I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

It does not make coffee.

:p

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

or tea :(... actually, or a vodka and coke either come to think off it... where's the ice dispensing machine?! grrrrrrrrr

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

@ TAD88

Who are you?

Exactly, just go and get an iphone, and make my day

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

These are all software related and can be easily implemented through regular software updates.

FYI
FM Radio receiver program & voice recorder program => available in Extras

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

funny, a few weeks ago everybody and his dog was pressuring Nokia for a timely release, and guess what, now the complaints about rushed and half-baked products are starting...

that was so expected...

I'm no way defending Nokia, or picking up on TAD88 directly, I just take the advantage of this thread ;)

And I don't think that Nokia conceded to the pressure either (or not too much)...

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

If "rushing" refers to getting it out: yes, each feature that gets implemented takes some time and resources.

Would you like your device earlier, and with less features, or later, with more features? ;)

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

these are issues that can be corrected in software. i'm much more concerned about issues like Mic not working and random reboots, which makes the phone basically unusable.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Isn't Nokia's whole business plan with N900 to off-load most development from Nokia to the consumers under the disguise of "open source development" ---> $$$ for Nokia.

So what did you expect with the N900 then lad?

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Here's a nice idea - how about we consider it reasonable for people to expect a non-half baked product and a timely release for something costing €500+?

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

There will always be things that some people consider really important and some not. I think Nokia made a good balance with the N900 and implemented a good mix of features without leaving any showstoppers out.

The missing stuff you mentioned could be added to by ones others have thought, much easier than on other mobile platforms because of the ease of development.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Everybody seems to be going at the messenger instead of the message.

Me for one, think you're kind of right. These things are not part of the default delivery. And adding all of these, especially portrait GUIs for all default/Nokia applications, is a matter of quite a bit of work. I don't think all of these will be fixed by 31.01.10. But some will, and I am sure they will have a deadline on many issues related to the "N920" release.

As to the whole missing features because the N900 was rushed, I believe this to be a partial truth. I believe Nokia is bleeding in the smart phone market, and I believe the N97 failure increased the need for the N900 to come sooner rather than later.

The N900 is however not a quickfix, but something they have worked towards for years. It's a milestone release for Nokia, and it is hardly a thrown together device. As such, I believe the main reason that the N900 is less than feature perfect on the areas you point out, is not rush, but the simple fact that it's a "first Maemo phone". First generation anything always lack something while it excels in other things. It's a basic "where did they put the focus with this device" resource management question.

The N900 excels in many areas. So it's not really unexpected that there are some things that simply are basic but nothing extra. The media are bound to pick out these as cons, and the discussions will go around them. Like the missing MMS was used against the Iphone for years.

Like Apple had to implement the MMS as much as they didn't want to, Nokia too will have to do something about their "cons" list, before their next device. And each software fix will be to N900 owners benefit as well.

The much-promised "first firmware fix" will disappoint a lot of people, cause it simply cannot deliver everything people hope for. No firmware fix was ever a solve-it-all.

So, you get a lot of flack for putting together a list of things you think should have been done right the first time. Well, I think you're right, each of them should have been done right the first time. But it could not be expected that _all_ of these things are done the first time, because as a platform for phones, Maemo 5 is brand new, and no first version of anything is ever complete when the sales starts.

All in all I think the Maemo team have done admirably, it's a big job and so far it seems like they're "hitting gold", quote gsmarena.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Of the last I'd say critical features are:

-Portrait mode
-Menu Icon reordering
-Quick scrolling

The others are all nice and some users will like them but the lack of the above three really create an "unfinished" appearance.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

You can vote for your favorite feature requests and bugs to be fixed here:

https://bugs.maemo.org/

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

you have a good point! i really dont understand why these features were omitted...another thing missing is the option for the phone to speak out the callers name, really miss that feature.

hope that these features will be packed in until feb..

i`m getting tired with people either bashing the n900 or telling people t purchase an iphone whenever it is critized. there is nothing to dispute about the fact that the n900 would be way better if these standard s60 features were included.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Fact 1: The N900 is not for everyone
Fact 2: Nokia have stated repeatedly that certain features were left out due to lack of time, but they have also promised releasing patches which fixes alot of these issues. They have even gone so far as to say: "We will provide extensive portrait mode support by the end of the year". When they actually dare to give out such a specific time window, I believe they will make it happen.

So, it was never a secret that these features were not going to be on the device at time of release. If you expected the features to be there regardless of what previous reports said, you should simply have waited longer before getting the N900..

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

things I think is important (listed by importance):
1) ability to scroll rapidly in Photos and Music player (have over 3000 numbers... and will have more with the 32gb.)
2) Arrange media by the iD3 tag and/or it would be nice to be able to tag your media files (music and video) like your photos (with tags/genres you can edit yourself.)
3) ability to send files directly from File Manager
4) MMS (I do send quite alot of those. Nice and easy postcard)
5) re-arrange icons

Don't care about portrait mode... (think it's annoying that the screen rearranges if I tilt the phone...) Have disabled that on my flashed HD so it only works in browser... Hate that the iPod switches to that album flipper if tilted too much and same thing with the HD. But If others want it fine by me ( I just hope it will be optional)

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Good imput! Now if you want to more than merely talk about your ideas go here:

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=353146&postcount=1

This is where the real fun of opensource community starts. We can do more than talk we can contribute!! If you don't want to contribute this is okay also. Having choices is freedom!

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

And for some of us critical feature MIC.:D

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

I think that most of those are on the road map for Maemo 6. Rushing would mean that there was a plan to release it with those features and releasing before those were implemented.

(IMHO) The right question would be, if it was smart to release "step 4 out of 5"? (and my answer would yes, but I guess I'm way off-topic).

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

1+, if these should of been done on the first firmware out, and it does create a very unfinished appearance. As for the other the wait is expected.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

I think you are right on many levels...

As for an earlier remark about Nokia saving dollars with this approach I think yes and no. Whatever money they may have saved went into developing a new device that allows FOSS in the first place... not to mention support for this community itself plus the program that provided loaner devices to individuals with forum nicknames instead of corporate partners.

Nokia has also provided this device without kowtowing to the demands of service providers which have crippled many a good device in the past in order to protect revenue streams that never fully materialized in the first place.

This open source approach also saves money in the future for Nokia and device users, IMHO. You will notice that not a lot of licenses from third parties are included with the firmware. Even my Motorola "dumb phone" pays MS a royalty on every unit sold for the use of something. (pro'ly just the ability to connect to a Windows Box in order to program and sync)
In a FOSS world Motorola could have released the phone with out this ability and relied on independent developers to provide the drivers or relied on Linux only for program and sync operations. They didn't because they did not want to limit sales in anyway... In the end the consumer pays for this type of thinking but he gets polish.

I doubt anyone would suggest that Nokia actively promoted the N900 as a replacement for any phone currently on the market including Nokia's own devices.

In the end all this crying for features that have proprietary licenses attached may result in Nokia ceding some independence with Maemo6 by reaching agreements with third parties. This may add polish but it will remove some of the advantages inherent in Maemo5 like anonymity and access to many device API's.

If they do have to get into bed with a third party my hope is that it would be Google and not MS but who knows? (Besides that is a topic for another thread.) Does anyone remember the Harmattan screen shots that were posted many months ago (May I believe) showing advertisement on the device desktop?

You can't have your cake and eat it too... But it looks like to me with Maemo5 you have all the ingredients available to make a tasty pie.

Good pies need time to bake. :)

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

The question is: would anybody have the patience to wait another 6 months or more for the N900's first release so it could have everything everybody wants implemented in it?

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

For it to be good value for money and a product that worked for you £*** yes totally!

I would never release an unfinished product into market.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Totally agree, this is the point I am trying to get across in another thread but its the fanboy response of : OH ITS NOT A PHONE ITS AWESOME THE COMMUNITY WILL FIX IT.

If I released one of my hardware products my company sells and it did not work properly we would not be in business!

simple!

MB

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

I'm not a business expert but as far as I know Nokia operates on the basis of its products being "for" as many people with money to spend as possible.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

yes, but it also missing an in-built printer, cooler or watshingking...you got a phone that is built like a tank. take it or leave it.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Amen. It's not as if Nokia didn't have the time to do it right. And they certainly didn't need the revenue with new S60 releases still going on. It seems more like they didn't consider the N900 or Fremantle a priority and they were unwilling to devote sufficient resources to the product to finish it.

I remain hopeful that resources are being directed at it so that with release 1.1 most of the issues mentioned by the OP will be solved. But until then, I won't be upgrading. I need a phone that works, not a toy that I can get root on and experiment with. Limited computing capability is a nice extra but that is all it is, an extra. I doubt many people would have bought it if the cell capability was data only (as it is on more powerful mobile computers like the Viliv S5).

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

But is it unfinished? It is not an S60 phone, yet everyone seems to expect that it has all the features S60 phones have.

It is a new kind of device which exists parallel to the S60 devices, and is a new platform which - yes - needs to mature. On the other hand I have features which I cannot find on an S60 phone. But I don't expect S60 phones to have an xterm for example.

And the specifications of the device have been available since August, and none of the features people seem to be used to from their S60 phones have been mentioned in there. If you absolutely need these features, S60 seems to be the right platform at the moment. And you could try to reapply for a maemo phone a bit later.

If you want something else, the N900 could be your phone. But as said: The specs have been open, so I don't understand the sudden surprise moment here.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

So where does the N900 "not work properly" - besides the hardware issues some have with the broken microphones?

Or doesn't it just live up to your expectations (whereever they came from)? Many phones don't live up to mine, too - but I wouldn't call them broken.

I just wouldn't consider buying them, then. For me the N900 is what I want to have - the phone features are plenty for me, but I really want to have the open platform behind it. Your mileage may vary.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Yes. But if it doesn't fit your vision of a phone, it clearly isn't the right phone for you. The iphone for example clearly isn't the right phone for me, even as Apple operates on the same basis - but I can accept that and don't throw fits on some apple board.

The N900 is the phone for people who see the N900 as the phone they want. Nothing more, nothing less.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Well, then this is not the phone for you. Then you need to buy a different phone which does what you want. But please let me have the phone I want which might be different from yours.

I really don't understand some people.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Can we stop that "It's a new kind of device" thing?
The name is "Maemo 5" because it's the 5th version of an OS that was introduced to the public in 2005.

What they did was drop quite a few features (pity) and add some. It's not a new kind of device. It's the long overdue successor to the N810, something we thought would be released in 2008.

Looking at it from a distance and comparing it to the 4 previous iterations of Maemo, it seems 80% of the work has gone into the UI. Well. That's one strategy.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

This is a great feature in S60. Though I currently, have the N900, I am still using my N95 because of the "used to" features that are missing.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

Although that is true, it is also true that this is the First maemo phone. In that respect it is the first maemo device doing this, and that is probably why it is lacking certain phone capabilities.
It still needs to mature in the phone department.

But everything else seems a lot more mature to me than previous maemo versions ;P

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

And my question would be how anybody registered in September 2009 didn't now that this was "step 4 out 5"? Anybody registered on this board should have known about what Nokia said in Nokia World and what many Nokia employees have said on this board. Maemo 6 will be consumer version. Maemo 5 sits somewhere between consumer friendly and the previous "science project"-like Maemo products.

We have strange viral videos about cyborg-penguins spewing stuff about open-source. What we don't have is a mass market aimed TV and newspaper advertisements. We have Nokia making pretty clear on each step of the way that Maemo 5 isn't and shouln''t be a mass market consumer device.

Call me silly fanboi, if you want, but items on OP's list are owerwhelmingly stuff that Nokia never promised. The bugs in release firmware are different matter. Current e-mail problems, for example, are inexcusable and shouldn't be there at release. I both expect and want Nokia to fix those quickly. I don't expect Nokia to do things that were never supposed to be there until Maemo 6, like real support for portrait mode.

Maybe Nokia's real error was to underestimate the interest it's brand alone would bring to N900/Maemo 5. The delays in N900's release due to unexpected demand seem to indicate so. Nokia's brand alone seems to have peeked interest from lot of people who didn't know what they were getting into.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

That's a good point. They might have fared better if it was released under a different brand name, maybe not even branding it a Nokia phone but "Nokia Research M5" or something. Let people discover it a bit more slowly.

Re: I think that Nokia rushed and released N900 with software that miss many functions
 

But, see, that's actually part of the problem for many readers here. We KNOW about the reported drawbacks thanks to al those threads. :D

Time to move past recognition, though, and toward resolution... to that aim, the post below the one I'm quoting is a good starting point!