Are some people's coverage going to result in a let-down with the browser?
 

If you have access to 3G or wifi on regular basis, it will work fine, but what about most of the people out there that will not have 3G and some of those also no common wifi access?

1. 800X480 display
2. Flash
3. Desktop browser

Best of worlds, but only for those with good data connections. Anyone try the N900's browser with GSM & Edge? Heck there are some out there with just low end GSM signals probably buying this.

All the Youtube video samples were obviously with good data connections.

Sorry, the "delay" has created a human nature event called "second thoughts" to slowly creep into a corner of the conscience.

I did not appreciate this until today after trying a Droid and comparing Verizon's amazing truly everywhere 3G signal and Tmo not-amazing GSM signal. I really did not know what I was missing, but Tmo really does suck in my great, but low Tmo infrastructure state.

Funny, I always thought Verizon was full of sh$$, but I was wrong once again.

I am keeping Droid for a few weeks, but eating $400 of contract is too much to think about. Nice phone though.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

That's why people should have different preferences and be mindful when choosing a phone. Nobody said that the N900 is going to be the perfect phone for everybody.If you're starting to have second thoughts you should delay buying the device and wait it out and see whether it is really the thing you want. After all, its quite expensive for a mobile device and you have every right to have second thoughts.

Anyway, I do not see why anyone would buy such a device (it did start as an Internet Tablet) if they won't use it for fast browsing on the move due to various circumstances.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Veri$on is kinda fulla sh$$. Good coverage, but $$. I would never get CDMA service anyway.

Also consider that since it's CDMA service:

1. No 3G data usage while on the phone, same as 2G (Edge) with GSM service. IOW, if you have GSM 3G and you're checking emails or doing a file download when you get a call, you answer the call and the 3G data keeps flowing. Not so with CDMA 3G, the data stops 'til you hang up. And many users seem to have problems resuming where they left off.

2. No SIM cards.

3. CDMA is a dead-end technology. Veri$on may be greedy and controlling, but not stupid. They'll lead the way to the changeover to next-gen LTE service, 'cause they know they've gotta dump CDMA soon to stay competitive.

4. T-Mo's 3G network is building out a a furious pace, and will have the most modern equipment - and so is the fastest.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Gunnerz, you hit em all on the mark. Agreed, if they're going to be lacking the speeds and network availability, or even the common sense to use wifi then I don't understand why they bought the phone in the first place.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

This is relatively not a specific issue with N900. It doesn't matter what browser or platform it is as long as the connection is slow. For situations where slow connections are available, I am sure we can disable Flash support or even images. One thing good about the N900 is the possibility to extend the existing functionality easily. For instance the AdBlock implementation. On the PC I am constantly baffled every time I see a friend browsing without AdBlock, there is so much junk I don't see. So I am sure we can improve the browser experience on Maemo much easily to suit slow (GPRS/EDGE) networks than most of the other platforms.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

No, I use the same browser in a slower N810 all day long when I'm away from the desk with only a !9.2 Kbps connection. :eek:

Custom, locally stored HTML and CSS tweaks to scrape only the information you need is all it takes. :)

>> http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=28221

>> http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...6&postcount=12

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

I don't plan to do much browsing and I will have the GSM radio off most of the time.

I quit wasting my money and time on closed computers a long time ago. I want an easily pocketable computer that can make a phone call or a cellualr connection to the internet when no better alternative is available. I have an Openmoko Freerunner, but, for me, the current state of its HW and SW is such that it is a toy and not a tool. It doesn't look like that will change for years.

So, what choice do I have besides a Nokia n900, even though I won't be doing much browsing or phoning? (Android is too closed for me.)

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Would be nice if you could disable flash by default and then selectively enable it for certain sites you visit.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

omg... who does not have access to 3g or a wifi hotspot?

I have been working in different countries in south america (brazil, argentina, chile) europe (most nordic countries, uk, spain, portugal) and asia (china, thailand, korea) and the poorer conditions I found would be at least 3g coverage...

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

So true. CDMA is the betamax of telecom.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Well I only have access to wlan sometimes and will probably only subscribe to 200 mb or 1 gb per month. This device has alot more features then just internet usage for me.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

EDGE is not too bad for web browsing. Of course it sucks for streaming videos, but it's good enough for normal web sites. It's 4 times ISDN bandwidth after all.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

i believe who will buy this phone will be the one who has either 1)good 3G plan and 2)wifi connection at most places he frequent. And quite a good number of them will certain have both.

else they would have got into something else, like one that does only phone and sms (and perhaps music plus camera).

Just like people who do not need multi tasking can easily decide on Iph0ne over N900 :)

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

I completely agree, but from a practical perspective, weak spots with Tmo and my G1 or Dash that have one GSM bar or no service all get one to two 3G bars on Verizon and Droid.

I was able to watch HQ video from Jetflicks and Youtube in the same spots I have no service with Tmo. That is just so wrong.

If N900 was Verizon, I would leave Tmo. With 15% corp discount it would still be $14 more a month, but the 3G truly everywhere I went was pretty cool. In KY of all places. Who'd a thunk' it?

added:

I wish I never tested Verizon, since ignorance is bliss.

In regards to blocking Flash, doesn't that defeat a key advantage of the N900 and its browser? Already plenty of choices that load pages fast without Flash. Adblock one would be handy though.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Flashblock addon?

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Would this be a simple on / off toggle?

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Please edit the title of the thread to reflect your post.

"Will American N900 buyers be let down by T-Mobile's network?"

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

I'm an american buyer and t-mobile's network is fine where I live and I only travel to major cities within the u.s. so I don't expect to be let down.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

cant you simply switch flash on/off as with previous Maemo versions?

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

It says "some" people, since Tmo and the US are not the only places that may have less than great coverage.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Coverage != Browser issue

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

I love T-Mobile's network and customer service. T-Mobile US provides a better signal in my area than AT&T. And T-Mobile is improving at a rapid pace.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Glad to here that, from what I've read I'll be in the same boat here in NYC. Never had trouble with T-Mobile even when I had a few years back.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

If you have great signal in your area, Tmo's price and service makes them hard to beat. Not to mention the nice SIM option. Especially if you go on overseas trips like me.

Just wish my area had better coverage.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Maybe you can tether another phone to your N900 and use the N900 with no service.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Good idea. I am kind of stuck:

Droid & Verizon = Great 3G everywhere and great phone centric device

N900 & Tmo = Weak coverage, but 32gb, FM transmitter, far more efficient OS, tons of video codecs, mini-PC function and better camera.

I choose the N900 and weak ***** (in my area) Tmo.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Or the expensive solution. Get Droid, pay Verizon additional money for tethering and tether it to your n900. lol

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

I am always hopping back and forth between NYC and Boston, and there is great coverage everywhere with Tmo. Not so sure about less populated areas though.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

TMobile doesn't do a good job with rural and areas that most people don't travel to. For example, say your taking Route 50 (Eastern Shore) in MD to Ocean City. TMobile covers the entire route, but if you go off that route you'll get sparse to little coverage.

Though TMobile is slowly getting better at improving rural coverage.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

:raises hand:

Outside of my house there's pretty much nothing but edge coverage for hundreds of miles. No hotspots either.

Sitka AK.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Anyone know if the n900 could eventually support this? I'm guessing it's just software that's needed?

http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Spot-Ho.../dp/B001TAHCTC

I tried asking the T-Mobile near me, but they didn't even know what the n900 was.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

What if they need a great camera?

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

That's what I'd expect. Not everyone wants to see flash ads or videos all the time... there may just be times where you've seen a youube video in the past and just want to go back to check the puerile comments etc.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

While everyone is complaining of TMobileUSA's 3G coverage, remember, their footprint is only a little over 1 YEAR OLD!! They have done a great job of covering so much area in such a short time, and by next winter, will have coverage for 210 million people, about the same as at&t at the moment, without the at&t capacity issues from an ill-planned network infrastructure.

No carrier will work where there is no coverage. It isn't TMobileUSA's fault if you can't get signal in Saudi Arabia any less than it is anywhere else. Choose your carrier based on coverage in your primary areas of settlement.

One overlooked option with the N900's versatility is using Verizon's MeFi personal WiFi Hotspot as your constant data connection and using Google Voice or a SIP calling account for communications. With today's technology, GSM networks are almost superfluous, and becoming more and more irrelevant as we move to make carriers the dumb pipes they should be.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

I completely respect that, but Verizon has two bars of 3G coverage where Tmo has zero of any bars in some areas where I live. In those spots, Tmo has no service and Verizon streams HQ Youtube and Jeflicks. I wish I was exaggerating.

Shows how much I want the other features of the N900 to put up with the weaker coverage of Tmo.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

You're describing a situation that is based on your location, not the entire network. Evidently, you live near a boundary of TMobile's service, or in a dead zone. There are similar areas all over the country for all carriers. I'd suggest you choose Verizon in your area, but if you lived in an area with good coverage for both, I'd suggest TMobile hands down.

The point is its not a browser issue, its a coverage issue. Evidently, TMobile doesn't have good coverage in yours. If you're getting only 2 bars, and I assume its 3G coverage, that is still pretty weak. Bars are just an indicator, not a measurement, and the same signal could read differently on a seperate device, and two bars on Verizon may not be the same on TMobile.

As I said before, you aren't required to use TMobile at all. Use the personal hot spot device from Verizon and do calling over VOIP/SIP. The N900 can handle it with ease. This goes for all personal WiFi hotspots.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Had the N900 not existed or was on Verizon, I would change. Two bars of 3G that allows smooth HQ Youtube playback is pretty good for a weak signal.

N900 has too many features I want and I will use wifi at home and deal with the Tmo coverage as I have for seven years. Just wish KY had good coverage like a lot of you have.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

Kentucky isn't the bastion of metropolitain life, but it should be improved sooner or later. Don't think signal strenght is equal to speed. I've had 5 bars on at&t and only gotten 300 kbps, and had 2 on a TMo G1 and got over 1 Mbps. A connection is a connection, regardless of bars. While more bars can mean a more reliable connection, it is no indicator of speed. Its just like digital TV. A weak signal can still give a perfect picture.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

I just can't believe that the Flashblock add-on won't be available. It's not just a matter of being slowed down by Flash content -- a lot of Flash content is junk and I wouldn't want to see it no matter how fast my connection was.

So I predict that Flashblock will be available.

Re: Are some people going to be let down by the browser?
 

What's stopping you from just installing the regular flashblock add-on? Differences in how the browser is coded? If so, can Fennec install add-ons just like its older brother Firefox?