we know roughly when Fremantle is released because we received a rough timeline (on the Maemo summit). Furthermore, we know a Fremantle release is tied to a product release, and we know details about the new hardware the Fremantle is going to be released. Add it all up and do the math.

Many corporations are cutting costs on expos. These gatherings have been going downfall since the Internet is getting more and more the status quo of communication. And why not...

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Makes sense. You can always resell your device later because you want a different type of convergence. The sooner, the better (related to warranty, new products, battery quality, lower price of new product). For example, take Luso's post into account a few posts above this one. He can now sell his HP laptop and N800 because the netbook does its job well enough.

In fact, after I was aware of the quality of the N800 and Maemo and the fact Sharp was going to ditch the Zaurus product line I quickly ditched my SL C1000 + accessoires for about 80% of the (Japan) new price which was about 1 year after I bought the device. Give original receipt and voila.

It'd have been even better to sell it before Sharp announced, or earlier. The longer you wait, the more it is in your disadvantage. Unless you want to bet and wait for it acquiring the status antique :D

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Ok, would be a way out, sort of. But I hate the stress of managing this. Additionally, I would always be tempted to tell the buyer "hey there is this and this better thing and that's the reason i sell it ..." (well, simply the unfavorable truth ;)). I try to avoid this.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

The 2009 economy is going to do a LOT of damage, and that IS the main issue.

I am the canary in the coal mine.

The full effects have not yet hit. People are still in denial. But the signs are there.

"Why not" is because the internet does not support touch and feel.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

He's right! I have proof! ...they're skipping step 4. I managed to get my hands on some "privileged" internal Nokia documentation that lays out their master plans for the new tablet in 2009!

Step 1: Decide on a name!
Step 2: Make the device look sexy!
Step 3: Throw Linux on it!
Step 4: ????
Step 5: PROFIT!!!

Which step do you think they're stuck on? :D


DISCLAIMER:
I'm joking about getting my hands on "priviledged internal Nokia documentation." Did you really need me to tell you that? See the toothy grin at the end? It's a hint. Also, if you can read this, you're MUCH too close to the screen... move back from the screen before you damage your eyes. Didn't your mother ever teach you that? Kids today! Why.. just the other day I saw this kid in the grocery store and where were the parents? Nowhere, right? Good God! What's the world coming to? What? You're STILL reading this?? I could rant all day!

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

I agree with Texrat. I keep hearing people say, "That's it, I'm ditching my tablet for device X," and so I dutifully go the website and look it over, and I always decide that I just can't justify the purchase because the device is either too expensive or lacking in key areas (poor battery life, too big to carry around, not hackable enough, etc, etc).

My biggest concern right now for the new device is that I can't see myself being able to afford a(n) HSPA plan. We're down to a half year or less before the device is released, and I don't see any affordable data plans anytime soon. $360/yr buys me a GB per month and $720/year buys me 3GB a month.

And this is so comforting:
If that seems like a weird thing to you, then you didn't read about the guys who were getting charged thousands of dollars by Rogers before.

Maybe I'm wrong, here. Maybe I'd be perfectly happy on the 1 GB plan, and I'd never go over that limit. Anyone have some real-world numbers for me?

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

I am totally with you, qole. The Maemo 5 device makes me drool, but the cost of data in the great white north we call home makes me sick. I think I said in another thread that I would only get the Maemo 5 device if the data rates come down. When I was experimenting with that Rogers WiMAX modem, I was doing a few Gb a month. I guess it depends on how you use it. You may have to limit yourself to mobile sites, no extras like RSS updates while on HSPA, no downloads, etc. Then you have to ask yourself why you got such a kick*** device, only to be limited in the end by data cost. I have that $7/month on-device internet from my Rogers Pay-as-you-go phone (EDGE), that I tether to my N800 right now. And indeed, this is how I optimize my tethering - I limit myself to mobile sites, no downloads, etc. So far, so good, Rogers hasn't said anything - 5 months and counting.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

I think everyone who is mainly looking ahead for Nokia N900 is for a better web browsing experience, at the same time maintain good side features such as open source applications, multimedia, and staying in touch with others. But I think 65% is all about the browser. After all its called a "Internet Tablet".

So me starting to get frustrated with my N800's hardware, and its slow web browsing experience I wanted a change, although I am a pure Nokia person, which likes its brilliant build quality and stable features. I decided to buy something in mean while until the N900 is released. So I started my research and kept a budget price range of $350. And ended up buying a Archos 5, now before you start to think what a lame device, or the matter its french made, or its not open source or what not.

I use to think exactly the same, and never thought I will be getting my self a Archos. But now I have it, I can say I am a little satisfied. You probably are thinking, I am blown by the multimedia features and the big screen are all the flashy stuff. But I am not, I am really impressed by its web browser which is still in alphaish release but it works for me, Its very fast and can even open java applets, now I can visit almost all the web sites that I never could even open on the Nokia. even though its here for temporary until Nokia finally reveal the N900 and the price tag, it is serving me good. And the fact it has a 60GB flash drive I can load 3x the stuff i use to load on my MMC on my Nokia.

So here's my advice to all who are in my situation... buy the Archos 5 and sell it when you finally see the N900 or some similar device or keep it after you have seen the N900 and think your okay with it. There is 20 day money back guarantee by most popular stores that sell it.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

That is precisely the point

The Nokia problem is - Leadership, Customer focus, clear roadmap, speed timeline and Sales Strategy - have no first or second priority for the internet tablet N900 - there is also nothing announced

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

"Dammit, Jim, I'm a doctor not a magician!"

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Except there is -- info on the baseline hardware platform for Maemo 5 was announced at the Summit, and there's been one public release of the SDK which reveals more info. Making a public announcement of the full device specs this far before release only helps the competition, so Nokia's not likely to, but that hardly means nothing is announced..

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Wait, what?

You tether under the on-device Internet plan? From the Rogers page, that sounds very expensive!


That's right, 5 cents per KILObyte, not MEGAbyte.

EDIT: I'm not off topic, by the way. Troll threads are always considered fair game for whatever topics come up.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Some people are still mistakenly discounting or ignoring the depressing effect of the declining global economy.

Newsflash: it's the reason Nokia let me and many others go. I'm betting it's a factor in the N810WE decision. It's going to affect a great many aspects of the way Nokia does business, because the Finns are very conservative in business. I cannot stress that enough.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

You're qolling. :p

By the way, if Gadsby had left that "Dammit Jim!" non sequiter above, he'd have gotten lots of LOLs. I'm hurt. :mad:

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

:confused: Palm faster than Nokia - unfortunately :confused:

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/08...ss-conference/

http://images.scribblelive.com/2009/...0073eebe98.jpg

Palm webOS = Linux ???

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...S_Launcher.png

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Palm may have the advantage in the 1/4 mile, but Nokia's ready for a much longer endurance race.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Well, I don't think 2009 is the end of the world, or even a one-year suspension of the world. People are going to keep buying computers, but they are going to buy cheaper. I got an early start with my $200 shuttle and my $350 eee pc in 2008, but I'm sure I will find cheap stuff in 2009. I don't think the economy is going to completely tank; all that stimulus money is actually having an effect and will continue. The real test is 2010. If a real recovery doesn't start by then, we don't have a recession, we have a realignment, meaning that the good old days are permanently gone.

But still, people will keep buying, but they will buy cheaper. Whoever can do cheap will prosper. Whoever can't, won't. People are going to stop buying what they want but keep buying what they need.

Re: Where is Nokia - no announcement no product - still in hibernation
 

Business and Transactions are made today - not tomorrow :eek: