Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

For around a year I used an iphone. I really liked my phone, I jailbroke it and set it up just the way I wanted to.

1) I synced it with my documents folder on my computer.

2) I used it as a backup device for my work computer.

3) I set it up to edit my documents.

4) I used it for tethering an internet connection at home and work and wherever I go.

I travel a lot and all my work was on my iphone ready for my. Then one day my partner connected my iphone to the computer and did me a favour and upgraded the operating system to 3.1.3

I was locked out from the iphone and could no longer jailbreak it. It turned into a dumb phone that was unusable for me. I no longer had access to my documents on the phone and there was no possibility of having access to that document because the hackers who jailbreak the phone decided that they will not jailbreak new iphones with 3.1.3. I couldn't even tether my internet connection.

I gave my iphone to my partner and followed advice by people on slashdot to get an n900.

Out of the box it was more useful for me, but when I installed a couple of unix programs it became the perfect handheld companion. I had a unix workstation at my fingertips. Amazing.

I only wish that someone would port procmail, fetchmail, and mutt, without having to install the easy-dabian.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

when i had ihpone i was so fed up with its battery life, you could drain it it couple of hours with moderate use. of net and games.
Appstore isn't anykind of promised land of good and useful apps and games, theres tons of games that are copies from each other and apps.that are not so useful. Free and good isnt synonyme for appstore,

Iphone without jailbrake is like life in jail and even better days with jailbraked iphone feels like youre on barole.

So choose life, choose N900!

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

What a pleasant surprise compared to all the threads complaining about silly issues with the N900 (most of which could be resolved with a bit of effort on behalf of the user)

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

To me you guys sound like people that need a "little bit more" from their device, so I think its no wonder you're feeling at home with the N900.

I know if I ever switched over to the iPhone I'd probably enjoy the stability and UI of it, but once all that eye candy wore off I'd like to actually get something done on it. which I couldn't do.

The N900 hasn't just put me off the iPhone, but also any other Nokia provided handset as there's just no going back from this amazing experience. I just cannot go back to Symbian, eventhough it offers more functionality than most smartphone platforms. To me the N900 is a great blend of eyecandy and functionality. Winning combination for me!

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

Mutt should work for you (I use it with gmail as my only mail client on the n900). I do not remember exactly how I installed it, but I might have followed this post:

http://forums.internettablettalk.com...83&postcount=1

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

swdinitively n900 is "the.devide" for those that like unix like systems. is still a litle way to be done, but I am adicted to this phone. furthermore when t is so easy to pass from applicatioms writen for limux to maemo ir makes as if your on computer is all the time in your pocket.

just amazing!

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

ive never even considered buying and iphone and will never. its such a controlled platform you at the mercy of Apple, **** them. symbian was very good (my n95 8gb is best phone i ever used), but the reason people found it bad was due to the operators custom firmware, so in that respect i think its good apple dont let operators customise the phone and spoil the experience.

but the n900 is the ultimate device, coming from using all the nokia tablets this is a dream, a unix box at my fingertips means my phone will do anything I want it to, when I want it to how I want it to, afterall I have paid money for it!

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

3.1.3 has been cracked already, he's holding off releasing it until the ipad has been released as it's likely the same crack will work with the latter too.

I did the opposite, i sold my n900 for an iphone, i have been loyal to nokia for 15 years but the iphone does more for me, simple as that.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

No hardware keyboard. Fail.
Lower resolution LCD. Fail.
Can't play xvid / wmv. Fail.
Need to use itunes. Fail.
No MicroSD slot. Fail.

There are many more reasons why iPhone isn't for me.
At the end, iphone is like a console. N900 is like a PC.

I'm a PC.... (oh. is this only for Windows? lol)

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

There's a copy of mutt in Jebba's etch repository that's been compiled against the maemo extras repository. You may also find other stuff you're after in there.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

No hardware keyboard. Fail.
You can add BT Keyboard and mouse. Not ideal I agree. But multitouch software keyboard is faster than n900 I bet.

Lower resolution LCD. Fail.
Never really have problems with PDF and webpages at that screen size.

Can't play xvid / wmv. Fail.
Jailbroken yxflash.

Need to use itunes. Fail.
You don't if its jailbroken.

No MicroSD slot. Fail.
32GB is fine for 99% of population. I am sure the next phone out soon will be twice as big.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

Proposing jailbreaking as a solution - fail.
It's a cumbersome process, it's officially unsupported by Apple, it voids the warranty, it needs to be repeated every time there's a firmware update and it makes Steve Jobs sad.

Having a phone that does that out of the box without issues - win.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

People have bricked their iphones really badly when trying to jailbreak them, it's much safer to use extra devel repo in N900 than constantly jailbreak your iphone.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

THe only thing that annoys me about the iPhone is that there are some really useful apps (for me) that I really wish could or would be ported to the n900 then I would be happier

But the apps that I would like that are on the iphone are not even close to make me consider getting one, it would just be nice if I could have them on my n900 as it is so more versatile, I hope with time these apps will appear in the repositries

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

I like the last bit about console vs PC. I'm asuming this is referring to gaming... lol!

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

the N900....what a phone :)

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

i have some friends that had it cracked day one here in san jose/cupertino.

they crack them everyday...funny, even apple employees go to see them! and it's "illegal" lmao

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

I came from the Nokia N97, and had the option of getting an iPhone.. but I am so glad I didn't!! There are so many things that the N900 has got that the iPhone doesn't (and vice-versa) but for me I love the concept of the N900. Built around Linux, which itself means the phone is open to more mods than the iPhone (unless you jailbreak). I already have an iPod Touch, which I will still use for my music as that is it's primary function, I couldn't ever lose that. I just feel there is so much more going for the N900, more than the iPhone!!

The main thing that hacked me off about the iPhone, as I found out when my dad got his, is the ringtone situation.. you pretty much have to buy them from the iTunes Store, and I feel that is wrong!! Not sure if when you jailbreak you can use your own?

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

I think there is a JB app called Anyring, havent used it.

Thing for me is the iphone will be the perfect phone and smartphone in the next version of it (I am assuming flash camera and hi res/cpu upgrade etc).

But it will never be a computer running GIMP etc I don't thing the n900 is particularly good at either being a phone, smartphone or computer from what I have read but the potential is there once software is added and optimised. Or perhaps it will occur with the next generation of meego devices.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

Interestingly the nexus one has just booted debian natively off its hardware - no chrooting malarkey. No phone features or bluetooth but thats similar to n900 right. So it will be interesting to keep tabs on that.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

So the problem was your partner. You should have swapped them out ;)

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

In fairness, using a real pocket computer probably makes Jobs sad, too.

:D

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

I like it whenever a problem with the iPhone is mentioned, fanboys quickly go with ( if jailbroken....) as if your supposed jailbreak it.
as it was mentioned, apple doesn't support it, voids the warranty, and last but not least all the risks that could occur during the process; and then your basically...f***ed.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

Oh cmon, as if the rabid N900 fanboy point of view isn't just as skewed.

It takes about a minute to jailbreak, and about 2 mouse clicks.

With blackrain, you literally click "Make it rain" and you're done.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

I agree with you on how easy it is but that's not my point at all ( thanks for blackra1n again). my point is that comparisons and features shouldn't be based on a jailbroken iPhone, because of the reasons I mentioned and basically it's not official.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

Being a mac user, the iPhone was the obvious choice since its integrated very well with the Mac. But it doesn't have a C compiler.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

I agree with Delta on this. I don't care what a jailbroken iPhone can do, because I can't buy one. I can only buy Apple's crippled iPhone and then crack it. But suppose the next firmware won't allow to be jailbroken in a timely fashion. Of course given enough time any software can be cracked, but what if it takes a couple of months? People are going nuts over Nokia's lengthy repair process for the N900, but Nokia is actually taking in broken phones and fixes them. Apple will destroy your phone ON PURPOSE.

Having to regain control of your own device every single time you update the firmware is EVIL. It's sad that you're willing to put up with it, and actually reward Apple for their behaviour. They got paid for every single iPhone they shipped, so to a large extent they don't care if you jailbreak yours.

Anyway, that's my take on it. Pretty much the only thing that will make me consider switching to an iPhone is if it gives me BJs every morning. And even Apple hasn't invented that technology yet.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

So? How does this effect me? Why do i care if the developer supports it?

Risks? The worst that couple happen with current jailbreaks is you unplug your phone mid jailbreak, forcing you to go through the horrors of having to click "restore to factory settings" in ITunes. Seeing as iTunes killed my mother and raped my children, I would NEVER do that.

Doesn't stop the homebrew crowd on...any other device. Worst comes to worst, you restore it and since it's just a software jailbreak Apple won't see that you've jailbroken it.

TBH, not being allowed to include jailbreaking is just awful logic.

You people sound like

OH NO IF STEVE JOBS DOES NOT SANCTION IT, THEN IT IS THE DEVIL!%!!%!

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

You don't get it, and sadly never will. Now kindly go troll an Apple forum somewhere. :D

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

1. Umm. No. You know that's not a valid argument with all the benefits built-in hardware keyboard gives.

2. Well, myself and my friends with iPhone can notice it quite a bit.

3. Yup. But Jailbreak needed and free version has limitations. (well, can find cracked ones easy however. lol) It's no match for mplayer with keyboard shortcuts on N900 still.

4. It's not just about the amount of space. It's about the ability to remove or insert a card. Eg. Using a digital camera with the microsd card. (via sd adapter etc) Then when done, you can chuck it inside the N900, check out the photos and send them via mms or email or upload them on to the web straight away. (well, there are many other benefits to external memory card support)

I do know the plus sides to the iPhone and for some, it's a better choice. (like my wife)

Jailbroken iPhone is like my PSP with CFW.
It's good, but it's not enough. Hard to explain. =P

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

Yes. The hardware limitations, closed system OS and apple restrictions are downers. My iphone battery is shot and I can't just replace it ATM but I am using one of many 3rd party battery cases. However it does so many things right in its software implementations hence the many phones that try to emulate its features and innovations. There is also huge community and commercial support for it.

Its a very decent phone, a great MID and has so many applications that it emulates some aspects of having a laptop IMO. There is a decent app ecosystem. But a decent sized slider which can switch between Android/Other well supported phone OS and a well supported native desktop OS distro (without any need for compiling) would be the most ideal for myself. I suspect the next generation of chips might help accomplish this.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

Fanaticism, any flavor = fail.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

I'm being absolutely fanatical about owning and modding my own hardware that I bought with cold hard cash. If tomorrow I'll want to install Windows Vista on my N900 I will be declared insane, but I will be able to try.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

Probably won't.

In actual homebrew communities, people tend to not care about what the device was originally intended for. That's half the fun in it.

edit:

BTW I love how "You won't get it" is a valid argument for N900 fanboys.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

I originally thought you were just trolling with this post (With your use of caps and awful logic), but I guess i'll address it.

Ebay, next. (inbefore BAWW ITS NOT NEW)

Most of apple's firmware updates are useless if you jailbreak anyways. Almost all of the features (copy paste, search, push) were available to people with jailbroken phones prior to apple's firmware updates. There really wasn't ever a need to update firmwares.

This sounds like one of those "You won't get it" deals. I'm sorry that I get a refurb and I'm out of the apple store in 2 hours versus the wait on fixing your nokia n900? I'm not sure if you were trying to actually make a point here.

Um what? I don't think you meant to use the word evil. (I'm not sure what word you meant to use either) Somehow pressing "Make it rain" after updating my firmware, if i choose to do so, doesn't seem "evil" to me. Another one of those "You'll never get it." deals? Do all Nokia N900 owners associate morality with the use of your cell phones?

Okay, this was a good use of my time.

TBH I'd be shitting over the iPhones awfully made hardware if you're gonna troll the iPhone--but it's probably consistent with that of the N900, so moot point.

Re: Why I moved to N900 from iphone
 

That's fine with me, but sooner than later you're bound to stumble upon business model that doesn't involve just selling commodity hardware to end users; that hardware won't be the only component that you're paying for with your device purchase.

PS: This will come to MeeGo too.