Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

hi there!

all the info is becoming rather confusing and i am losing track..it would be great if someone culd answer the following questions:

1) can the n900 receive/send mms after the firmware update?

2) any news on handwriting recognition?

3) which devices are rumoured to be "the next big thing" (possibly running memo6?) ? possibly n98? any gossip concerning these devices (possibly links?) and when they could be expected would be appreciated!!

4) is there any app that allows the phone to speak out the name of the person calling me? it was a default function with my n98, its really mind boggling why the n900 is unable to do this.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Hiya,

No. AFAIK, Nokia have no plans to support this. You can try frals' fMMS.

Not finished, but: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=50419

http://my-maemo.com/software/applica...to=1352&faq=43

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

symbian is a lot more mature than maemo as far as phone functionality is concerned so this is expected. if this was the third iteration of a maemo phone then maybe, this statement is valid

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

just get one

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

thanks for the answers so far!

but what about the n98 oder whatever follows the n900 (=the next big thing)? any rumours/news?

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Not a single rumor nor news about a N900 successor.
I'm not even sure that Nokia knows how it will be, since they just started a big survey of the N900 to get opinions of people (and if they do that, we can safely assume they will take reviews in consideration for the next device)

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Just buy it!!! xD

I love my N900!

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

I bought my N900 two months ago, and would do so all over again. So here's another vote to "JUST BUY IT".

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Im with you. I was close to Switching to HTCs Desire, but changed my mind and decided to stick to my n900 which is now - with all this community has produced over the past months - an absolute kick *** phone!

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

I wouldn't recomend it.

Would recommend you wait for the HTC Evo. Or if you want a phone now, the just released HTC Desire is not bad either.

Ultimately, it depends on how you use your mobile phone. Personally I got my N900 the week it was released and have been disappointed at the lack of support and development for the maemo OS.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

There will always be something newer, even more amazing on the horizon. The question is when do you want a new device? If you are going to need one within the next few weeks then no, there won't be a N900 successor. If you can wait till end of this year then yes, there might be some sort of successor available from Nokia.

N900 has a couple of glitches yes. There are some typical "phone" related things missing, yes. It doesn't have a "portrait mode", yes. But on the other hand side I never even considered this thing as a (smart)phone, I always looked at it as an "Internettablet with phone functionality" and using it this way, it is very satisfying. Had a couple of devices lately (E90, HTC Touch Pro and Touch Pro 2) but I haven't been as satisfied with a mobile device before as it is with the N900.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

I don't think there is a "next big thing" waiting in the wings, but if you want to wait three to six months, things might be clearer then. Or you could probably really get future tech if you waited five more years :)

Someone just posted an update today saying he was getting a handwriting recognition system working and the implication was that was going to be really ready to go quite soon. I think there was a demo you could try -- if you had your N900, so hurry up!

I think you should just get it, ignore the naysaysers. You might have a period of time in which you could return it if you really hate it, but I think you'll be impressed, as most of us are.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

for everyone telling him: JUST BUY IT,... that doesnt help at all...
because when he comes whining on later, you will tell him "shouldve researched before Ha Ha Ha Ha" , or "another troll"...

To the op:
You cannot expect ANY new functionality.. this phone still cannot do what the ads say, let alone ADDED functionalities... Updates will come (although a few years late) and only fix BUGS...

Those software devlopers at Nokia are just eating crisps the whole day and getting lazier and lazier...

Do you know Linux?? can you use the x terminal??
Do you need multitasking?? N900 is best at it
Do you need full flash?? how many times do you browse?? Again plus point
Do you need a good phone?? N900 is a bad one :P
Do you need good battery life?? Crap

also, you need 2 hands to do anything with the N900..
Its possible, but very impractical to even unlock the N900 screen with one hand...

choice is yours.. gd luck

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

could you give examples?

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

did you really mean N98??:D

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Please point out when I've ever said anything remotely like that.

You are full of it to make a blanket accusation like that.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Such as?

The N900 is a good phone. But a phone is simply a new subset of functionality added to Maemo. Depends on how important it being a phone is.

Well if you use it heavily, the battery life will be terrible. Pretty much every other device out there has equivalent battery life.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

sim card menu...
video call

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Curious, do any other smartphones (iPhone, Android, Symbian) offer access to the "sim card menu?"

I'm guessing that Symbian does, but symbian isn't exactly in the same league as the others...

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

media player?
front camera?
mail for exchange?

lots of static interference... Not only me, more people have this..
Yes, true. its an added functionality.. lacks sim card menu and lot more.. video call??

do you honestly buy a phone to keep on idle??:D
it even s*cks up the battery on idle..

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

not pointing directly at you... but i have seen what happens when people are upset with their purchase, what happens...

the most typical answer is "should have done your research"...

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

yes:D unfortunately

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

You're suggesting that these -don't work-. They may not be the best, but they do work. And don't get started on exchange provisioning, it's impossible to support on a phone that provides the user the level of control the N900 does.

I'll give you the front camera, even though the only issue is that nothing uses it and it's got terrible light sensitivity.

I haven't heard at all about this, got links?

If you leave applications running in the background, yes. But it is very obvious that they are running. When IDLE, as in, sitting doing nothing and not running any software (like say, the browser) then it consumes no more power than other phones of equal hardware.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

I have seen that statement. I have never made a statement like that. In fact, I disagree with it.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

lol, thats a technical point of view.. If advertised, it should work perfectly, which it doesnt..
about the camera, i know it works with google talk:confused:, but how about a simple video call??

nope, but if you come with me to any railway station, you will notice it at its best..

and my N97 works perfectly there..


yes, in idle, nothing in background, the typical drain is over 20% for 24hours... with no internet and good signal...
i have used other phones, they are all not-so-good.. but this one is worse i have used..

I like the N900 - especially after its been overclocked.. i try to find reasons to like it more, bt cant:( ...

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

thats what, I think, the op is doing here - research-... but constantly only just telling him the good points wont help.. ;)

He should get a taste of both sides.. good and bad..
and this phone can be very good for some... and very bad for some..

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

If your questions are a good indication of what's important to you, then no, this device probably shouldn't even be in the top 5 that you're considering. You don't seem like a tinkerer and those features you mentioned didn't appear to be a priority for the n900. That might be all the information you need in my opinion.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Right, in that case feel free to misrepresent my opinions. It's in a good cause!

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

wanna buy my N900?

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

ok i`ll be more specific on what i need/want (however basic it may seem):

1) what phone functionalities does the n958gb have that the n900 lacks?

2) i take it that the time/sms/missed call cannot be seen once the phone goes into rest mode, i assume that this is solved by the blinking lights for missed calls and sms? but thetime needs to be accessed by going to the homescreen?

3) i need a phone with a good browser. some videos showed that the n900 lagged/checked boxes appeared when scrolling quickly, but apparantly this has been resolved with the new update?

4) i would require it forwarding my email from gmail/yahoo without needing to refresh anything.

5) i would require it to have a halfway decent media/mp3 player , in what ways is the mp3player worse than that of the n958gb (if at all)?

6) i would need it to have a sensible navigation system with voice-turn by turn navigation, any decent (free) software supporting that?

7) does skype work well?

8) if i have an app like the recommended "speaks out the callers name" running in the background, will that drain the battery life quickly? i am used to charging the battery every 1,5 days, i`m not a long caller, i also dont surf for ages though.

9) are there any plans to implement portrait mode in the next updates?

10) would it technically be possible to create an app with that you could speak text into the phone and it would convert it to text, one of the phones out there supposedly can do that.


i appreciate your answers highly!

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

1) It would be quicker to describe what phone functionality the N900 DOES have. If you use anything beyond "call contact" you will want to take a better look. Built on top of a line of devices with no focus on PIM or phone functionality what so ever, I was surprised that the N900 is _as good as it is_ as a phone. In a way you can say this is a linux computer that takes the first baby steps towards adding phone functionality. Be delighted that it's walking but don't expect it to compete with the seventh graders.

2) Blinking LED, yes. Black screen.

3) is one of the N900s clearest pro's. It is made to be _best_ here. Of course, the competition also try to be best sometimes. The N900 browsers are desktop browsers, not some puny shrunken mobile browsers.

4) I believe the phone is fairly good at regular email, and there are some email programs to choose from if you don't want the default. It's email problems is mainly against microsoft exchange.

5) You can choose between a number of media players, something is bound to be right for you, I think.

6) N900 is a bit behind on free turn by turn, you'll not be very happy.

7) Integrated Skype - it should work much like a regular phone call.

8) Probably not.

9) This is a landscape device. Accept that or move on. Once MeeGo is out and full portrait mode is supported, reconsider a MeeGo device, but by the time that reaches the mass market, you'll want a new phone anyway.

10) Technically possible. Should already exist something like that on desktop linux that can be ported. Realistically, it is not likely you'll ever have it on your phone.

All answers pulled out of the air.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

I am running my phone on 950mhz and the battery lasts with normal use 48+ and it's seams pretty safe to do it. It only needs some installing of programs and writing som settings. It is not like this in stock. The the battery maybe lasts 15-20h depending on what you do.

I am using gmail and hotmail without problems. I am syncing the calender with google calender without problems using the program Erminig.

I have installed a program called Callnotify that tells me if i have a message or missed call in the statusbar. And of course the led lightening

The browser can swallow all of the pages throwed at it. Also heavy flash browser games.

I do not lack any phone functionallity. Video calls and mms are too expensive anyway. Did not use it before.. do not use it now. Better to just send an email or on msn or something.

I can edit photos with an real photo edit program called Gimp. For that i need to insall Easy Debian first. Gimp need some learning so might not be for you.

I have never missed profile view etiher. Maybe because i do not use it while driving...

I would never swap this phone for anything awailable on the market today. If the n900 would have come with a little bigger rootfs, a 4,5 inch screen and a 2400mAh battery (with same back cover).. I would be fully satisfied.

Edit: Seams like video call functionality does exists through Google Talk. The down side is that the one you talk with also need a google account.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

Even nokia have said it isn't a phone. I don't get static because I can't hear anyone speaking as the buggy software doesn't turn the volume up loud enough for me to hear people speaking. I would like static, to at least tell me it was using the output speaker.

But seriously though... this thing has a forward facing camera. Honestly. (Checks his N900) OH MY GOD. it does, I can see the lens and everything, well blow me if that isn't a turn up for the books. (Goes and tries to find something that uses it) Nope, oh well useful tool that. Just like TV out.


1) Don't know the previous phone, but I assume the previous phone had things like MMS? Message notification on screen other then having to go into a sub meny to be told.

2) There is now an app for it called call notify as has been said. It has a little envelope and every few minutes a beep to tell you that you missed a call or got a text, without having to go into any sub menus before hand (or get it out your pocket to look a blinking light)

5) People rate mplayer but that is like DOS, really bad. Not talking about the command line, even with the GUI put on top it is like DOS trying to represent a GUI. I just use the bundled mp3 player and make do with the limited functionality.

6) Forget it.

8) Battery life is a day tops on most moderate use. I would be interested to see usage for those that can get more out of it.

Problem is you need to use the terminal to get this phone to be what you want, it isn't what you want out the box and requires a lot of patient and work to get there. Maybe in six months when unpaid community members get round to spending their free time will it be what you want (and what I want) but for what you would pay, you don't get what you are after.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

ok I can tell you my experiences with n900. Coming from an E71, I can admit I do miss some features.

E71 had amazing phone features, video call capability, setting videos as ur ringtones, hearing the persons name who calls you, sending files via IM (windows live was amazing), support for nimbuzz) ability to use with one hand

However, despite n900 lacking some features that E71 one has, I still looove n900. I think the only thing that bothers me is that you can't use it in portrait mode...but for calls I have that auto rotate feature so I can call easily, but it requires two hands to hold when you use it otherwise..also I wish I could exchange files with my IM contacts. With the E71 it was pretty easy and fast. Also n900 fmms is a little slow in opening up the pictures but it works.
A feature I love about n900, is I can do video chats via googletalk and amsn. Googletalk is better cuz it uses the front camera, however amsn uses the back camera (i'm sure there must be a way to change the settings on that, haven't played around with that yet)
I mainly use this phone for emails, IMs, calls, browsing, and so far it gets the job done right. I had the HTC touch HD prior this running windows 6.5 (the one HD2 runs) and it was nice but compared to n900 it's nothing lol They're coming out with the Evo, that looks nice, but I like the actual keyboard, even though I love n900s virtual keyboard, I still like being able to have a grip on something when I text at times.

I love the touch screen on n900..love the graphics...love the apps...it's a great phone, so far I'm not disappointed with it at all.

I think you should def try it out, if you don't like it just return it, but def don't miss out on the experience of n900 :)

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

I got my N900 with no knowledge of linux or terminal, and I still love it. I also use the TV out all the time, it's very useful when I want to watch a movie or show pictures on a big screen.

In my opinion it's better than the N97, N95 or iphone 3GS. They're my last three phones and while they all had their strengths and weaknesses, overall I like the n900 much more. I'm sure it could be even better if you learn to use the terminal.

For the record I haven't used MMS, Video calling or GPS ever on any phone, so I can't comment on them. I can tell you why I bought it and why It is my favorite phone though.
It has:

• Large, high resolution, screen for watching videos
• Good camera
• Large storage space ( and easy to access unlike the iphone)
• Great internet browser
• Lot's of audio and video codecs (don't have to re-encode videos to watch them on my N900)

I would recommend you look at the phones HTC have as well, as some of their phones look very good. Or wait until the N98/N910 or whatever comes out, if you don't mind waiting a while.

Oh and phone calls are fine for me, and with text messages I prefer the N900 to how the iphone, N95 and N97 display them.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

I dunno, I've installed a program from the repository called "Mirror" and lo and behold, it does just that...show my ugly mug on the screen as I look at it. I agree, not the best of apps as it shows my ugly mug, but it does show hardware wise the thing works as advertised. There's just little software which uses it. Most notably Skype.

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

I consider the N900 so much a computer that I was missing an ethernet port already. When I bought I new router I was sad that I had to connect my lap-top to it to access and turn WiFi on.

Wished my N900 had an ethernet port. Alos would be nice to print stuff.

Regards Markus

Re: Should i buy the N900 / look into the future
 

haha, I've actually thought that myself a few times!! :) Never thought an Ethernet port would be on my list of want's for a phone!